Economy:
p20
Banks plan new fees for using debit cards
p21
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Brazil 2014:
The country of "Futebol" and "Hopes"
ISSUE NO. : 042 | WWW.BRAZILIANPOST.CO.UK
HIGHLIGHTS: BRAZIL:
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Protesters tell Congress to stop corruption
Environment:
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Work on $11 bn dam stops
Made in UK:
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200,000 suffer dating site fraud
SHOWBIZ:
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Kutcher, Demi Moore split!
WHAT'S UP:
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London Restaurant Festival
WORLD:
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Thai PM worth $17 million
ECONOMY:
P20
Thomas Cook scraps dividend
SPORT: NBA stars are back to the game
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MORAL POLICE
IN BRAZIL? At a time when a female president is at the helm, the advertisements are still generally populated with halfnaked attractive women, women are encouraged to wear almost nothing during carnival, and struggle in the workplace to have the same opportunities and salaries as their male counterparts, the moral brigade may have just kicked the hornet's nest with the Hope lingerie controversy. Brazil is the 3rd largest global beauty market and going under the knife is as easy as getting a haircut, and this recent controversy serves to question the very fundamentals of Brazil's social fabric. Brazil's Ministry for Women has called for the suspension of the television ad featuring lingerie-clad supermodel Gisele Bundchen, saying it reinforces the stereotype of women as sex objects. Apparently, with more pressing issues concerning the fairer sex, they want to ban Gisele's Hope lingerie ad over sexism but not over nudity!
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Brazil
Brazil mulls ban on lingerie-clad Gisele Bunchen ad Brazil wants to ban Gisele's latest lingerie ad but not over nudity. The reason the government wants to ban the lingerie ad from TV is because they think the ad is sexist. The Hope Lingerie ad which can be seen below shows the gorgeous supermodel first telling her husband she crashed his car dressed "in full clothes, the Portuguese word for "wrong" flashes up on screen. But when she is just in her heels and underwear the word for "right" comes up on screen with a voiceover adding: "You are Brazilian, use your charm"." To some people it would be a laughing matter. However, Brazil isn't laughing. The Ministry for Women which is the department seeking to ban the lingerie ad stated it "reinforces the erroneous stereotyping of women as sex objects and ignores the progress made in ending sexist practices. It also represents discrimination against women." The TV ads send a message "that sensuality can melt any man" and "encourages Brazilian women to use their charms to minimize the reactions of their husbands," the ministry said. This controversy does depict the double standards of a society where beauty isn't just big business — it's HUGE! With a value of $28 billion by sales volume, Brazil's beauty market is the third largest on the planet (behind the U.S. and Japan). A typical Brazilian spends a substantial amount of time outdoors and on the country's gorgeous beaches, clad in skimpy beach-wear, and in some places, not even that. (The country is far from shy about nudity, constantly disregarding its government's rules and advisories.) In addition, the annual carnival season is a stage for women to flaunt their bodies, and the media's coverage of this has informed many a layman's national image of Brazil. Of course, Brazil had always been significantly more looks-obsessed than other countries in its economic strata, with only the United States surpassing it in terms of the number of cosmetic surgeries performed per year. Talking of this, one cannot forget Brazil's biggest gift to the fairer sex - the Brazilian Wax. Unfortunately, for a government faced with horrendous numbers in the fight against violence that specifically affects women, the "sexist" message the ad carries is no laughing matter for many.
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03th - 09th 2011
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OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Brazil
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Brazil
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Work on $11 bln mega-dam stops A federal court in Brazil has ordered a halt in construction at the controversial $11 billion Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, saying it would disrupt fishing by local indigenous people. The project has drawn international criticism, including from Oscar-winning movie director James Cameron of "Avatar" fame, who said indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest could turn to violence to block dam construction. Para state federal judge Carlos Eduardo Castro Martins on last Wednesday barred Norte Energia from "building a port, using explosives, installing dikes, building canals and any other infrastructure work that would interfere with the natural flow of the Xingu River, thereby affecting local fish." The Belo Monte dam is portrayed by Brazil's government as a key piece of its plan to boost national energy production needed for one of the world's fastest-growing emerging economies. It would be the third biggest dam in the world, after China's Three Gorges construction and the Itaipu dam on the border of Brazil and Paraguay. The construction ban should be valid from the date that Norte Energia receives notification, likely from this week, a federal justice spokesman said. If the company fails to comply, it would be fined 200,000 reais (about 109,500 dollars) a day, officials said.
Protesters tell Congress to stop corruption Protesters are demanding that Brazil's legislators sweep out corruption. They're making that point by planting 594 brooms in front of Congress. The brooms are green and yellow, the colors of Brazil's flag, and there is one for each representative. They were planted in front of Congress last Tuesday night so the 513 members of the House and the 81 senators could see them Wednesday morning. The protest was organized by the groups March Against Corruption and Rio for Peace, which have organized similar protests recently. Tens of thousands have taken part in anticorruption marches in the last month. Four ministers have fallen since January after being implicated in corruption.
8 police arrested in murder of judge A police commander and seven officers are under arrest in connection with the murder of a Brazilian judge. A court ordered six new arrests late last Monday and the Rio de Janeiro state police say the men were detained Tuesday. Two police officers had been arrested earlier. Murdered Judge Patricia Acioli was known for being tough on rogue police officers who turn to vigilantism and extort money from the population. She was shot to death in front of her house in the city of Niteroi in August. Among those arrested is Claudio de Oliveira, who headed the police department in the city of Sao Goncalo, where Acioli worked.
Construction that does not affect local fishing, including home building, can continue, the judge also ruled. The company still may appeal the ruling. The government had pledged to minimize the environmental and social impact of the dam and asserted that no traditional indigenous land was to be affected. But in April, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) asked Brazil to "immediately suspend the licensing process" for the dam, and called on it to protect indigenous peoples in the Xingu River basin whose lives and "physical integrity" would be threatened. The dam would divert 80 percent of the Xingu River's flow to an artificial reservoir, "potentially leading to the forced displacement of thousands of people," the Amazon Watch nonprofit, which fights for indigenous peoples' rights and to protect the environment in the Amazon, says on its website. But in June, the Brazilian government granted an installation license for the dam, clearing the way for construction to start. Since he finished working on "Avatar," Cameron has made three trips to the region in the Amazon where the dam is to be built to draw attention to the issue. British pop singer Sting has also given his support to the cause.
Methane forces closure of shopping mall Officials have ordered one of Brazil's biggest shopping malls to close due to risk of a methane gas explosion. The Sao Paulo State Environmental Protection Agency says the gas is seeping from the landfill on which the Center Norte mall was built in the 1980s. An agency statement posted last Wednesday on its website says the 331-store mall has been fined 2 million reals ($1.1 million) and ordered to shut down until it takes measures to stop the methane emissions. The mall's owners say their own inspections do not indicate the presence of methane. Another mall that specializes in furniture and a supermarket built next to the mall also have been closed.
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Brazil
Brazil to cut telecoms taxes
Brazil President Dilma Rousseff plans about $3.25 billion in tax breaks for companies that build new telecommunications networks, hoping to shield the sector from the global crisis and ensure that strained networks do not collapse during the 2014 World Cup. The government believes the tax breaks will help boost investments in the sector by an additional $11 billion over the next five years, a period that should see the amount of Brazilian households connected to the Internet double, Communications Minister Paulo Bernardo told media. "The government is making an effort to improve the conditions for investment ... and reduce the effects of the crisis," Bernardo said in an interview on Friday. The announcement is the latest in a series of targeted tax breaks and other incentives as Rousseff tries to shield strategic industries from the impact of the global crisis. Bernardo will join her on a week-long trip to Europe starting on Saturday that aims, in part, to secure new investments. Two of the leading companies in Brazil's telecoms sector, Spain's Telefonica and Telecom Italia, are based in countries at the heart of the euro zone debt crisis. But Bernardo said that rather than cancel investments, companies should embrace Brazil as one of the world's only major growth markets.
