Rainforest: p04
Brazil banks sued for funding Amazon deforestation.
p32 Editor's choice:
APRIL 11th - 17th 2011
Rio school massacre puts spotlight on rising firearm sales.
ISSUE NO. : 018 | WWW.BRAZILIANPOST.CO.UK
HIGHLIGHTS: BRAZIL:
P03
Brazil gunman kills 12, self at Rio school.
CRIME:
P05
Rio's drive to remove drug gangs brings calm.
TECH:
P07
Android phones overtake iPhones in the UK.
HEALTH:
P10
Britain to delay NHS reforms.
SHOWBIZ:
THE FIRST
100 DAYS
P15
Madonna's charity being investigated.
ENTERTAINMENT: P17 Guanabara's weekly specials.
WORLD:
P23
Son eyeing Gaddafi throne to end crisis.
ECONOMY:
P25
Brazil Real surges as market ignores tax hike.
AGRICULTURE: Rubber cultivation in South America booms as prices soar.
P28
Dilma Rousseff - Daughter of an immigrant, a former Marxist rebel who has been a guerrilla, a torture victim, a cancer survivor, an economist, an energy minister, president's chief of staff, Brazil's first female president and now as per polls, amongst the most popular presidents in Brazil's recent history based on their approval ratings three months into office. Read more on Page 2.
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Brazil
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Dilma Rousseff The Iron lady
Yes, Dilma Rousseff has completed 100 days in power in Brazil and has received the second-highest rating for any president's third month in office since Brazil's return to democracy in 1985. Unlike Lula, who enthralled the crowds with his folksy charm, Rousseff is rather media-shy and often fails to connect with her audience. Still, many middle-class voters appreciate her serious, diligent demeanor, and 74 per cent of those who polled say they trust her. Only 12 per cent of the brazilian population disapprove of Rousseff. Also, according to the last Forbes ratings, she is the 16th most powerful person in the world and the 95th power woman.
THE THEN A few months ago Dilma Rousseff was not exactly a household name, even inside Brazil. She was a career civil servant who had never held nor run for elected office. In a major leap to the top job, she become the first woman to be elected Brazil's president. Many Brazilians and the wider world knew little about her even when she was very familiar with Brazil's corridors of power. Ms Rousseff, 63, joined President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government in 2003 as energy minister. In 2005, after a corruption scandal brought down key government figures, Mr Lula made her his chief of staff, a post she held until March 2010, when she launched her campaign for the presidency as the Workers Party (PT) candidate. Mr Lula dubbed her "the mother of the PAC", a reference to the government's economic development project responsible for spending billions
of dollars on upgrading Brazil's infrastructure. Ms Rousseff also headed the board of Brazil's oil company Petrobras and was responsible for drafting much of the legislative framework for the exploration of the country's offshore oilfields. Her seemingly conventional background changed in the mid-1960s, when she was in her late teens. She became involved in left-wing politics and joined the underground resistance to the military dictatorship that seized power in 1964. She has said that she was never actively involved in armed operations, but in 1970 she was jailed for three years and tortured. Ms Rousseff is twice divorced and has one daughter. In August, she became a grandmother. In 2009, she was treated for and recovered from lymphatic cancer.
which seem to have had little impact on her popularity.During President Barack Obama's visit, she bluntly called for a more balanced trade relationship with the U.S.
CHALLENGES
TILL NOW
Ms Rousseff made it clear that she represented continuity with the Lula government, under which millions of Brazilians saw their standard of living rise. After taking office on Jan. 1, she has stepped out from under the shadow of her ebullient predecessor and mentor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and established her identity as a hard-nosed pol. Her somewhat brusque manner and reputed short temper have, perhaps Sao Paulo (Iberia) £255* unsurprisingly, led to her being Rio de Janeiro (Iberia) £275 dubbed as the Iron Lady. Salvador (Air Europa) £336 TAKE ADVANTAGE!!! In February, she jack-hammered Belo Horizonte (TAP) £389 through Congress a minimum wage BOOK IN ADVANCE AND Brasilia (TAP) £389 far below the amount demanded by PAY IN INSTALMENTS... Porto Alegre (Ibeira) £361 the unions that constitute the base of Londrina (Lufthansa) £365 her Workers' Party. Her centre-left ruling coalition cut spending by $30 bilGoiania (Iberia) £381 lion, capped minimum salary All the above prices are for return tickets and subject to availability. increases and froze the hiring of civil *taxes not included and conditions apply servants. Then her government 23 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9LX. • phone:020 7730 8646 adopted a series of austerity measures fax:020 7730 3024 • info@steamondtravel.com to help contain a rising budget deficit
One of the major challenges she faces is the fact that she is not Mr Lula, a man of the people and a consummate politician. Rousseff's administration has yet failed to get a majority approval only on the issues of taxes, public security, and interest rates. The central bank has twice raised its benchmark interest rate this year to help combat inflation, while Rousseff has watered down plans to overhaul an unwieldy tax system. She is known to favour a strong state role in strategic areas, including banking, the oil industry and energy. But if she is to achieve this and other reforms, she will need to quickly acquire political and negotiating skills to get her political programme through Congress.
