Entries by Gelcy Bueno
Brazil’s nuclear reactor still on paper after 17 years, R$5bn planned
Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor project drags on amid delays and revisions 12/17/2025 Radiopharmaceuticals are used in cancer diagnostics and therapies — Photo: Divulgação ABDAN Nearly two decades after the government promised a reactor capable of producing radioisotopes—radioactive elements that underpin radiopharmaceuticals used in cancer diagnostics and therapies—Brazil remains far from having the equipment […]
Extreme weather wiped R$126bn from Rio Grande do Sul farms
Grain losses totaled 48.6 million tonnes over five years, according to trade group Farsul 12/17/2025 Between 2020 and 2025, farmers in Rio Grande do Sul lost a total of R$126.3 billion in revenue due to climate-related events such as droughts and floods, according to the state’s Agriculture Federation (Farsul). The group estimates […]
Governments unite to seek termination of Enel’s contract in São Paulo
Federal, state and city administrations back request to start concession termination process 12/17/2025 Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy will formally request that the ANEEL, the country’s electric power regulator, initiate the termination process of Enel’s electricity distribution concession in São Paulo, Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira announced on Tuesday (16) alongside São Paulo […]
Brazil remains optimistic about EU deal
Government expects Mercosur pact to be signed despite concerns over safeguards 12/16/2025 EU safeguards could temporarily suspend tariff preferences on Mercosur farm imports — Photo: Marcos Oliveira/Agência Senado Amid mounting pressure from European countries in the final stretch ahead of the signing of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European […]
Supreme Court begins trial of Indigenous land claims deadline
Justices Mendes and Dino vote against 1988 deadline for claims in high-profile challenge to land claims with support from farm interests 12/16/2025 Brazil’s Supreme Court began voting on Monday (15) on four cases challenging the bill that reinstates the so-called temporal milestone for the demarcation of Indigenous lands. The review opened with […]
Systemic crime raises costs, deters investment in Brazil
Widespread violence undermines competitiveness, productivity, and investor confidence 12/16/2025 High, persistent, and widespread crime and violence in Brazil create an economically hostile environment across large parts of the country. This discourages interest from both domestic and foreign investors and leads to significant costs for businesses, including losses in productivity, competitiveness, and human capital. […]
Surety bonds with step-in rights cover R$2.45bn in projects
New model gains traction in Brazil but still awaits clearer regulation 12/15/2025 The surety bond model that allows insurers to take over public works in case of delays or contract failure gained traction in 2025, covering or expected to cover about R$2.45 billion in infrastructure projects. However, insurers say key regulatory issues must […]
Congress enters decisive voting week amid institutional crisis
Agenda includes impeachment rules for Supreme Court justices and sentencing bill; tensions rose with earmarks probe 12/15/202 The final week of votes in Congress this year features a packed agenda of sensitive issues, including the sentencing bill in the Senate, the expulsion of Federal Deputy Alexandre Ramagem (Liberal Party, PL, Rio de Janeiro), who fled to the […]
Storms slow December retail sales as Brazil’s Christmas outlook dims
Retailers expect a tepid holiday season after Black Friday slowdown and power outages in São Paulo during 12.12 sales event 12/15/2025 CNC projects R$72.7 billion in Christmas sales, up 2.1% in real terms — Photo: Lola Silva/Folhapress Retail activity at the start of December has remained in line with conservative projections, with […]