Brazil
BrazilOpposition leader Serra confirms he will run for Brazilian presidency
Brazil’s main opposition leader and governor of the country’s biggest state of Sao Paulo Jose Serra, said Friday for the first time publicly that he will be a presidential candidate in this year's elections.
Lula da Silva fined for “anticipated” electoral campaigning
Brazilian Electoral Justice announced it had fined President Lula da Silva for having “anticipated” the campaign for next October presidential election, thus favouring the incumbent candidate and cabinet chief Dilma Rousseff.
Brazil leaves basic rate unchanged at 8.75%, in divided decision
The Brazilian central bank kept its benchmark Selic interest rate at a record low 8.75% in a less-than-unanimous decision, signaling that borrowing costs may rise as soon as next month.
Lula da Silva laid a wreath at Arafat’s mausoleum and ready “to talk to Hamas”
Brazil's president criticised Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, warning that Israel's separation barrier, its blockade of Gaza and its continued settlement building was extinguishing “the candle of hope”.
Lula da Silva is warned about involvement in the presidential campaign
Brazilian president Lula da Silva was authorized to participate in the campaign of the ruling coalition presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff, but after working hours and with all expenses billed to the Workers Party.
Petrobras planning to issue 60 billion US dollars of new stock
Brazil’s government managed oil company Petrobras will issue as much as 60 billion US dollars of new stock, most of which will go to the government in exchange for oil rights, Energy Minister Edison Lobao announced Tuesday.
Lula da Silva calls for Palestinian state during official visit to Israel
Brazilian President Lula da Silva kicked off a Middle East trip in Jerusalem by saying he wants to promote regional peace, after expressing concerns last week that Israel may attack Iran over its nuclear program.
Mercosur/Israel free trade agreement becomes effective April
Brazil expects a new free trade agreement with Israel to swell bilateral trade to more than 3 billion US dollars within five years, officials said on Monday. Trade between Israel and Brazil slipped below 1 billion USD in 2009 from a peak of 1.6 billion USD in 2008 -- 1.2 billion USD of which were Israeli exports -- due to the global economic crisis.
Lula da Silva refers to Ahmadinejad and Chavez as two “nutties”, says O’Globo
Brazilian president Lula da Silva allegedly referred to Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez as “nutty” leaders which must be kept under control through close links, reports the Brazilian newspaper O’Globo.
Cuban political prisoners’ controversy backfires on Lula da Silva
One of the most influential Senators from Brazil’s ruling Workers Party remembered President Lula da Silva that world figures such as India’s Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King appealed to hunger strikes as part of their peaceful struggle for the rights of their peoples.
