Brazil

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 05:31 UTC

  Brazil limits social benefits; admits it will miss 2014 fiscal target by wide margin

  

  The Brazilian government announced it will limit unemployment and pension benefits as part of its plans to shore up depleted finances and regain investor confidence. Likewise the Central bank said that following a fourth year of low growth, Brazil will miss its fiscal target for 2014 by a wide margin.

• Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 00:46 UTC

  Mujica and Vazquez will attend Rousseff's inauguration on January first

  

  Uruguay's president Jose Mujica and elected president Tabare Vazquez will attend the inauguration, on January first, of Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff second consecutive mandate in Brasilia. The two leaders received an official invitation from the Rousseff administration according to Uruguay's official media.

• Tuesday, December 30th 2014 - 09:49 UTC

  Brazil: Dilma facing new challenges for her second term in office

  

  Analysts agree fiscal austerity and economic growth will be among the new government's priorities.

• Wednesday, December 24th 2014 - 12:23 UTC

  Katia Abreu to become Brazil's new Minister of Agriculture

  

  Other members of cabinet announced for Dilma's next term due to start on January 1.

• Monday, December 22nd 2014 - 22:51 UTC

  UK-Brazil collaborative small-scale scientific research funded

  

  Research Councils UK announces nearly 6 million pounds in joint funding between the two countries for Research Partnerships under the Newton Fund.

• Thursday, December 18th 2014 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil's trade balance to benefit from oil price drop

  

  Central Bank President Alexandre Tombini sees the bright side of the international trend that is causing many others a headache, because the country is a net petroleum importer.

• Wednesday, December 17th 2014 - 13:19 UTC

  Brazilian economy remains flat with similar forecast for 2015

  

  Brazil's economy contracted 0.26% in October, ending a three-month growth streak and coming in below analysts' expectations of a 0.30% expansion, reported the Central Bank.

• Wednesday, December 17th 2014 - 02:52 UTC

  RIO GAMES 2016 Mascots named after girl from Ipanema Musicians

  

  “Vinicius” De Moraes and Antonio Carlos “Tom” Jobim extend bossa nova influence to Olympìc and Paralympic Games symbols respectively.

• Wednesday, December 17th 2014 - 00:53 UTC

  Brazil's real sinks against US dollar to lowest rate in 10 years

  

  The currency closed at R$ 2.76 per US$ 1 dollar. Domestic politics, international oil prices, US Fed measures and Russian ruble drop to blame.

• Tuesday, December 16th 2014 - 22:35 UTC

  Antibiotic-proof bug detected in Rio's Olympic waters

  

  Scientists at the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz find enzyme-producing bacteria that requires bolder therapeutic measures. Flamengo beach unfit for swimming.