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Lula says 'no explanation' for Brazil's current rate
levels
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Brazil's Lula to restart housing program for low-income
families
Feb 6 (Reuters) -
The latest in Latin American politics today:
Ecuador extradition referendum set for defeat, opposition wins mayoral races QUITO - Ecuadoreans looked likely to reject a government-backed referendum to allow extraditions for drug crimes and other charges, preliminary results on Monday showed, while voters in the country's two largest cities backed mayoral candidates from embattled former President Rafael Correa's political movement. The results reinforced a difficult scenario for current conservative President Guillermo Lasso, who has struggled to contain rising insecurity, protests by indigenous groups that have hurt the economy, and widespread violence in prisons. Lula says 'no explanation' for Brazil's current interest rate levels
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Monday there was "no explanation" for the country's high interest rates, with the benchmark rate at a six-year high, adding that development bank BNDES could help bring down lending costs. Lula, who last week criticized the central bank's formal autonomy and suggested a review of its status, said Brazil's problem was a "culture of high rates" rather than the newfound independence of the central bank. Brazil's Lula to restart housing program for low-income families
BRASILIA - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will this month restart the federal housing program "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" for lower-income people, his chief of staff said on Sunday. Rui Costa said on TV GloboNews that the announcement will be made on Feb. 14 in Bahia state as part of several trips by the leftist president until March to initiate programs that boost the economy and quickly benefit the population. (Compiled by Steven Grattan; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
