Brazil

• Friday, January 31st 2014 - 06:25 UTC

  Changes in the Brazilian cabinet with an eye on October elections

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced changes in her Cabinet on Thursday with an eye on the October elections in which some of her current ministers will run for Congress and regional government posts. She is expected to launch her presidential re-election bid next 10 February.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 22:38 UTC

  Brazil can't be hostage of Argentina or Venezuela in Mercosur/EU trade negotiations

  

  The Brazilian government is determined to advance with negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union even if it means leaving Argentina for a second phase of the process, according to sources from Itamaraty, the country's foreign ministry, reported in the Rio do Janeiro media.

• Tuesday, January 28th 2014 - 21:58 UTC

  World Cup infrastructure delay is “a joke” says Brazil assistant coach

  

  A Brazil assistant coach says it is “a joke” that the country’s government took so long to begin the infrastructure work needed for this year’s World Cup which is scheduled to begin in June.

• Tuesday, January 28th 2014 - 05:00 UTC

  Brazil current account deficit ended 2013 at its widest in twelve years

  

  Brazil's current account ended 2013 at its widest deficit in 12 years amid a weakened foreign trade balance, heavy outgoing service payments, overseas profit remittances and an overall lack of confidence in the country's economic policies.

• Sunday, January 26th 2014 - 04:15 UTC

  Brazil: Hundreds protest against the World Cup

  

  Waving flags, carrying banners and chanting “there will be no Cup” at least 1,000 demonstrators protested in Sao Paulo on Saturday against the World Cup that Brazil will host later this year in a demonstration that devolved into violence late in the night.

• Saturday, January 25th 2014 - 00:28 UTC

  Mantega insists that the Mercosur/EU trade agreement includes Argentina

  

  Mercosur is preparing for trade negotiations with the European Union and they include Argentina, said on Friday Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega at the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, Switzerland. The comment seems to contradict other recent statements which said the trade deal with the EU will go forward with or without a reluctant Argentina.

• Friday, January 24th 2014 - 03:35 UTC

  Mercosur/EU with their own problems still don't have a date to continue negotiations

  

  Mercosur and the European Union continue to work on their tariff reduction proposals list but have no scheduled date for negotiators to meet and advance on a long delayed trade agreement according to Uruguayan diplomatic sources. However what is certain is that when the date is agreed it will be clear if Mercosur consensus proposal will include all founding members of the group.

• Friday, January 24th 2014 - 02:07 UTC

  Blatter confident it will be a great Cup, after meeting Brazil president Rousseff

  

  FIFA president Sepp Blatter played down concern about sluggish World Cup preparations on Thursday, even when his deputy warned Curitiba must prove it can finalize work to remain a venue. Blatter met visiting Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at FIFA headquarters in Zurich and the pair both made positive noises about Brazil's ability to deliver come the big kick-off on June 12.

• Thursday, January 23rd 2014 - 21:22 UTC

  Christ the Redeemer head and hands under repairs but still open to the public

  

  Repairs have begun on Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue after lightning damaged the 38 meters statue's head, right finger and thumb. The iconic statue of Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro was struck again last week during a violent storm, damaging its right thumb.

• Thursday, January 23rd 2014 - 21:21 UTC

  Brazil's vulnerable transport system again exposed as Rio commuter train accident sowed chaos

  

  A commuter train in Rio de Janeiro left the tracks and hit a pole supporting power lines early Wednesday, causing no injuries but sowing widespread chaos across the overburdened public transportation system of Brazil's Olympic city which next June/July will host several World Cup matches.