Brazil defends tariffs on Asian car competition Brazil's booming economy has the local auto industry in high gear, which the government wants to protect from popular Asian imports by slapping hefty tariffs on rising rivals. Though many economic analysts fear the move will hurt Brazil's reputation, the tariff shift approved this month was a major victory at least for the powerful local auto sector. With greater economic stability and greater access to credit, Brazil's domestic auto industry has been rising steadily in recent years. It expects to close out 2011 with a five percent increase in domestic sales (3.69 million units), according to reports. Faced with a stampede of new brands mainly from Asia, the government two weeks ago started slapping a whopping 30 percent tariff on all vehicles that are not at least 65-percent Brazilian made, or Made in Mercosur, the local South American trade bloc. Mexico is not affected due to its bilateral deals with Brazil. Brazil cannot "allow our auto industry to be taken over by upstarts who are coming in from outside," Finance Minister Guido Mantega said, explaining the move. The industry only months earlier had benefited from a major bailout and incentives package, seen as necessary due to the real's high value, that was supposed to help improve competitiveness. Catholic University economist Antonio Carlos Alves said the "unfortunate" measure the government adopted was evidence of bad economics and good lobbying by the local auto industry's "four sisters" GM, Volkswagen, Fiat and Ford. The single biggest splash in the local market by a foreign carmaker has been by China's JAC. A delegation from Uruguay was meeting last Tuesday with authorities in Brasilia to consider if they should mirror the Brazilian tariff. “I do not think the tariff was a necessary measure, not even to protect the market from Chinese competition." Alves said. "It is just a measure that fosters discontent in Brazil because it appears to be protectionist."
SÃO PAULO BELO HORIZONTE GOIÂNIA RIO VITÓRIA PORTO ALEGRE FLORIANÓPOLIS NATAL CURITIBA FORTALEZA BRASÍLIA LONDRINA SALVADOR RECIFE Atendemos
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Made in UK
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Tesco's promotional campaign sparks mother of all price wars Big Daddy supermarket Tesco has sparked the mother of all price wars and its rivals are running scared. Its 'Big Price Drop', which sees prices of 3,000 products, including everyday items such as bread, fruit and milk, slashed by up to 30 per cent is great news for cash-strapped consumers who will be shopping around for the best deals in the run-up to the crucial Christmas trading period. But the aggressive price offensive has major implications for Wal-Mart's Asda with its 'price guarantee' to be 10 per cent cheaper than rivals or refund the difference, while J Sainsbury's profit margins are already roughly half that of Tesco's. £500 million "Big Price Drop" campaign was described by City analysts today as a good "strategic move" which put the firm back on the "front foot". Britain's largest grocer revealed last week it would invest the sum from next week to slash prices on thousands of items, including bread and milk, and remove its double Clubcard points promotions.The store says the series of cuts are its biggest for 25 years. Retail analysts say the move will put Tesco back on the front foot in its bid to win back customers. Kate Calvert, analyst at broker Seymour Pierce, which recommends investors 'buy' the stock, targeting a price of 480 pence (current
price: 362 pence), said: "There had been much speculation about a price war this autumn, with the industry appearing to save promotional fire power in August." Tesco would partially pay for the price investment by removing double club card points and, at the same time, the cashing in of points for third party rewards will be improved for customers, she said. In terms of the numbers, she said Seymour Pierce expected it to be "margin neutral" for the grocer, saying that crude maths showed a £500mln price investment equated to around 1.3 percent of in-store sales. "Whether this campaign will be innovative enough in the eyes of the consumer for Tesco's to start winning back market share remains to be seen, but this does appear to place Tesco on the front foot again as the giving out of points hasn't be viewed as attractive, we feel, by the cash strapped consumer who prefers lower prices," the analyst noted. “The devil is in the detail but, in the weeks and months ahead, we think that the 'Big Price Drop' will be seen as having been a good strategic move. Analysts believe that Sainsbury's, the UK's third biggest supermarket with a grocery market share of around 16 per cent, is the most vulnerable to any increased price activity. It has the thinnest margins in the sector and the weakest cash flow.
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Made in UK
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27 illegal workers held in raids Twenty seven illegal workers from India have been arrested in two recent enforcement operations in London and Manchester, according to a press release by the British High Commission. The UK Border Agency is now working to remove them from the UK as soon as possible. On 22 September, UK Border Agency officers visited an Asian supermarket in Southall, West London, to check that the staff had the legal right to work. A total of 25 staff, including 23 Indian nationals, were found to have no right to be in the UK and were arrested. A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "It is the legal responsibility of all businesses to check their employees have the
right to work in the UK. "Where we find people who are in the UK illegally, we will seek to remove them. But we also want to send out a strong message to employers. More raids like this are planned." On 16 September, UK Border Agency officers visited a building site in Manchester and arrested 4 Indian men who had no right to work in the UK. The supermarket and the agency employing the construction workers now face fines of up to ÂŁ10,000 for each illegal worker, unless they can prove that they carried out the correct pre-employment checks.
Heart unit closure 'vandalism' The children's heart surgery unit of a leading hospital in west London is facing closure because of an act of "bureaucratic vandalism", the High Court has been told. The accusation was made by a QC for the Royal Brompton in Chelsea, west London, which has an international reputation for specialist paediatric services. The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust is seeking judicial review, arguing it is the victim of a "deeply flawed" consultation process "shot through with legal error". It says closure of the unit will put the viability of the whole hospital at risk. The consultation was launched by the Joint Committee of the Primary Care Trusts of England as part of a national review aimed at streamlining paediatric congenital cardiac surgery services around the country. Alan Maclean QC, for the Royal Brompton, said the "Safe and Sustainable" consultation on the future of children's heart surgery in England had led to a proposal to reduce the number of centres in London from three to two. The recommended
options favoured keeping the Evelina Hospital, which was part of Guy's and St Thomas' hospital trust, and Great Ormond Street. None of the options included the Royal Brompton. Mr Maclean told Mr Justice Owen at London's High Court: "The process has been very deeply flawed in a number of important respects and the upshot is the consultation is unfair and unlawful". The Royal Brompton was one of two centres in the country which already met the criterion for achieving the stated goal of the review, he said. But "surprisingly" it was being got rid of "in an act of bureaucratic vandalism that calls for the clearest justification". Teresa Moss, director of the NHS's National Specialised Commissioning Team, said before the start of the four-day hearing: "Safe and Sustainable do not accept the allegations made by the Royal Brompton. We will present our own case later this week when we provide evidence in court demonstrating that the principles and processes of the review are
Vietnam cites London riots to defend rights record Vietnam's foreign minister pointed last Tuesday to Britain's response to August riots as he defended the human rights record of his government, which he said guaranteed fundamental freedoms. Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, on a visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, said that Britain had raised concerns several years ago in a human rights dialogue about the communist nation's treatment of demonstrations. "But look at the UK, all right?" Pham said at the Council on Foreign Relations. "If you had some security concern, you had to adopt some kind of measure. So that is normal." "But we respect the human rights in all fields because we are members" of international conventions on human rights, he said. Riots broke out in the London district of Tottenham on August 6 before spreading to other cities, leaving five people dead in Britain's worst unrest since the 1980s. Pham was responding to a question about the use of force on religious practitioners in Vietnam. In a May 2010 incident that drew the attention of the US
Congress, residents said authorities used deadly force to break up a religious procession in the Roman Catholic parish of Con Dau. Vietnam said the incident was a land dispute. Pham defended Vietnam's record, saying: "Even I myself cannot get into church on Sunday or Christmas Eve. It's very crowded." "So I don't see any kind of discriminations against religious practice in Vietnam," he said. "Our policies (are) always focusing on the betterment of the living standard of the people, and also along with that is the rights of the people. So that is our commitment to that," he said. Pham saluted warming relations with the United States but said that on human rights, "there is a different approach." Despite the legacy of war, the United States and Vietnam have moved closer together at a time of high tension between Hanoi and Beijing. The United States has repeatedly warned that Vietnam needs to improve its human rights record but has nonetheless moved ahead to expand cooperation, including in
Brit professor 'reconstructs' lost Beethoven piece A composition by Beethoven that was discarded and unheard for over 200 years has been reconstructed, a British university said last Wednesday. The piece, the original slow movement of Beethoven's String Quartet in G, Opus 18 Number 2, was composed in 1799, but was discarded a year later. The composer then wrote a completely different movement that is now known to classical musical fans, said Barry Cooper, a music professor at the University of Manchester. Scholars have studied incomplete sketches of the original piece of music for years, but for a long time no one realized the sketches form a complete movement, Cooper said. It is only now that the 74 bars of music have been put together to a state that is close to its original form, he added. Cooper said he has tried to make the movement, which lasts about four to five minutes, playable by filling in missing instruments and adding harmony in places. "The prospect of hearing a Beethoven work that has been absent for over 200 years should be of much interest to anyone who loves his music, even if my reconstruction may differ slightly from what the composer wrote," Cooper said.