YET TO COME An economic slowdown to around 4 percent this year from 7.5 per cent growth last year may yet sour public opinion. But so far, 68 per cent of those polled believe the remainder of the Rousseff presidency will be good or very good, up from 62 per cent before she took office on Jan. 1.
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APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Brazil
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Brazil gunman kills 12, self at Rio school
A Brazilian gunman killed 12 children at a Rio de Janeiro school and then himself, shocking the nation that has never seen such an incident before. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff wept when commenting on the incident during a speech to business leaders and requested a moment of silence for the victims. "This type of crime is not characteristic of our country and therefore we are all ... united in repudiating this act of violence," Rousseff said. The attack by the 24-year-old Welington de Oliveira was the first serial killing of its kind in Brazil. Attacks similar to the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, were unheard of Brazil. "We have to show solidarity and support for the families of the children (killed by) that psychopath, that animal," said Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral in a press conference at the school in the Rio neighborhood of Realengo. Police said Oliveira entered the school carrying two guns and a suicide note. Oliveira told officials he was there to deliver a speech and then opened fire on students. He was a former student at the school. Police said they believed he was mentally unstable, citing the content of the suicide note, which asked that "(someone) stand in front of my tomb and ask God to forgive me for what I did.” Oliveira did not have a police record. 'LIKE A HORROR MOVIE’ Marcos Silva, 11, who was in the school but was not harmed, said the experience was "like a horror movie.” “Everyone lay down on the ground in silence, the teacher asked us not to make noise so the killer wouldn't notice us," Silva said "I thought to myself, 'If he comes in, we're all going to die.'” Two of the 13 wounded children fleeing to the street called a police patrol, which rushed to the school in response. A police officer told reporters he shot Oliveira in the leg after the gunman left a classroom and was attempting to reach the third floor of the building. Oliveira fell onto the stairs and shot himself in the head. Violence in Rio has traditionally been associated with drug gangs that control vast areas of the city's slum communities. Rio's government has in recent months made considerable advances
against narco-trafficking but crime remains a problem in the beachside tourist haven. Crime experts say contraband firearms from police and the army often end up in the hands of criminals. Authorities have stepped up slum pacification efforts that have created a permanent police presence in poor neighborhoods in hopes of tightening security in advance of the 2014 World Cup soccer championship and the 2016 Olympic Games.
Hero officer saved many Thursday's massacre of 11 students at a Brazilian school could have been even worse, were it not for the heroic actions of a military policeman, according to a statement from the Rio de Janeiro state governor's office. Third Sgt. Marcio Alexandre Alves, 38, and a colleague raced to the Municipal School Tasso da Silveira in Realengo after they were approached by a student two blocks away from the school, who asked them for help, the governor's office said. Upon arriving at the school, Alves heard gunshots and quickly climbed to the second floor. There, he confronted the
heavily armed gunman coming out of a classroom, keeping the suspect from ascending to the third floor, where there were more students, the statement said. Alves said he shot the gunman in the abdomen. When the suspect fell, he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, according to the statement. At that point, Alves looked for a second suspect he had heard was in the building, but that information turned out to be unfounded, the governor's office said. Alves, an 18-year veteran of police work, said seeing the slain children gave him a great feeling of sadness.
