Brazil

• Thursday, March 3rd 2011 - 18:46 UTC

  Brazilian economy expanded 7.5% in 2010; government applies ‘cooling’ measures

  

  Brazil grew at its fastest pace in 24 years in 2010, expanding 7.5% on strong consumer demand but other complementary data also showed the economy is feeling the strains of overheating.

• Thursday, March 3rd 2011 - 06:19 UTC

  Fearing overheated economy Brazil raises basic interest rate 50 points to 11.75%

  

  Brazil’s Central bank on Wednesday raised its benchmark overnight rate by a half-point for a second straight meeting to cool inflation that is approaching the upper limit of the government’s target range.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 07:17 UTC

  Presidenta Rousseff: “Brazilian young girls can now aspire to become president”

  

  President Dilma Rousseff praised Brazilian women on a popular television program for having helped her “open the path for all young girls who dream of becoming president” and reiterated her administration’s commitment to combat poverty which has the face of ‘women and children’.

• Tuesday, March 1st 2011 - 18:40 UTC

  Brazil’s Embrear becomes the world’s leading executive-jet manufacturer

  

  Brazilian executive-jet maker Embraer boosted by domestic demand, became in 2010 the number one world company in sales totalling 145 units and 19% of the global market.

• Tuesday, March 1st 2011 - 16:41 UTC

  TAM ordered 34 aircraft in anticipation of strong growth demand in Brazil

  

  TAM, Brazil's largest airline has ordered 34 aircraft to renew its fleet as it expands operations in its home market and overseas. The operation involves 3.2 billion US dollars and includes 32 A320 Airbus (156/174 seats) and two Boeing 777-300ERS (365 seats).

• Tuesday, March 1st 2011 - 06:55 UTC

  “Brazil has no money to buy jet fighters” in 2011 confirms top official

  

  The Brazilian government has “no money to buy jet fighters” in 2011 confirmed Finance minister Guido Mantega in reference to the tender for the purchase of at least 36 modern aircraft and for which France, United States and Sweden are competing.

• Monday, February 28th 2011 - 20:34 UTC

  In spite of racial diversity, European genetic ancestry predominates in Brazil

  

  Contrary to expectations even when black and brown make up 52% of the 190 million Brazilians, --according to the latest census--, their genetic ancestry is more predominantly European than African or Indio-American.

• Monday, February 28th 2011 - 06:32 UTC

  Inflation challenges Brazil; tighter monetary measures anticipated

  

  Brazil's general price index, or IGP-M, rose 1% month-on-month in February, compared to 0.79% rise in January, the Getulio Vargas Foundation said Friday. Economists' had forecast the index to rise 1.01%.

• Saturday, February 26th 2011 - 06:02 UTC

  Brazilian judge blocks plans to build world’s third largest dam in the Amazon

  

  A Brazilian judge has blocked plans to build a huge hydro-electric dam in the Amazon rainforest because of environmental concerns. Federal judge Ronaldo Desterro said environmental requirements to build the Belo Monte dam had not been met.

• Saturday, February 26th 2011 - 05:54 UTC

  Petrobras posts record net profit in 2010: 20 billion US dollars

  

  Latin America's biggest company, Brazilian state-managed oil giant Petrobras, on Friday said it raked in a record net profit last year of 20 billion US dollars. That figure for 2010 was 17% higher than its profit for 2009 company executives told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.