Brazil

• Wednesday, August 12th 2009 - 09:26 UTC

  A third of Brazilian Senators face charges reveals the media

  

  A third of the Brazilian Senate members face some kind of judicial demand, be it criminal, common or electoral law according to a report published this week by Folha de Sao Paulo.

• Monday, August 10th 2009 - 12:18 UTC

  Relief for Lula da Silva: crucial ally exempt from corruption charges

  

  Brazilian Senate president Jose Sarney managed to slip away from a battery of corruption, nepotism and secret-resolution charges against him, following the Ethics Council decision to shelve the case with no debate.

• Monday, August 10th 2009 - 11:55 UTC

  Brazilian inflation falls in July for the third month running

  

  Brazil inflation slowed for the third month running in July with annual inflation slowing to 4.5%, the lowest since December 2007. Consumer prices as measured by the IPCA index rose 0.24% in July from 0.36% in June, according to a release from the national statistics agency.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 13:51 UTC

  Prostitution ring recruited 15-year old girls at school doors

  

  A Brazilian woman accused of heading a prostitution ring that recruited only 15-year-old and younger girls which were later distributed around the country has been detained by the police of Brazil.

• Saturday, August 8th 2009 - 13:46 UTC

  “We are a bunch of crooks, with no credibility” admits Brazilian senator

  

  “We are but a bunch of crooks that have lost all credibility with our citizens” following months of claims of corruption practices in the Upper House, said Brazilian Senator Demostenes Torres during a rowdy congressional debate.

• Friday, August 7th 2009 - 12:50 UTC

  Mercosur works if Brazil makes it work, said Uruguayan presidential hopeful

  

  The Uruguayan ruling coalition presidential candidate Jose Mujica said Brazilian president Lula da Silva promised to help speed power inter-connection between the two neighbouring countries, in the framework of Mercosur, in spite of Argentina’s non supportive attitude. He also underlined Mercosur depends on Brazil’s willingness.

• Friday, August 7th 2009 - 07:19 UTC

  US financial support for Brazil to develop massive offshore pre-salt oil deposits

  

  United States is prepared to provide up to 10 billion US dollars in loans to finance the development of massive hydrocarbon reserves off Brazil’s coast, revealed Brazil’s Planning Minister Paulo Bernardo da Silva.

• Thursday, August 6th 2009 - 16:09 UTC

  Hazardous waste illegally sent to Brazil returned to UK

  

  Brazil announced it was returning 1.500 tonnes of hazardous waste that arrived from Britain labelled as recyclable plastic. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources said 89 containers left for Felixstowe, UK from the port of Santos on board MSC Oriane.

• Wednesday, August 5th 2009 - 12:39 UTC

  Lula da Silva boasts Brazil now advises the IMF

  

  President Lula da Silva said that Brazil is climbing out, and strengthened, from the deep global financial crisis and underlined that “Brazil is now advising the International Monetary Fund, IMF”.

• Tuesday, August 4th 2009 - 09:42 UTC

  Count down for Lula da Silva’s key congressional ally

  

  Brazilian Senate President Jose Sarney, a key ally of President Lula da Silva, may be forced to resign amid allegations he used his position to win government jobs and contracts for relatives. Senators from parties backing President Lula da Silva joined by members from the opposition are increasing pressure on Sarney to step down.