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☆ Amazon switches rockets for first test satellites for sooner launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, November 15, 2022. The company will launch the two satellites, the first in Amazon's Kuiper program to offer internet globally from space, aboard a dedicated Atlas V rocket from the Boeing-Lockheed (BA.N), (LMT.N) joint venture United Launch Alliance, spokesman James Watkins said. Amazon last year announced plans to launch the satellite pair aboard the first flight of ULA's new Vulcan rocket, moving them off previously planned rockets from launch startup ABL Space to avoid delays in ABL's rocket development. But delays with Vulcan have prompted Amazon to again switch rides. Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pascal, James Watkins, ULA, Joey Roulette, Leslie Adler Organizations: REUTERS, Amazon.com Inc, Boeing, Lockheed, United Launch Alliance, Amazon, Vulcan, Thomson Locations: Lauwin, France

☆ Gauff says she was ready to perform CPR on ill fan
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 2, 2023; Washington, D.C., USA; CoCo Gauff (USA) reacts after missing a shot against Hailey Baptiste (USA) (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium. "At first I was just making sure that it wasn't something cardiac," Gauff said immediately after her 6-1 6-2 victory. "I just took a CPR class, so if they needed me to jump in I was ready. The 19-year-old later told reporters that the course was something she had wanted to take after watching her dad perform CPR on a person who did not survive. World number four Jessica Pegula's sister Kelly performed CPR on their mother last year and Gauff said that was another reason she wanted to get certified.

Persons: CoCo Gauff, Hailey Baptiste, Geoff Burke, Coco Gauff, Belinda Bencic, Gauff, Jessica Pegula's, Kelly, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: D.C, Citi DC, Fitzgerald Tennis, USA, Washington, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Washington, USA, Bengaluru

☆ NASA's James Webb telescope captured the spectacular death throes of a star 2,600 light year away
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The James Webb Space Telescope continues to impress with stunning images of the universe. You can see the image in more detail below:The Ring Nebula is a favorite among amateur astronomers. This latest Ring Nebula picture isn't just "aesthetically pleasing," said co-lead scientist Nick Cox of space observation firm ACRI-ST, France. As part of the space telescope's first series of images, scientists released stunning new photos of the Southern Ring Nebula, in July 2022. The two stars can be seen on the MIRI cam picture of the Southern Ring Nebula.

Persons: James Webb Space, NASA's James Webb, Jan Cami, James Webb, Nick Cox, Mike Barlow, JWST Organizations: Service, NASA's James Webb Space, University of Western, Imaging, University College London, NASA, ESA, CSA Locations: Wall, Silicon, University of Western Ontario, Canada, France

☆ Amazon nations to set up rainforest science panel, Brazilian minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lisandra Paraguassu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] A woman passes in front of a graffiti before a summit of Amazon rainforest nations at the Igarape Park, in Belem, Para state, Brazil August 4, 2023. REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoBRASILIA, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Amazon countries meeting next week for a summit on cooperation to save the rainforest aim to set up a scientific body like the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to share research, Brazil's environment minister told Reuters. The panel would help produce sustainable development policies for the countries of the region while remaining independent of governments, and monitor the impact of climate change on the Amazon rainforest and ecosystem, she said. Lula has overhauled Brazil's environment policies since taking office in January, succeeding far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who relaxed protection the environment and encouraged development of the Amazon, where deforestation soared. Preliminary government figures showed on Thursday that deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell in July to its lowest level since 2017, boosting Lula's credibility on environmental policy ahead of the summit.

Persons: Ueslei Marcelino BRASILIA, Marina Silva, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Lisandra Paraguassu, Anthony Boadle, Kevin Liffey Organizations: REUTERS, Ueslei, Reuters, Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, Thomson Locations: Belem , Para, Brazil, Belem

☆ Brazil central bank kicks off rate cuts more aggressively than expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Peter Frontini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The bank's rate-setting committee Copom cut its Selic policy rate to 13.25%, as just 10 of 46 economists surveyed by Reuters had anticipated. Although Wednesday's policy decision was closely divided, Copom's policy statement signaled a shared outlook to keep up the pace of rate cuts in coming months. Wednesday's rate decision reflected a split among board members, with five votes in favor of the 50-basis-point cut and four votes for a more modest 25-basis-point cut. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad had called for a rate cut of 50 basis points earlier on Wednesday. Brazil's inflation target is 3% for both years.