Rousseff heads to China to boost ties Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff will travel to China in her first major foreign trip as president, aiming to improve ties with a country that is Brazil's top trading partner but also its main rival in Latin America. During 5-day visit during which she will push for a series of trade and investment deals. The trip includes an April 12 meeting with Chinese President Hu-Jintao and an April 14 summit of the BRIC group of nations that also include Russia, India and new member South Africa. "China plays a very important role... we will aim for a qualitative leap in our relations," said Maria Edileuza Reis of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. China has in recent years become Brazil's largest trading partner, overtaking the United States, and in 2010 was the largest investor in the South American nation, pumping in some $30 billion. For China, Brazil is an importance source of raw materials -oil, iron ore and soybeans account for 80 percent of Chinese imports and 90 percent of its investments in the largest Latin American economy. The visit suggests that Rousseff "has an international agenda that favors its main economic partners, without regard to political ideology of the previous government" of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said Joao Augusto de Castro Neves, analyst at the political consultancy CAC. "Brazil has a lot to gain from its relationship with China," Castro Neves told AFP, saying that Brazi's trade surplus with China "is
more than $5 billion based on bilateral trade of $56 billion." At the same time, Brazil is finding itself in competition with China for manufactured goods, especially in Latin America where Brazil has been a major force. The foreign ministry's Reis said that Brazil wants changes in the trade relationship. "We want to include more high value-added products in its trade with China," she said. One problem for Brazil now is the surging value of its currency, the real, which makes its exports more expensive against items priced in dollars and especially with a Chinese currency that many say is undervalued. Foreign investors have poured money into the booming Latin American giant in recent years, helping the real achieve 4.6 percent growth against the dollar in 2010 and a stunning 32.7 percent in 2009. Rousseff will be accompanied by some 300 business leaders including some from key firms like aircraft maker Embraer which wants to expand in China. The business community does not expect any immediate changes in policy but hopes for "an opening of the Chinese market to Brazilian products including foods like beef products which now face barriers," said Joao Augusto Fernandes, executive director of Brazil's National Confederation of Industry. The visit comes a year after China's Hu and then-president Lula launched a strategic action plan to boost ties between the two major emerging economies.
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Brazil
The Brazilian Post
Air France Rio crash dead 'to be recovered' Specialists may start recovering bodies of those killed in Air France's 2009 plane crash off Brazil within weeks, French officials say. Undersea robots finally uncovered a large part of the wreckage, including bodies, last week. The "black-box" flight recorders have not yet been spotted, but investigators have expressed hope they will be found. The flight went down in the Atlantic, killing all 228 passengers. The cause of the disaster remains unknown. Although debris was recovered soon after the accident, most of the wreckage sank, and three previous attempts to find the plane were largely unsuccessful. But the fourth attempt, using robots capable of operating 4,000m (13,120ft) below the ocean's surface, uncovered a substantial part of the plane. French Transport Minister Nathalie Kosciusco-Morizet told reporters: "The phase involving the raising of the aircraft could be launched within three weeks to a month. "I am speaking about raising the aircraft and I am also speaking about raising the bodies, because bodies have been located on the spot. These bodies will be raised and will be identified." Officials said the victims' relatives would be kept informed of the operation's progress. Those who died came from more than 30 countries, though most were French, Brazilian or German. The Paris-bound Air France jet came down hours after it took off from Rio de Janeiro on 1 June.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Brazil banks sued for funding Amazon deforestation Brazil's biggest bank - the state-run Banco do Brasil - is being sued for allegedly funding deforestation in the Amazon.
Public prosecutors say the bank lent money to companies that illegally cleared the rainforest and used labour practices bordering on slavery. The smaller state-owned Banco da Amazonia is also being sued. Brazil says it has drastically reduced the rate of deforestation in the Amazon in recent years. Prosecutors in the state of Para said they had uncovered 55 loans worth nearly $5m (ÂŁ3m) that the Banco do Brasil approved to farms that had broken environmental and employment laws. They also said they had uncovered 37 loans worth $11m given to farms with similar violations by the Banco da Amazonia. The loans violated Brazil's constitution, environmental laws, banking regulations and international agreements signed by Brazil, the independent prosecutors at
the Public Ministry said. "The discovery of this this irregular financing shows that this is a generalised problem," they said in a statement. They added that their findings supported studies that showed a direct relationship between public loans and deforestation in the Amazon. The Banco do Brasil denied the allegations, insisting it complied with Brazilian law, but said it would look into the charges on a case-by-case basis. The Banco da Amazonia said it would not comment until it had studied the legal documents. Brazil's judicial branch will now have to decide whether to pursue the case. The cutting and burning of trees in the Amazon has made Brazil a major contributor of the greenhouse gases.
Brazilian parliament clown employs comedians as secretaries A clown who won a seat in Brazil's Congress has used public money to employ two television comedians as parliamentary secretaries. Tiririca secured 1.3 million votes - more than any other candidate - to be elected in last October's national polls. His campaign saw him release videos on YouTube watched by millions and featured slogans such as "It can't get any worse". Now, it has emerged that two television colleagues who wrote the slogans are drawing sizable public salaries to assist Tiririca in his role as a federal deputy for Sao Paulo. Jose Americo Niccolini and Ivan de Oliveira are paid up to R$8,000 (ÂŁ3,079) per month plus bonuses, according to reports in Brazil. The two have known Tiririca for ten years after working with him on a longrunning comedy television show. "He chose us because we helped in the campaign, only because of that. Because he believes that we can give good ideas," Mr Niccolini told media sources. He added that they do their work as political advisers in the same office used by the comedy group to which they belong because Tiririca still does not have an office in Sao Paulo. Another of the key messages used by Tiririca in his election campaign and written
by the two men was: "What does a federal deputy do? Truly, I don't know. But vote for me and I will find out for you." Tiririca, whose real name is Francisco Everardo Oliveira Silva, started working in a circus aged eight in the state of Ceara in the poor north-east of Brazil. He survived a legal challenge to his right to stand as an electoral candidate amid claims that he was not fully literate after taking tests in reading and writing. A spokesman for Tiririca said: "The deputy Tiririca nominated the advisers, taking into account the criteria of knowing them personally and also the fact that they are two communicators who are going to collaborate and develop work within the deputy's theme."
