Argentina's President-Elect, Javier Milei, officially named Luis Petri as Defense Minister on December 4, 2023. This appointment becomes effective on December 10, coinciding with the new government's inauguration. Luis Petri, a seasoned lawyer, previously ran for vice president with Patricia Bullrich. They were part of the Juntos por el Cambio coalition, finishing third in the […]
Mozambique's 2024 state budget heralds a significant shift towards strengthening its economy. With a 15% increase in spending, totaling 542.7 billion meticais ($7.8 billion), the budget accounts for 35.3% of the expected GDP. This rise from 2023's 472.1 billion meticais ($6.8 billion) mirrors a commitment to enhance economic and social sectors. A major part, 191.7 […]
In Guinea-Bissau, a major political upheaval has led to state television and radio being seized by heavily armed military personnel, resulting in the expulsion of employees. This occurred following President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's announcement of the dissolution of the National People's Assembly. The President's decree led to tension, with military vehicles and armed soldiers seizing […]
Brazilian President Lula da Silva and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are advocating for the completion of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. This united effort highlights the urgency of finalizing this significant international deal. President Lula da Silva is urging the European Union (EU) to decide on the agreement, emphasizing the crucial Mercosur summit in Rio de […]
Brazil is re-establishing its connections with Africa, signaling a major shift in its international approach. Previously, Brazil and Africa shared robust economic and diplomatic bonds, with Brazilian enterprises contributing to significant projects across the continent. In 2013, bilateral trade between Brazil and Africa nearly reached $30 billion, a high point in their relationship. This alliance […]
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has announced a strategic shift in focus for the upcoming Mercosur presidency. Paraguay, set to lead the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), will prioritize exploring new markets over continuing negotiations with the European Union (EU). This decision reflects a change in the country’s international trade strategy. Peña emphasized that Mercosur members divide […]
Latin America faces a considerable housing deficit, impacting over 23 million people, mainly in urban areas where demand surpasses supply. This shortfall is alarming, especially with upcoming demographic shifts, as noted by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean-CAF. The Regional Economic Commission CEPAL reports that the region's population has grown significantly, from […]
Mark Zuckerberg has started selling Meta Platforms Inc. (META) shares for the first time in two years. This move comes as Meta’s stock has significantly recovered from its challenging 2022, experiencing a 172% surge this year. The sale involves approximately 682,000 shares, valued at nearly $185 million, executed through prearranged trading plans. As reported by […]
In October, Brazil's external deficit reached $230 million, the lowest for this month since 2006. The Central Bank of Brazil released this data, highlighting a significant decrease in the country's negative balance. This reduction, a notable 96% drop from the previous year, reflects a positive shift in Brazil's external financial health. The report, part of […]
The Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) is actively seeking to replace its aging Kfir fighter jets. As a key military branch, the FAC's main role is to defend Colombia's airspace and support ground and naval operations. It handles tasks like surveillance, troop transportation, search and rescue, and combating narcotics trafficking. The FAC operates a diverse fleet, […]
Itau Unibanco, Brazil's and Latin America's leading bank, has entered the cryptocurrency market by introducing a trading service. Launched on Monday, this service marks Itau's foray into the digital asset exchange world. Initially, the platform offers trading in Bitcoin and Ether, the most sought-after cryptocurrencies. Guto Antunes, the head of digital assets at Itau, has […]
Over the past five years, property values in certain Brazilian cities have surged significantly above inflation rates. In cities like Vitória, Vila Velha, Goiânia, Curitiba, and Florianópolis, the appreciation in property values ranged from 16% to 40.8%. This data, sourced from the FipeZap index, highlights a notable trend in real estate investment. The study focused […]
Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (STJ) has reaffirmed a ruling that restricts Airbnb rentals in condominiums without explicit consent. This decision emphasizes that short-term rentals through Airbnb are inconsistent with traditional residential or vacation leases. The Fourth Chamber's ruling reflects a growing legal trend, as it follows a similar 2021 decision by the Third Chamber. […]
European markets are witnessing a slight decline, reflecting a pause in the recent global market recovery. Investors are speculating about potential interest rate cuts by major central banks in 2024. The Stoxx 600 index has fallen, particularly in the mining and oil sectors. In Asia, markets closed with mixed results on Monday. The Shanghai stock […]
In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin surged past $40,000 for the first time since May 2022, signaling a strong recovery for the leading digital currency. The surge is driven by hopes for lower interest rates and a rise in demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As of Monday morning, Bitcoin's price reached $41,707, indicating a remarkable […]
By Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury* (Opinion) Bangladesh’s journey from a ‘cocoon of terror’ to a bastion against terrorism under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a remarkable tale. The country, once teetering on the brink of extremist takeover, has seen a profound transformation. This shift, primarily due to Hasina’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, highlights the […]
Israel is intensifying its military campaign in Gaza’s southern region, with the IDF reinforcing ground forces for a potential incursion. Despite the presence of numerous civilians seeking refuge, heavy bombardments are ongoing. A spokesperson for the IDF reported that their ground troops are active in Gaza. Simultaneously, the air force has targeted about 200 Hamas […]
On Sunday, Venezuela held a key referendum on its territorial dispute with Guyana, focusing on the oil-rich Esequibo region. Venezuelan voters largely rejected the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) role in this conflict. Additionally, they favored forming a new state in Esequibo. President Nicolas Maduro’s administration arranged this referendum amidst an active ICJ case. The […]
Argentina's President, Alberto Fernández, has declared that Europe's internal opposition is hindering the finalization of the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement. He shared this during a press briefing, as reported by Argentina's official news agency, Télam. Fernández is eager to sign this deal. However, before finalizing it, he insists on discussing conditions that will benefit Mercosur's […]