Brazil

Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 08:48 UTC
Brazil considering temporarily zero tariffs on corn and soybean imports outside Mercosur

The Brazilian government is set to discuss a proposal that would temporarily eliminate tariffs on corn and soy imports from countries outside the Mercosur trade bloc, as recently happened with rice, a staple of the Brazilian diet.
Saturday, October 17th 2020 - 08:36 UTC
Brazilian Senator, close ally of Bolsonaro forced to resign over hidden cash

Brazilian lawmaker Chico Rodrigues was forced to resign on Thursday from the Senate after police found cash hidden in his underwear during a search of his home.
Friday, October 16th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Brazilian exports of animal protein booming, with China the leading client

Brazilian exports of chicken, pork, and beef continue to be in high demand in 2020, according to data from the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) and the Brazilian Meat Packers Association (ABRAFRIGO). In September, however, while exports of beef and pork registered a positive performance in relation to the same month of 2019, chicken exports fell 2.3%.
Wednesday, October 14th 2020 - 09:07 UTC
China claims it found residues of Covid-19 in Brazilian beef packaging

Two months after China said it found residues of Covid-19 in a batch of chicken wings imported from Brazil, Beijing authorities repeated the announcement, but this time in relation to Brazilian beef. Apparently, traces of Covid-19 were detected in beef packaging during an inspection carried out at the Port of Dalian, one of the largest in the country.
Tuesday, October 13th 2020 - 09:01 UTC
Bolsonaro more popular than ever despite Brazil's questionable Covid-19 record

President Jair Bolsonaro has never been more popular in Brazil, despite his country's woeful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bolsonaro, who tested positive for the virus on July 7, has dismissed it as a “little flu”. Brazil passed five million Covid-19 cases on Tuesday and recorded its 150.000th death on Saturday.
Monday, October 12th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
Argentina approves growing GM drought resistant wheat; needs OK from its principal market, Brazil

Argentina has become the first country to approve the growth and consumption of genetically modified wheat, the country's agriculture ministry announced. The ministry's scientific commission said in a statement released in Buenos Aires that it had approved a drought-resistant variety of wheat in the world's fourth-largest exporter of the crop.
Monday, October 12th 2020 - 08:20 UTC
One of Brazil's top criminal bosses on the run following a judicial mishap

One of Brazil's biggest crime bosses has gone on the run after being briefly freed from prison the previous day. André Oliveira Macedo, also known as André do Rap, was released from a high-security prison on Saturday - but this decision was revoked just hours later. He has been missing since.
Saturday, October 10th 2020 - 09:15 UTC
Brazilian government cuts emergency cash transfers to help the poor withstand the pandemic

Many people in Brazil are struggling to cope with less pandemic aid from the government and jumping food prices, with millions expected to slip back into poverty. Brazil’s government, starting this month, halved the amount of its monthly emergency cash transfers to help Brazil’s poor withstand the hardship of the economic meltdown, down to 300 reais (US$54).
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:55 UTC
After rejecting Mercosur trade deal on climate demands, EU parliament votes to drastically cut greenhouse gases by 2030

European Union lawmakers have backed a plan to cut greenhouse gases by 60% from 1990 levels by 2030, hoping member states will not try to water the target down during upcoming negotiations.
Friday, October 9th 2020 - 09:49 UTC
More investigations into Petrobras corruption, this time involving bunker fuel contracts

Brazilian police expanded the Car Wash corruption investigation to alleged kickbacks valued at US$ 8 million on contracts for bunker fuel bought by state-run oil company Petrobras for its fleet of tankers.