The surge in subsidies and state interventions, fueled by global supply chain issues and geopolitical instability, is placing pressure on the principles of free trade. Over the past decade, these protective measures have increased by 150%, reaching over 50,000 worldwide. Governments often favor local investments and production to maintain supply chains for strategic goods like […]
In a significant move towards resource independence and diversified supply chains, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman are entering a strategic partnership. This partnership aims to develop rare-earth resources essential in various sectors, including technology and renewable energy, particularly for electric vehicle manufacturing. China overwhelmingly dominates this sector, […]
The government of Macau will introduce a four-year Portuguese language training program next year aimed at students interested in continuing their studies in Portugal. The scheme, announced by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, will initially focus on non-higher education levels, with a diversified and ongoing approach. This initiative has been […]
Mozambique's Minister of Economy and Finance, Max Tonela, has suggested the conversion of foreign debt into health sector investments during an investor conference in Maputo. This proposal forms a part of potential strategies to garner the required US$900 million (€802 million) for constructing hospitals nationwide. Other options include robust public-private partnerships and the incitement of […]
Gemcorp Holdings Limited (GHL) anticipates the first phase of the Cabinda refinery to commence operations in the latter half of 2024, as all necessary resources have been secured. Significant progress has been made in the construction, including the completion of infrastructure and assembly of crucial equipment, enabling the production of various fuel types. The financing […]
The National Bank of Angola (BNA) has decided to keep its basic interest rate unchanged at 17%, while increasing the liquidity facility rate from 17% to 17.5%, marking an elevation of 0.5 percentage points. The permanent liquidity absorption rate will stay at 13.5. This announcement was made during a press conference in the nation's capital, […]
Mario Abdo Benítez, Paraguay’s outgoing President, announced that the nation’s economy is expected to be the fastest-growing in the region in 2023. According to forecasts by the Central Bank of Paraguay, the economy will expand by 4.5%. The statement was made at a ceremony marking the inauguration of a new highway in Itacurubí de la […]
Machu Picchu, the renowned Inca citadel, plans to operate normally this month, despite the anticipated protests, with a daily visitor limit of 4,044 people. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Culture, up to 1,000 same-day tickets will be available on-site, while the remainder can be acquired via a digital platform. Ticket sales will […]
In the first half of 2023, Honduras received US$4.509 billion in remittances, marking a 7.3% rise compared to the same period in 2022, as per data from the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH). This amount surpasses the previous year’s $4.200 billion by US$309.1 million. About 72.8% of Hondurans abroad contribute an average monthly remittance of […]
A Bitcoin futures contract index is now available for institutional trading on Argentina's Matba-Rofex market. This new asset class, as of now, is not accessible to retail investors. Initially, it is reserved for institutional entities like investment funds and corporations. The contracts, quoted and settled in Argentine pesos, reference an index established by Matba-Rofex using […]
France continues to withhold approval of the free trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) unless it includes environmental and 'mirror clause' provisions. This stance reflects France's insistence since 2019 on incorporating international climate goals and principles into EU trade agreements, a practice recently demonstrated in an agreement […]
The European Union (EU) is negotiating a private-sector consortium that would provide electric buses to Latin American nations, granting EU firms access to the region's rich lithium reserves, writes Bloomberg Linea in its latest report. The plan forms part of the EU's Global Gateway plan, a €300 (US$330) billion initiative to foster smart, clean, and […]
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed into law a new healthcare initiative, the reformed Mais Médicos program, which will cost R$3.7 billion (US$750 million) over three years. The initiative anticipates an initial opening of 15,000 positions for healthcare professionals, projected to increase to 28,000 by the end of 2023. Changes to the original […]
The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) are set to sign 13 protocols and technical documents this Friday, solidifying the ceasefire terms and outlining the methods of societal participation. Sources involved in the discussions report that nine national, bilateral, and temporary ceasefire protocols have been finalized. In the coming hours, they will also […]
India’s space agency, ISRO, initiated the mission, aiming to reach the unexplored south pole of the moon. The launch took place at the Sriharikota launch center in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh. Citizens throughout the country closely followed the countdown and the successful liftoff of the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) rocket. India’s second lunar […]
The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced its plan to allocate €800 (US$880) million for climate initiatives in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. This funding is part of the EU's Global Gateway initiative, supporting projects aimed at enhancing global and regional connectivity in various sectors, including climate, digital, transport, health, energy, and education. The official confirmation of […]
Venezuela’s political climate intensifies as major participants, such as the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), National Electoral Council (CNE), ruling PSUV party, and international community, gear up for the upcoming opposition primaries on October 22. The presidential pre-candidates, Parliament, President Nicolás Maduro, Comptroller’s Office, opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria (PU), National Primary Commission (CNP), and the […]
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has proclaimed a focus on the country’s food security due to a significant rise in hunger as observed by humanitarian organizations. The initiative covers the availability and cost of food and water, and the National Security Council will supervise these matters, as stated by Dele Alake, the presidential spokesperson. The government […]
The Brazilian Army is seeking information about advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as kamikaze drones. These remotely piloted munitions (RPMs) can stay aloft for variable periods of time depending on the model, and are designed to locate and attack predetermined targets using their onboard explosives. In a Request for Information (RFI), the Brazilian […]
On July 14, France’s National Day, President Emmanuel Macron encountered vocal protests while attending the annual military parade, a customary event commemorating the Taking of the Bastille. As he traversed the Avenue des Champs Elysees with General Thierry Burkhard, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, certain sections of the crowd voiced their dissatisfaction. Discontent […]
The economic crisis in Argentina has led to a notable trend of Uruguayans crossing the border in search of more affordable food and fuel. However, this influx of cross-border shopping has resulted in a crisis for businesses in the border region of Uruguay. While the Argentine peso has experienced a significant devaluation of approximately 25% […]
The Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of the Republic (GSI) unveiled a proposal for a new fee to finance an internet regulatory agency. This proposal forms part of what is called the National Cybersecurity Policy and suggests a fee, termed TCiber, that would be paid by internet users. Some say, however, that this […]
Last week, Nicaragua’s parliament passed amendments to the country’s constitution concerning the National Police. The changes subordinate the corps entirely to the government and stipulate penalties for defecting officers. Amid a surge of departures, some officers and regime supporters are reportedly seeking refuge in the United States, capitalizing on a migration initiative implemented by the […]
A train carrying 22 cars and 946 passengers experienced an interruption in Paraná's Serra do Mar region between Curitiba and Morretes, Paraná's coastal area, on Thursday (13th). Serra Verde Express, the operating company, detected trees and branches obstructing the railway, forcing the train's return journey to Curitiba to be halted. The passengers departed from Curitiba […]
(Opinion) Europe's demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to the self-inflicted loss of Russian pipeline gas has driven up LNG prices, widening the energy gap between wealthier and lower-income regions. This energy gluttony is compelling South and Southeast Asia to resort back to coal, undoing strides made towards greener energy. A hunger for LNG […]
