Economy

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:08 UTC

  Meirelles budget lower deficit objective prevails in the Temer administration

  

  Brazil set a smaller 2017 primary deficit target than initially envisioned, in an attempt to show greater austerity after an increase in spending raised doubts about the government's fiscal discipline. The central government primary deficit target was set at 139 billion Reais (US$41.32 billion) for 2017, a figure well below the 160 billion Reais it initially considered.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:04 UTC

  Brazil's six-month inflation remains above same period last year and central bank target

  

  Inflation in Brazil fell in June by 0.35% to an annual rate of 8.84%, but remains almost double the government target, official figures showed. This was an improvement from May, when inflation hit 9.32%, temporarily reversing a three-month falling trend.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 09:57 UTC

  PAHO/WHO congratulates Uruguay for successfully defending tobacco control policies, “a model for the region”

  

  The Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) congratulated n Friday the Government of Uruguay for winning an international legal case brought by the Philip Morris tobacco company. Philip Morris challenged tobacco control regulations implemented by Uruguay in compliance with its obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world's first international public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO.

• Saturday, July 9th 2016 - 07:26 UTC

  Uruguay wins lead case against Philip Morris over strict anti-tobacco law

  

  Uruguay won on Friday an arbitration case against US tobacco giant Philip Morris, which sued the state claiming its strict anti-tobacco law harmed the cigarette maker's business, both sides said. Philip Morris argued that Uruguay had violated terms of a bilateral investment treaty with Switzerland, where it has its main headquarters.

• Friday, July 8th 2016 - 09:47 UTC

  Macri extends business tour to Idaho for a techno conference presided by Bill Gates

  

  Following his business promoting visit to France, Belgium and Germany, Argentine president Mauricio Macri is attending the Sun Valley Conference in the city of Idaho, United States, which is presided over by Microsoft creator Bill Gates.

• Friday, July 8th 2016 - 04:53 UTC

  A woman will succeed PM Cameron and lead UK's exit from EU

  

  Two women Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom are battling to become the next leader of the British Conservative party and thus prime minister, the first time since the late Margaret Thatcher. After the second MPs ballot on Thursday, Home Secretary May finished with 199 votes, Energy Minister Mrs. Leadsom 84 and Michael Gove, the justice secretary, 46.

• Friday, July 8th 2016 - 04:49 UTC

  Four US leading banks commit continued support for London as global financial hub

  

  Four of the biggest US banks have committed to helping maintain London's position as a global financial hub after the UK leaves the European Union. Since the referendum vote there have been concerns that banks would reduce their staff and offices in the country.

• Thursday, July 7th 2016 - 07:11 UTC

  Federal Reserve extremely cautious on Brexit aftermath and US job market

  

  Federal Reserve policymakers decided in June that interest rate hikes should stay on hold until they have a handle on the consequences of Britain's vote on EU membership, according to the minutes of the Fed's June policy meeting released on Wednesday.

• Thursday, July 7th 2016 - 06:53 UTC

  Rousseff makes impassionate defense against impeachment attempts in Congress

  

  Brazil's suspended president Dilma Rousseff rejected attempts to impeach her as an “injustice” in a defense filing Wednesday, as a decision on her political fate moved a step closer. The affair has rocked Brazil as it struggles with a recession and corruption scandals ahead of next month's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

• Thursday, July 7th 2016 - 06:43 UTC

  US trade deficit soars 10% in May; imports rise and exports fall

  

  United States trade deficit grew by 10% in May as exports fell while imports, particularly from China, rose according to the latest report from the Commerce Department. The deficit rose to US$41.1bn in May compared with US$37.4bn in April, while exports decreased by 0.2%, while imports grew by 1.6%.