Brazil

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.
Wednesday, May 28th 2014 - 00:15 UTC
FBI helps train Sao Paulo police officers in crowd control strategies and use of force

Fifty police officers from the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo were recently trained in crowd control strategies, the use of force, and more by the FBI. The upcoming FIFA World Cup was the driving force behind organizing the five-day workshop. Other topics addressed include decision making, interacting with media, and use of intelligence in identifying acts of vandalism.
Tuesday, May 27th 2014 - 11:01 UTC
Brazil considering proposals to open operatorship of pre-salt projects

Brazil's government is considering proposals to open operatorship of its pre-salt projects to companies other than state-run Petrobras and this change might be made, Mayer Brown partner Alexandre R. Chequer told the law's firm's annual energy conference in Houston last week.