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Rio's drive to remove drug gangs brings calm Surgeons tell of relief as gunshot cases fall after 'pacification' of Rio's favelas before the 2016 Olympics Pushing through the emergency department's rubber-coated swing doors, Dr Luiz Sérgio Verbicaro threw open his arms as if welcoming guests to his new home. Before him a huddle of bored-looking medics made small talk around a table in a corner of the otherwise empty department. Outside, the ambulance bay was deserted. "It is good – and abnormal," said Verbicaro, 60, a veteran surgeon and the director of the Getúlio Vargas hospital in northern Rio de Janeiro, until recently considered the Latin American champion in gunshot wound cases. "It is a relief." Once upon a time, the flow of bloodied and disfigured gunshot victims made the Getúlio Vargas team a global reference point in bullet wound treatment – a ghoulish case study in the devastating impact of guns; a warzone hospital, without the war. More than 3,000 cases have been admitted in the last five years, an average of 50 a month. In 2007, the most violent year on record, 767 bullet-wound victims were brought in. Last year there were 583. "It reached a point where on a 12-hour weekend shift … we'd receive an average of five gunshot victims. That was our routine," said Verbicaro, an Air Force reservist, whose hospital is flanked by what were until recently some of South America's most violent slums. "Often we couldn't even leave the hospital … because of shoot-outs."
But not any more. Doctors say a fledgling government drive to "pacify" Rio's slums – by ridding every favela of heavily armed drugs gangs by the time the city hosts the 2016 Olympics – has sent the number of gunshot patients into freefall. In the wake of a massive military operation in November, in which security forces stormed and permanently occupied two vast favelas near the hospital, the number of bullet wound admissions at Getúlio Vargas has dropped almost 50%. In February there were 29 cases of what doctors call "PAFs" – firearm perforations. In the first 11 days of March there were just four. "Compared with how things were it is fantastic: what we used to get in one week we are now getting in one month," said Dr Maria Cristina Lopes, head of the emergency department. "Victims were arriving around the clock. It wasn't just at night or on weekends – it was every day. Since the occupation the drop has been very noticeable." Even now the department is not a place for the faint-hearted. Victims of motorway crashes are common and horrific gunshot injuries continue to appear, albeit with less frequency. Verbicaro toured the hospital showing off recent improvements – a new lick of paint, a new chapel for family members, a new tomography machine. Asked what she expected from the rest of her shift, Lopes replied: "Tranquillity."
Bee Gees' Robin Gibb falls ill, cancels Brazil tour The Bee Gees star was taken ill in the middle of the night, just six months after he had life-saving surgery for a blocked intestine – the same condition that led to the death of his twin Maurice in 2003. His spokesman said: “In the early morning he had terrible pain and he was feeling very ill. He is back at home being looked after by his wife.” Robin had to call off gigs in Brazil where he was due to perform at a number of venues including Sao Paulo and Brasilia. He was also meant to meet the president Dilma Rouseff. Doctors have told him not to travel from his Oxfordshire home until they make a diagnosis. His spokesman added: “Robin apologises to all his fans in South America and to all the people who had worked on making this tour possible.” His spokesman insisted Robin had been taking care of himself since then and was in “good shape”. Maurice died in Miami at 53 due to complications from his twisted intestine, a genetic condition. The Bee Gees, which also included brother Barry, notched up decades of chart hits including 70s disco tracks such as Night Fever and Stayin' Alive.
Rio to hire extra for completing Maracana stadium
Rio officials say they will hire about 3,500 extra workers to make sure that renovations at Maracana stadium are completed in time for the 2013 Confederations Cup. The extra workers will be needed because recently it was detected that a completely new roof will have to be built at the famed venue, which is also expected to host the World Cup final in 2014. Rio de Janeiro vice governor Luiz Fernando Pezao told Brazilian media on Tuesday last week that authorities will do whatever is needed to guarantee the stadium is ready for the Confederations Cup. The renovations at Maracana were expected to be completed by the end of 2012, but the new roof will likely push the deadline into 2013. Pezao said the final cost will be near $500 million.
