Brazil

Monday, December 28th 2009 - 12:44 UTC
Polls have Governor Serra leading comfortably in Brazilian presidential race

The opposition Social democrat governor of Sao Paulo, Jose Serra, remains as the clear leader to win next year’s Brazilian presidential election, according to the latest public poll released by the top selling magazine Istoé.
Monday, December 28th 2009 - 12:27 UTC
Calls on Brazil’s highest court to review censorship on investigative reports

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has urged Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court to review its decision that resulted in the ongoing censorship of investigative reports that might expose wrongdoing in the Federal Senate.
Monday, December 28th 2009 - 09:09 UTC
Lula da Silva unhappy with the media sponsors “social control” of content

Brazil’s most popular president in recent history, Lula da Silva, seems to be in a collision course with some of the big media corporations. His administration is sponsoring a National Conference on Communications allegedly to draft a regulatory framework which media corporations claim has an only purpose, government control of the press and its content.
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 16:40 UTC
US Senate confirms ambassadors: Shannon to Brazil and Nelson to Uruguay

United States Senate confirmed Thomas Shannon as the newly appointed US Ambassador to Brazil, after a long delay due to the veto of Republican national deputies, who have showed discontent towards US President Barack Obama's policies as regards Latin America.
Friday, December 25th 2009 - 15:43 UTC
Le Monde names Brazil’s Lula da Silva as “Man of the Year”

French daily Le Monde named Brazilian President Lula da Silva “Man of the Year” for “personifying a giant”. It is the first time in its history the French publication has made this designation.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:23 UTC
Brazilian Central bank ready to “preventively” increase rates in 2010

Brazil’s Central bank is ready to act preventively to fight inflation after it forecast growth in 2010 will accelerate to the fastest in three years, triggering above-target inflation, said Mario Mesquita, the bank’s Economic policy director.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 06:13 UTC
Brazil not pressing Paraguay on Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

The Brazilian government is not putting pressure on the Paraguayan Congress to vote the full incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur. Paraguay is the only remaining full member which still has to vote for Venezuela to join the South American trade block, following last week’s Brazilian senate divided approval.
Tuesday, December 22nd 2009 - 16:30 UTC
“Truth Commission” still divides Lula da Silva’s cabinet

Brazilian president Lula da Silva said it was “worth while” to fight against the military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964 to 1985. He made the statements during the launching of a Human Rights program which includes the possibility of creating a Truth Commission to investigate crimes committed under the de facto regime.
Monday, December 21st 2009 - 17:19 UTC
Brazilean industry to manufacture 2.044 armoured vehicles for the Army

The Brazilian Army and Fiat Iveco signed an agreement for the manufacturing or 2.044 armoured vehicles involving 3.5 billion US dollars as part of the new National Defence Strategy launched by the administration of President Lula da Silva.
Sunday, December 20th 2009 - 08:53 UTC
Face-lift for Rio’s Maracana Stadium which will host World Cup and Olympics

Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, which is due to stage the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics as well as the 2014 World Cup final, is to get a 300 million US dollars face-lift, announced the city's Secretary of Sports and Tourism.