1stHeadlinesBreaking News Headlines

The Rio Times

Brazil · RSS · up to 100 stored headlines · Visit site

Text size100%

Mexican Airport Group GAP Profit Rises 8%

GAP, the Mexican operator of Guadalajara, Tijuana and Los Cabos airports, lifted net income 8.1% to about US$158 million as traffic slipped 1.4%.

US Visa Limits Brazilians to 3 Date Changes

Since 29 September, Brazil's US visa system allows only three interview cancellations or reschedulings per appointment. After that, the date is locked.

Namibia Court Voids Antibiotic Rejection

Namibia's High Court set aside the medicines regulator's rejection of 140,000 antibiotic vials on 15 October after a settlement, with no order on costs.

Mozambique Ends Minibus Fuel Subsidy

Mozambique has ended three months of fuel aid for Maputo's minibuses. Operators want higher fares from 1 November, and talks with the government continue.

M-Pesa Business Payments Up to US$3.85 Free

Safaricom made M-Pesa payments of up to US$3.85 to business tills free in August. A separate Pochi offer for small sellers runs to 31 October 2026.

OPEC Fund Eyes Uganda Railway Loan Approval

OPEC Fund staff began appraising a €150 million loan (US$168 million) for Uganda's railway on 19 October, targeting board approval by 30 November.

Gabon Seeks US Aviation Security Expertise

Gabon's civil aviation agency met US embassy security officials on 16 October and asked for expertise, as a US-built passenger screening system rolls out.

Guinea Sets US$3,400 Deposit for Senate Race

Guinea's election authority set a candidate deposit of about US$3,400 and a campaign spending cap of about US$34,000 for the 20 December Senate election.

Dangote Refinery Valued 33.4% Over IPO Price

Renaissance Capital Africa raised its Dangote refinery valuation to ₦700.41 a share, 33.4% above the IPO price, as the offer closes on 27 October.

Argentina Lawyer Seeks Raid on Central Bank

Lawyer Gregorio Dalbón asked a federal court to search Argentina's central bank over gold derivatives. No judge has ruled, and no wrongdoing is proven.

Brazil Revises Moved Polling Sites to 444

Brazil's electoral court now counts 444 sections with new polling places for the 25 October runoff, down from about 4,300, affecting about 130,000 voters.

Colombia Army Hits Gold Dredges on Putumayo

Colombia's Army says it disabled illegal gold-dredging equipment in Putumayo tied to an armed group, as the US military visits Peru's Amazon border region.

Argentina Delays Malvinas Sovereignty Bill

Argentine lawmakers moved a key committee meeting on President Milei's Malvinas sovereignty bill from 20 to 27 October, pushing back any floor vote.

Chile State Oil Firm Buys Ecuador Stake

Chile's state oil company ENAP agreed to buy Pluspetrol's Ecuador unit for a base US$207 million, lifting its Ecuadorian output 26% to 34,000 barrels a day.

Chile State Oil Firm to Buy Ecuador Assets

Chile's state oil firm ENAP will buy Pluspetrol Ecuador, which holds an interest in Block 10, for a US$207 million base price. Closing needs approvals.

Peru Mining Investment Set for 2014 High

Peru's mining investment reached US$4.117 billion in January–July, up 45%, and the IPE think tank expects more than US$8 billion for 2026.

Namibia Angola Talks Open on 19 Oct

Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Lourenço launched the Namibia Angola talks in Luanda on 19 October, with power, rail and border projects on the table.

Uganda Probes Beheading of Rwandan Exile, 50

Police say the headless body of Robert Kabera, 50, a former Rwandan soldier and critic of President Kagame, was found in Mpigi district on Saturday 17 October.

Paraguay Signs 2 Security Deals With US

US Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau signed an air interception agreement and a border-screening memorandum with Paraguay in Asunción on Monday 19 October.

Glencore Funds US$40M South Africa Mine

Glencore's US$40 million funding for Orion Minerals is unconditional, so a South Africa mine is targeting copper and zinc output by the end of 2027.

Guyana Gold Exports Hit US$826 Million

Guyana’s gold exports reached US$826.2 million in January to June, up 48.5 percent, but all of the gain came from price while shipped ounces fell 6.7 percent.

Mexico to File Complaint on 17 Oct ICE Death

Mexico will file a complaint with the Webb County prosecutor after a 56-year-old Mexican green-card holder died in ICE custody in Laredo, Texas, on 17 October.

Mozambique Titanium Tax Fight Ends at US$30M

Mozambique says its fight with titanium miner Kenmare over a US$30 million tax claim is closed, with a royalty of up to 5% and 10% of tax for Nampula.

Ghana Lithium Project Sells 10% to UK Miner

London-listed Kodal Minerals agreed on 19 October to earn up to 80% of the Asamankese lithium site, 75 km by road from Accra, after paying US$300,000 for 10%.

Sudan Import Duty Costs Rise 29.6%

Sudan's Customs Authority lifted its customs dollar 29.6% on Monday 19 October, so Sudan import duty bills for food, medicine and parts jump in pounds.