Persons: we'd, William Jackson, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Roberto Campos Neto, Lula, Campos Neto, Fernando Haddad, Haddad, Copom, Peter Frontini, Marcela Ayres, Brad Haynes, Diane Craft Organizations: SAO PAULO, Reuters, Capital Economic, Finance, Fitch, Carolina, Thomson Locations: Brazil

The Vulcan rocket for the Cert-1 mission stands at SLC-41 during testing in Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 12, 2023. United Launch Alliance still plans to fly its heavy-lift Vulcan rocket by late 2023 — despite suffering a mishap earlier this year after an engine exploded during testing. CNBC previously reported that one of Blue Origin's BE-4 engines, ordered for ULA's second Vulcan rocket launch, detonated last month. United Launch Alliance, the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing , is one of two key launch partners for the satellite project, in addition to Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin. Once United Launch Alliance successfully conducts its first two Vulcan missions, the U.S. Space Force will consider clearing the heavy rocket for national security launches.

Persons: —, Origin's, ULA, Tory Bruno, Bruno, Lockheed Martin, Jeff Bezos, Morgan Brennan, Vulcan Organizations: Cert, SLC, United Launch Alliance, CNBC, Vulcan, Kennedy Space Center, Lockheed, Boeing, U.S . Space Force, SpaceX, National Reconnaissance Organization, Space Force Locations: Cape Canaveral , Florida, U.S, ULA, China

☆ Brazil's jobless rate hits lowest since 2014 for a quarter through June
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SAO PAULO, July 28 (Reuters) - Brazil's jobless rate fell in the quarter through June to its lowest level for the period in nine years, statistics agency IBGE said on Friday, underscoring the labor market's resilience despite its high interest rates. It was the fourth consecutive drop for a rolling quarter, according to IBGE, which said the move reflected seasonally lower vacancy rates. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad cautioned that despite the positive data, the unemployment rate should not be perceived as an indicator of a strong economy, given the country's 10% real interest rate leading to an activity slowdown. Some economists also expect high interest rates to take their toll going ahead, as economic growth softens in the country. "All in all, the labor market remained strong in the second quarter, defying the drag from stiflingly high interest rates," Pantheon Macroeconomics' chief economist for Latin America, Andres Abadia, said.

Persons: Fernando Haddad, Haddad, Andres Abadia, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Rui Costa, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Alistair Bell Organizations: SAO PAULO, IBGE, Reuters, Finance, Macroeconomics, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Brazil, America

The decree fulfills a campaign promise by Lula, who criticized looser gun controls under Bolsonaro, arguing they were responsible for a wave of political violence during last year's election. The country has nearly 800,000 registered gun owners, up from 117,467 in 2018 when Bolsonaro was elected, according to the 2023 Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security. Lula's decree rolled back firearms access for that group. Lula's decree also closes a loophole that allowed many gun owners to go out in public with loaded weapons if they claimed to be going to a gun club. Gun owners who bought their weapons during the previous administration will not be forced to give them up, but the decree envisages a buyback program starting this year.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, Lula, Bolsonaro, Lula's, Lisandra, Gabriel Stargardter, Brad Haynes, David Holmes, Richard Chang Organizations: of Public Security, Brazilian Armed Forces, CAC, Gun, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Brazil, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro

☆ Sao Paulo governor turns heads on Brazil's right after Bolsonaro election ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Ricardo Brito | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Although the governor and his closest advisers insist he is focused on serving Sao Paulo state, many of Brazil's seasoned conservative power brokers are already calling the pro-business moderate a natural candidate for the presidency in three years. It also helped shore up three-quarters support among Sao Paulo lawmakers for the reform as it cleared one chamber of Congress. He is pushing to privatize the port of Santos on the Sao Paulo coast, a bid blocked for now by the federal government. And he has vowed to revive efforts to privatize state water utility Sabesp (SBSP3.SA), while Lula has decried recent privatizations under Bolsonaro. "He has to finish his mission in Sao Paulo with a second term," said one close aide, asking not to be named as he was not authorized to speak about the governor's plans.