Brazil
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Brazil
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Brazil latest base for Al-Qaida operatives
Al-Qaida operatives are in Brazil planning attacks, raising money and recruiting followers, a media source reported last week, renewing concerns about the nation serving as a hide-out for Islamic militants. According to reports, at least 20 people affiliated with al Qaida as well as the Lebanese Shia Muslim group Hezbollah, the Palestinian group Hamas and two other organizations have been hiding out in the South American country. The report said these operatives have been raising money and working to incite attacks abroad. The source cited Brazilian police and US government reports, but did not give details on specific targets or operations. The United States has said Islamic militants have been operating in the border region between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Brazil has denied this, while saying it is aware that some members of Brazil's Lebanese community legally transferred funds to the Middle East. The report said that a Lebanese man named Khaled Hussein Ali, who has lived in Brazil since 1998, is an important member of Al-Qaida's propaganda operation and has coordinated extremists in 17 countries. Ali was briefly arrested in Brazil in March 2009 after a police investigation that found videos and texts directed at al-Qaida followers. He was set free because prosecutors did not pursue the charges against him in court.
Brazilians honour former vicepresident who died of cancer Hundreds of Brazilians filed through the presidential palace Wednesday to honour former Vice-President Jose Alencar, a man who earned respect by rising from poverty through hard work and by sharing with the public his struggle with cancer. The public wake was preceded by a Mass attended by Brazil's figures, as well as Alencar's family. He died Tuesday, last week in a Sao Paulo hospital after fighting abdominal cancer since 1997. He was 79. Alencar served two terms under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He was born poor, but became a multimillionaire as the founder of one of the largest textile businesses in Brazil, counting Wal-Mart among his clients, with a fortune estimated at some $200 million. President Dilma Rousseff and Silva cut short a trip to Portugal to return for ceremonies honouring Alencar. Alencar's body was moved to Brasilia from Sao Paulo, where he died. The crowd gathered outside the SirioLibanes Hospital clapped respectfully when his body was taken away. In Brasilia, mourners filed past his open casket, many visibly moved by the death. His colleague in Silva's government, former Foreign Minister Celso Amorin said during the ceremony that Alencar was an inspiration personally and as a politician. "He had a career that started with a very humble childhood and he became a successful entrepreneur without losing his simplicity, his humility," said Amorin. The president of Congress, Marco Maia, said Alencar "represents the hope that the country can continue to advance, growing and improving the quality of life of our people." Alencar was also respected for his candid discussions about the cancer he struggled with for 13 years. Initially elected through the conservative Liberal Party, he was chosen by Silva as a running mate to reassure the business class and foreign investors who were wary of Silva's leftist past. He became one of Silva's most steadfast supporters. Silva cried when he learned
of Alencar's death, telling journalists in a press conference in Coimbra, Portugal, that the achievements of his eight years in office would not have been possible without him. "Few human beings have the soul Alencar had, his kindness, his loyalty," said Silva. Rousseff decreed a week of mourning in Alencar's honour.
Brazilian Driver in China Imports threaten Brazil Industry as bilateral coma after crash trade grows Brazil's growing reliance on imported Chinese manufactured goods is threatening producers in Latin America's biggest economy, said James Bacchus, a former U.S. congressman and World Trade Organization official. Chinese demand for Brazilian raw materials such as iron ore and soybeans enabled the Asian nation to overtake the U.S. as Brazil's biggest trading partner in 2009. Imports from China are accelerating in 2011, climbing 47 percent in the first two months of the year to $4.7 billion, or almost 16 percent of all Brazil's purchases, compared with 14 percent in the same period last year, Trade Ministry data show. “There is increasing concern about the potential of deindustrialization,” Bacchus, who now serves as legal counsel for Brazil on trade disputes at the WTO, said this week at the Bloomberg Brazil Economic Summit in Sao Paulo. “We are going to see this be part of the debate within Brazil about trade and about how to deal with trade with China.” Brazil lags behind China and India in terms of
Brazilian driver Gustavo Sondermann has been seriously injured in a crash at a truck series race at Interlagos and is in a coma at the hospital. The 29-year-old Sondermann apparently lost control of his truck in pouring rain at Interlagos on Sunday, last week, spinning across the track at a high-speed corner. His truck was then hit hard at least three times by other drivers. Doctors at Hospital Sao Luiz in Sao Paolo said in a statement that Sondermann sustained a head injury and went into cardiac arrest on the track before being transported to the hospital unconscious. Other drivers were hurt in Sunday's crash, but their injuries were not life-threatening. The race was suspended. Sondermann's former stock car teammate Rafael Sperafico died at the same location in a race in 2007.