López Aliaga Claims 50,000 Lead in Lima Vote

Peru’s conservative ex-mayor says his own recount shows a 50,000-vote lead for Lima mayor, but the official count is unfinished and his eligibility is disputed.

Peru Installs Crime Commission on 18 October

Peru's prime minister installed a five-minister crime commission on Sunday 18 October. It coordinates the fight against organised crime but runs no operations.

Peru Wildfires Kill 12 as El Niño Looms

Peru’s civil defence chief says wildfires have killed 12 people. The transport minister says the previous government knew El Niño was coming.

Mexico Says Trump Wants More US Gas 19 Oct

Mexico’s president acknowledged that Trump raised US gas sales in their calls. US pipelines already send Mexico a record 6.6 billion cubic feet a day.

US No. 2 Diplomat Tours Brazil’s Neighbours

Christopher Landau, Rubio’s deputy at the State Department, visits Paraguay and Argentina as Brazil votes on 25 October. The notice does not mention Brazil.

Mexico Says Fuel Pact Blocks US$6 Gasoline

Sheinbaum credits Mexico’s fuel pact and weekly tax relief for pump prices, pointing to unrest abroad. Regular gasoline averages about US$4.85 a gallon.

Mexico Poll Puts Morena at 46% for Midterms

El Financiero’s poll, taken on 10 to 20 September, puts Mexico’s governing party Morena at 46% ahead of the 6 June 2027 vote for all 500 deputies.

Brazil Lists Runoff Polls Through 24 October

Three polls on Monday morning put Flávio Bolsonaro narrowly ahead of Lula. Here is when each major pollster may publish before the 25 October runoff.

Brazil’s 50 Top Soy Towns Gave Flávio 63%

A Brazilian analyst told Argentina’s Perfil that the soy interior and absentees can decide the 25 October runoff, and the first-round count backs part of it.

Globo Debate Airs Friday Oct 23 With Tralli

TV Globo holds the last Brazil runoff debate on Friday 23 October at 8:20 p.m. Eastern, with César Tralli moderating while Flávio’s attendance stays open.

Flávio Denies Laundering Claim 6 Days Out

Brazilian outlets say a police file at the Supreme Court raises laundering suspicion around Flávio Bolsonaro, who denies it before the 25 October runoff.

Arabica Coffee Hits One-Month High

Arabica coffee futures settled at US$3.157 a pound on 19 October, up 3.3% to a one-month high, as the real firmed and ICE stocks stayed near a 27-year low.

Brazil Stocks Slip as Petrobras Falls 2.8%

Brazil's Ibovespa slipped 0.17% on Monday as Petrobras fell 2.8% with oil and Azzas 2154 gained 13.25%, six days before the presidential runoff.

Lagos Otedola Bridge Tanker Fire Injures Two

A fuel tanker fell from Lagos's Otedola Bridge and caught fire on 19 October 2026; officials report two injured, while a death report is unconfirmed.

Lula Offers to Open Bank Records to Court

Lula says he will let courts open his bank and phone records, and challenges Flávio Bolsonaro to match him before Brazil’s 25 October runoff.

Putin Calls Algeria a Close Ally on 15 Oct

Vladimir Putin called Algeria one of Russia's close friends and allies, speaking about dairy exports to a Moscow business forum, and Algiers answered warmly.

South Africa Plans for US AGOA Loss 19 Oct

Ramaphosa said on Monday 19 October that he must prepare South Africa for losing AGOA, the US duty-free trade scheme, and called the job impact devastating.

Colombia Army Black Hawk Crashes in Cauca

A Colombian Army helicopter accident in Cauca left no one dead among 19 aboard, the Army says; the cause is unknown and investigators are being sent.

Brazil Shifts US$4 Billion in Next Budget

Brazil's planning ministry said on 19 October it will shift about US$4.0 billion in 2027 spending to fund new measures, keeping the cap intact.

Sudan Drone Strike Kills 100+ in Kordofan

Relatives and local groups say a Sudan drone strike on Al-Dabab in West Kordofan killed 100 to 150 civilians on Sunday 18 October. The army has not commented.

Mali Air Strikes Killed 89 Civilians

Human Rights Watch says Mali air strikes by the army and Russian-controlled Africa Corps killed civilians, including six at a cattle market.

Botswana Backs China on Taiwan on 13 Oct

President Duma Boko pledged to oppose Taiwan independence at talks with Xi Jinping, as Botswana and China upgraded ties and signed security and mining papers.

Senate Delays Security Bill Past Runoff

Brazil's Senate is likely to delay its vote on the public security amendment until after the 25 October runoff, as Lula's party splits over criminal age.

Egypt Advances Russian Suez Zone on 19 Oct

Egypt's president and foreign minister met Russia's BRICS envoy Maxim Oreshkin in Cairo to speed up the Russian industrial park in the Suez Canal zone.

DR Congo Ebola Province Caps Burials at 20

North Kivu province in DR Congo, hit by Ebola, banned mass events, limited taxis and capped burials at 20 relatives as Ebola deaths there reached 1,252.

