Stories for 2014

Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:33 UTC
Brazil raises taxes on beer and sodas; primary surplus slightly down in March

The Brazilian government will raise taxes on beers, sodas and other beverages in a move that will raise an extra 1.5 billion Reais (674 million dollars) in revenue to help meet the fiscal savings goal. Earlier this month, the government had already announced a tax hike on beer to bolster fiscal accounts that have been hit hard over the last three years by rising subsidies, higher spending and an economic slowdown.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:22 UTC
Brazil: Protestors demanding housing block main access routes and camp outside City Council

A demonstration supporting access to low-cost housing on Wednesday blocked several stretches of the Marginal Tiete, one of the main access routes to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial capital.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:08 UTC
Rousseff bids for re-election and announces benefits for her electoral base

President Dilma Rousseff said on Wednesday she will seek re-election in October, even though some are calling for the return of her popular predecessor president Lula da Silva. Rousseff, who belongs to Lula's Workers Party and was his protegée, said she hoped to have the support of all the parties allied with her government.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 06:58 UTC
Fed optimistic about US economy; pares securities purchases by another 10bn dollars

The Federal Reserve looked past a dismal reading on first quarter US growth and gave a mostly upbeat assessment of the economy's prospects as it announced another cut in its massive bond-buying stimulus. Latest information indicates that economic activity has picked up after having slowed sharply during the winter in part because of adverse weather conditions, the central bank said on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 06:45 UTC
Malvinas issue should be addressed at UN General Assembly suggest Argentine lawmakers

Members from the opposition addressed a letter to President Cristina Fernandez recommending that in the coming UN General Assembly Argentina presents a resolution-draft calling for the Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty claim to be discussed in the assembly and not at the Decolonization Committee or C24.
Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 05:43 UTC
Falklands' new governor mystified by Argentine logic and 'welcomes illumination'

Asked at a press conference on Wednesday why the Argentine Government had appeared to be against his appointment to the Falkland Islands, while also attempting to vilify him as someone who had previously opposed the right to self-determination of the inhabitants of another small island community, the newly-arrived governor, Mr Colin Roberts CVO, said that he was mystified by the logic and “would welcome illumination”.
Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:27 UTC
Rio's Olympics preparations “plagued with delays”; city full of “social issues”

International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president John Coates has called Brazil's preparations for the 2016 Rio Games “the worst” in his experience and critically behind schedule, but warned there was no “plan B” to find another host.
Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:22 UTC
Argentina and Brazil agree to further integrate and prop their auto industries

Argentina and Brazilian officials agreed to continue meeting regularly to solve as soon as possible bilateral trade problems mainly those referred to the auto industry. On Tuesday Argentine Finance minister Axel Kicillof and Industry minister Deborah Giorgi met their Brazilian counterparts, Guido Mantega and Mauro Borges in Brasilia.
Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:18 UTC
Argentina's top auto industry leader calls for new markets and lower costs

One of Argentina's main industry leaders Fiat Argentina CEO Cristiano Rattazi denied the existence of a “serious situation” in the automobile industry, “so far” and pointed out the need to “seek new markets” to reverse current downward trends in car manufacturing.
Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:14 UTC
Latam and Caribbean forecasted to expand 2.7% on average this year

Latin American and Caribbean countries are estimated to grow an average 2.7% in 2014 as the region's main economies have limited dynamism according to ECLAC's Updated Economic Review of Latam and the Caribbean 2013, released on Tuesday.