Brasilia, Feb 21 (IANS) Brazil's economy grew 1.35 percent in 2012, well above the market forecast of 1 percent, estimated the country's central bank.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 21 (IANS) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has sounded a warning to Rio 2016 officials about delays to key infrastructure projects.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 21 (IANS) The agent of Brazil star Neymar has accused Pele of hypocrisy and jealousy after the football legend's stinging attack on the 21-year-old's attitude.

Brasilia, Feb 21 (IANS/EFE) Brazil and Russia signed a series of agreements Wednesday aimed at increasing annual trade flows between two of the world's largest emerging economies from $5.9 billion to at least $10 billion in the coming years.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 20 (IANS) Brazil legend Pele has urged compatriot Neymar to choose Spanish football giants Barcelona over a move to Manchester City or Real Madrid.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 20 (IANS) The cousin of former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed for Brazilian fourth division outfit Alecrim.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 20 (IANS/EFE) Those seeking good food in Rio de Janeiro can explore the numerous street stands that offer some of Brazilian cuisine's most traditional dishes.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 20 (IANS) World football's governing body FIFA has announced that goal-line technology will be used during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 19 (IANS) The Brazilian Air Force has said it has acquired two more Israeli-made drones last month to boost border security and safeguard upcoming sport events.

Sao Paulo, Feb 19 (IANS) Brazil Open tennis tournament organisers have conceded that improvements need to be made ahead of next year's version of the ATP 250 event.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 19 (IANS) Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes said preparations for the 2016 Olympics are on track despite lingering concerns about lack of new hotels.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 19 (IANS) Rio de Janeiro's state government insists that Maracana Stadium remains on target to be ready for FIFA Confederations Cup in June despite a workers strike that threatens further delays to the venue's $450 million revamp.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 19 (IANS/EFE) US actor Harrison Ford visited the Babilonia "favela", or shantytown, in Rio de Janeiro to become more familiar with a housing program for families currently living in a nearby environmental preservation area.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 18 (IANS) Deco set up two first-half goals to lead Rio de Janeiro giants Fluminense to a 3-1 victory over Volta Redonda in Brazil's Campeonato Carioca football tournament.

Sao Paulo, Feb 18 (IANS) Former world No.1 Rafael Nadal clinched his first tournament victory since returning from a seven-month layoff by defeating Argentina's David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Brazil Open and hoped that this would be a start of "something good".

Sao Paulo, Feb 18 (IANS) Brazil international Neymar was sent off as Santos suffered a shock 1-3 defeat to Ponte Preta in the Campeonato Paulista football tournament.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 17 (IANS) A teenage football fan of Brazilian top flight club Nautico is fighting for his life after being shot during a confrontation between rival supporters.

Sao Paulo, Feb 17 (IANS) Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal advanced to the final of the Brazil Open with a 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-1 victory over Argentina's Martin Alund.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 17 (IANS) Arsenal midfielder Denilson admits his future remains uncertain as Sao Paulo continue their bid to secure the 25-year-old on a permanent contract.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 16 (IANS) Santos coach Muricy Ramalho admitted that the club is unlikely to sign former Wigan Athletic striker Marcelo Moreno from Brazilian rivals Gremio.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 16 (IANS) Former Portugal international midfielder Deco is poised to make his first appearance in 2013 for Fluminense in the Campeonato Carioca football clash against Volta Redonda Sunday.

Sao Paulo, Feb 16 (IANS) Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal recovered from a set down to reach the semi-finals of the Brazil Open with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Argentina's Carlos Berlocq.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 15 (IANS/EFE) Apple has filed a challenge with Brazil's INPI trademark and patent office in a bid to secure the right to sell smartphones with the iPhone name in the giant South American country.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 14 (IANS) Ronaldinho set up both his team's goals as Atletico Mineiro opened their 2013 Copa Libertadores campaign with a 2-1 victory over Brazilian rivals Sao Paulo.

Sao Paulo, Feb 14 (IANS) Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal will face Brazilian qualifier Joao Souza in his opening singles tennis match at the Brazil Open.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 14 (IANS/EFE) The Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school was named the winner of the Rio de Janeiro carnival for its attractive and colourful parade highlighting rural life and the customs of the Brazilian interior.