Anatel approves iPad2 sale in Brazil trade as a percentage of gross domestic product and needs to improve its position, Bacchus said at the summit. Brazil and the U.S. could show closer cooperation with China and Europe to help reach an accord to remove global trade barriers as “compromises are going to be needed by all concerned,” he said.
Anatel, Brazil's telecommunications regulator has approved Apple's iPad 2, both in the Wi-Fi and 3G versions, for sale in Brazil. Even with a permit for sales in the country, Apple stated that there is no prospect of releasing the tablet soon in Brazil. The first version of the tablet was launched in Brazil almost a year after arrival in the US market.
Made in UK Britain's pupils are bad losers, says survey The UK's school children find it difficult to lose graciously in sport, and their parents can be just as bad, a survey has suggested.
Two-thirds of parents of eight to 16year-olds said their children reacted badly when they lost, the poll found. A further two-thirds of respondents said parents behaved badly when watching children's matches. Some 1,008 parents and 1,007 children aged eight to 16 were questioned for the survey by Opinion Matters. Parents who were questioned described other parents as mocking the opposition and even using foul language with the referee or umpire. Sulking, getting angry and crying were some of the commonest antics of sore losers - whether they were parents or children. One child in the survey described how after they beat someone at squash, their
opponent kicked the wall and broke two of their toes. Another recalled a teammate who swore loudly when he lost, then ran and locked himself away in the toilets. However, it was not all bad news: 96% of parents said their children were gracious in victory. And three-quarters of children said they shook hands with the opposition after losing the game. In response, the Marylebone Cricket Club and the Cricket Foundation, which commissioned the research, is offering sportsmanship lessons to schools from the start of the summer term. The Spirit of Cricket initiative will teach young people in 4,000 state schools how to win and lose politely. Head of cricket at MCC John Stephenson says: "Wanting to win and trying your hardest is important for anyone playing sport, young or old." He added that the scheme highlighted merits of "healthy competition whilst discouraging a win-at-all-costs mentality". Wasim Khan, former county cricketer and chief executive of the Cricket Foundation, said the initiative taught "young people one of the most valuable lessons in life: how to claim victory and accept defeat magnanimously". "We want a child to 'keep a straight bat', not act like a sporting brat," he said.
Android phones overtake iPhones in the UK Android has overtaken Apple to become the most popular smartphone. About 28% of smartphone owners in the UK chose an Android handset, compared with 26% who opted for an Apple iPhone and 14% who picked a BlackBerry. An online survey of 2,000 people found 36% of smartphone users aged 25 to 34 and 25% of retired users owned an Android. Apple customers were the most addicted to their phones, with 18% using theirs more than four hours a day. They were also big spenders with about 18% permanently overdrawn, compared with 14% for Android and just 13% for BlackBerry.
The Brazilian Post
07
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Britain expels 5 Libyan diplomats Britain has expelled five Libyan diplomats loyal to Col. Moammar Gadhafi's regime because of their intimidation of opposition supporters and their potential threat to the U.K.'s national security. Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons Wednesday last week that he had ordered the officials to leave, including the country's military attache, following concerns about their actions in Britain. "The government also judged that, were these individuals to remain in Britain, they could pose a threat to our security," Hague told lawmakers. British officials said the Libyan diplomats were regarded as the leading supporters of Col. Gadhafi at the London embassy, and had been involved in attempts to harass supporters of the Libyan opposition in Britain. Mr. Hague also confirmed that British diplomats have held talks in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi with opposition figures in recent days, ahead of similar meetings being held by U.S. and French officials. "The purpose of the mission was to meet key Libyan opposition groups in eastern Libya, including the Interim Transitional National Council and its military council, to gain a
greater insight into political and security situation," he said.
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Made in UK
The Brazilian Post
LOVE'S LABOUR : Ed Miliband to wed partner
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Wikipedia to be tidied up by Cancer charity Cancer Research UK is turning its specialists loose on the internet to get them to tidy up the online encyclopedia - Wikipedia.