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Made in UK
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
'200,000' suffer dating site fraud Dating site fraud is vastly under-reported and may have claimed more than 200,000 victims in the UK, research suggests. The "online romance scams" typically involve criminals setting up fake identities using stolen photos of attractive individuals, often models or Army officers. A relationship is struck up with the victim who at a certain point is asked for financial help. Some of those targeted have been duped out of hundreds of thousands of pounds, but frequently the crimes remain unreported and hidden. Action Fraud, the reporting and advice centre run by the National Fraud Authority, identified 592 victims of the scams between 2010-11. Of these, 203 lost sums of more than £5,000. But a new study by researchers at the universities of Leicester and Westminster suggests the problem is far bigger.
116,000 bid for Paralympic tickets
A total of 116,000 people applied for 1.14 million Paralympic tickets, London 2012 has said. Sell-outs in 126 out of 300 ticketed sessions mean that a random ballot will decide who gets to see 16 out of the 20 Paralympic sports that are part of the Games. Demand outstripped the number of tickets available in at least one price category in 16 sports also also for the Olympic Park day pass. The opening and closing ceremonies are also oversubscribed in some price categories. Sports which had sell-outs in at least one price level included archery, athletics, Boccia, track cycling, equestrian dressage, football, goalball, judo, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis and the Olympic Park Day Pass. London 2012 chairman Paul Deighton said: "We are absolutely delighted by the response to Paralympic Games tickets and we would like to thank the British public. "The UK's love of sport and support for the Paralympic movement shows that they have taken the Games to their heart. "When the Paralympic Games come home next summer we can look forward with confidence to packed venues cheering on our athletes." Applications for the first 1.5 million tickets for the London 2012 Paralympics ran between September 9-26. Postal applications are now being checked before the ballots will take place. Payment will be taken by October 31 and applicants will find out if they have been successful by November 18. Three-quarters of the total two million tickets available before the Games are priced at £20 or less, and half at £10 or less.
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More than 2,000 people were questioned about dating site fraud by internet pollsters YouGov. From the results, the scientists estimated that in excess of 200,000 Britons have been conned by romance scammers. The findings also suggest that more than a million people personally know a victim of the crime. University of Leicester psychologist Professor Monica Whitty said: "Our data suggests that the numbers of British victims of this relatively new crime is much higher than reported incidents would suggest. It also confirms law enforcement suspicions that this is an underreported crime, and thus more serious than first thought. “This is a concern not solely because people are losing large sums of money to these criminals, but also because of the psychological impact experienced by victims of this crime."
News of the World reporter slams ex-employer A News of the World reporter implicated in Britain's phone hacking scandal has slammed Rupert Murdoch's News International for his sacking from the tabloid, insisting he was innocent and unfairly dismissed. Neville Thurlbeck's comments mark his first public defense of his role at the newspaper, which folded after 168 years under the weight of the scandal. "I took no part in the matter which has led to my dismissal after 21 years of service," Thurlbeck, 49, said in a statement. "I say this most emphatically and with certainty and confidence that the allegation which led to my dismissal will eventually be shown to be false." Thurlbeck's name has long been linked to the scandal that has enveloped Britain's press, and threatened Murdoch's global media empire. It has claimed the jobs of high-profile executives at News International, along with the prime minister's communications director, Andy Coulson, and high-ranking officers of the Metropolitan Police Service. Ultimately, it forced Murdoch to scupper his multibillion pound (dollar) bid for satellite broadcaster BSkyB. Thurlbeck — then the News of the World's chief reporter — was arrested in April on suspicion of conspiring to intercept voicemail messages and released on bail. He has since lost his job with News International, and on Sept. 13 filed an unfair dismissal claim against his previous employers at a London employment tribunal.
China relations great strength: PM
Britain's relationship with China is "at a period of great strength", the Prime Minister said as he held talks at Number 10 with Chinese state councillor Dai Bingguo. Meeting the Chinese official in Downing Street, David Cameron said both nations wanted to see the "complementary strengths of our economies grow together". Mr Cameron said leaders would be discussing the measures necessary to aid the world economy at the impending G20 gathering. Opening the meeting, he said: "I think the relationship between Britain and China is at a period of great strength. "We are partners for growth. We both want to see the complementary strengths of our economies grow together and there's much to talk about there. "We also have the upcoming G20 where we'll be discussing the stances that we need to take to get the world economy moving to meet all those challenges too." The pair previously met in 2009. Four members of the leadership of the State Council, China's central government, have been to London this year.
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HIGHLIGHTS: OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
GUIDE
Showbiz: Brad Pitt has no reverse gear. Page 11
What's up: Scandinavia Show London. Page 15
Sacred Chat: Peace feeds happiness. Page 16
Roman Polanski apologizes to rape victim!
LONDON FILM FESTIVAL
The 55th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express, will run from 12-27 October. It will showcase 204 feature films and 110 shorts over 16 days. Some of the big titles like Fernando Meirelles' 360 and Terence Davies' The Deep Blue Sea, Gala highlights include George Clooney's The Ides of March. Lineup also includes highly anticipated new titles such as Roman Polanski's Carnage. The BFI London Film Festival Awards will return for a third year to recognise excellence from both new and established filmmaking talent. This year's jurors and full awards shortlists will be announced on 4 October, and the ceremony will take place on 26 October at LSO St Luke's.
Thank you London! We are overwhelmed by your response to the English edition of The Brazilian Post. So from now every 2nd issue released will be in English. Do not forget to grab your copy!
Roman Polanski has for the first time apologized publicly to a woman, Samantha Geimer, whom he had raped in 1977 when she was just 13 years old! Page 10
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Showbiz
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Hi folks, I am back with the latest happenings in the glamworld. The Kutcher-Moore marriage seems to be on the rocks, Brad Pitt is in the news a lot recently for discussing his private life, Jennifer Aniston seems to be the least impressed and David Beckham is over the moon because of the new girl in his life! Hey, we meant his daughter Harper! Woah! Join me for more and send me your love and feedback at: carla@brazilianpost.co.uk.
Roman Polanski apologizes to rape victim
Roman Polanski has for the first time apologized publicly to a woman, whom he had raped in 1977 when she was just 13 years old. The 78year-old Oscar-winning director admitted in a documentary on his life that premiered last Tuesday at the Zurich Film Festival that Samantha Geimer, now 47, had been left blemished by his exploitation three decades ago. The director of 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'Chinatown' admitted that she was a 'double victim', as she had to move to Hawaii for privacy after being caught up in the media storm. “She is a double victim - my victim and a victim of the press," Polanski was quoted as saying in the film, 'Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir'. "Everybody has made mistakes and I have made mistakes too, things that happened and I am sorry for that," he added. The married mother-of-three received a private apology from Polanski in 2009. What can we say!
Kutcher, Demi Moore's marriage over? Hollywood star couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have reportedly parted ways. It is being said that the couple ended their marriage amid claims that Kutcher cheated on Moore with a 23-year-old girl. Media reports say that the girl had hired a top lawyer to negotiate a deal to sell her story about the night she allegedly spent with Kutcher in San Diego, California. She is ready to "kiss and tell" about a fling she claims she had with Kutcher, 33, Saturday night, the couple's sixth wedding anniversary. "Ashton didn't look like someone celebrating a wedding anniversary," a clubber said. A source close to the couple said: "The marriage has ended. It's a painful time for Demi." Aww, hold on girl!
Cash Warren wants tattoo for daughters Cash Warren wants to get his daughter's names tattooed on his body. The producer has two girls, three-yearold Honor and new arrival Haven, born in August, with his wife Jessica Alba, and he is considering having their monikers inked on his person as a sign of his love for them. He said: "I do have a few tattoos and Jessica has a couple and I've often thought of doing something new and I think that's a sweet gesture and the love is forever." Jessica, however, is not so sure, saying in a joint interview with Britain's OK! magazine: "If I feel moved to I will. I'm not opposed to tattoos and that's not one you'd ever regret, that's for sure." Other celebrities who have got tattoos in tribute to their kids include Angelina Jolie, who has the co-ordinates of where all her children were born, and David Beckham, who recently got a design for his new daughter Harper Seven on his left collarbone. He also has Jesus being carried by three cherubs in tribute to his three sons, Brooklyn, 12, Romeo, 9, and Cruz, 6, below it.
