Hydropower Expansion in Brazil: Âmbar Energia will invest R$60m to expand and modernize the Salto do Passo Velho small hydropower plant in Santa Catarina, boosting capacity from 1.8MW to 11.75MW, with work due to finish in Dec 2030. BRICS Trade & Payments: The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi ended with a push for settling cross-border deals in members’ own currencies and smoother payment mechanisms, while India’s push for payment-system/CBDC interoperability was notably left out of the final declaration. “Greater BRICS” Tech Push: Xi Jinping outlined initiatives spanning AI, smart manufacturing, digital industry and supply-chain stability, including a BRICS AI open-source zone. Amazon Electrification for Food Processing: A battery microgrid in Brazil’s Amazonas will replace unreliable diesel power for an açaí processing facility, targeting up to 36,000 liters/year and new local income. Deal Watch (Mining & Ag Inputs): Solar Industries agreed to acquire South Africa’s Omnia Holdings for about R21.8bn, aiming to expand across southern Africa’s mining and agriculture markets. Brazil Industry Outreach: Brazilian machinery firms will seek Latin American buyers at FIB 2026 via ABIMAQ/ApexBrasil business meetings (Sep 28–Oct 2). AI in Healthcare Education: Geneva College of Longevity Science launched Perceptors AI, an agentic learning platform for mass clinical certification across 100+ institutions, including expansion plans for Brazil. Local Disruption: São Paulo’s building collapse after intense rains raised deaths to six, with the site now shifting to forensic and safety authorities.