Rio De Janeiro, Feb 13 (IANS) South American football's governing body Conmebol has ordered Brazilian club Gremio to temporarily close a section of its stadium following last month's accident that left five people in hospital.

Sao Paulo, Feb 13 (IANS) Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal has revealed the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has provided him with motivation to continue his career beyond the age of 30.

Rio De Janeiro, Feb 13 (IANS) Italian football club Napoli is reportedly preparing a bid to sign Brazil international striker Leandro Damiao in the European summer transfer window.

Sao Paulo, Feb 13 (IANS/EFE) At least four people died and six were injured in the early hours Tuesday when a carnival float caught fire during a samba school parade in the Brazilian city of Santos, paramedics said.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 12 (IANS) Brazilian club Gremio has confirmed the signing of Arsenal defender Andre Santos on a one-year loan deal.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 12 (IANS) Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro and Sao Paulo are expected to provide the highlight of the opening week of this year's Copa Libertadores group stage when they clash at Atletico's Estadio Independencia in Belo Horizonte Wednesday.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 12 (IANS) Bolivia international striker Marcelo Moreno admits he could be tempted to leave current club Gremio by the prospect of playing alongside Brazil's budding star Neymar at Santos.

Brasilia, Feb 12 (IANS/EFE) The death Monday of a young man who had been hospitalized with respiratory problems after being injured in the Jan 27 fire in a discotheque in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria raised to 239 the toll in the tragedy, authorities said.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 12 (IANS/EFE) Carnival entered its fourth day in Brazil Monday and crowds thronged the streets across the giant South American nation in the annual bash.

Sao Paulo, Feb 11 (IANS/EFE) US filmmaker Spike Lee is shooting interviews and other footage for his upcoming documentary "Go, Brazil, Go!" during carnival in the northeastern Brazilian city of Salvador, where millions of people have gathered for the festivities, media reported.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 10 (IANS) Fluminense coach Abel Braga declared striker Fred as "the best in Brazil" after his dramatic late goal earned the reigning Brazilian champions a 1-1 draw against Vasco da Gama in Brazil's Campeonato Carioca.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 10 (IANS) Uruguay striker Diego Forlan continued his impressive early season form with a goal each side of half time in Internacional's 3-0 victory over Pelotas in the Brazilian football league.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 9 (IANS) Brazilian football club Gremio has confirmed its interest in signing Arsenal defender Andre Santos for the club's upcoming Copa Libertadores campaign.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 9 (IANS) Palmeiras has agreed to sell Argentina international striker Hernan Barcos to Brazilian rivals Gremio.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 9 (IANS/EFE) Mayor Eduardo Paes presented the keys to Brazil's second-largest city Friday to King Momo, the traditional sovereign of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 8 (IANS) Former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf continued his prolific goal-scoring form as Botafogo rallied to defeat Resende 4-2 in Rio's Campeonato Carioca.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 8 (IANS/EFE) A group of Rio de Janeiro street troupes are crying foul over the numerous multi-million-dollar contracts with carnival sponsors and authorities' growing control over the festivities.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 7 (IANS) The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has banned for five years Brazil's former South American 10,000-metre track champion Simone Alves da Silva for doping.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 7 (IANS) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has urged scientists to design a programme to promote biotechnology research and industrial production.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 7 (IANS/EFE) A total of 279,332 automobiles were manufactured in Brazil in January, up 31.9 percent from the same month of 2012 and 7.7 percent more than in December, an industry association said Wednesday.

Rio De Janeiro, Feb 6 (IANS) Chile international midfielder Jorge Valdivia has been ruled out of Palmeiras' 2013 Copa Libertadores football opener against Peru's Sporting Cristal next week with a thigh injury.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 6 (IANS) Brazilian state-run energy giant Petrobras will have a difficult 2013, mostly due to maintenance work on infrastructure, the company's CEO Maria das Gracas Foster said.

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 6 (IANS) US technology giant Apple Tuesday lost the right to use the iPhone brand in Brazil, according to the country's National Industrial Property Institute (INPI).

Rio De Janeiro, Feb 6 (IANS) Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has said the team's 2013 car is on "another planet" compared to the one of last year.