Persons: Tarcisio de Freitas, Jair Bolsonaro, Freitas, Bolsonaro, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Marcos Pereira, of God, Arthur Lira, Ciro Nogueira, Bolsonaro's, Antonio Queiroz, Dilma Rousseff, Lula, Queiroz, Ricardo Brito, Anthony Boadle, Brad Haynes, Paul Simao Organizations: Paulo, Republicans, Universal Church of, Liberal Party, ARMY, Workers Party, Sao, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Sao Paulo, of, Brazilian, Santos

☆ Russian tourists flee Crimea after attack on landmark bridge
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Andrew Osborn | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] A train moves along the Crimean Bridge, a section of which was damaged by an alleged overnight attack, as seen from the city of Kerch, Crimea, July 17, 2023. State-run news agency RIA said a tailback of more than 5 km (3 miles) had formed as Russian tourists made for home - using the Chonhar bridge, which was briefly put out of action by a missile attack last month. Moscow blamed the attack on the Crimean bridge, the second since Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine, on Kyiv. HOLIDAY CANCELLATIONS MOUNT UPKyiv says Russian tourists - more than 9 million of whom visited in 2021 - have no business holidaying on seized territory, especially while Ukraine is being bombed. The 19-km (12-mile) Crimean Bridge, a prestige project for President Vladimir Putin, is the route most Russian tourists choose to reach the peninsula, as well as a supply route for the Russian army in Ukraine.

Persons: Alexey Pavlishak, RIA, Vladimir Saldo, Elena Bazhenova, Crimea's, Ilya Umansky, Vladimir Putin, Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey Organizations: REUTERS, Kyiv, Russian Union of Travel Industry, Thomson Locations: Kerch, Crimea, Ukraine, Russia, MOSCOW, State, Moscow, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine's Kherson, Simferopol

☆ Russia has 'sufficient stockpile' of cluster bombs, says Putin, as Ukraine gets U.S. cluster bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin tours an exhibition of promising Russian companies during the forum "Strong ideas for the new time" in Moscow, Russia June 29, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview published Sunday that Russia has a "sufficient stockpile" of cluster munitions, and warned that Russia "reserves the right to take reciprocal action" if Ukraine uses the controversial weapons. In his first comments on the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine from the U.S., Putin said that Russia has not used cluster bombs in its war in Ukraine so far. The Pentagon said Thursday that cluster munitions provided by the United States had arrived in Ukraine. Proponents argue that Russia has already been using cluster munitions in Ukraine and that the weapons the U.S. is providing have been improved to leave behind far fewer unexploded rounds.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Pavel Zarubin, Joe Biden, Pavlo Kyrylenko, Oleksandr Prokudin, Yurii Malashko, Mikhail Razvozhaev, Vyacheslav Gladkov Organizations: The Associated Press, Telegram, Pentagon, United, U.S, Ukrainian, Staff, Gov, Russian, General's, Regional Gov Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Donetsk, Kherson, Kherson region, Yurii, Zaporizhzhia, Stepnohirsk, Russian, Crimea, Sevastopol, Russia's Belgorod, Shebekino

"Everyone is expecting a rate cut," Finance Minister Fernando Haddad noted in an interview with RedeTV journalist Kennedy Alencar. Planning Minister Simone Tebet was even more emphatic, saying at an event in Rio de Janeiro that the central bank must start its easing cycle with a 50-basis-point cut. She said high interest rate levels were hurting the retail sector. However, they still diverge on the size of the cut, with 55% of those polled betting on a 25 basis point move while 32% expect a 50 basis point cut. On Thursday, Lula himself renewed calls on the central bank to cut interest rates.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Fernando Haddad, Kennedy Alencar, Haddad, Simone Tebet, Lula, Gabriel Galipolo, Ailton Aquino, Lula's, Bernardo Caram, Rodrigo Viga Gaier, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan, Josie Kao, Frances Kerry Organizations: RIO DE, Finance, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, RIO, RIO DE JANEIRO, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Brasilia

