Brazil

Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
License for Amazon dam triggers controversy in Brazil

Brazil's environment minister Carlos Minc announced he had granted a license for an Amazon hydroelectric dam but attached stringent conditions to protect Indian reservations and nature preserves. However environmental groups anticipated a long legal battle.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian mining giant orders 12 largest class ore carriers

Brazilian iron ore miner Vale has ordered a dozen of the largest class of ore carriers from a Chinese shipbuilder for 1.6 billion US dollars, aiming to boost business with fast-growing Asian customers.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Lula openly confirms 1979 amnesty bill and silences ministers

In an attempt to cool a controversy over punishing torturers from the 21 year military dictatorship, Brazilian president Lula da Silva said Brazilians should enshrine the “heroes” of that time and not only concentrate on incriminating the “villains” who killed them.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
More Magellanic penguins washed up to Brazil beaches

More than 1000 juvenile Magellanic penguins have washed-up either dead or dying along the Brazilian coast and as far north as Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, 3000 km north of Sao Paulo. IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare - www.ifaw.org ) (*) deployed a team of penguin rehabilitation experts to assist local animal centers that are handling penguins for the first time.
Saturday, August 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil's President Lula promotes Rio 2016 in Beijing

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Friday in Beijing that Rio de Janeiro's bid for the 2016 Summer Games carries the ultimate seal of approval, reports the AP. He said, “when God made the world he prepared Rio for the Olympic Games.”
Friday, August 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian inflation eases in July helped by lower food prices

The Consumer Prices Index in Brazil slowed down to 0.53% in July from 0.74% the previous month, according to a release from the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute, IBGE.
Friday, August 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Petrobras takes over Esso downstream assets in Chile

Brazil's government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras signed this week the purchase of ExxonMobil's assets in Esso Chile Petrolera and other associated Chilean companies.
Thursday, August 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Petrobras announces new light oil discovery off Rio

Brazil's government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras announced on Thursday a new discovery of light oil with an API grade of around 30 in the ultra deep Santos Basin off the Sao Paulo coast.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil and Argentina leaders ratify “strategic alliance”

Argentina and Brazil ratified their “strategic alliance” on Monday during a business seminar opened by Presidents Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Lula da Silva in Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Appreciation of the Real threatens Brazilian economy

Brazil's Minister of Economy warned Tuesday that the sustained appreciation of the local currency Real against the US dollar has reached “a limit” and if the Real continues to advance, “it could ruin our external accounts”.