Argentina and Brazil made significant advances in outstanding bilateral trade issues following a joint meeting between top policy makers from both countries, Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega told reporters.
The meeting, in Brazil’s industrial hub of São Paulo, was jointly chaired by Mantega and Argentine Economy Minister Amado Boudou.
The two ministers announced the creation of a US$ 100 million fund to offer financing to Argentine companies engaged in trade with Brazil. Financing will come from government agencies of both countries.
Creation of the fund came on recognition that Argentina frequently has been at a disadvantage in its trade with Brazil, in part because the size of the Brazilian economy has permitted more economies of scale for Brazilian companies. (more…)
Brazil and the Netherlands advanced comfortably into the World Cup quarterfinals Monday, while anger simmered over refereeing blunders and FIFA’s refusal to adopt video technology to eliminate them.
Brazil comfortably brushed aside Chile 3-0 at Ellis Park as the team pushes for a sixth title, while the Netherlands eased into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Slovakia. For Brazil, Juan and Luis Fabiano scored in the first half and Robinho finished off the scoring in the 59th minute.
“Chile played exceptionally well, they had a lot of possession of the ball,” Brazil coach Dunga said. “But Brazil was able to have balance and control.” (more…)
Robinho celebrates scoring Brazil's third goal against Chile at Ellis Park. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Brazil 3 Chile 0
Juan 34
Luis Fabiano 38
Robinho 59
Chile have been among the most eyecatching South American teams at this tournament yet Brazil made them look ordinary in Johannesburg, advancing to a quarter-final against Holland and leaving few in any doubt that winning this World Cup is likely to involve knocking a team coached by Dunga or Diego Maradona out of the competition.
On current form a Brazil v Argentina final seems both likely and logical, though perhaps Holland or Germany can put a word in for Europe at the weekend. Certainly Brazil were irrepressible here, not at all flattered by a three-goal margin of victory and displaying some of the famous attacking fluency that Dunga is supposed to have extinguished. When they needed it, that is. With Chile beaten by half-time, Brazil played the second half with something in reserve, always conscious that bigger challenges lie ahead.
Chile began with every sign of attacking intent, with Humberto Suazo showing a couple of smart turns and an eye for an opening, though within minutes Brazil had them pinned back on the defensive. Gilberto Silva brought the first save of the game from Claudio Bravo with a fiercely dipping drive from 25 yards, after Luís Fabiano had dragged a shot wide following a wonderful, defence-splitting pass from Daniel Alves. When Chile did get a look-in, after almost a quarter of an hour, Suazo stayed onside and with more time than he seemed to realise could have done better than popping a virtual back pass into Júlio César’s arms. (more…)
It looks like any other construction site: wheelbarrows full of bricks, boards and steel bars trundling back and forth to a soundtrack of hammering, sawing and drilling. But there is a difference: some of the construction workers underneath the hard hats are women.
The women — who represent just seven of the 90 workers — are a new face of the labour market in Brazil, and they worked hard to reach the top of the scaffolding surrounding this eight-floor building that is going up in Rio de Janeiro.
“They told me I wouldn’t hack it as a construction worker, but here I am,” says 23-year-old Daiana Aguiar, a married mother of one.
She adds that many people she knows doubt that “I really plaster or lay bricks.”
Aguiar has no nostalgia for her old job as a cashier in a supermarket. “I only had one day off a week. On a construction site you earn a lot more, and you have the weekend off. And now I have a car, I’m studying, and I’m building at my house too.” (more…)
If Chile want to continue their fairytale run at the football World Cup, they have a mountain to climb when they face five-time champions Brazil in their Round of 16 match Monday.
After Switzerland beat Spain in their opening Group H match and Chile struggled against Honduras, most pundits thought the South Americans would finish third in the group and crash out.
But a victory against a 10-man Swiss side put Chile in the driving seat and although they lost their final game 2-1 to Spain, they went through as Switzerland failed to beat Honduras. (more…)
