Brazil

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Oliveira Macedo, also known as André do Rap, was released from a high-security prison on Saturday - but this decision was revoked just hours later.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.
Thursday, October 8th 2020 - 09:25 UTC
Bolsonaro dumps “Operation Car Wash” because there is “no more corruption in the government”

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that he has ended the country's biggest-ever corruption probe, “Operation Car Wash,” as there is “no more corruption in the government.”
Thursday, October 8th 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Record heatwave in Midwest and south Brazil, with warning of hyperthermia risk

Inmet (National Meteorological Institute) has issued an alert for the risk of death from hyperthermia due to the heatwave affecting several regions of Brazil. The agency alert is valid until Thursday (8) or Friday (9), depending on the location.
Wednesday, October 7th 2020 - 09:51 UTC
Bolsonaro tells religious followers he plans to appoint an evangelical minister to the Supreme Court

Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro said at an event with conservative evangelical Christians that he hopes to appoint an evangelical minister to the supreme court next year.
Wednesday, October 7th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Brazilian economy minister and Lower House speaker agree to push reform agenda and social program

Brazil’s Economy Minister Paulo Guedes and the powerful lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia announced a truce after more than a month of bickering over reforms and how to tackle a widening fiscal deficit. Local markets rallied.
Wednesday, October 7th 2020 - 09:02 UTC
Brazil purchases some 225,000 tons of rice from US, India and Guyana

Brazil has negotiated the purchase of 225,000 tons of rice from the United States, India, and Guyana, which are expected in the country during the second half of October and November.