International

Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 01:08 UTC
Brazilian judge suspends 12% crude oil export tax for five international oil companies

A federal judge in Rio de Janeiro issued a preliminary injunction suspending the 12% crude oil export tax for five international companies operating in Brazil: Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Repsol Sinopec and Petrogal. The ruling represents an initial court victory for the oil companies in their dispute with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government over a levy they consider unconstitutional.
Thursday, April 9th 2026 - 00:54 UTC
Britain’s Obsession with El Dorado Charts Centuries and May Still be Alive Today

El Dorado is one of the most famous cities that, supposedly, never existed. Spurred on by the search for riches and need to validate several conquests to the region, the idea of El Dorado was popularised by the Spanish in the early 16th Century. Towards the very end of the century, a famed Brit took on the quest for El Dorado.
Wednesday, April 8th 2026 - 20:55 UTC
Iran re-closes Strait of Hormuz after Israeli strikes in Lebanon, putting ceasefire at risk

Iran suspended tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz just hours after its ceasefire with the United States took effect, in response to continued Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The move jeopardizes a truce that had barely begun to ease the worst global energy crisis in decades.
Wednesday, April 8th 2026 - 10:27 UTC
US and Iran reach ceasefire deal with both sides claiming victory

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday night, just 90 minutes before a deadline President Donald Trump had set to launch massive strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure. The deal, brokered by Pakistan, pauses a six-week conflict that has killed thousands and triggered a global energy crisis.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 21:40 UTC
“The Moon became a sponge of light”: Artemis II astronauts share their observations

The four Artemis II astronauts shared their lunar flyby observations with NASA's science team on Tuesday, reporting meteoroid impact flashes, levitated lunar dust, unexpected surface colors and an unprecedented total solar eclipse witnessed from the Moon's orbit.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 20:59 UTC
São Paulo stock exchange reverses losses and closes higher on US-Iran negotiation signals

The São Paulo stock exchange reversed its losses in the final minutes of trading and closed Tuesday with a slight gain of 0.05%, lifted by President Donald Trump's statement that he is in “heated negotiations” with Iran just hours before his ultimatum for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz expired.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 20:57 UTC
Trump says he is in “heated negotiations” with Iran hours before Hormuz ultimatum expires

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is in “heated negotiations” with Iran just hours before his ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face massive attacks on its civilian infrastructure expires.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 12:36 UTC
Fresh strikes hit Kharg Island as Trump threatens to kill “a whole civilization” tonight

The United States and Israel struck Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main oil export terminal, on Tuesday, hours before President Donald Trump's ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face massive attacks on its power plants and bridges expires.
Tuesday, April 7th 2026 - 02:13 UTC
Why Prediction Markets Have Taken Off Globally and in the USA

While the Mercosur region has yet to embrace prediction markets, there’s no question that it has taken off in the US and other regions. Now that South American countries are starting to take their stance on these new markets, readers should understand what they are, where they came from, and why they’re getting so much attention.
Monday, April 6th 2026 - 08:23 UTC
Replacement of Ice Patrol HMS Protector in the Works?

Portsmouth News has reported that UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed that capabilities for a future ice patrol ship are currently in the works. Minister for Defense readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, confirmed the development when responding to a parliamentary written question from Reform (former Tory) MP Andrew Rosindell.