Brazil

• Tuesday, June 3rd 2014 - 05:26 UTC

  Latin America losing its competitive edge as demand for commodities slows down

  

  The United States ranks as the most competitive country in the world in a survey of 60 countries by IMD, a leading global business school in Switzerland. The survey finds Europe is recovering some of its competitive edge, while emerging economies, particularly in Latin America are struggling to hold their own.

• Monday, June 2nd 2014 - 08:09 UTC

  Prince Harry will be visiting Brazil, and Chile for the first time later this month

  

  Prince Harry will be visiting Brazil and Chile this month in support of the UK's interests in the region and will reflect the strong relationship the two countries have with the UK. The visit will also allow Prince Harry to build on the links he began to forge in South America during his official visit to Brazil in March 2012.

• Saturday, May 31st 2014 - 06:05 UTC

  Brazil's economy grows 0.2% in the first quarter and 1.9% in twelve months

  

  Brazil's economy grew 0.2% in the first quarter compared to the final three months of 2013, a pace slower than economists had forecast, the government said Friday. Meanwhile GDP rose 1.9% relative to the first quarter of 2013, according to figures released by the state-run Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE.

• Friday, May 30th 2014 - 22:11 UTC

  End protests against the World Cup, “whatever money has gone has been spent or stolen already”

  

  The grand-daughter of former FIFA president Joao Havelange has stepped into the war of words over Brazil's World Cup preparations unabashedly telling protestors angry at the tournament's massive budget to get over it because some money had already been “spent” or “stolen” or “robbed.”

• Friday, May 30th 2014 - 22:02 UTC

  Brazuca ball less erratic than the Jabulani used at South Africa, say Japanese scientists

  

  Scientists in Japan say the Brazuca 2014 World Cup ball will be less erratic than the Jabulani used at South Africa 2010. The Brazuca is the 12th World Cup match ball designed by Adidas. The Jabulani was criticized for its light weight and unpredictability.

• Friday, May 30th 2014 - 03:41 UTC

  Brazil's leading anti-corruption Justice announces he is stepping down

  

  Supreme Court Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa, who with an iron hand presided over a well-known corruption trial that resulted in important politicians going to jail, will step down from the bench this year, Brazil's Senate leader said Thursday.

• Thursday, May 29th 2014 - 22:06 UTC

  Rousseff sends the Army to safeguard airports and hotels hosting national teams

  

  Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff ordered the Army, which already occupies several of the favelas (shanty towns) in Rio do Janeiro to move in and take responsibility for airports and hotels that will be hosting the 32 national teams competing for the World Cup.

• Thursday, May 29th 2014 - 05:51 UTC

  Brazil's central bank opted to leave rate unchanged at 11%, “at this moment”

  

  Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday. In a unanimous decision, the central bank's monetary policy committee, Copom, kept the Selic rate at 11%, breaking a streak of nine consecutive hikes as expected by a majority of analysts and market traders.

• Thursday, May 29th 2014 - 00:35 UTC

  Three Latam presidents among Forbes list of 25 most powerful women

  

  Brazil, Argentina and Chile presidents figure among the list of the 25 most powerful women in the world according to the latest release from Forbes. Dilma Rousseff ranks in fourth place, Cristina Fernandez 19 and Michele Bachelet, 25. Only nine heads of state figure in the 100 names list.

• Wednesday, May 28th 2014 - 08:24 UTC

  State of emergency because of floods in Manaus, where England plays Italy

  

  Brazilian World Cup host city Manaus has declared a state of emergency as the waters of an Amazon River tributary swell, although officials say they do not expect it to flood.