Police in Sao Paulo fired tear gas Monday to disperse protesters supporting a subway strike that has unleashed transport chaos three days before the Brazilian mega-city hosts the World Cup kick-off.
Brazil's monthly consumer prices index slowed in May versus the previous month, but not as much as expected, as the impact of one of the worst droughts in decades in food prices receded only partially. The IPCA rose 0.46% compared with a 0.67% climb in April, the Brazilian Geographic and Statistics Institute, or IBGE, said.
Police in Brazil have used tear gas to break up protesters on the second day of a metro strike that has left Sao Paulo's transport in chaos. Nearly half of the stations were closed and there was gridlock on the streets of Brazil's largest city, which will host the opening match of the World Cup next Thursday.
Argentina confirmed on Thursday World Cup nationwide transmission free service both on television and radio. Channel 7, DeporTV and Radio Nacional will be responsible for delivering the service, thus fulfilling President Cristina Fernandez government’s promise of the ”World Cup for the whole country”.
Argentina agreed to sign a one-year deal with Brazil to regulate vehicle trade between both countries, after a meeting held between Industry Minister Débora Giorgi and her Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Borges. The agreement will be signed on June 11 in Buenos Aires.
The remaining tickets for the most important World Cup matches were sold out fast on Wednesday, disappointing hundreds of fans who waited in line across Brazil.
With the World Cup just eight days away, high inflation and unemployment is once again challenging Brazil’s economy, with the impact sure to influence this year’s election campaigns. Investors warned earlier this week that spending promises will undermine the fiscal discipline needed to restore confidence in the country and boost economic growth.
As Brazil rushes to finish stadiums and deal with a wave of protests ahead of the June 12 kick-off, president Dilma Rousseff partly blamed FIFA for the spiraling World Cup bill but said the money spent would leave a positive legacy.
Sao Paulo metro workers voted Wednesday evening an indefinite strike beginning Thursday following the collapse of salary negotiations.
The government of Brazil is cutting the tax obligations faced by business receiving foreign loans, opening the door to more financing opportunities, while helping address the problem of the falling value of the national currency, Real.