Egypt Chemical Exports to India Jump 325%

Egypt's chemical and fertiliser sales to India reached US$627 million in eight months against US$147 million a year earlier, the export council said.

Air France Abidjan Codeshare Starts 25 Oct

Air France and Ivory Coast's national airline signed a reciprocal codeshare on Paris to Abidjan, starting Sunday 25 October, the airlines said on Monday.

Nigeria UN Budget Reaches Tinubu 18 October

Tinubu received the UN's proposed 2027 budget at the State House in Abuja, handed over by Jimoh Ibrahim, who chairs the committee that negotiates it.

Guyana Climbs to Export Credit Category 4

Guyana now sits in OECD risk category 4, level with Brazil and Panama. That lowers the minimum fee on state-backed export credit, but no saving is published.

Dominican Checks Find Nearly 700 Migrants

Dominican migration agents found close to 700 irregular foreigners on farms in six provinces on 15 and 16 October, about 520 of them at one tomato farm.

Uganda Minister Says J.P. Morgan Eyes Energy

Uganda’s finance minister says J.P. Morgan told him in Bangkok it is interested in supporting the energy sector. No project, amount or agreement is named.

Chihuahua Ex-Prosecutor Held Over US Role

Federal prosecutors accuse César Jáuregui, Chihuahua's ex-attorney general, of acts that may amount to treason after two US citizens died in an April raid.

Sinaloa Keeps 20,000 Federal Forces Deployed

Governor Graciela Domínguez Nava says more than 20,000 armed-forces personnel remain in Sinaloa, as October killings continue and prison riots left 12 dead.

Abyei Market Drone Attack Kills 73

Local officials say drone strikes on Amiet Market in disputed Abyei killed 73 people and injured 19 on Monday 19 October 2026.

Morocco Builds 14 Dams Worth US$3 Billion

Morocco is building or raising 14 large dams worth about US$2.97 billion, with two finished and the last due in 2031, as reservoirs recover to 65.9%.

Chile Eyes Expulsions as Jails Hold 66,000

Chile plans to commute some foreign inmates' sentences into expulsion and build a modular jail, as 66,000 prisoners crowd space built for 40,000.

Algeria Sentences 2 to Death Over Ecstasy

Algeria sentenced two men to death for importing 144 kg of ecstasy, its second such drug verdict in two weeks as it widens the death penalty.

Nigeria Cash Aid Reaches 10.5m Households

The World Bank's October report says Nigeria paid about US$494.7 million to 10.46 million poor households and urges a regular, budget-funded safety net.

Costa Rica 15% Tax Could Hit US Expats Twice

Costa Rica is not moving to worldwide taxation, its bill says, but a 15% levy on foreign investment income could tax Americans who live there twice.

Peru Fears a New Pataz in 3 Cajamarca Zones

Tomás Gálvez says Hualgayoc, Algamarca and Sorochuco in Cajamarca are crowded with illegal miners and risk becoming a new Pataz, where the army is in charge.

Absa Kenya Insurers Sale Reported at US$23m

A company linked to Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary will pay about US$23.3 million for Absa's insurer stakes, Business Daily reports, below August estimates.

Tanzania Says 3 Mnazi Bay Wells Found Gas

Tanzania will announce next week how much gas three new wells in the Mnazi Bay block found, adding to the 57.54 trillion cubic feet it already counts.

Brazil Pays Bolsa Família Before Runoff

Brazil's government brings forward Bolsa Família payment dates, paying all families by 21 October, four days before the runoff, citing El Niño.

PoderData Poll Has Flávio 52%, Lula 48%

PoderData/Aya puts Flávio Bolsonaro at 52% and Lula at 48% of valid votes in the Brazil runoff, a 4-point gap, six days before the 25 October vote.

Court Bars Nikolas and Marçal From Reposting

Brazil’s electoral court barred Nikolas Ferreira and Pablo Marçal from reposting removed content, with fines of US$9,900 per violation, before the runoff.

Brazil’s Real Gains on Tight Runoff Polls

The real firmed to about 5.05 per US dollar on 19 October as two runoff polls showed a tight race, and economists trimmed their year-end forecast.

USA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Monday, October 19, 2026

Rio Times · USA & Canada Intelligence Brief October 19, 2026 — Alberta votes on a separation referendum process; Ottawa braces for September inflation figures; Washington offers trade reassurance without detail; Toronto demands accountability on rare-disease funding.

Europe Intelligence Brief — Monday, October 19, 2026

Rio Times · Europe Intelligence Brief October 19, 2026 — Violent anti-austerity protests in France leave over 500 officers injured and 2,000 arrested; Russian ballistic missiles damage Kyiv metro and rail infrastructure; Brussels searches for ways to fund Ukraine's additional €70 billion (US$78.5 billion) request for…

Asia Intelligence Brief — Monday, October 19, 2026

Rio Times · Asia Intelligence Brief October 19, 2026 — China reports 4.5% Q3 growth and a US$28 billion green-tech export surge; Japan begins Keen Sword drills and PM Takaichi sends Yasukuni offering; Indonesian stocks fall over 5% as haze crisis and MSCI warning converge.