☆ Investing in Space: Why Blue Origin's engine explosion matters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. Let's get into that, especially in light of the recently unveiled explosion of a BE-4 rocket engine during Blue Origin's testing in Texas. The engine was bound for the second launch of its customer United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. It's worth understanding the three main phases of rocket engine testing: Development, qualification and acceptance. I don't report on every rocket engine that blows up.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Let's, ULA, Tory Bruno, Bruno, Vulcan, ULA's, it's Organizations: Cert, U.S . Space Force, SpaceX, Space Force, Vulcan Locations: Texas, U.S

☆ Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket engine explodes during testing
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A test of a BE-4 engine at Blue Origin's Launch Site One facility in West Texas, Aug. 2, 2019. A Blue Origin rocket engine exploded during testing last month, CNBC has learned, a destructive setback with potential ramifications for the company's customers as well as its own rocket. "No personnel were injured, and we are currently assessing root cause," Blue Origin said, adding that "we already have proximate cause and are working on remedial actions." Blue Origin also said it will be able to "continue testing" engines in West Texas. "We will be able to meet our engine delivery commitments this year and stay ahead of our customer's launch needs," Blue Origin added.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, ULA, Lockheed Martin Organizations: CNBC, United, Alliance, Vulcan, Boeing, Lockheed, Elon, SpaceX Locations: West Texas, ULA

☆ Brazil govt eyes sending income tax reform proposal to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRASILIA, July 10 (Reuters) - President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government will not wait for Brazil's Congress to finish voting on a tax reform related to consumption before submitting its proposal for an income tax reform, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Monday. "I will need Congress to consider this second phase (of tax reform) along with the budget bill," said Haddad, referring to the budget proposal that, by law, the government must submit by the end of August. The measure still requires final passage in the Senate, with no date yet set for a vote. According to Haddad, a carbon credit bill is set to be presented to Congress in August. Additionally, the government has scheduled an official presentation to attract companies interested in making products labeled as "clean energy," Haddad said.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's, Fernando Haddad, Haddad, Brazil's, Lula, Marcela Ayres, Mark Porter, Will Dunham Organizations: Finance, Workers ' Party, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA

☆ Pegula produces dazzling display to reach first Wimbledon quarters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Pritha Sarkar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Jessica Pegula enjoyed one of those scarcely believable days straight out of fantasy land as her racket oozed winners left, right and centre in a 6-1 6-3 fourth-round destruction of luckless Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko at Wimbledon on Sunday. Pegula took full advantage of her opponent's woes as she walloped thunderous winners from the baseline to streak into a 5-0 lead in 18 blinding minutes. Tsurenko was lucky not to be completely wiped out from the opening set as the American fourth seed missed a set point in the sixth game. That respite, however, was brief as Pegula went on another three-game winning spree to take a 6-1 2-0 lead. I am so glad to make the final eight and I hope I get my name on a wall, or something."

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Tsurenko, Pegula, Ana Bogdan, Marketa, Serena Williams, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Pritha Sarkar, Clare Fallon Organizations: Wimbledon, Madison, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, American

SAO PAULO, July 6 (Reuters) - Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon fell 34% in the first half of 2023, preliminary government data showed on Thursday, hitting its lowest level in four years as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva institutes tougher environmental policies. But that's an area more than three times the size of New York City, underscoring the challenge Lula faces to eliminate deforestation entirely. "It's very positive, but we continue to have very high levels of deforestation," said Daniel Silva, an analyst at nonprofit WWF-Brasil. An aerial view shows a deforested area during an operation to combat deforestation near Uruara, Para State, Brazil January 21, 2023. In June alone, Inpe satellite data showed deforestation totaled 663 sq km, down 41% from the same month a year ago.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Inpe, Lula, Daniel Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, Ueslei Marcelino, Marina Silva, Silva, Joao Paulo Capobianco, Carolina Pulice, Jake Spring, Gabriel Araujo, Sandra Maler Organizations: SAO PAULO, WWF, Brasil, REUTERS, Environment Ministry, Thomson Locations: New York City, Uruara, Para State, Brazil

