Brazil

• Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 07:41 UTC

  Lula da Silva tries to convince top US corporations and banks to invest in Brazil

  

  Former president Lula da Silva lobbied strongly on Thursday in New York trying to convince US investors to make business in Brazil during a conference to members of the American Society and Council of Americas, which organized the event.

• Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 05:46 UTC

  Despite adverse climate Brazil expects record harvest: 193.6 million tons

  

  Weeks of drought and heat have hit Brazil's soy and corn production, but the agriculture ministry still predicted a record 2014 harvest. Corn production is set to total 75.5 million metric tons, down from a January estimate of 79 million, state food supply agency Conab said in its monthly report.

• Wednesday, February 12th 2014 - 09:05 UTC

  2014 World Cup stadium workers threaten to strike for better working conditions

  

  Workers at a World Cup stadium in the jungle city of Manaus are threatening to go on strike to demand better conditions following a third recent construction-related death at the venue. A walkout could further delay the completion of the Arena da Amazonia just months before the start of football’s showcase tournament.

• Monday, February 10th 2014 - 04:06 UTC

  Uruguay and Brazil prepared to a 'two-speed' Mercosur/EU trade negotiation

  

  Uruguay and Brazil could be prepared to go ahead with a 'two speed' trade negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union if the Argentine tariff proposal is not as ambitious as that from the rest of its members, according to Uruguayan diplomatic sources.

• Monday, February 10th 2014 - 03:19 UTC

  Brazilian inflation down in January, but 12-month still off target

  

  The Brazilian official inflation rate was 0.55% in January, lower than December 2013’s 0.92% and January 2013’s 0.86%. Over the last 12 month-period, the Extended Consumer Price Index (IPCA) stands at 5.59%, from February 2013 to January 2014.

• Saturday, February 8th 2014 - 08:46 UTC

  Unfinished World Cup stadium takes another life: this time in Manaus

  

  A worker died in an accident while working outside the World Cup stadium in the Brazilian city of Manaus, local authorities and the Sports Ministry said. The Amazonia Arena, which should have been completed in December according to FIFA's original deadline, is behind schedule and workers were rushing to get the job finished.

• Saturday, February 8th 2014 - 06:35 UTC

  Mercosur interested in trade integration with members of the Pacific Alliance, says Brazil

  

  Mercosur pretends to increase its trade integration with members from the Pacific Alliance, said Brazilian foreign minister Luiz Alberto Figuereido. The top official made the statement this week before the Brazilian Senate foreign affairs committee.

• Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:27 UTC

  Blackout in several Brazilian states that will be hosting the World Cup in June

  

  A blackout late Tuesday hit eleven states of Brazil, six of which are scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup next June. Apparently a peak of demand caused by a heat wave had the grid down, but the government of President Dilma Rousseff attributed the incident to “a disturbance in the National Integrated System Operator” (ONS).

• Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:03 UTC

  Brazilian police challenge Rousseff and threaten to strike during the World Cup

  

  Only four weeks away from the World Cup and in a climate of growing social unrest Brazil police unions are threatening the government of President Dilma Rousseff with a national strike. For Rousseff it also means an additional challenge since on February 10 the ruling Workers Party will be launching her re-election bid for next October's presidential election.

• Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:47 UTC

  YPF buys a Petrobras Neuquén/Mendoza block with production of 10.000bpd

  

  Argentina oil company YPF has bought out Brazil player Petrobras to take over full ownership of an exploration block in Neuquen and Mendoza provinces. YPF agreed to pay 40.7 million dollars for Petrobras' operatorship and 38.45% stake in the Puesto Hernandez block, cutting short a joint venture due to expire in 2016, according to the Argentina explorer.