Brazil

• Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 08:17 UTC

  Brazil raises benchmark interest to 12.75%, highest level since 2009

  

  Brazil’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 12.75% Wednesday, the highest level since 2009, as it struggles to get price increases under control amid sluggish economic growth and deepening political turmoil.

• Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 07:11 UTC

  Rousseff faces a revolt in Congress from her ruling coalition main ally

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, (and her political mentor Lula da Silva), raced on Wednesday to defuse a rebellion by legislators upset about her budget austerity plans and her handling of a corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras, which now threatens political stability.

• Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 06:14 UTC

  Brazil's currency at its weakest since September 2004...and sliding

  

  The Brazilian Real reached on Tuesday its weakest level against the dollar in more than 10 years, amid concern the country’s political and economic situation is growing worse.

• Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 05:38 UTC

  Petrobras corruption: top prosecutor hands the Supreme Court names of 54 politicians

  

  Brazil's top prosecutor Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to open an investigation into 54 politicians who allegedly benefited from a multibillion-dollar kickback scheme at state-run oil company Petrobras a Supreme Court spokesperson said on Tuesday.

• Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:17 UTC

  Truckers strike in Brazil still disrupting traffic in several states; soy harvest delayed

  

  Striking truck drivers resumed some roadblocks in Brazil on Monday even as the government cracked down on protesters and promised to implement a law to lower toll costs and give other benefits to the transport sector.

• Tuesday, March 3rd 2015 - 06:05 UTC

  “One Team, One Country, One Dream” - It's just Davis Cup tennis

  

  By Federico Coronado - Argentina's team prepares for this coming weekend's clash against Brazil. Statement of unity with controversial choice of words for tie versus sporting arch-rivals. Del Potro still not fit, will be there to assist teammates, anyway.

• Sunday, March 1st 2015 - 22:03 UTC

  Brazil consumers' power bills increase an average 23.4% as of next Monday

  

  Brazil's utilities were granted an average special rate hike of 23.4% to cover the costs of a energy subsidy program that the government of President Dilma Rousseff has decided to stop funding directly, the country's electrical energy system regulator said on Friday, as reported by Folha de Sao Paulo.

• Saturday, February 28th 2015 - 08:03 UTC

  Brazilian Judge has ordered the suspension of the messaging WhatsApp

  

  A Brazilian judge says he has ordered the suspension of the globally popular instant messaging system WhatsApp across the country because it has allegedly failed to help in an investigation.

• Friday, February 27th 2015 - 08:22 UTC

  Brazilian hard line unions win conflict and beat moderates in elections

  

  Workers at a General Motors Co car factory in Brazil ended a six-day strike on Thursday after the company dropped plans to lay off 800 employees, the union said, ending the latest labor standoff in the troubled Brazilian auto industry.

• Friday, February 27th 2015 - 08:14 UTC

  Striking Brazilian truckers will be fined for roadblocks, warns government

  

  The Brazilian government will start fining truckers as a strike in its ninth day threatens Latin America’s largest economy with food and fuel shortages. According to a report from Folha de Sao Paulo, the police will fine drivers who block highways as much as 10,000 Reais (3,470 dollars) per hour, Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo told reporters in Brasilia.