Jessica Simpson's wedding postponed
Jessica Simpson has reportedly postponed her wedding. The singer-and-actress was due to wed former NFL player Eric Johnson in November but has decided to put a halt to the nuptials because she doesn't know what kind of day she wants. A source said: "Everything is up in the air. She can't figure out what kind of day she wants. Some days she wants a big wedding in Hawaii, then other days she wants something closer to home. "She was so gung-ho about planning their wedding, and now she's gone dark. She won't commit to a date." However, her hesitance over the wedding date may be due the fact she is reportedly expecting the couple's first child and doesn't want the stress of planning the nuptials. Jessic, who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey, has made no secret of her desire to become a mother and said she couldn't wait to have kids with Eric. She revealed: "I definitely see myself having a family with Eric, so that's exciting to think about."
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Showbiz
11
BRAD PITT
has no reverse gear
Brad Pitt can't go "backwards" in his life. The 47year-old actor, who raises six children with partner Angelina Jolie, has a "psychological defect" which means he won't rectify a mistake once he realises what has happened. His "defect" even affects small aspects of his day like missing a turning when he is driving. He told Empire magazine: "If I'm walking out of the door and I've forgotten something I can't go back and get it. It is something in my nature. "If I'm driving down the road and I miss a turn, I have to keep going forwards. I can't reverse. It's some kind of psychological defect. I don't know the reason why. I don't like to go backwards. It's just not what I'm
good at." The 'Moneyball' star admits he has always behaved in the same way, and is focus on the next thing hindered his sporting career at school. Brad, who was previously married to Jennifer Aniston, added: "In high school I played all the sports. I went from one to the other. I played football. I wrestled one year. I was on the diving team one year. I played tennis. I did basketball and I was capable at all of it but I wasn't great at any of it. “Maybe if I had stuck with one I could have been great. But it's just that, for better or worse, I want to keep moving on."
SCARLETT LIZ HURLEY JOHANSSON returns to acting feels 'violated' after nude pics leak
Scarlett Johansson has revealed that despite being a celebrity, she is entitled to a certain level of privacy. According to media reports, the 26-year-old actress, whose nude photos have been leaked online, also said that she never meant for the world to see her naked. “Just because you're an actor or make films or whatever doesn't mean you're not entitled to your own personal privacy,” she said. “If that is sieged in some way, it feels unjust. It feels wrong,” she added.
after 7 years Hollywood actress Elizabeth Hurley has returned to the silver screen after a gap of seven years with a guest appearance in the season premiere of CW's hit show 'Gossip Girl'. Hurley, 46, plays the mysterious millionaire Diana Payne, who owns a house at which the show's cast, Serena ( Blake Lively), Chuck ( Ed Westwick) and Nate Archibald ( Chase Crawford), attends a party. The scene shows the group at the party with Nate pretending to be the host, not realizing he was actually speaking to the lady of the house. Dressed in a sexy strapless leopard print dress, Liz proceeds to seduce him by playing along and asks for a tour of the property. After their little romantic affair, Diana admits who she is and kicks him out of her house.
Gerard Butler's dating Sarah Carroll Gerard Butler is dating model Sarah Carroll. The handsome actor hooked up with the beauty at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film 'Machine Gun Preacher' and sources claim they were smitten as soon as they laid eyes on each other. A source said: "Gerard and Sarah met at the premiere for his movie 'Machine Gun Preacher' at the Chateau Marmont in LA. She spoke to him and he charmed her. It was love at first sight! They had a hot hook-up after the after-party." And it seems Sarah is not keeping quiet about the romance, tweeting the day after: "Um. Gerard Butler just hugged me. Called me a good friend. AND invited me to the Chateau. Die twice. (sic)" This is not the first model Gerard has been linked to in recent weeks. Earlier this month, he was spotted kissing Australian beauty Nicole Trunfio at the V magazine fashion party in New York. A source said: "As soon as the two met, they were inseparable. They were kissing in a corner booth. They left the party together but got into separate cars." The Scottish-born actor, who has had to call in extra security after receiving death threats over his latest movie, has previously been linked to Jennifer Aniston, Ashley Green and Jessica Biel.
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London by Night
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
LONDON BY NIGHT London by night is full of surprises, joy and beautiful people. The Brazilian parties are always special. Take a look at some of them and know why.
Photos by Fernando Tresseno and Eliezer Costa Casa da Cachaça
The promoters of Casa da Cachaça
Inside home, Barraco
Maria, Jú, Marra and Úrsula at Barraco
Friends at Salsa Bar
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
London by Night
Happy Birthday at Made in Brasil
Friends having a good time at Barraco
Maria Alice, Elizangela, Adriana, Patricia and Poliana at Santa Fé
Red's Night at Santa Fé with Lidia and Thiago
Santa Fé always a good option
Latin beauty at Salsa
White, reds... beautiful flowers at Santa Fé
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Fashion
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Zaza this week presents the varied styles that made the backstage of London Fashion Week. Our columnist photographed bloggers, photographers, stylists, designers and models that were there. Check'm out!
Amy, 22
Lola, 23
Manchester Top: Topshop Blazer: All Saints Skirt: Charity Shop Belt: Charity Shop Bag: Moschino Socks: American Apparel Shoes: Bertie
London Sunglasses: Chanel Dress: Antipodium Socks: American Apparel Shoes: Undreground
Rasmi, 19 London Headband: Pierre Cardin Shirt: Topshop Cardigan: Uniqlo Skirt: Miss Selfridge Socks: E-Bay Shoes: Topshop
COOL HUNTER BY
ZAZA OLIVA
Anna, 23
London Headband: Vintage Dress: H&M Coat: Cos Jeans: Gap Bag: Cos Trainers: Nike
Joana, 24
Alexis, 24
London Hat: Urban Outfitters Top: Vintage Jumper: River island Skirt: Topshop Bag: Vintage Shoes: Topshop
London Hat: Topshop Jumper: Zara Trousers: Topshop Bag: Topshop Shoes: Vivienne Westwood
Abgail, 18 London Top: Vintage Skirt: Vintage Socks: Primark Shoes: New Look Bag: Camden Market
The Brazilian Post
What’s Up You don't have anything to do? Dada, our columnist is going to fill your week's schedule with the best programs, cultural tips and all that is happening in London. Make the most of it!
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
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the last five decades, exhibited in a show entitled Panorama. The exhibition will feature squeegee paintings, portraits, landscapes, history paintings, photo-realist paintings and glass sculptures. 06/10/2011 - 08/01/2012 Tate Modern 53 Bankside, Southwark, SE1 9TG Info: 0871 971 3781
Brazilian Grooves with Azymuth Orchestra A good opportunity to get to know the finest of the Brazilian music is attending one of the two concerts to be held at Ronnie Scott's. The legendary three piece Brazilian orchestra, Azymuth, promises to take the public of Ronnie Scott's on a unforgettable trip through the grooves of funk, soul, jazz seasoned with authentic samba. 06/10 - 07/10 £20 - £40 Ronnie Scott's 47, Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4HT Info: 020 7439 0747
London Restaurant Festival In London you can learn about food while eating well. The London Restaurant Festival is about to kick off and brings to the city a range of events like gastronomic tours where the public can try a complete course menu inside buses driving around London streets. Diverse areas will be offering gourmet experience and activities related to gastronomy, choose between talks, competitions, quizzes, pop in restaurants and even a food film festival! 03/10 - 17/10 Where: Various venues around London
Gerhard Richter's Panorama The multi-talented German artist Gerhard Richter will have a retrospective at Tate Modern to be shown at the beginning of October till January 2012. The artist, well known for his production in abstract and photorealistic painted works as well as photographs and glass pieces, will have the most important of his works, produced in
Scandinavia Show London Nobody with an appetite for Nordic culture goes hungry at this great event full of activities and goods which span fashion, art, travel, design and food, all from countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. There will be thousand options for shopping whether your wish list is for food and clothes, whether it is for furniture or top restaurants. Brands available at the show count on names like Volvo, Nordic Style, Bang and Olufsen, ECCO and much others. The fair also brings plenty of Scandinavian music and an area for kids, making it a perfect weekend option for the whole family. 08/10 - 09/10, £8 - £16 Brompton Hall Earls Court, Warwick Road, SW5 9TA
Senna: Exclusive Screening If you missed out the chance to see the acclaimed film about the life and career story of three-time Formula1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, keep an eye out for the opportunity that is coming up. Before the launching of the film in DVD and blue-ray on 10th October, the documentary winner of the Audience Award for World Cinema – Documentary at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival will be screened at Belsize Park Everyman Cinema on 8th October and the screening will be followed by a Q&A session with BAFTA award winning director Asif Kapadia. 08/10, 10:30, £12 Belsize Everyman Cinema 203 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, NW3 4QG Info: 02078136195
The Best of Indie Films Festival
The World Shakespeare Festival
Bored with the blockbusters spread around the cinemas in the town? Then your mood for films would fit perfectly in the Raindance Film Festival. The newest productions in independent films and showcasing the upcoming new talent of the cinema industry like directors, writers and actors in what is supposed to be one of the most relevant event of this category. Its the best way to enjoy cult films newly produced and be upto date with what is best in the market.
