Latest Reporting by The Rio Times
20 Stories IndexedUSA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026
President Donald Trump urged Canadian firms to relocate to the United States. He promised tariff‑free status for participants and criticized Canada for seeking treatment akin to a U.S. state.
The demand could reshape trade dynamics and economic ties between the United States and Canada.
Europe Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026
Europe's gas storage levels have fallen to their lowest in 13 years, with overall reserves at 63% of capacity, below the typical 80% norm. Germany, which holds the largest storage capacity on the continent, is at roughly 50% full. The shortfall raises concerns about energy supply as the region moves into autumn.
Asia Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026
Japan's benchmark government bond yield rose to 2.95%, a thirty‑year peak, as the yen weakened after the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole remarks. The higher yield reflects shifting investor sentiment toward Japanese debt. The move may influence Japan's financing costs and broader financial markets.
Africa Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026
Rio Times · Africa Intelligence Brief August 31, 2026 Africa Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026 Algeria Mourns Twelve, And Reaches For The Gallows Key Facts The mourning. Algeria is observing three days of national mourning for twelve wildfire dead, and President Tebboune has ordered the death penalty introduced for arsonists by September 15.... The post Africa Intelligence Brief — Monday, August 31, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Why Tanzania’s Vice President Quit After Just 295 Days
A Tanzanian newspaper reported that the vice president was being pushed out, and the state suspended it for six months. Six days later, the vice president resigned. The sequence is the story. The post Why Tanzania’s Vice President Quit After Just 295 Days appeared first on The Rio Times.
São Paulo Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026
São Paulo · Nightlife São Paulo Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026 If You Only Go to One Place Sara Não Tem Nome — the Season Finale at Centro da Terra Monday is São Paulo’s quietest night, but tonight has a real occasion: the closing night of Sara Não Tem Nome’s month-long Monday season at […] The post São Paulo Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026
Rio de Janeiro · Nightlife Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026 If You Only Go to One Place Samba do Trabalhador with Moacyr Luz Monday is Rio’s great samba day, and its warmest institution is Samba do Trabalhador. For two decades, Moacyr Luz and friends have played a roots-samba roda every Monday […] The post Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Tonight — August 31, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Honduras in Washington’s Sights: Energy, Gas, AI and Data Centres
Washington has put Honduras energy, natural gas, artificial intelligence and data centres on its investment map. The message came from USTDA's Thomas R. Hardy after three days in Tegucigalpa and a meeting with President Nasry Asfura. The post Honduras in Washington’s Sights: Energy, Gas, AI and Data Centres appeared first on The Rio Times.
Self-Employment in Brazil for Foreigners 2026: MEI, CNPJ and Autônomo Guide
Moving & Living: Brazil Key Facts —MEI cap. The Microempreendedor Individual (MEI) allows annual gross revenue up to R$81,000 in 2026 (roughly US$14,700). The fixed monthly DAS payment is R$82.05–87.05 (about US$15), covering INSS social security plus ICMS or ISS. —CNPJ threshold. Businesses exceeding the MEI cap must migrate to Simples Nacional, where rates start […] The post Self-Employment in Brazil for Foreigners 2026: MEI, CNPJ and Autônomo Guide appeared first on The Rio Times.
What Is a Favela, Really? Inside Brazil’s Hillside Communities
Living in Brazil Key Facts —Population. Brazil’s 2022 census (IBGE) counted 16.4 million people — 8.1% of the national population — living in 12,348 favelas and urban communities across 656 municipalities. —Rio concentration. The city of Rio de Janeiro alone hosts roughly 1.4 million favela residents, according to the Rio city government’s Instituto Pereira Passos. […] The post What Is a Favela, Really? Inside Brazil’s Hillside Communities appeared first on The Rio Times.
Inside Brazil’s Biggest-Ever Bank Fraud: The Banco Master Scandal
Brazil: Banco Master Scandal Key Facts —Scale. The Central Bank ordered Banco Master’s extrajudicial liquidation on November 18, 2025. Around 1.6 million creditors held roughly R$41 billion in FGC-guaranteed instruments at Master alone; including the related Will Bank and Banco Pleno failures, the deposit-guarantee bill approaches R$52 billion — the largest in Brazilian history. —Mechanism. […] The post Inside Brazil’s Biggest-Ever Bank Fraud: The Banco Master Scandal appeared first on The Rio T...
