In a new development in 2023, Nigeria saw a dramatic rise in rice prices, a staple providing 9% of Africa’s calories. Prices jumped 37%, making a 110 lb bag cost $53, turning rice into a luxury and shifting demand to cheaper “afafata.” A 2 million metric tonne supply shortfall from floods, security, and high costs […]
A severe cholera outbreak has hit southern Africa hard, creating a critical vaccine shortage during the worst episode in years. Because of this, the International Coordinating Group (ICG) had to switch to a single-dose vaccine strategy. This move aims to manage the vaccine scarcity amid a global spike in cases, affecting over 29 nations, such […]
Alexey Navalny, a well-known Russian lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner, passed away at the age of 47. Prison authorities have confirmed his death following a sudden illness, with ongoing investigations into the exact cause. Navalny criticized Russian corruption on social media, bypassing state media. He tried to enter politics, facing obstacles in running for mayor and […]
At the outset of 2024, Latin America's key economies faced unexpected inflation trends, despite efforts to reach pre-pandemic stability. Surprisingly, Brazil and Chile encountered higher inflation than anticipated, while Argentina experienced a smaller price increase than expected. Nonetheless, Argentina continued to record the highest inflation rate globally, far exceeding that of Venezuela. Colombia achieved a […]
In a new development in 2023, Brazil's youth unemployment dropped to 15.3%, the lowest Q4 rate since 2014, down from 2022's 16.4%. The IBGE released these findings on February 16, 2024, highlighting a positive shift in the job market. The overall unemployment rate in Brazil improved to 7.4% in the last quarter of 2023. Out […]
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to boost Brazil-Africa ties. After Egypt, Lula seeks Global South partnerships. Lula attends the African Union summit in Ethiopia, engaging all 55 member nations. His agenda includes the "Climate Financing for Agriculture and Food Security" event, focusing on the Nairobi Declaration and COP28 outcomes. […]
Religion plays a key role in shaping politics. Candidates of all beliefs visit the Vatican, showcasing its significance. After gaining power, Milei’s view of Pope Francis dramatically changed, highlighting the Pope’s influence. Recently, Pope Francis has been central to Mexico’s presidential race. Both right-wing Xóchitl Gálvez and left-wing Claudia Sheinbaum met with him, underscoring the […]
JPMorgan strategist Emy Shayo highlights a positive view on Brazilian stocks among U.S. investors, driven by anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. This outlook aligns with the pattern where markets with high beta values prosper as the Fed lowers interest rates. Brazil's decreasing interest rates and low valuations enhance its attractiveness. Shayo's recent […]
The 2023 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report highlights a global decline in democracy, pointing to conflicts, authoritarianism, and fading trust in major political parties. Among 167 nations, Uruguay proudly stands 14th, recognized alongside Australia and Costa Rica at 17th as “full democracies.” This year sees Chile transitioning to “flawed democracies,” joining nations like Panama and […]
Lonely Planet, renowned for its travel guides, ranks Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro as the world's second-most beautiful beach. This distinction celebrates Ipanema's breathtaking sunsets, which locals often applaud, underscoring the beach's unique charm. The guide sheds light on Ipanema's vibrant spots. Post-9 attracts fashion-forward individuals, blending youth with artists and hippies. Farme Beach, […]
Today, investors focused on the US Producer Price Index after US retail sales dropped, unexpectedly boosting stocks. This paradox shows how bad news can sometimes fuel market optimism, especially if it hints at potential Federal Reserve easing. Treasury yields climbed, reversing Thursday’s fall, amid expectations of a Fed rate cut in June. The S&P 500 […]
Venture capitalists, armed with close to $4 billion, are turning their focus back to Latin American startups. This follows a year of cautious standby in 2023, as investors waited for an opportune moment. The trigger? Central banks across Latin America began slashing interest rates. Hernan Kazah from Kaszek Ventures, a leading firm in the region, […]
Mexico's Army is seeking a significant investment to modernize its fleet. They've requested about $655 million to update vehicles that have been in service for over 15 years. This request is part of a broader initiative to keep the Army and Air Force well-equipped. The plan includes buying more than 1,300 4x4 Humvee vehicles and […]
Asian markets closed higher on February 16, 2024, riding the wave of a new closing record set by the S&P 500 in New York, which erased the week’s losses. This uptick comes amidst signs of increased consumer spending during China’s New Year holiday. Chinese markets are set to reopen on Monday, with Bloomberg reporting over […]
FIFA updated its men's national team rankings, keeping Brazil in fifth place as the season sees no new games for the team. The top 10 rankings have been unchanged since December 2023, showcasing stability at the highest levels of international football. Firstly, Argentina holds the lead with France, England, and Belgium trailing closely behind. This […]
Brazil's Ministry of Health refuted claims last month, stating it's not the only country vaccinating children against COVID-19. Yet, Brazil is the sole nation currently mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children six months to four years old, a policy enacted on January 31, 2023. A July 2023 Nature Human Behavior study by Oxford researchers surveyed vaccination […]
On Thursday, Wall Street saw an uptick as unexpected dips in U.S. retail sales for January fueled anticipation of imminent Federal Reserve interest rate reductions. The Commerce Department highlighted a 0.8% fall in retail sales, notably in auto dealerships and fuel stations. This downturn provided some relief from the panic caused by higher-than-anticipated inflation reports […]
The Ibovespa index saw a positive turn, ending Thursday on a high note after a series of losses. Petrobras shares (PETR3 and PETR4), lifted by rising global oil prices, played a significant role, pushing the index up by 0.59% to 127,773.23 points. Investor optimism grew with news from the US, hinting at possible Federal Reserve […]
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi, announced a move towards a BRICS common currency, aiming to lessen the world's dollar dependence. This announcement reinforces Lula's previous calls for a unified currency within the BRICS nations to offer an alternative to the US dollar in trade and investments. At a […]
In January, Brazil's South-Central region processed an impressive 714,01 thousand tons of sugar cane, more than doubling the previous year's figure for the same period. This spike in processing led to a significant increase in the 2023–2024 harvest, reaching 646,05 million tons, an 18.95% rise from the previous season. This period saw 21 production facilities […]
The IEA predicts a global oil surplus as demand slows and non-OPEC+ supplies increase. Last quarter’s global consumption growth slowed by 35%, especially due to China’s economic slowdown. The IEA expects a 1.2 million barrels per day demand increase in 2024, half of the previous year’s growth rate. Global oil demand’s momentum is waning, signaling […]
The DANE reported that Colombia’s economy grew by 0.3% in Q4 2023 and 0.6% annually, below the 0.9% to 2.0% growth analysts expected. This outcome indicates a major slowdown from the 10.8% and 7.3% growth in 2021 and 2022, respectively, moving away from the 7.2% decline seen in 2020, the pandemic’s first year. Key sectors […]
Argentina's agriculture sector recently saw major progress. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange shared updates. They finished planting corn for the 2023–24 season. The rain improved crop water conditions. Ministry data shows 97.9% of the expected 10.385 million hectares are now planted. The Grain Exchange confirms 100% completion for the planned […]
Germany has now become the top buyer of Brazilian coffee, outpacing the United States. This change reflects a dynamic shift in the coffee trade, according to the latest figures from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé). In January, Germany's imports jumped by 57.4% from the previous year to 695,607 bags. This surge accounted for 17.6% […]
Venezuela ousted 13 UN human rights officials after they criticized an activist’s arrest and broader opposition crackdowns. These officials, from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office, had 72 hours to exit the country. The move followed activist Rocío San Miguel’s arrest, prompting the UN to demand an end to the rising repression across […]