Brazil

• Tuesday, July 15th 2014 - 06:55 UTC

  Alleged illegal World Cup ticket sales chief surrenders to judge in Brazil

  

  The British boss of a FIFA partner firm being investigated over alleged illegal World Cup ticket sales has surrendered to a judge in Brazil. Police had tried to arrest Ray Whelan four days ago but he was not at his exclusive Rio de Janeiro hotel. Mr. Whelan, director of Match Hospitality, denies any wrongdoing.

• Tuesday, July 15th 2014 - 06:42 UTC

  Chinese president Xi arrives in Fortaleza for the BRICS summit

  

  Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on Monday to Fortaleza, Brazil for a summit of the BRICS countries. The sixth summit of the BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will be held in Brazil from Tuesday to Wednesday.

• Tuesday, July 15th 2014 - 03:10 UTC

  Blatter praises Brazil's “very special World Cup” and leaves Rio 'a happy man'

  

  FIFA president Sepp Blatter has praised a “very special World Cup” in Brazil on Monday and gave the hosts a mark of 9.25 out of 10, slightly better that the 9 he had given South Africa four years ago.

• Monday, July 14th 2014 - 05:19 UTC

  With the party over and the Cup in Germany, Brazil's focus returns to domestic problems

  

  Brazil was humiliated when its national team was run over 7-1 at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semifinals and later 3-0 against Holland, but the authorities breathed sighs of relief as the tournament came to a close on Sunday with Germany’s victory over Argentina, amid muted street protests and a display of Brazil’s ability to successfully organize sporting mega-events.

• Monday, July 14th 2014 - 05:07 UTC

  Brazilians join Germans in celebrating the World Cup and Argentina's defeat

  

  Brazilians bitter about their team's disastrous World Cup celebrated Argentina's defeat to Germany in the final Sunday by dancing and launching fireworks, relieved that their arch-rivals failed to triumph on their soil.

• Monday, July 14th 2014 - 04:58 UTC

  “Show the world you are better than Messi”, Löw told Götze

  

  “Show the world you are better than Messi and you can decide the World Cup”, German coach Joachim Löw told Mario Götze before sending him to the field, and effectively scoring the only goal of the match that gave Germany its fourth Cup.

• Saturday, July 12th 2014 - 10:24 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez will miss the Maracana final; ten leaders are expected to attend

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez will not be attending the Brazil World Cup final in Maracana stadium on Sunday when Argentina clashes with Germany, but will be present for the BRICS-Unasur-Mercosur summit scheduled for next week.

• Friday, July 11th 2014 - 06:36 UTC

  Brazil's next government will have to implement a tough fiscal tightening, says Fitch

  

  Fitch Ratings on Thursday reaffirmed Brazil's “BBB” credit rating with a stable outlook, but added it expects the next government to control spending in order to avoid additional fiscal deterioration that could trigger a downgrade.

• Friday, July 11th 2014 - 05:53 UTC

  UK businessman associated with FIFA and accused of ticket scalping is on the run

  

  An executive from the World Cup’s hospitality services firm escaped out the back door of his plush Rio de Janeiro hotel Thursday to avoid arrest on charges of illegally selling tickets, police said.

• Friday, July 11th 2014 - 05:44 UTC

  Neymar wants Argentina and his friend Messi and Marchesaono to win the World Cup

  

  Brazil forward Neymar has done the unpredictable once again by revealing he will support Brazil's biggest rivals Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final against Germany.