After William and Kate there is now, well, Ed and Justine. The leader of Britain's opposition Labour party, Ed Miliband, is to marry his long-term partner and the mother of his two sons, Justine Thornton, on May 27, the couple announced on Wednesday last week. The wedding date is just under one month after the royal wedding of William and Kate Middleton on April 29. Miliband had faced months of criticism in Britain's right-wing press for being the first leader of a major political party to live with his family out of wedlock. It was the "right time" for the couple, both 40, to get married, Miliband told media sources. "At the end of the day we're in our 40s and we've got two kids, so it wasn't a case of me suddenly popping the question. This is just something we think is right for us," he said. Miliband said they decided to get married about a year ago when Labour was still in government and several months before he beat his older brother David, the former foreign minister , to the party leadership in October. When asked at the time why he had not married Thornton, he said he was "too busy" to tie the knot. Their second son Samuel was born in November and Miliband faced further embarrassment at the time when it emerged he wasn't listed as the father on his first son Daniel's birth certificate.
Working moms devote just 81 mins to kids daily
The charity said many people researching the subject are turning to the website. But it said there were problems with accuracy and clarity on some of the pages. Wikipedia said it encourages experts to edit the site as they have a lot to contribute. Cancer Research UK's website has pages of detail about a range of cancers. However, using a search engine for the terms "Breast Cancer" puts the charity in eighth place on the results page. Wikipedia comes second. A trend it repeats across other cancers. Wikipedia said it had more than 3.5m page views for cancer-related content in January 2011. Henry Scowcroft, scientific communications manager for Cancer Research UK, said: "It has been our intention for a long time to be involved in the online discussion outside of our own website." "Wikipedia is nearly always at the top of an internet search for cancers. It's not always that easy to understand and sometimes it can be inaccurate or not completely up to date." "We want to increase the accuracy and clarity." So far they have created a new entry on the hallmarks of cancer as well as information about screening for human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer. The charity has not decided how many staff should contribute to the site, or how much time they should spend doing it. Mike Peel, from Wikimedia has been training staff from Cancer Research. He said: "Expert editors are really vital and have a lot to contribute." Working mothers in UK spend on average just 81 minutes a day looking after their children, including meal times, a new study has found. On the contrary, stay-at-home mothers managed almost twice as much time directly caring for their children, with 2 hours 35 minutes dedicated to activities like meals, bathtime and playing games, the study found. The study by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which compared surveys in 21 nations, found that the time UK working mothers spent caring for their children was almost half that in some other countries. Those in Ireland spent 150 minutes a day caring for their children, while those in Australia managed 137 minutes, with working mothers in the US, Canada, Italy, Sweden and Spain all spending more time looking after their kids than those in UK. Of all parents, fathers with jobs spent the least time on such care just 43 minutes a day, the poll found.
Cheshire is centre of search for aliens BRITAIN is set to lead the search for alien life after being chosen as the base for the world's biggest collection of radio telescopes.
Jodrell Bank Observatory has been placed at the heart of a new ÂŁ1.3billion project to investigate the mysteries of space. The site, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, will be the HQ for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. It is a network of 3,000 radio telescopes run by what will be the largest supercomputer on Earth. The telescopes - which can "hear" far into space - are likely to be in either South Africa or Australia. Scientists hope SKA could reveal the birth of galaxies, the mysteries of dark energy and search for signals from alien civilisations. The project got its name because the telescopes will get their data from "collecting areas" of one square kilometre. Scientist Joseph Lazio said: "Only with enough metal on the ground, as SKA will provide, do you get to the point where you can hope to detect an Earth-like planet." UFO expert Nick Pope said: "It's great that the UK might be the country that makes the greatest discovery of all time."
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Made in UK
09
Britain to provide shelter to UK plane lands at Athens after bomb threat more than 10,000 Libyans Britain will provide emergency shelter for more than 10,000 people driven out of their homes by ongoing fighting in Libya. As a matter of urgency, 2,100 tents will be flown out from U.K. stocks in Dubai to provide potentially life-saving shelter during cold desert nights, the International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has announced. The tents will be distributed by the Libyan Red Crescent to those most in need — including women, children and the sick — particularly around the Ajdabiya area in the conflict-affected north-east of Libya. In addition, Britain is providing a humanitarian adviser to join a Turkish/U.K./U.S. humanitarian planning team based in Ankara that will help to address emerging and urgent needs in Libya. Andrew Mitchell, International Development Secretary, said: “As fighting continues in Libya, we need to ensure that the most vulnerable get the protection they need. That means shelter for those who suddenly find themselves driven out of their homes and often cut off from friends and family in their own country. “It's also about ensuring that we continue to provide help to poor migrant workers having to flee Libya, and that we get people in place to look at ongoing needs and how best we can meet them.” This latest British support follows ongoing humanitarian assistance over the last month including: Funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is providing support for up to 100,000 people for basic necessities, and medical supplies and treatment to 3000 people affected by the ongoing fighting in Libya.
