Brazil

• Friday, February 24th 2012 - 07:30 UTC

  Brazil highways’ maintenance to the private sector on 10 year contracts

  

  After selling concessions for the expansion and operation of three major airports and a highway earlier in 2012, Brazil is preparing a plan to sell 10-year highway maintenance contracts without tolls, a newspaper said on Thursday.

• Wednesday, February 22nd 2012 - 17:33 UTC

  Brazil and Uruguay with the most expensive per capita Legislative branch

  

  Uruguay has the second most expensive per capita Legislative branch and also as a percentage of the government’s overall expenditure, although Uruguayan lawmakers earn half their best paid neighbours in Brazil, according to reports in the Montevideo press.

• Wednesday, February 22nd 2012 - 01:15 UTC

  Double medical check for MSC Armonia passengers and crew in Montevideo

  

  Passengers and crew from the Italian cruise vessel MSC Armonia had to undergo a medical check-up when they docked in Montevideo Tuesday morning following the death of a member of the crew who is believed to have caught a type of flu virus.

• Tuesday, February 21st 2012 - 06:38 UTC

  Brazilian banks increase reserves fearing a consumers’ credit bubble

  

  Brazilian banks have increased their reserves by 21% to the equivalent of 67.3 billion dollars fearing a possible moratorium while consumers are facing growing problems to address payments, according to the Sunday edition of Correio Braziliense

• Tuesday, February 21st 2012 - 04:36 UTC

  Rousseff promises fiscal and credit stimuli to promote exports and innovation

  

  Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said the government will implement fiscal and credit access measures to stimulate production and exports with the purpose of gaining competitiveness in a global context of crisis.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 02:41 UTC

  Brazil’s Trade minister questioned by Public Ethics Committee on corruption claims

  

  The Brazilian Executive Public Ethics Committee will investigate alleged corruption claims involving Development, Industry and Foreign Trade minister Fernando Pimentel. Jose Paulo Sepulveda Pertence said the investigation will focus on media reports that exposed Pimentel activities as business consultant for private companies in 2009 and 2010.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:25 UTC

  On eve of Carnival, Brazilian minister warns Rio do Janeiro of dengue epidemics

  

  Brazilian health minister Alexandre Padilha warned on Thursday that the city of Rio do Janeiro is exposed to potentially one of the worst epidemics of the mosquito transmitted dengue disease in recent history.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:22 UTC

  Rousseff names controversial pro-abortion minister for Women’s affairs

  

  Recently inaugurated Minister for Women policies Eleonora Menicucci has raised eyebrows in chauvinistic Brazil after having publicly admitted to two abortions and bi-sexual experiences

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:22 UTC

  Brazil cuts 2012 spending to meet budget surplus and allow interest rates to fall

  

  Brazil will cut 55 billion Reais (32 billion dollars) from this year’s budget to allow interest rates to fall, while increasing investment to boost growth in the world’s second-biggest emerging market.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:13 UTC

  Brazil main airline betters profits; prepares to join one of the world’s largest carriers

  

  TAM, Brazil's largest airline, reported a fourth-quarter profit on rising ticket prices, fanning expectations of more profitable operations in the year ahead despite recent cost pressures.