Brazil

Friday, May 25th 2018 - 09:06 UTC
Relief in Brazil after recovering free of FMD with vaccination OIE status

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) declared Brazil free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) with vaccination on Thursday, opening new export prospects for the world’s largest beef exporter. The OIE already considered most of Brazil to be free of foot-and-mouth with vaccination. The declaration, which the government had been expecting since the start of the year, extends certification to the whole country.
Friday, May 25th 2018 - 08:56 UTC
Brazil agriculture fears consequences of a US/China trade understanding

The trade dispute between the United States and China has benefited Brazil so far but could prove harmful long term as higher grain prices will make the country’s exports less competitive, Brazil’s farm minister said. Brazil is the world's leading poultry exporter.
Friday, May 25th 2018 - 08:50 UTC
Brazil truckers strike: Government says a 15-day truce had been reached

Brazil's government said late Thursday that a deal had been reached with truckers to suspend a four-day-old strike that caused fuel shortages, cut into food deliveries, backed up exports and threatened airline flights.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:20 UTC
Brazil lowers diesel prices 10%, but truckers' strike continues threatening grain exports

Petrobras on Wednesday temporarily cut diesel prices by 10% in order to help the Brazilian government and truck drivers resolve a protest crippling highways.
Thursday, May 24th 2018 - 07:03 UTC
UN denies Lula's request for emergency action against his imprisonment

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has denied a request by Brazil's ex-president Lula da Silva seeking emergency action against his imprisonment, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Lula, currently serving a 12-year sentence over corruption, asked the committee to impose so-called “interim measures” -- a step the UN panel only takes when there is evidence an accused person is facing grave, irreparable harm.
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018 - 08:44 UTC
Brazil's Temer calls on centrist parties to support Meirelles as presidential candidate

Brazilian President Michel Temer scrapped plans to run for re-election on Tuesday and said he supported his former finance minister, Henrique Meirelles, to stand as the presidential candidate of the ruling Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB).
Tuesday, May 22nd 2018 - 07:36 UTC
Trucks loaded with soybeans block main highways in Brazil to protest fuel prices

Brazil lorry drivers blocked major roadways around the capital of the country's largest grain state to protest increases in domestic fuel prices, affecting highways in 18 states, the federal highway police said on Monday.
Tuesday, May 22nd 2018 - 06:32 UTC
Mercosur and Japan scheduled to begin trade talks next November in Argentina

Mercosur trade bloc looks to begin economic and trade talks with Japan as soon as November, Brazil's foreign minister said, calling trade with Asia essential to regional economic health as the U.S. embraces protectionism.
Monday, May 21st 2018 - 09:02 UTC
Lula's political “handy man” Dirceu, starts 31-year prison sentence for corruption

Jose Dirceu, former chief of staff under ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, surrendered last Friday to start a nearly 31-year prison sentence for corruption, officials said. Dirceu lost an appeal against his conviction for money laundering, corruption and membership of a criminal group, at a court in Porto Alegre on Thursday.
Saturday, May 19th 2018 - 09:43 UTC
Why the high unemployment rate in Brazil is going down

The number of people living in Brazil in a state of helplessness has reached record levels and has actually contributed to the reduction of the unemployment rate over the past 12 months. As the first quarter of 2018 came to an end, 4.6 million people found themselves in a state of helplessness – an increase of 511 thousand people over the course of one year.