Brazil

Friday, July 5th 2013 - 23:27 UTC
Brazilians want ‘trial of the century’ jail sentences to be implemented immediately

An overwhelming majority of Brazilians are demanding the immediate compliance of the criminal rulings which sentenced 25 high ranking officials in the so called ‘trial of the century’ for their involvement in corruption practices back in 2005 and which at the time almost toppled the administration of then president Lula da Silva.
Wednesday, July 3rd 2013 - 04:43 UTC
Brazil's Rousseff pushes political reform to quell discontent

President Dilma Rousseff sent Congress reform proposals on Tuesday intended to make Brazilian politics more representative in a bid to recoup popularity she lost in a wave of angry protests against the country's political establishment.
Thursday, June 27th 2013 - 05:42 UTC
Protests continue in Brazil while Congress is working overtime to legislate on grievances

As protests again turned violent near the stadium where Brazil’s national team was playing arch-rival Uruguay, legislators kept up a lawmaking spurt aimed at quelling the biggest street demonstrations in two decades by increasing penalties for corruption.
Thursday, June 27th 2013 - 05:07 UTC
Iguazu Falls Park closed because of heavy rains and flooding

Pouring rains and floods have forced the closure of the Iguazu Park, home of the world’s most famous waterfalls in the heartland of South America, shared by Argentina and Brazil, according to reports from the Argentine navy outpost in Puerto Iguazú.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 22:12 UTC
Venezuela main purchaser of weapons in 2012, but Brazil has largest defence budget

The defence industry is booming in Latin America amid economic growth and greater concerns regarding national security, said the renowned security and defence consultancy firm IHS Jane's. Imports of weapons soared 16% in the subcontinent in 2008-2012, climbing from 3.42 billion to 3.96 billion dollars annually, the firm said in a report called “The Balance of Trade.”
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 22:07 UTC
Brazilian congress rejects controversial amendment limiting prosecutors’ powers

Brazil's congress late Tuesday evening rejected controversial amendment PEC 37, which would have limited the power of federal prosecutors to investigate crimes, and designated all royalties from newly discovered oil fields to education and healthcare.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:13 UTC
Brazil’s top Justice suggests trimming the influence of political parties and an end to cupola deals

The president of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal (Supreme Court) Joaquim Barbosa argued in favour of diminishing the influence of political parties in decisions referred to the Brazilian people’s interest and supports the introduction of what he called “puffs of popular expression” in the current political system.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:07 UTC
Massive protest expected in Belo Horizonte before the Brazil/Uruguay match

Demanding better public services and angered by World Cup costs, about 100.000 people are expected at a protest Wednesday before Brazil plays Uruguay in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.
Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 04:58 UTC
Brazil: understanding with Congress to hold a reforms’ plebiscite on 7 September

The Brazilian executive apparently has reached an understanding with the presidents of the Senate and the Lower House, Renan Calheiros and Henrique Eduardo Alves for a plebiscite with several questions referred to changes in electoral and party legislation, and eventually the Constitution relative to the political organization of South America’s largest country and powerhouse.
Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 06:05 UTC
Brazilian protests delegates unsatisfied with President Rousseff’ proposals

The leaders of the “Free Fares” movement that triggered the worst wave of street protests in two decades rocking the Brazilian government to its foundations said their meeting with President Dilma Rousseff was ‘unsatisfactory’ because there were “no concrete proposals”.