Brazil Politics

World

Former Peruvian Foreign Minister Dies in Brazilian Prison Hospital While Awaiting Extradition

Augusto Blacker Miller, a controversial figure from Peru's Fujimori era, has died in a Rio de Janeiro prison hospital. The 80-year-old, arrested in Brazil last December on an Interpol warrant, succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest, reigniting debates about justice, aging detainees, and cross-border legal accountability.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Equinor Deepens Brazil Commitment with $114M West Saturn Drillship Extension

Seadrill secures a major contract extension for the West Saturn drillship with Equinor Brasil, adding over $100 million to its backlog and solidifying operations in Brazil's strategic pre-salt basin through 2027.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Brazilian Education Giant Afya Shows Strong Fundamentals, But Can It Deliver for Investors?

Afya Ltd., a leading medical education group in Brazil, is demonstrating robust financial health with a rising Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and significant capital expansion. While its stock has faced headwinds, the underlying operational metrics suggest a company efficiently reinvesting for growth, presenting a potential opportunity for value-focused investors.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Chalco and Rio Tinto Forge Brazilian Alliance, Securing Pivotal Stake in Major Aluminum Producer

In a landmark deal set to reshape global aluminum supply chains, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) and mining giant Rio Tinto have jointly acquired a controlling interest in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA). This strategic move marks Chalco's largest overseas investment to date, significantly expanding its international footprint and influence.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Brazilian Rains, Vietnamese Surplus Drive Coffee Futures to Multi-Month Lows

Arabica and robusta coffee futures tumbled this week, pressured by forecasts of beneficial rains in Brazil and a surge in exports from Vietnam. Analysts point to a complex global supply picture as prices retreat from recent highs.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brazilian Rains Dampen Coffee Market, Sending Prices to Multi-Month Lows

Arabica and robusta coffee futures tumbled sharply on Monday, pressured by forecasts of beneficial rains in Brazil's key growing region and expectations of ample global supplies, with arabica hitting a 5.5-month low.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Brazil's President Lula Returns Home After Routine Eye Surgery

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was released from a São Paulo hospital Friday following a planned cataract procedure on his left eye, with his office confirming a swift return to official duties next week.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Rio Tinto and China's Chalco Forge Joint Venture to Seize Control of Brazil's CBA in $900M Deal

Mining giant Rio Tinto and state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) have entered a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling 68.6% stake in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) from Votorantim, valuing the deal at approximately $902.6 million. The move signals a major consolidation in the global low-carbon aluminum sector.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Afternoon Brief: Measles Outbreak Surges, Ancient Tomb Unearthed, and the Politics of a Caffeine Fix

From a record-breaking public health crisis in South Carolina to a stunning archaeological find in Mexico, here are the major developments you need to know this afternoon, alongside a look at how global politics is reshaping daily life from Havana to your local coffee shop.

Jan 30, 2026

US

RFK Jr. on Family Ties After Tragic Loss: A Kennedy Divide Widened by Politics and Personal Grief

In an exclusive interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addresses the state of his relationship with cousin Caroline Kennedy following the death of her daughter, Tatiana Schlossberg, last December. The tragedy unfolds against a backdrop of deep political rifts within America's most storied political dynasty.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Powell's Parting Advice: Navigating Politics and Policy as Warsh Prepares to Steer the Fed

As Jerome Powell prepares to hand over the reins, his public counsel to a successor underscores the delicate balance between central bank independence and democratic accountability. With Kevin Warsh named as his replacement, the Fed may be poised for a significant shift in philosophy and approach.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brazilian Fintech Giant Nubank Clears Key U.S. Hurdle, Paving Way for National Bank and Potential Crypto Services

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has granted Nubank conditional approval to establish a national bank, a significant step that could see the digital banking leader offer federally regulated crypto custody alongside traditional banking products in the United States.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Brazil's President Lula Discharged Following Routine Cataract Surgery, Expected to Resume Duties Next Week

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, 80, was discharged from a Brasília eye hospital on Friday after a successful cataract operation. The veteran leftist leader is recovering at a presidential retreat and is scheduled to return to work on Monday, amid a busy domestic and international agenda.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Geopolitics vs. Economics: Why Oil Giants Are Betting on Libya Over Venezuela

Despite political instability, Libya's low production costs and proximity to key markets are drawing major investment, while Venezuela's vast reserves remain hamstrung by economic and geopolitical hurdles.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Brazil's Digital Banking Giant Nubank Clears Key Hurdle for U.S. Expansion with Conditional National Charter

Nubank, the Latin American fintech leader, has secured conditional approval from the OCC for a U.S. national bank charter, setting an 18-month timeline to launch and challenging incumbent banks with its digital-first model.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Olin Shuts Brazil Epoxy Plant in Strategic Overhaul, Eyes 2026 for Unit's Return to Profit

Olin Corporation is closing its Guarujá epoxy facility as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative, responding to soft chlorine demand and operational headwinds. The company pins a turnaround for its Epoxy segment on 2026, while its Winchester ammunition unit raises prices to counter inflation.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Powell's Parting Counsel: In Final Stretch, Fed Chair Urges Successor to Steer Clear of Politics

With his term winding down, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell offered rare, pointed advice to his eventual successor during a recent press conference, emphasizing the imperative of maintaining the central bank's independence from political influence.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Latin America's Trade Dilemma: Chinese EVs and E-commerce Goods Reshape Markets, Prompting Protectionist Pushback

A surge of competitively priced Chinese electric vehicles and consumer goods is rapidly transforming Latin American markets, forcing governments from Mexico to Brazil to enact new tariffs and trade defenses to shield domestic industries from the influx.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Global Elections 2024: From Tokyo to Brasília, Political Shifts Set to Ripple Through Financial Markets

As voters from Japan to Brazil head to the polls in a packed electoral calendar, investors brace for potential market volatility. The outcomes could redefine fiscal policies, international alliances, and economic trajectories in a world already navigating U.S. monetary uncertainty and geopolitical strife.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Global Sugar Glut Fears Deepen, Sending Prices to Multi-Year Lows

Sugar futures tumbled this week, with key benchmarks hitting multi-month and multi-year lows, as analysts project swelling global surpluses driven by robust harvests in Brazil and India.

Jan 30, 2026