While Brazil’s definitive constellation of political coalitions remains uncertain, political parties start holding their national conventions this Friday (July 20), to name their presidential candidates for the October elections.
World trade tensions pressured Latin America's major indexes on Thursday, falling in line with other global markets, after the European Union said it was preparing possible retaliatory measures if the United States imposes tariffs on EU cars. Brazil's Bovespa dropped 1.25%, and Argentina's Merval, 0.85%.
Latin American currencies fell against the dollar across the board on Wednesday as traders continued to focus on recent statements by key U.S. monetary policy makers.
Brazil's Health Ministry says at least 744 people have been infected with measles in a growing outbreak linked to cases imported from neighboring Venezuela.The total includes 67 indigenous Venezuelans and Brazilians.
The infant mortality rate in Brazil, which consistently went down since 1990, started going up in 2016. It is believed that the rate for 2017 will also be higher than the 2015 rate. Both the Zika epidemic and the country's economic recession have been highlighted by the Ministry of Health as causes for the rising infant mortality rate.
Brazil's financial institutions on Monday reduced the 2018 economic growth forecast to 1.5%, half the initial estimate issued at the beginning of the year, according to the Central Bank weekly survey. The Focus Bulletin, which interviews analysts and economists from Brazil's financial market every Monday, the country's growth estimate was actually reduced from the previous week's 1.53%.
Boeing and GOL Airlines announced that the Brazilian carrier is adding the newest and largest member of the 737 MAX family with a new contract that converts 30 current MAX orders to the 737 MAX 10. GOL also placed a new order for 15 more MAX 8 airplanes, growing GOL’s total MAX orders to 135. The Brazilian airline says the advanced airplanes will help GOL meet its commitment to further enhance operational efficiency by flying a young, modern and safe fleet.
Brazil's ex-President Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year-one-month jail term for alleged corruption, represents hope for millions of Brazilians, former leader Dilma Rousseff said on Sunday. Rousseff succeeded Lula as president and belongs to the same left-leaning Workers' Party (PT), which named Lula its presidential candidate in upcoming Oct. 7 elections, despite his legal woes.
Brazilian health authorites have reported 67 cases of measles, including one baby dead among Yanomami natives on the Venezuelan border and labelled the situation as “catastrophic.” The situation is by no means under control.
A top Brazilian court has received 146 habeas corpus petitions on behalf of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva following a dramatic back-and-forth between lower court judges over whether he should be released from jail.