Brazil

• Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:33 UTC

  Brazil raises taxes on beer and sodas; primary surplus slightly down in March

  

  The Brazilian government will raise taxes on beers, sodas and other beverages in a move that will raise an extra 1.5 billion Reais (674 million dollars) in revenue to help meet the fiscal savings goal. Earlier this month, the government had already announced a tax hike on beer to bolster fiscal accounts that have been hit hard over the last three years by rising subsidies, higher spending and an economic slowdown.

• Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:22 UTC

  Brazil: Protestors demanding housing block main access routes and camp outside City Council

  

  A demonstration supporting access to low-cost housing on Wednesday blocked several stretches of the Marginal Tiete, one of the main access routes to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial capital.

• Thursday, May 1st 2014 - 07:08 UTC

  Rousseff bids for re-election and announces benefits for her electoral base

  

  President Dilma Rousseff said on Wednesday she will seek re-election in October, even though some are calling for the return of her popular predecessor president Lula da Silva. Rousseff, who belongs to Lula's Workers Party and was his protegée, said she hoped to have the support of all the parties allied with her government.

• Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:27 UTC

  Rio's Olympics preparations “plagued with delays”; city full of “social issues”

  

  International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice president John Coates has called Brazil's preparations for the 2016 Rio Games “the worst” in his experience and critically behind schedule, but warned there was no “plan B” to find another host.

• Wednesday, April 30th 2014 - 09:22 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil agree to further integrate and prop their auto industries

  

  Argentina and Brazilian officials agreed to continue meeting regularly to solve as soon as possible bilateral trade problems mainly those referred to the auto industry. On Tuesday Argentine Finance minister Axel Kicillof and Industry minister Deborah Giorgi met their Brazilian counterparts, Guido Mantega and Mauro Borges in Brasilia.

• Tuesday, April 29th 2014 - 06:37 UTC

  Brazilian coalition members want 'Lula back' for October's election

  

  At least twenty members of Brazil's Lower House belonging to the ruling coalition have formally asked for the return of former president Lula da Silva as candidate for next October's election given 'the current economic situation of the country', which in practical terms means dumping Dilma Rousseff's re-election pretensions.

• Tuesday, April 29th 2014 - 06:31 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil plan to prop economies by stimulating the auto industry

  

  Argentine Economy Minister Axel Kicillof and Industry Minister Débora Giorgi fly to Brasilia on Tuesday in a bid to swing the automobile trade balance in Argentina’s favor, with the sector accounting for the majority of a total 3.15 billion dollars trade deficit. From Brazil Finance minister Guido Mantega confirmed bilateral discussions on the auto industry and exports.

• Tuesday, April 29th 2014 - 06:09 UTC

  Buses torched in Rio after a youth dies in shootout with the police

  

  Residents of a northern suburb of Rio do Janeiro torched five buses Monday shortly after a 17-year-old youth died in a shootout between criminals and police, Brazilian media reported. The incident again put a harsh spotlight on security in the country, just six weeks before Brazil hosts the football World Cup, with Rio staging seven matches including the July 13 final.

• Monday, April 28th 2014 - 23:53 UTC

  Coffee prices soar as Brazil's crop plummets because of adverse weather

  

  Because of adverse climate conditions Brazil’s Arabica coffee prices have recently surged 94%, to 2.144 dollars for half a kilogram ($2.30) on the New York futures market.

• Monday, April 28th 2014 - 23:40 UTC

  FIFA's Valcke downplays 'favelas' violence: “finally we will be talking about football”

  

  FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke downplayed recent violence in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro as a threat to the upcoming World Cup. The city was the scene of violent outbursts last week when a dancer was found dead with his friends and family blaming the killing on the police.