On the sidelines of the inauguration of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff at the Planalto Palace seat of Brazil's Executive, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met briefly with Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro in a hand-shake facilitated by Uruguay President Jose Mujica.
Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff, 67, began her second term Thursday, January first vowing to rein in government spending to curb inflation and pull Latin America’s largest economy out of a four-year slump.
Petrobras, Brazil's state-run oil company, could be declared in technical default on some of its foreign debt if bondholders pursue efforts to force it to speed up its assessment of losses in a giant corruption scandal, according to reports from Reuters.
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.
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.
Analysts agree fiscal austerity and economic growth will be among the new government's priorities.
Other members of cabinet announced for Dilma's next term due to start on January 1.
Research Councils UK announces nearly 6 million pounds in joint funding between the two countries for Research Partnerships under the Newton Fund.
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.
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.