Brazil

The extended accord seeks to shore up Brazil's battered auto sector, which has few short-term recovery prospects

The political and economic impact of the Petrobras scandal comes at a critical time for a beleaguered government

Soaring interest rates will further dampen prospects for growth, not least given the burden of consumer debt

Although the Petrobras fall-out will be wide-ranging, Congress has been emboldened to raise pressure on Rousseff

The company's investment plan is under threat -- as are politicians as probe is set to reach the Supreme Court

China's efforts to ensure energy security through rising credits could prove costly and uncertain

Commodity prices and, in Petrobras's case, criminal investigations will contribute to a contraction this year

January investment and current account data were better than expected -- but only because expectations were so poor