Reuters

By Luana Maria Benedito and Gabriel Burin

SAO PAULO/BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Economists are unusually split over the size of a likely Brazil interest rate reduction on May 8, a Reuters poll found, amid changing views about the future path of U.S. monetary policy and persistent local inflation worries.

In August 2023, the central bank launched a series of six consecutive 50 basis points rate cuts from a six-year high of 13.75% to 10.75%... (continue reading...)

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States is using the threat of secondary sanctions against Chinese businesses seen as engaging with Russia as a "pretext" to try and contain Beijing, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

Zakharova was answering a question about U.S. sanctions issued on Wednesday on nearly 300 targets - including Chinese companies - seen as helping Moscow to circumvent existing Western sanctions.

(Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that people should avoid exposures to sick or dead animals suspected to be infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus.

Farmers, workers and emergency responders should wear appropriate personal protective equipment when in direct or close physical contact with sick birds, livestock or other animals, the agency said.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in... (continue reading...)

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Friday warned that dairy workers remain at risk from the H5N1 bird flu virus that is infecting dairy herds, and urged them to wear protective gear to avoid infection.

The U.S. CDC urged farmers, workers, and emergency responders to wear appropriate protective gear when in direct or close physical contact with sick birds, livestock, feces, raw milk or contaminated surfaces.... (continue reading...)

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin called British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's statement that Ukraine could use British weapons against targets inside Russia if it wanted to a direct and dangerous escalation of tensions around the conflict.

Cameron promised 3 billion pounds ($3.7 billion) of annual military aid for Ukraine for "as long as it takes" on Thursday, adding that London had no objection to its weapons being used inside Russia.