BRASILIA, July 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's lower house of Congress approved on Friday the main text of a tax reform that will restructure the country's complex consumption taxes, a move President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva touted as a "great victory". The bill will now be sent to the Senate, where it will also be voted on in two rounds. "Brazil will have its first tax reform of the democratic period ... We are working towards a better future for everyone." Markets reacted positively to the lower house approval, with Brazil's real strengthening more than 1% against the dollar, while benchmark stock index Bovespa (.BVSP) jumped 1.65%. 'A NECESSITY'The lower house approved the reform by 382-118 in the first round of voting held late on Thursday.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Fernando Haddad, Haddad, Rodrigo Pacheco, Arthur Lira, Jair Bolsonaro, Maria Carolina Marcello, Carolina Pulice, Gabriel Araujo, Michael Perry, Devika Syamnath, Alistair Bell Organizations: Lawmakers, Senate, Markets, JPMorgan, Finance, Workers ' Party, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA, Brazil

[1/6] Members of a local dance group 'Via Katlehong' perform 'Pantsula', a dance known for its syncopated, quick-stepping, low to the ground format at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 1, 2023. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File PhotoJOHANNESBURG, July 7 (Reuters) - Thato Qofela first performed 'pantsula', a symbol of Black South African culture and resistance to the apartheid regime, in his childhood backyard. Now, he is helping to revive the dance style and take it on to the global stage. It later enjoyed popularity among South Africans of different races, but waned somewhat as modern dance styles gained prominence. Now, Qofela's dance troupe, Via Katlehong, wants to drive a revival of the style, and has taken the dance to the global stage with shows in France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Persons: Siphiwe, Qofela, pantsula, Lethabo, Sisipho Skweyiya, Tannur Anders, Olivia Kumwenda, Emma Rumney Organizations: Katlehong, Joburg Theatre, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Katlehong

☆ Pegula races to second-round victory over Spain's Bucsa
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Clare Lovell | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Florida-based Pegula made a business-like job of wrapping up the first set before Bucsa, 25, had really settled. Pegula then raced to a 4-0 lead in the second, getting the better of the baseline rallies with pounding groundstrokes. But Bucsa found some form mid-set, producing deft drop shots and fine angles to claw back four games as Pegula's intensity waned. "I definitely feel I can go deep here ... a short-term goal to get into the second week." Pegula will meet Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round.

Persons: Jessica Pegula, Spain's Cristina Bucsa, Dylan Martinez, Cristina Bucsa, Pegula, Bucsa, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Clare Lovell, Ken Ferris Organizations: Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Spain's Cristina Bucsa REUTERS, Dylan Martinez LONDON, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, American, Florida, Pegula

☆ Adam beats twin brother Simon in Yates one-two on Tour's opening stage
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Adam got the better of his identical twin to claim his first grand tour stage win, while his UAE Emirates team leader Tadej Pogacar finished third, also raising his arms in celebration. Adam was the stronger in the final uphill drag to prevail by four seconds, with Pogacar, who showed great legs in his first stage race since breaking a wrist in April, crossed the line 12 seconds off the pace. Overall, Yates leads his brother by eight seconds after picking up 10 seconds for the stage win, while Pogacar is 18 seconds off the pace. That Adam seized the opportunity to get the yellow jersey is a team dream coming true," said Pogacar. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jayco – AlUla's Simon Yates, Adam Yates, Papon Bernard BILBAO, Britain's Adam Yates pipped, Simon, Adam, Tadej Pogacar, Yates, Pogacar, We're, Jonas Vingegaard, France's Victor Lafay, Spain's Enric Mas, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, Julien Pretot, Andrew Cawthorne, Hugh Lawson Organizations: de, UAE Team Emirates, Papon, Tour de France, UAE Emirates, de France, MAS, Pike, Espana, EF Education, Thomson Locations: Bilbao, Spain, Slovenian, Basque

☆ Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro is barred from running for office until 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro leaves his home following a search operation, in Brasilia, Brazil May 3, 2023. Far-right former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was barred Friday from running for office again until 2030 after a panel of judges concluded that he abused his power and cast unfounded doubts on the country's electronic voting system. Five judges on the nation's highest electoral court agreed that Bolsonaro used government communication channels to promote his campaign and sowed distrust about the vote. Speaking to reporters in Minas Gerais, Bolsonaro lamented that the trial was unfair and politically motivated. Brazilian law forbids candidates with criminal sentences from running for office.

