Tag: Brazil

Friday, January 22nd 2016 - 06:58 UTC
Zika virus epidemic spreads in the region; women advised to delay pregnancy

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has already infected more than 13,500 people in Colombia and could hit as many as 700,000, the health minister said on Wednesday. According to Pan-American Health Organization figures, the country is second only to Brazil in infection rates, health minister Alejandro Gaviria told journalists.
Thursday, January 21st 2016 - 07:13 UTC
In a surprise move, Brazil's central bank leaves interest rate unchanged at 14.25%

Recession-hit Brazil's central bank in a divided vote left the key interest rate untouched on Wednesday despite rising inflation, opting against an increase that could put a further brake on the world's seventh-biggest economy.
Wednesday, January 20th 2016 - 08:06 UTC
Rousseff's impeachment chances dying out as main ally is strongly divided on the issue

President Dilma Rousseff’s opponents in the fractious Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) are losing hope that they can impeach the leader and replace her with their man, Vice-President Michel Temer.
Monday, January 18th 2016 - 08:24 UTC
Rousseff eliminates regulations which impeded public universities working with the private sector

Full-time professors at public universities in Brazil will now be allowed to carry out research in the private sector—and get paid for it, without having to drop their academic jobs. The change is the result of a new law, signed by President Dilma Rousseff, designed to bring science and industry closer together.
Monday, January 18th 2016 - 08:15 UTC
Petrobras increased pre-salt oil production by 56% during 2015

Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras said it increased its crude production last year by 4.6% relative to 2014, exceeding the target set forth in its business plan for the first time in 13 years. Oil output in 2015 amounted to an average of 2.128 million barrels per day (bpd), up 0.15% from the 2.125 million bpd forecast by the company.
Monday, January 18th 2016 - 08:11 UTC
Rousseff admits a government bailout of indebted Petrobras is a serious option

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff admitted that a government bailout for the country’s troubled state-controlled oil company Petrobras can’t be ruled out. The company is mired in financial troubles amid a deep decline of global oil prices and a sprawling corruption scandal involving several of its former executives and its largest suppliers.
Saturday, January 16th 2016 - 10:54 UTC
Unemployment in Brazil during third quarter climbs to 9%

Unemployment in Brazil rose to 9% in the August-October rolling quarter, up from 8.6% during the previous three months, the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics, or IBGE, reported Friday. The jobless rate was 6.6% in August-October 2014.
Saturday, January 16th 2016 - 10:31 UTC
Dead fish and garbage in Rio's Guanabara Bay question Brazil's Olympic celebrations

Thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of Rio’s Guanabara Bay during the week, not far from where events are being held at this year’s Olympic Games, environmental officials said. The incident was the latest involving water quality in the bay, where sailing, open water swimming, and triathlon races are due to take place during the Games in August.
Saturday, January 16th 2016 - 10:25 UTC
Tight budgets are forcing many Brazilian cities to cancel Carnival celebrations

Cities across Brazil are cancelling carnival celebrations as increasing economic woes hit Latin America's largest economy. Local governments are citing tightened budgets, with lower tax revenues and more important projects in need of funding.
Saturday, January 16th 2016 - 10:00 UTC
US Dept of Agriculture studying Brazil's success as an agricultural powerhouse

Over the last 25 years, the US farmer has become increasingly aware of the impact of South American agricultural output on the global supply of grains and oilseeds. For example, in recent years Brazil has risen to the number one position as an exporter of soybeans.