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The article discusses the difficulties of Brazilian investment banker André Esteves, who began serving a house arrest in his São Paulo, Brazil, home on December 17, 2015. According to the article, Esteves was charged with obstruction in the Brazilian government's corruption investigation at Brazilian state oil company Petróleo Brasileiro SA and had lost control of the brokerage firm BTG Pactual SA.

The article states that Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual SA chief executive and controlling partner André Esteves was arrested by Brazilian authorities on November 25, 2015, as part of a corruption investigation. According to the article, BTG clients pulled money from hedge funds following the arrest and shares of stock in BTG Pactual declined by 2.7 percent on November 26, 2015, after a 22 percent drop the previous day. The article also states that credit rating firm Moody's Investors Service downgraded BTG's rating following the arrest of Esteves.

The article discusses the symbolic significance of a 50-foot balloon depicting former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a striped jail uniform that appeared in several political demonstrations and in mass media depictions in Brazil during 2015. According to the article, the balloon had become a mascot for opponents of Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff. The article states that the balloon features a prison number intended to reference da Silva's alleged participation in a $2 billion bribery scandal involving the Brazilian firm Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras).

The article discusses the implications of reduced consumption of Brazilian commodities such as soybeans, beef, and oil in China for the Brazilian economy as of the end of August 2015. According to the article, Brazil's stock market declined by 22 percent from August 2014 to August 2015, and Brazil was expected to report a 1.7 percent shrink in its economy on August 28, 2015. The article also discusses political corruption in Brazil. The article presents comments from former Brazilian diplomat Marcos Troyjo.

The article states that Brazilian legislators were considering impeaching Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff in the wake of an alleged $2.1 billion embezzlement scandal at Brazilian state oil company Petróleo Brasileiro SA and an economic downturn in Brazil. The article discusses Rousseff's attempts to shift economic policies and changing her leadership style to win support from the public and Brazilian Congress. The article presents comments from Brazilian senator Ronaldo Caiado.

The article discusses Guido Schäffer, a Catholic priest-in-training in Brazil and an avid surfer who drowned in 2009. Focus is given to how Schäffer used his love of surfing to help spread the Gospel, and reports that since his death some people claim he has answered their prayers or brought them healing. With the Vatican's permission, priests in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil have begun the process of seeking sainthood for Schäffer.

The article discusses the Active Forest Cup, a soccer tournament played among teams from villages in Brazil's rain forest. Particular attention is paid to the team from the village of Suruacá. Soccer coach Djalma Lima has few resources available to him in Suruacá, among them oil from frying piranhas that serves as a salve for ailing players. INSET: Clinton's Tenure as Secretary of State.

The article discusses disillusionment in Brazil over that country's status as host nation of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament. Amid shortcomings in public transportation, education, and other public services, Brazilians increasingly believe the billions of dollars spent on stadiums and other World Cup infrastructure has been wasteful, with just 48% of those surveyed saying holding the tournament in Brazil is a good idea.

The article discusses tensions in Brazil between settlers in the town of Humaitá and residents of a Tenharim Indian reservation 80 miles away. The settlers arrived following construction of the Trans-Amazon highway, a project that had been opposed by the Tenharim. Six reservation residents have been charged with the murders of three men who worked in Humaitá including Stef Pinheiro, Luciano Freire, and Aldeney Ribeiro.

The article discusses the collapsed business empire of Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista. Amid strong demand for commodities in the mid-2000s Batista assembled several assets including interests in mining, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. Their success depended in large measure on his oil company, OGX Petróleo e Gás Participações SA, which proved unable to produce much oil. OGX declared bankruptcy on October 30, 2013.

The article discusses the indebtedness of Brazil's middle class and those who aspire to it. Between 2009 and 2012 loans to consumers grew at an average annual rate of 25%. The proportion of household income committed to debt repayment is more than double that of the U.S. Government policies aimed at spurring consumption rather than improving infrastructure have exacerbated the problem.

The article reports that OGX Petróleo e Gás Participações, an oil company controlled by Brazilian magnate Eike Batista, missed a $44.5 million bond payment on October 1, 2013. OGX is in talks with creditors including investment company Pacific Management Investment Co., and Batista has said those parties would probably acquire control of OGX through a swap of debt for equity.

The article discusses the collapse of one-time Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista's business empire and presents commentary from him on his difficulties. Eike controls several interrelated firms whose prospects dimmed when production at his oil company, OGX, fell far short of expectations. Batista blames OGX's management including Paulo Mendonça, who had formerly been in charge of oil exploration at petroleum company Petrobras.

The article discusses the high incidence of street crime in Brazil and the sometimes violent reaction to it by Brazilian police. In the state of São Paulo police have killed one suspect for every 229 arrested. Some residents, exasperated with crime, express approval of aggressive police behavior. Details are presented about the case of Paulo Nascimento, a suspected car thief whose fatal shooting by police was videotaped by a witness.

The article discusses Brazil's methods for combating the production and selling of cocaine. It notes that Brazil has become the second largest cocaine market behind the U.S., as much of the illegal drug is brought in from neighboring Peru. Information is provided on Brazil's tactics of sending antidrug agents across international borders in an effort to expand Latin America's drug control efforts. Other topics include the globalization of cocaine, Peru's antidrug campaigns, and drug related violence.

The article discusses the financial status of Brazilian commodity entrepreneur Eike Batista as of June 29, 2012. According to the article, several companies owned by Batista suffered a significant sale of shares, including companies OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes SA, OSX Brasil SA, and MMX Mineracao & Metalicos SA, during the business week beginning June 25.

The article discusses the start of winter in Brazil as of June 20, 2012. It describes reaction to what is known as the "little chill" in São Paulo, Brazil, including the sale of fondue sets in retail stores, and the wearing of winter jackets and knit caps among São Paulo residents. The article presents comments from Brazilian weather service ClimaTempo meteorologist Alexandre Nascimento.

The article considers the impact on infrastucture, real property and real estate development finance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil of that city's hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games. Public works projects on transportation, urban renewal and sports facility construction are discussed. The effect of the projects on the country's construction industry is examined, with the firm Odebrecht SA used as an example.

The article reports that public prosecutors in Brazil announced they would file criminal charges for environmental crimes against executives of U.S. petroleum industry firm Chevron Corp. and offshore drilling platform operator Transocean Ltd. The charges are related to an accident at a drilling platform in 2011 which resulted in an offshore oil spill.

The article considers plans to expand Brazil's airports related to that country's hosting of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament and 2016 Olympic Games. The prevention of expansion by the presence of many abandoned airplanes at the airports as a result of past airline industry bankruptcies as well airplanes confiscated from drug traffickers, most of which cannot be removed as their possession remains in litigation, is discussed

The article examines a dramatic increase in the drug traffic and drug addiction related to so-called crack cocaine in Brazil. The city of São Paulo is used as an example of the impact of crack cocaine on social conditions and law enforcement in that country. The crack cocaine market in Brazil is considered as evidence of a trend in which drug traffickers are seeking new markets due to a decline in U.S. cocaine use.

The article discusses the growing popularity of the U.S. as a shopping destination for Brazilians. Between 2009 and 2011 the number of Brazilians visiting New York City is expected to double. During the first six months of 2011 Brazilians spent some $1 billion in Florida, second only to visitors from Canada. A strengthened Brazilian real and greater availability of credit to Brazilians are fueling the trend.

The article discusses adverse consequences of rising levels of foreign investment in Brazil that have helped produce rapid economic growth there. Real estate prices have risen sharply, prompting fears among some of a bubble. The cost of living in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo has spiked upward. Robust appreciation in the Brazilian real has made some local businesses uncompetitive globally.

The article discusses efforts by cosmetics maker Aveda to aid the Tawanawá Indian tribe in Brazil's Amazon rain forest through a profitable business relationship. Over a twenty-year period Aveda has provided various types of aid to the tribe in exchange for cultivation of urukum, a plant that Aveda uses in the manufacture of lipsticks an other makeup. Results have not fully met expectations.

The article discusses the rising Brazilian real. Since late 2008 it has risen over 40% against the U.S. dollar, despite assertions by Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega in 2010 that he would act to thwart that trend. In 2011 Mantega introduced additional measures to slow the real's ascent, but allowed that there were legitimate reasons for its strength.

The article discusses the ouster of chief executive Roger Agnelli from Brazilian mining firm Vale SA. Agnelli had resisted attempts by the Brazilian government to influence Vale's operations and his successor, Murilo Ferreira, is considered to have been the preference of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Some Vale investors question whether the company could be pressured by the government to undertake unprofitable projects.

The article discusses a dam being built in Porto Velho in Brazil's Amazon river region. The builders, construction firms Andrade Gutierrez SA and Odebrecht SA, have spent about $600 million to address the concerns of regulators, environmentalists, and affected residents. The dam could begin generating power before its scheduled 2012 completion date.

The article discusses development in Brazil's Amazon forest. At least five forest cities have populations in excess of 300,000, four of which will have shopping malls by the end of 2011. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has directed substantial aid to the region in an effort to help the poor and working classes.

The article reports that Brazil will impose a tax on foreigners who purchase stocks and bonds in that nation. With both the Brazilian real and benchmark stock index enjoying healthy gains, finance minister Guido Mantega hopes the tax will discourage undue speculation. During 2009 the real has appreciated over 30% against the U.S. dollar.

The article discusses strong initial-public-offering (IPO) activity outside the U.S. In Brazil VisaNet's IPO raised $4.27 billion on the Sao Paulo stock exchange. In April, 2009 an IPO for Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. realized $1.26 billion. Under current trends 2009 will be the first year since 1995 when the U.S. does not lead the world in IPOs.

The article reports that Brazil and Russia will sell U.S. Treasury bonds as they acquire $10 billion apiece in securities issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The move is seen as part of an ongoing effort by those nations, as well as by India and China, to exert greater influence at the IMF.

The article discusses the growing meatpacking empire of Brazilian firm JBS SA. JBS has global aspirations, and has made several acquisitions along the way to becoming one of the world's largest meat processors. High grain prices contributed to a quarterly loss reported on July 31, 2008, and it is not clear when the business climate for meat packers will improve.

The article discusses the planned initial public offering (IPO) of Brazilian oil firm OGX Petroleo e Gas Participacoes SA. OGX was founded by Eike Batista, had just 30 employees as of March, 2008, and has yet to drill a single oil well. However, the firm does own substantial underwater drilling rights. Interest among investors in the IPO is high.