The Royal Shakespeare Company brings to the Roundhouse a fine selection of Shakespeare's plays. The Brazilian Company Bufomecanica is among others companies which will be bringing to life famous pieces of the master. Opening the season, Bufomecanica will perform Two Rose for Richard III through a dazzling show blended with circus and multimedia in an audacious project. Also participating in the festival is the RSC with its cycle of plays including The Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night and The Tempest.
Till 09/10 Apollo Picaddilly and others cinemas around town.
Tickets available from 10/10 Roundhouse Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH Info: 0844 482 8008
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Sacred Chat
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
PEACE FEEDS HAPPINESS What has peace got to do with happiness? The connection is like that between life and living. For, peace makes life worth living, and paves the way to happiness. Peace and happiness are linked so inextricably that there's no happiness without peace. What comes first: peace or happiness? Could you be at peace if you're not happy? The answer to these questions depends on your idea of happiness; on whether you get happiness from external factors or from within. No man can know happiness without peace. However, to experience peace, we need to prepare ourselves to receive it; so in a way we are responsible for making peace and happiness happen. For peace and happiness to last, both ought to spring from within, regardless of any turmoil or otherwise that is happening outside. The more you internalise your feelings of peace and happiness, the more the chances are of your reaching blissful heights. Once you are able to source peace and happiness from within, you can transcend external vicissitudes to remain ever-happy and blissful. Reverend Ernest A Fitzgerald described happiness as a 'deep sense of inner peace' that comes when you believe that you are 'making a difference for good in the world'. Thomas Jefferson, former US President, said that "it is neither wealth nor splendour, but tranquillity and occupation, that give happiness." From a Buddhist perspective, too, one can learn that "people inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet, true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and
Aries: The cosmic focus will be on your emotional partnerships, your friendships, and your working unions, even your neighbors. You can be tempted to go too far in situations involving other people, mainly because you feel they have greater control. You may just want to be free to 'do your own thing'. You are meant to observe carefully before you act. This will help you in understanding more about yourself. This produces sudden opportunities for you to act on. Be flexible and ready to adapt.
Taurus: This is an astrological climate of extremes and you'll need a clear head and a calm demeanor to get the best out of it. You may not be the zodiac's greatest risktaker but you can be pushed into situations that you would normally avoid simply so as not to upset others. It will be easy to come to realizations about your own position and anything you can do to improve it in the future. You could also experience conflict at work or experience some health issues now. Be tolerant and take it easy!
Gemini: You may be struggling to find some balance between a desire for freedom and the constraints of responsibilities, leading to stress and some frustration. A situation
could get out of control easily or a matter that is causing you some concern could seem even more challenging. Listen to that special someone in your circle who has always tried to be helpful and supportive. It is best to keep matters flexible so you are prepared to go with the flow of change. Ways to enjoy yourself can arise suddenly.
Cancer: The pressure from others will not disappear but your ability to create a more balanced position for yourself is greatly increased. The cosmos is helping you to see the bigger picture for the long term, but it has a connection to your roots, your past and your home circumstances, that you may need to face & sort before you can move to the next stage of life. You will want to succeed, but don't step on anyone's toes. Do nothing under duress and maintain your integrity whatever the provocation.
Leo: The development of certain ideas start out as your focus but other matters can come out of nowhere causing major distractions. You may become aware now of how profoundly your mental attitudes and beliefs affect your health and physical well being. Tweak your perspectives where required. The cosmos is offering you a break with the past. A departure from the old and the familiar could mean traveling to a foreign destination or trying some-
thing completely different from your old routine.
Virgo: You may be feeling stressed, especially with regards to money, possessions and material security. What someone else expects and what you value could come into conflict. Hidden factors could be coming to light and events you had not anticipated, altering a plan. This does not mean that you will be inconvenienced or disappointed; more that you will be looking at different options and outcomes. This can challenge you to believe in yourself as well as standing up for what you consider is right.
Libra: As always, you want to do things your way and in your time, but that's not always possible, so learn to compromise. Reactions you get from others could be unexpected. It could be you who wants to make an uncompromising move or someone could force you into an action you would rather not have had to take. Also, Opportunities arising now could take you far and if someone enters your life, they may knock your socks off. Home, personal life and work could be rocky. Balance as best you can.
Scorpio: New career opportunities can propel you to the success you want if you are subtler in your
greed," in the words of the Dalai Lama. The Buddha said that to "enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind." Peace is a recurring prayer in Holy Mass celebrated by Christians. The priest chants, 'Peace be with you' and the congregation replies, 'With you also'. The congregation offers each other 'The Sign of Peace'. The mass ends with a blessing by the priest, 'Go in peace, the mass is ended.' What, then, happens to the non-believer? Is he doomed to turmoil and unhappiness? It would be presumptuous and uncharitable to draw such a conclusion. For, there's peace in the smile of a child; there's peace in the tender touch of one's mother- it's got nothing to do with God or religion, but everything to do with the state of your mind. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk says that "If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work." Again, no religious strings attached to peace. The Hinduism's idea of peace includes peace in all areas of life—psychological, social and environmental, for instance. The Yajur Veda declares: "Let there be peace in heaven, Let there be peace in the atmosphere, Let there be Peace on Earth. May the waters and medical herbs bring peace, May the trees give peace to all beings, May all the gods be peaceful, May the Vedas spread peace everywhere, May all other objects everywhere give us peace, And may that peace come to us and remain with us for ever." Could there be a more sublime yet secular declaration of peace and happiness? - Oswald Pereira
approach. You've come to realize that toning down your raw ambition and adopting a softer approach instead of forcing people helps you win. It could be that a new relationship is dredging up feelings you had suppressed or you may have to draw on your experience and emotions to work through a demanding situation. Patience will pay dividends by allowing things to come to the surface.
Sagittarius: Cosmos brings your ambitions into the main frame, so now is the time to ascertain what you truly want to achieve in your future. Socially things are taking off too, but things may not go as planned in your private life. Activities involving friends or groups of people can on one hand be very pleasurable but can sidetrack you from matters that need to take priority. While there could be some great opportunities on offer do not bite off more than you can chew. Finding a balance is necessary.
Capricorn: You could have a major success on your hands but if you have sunk energy, time and money into a project unworthy of your efforts you're likely to find that out at this point. Be aware that you just can't make rash decisions over issues, as they could ultimately affect what you want to achieve for your future. Transformations in your life are steadily taking place. Think things through
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before making any moves. No need to rush anything. It may seem progress is slow but this is good.
Aquarius: The astrological pressures are extremely strong, and you run into ideological confrontations with others. They may be on a different wavelength than you are and this can be handled diplomatically. Be subtle and gentle in your approach. Also you're ready to bin a part of the past in order to clear space and time for new and different experiences. There is a sense of an old era giving way to a new one in the air. Be absolutely sure about what or whom you are going to discard from your life.