USMCA 2026: The Complete Guide to the Trade-Pact Review
USMCA: 2026 Key Facts —Trade volume. The three USMCA members trade roughly US$1.6 trillion in goods per year, per US Census Bureau data. Two-way US-Mexico goods trade was US$839.6 billion in 2024, and Mexico remained the United States’ largest goods trading partner in 2025, ahead of China and Canada. —Review held. The first six-year joint […] The post USMCA 2026: The Complete Guide to the Trade-Pact Review appeared first on The Rio Times.
Fintechs and Digital Banks in Brazil 2026: Market Guide
Brazil: Fintech Key Facts —Nubank. The São Paulo-based digital bank serves 139 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia (Q2 2026), including nearly 118 million in Brazil. It reported net income of US$2.9 billion for 2025 and a record US$1.1 billion in Q2 2026 alone, per its NYSE filings. —Pix. Brazil’s instant-payment system processed 79.8 […] The post Fintechs and Digital Banks in Brazil 2026: Market Guide appeared first on The Rio Times.
Buying Property in Brazil as a Foreigner 2026: CPF, Escritura, Cartório and ITBI Guide
Moving & Living: Brazil Key Facts —Price level. São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro rank among the most expensive cities in Latin America for real estate. Average price per square meter in São Paulo’s prime districts exceeded R$18,000 (US$3,400) in Q2 2026, per FipeZap data. —Foreign buyers. Foreigners purchased approximately 4,200 residential properties in Brazil […] The post Buying Property in Brazil as a Foreigner 2026: CPF, Escritura, Cartório and ITBI Guide appeared first on The Rio Times.
Peru Faces El Niño With Savings at a 25-Year Low, Ex-Finance Minister Warns
Former finance minister Alonso Segura warns that El Niño finds Peru with savings at their lowest in almost 25 years. Brokerages name Pacasmayo, Alicorp and Engie as the stocks most exposed, while the government weighs three measures against S/28 billion in tax breaks. The post Peru Faces El Niño With Savings at a 25-Year Low, Ex-Finance Minister Warns appeared first on The Rio Times.
Medellín Mayor Hands the FBI Corruption Evidence as the Nicolás Petro Case Gets a New Prosecutor
Medellín mayor Federico Gutiérrez delivered a corruption dossier on the Daniel Quintero administration to the FBI and HSI, alleging funds were laundered through Panama and the US, as Juan Martín Parada took over the Nicolás Petro case. The post Medellín Mayor Hands the FBI Corruption Evidence as the Nicolás Petro Case Gets a New Prosecutor appeared first on The Rio Times.
Colombia Military Operations Killed 62 Minors Under Petro, Forensic Institute Says
Colombia's forensic institute disclosed that 62 minors died in military operations during the Petro government, against 42 under Duque, as it identified three children among the Guaviare bombing dead. The post Colombia Military Operations Killed 62 Minors Under Petro, Forensic Institute Says appeared first on The Rio Times.
Venezuela: Air Europa and Iberia Resume Flights to Caracas From September
Air Europa resumes flights to Caracas on 1 September and Iberia on 3 September, restoring the Madrid air bridge suspended after the June earthquakes. The post Venezuela: Air Europa and Iberia Resume Flights to Caracas From September appeared first on The Rio Times.
Chile: Kast Refuses to Withdraw Security Reform, Cuts Ties With ‘King of the Trolls’
Chile's President Kast called the state of exception in his security reform non-negotiable, denied working with troll-farm consultant Fernando Cerimedo, and watched bond markets bet on a recovery. The post Chile: Kast Refuses to Withdraw Security Reform, Cuts Ties With ‘King of the Trolls’ appeared first on The Rio Times.
Brazil Focus Survey Cuts 2026 Inflation to 5.01% and Growth to 1.92%
The Brazil Focus survey trimmed 2026 inflation to 5.01% and GDP growth to 1.92% on Monday, holding the Selic path at 13.75% for year-end and the dollar at R$5.20. The post Brazil Focus Survey Cuts 2026 Inflation to 5.01% and Growth to 1.92% appeared first on The Rio Times.