Brazil’s president reported economic progress.

President Jose Sarney told Brazilians in a nationally televised address that the nation’s economy is doing better than had been expected. “We are arriving at the end of the year, and I bring you good news,� he said. He predicted that economic growth would be between 6% and 7% this year, up from the earlier 5% projection, and that inflation would be held to an annual rate of 230%, less than had been feared. He added that more than 1.5 million jobs have been created this year.