Persons: Jair Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro, Carlos Melo, Judge Carmen Lucia —, —, Alexandre de Moraes, Melo, Fernando Collor de Mello, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Sen, Sergio Moro, Maria Maris, Maris, Lula, Swift jailing, Gleisi Hoffmann, mongers, Donald Trump, Marie Santini, Katia Caminha, Caminha, Bolsonaro's, Thomas Traumann, didn't, Traumann Organizations: Insper University, Liberal Party, Federal, Lula's Workers ' Party, Federal University of Rio, Bolsonaro, Associated Press, Sao Paulo Locations: Brasilia, Brazil, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de, Copacabana, Sao, decamp, Florida

☆ Brazil's Lula says inflation targets too 'rigid'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAO PAULO, June 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday the country's inflation targets were excessively rigid and renewed criticism of the central bank for high interest rates ahead of a meeting that will set its 2026 inflation goals. Lula's remarks came as financial markets closely watch the National Monetary Council's (CMN) meeting later in the day for potential changes on inflation targets, which are currently at 3.25% for 2023 and 3% for the next two years. "Personally I think Brazil should not have such a rigid inflation target if it cannot meet it," Lula said in an interview with Radio Gaucha. "But it's not prudent for me to talk about the monetary council ahead of its meeting." Lula previously hinted at potentially changing inflation targets to increase them and enable monetary policy easing, a move that ended up worsening expectations for consumer price changes.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula's, Lula, Gabriel Araujo, Steven Grattan Organizations: SAO PAULO, Monetary, Radio Gaucha, Thomson Locations: Brazil

☆ Brazil central bank signals possibility of rate cut in August by majority view
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRASILIA, June 27 (Reuters) - Brazil's central bank signaled on Tuesday that a majority of its policymakers see a possibility of initiating a "parsimonious" rate cut at its next meeting in August, provided that a more benign inflation scenario is consolidated, while a minority adopts a more cautious stance. Although it adopted a more moderate tone by excluding the possibility of rate hikes from its policy statement, the central bank refrained from signaling monetary easing at its next meeting in August last week, pointing instead to a data-dependent stance. The communication drew criticism from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ministers, and some market participants, who expected a notable shift in the bank's tone due to lower-than-expected inflation, a stronger currency, and easing inflation expectations. The central bank stressed in the minutes that inflation expectations declined slightly, but remain deanchored from official targets, partially due to the questioning about a possible change in future inflation targets, adding that "decisions that reanchor expectations can lead to faster disinflation." The National Monetary Council, consisting of the Finance Minister, Planning Minister, and central bank governor, will convene on Thursday to confirm the 3% inflation targets for 2024 and 2025, and set the official target for 2026.

Persons: Copom, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Fernando Haddad, Marcela Ayres, Steven Grattan Organizations: Monetary, Finance, Planning, Thomson Locations: BRASILIA

☆ Exclusive: Brazil aims to pass offshore wind, green hydrogen laws by year-end, energy minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Catarina Demony | Thomson Reuters | Portugal-Based Multimedia Correspondent Reporting On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LISBON, June 27 (Reuters) - Brazil aims to pass a regulatory framework for offshore wind and green hydrogen by the end of this year, the country's energy minister told Reuters on Tuesday, as Latin America's largest nation seeks to unlock new sectors to power its energy transition. With a floor of 16 billion reais, the auction could unlock 200 billion reais ($41.79 billion) in investments, he said. Currently, Brazil has no legislation in place to regulate offshore wind and green hydrogen. In early January, Brazil's government issued a decree that opened space for the development of offshore wind power generation in the country. "Green hydrogen is a real possibility for us to greatly expand our position in clean and renewable energy," he said.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Jair Bolsonaro, Lula, Alexandre Silveira, Brazil's, Silveira, Lula's, Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira, Gabriel Stargardter, David Evans Organizations: Leftist, Energy, Shell, Petrobras, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LISBON, Brazil, Foz de Amazonas, Angra, Lisbon

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