Brazil

• Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 13:47 UTC

  Brazil and US scientists discover molecule that has destroyed millions of citrus groves

  

  Researchers have identified the molecule that attracts the insect that transmits citrus greening disease, a development expected to help farmers control a plague that has destroyed trees in growing regions of Brazil and the United States. The scientific breakthrough is the result of six years of research on Diaphorina citri, the vector of citrus greening disease.

• Wednesday, December 6th 2017 - 09:56 UTC

  Several members of Temer's party charged with money laundering and criminal association

  

  Brazil’s prosecutor general officially presented money laundering and criminal association charges against six people, including a former federal minister and a congressman, Brazilian media reported on Monday evening.

• Tuesday, December 5th 2017 - 14:01 UTC

  Brazil opens areas for exploration and production of oil and gas

  

  Brazil's National Agency for Oil, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) announced the areas for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas to be made available as part of a new, permanent-offer system. The move covers 846 blocks of 13 sedimentary basins, adding up to some 285,400 square kilometers.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 14:29 UTC

  Despite a poor November, Brazilian trade surplus is 43% higher year to year

  

  Brazil's trade balance posted a US$ 3.546 billion surplus in November, 31.8% lower than the US$ 5.201 billion in October and 25.4% down from November 2016, according to government data.

• Monday, December 4th 2017 - 08:23 UTC

  Green candidate Marina Silva will run for president in Brazil

  

  Former Brazilian senator and environmental minister Marina Silva said on Sunday that she would seek her party’s nomination to run for president next year. Silva announced her plans at a meeting of her Sustainability Network Party, or REDE, which would officially nominate her at its national convention in April.

• Friday, December 1st 2017 - 18:38 UTC

  Brazilian crucial pension reform bill needs 308 votes, but is still 46 short

  

  Brazil’s lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia said on Monday he will try to pass a fiscally crucial pension reform bill this year in the chamber, but he told reporters he would only put the measure to the vote if it has enough support.

• Tuesday, November 28th 2017 - 09:37 UTC

  Huge payments linked to the 2022 Qatar World Cup investigated by Brazil and FBI

  

  The transfer of US$22 million made by Qatar and allegedly linked to the soccer 2022 World Cup is being investigated by the Brazilian justice ministry and the FBI, according to a report in the French news website Mediapart on Sunday.

• Tuesday, November 28th 2017 - 09:21 UTC

  Total begins oil production in the giant Libra field in Brazil's pre-salt zone

  

  The giant Libra field in Brazil’s pre-salt zone has started producing oil, French Total said on Monday without providing details about the production rate at the field.

• Monday, November 27th 2017 - 18:02 UTC

  Bayer takeover of Monsanto delayed 90 days by Brazil's antitrust agency Cade

  

  Brazilian antitrust agency Cade extended its deadline to review the takeover of Monsanto Co by Bayer AG by 90 days to late March, potentially spoiling plans to wrap up the US$66 billion tie-up by the end of the year.

• Monday, November 27th 2017 - 12:16 UTC

  Brazil expects to harvest 111 million tons of soybeans in 2017/18 season

  

  Brazilian farmers are expected to collect 111 million tons of soybeans in the 2017/18 season, said consultancy firm Agroconsult, maintaining the same forecast it released in September.