Brazil

Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:17 UTC
Rio beaches closed for the weekend and no tourists allowed into the city

Rio de Janeiro closed its famed beaches on Friday in a bid to contain a surge of COVID-19, a move criticized by anti-lockdown President Jair Bolsonaro, who said sun-deprived citizens risked a lack of vitamin D.
Saturday, March 20th 2021 - 09:07 UTC
VW closing down production in four plants in Brazil because of the pandemic

Germany's Volkswagen said on Friday that it will suspend production at its four plants in Brazil owing to a surge in coronavirus infections in the country. The Wolfsburg-based firm said it will stop factories from March 24 for a 12-day period “to protect the health of its employees and their families.”
Friday, March 19th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
Banco do Brasil CEO resigns after clashing with Bolsonaro over an austerity plan to close 200 branches

Brazil’s largest state bank CEO quit on Thursday after crashing earlier this year with President Jair Bolsonaro over an austerity drive. Andre Brandao resigned as chief executive officer of Banco do Brasil SA, the nation’s second-biggest bank by assets, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Friday, March 19th 2021 - 08:46 UTC
New Brazilian health minister pledges to continue with Bolsonaro's policies

Brazil reported a record number of COVID-19 deaths just as the country's new health minister nominee pledged to continue the controversial policies of president Jair Bolsonaro, who has downplayed the severity of the disease.
Thursday, March 18th 2021 - 08:53 UTC
Fearing a spike in inflation, Brazil hikes interest rate 75 basis points for the first time since 2015

Brazil's central bank on Wednesday announced a first interest rate hike since 2015, a surprising 75 basis point increase to 2.75% and anticipated a similar increase in May to fight inflation even as the economy struggles during the pandemic.
Thursday, March 18th 2021 - 08:35 UTC
Brazil with record contagions and deaths, and a deal to purchase 100 million Pfizer doses

Brazil has reported a single-day record of 90,303 new cases of COVID-19, as the country continues to grapple with mounting coronavirus infections and deaths.
Wednesday, March 17th 2021 - 09:50 UTC
Brazil: record 2,841 Covid-19 related deaths; Sao Paulo demands a national lockdown

Health officials in Sao Paulo, have called on the new health minister to consider imposing a national lockdown as coronavirus deaths continue to rise. On Tuesday Brazil recorded 2,841 Covid-related deaths - its highest ever daily total.
Wednesday, March 17th 2021 - 09:09 UTC
Bolsonaro concerned with Bolivian ex-president Añez arrest and the overall situation

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that the arrest of former interim Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez over the weekend seemed unreasonable, adding he sees the situation in Bolivia as a cause for concern.
Wednesday, March 17th 2021 - 09:05 UTC
Brazilian economic activity recovers to pre-pandemic level

Brazilian economic activity rose sharply in January, a central bank index showed on Monday, indicating that Latin America’s largest economy has not only recovered all its pandemic-related decline but is now back to the size it was over five years ago.
Tuesday, March 16th 2021 - 09:40 UTC
Bolsonaro appoints his fourth Health minister, a cardiologist

With Covid-19 infections and deaths seeing in Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed on Monday that he will appoint cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga as the replacement to health minister Eduardo Pazuello. This would be the third change for the position in less than a year.