Pisces: The cosmos has fired up your determination to make the necessary changes that will help you move on. This is a positive and outgoing period for you, but uncertainty in your material life can evoke considerable anxiety, and this requires a rethink about some of the initiatives you have been taking. High levels of activity involving others continue but there can be subtle changes in their willingness to compromise. There is no mileage in getting upset over a situation you can do nothing about. RF Coaching refornari@gmail.com www.renatafornari.com
World
The Brazilian Post
17
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Metro trains crash in Thai PM worth China, 260 hurt
$17 million!
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has net assets worth 541 million baht ($17 million), an anticorruption body said last Wednesday, far less than the wealth of her fugitive brother Thaksin. Yingluck's nineyear-old son has 4.4 million baht while her common law husband declared 76.8 million baht in assets, along with debt of 369.7 million baht, according to the independent National Counter Corruption Commission. Yingluck, whose assets include property and other investments, is not the richest member of her cabinet -- that place goes to science and technology minister Plodprasop Suraswadi with 963 million baht. Before taking office, Yingluck was president of Thai real estate firm SC Asset Corp, and previously held various positions within her brother Thaksin's business empire. In February 2010, Thailand's Supreme Court confiscated $1.4 billion of Thaksin's wealth -- more than half his fortune - for abuse of power. Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon who lives overseas in self-imposed exile, remains a hugely divisive figure in Thailand, where he was convicted of corruption in his absence in 2008. His "Red Shirt" supporters held two months of opposition protests in Bangkok last year that triggered the worst civil violence in decades and ended in a military crackdown which left more than 90 people dead. In an attempt to prevent corruption, all Thai politicians must publicly declare their assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission within one month after assuming office, and again after leaving office. Anyone found to have submitted false asset declarations faces a five-year ban from public office. Former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose party suffered a resounding defeat in a June election, reported his assets increased by three million baht during more than two years in office, to 54 million baht, the commission said.
Typhoon Nesat strikes Philippines, 16 dead Typhoon Nesat smashed into the Philippines on last Tuesday, leaving at least 16 people dead, with the capital Manila enduring waist-deep floods, blackouts and dramatic storm surges. The Philippines is hit by about 20 major storms annually, many of them deadly, but the government said Nesat was one of the largest the country had faced this year, with its rain and wind path twice as big as average. "This storm is very intense, the rain is strong and winds are powerful. We are hearing of rivers about to burst their banks, and there are evacuations ongoing in different areas," civil defence chief Benito Ramos said. "We do not have exact figures on how big the damage is as the storm is still battering us." He later said that at least 16 people have been killed, with the toll likely to rise as more reports from rescuers on the ground were expected to filter in. He added that four of the dead were crushed by a collapsed structure in Manila, while a baby fell into a raging river in an eastern province on Monday. More than 100 other people were rescued, including fishermen whose boats capsized in rough seas after ignoring warnings not to set sail, he said. Nesat slammed into the main island of Luzon before dawn, bringing maximum sustained winds of up to 140 kilometres (87 miles)
an hour and gusts clocking in at 170 kilometres an hour. It later weakened while slicing through Luzon, but dumped heavy rains throughout the day across the whole island that is home to about 48 million people. Parts of the capital, a sprawling megacity of more than 12 million, endured waist-deep flooding, with some of the worst impacts seen around the historic bayside area. Nearly two million households suffered power outages in the capital and surrounding areas, according to the Manila Electric Company, and many people remained without electricity by nightfall. Amid the chaos, all schools were suspended and government offices were closed, while dozens of domestic flights in and out of the capital were cancelled. The Philippine Stock Exchange suspended trading, and Manila's main overhead railway system ground to a halt due to power failures. A controlled release of water from the Angat Dam in Bulacan province just north of Manila on last Tuesday flooded around 25 towns, provincial governor Willy Alvarado said, though there were no reports of casualties. "We will continue evacuating people into the night," he said on state radio. The state weather bureau said Nesat was expected to blow into the South China Sea by last Wednesday, although bad weather would likely persist for most of this week.
Two subway trains collided in China's commercial hub Shanghai injuring 260 people on last Tuesday, with initial investigations pointing to signal failure as the cause. A similar snag in July this year had caused the superfast bullet train to crash, killing 40 people in Wenzou, in eastern China. "Armed policemen were sent to the accident site to help evacuate passengers," said a Shanghai city government statement. The accident was first shown by citizen journalists over the internet. The official China central television followed with pictures from websites instead of its own footage. The Shanghai metro company said more than 500 people were evacuated from the accident site. Nine stations were closed, it added. "Today is a dark day in the history of Shanghai Metro. We feel deeply sorry for the injuries and losses to passengers," said a statement from the metro operator. The operator offered an apology. "I was stunned, not knowing what happened. We tried to open doors and windows but couldn't. I felt smoke in the car," said a passenger after being rescued. Government sources said officials were forced to direct the train movement over phone instead of using electric signals. Trains were also being run at slower speeds after the signal failed. Internet users are questioning the government's focus on high-speed development at the cost of passengers' safety.
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World
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Bolivian minister quits over Amazon crackdown
Sacha Llorenti, Bolivia's interior minister and a top official in leftist President Evo Morales' government, resigned over a violent weekend crackdown on protesting Amazon natives. Llorenti has been the focus of fierce criticism since riot police fired tear gas and arrested hundreds on last Sunday when they charged into a camp of activists protesting the planned building of a road through an Amazon rainforest nature preserve. Llorenti Tuesday's move follows the resignation of defense minister Cecilia Chacon, who left office in disgust on last Monday over the incident. Replacements however were quickly sworn in: Wilfredo Chavez, a Morales loyalist, replaced Llorenti, while Ruben Saavedra, who was defense minister until April, took up his old job again. Morales swore them in late last Tuesday. The protests and fallout from the crackdown present a major challenge for the government of Morales, the country's first elected indigenous president, who has said the 300kilometer (186-mile) highway was vital for economic development. Migration chief Maria Rene Quiroga also resigned over the crackdown, blasting it as "unforgivable." Earlier in the day officials announced that deputy interior minister Marcos Farfan was resigning to be investigated over the incident. "I'm not abandoning the ship because it was sinking, but to the contrary, I'm stepping aside with the humble goal of allowing the ship of the revolutionary process to advance with more speed," Llorenti told reporters as he announced his resignation.
Llorenti, a former human rights activist, said he was resigning in an attempt to avoid politicizing the incident and to defend himself from criticism over the crackdown. Llorenti earlier said the police crackdown "had no instruction from the president nor authorization from the interior ministry," and blamed Farfan for the incident. Farfan oversaw the police force which broke up the protests and acted "at the suggestion of some police officers," Llorenti said. "He will have to take responsibility for the events of Sunday," the president's chief of staff Carlos Romero told reporters, referring to Farfan.
8 Afghan policemen killed at checkpoint Eight policemen were killed in an attack early last Wednesday near a southern city that is seen as a pioneer in transition from NATO to Afghan control over security, an Afghan police commander said. Gen. Nabi Jan Mullahkhail, deputy regional commander in the south, said the pre-dawn attack targeted a police checkpoint near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, where the insurgency has strongholds. Three police were wounded in the attack. Mullahkhail said another policeman who was part of the group manning the checkpoint was missing, and that authorities were investigating whether he might have been involved in the attack. On last Tuesday, a suicide bomber rammed an explosivespacked vehicle into a police truck in Lashkar Gah, killing two civilians. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack. Lashkar Gah was one of five provincial capitals and two provinces chosen to start the transition from NATO to Afghan control this summer. The international coalition hopes to use the security zone around the provincial capital and the central Helmand River Valley as a foothold to push Afghan governance into outlying areas. NATO plans to withdraw combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Also last Wednesday, a New Zealand special forces soldier was killed during a gunbattle with suspected insurgents in a compound near Afghanistan's capital. Lt. Gen. Rhys Jones, the chief of New Zealand's defense force, said the soldier was shot in the head and died soon after at a medical facility. Jones said the soldier was part of a team of 15 supporting about 50 Afghan police trying to serve arrest and search warrants on a group suspected of planning an attack on Kabul.
