Brazil

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:59 UTC

  Uruguay cattle breeders fear 'monopoly conditions' as Brazilian companies control most of the beef industry

  

  Brazil's protein producer giant Minerva Foods issued a note to the market communicating the purchase of state-of-the-art Breeders and Packers Uruguay (BPU Meat) abattoir and processing plant for USD 40 million. The conclusion of the deal is still pending approval by the Uruguayan authorities.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:44 UTC

  “Lula won't last long,” Bolsonaro warns

  

  Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday during a speech before a group of his followers in the US State of Florida that the current administration of President Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva might have its days numbered.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:28 UTC

  Brazil Central Bank leaves benchmark rate unchanged at 13,75%; warns about fiscal policy

  

  Brazil's Central Bank on Wednesday left the Selic benchmark interest rate at 13,75%, but in the adjoining release, the bank's rate setting committee, Copom said the high interest rate policy is expected to last longer than market expectations because of fiscal risks

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:15 UTC

  Southern Brazil pork and poultry farmers concerned with Chinese demand for “overpriced” corn

  

  Expectations of large Brazilian corn exports to China in 2023 are worrying Brazil’s meat companies, according to a statement from Santa Catarina’s meat processors lobby Sindicarne this week. The group said competition from Chinese buyers is already reducing local supplies and making corn used to feed poultry and pork an “overpriced” commodity.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:13 UTC

  Lira reelected Speaker of Brazil's Lower House by overwhelming majority

  

  Congressman Arthur Lira (PP-AL) was reelected Wednesday as Speaker of Brazil's Lower House for the next two years. It will be Lira's fourth term on the post after garnering a record 464 votes. The second most-voted candidate was Deputy Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ) with 21 votes, followed by Deputy Marcel Van Hatten (Novo-RS) with 19 votes. There were also five blank votes.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:09 UTC

  Rodrigo Pacheco remains Senate Speaker in Brazil

  

  Brazilian Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSDB - MG) was reelected Wednesday by 49 votes against Rogerio Marinho's 32 to remain the Speaker of the South American country's Upper House, thus dealing a blow to the rightwing opposition loyal to former President Jair Bolsonaro.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:00 UTC

  Brazil's Dr Jarbas Barbosa elected as WHO Regional Director for the Americas

  

  The World Health Organization, WHO Executive Board, currently holding its 152nd meeting in Geneva, has appointed Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. as Regional Director for the Americas effective February 2023.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:57 UTC

  Brazil's STF orders probe into crimes against indigenous communities

  

  Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luís Roberto Barroso has ordered an investigation by the Attorney General of the Republic, the Military Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, and the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police of Roraima into the possible participation of officials of the Jair Bolsonaro government in crimes of genocide, disobedience, breach of judicial secrecy, and environmental offenses related to the life, health, and safety of several indigenous communities, Agencia Brasil reported Tuesday.

• Tuesday, January 31st 2023 - 10:16 UTC

  Lula, a tough nut for German Chancellor Scholz

  

  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz bit the dust Monday in Brasilia when President Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva refused to support Ukraine even verbally and rejected the European leader's invitation to join his Climate Club initiative. Furthermore, Lula also turned down a German request to send ammunition to Kyiv.

• Tuesday, January 31st 2023 - 09:57 UTC

  German Chancellor meets Lula da Silva, pledges €200 million for Amazon forest

  

  Germany has pledged €200 million to help Brazil defend the Amazon forest. German Chanellor Olaf Scholz made the announcement during a visit to Brasilia where he met with president Lula da Silva and congratulated him for the return of Brazil to the world stage.