Stories for August 16th 2026

Sunday, August 16th 2026 - 22:46 UTC
Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro open Brazil's campaign in their respective political birthplaces

Brazil's two leading presidential candidates launched their campaigns for the October 4 elections on Sunday with rallies at the venues associated with their political trajectories. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva drew more than 10,000 supporters to the Vila Euclides stadium in São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo's industrial belt, while Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered his backers on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Sunday, August 16th 2026 - 07:46 UTC
Argentine household arrears reach 17.5% and the government rules out intervening

Arrears on credit to individuals in Argentina reached 17.5% of total lending in June, according to a study by Universidad Austral and the consultancy Eco Go based on central bank data. Javier Milei's government has ruled out intervening and maintains the solution must come from the market.
Sunday, August 16th 2026 - 07:40 UTC
Colombia asks Washington to suspend 12.5% tariffs over the earthquake emergency

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella on Saturday asked his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to temporarily suspend tariffs on Colombian goods, arguing this would give exporters relief as the country faces the economic consequences of Monday's magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro open Brazil's campaign in their respective political birthplaces