The Brazil-financed road would run through a nature preserve home to some home to some 50,000 natives from three different indigenous groups. The road is part of a network linking land-locked Bolivia, South America's only mostly indigenous nation, to both the Pacific through Chile and the Atlantic through Brazil, a key outlet for Bolivian exports. The government says it would be too costly to build the highway around the preserve. Amazon natives also fear landless Andean Quechua and Aymara people -- Bolivia's main indigenous groups and Morales supporters -will flood into the road area and colonize the region. Morales late last Monday suspended plans to build the road, but anger over the crackdown continues to brew. Protests included a national strike on last Wednesday called by the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), the country's powerful labor federation. The Amazon protesters were among some 1,000 indigenous people who began a march to La Paz one month ago, but they were halted by pro-government Bolivians blocking the road in the town of Yucumo in a bid to stop the march. The protesters broke through the police blockade on Saturday by forcing the government mediator, Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, to march with them. The following day police cracked down hard, arresting hundreds. Pedro Nuni, an indigenous legislator who has been one of the protest leaders, said about 20 protesters remain unaccounted for. In Washington, the State Department said the conflict "should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and consultation under Bolivian law and established international standards."
Syria import ban saves $6 bln: central bank Dramatically restricting imports will save Syria $6 billion (4.4 billion euros) annually just as the country is being hit by Western economic sanctions, its central bank governor said in an interview. The Damascus government surprised the world by announcing the temporary suspension on imports of products that are subject to tariffs of more than five percent, excluding only basic supplies that are not manufactured locally. "The merchandise affected by these measures represent around 25 percent of the total value of our imports, and this allows us to save at least $6 billion, including around $4.5 billion on cars," Adib Mayaleh said. "This is a precautionary measure to protect our currency reserves, which are currently more than $17 billion." Economists estimate that Syria has sufficient financial reserves to cover 16 months of imports under the new rules. Since 2006, Syria has enforced a customs and tariffs regime that includes 11 different categories, taxing imports at rates varying from one to 60 percent. The import suspension affects around a quarter of 10,000 types of items that are imported, including cars, furnishings, domestic appliances, clothes and some food products. The measures are a response to sanctions imposed by Western countries over the regime's brutal crackdown on protests that erupted in midMarch. The United Nations estimates that more than 2,700 people have been killed since then and tens of thousands are missing or in detention.
"They are a result of the sanctions against Syria, and this proves exactly what I have been saying -- these measures directly affect the Syrian people, because it deprives them of certain goods," Mayaleh said. Asked about how long the suspension would last, Mayaleh replied: "I cannot give a date; that depends on how long pressure is put on Syria by European countries." In recent days, the European Union has tightened the screws on President Bashar al-Assad's regime, banning new investments in Syria's oil sector at home and abroad, and prohibiting delivery of bank notes to the central bank. The latest measures marked a seventh round of EU sanctions on Damascus. It has also listed 56 Syrians and 18 entities subject to travel bans and asset freezes. The central bank governor noted that while the partial import ban would "immediately affect trade adversely, it would have a positive impact on industry in the long-term." “Several factories have closed because of their inability to compete with foreign products, and they will now re-open to cater to the Syrian market," he said. "Many workers will find their way back to such plants." In any case, Mayaleh noted, even when the import ban is lifted, "there will not be a sudden move to absolute competition." "We will protect some of our national industries. We will continue to make, for example, our own cotton, and farm our own fruits and vegetables." Syria presently has free-trade agreements with Arab states and with Turkey.
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OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
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Arco Iris Residential delivers 92 more houses Coinciding with the second phase of the Brazilian government housing programme "My House, My Life," ECOHOUSE DEVELOPMENTS will deliver 92 more houses in August under its Arco Iris Residential project, in Natal, RN. Working hard at the construction site with heavy machinery and 192 men, including engineers, master-builders, bricklayers, carpenters, machinists, Arco Iris Residential completed its second phase of the project, paying for their investors with returns of 20% over the capital invested in one year. In September, the third phase of Arco Iris Residential project onsets : the construction of 92 more houses.
Arco Iris Phase I - View of the houses ot be handled to the owners
Surrounded by natural beauty, the Arco Iris Residential II begins to take shape
Arco Iris Residential I - you can choose the house style
Aerial view of Arco Iris Residential completely urbanized, fully integrated into the city of Natal and a few meters from the Federal Highway
INVEST IN THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY IN THE WORLD FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR ARMCHAIR FULLY SECURE AND PROTECTED BY U.K. LEGISLATION U.K. ESCROW ACCOUNT U.K. REGULATED LAWYER
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0203 468 6910 Email: info@ecohousedevelopments.com Website: www.ecohousedevelopments.com
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Economy
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
Thomas Cook scraps dividend
cholanda@brazilianpost.co.uk
SPEED NEWS: Full Tilt Poker loses license
The possibility of a rescue for Full Tilt Poker, the beleaguered online poker site accused of being a giant Ponzi scheme by a U.S. federal prosecutor, became more difficult last Thursday as its gambling license that had allowed it to operate around the world was revoked by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission in the UK's Channel Islands.
Santander looks to diversify
Banco Santander SA Chief Executive Alfredo Sáenz said he expects the lender's profitability to gradually improve over the next three years, on strong earnings growth in Latin America and Poland as well as on gains in market share in sluggish economies such as Spain and Portugal.
Anadarko shops Brazilian assets
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is seeking buyers for some of its Brazilian assets in a move that could be worth up to $5 billion, sources said last Tuesday. Anadarko, based in the Houston area, is seeking to cash out on some of its Brazilian assets in order to focus on other areas.
Search for UBS Chief speeds up
UBS AG has hired head-hunting firm Egon Zehnder International to help find a permanent chief executive officer following the surprise resignation of Oswald Grübel, as per sources
Thomas Cook said it was suspending dividend payments as it looks to strengthen its balance sheet ahead of its next test by lenders in December. Europe's second-largest tour operator also said it's working closely and constructively with its banking group to improve financial flexibility and is "confident that agreement will be reached shortly." Thomas Cook Chief Financial Officer Paul Hollingworth said the company is talking to its banks about a "substantial cushion" from its existing covenants, which stand at 3.75 times leverage and a 2-to-1 ratio of fixed-charge cover. He declined to comment on the terms he is seeking, but the company said it is confident it can secure a deal by the end of October. The company's next covenant test is due in December at a time when cash flow is at a low and Mr. Hollingworth said he hoped new terms would take the topic "off the table." Those concerns and a third profit warning this year forced the departure of Chief Executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa in August, which helped knock down the share prices 16% over the past month alone. Thomas Cook suspended further dividends until it is on a better financial footing, but said it will honor its previously declared dividend of 3.75 pence a share, which will be paid Oct. 7. Mr. Hollingworth said it won't revisit dividend payments until the balance sheet is much stronger and when debt has fallen by at least £300 million. He said he is eyeing net debt at the end of the financial year at less that £900 million. The company has embarked on a £200 mil-
Banks plan new fees for using debit cards
The nation's beleaguered banking industry, which has been raising fees and doing away with free services, has a new target: debitcard users. Bank of America Corp. is laying plans to charge millions of customers a monthly fee to use their debit cards, and other big banks are expected to follow suit. The industry says it needs the fees to recoup revenue it will lose because of new government regulations taking effect Saturday that cap what they can charge merchants for debit-card transactions. Bank of America, the largest U.S. bank by assets, disclosed the plan on last Thursday in a memo to its senior staff. It intends to begin collecting the fees nationwide early next year. Bank of America Corp. plans to charge customers a monthly fee for making debit card purchases starting next year. Andrew R. Johnson joins the PM Hub to explain. Several other large banks, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co., are testing or plan to test similar fees in some states. Regions Financial Corp., a Birmingham, Ala.-based lender, has said it will start charging a monthly debit-card usage fee on certain accounts on Oct. 1. New federal limits on debit-card "swipe fees" are expected to cost U.S. banks an estimated $6.6 billion a year in lost revenue. To offset that lost revenue, many banks have eliminated or scaled back debit-rewards programs, added monthly fees for checking accounts and raised minimum balance requirements for customers to avoid certain fees. The limits on debit-card swipe fees, one of the most contentious regulations to arise from the financial crisis, were finalized by the Federal Reserve Board in June. The new rules will cap at 24 cents the fee merchants pay banks each time a customer buys something with a debit card, down from the current average of 44 cents. The rules apply to banks with $10 billion and more in assets. Norma Garcia, a lawyer for advocacy group Consumers Union, said she urges consumers to read their bank statements and shop around for account options if they are unhappy with new fees.
lion asset-sale plan to help shore up its balance sheet, of which it already has achieved £40 million. It expects to generate the rest by the end of the calendar year. It is also reducing its U.K. aircraft fleet to 35 from 41 and has already announced it plans to cut 250 jobs as a result. The company is making efforts to sell higher-end packages with a greater profit margin and is reorganizing its hotel portfolio for its summer 2012 season by delisting 500 hotels and adding 100 new ones that have a different appeal. Mr. Hollingworth said it was able to command better prices with these 100 new hotels as it drives more business through them.
