Brazil
Rio+20 summit begins under a cloud of criticism
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff welcomed world leaders to a rainy Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday under a cloud of criticism that a three-day summit is falling far short of its promise to establish clear goals for sustainable development.
Nigeria leader's absence during clashes irks some
ABUJA - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's decision to head to a climate change conference in Brazil as dozens died in sectarian clashes this week has angered allies and opponents.
Eletrobras in talks for Neoenergia stake: sources
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil's state-led utility holding company Eletrobras is in talks to buy Spanish utility Iberdrola's stake in a local power distributor in a bid to boost the state's presence and limit foreign involvement in the industry, three senior officials with knowledge of the situation told Reuters.
Mizuho agrees to buy WestLB Brazil unit for $380 million
TOKYO - Mizuho Financial Group said on Wednesday it had agreed to buy a Brazilian unit of Germany's WestLB , the latest move by a Japanese bank to snap up assets amid the euro zone crisis.
Analysis: Brazil struggles to cash in on carbon credits
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 19 (Reuters Point Carbon) - A patchwork of regional legislation and complex rules governing land ownership have so far kept Brazil from cashing in on what could potentially be the world's biggest carbon offset market.
Analysis: Brazil struggles to cash in on carbon credits
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 19 (Reuters Point Carbon) - A patchwork of regional legislation and complex rules governing land ownership have so far kept Brazil from cashing in on what could potentially be the world's biggest carbon offset market.
Expectations low for Rio+20 U.N. development summit
RIO DE JANEIRO - As Brazil welcomes nearly 120 heads of state and government for a summit on global development this week, the mood could not be more different than it was two decades ago, when global leaders gathered here for the landmark Earth Summit.
G20 to confirm IMF loan pledge despite reform delay
LOS CABOS, Mexico - Leaders of the world's major economies are set to confirm they will make new crisis-fighting loans to the International Monetary Fund even though some emerging nations are frustrated with the slow pace of winning more power at the global lender. | Video
Brazil's CSN interested in Thyssen unit: paper
SAO PAULO - CSN , Brazil's second-largest producer of flat steel products, will analyze ThyssenKrupp's joint venture in local slab-making mill CSA if the German steelmaker formally puts its stake up for sale, a local newspaper reported in its online edition.
Petrobras $237 billion plan a fiction without fuel hike
RIO DE JANEIRO - Petrobras , Brazil's state-led oil company, and its latest business plan have a serious problem.
Mubarak health drama adds to Egypt uncertainty
CAIRO - Hosni Mubarak's move from jail to a Cairo military hospital where officials said he was slipping in and out of a coma on Wednesday created fresh uncertainty for Egyptians as officials delayed the announcement of a presidential election result. | Video
Are African governments suppressing art?
The dust is finally settling on the storm that was kicked off in South Africa by a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed.