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ECONOMY

General strike is test for passage of reforms

Judging by Wednesday’s vote, the government is still lacking at least 12 votes to pass the pension reform

POLITICS

Government identifies support to labor reform in Senate

Vote in the Chamber of Deputies helped government see where spots of dissatisfaction are

POLITICS

Former house speaker still reluctant to make plea deal

Eduardo Cunha, arrested since December, likes to issue veiled threats in jail but no proposal has come out yet

POLITICS

Lula includes investment bankers in list of witnesses

Executives participated in R$120bn capitalization of Petrobras in 2010; some say they don’t know why they are being called

ECONOMY

Farm, business interests clash with Environment Ministry on licensing

Environmentalists decry bill making its way in Congress, which diverged from version negotiated by Environment Minister

COMMENTARY

Claudia Safatle

The cost of changing the inflation target

Decisions taken now affect next year’s inflation, which means pursuing a lower target would require slowing or stopping the monetary easing

Cristiano Romero

Public servants and the general strike

By defending privileges in the pension reform, public servants know they go against the interests of the majority of the population

Ribamar Oliveira

Government finances show more improvement in nominal result

Budget cut this year ensures government will comply with spending cap in 2018 and 2019, but after that it depends on revenues

MORE NEWS

• BUSINESS

  Government readies law to intervene in Oi

  
  But Anatel chief stresses that hope is for market solution, which can be helped by authorization to exchange debt for investment
• ECONOMY

  Jobless recovery imposes lower Selic in upcoming years

  
  Central Bank moves ahead of the market by joining debate over job market's pressure on inflation and monetary easing
• BUSINESS

  WEG chief calls for short-term economic measures

  
  Harry Schmelzer says Brazil needs policies that stimulate growth now, because reforms are for the future
• MARKETS

  Caixa suspends cheaper mortgages for FGTS account holders

  
  Pró-Cotista credit line offers reduced interest for those with Workers’ Severance Fund accounts; sources say recent withdrawals drained fund
• POLITICS

  Palocci hires lawyers for plea deal and mentions bribe to Lula

  
  Former minister told his new attorneys that ex-president would be “real recipient” of 50% of bribe at Sete Brasil
• ECONOMY

  Financially healthy, Ceará leads investments among states

  
  State earmarked 11% of revenues for investments, twice the national average, along with Piauí and Bahia, according to Firjan study
• BUSINESS

  Natura makes risky move with bid for The Body Shop

  Brazilian cosmetics company shares a sustainable appeal with the UK chain but faces steep learning curve with its far-flung global presence
• ECONOMY

  Credit market shows signs of bottoming out

  Lending grows slightly in March as a result of monetary easing, but spreads are mostly stable
• POLITICS

  Labor reform subdues unions and special courts

  
  Clean bill proposes broad changes to cut company costs and create jobs, but legal experts warn of loss of acquired rights
• BUSINESS

  Alpargatas migration to Novo Mercado splits investors

  
  Despite advantages of improved governance, minority shareholders think share conversion ratio gives excessive premium to controlling bloc
• MARKETS

  Santander Asset Management turns to more sophisticated funds

  
  Under new command, the unit wants to be known for the management of multimarket and stock funds
• BUSINESS

  New command will set Klabin path after Puma project

  After completing its R$8.5bn new pulp mill, company studies increasing carton output and expanding abroad
• BUSINESS

  BB opens investigation into bidding for ad agencies

  Multi Solution, one of the winners, had its name leaked before the official announcement
• MARKETS

  Bond market grows cautious amid rising uncertainties

  Brazilian Treasury reduces size of its auctions as investors show lower demand for securities carrying higher risk
• BUSINESS

  Auction secures R$12.7bn in power transmission investments

  Private sector ensured success of auction, with EDP and ISA Cteep being the top bidders
• POLITICS

  Union federations reunite for general strike

  
  Still split into two factions, one closer to the government, unions vow to cross arms on Friday in protest against labor and pension reforms
• POLITICS

  Palocci may mention sharing bribe with Lula in a plea deal

  
  Former minister, who is considering an agreement, would have told lawyer that he and ex-president took bribes linked to Sete Brasil, sources say
• BUSINESS

  Hypermarcas seeking merger opportunities in Brazil

  Brazilian pharmaceutical company would have hired banks to look for partners, especially of national investors
• AGRIBUSINESS

  Milk fat shortage affects butter production

  Restricted demand for fat-free milk and rising consumption of butter make prices soar
• BUSINESS

  Crisis paves the way for Tecfil to grow and lead market

  
  Family-owned producer of replacement car filters has been taking advantage of consumer need to spend on maintenance
• BUSINESS

  Call centers reeling from end of payroll-tax breaks

  
  Already tight margins will be further squeezed despite promising prospects from job outsourcing law
• BUSINESS

  Startup BeYou uses contests to help companies design their products

  
  Firm, which expects to break even in three to four months, promotes online challenges in which consumers can choose among potential products
• POLITICS

  “The government can’t stop,” Eliseu Padilha says

  
  Chief of Staff says government has already compromised all it can in the pension reform and must carry on regardless of Car Wash
• AGRIBUSINESS

  Bumper crop increases credit demand for warehouse construction

  
  But government program is still not enough to relieve storage capacity deficit in Brazil