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Economy
21
Brazil 2014: The Country of “Futebol” and “Hopes” IT IS the only country to have played in the final stages of every football World Cup and it has won it five times, more than anybody else. So Brazil feels proprietorial about the tournament, which it is to host in 2014. Another victory, good football and a party atmosphere would satisfy the demanding home fans, as well as many of the 600,000 expected from abroad. But for Brazil's government the run-up to the tournament is not going well. It is becoming clear that promised improvements to the country's creaking transport systems are unlikely to amount to much. Of 49 planned urban-transport schemes in the host cities, work has started on just nine. Airport upgrades are running behind schedule too, and more than half are just temporary fixes. The government is trying to damp down expectations. In an interview with a weekly magazine, Brazil's president, Dilma Rousseff, said that the urban-transport improvements were not essential for the tournament's success. Miriam Belchior, the planning minister, suggested that the government would declare holidays on match days to avoid traffic jams. Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, world football's governing body, has written to Ms Rousseff expressing concern. But Ms Rousseff has cause to worry about FIFA. Just when she is doing her best to clean up the country's politics, she has sacked four ministers over corruption claims, the World Cup is being run by one of football's most tarnished figures. And claims of sleaze keep on coming. Ricardo Teixeira, who is president of the local World Cup organising committee and a member of FIFA's executive committee, has been chairman of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) since 1989. He is a protégé of João Havelange, who ran FIFA for almost a quarter-century until 1998. Mr Teixeira has been fighting accusations of graft for years. In 2001 investigations by Brazil's Congress into corruption in football found irregularities in a deal arranged by Mr Teixeira under which Nike, an American sportswear firm, sponsored the national team. The congressional committee of inquiry passed on to the public prosecutor some 13 charges against him,
4 cities vying for 2014 World Cup opener in Brazil Brazilian officials say four cities are still vying to host the 2014 World Cup opener—Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Salvador. Sports Minister Orlando Silva says FIFA will announce next month which city it will pick for the tournament's first match. Rio is expected to host the final at Maracana stadium. Sao Paulo, the country's financial center, seemed the obvious choice for the opener but the city just recently began building a venue and there are still doubts whether it will be ready in time. Brasilia is the country's capital, while the northeastern city of Salvador has an outside shot. Silva said last week that FIFA will decide based on which city has the best condition to accommodate the match.
including embezzlement, money laundering and tax evasion. All were subsequently dropped. (Nike says the contract was “fully legal in essence and spirit”.) “Panorama”, a BBC television programme, has accused Mr Teixeira and Mr Havelange of taking bribes in the 1990s related to marketing rights for games. Earlier this year Lord (David) Triesman, the man who launched England's failed bid to host the World Cup in 2018, said that Mr Teixeira had asked for money in return for his vote. In an interview in a Brazilian monthly, Mr Teixeira denied BBC's claims. He said the English were “pissed off because they lost” and that he would have his revenge on the BBC: as long as he is at the CBF and FIFA, “they won't get past the door.” He boasted that in 2014 he would do “the most slippery, unthinkable, Machiavellian things [such as] denying press credentials, barring access, changing game schedules.” The sports minister, Orlando Silva, had to promise that all journalists would be fairly treated and allowed to do their work. A FIFA investigation cleared Mr Teixeira of Lord Triesman's allegations. Mr Havelange has not responded to BBC's allegations. But the International Olympic Committee, of which Mr Havelange is a member and which has stricter ethical standards than FIFA, is investigating them. Last week a Brazilian prosecutor declared that he will order police to look into whether Mr Teixeira was guilty of money laundering and tax crimes. Inside Brazil, too, the ground is shifting under Mr Teixeira. Ms Rousseff has appointed Pelé, Brazil's most famous footballer, as the government's honorary World Cup ambassador and is trying to freeze Mr Teixeira out. The organising committee left Pelé off the guest list for the World Cup draw in July. Ms Rousseff brought him along anyway, and also made much of him at a ceremony on September 16th marking 1,000 days till kick-off. “With all due respect to FIFA and the CBF,” Ms Rousseff told media, “the face of [the tournament] abroad will be Pelé.” - Font/Extracted: The Economist
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Sport
Brazil defeats Argentina; secures spot in WC
BEST PLAYERS MVP – Sergio Santos (Brazil) Best digger – Sergio Santos (Brazil) Best receiver – Sergio Santos (Brazil) Best setter – Luciano De Cecco (Argentina) Best spiker – Dante Amaral (Brazil) Best server – Kervin Pinerua (Venezuela) Best blocker – Sebastian Sole (Argentina)
Last month Brazil defeated their rival Argentina and won their 28th Men's South American Volleyball Championship title and secured a place in the World Cup, set to be held in Japan from November 20 to December 4, with the hope of finishing in the top three and thus earning a berth to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Venezuela beat Paraguay 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18) to reach the podium ahead of Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, respectively. Wing spikers Dante Amaral, of Brazil, and Facundo Conte, of Argentina, both topped the scores with 16 points each in the final match of the competition. Brazil star Dante, who was named best spiker at the competition, said that Brazil put on a good performance and were keen to bounce back following their loss at the FIVB Volleyball World League earlier on this year.“We served well today," he said. “It always good to beat Argentina. We have a great rivalry and we were playing at home”. Brazilian libero Sergio Santos won four individuals awards, including MVP, best receiver, best digger and the best libero. “We are very happy but the most important thing of this win is our classification for the FIVB World Cup,” Santos said of the win.
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
NBA stars are back to the game
The NBA situation is still unsorted and the most famous basketball league have no date to start but basketball fans won't have to wait until the NBA's owners and players settle their differences to get their next glimpse of the Big Three. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will come together this week to host and play in "The South Florida All-Star Classic". The game will be held on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET at Florida International University, where Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is coach. All proceeds will go towards a charity supporting the educational community of South Florida.
OCT 03rd - 09th 2011
The Brazilian Post
The Gold man is training hard Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, is six weeks into training for his Olympic swansong at London 2012. In an interview at an event in New York to promote one of his sponsors, Phelps noted that he had not worked so hard recently in any of the past three seasons and said: "I'm a lot happier. There's a lot more drive inside of me." Phelps raced his best ever 200m medley at world titles in Shanghai, but Lochte got to the wall a hand ahead in the first and so far the only world record to fall to a swimmer in a textile suit in an Olympic event since a ban on non-textile race apparel was imposed on January 1, 2010. His aim this winter is to get back to the physical shape he was in before Beijing 2008 on the way to an all-sports record eight gold medals at single Games. “If I could work on getting close to that, I'll be able to accomplish the goals that I have."
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Pan American Games Update We are less than 2 weeks away from America´s Fiesta, the XVI Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011 and one of the most striking events is gymnastics, which will be the opening event of the XVI Pan American Games Guadalajara 2011, where the team to beat is United States. The U.S. is a favorite in this sport since the last Rio 2007 Pan American Games, where this country won 23 medals: 9 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 7 bronze medals, followed by Brazil with 14 medals: 5 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. The Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) approved for Guadalajara 2011 a list of 176 gymnasts to be part of America's Fiesta: 176 for Artistic gymnastics, 46 for rhythmic gymnastics, and 16 for trampoline. A few of the most outstanding athletes are Brazil's Diego Hypolito and United States' Shawn Johnson in Artistic Gymnastics; Canada's Alexandra Orlando, United States´Lisa Wang, and Mexico's Cynthia Valdez in Rhythmic Gymnastics; United States' Chris Estraad and Canada's Karen Cockburn in Trampoline Gymnastics. All of them are Pan American medalists. With this, the event quality during America's Fiesta is warranted, besides, the Nissan Gymnastics Complex, located at Lopez Mateos Sports Complex, is considered one of the finest in Latin America. Aside from this sport, Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, and Mountain Cycling kick off on October 15.
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TheBrazilianPost
The Brazilian Post
OCT 03th - 09th 2011