S) ITH R s hits r e W E l g L n L a r AZI ANG ming st r R R o f r B T e p S S OF LL (EX- 7:00 pm m hugh cornwell R E E at TH 0p BRO CORNWmy • doors opens of brazil • 9:0 er H de HUG academy 02 aca• 8:20 pm broth ll n slingto -hugh cornwe 7:30 pm
A British passenger plane made an emergency landing in Athens following a bomb threat, officials say. Greek fighter jets scrambled to escort the Thomson Airways Boeing 757200, which was on its way from Bristol to the popular resort of Sharm elSheikh in Egypt. All 213 people on board the plane are unharmed. The plane is undergoing checks in a remote area of Athens International Airport, authorities there said. The bomb threat was received by an Egyptian news agency and passed on to the crew of the plane. The crew put out a mayday while over northern Greece and two F-16 jets were sent to escort it to Athens. Once it had landed, there was an orderly evacuation and the plane was taken to a remote area of the airfield where experts were carrying out a by:said. Photographer Hara search,Photos sources
R O U T DA TE S Thu Apr 07 The Sage Gateshead - Gateshead, UK
Sat Apr 09 - 02 ABC Glasgow - Glasgow, UK
Sun Apr 10 - 02 Academy Sheffield - Sheffield, UK
Tue Apr 12 The Grand - Clitheroe, UK
Wed Apr 13 The Assembly - Leamington Spa Leamington Spa, UK
Thu Apr 14 Komedia Bath - Bath, UK
Fri Apr 15 Wolverhampton Civic ('The Slade Rooms')
Sat Apr 16 - 02 Academy Islington - London, UK
HOSTS SLOW ALFIE & FAT TONY PROUDLY PRESENT Club De Fromage at O2 Academy Islington Over 18s Only. Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 PM
£18.00 Sun Apr 17 Komedia, Brighton - Brighton, UK
10
Made in UK
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Britain to delay NHS Britain is to violate reforms UN mandate on Libya Because of the LibDem and Labour pressure, and public confusion over the NHS reforms, Cameron agreed to put the bill's implementation on hold until after the local elections on May 5. Britain will delay the implementation of National Health Service reforms by up to three months. British Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley are expected to announce the postponement after a meeting last week attended by Cameron and cabinet secretaries. The reform would have downsized the NHS and transferred control of 60 percent of NHS funds to general practitioners and abolish primary care trusts. However, health care experts and politicians from different parties have criticized the changes because of the risks of fragmenting the service and damaging care. The Liberal Democrats, the Tories' coalition partner, have opposed the reforms and proposed 23 detailed demands that would result in sweeping changes to the bill. Among the LibDems demands are dropping the mandate that general practitioners take control of health budgets even if they don't want to and the addition of protection against private companies from cherry picking the most lucrative work. Because of the LibDem and Labour pressure, and public confusion over the NHS reforms, Cameron agreed to put the bill's implementation on hold until after the local elections on May 5.
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The UK military will dispatch 600 marines from its Royal Navy taskforce and at least 6 ships to Libya in defiance of the UN mandate.
Britain joined a Westernled military alliance, which was allowed by the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over the Libyan territory to protect its civilian population. The NATO-led alliance has been attacking targets in Libya for two weeks, under the UN resolution, which authorized military strikes to protect civilians. But, now the UK military is sending 600 marines to Gibraltar with the mission to protect ports where future medical and food supplies will be unloaded to areas held by revolutionary forces fighting Qaddafi troops, media sources reported. The ships in the taskforce, which are due to leave in the next few days, will include the landing platform Albion, the type-42 destroyer Liverpool and four support ships, the report said. Britain is also under pressure to double the number of Royal Air Force planes available to attack the Libyan army after the withdrawal of US combat aircraft. NATO is currently operating in the Libyan conflict under a United Nations' (UN) mandate that allowed the Western military alliance to establish a no-fly zone to save lives.
But, critics say NATO's warplanes have already exceeded this humanitarian directive by continuing to fly missions directly hitting targets inside the North African country, resulting in the death of dozens of civilians. However, British politicians fully deny a possible troop deployment to Libya, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying “there is not going to be a land invasion.” Cameron also told MPs at the Commons that the UN mandate did not allow for any foreign ground forces. While Cameron insisted that Britain would adhere to the terms of the mandate, he and other NATO leaders, almost from the start of the conflict, have said Gaddafi has to go.
UK council to be sentenced over poisoning An English county council is due to be sentenced in a case relating to the death of a 60-year-old Down syndrome sufferer who accidentally swallowed dishwasher fluid, thinking it was orange squash. Colin Woods' digestive organs were gradually eroded by the sodium hydroxide substance, which left him unable to eat. He had lost almost half his body weight by the time he died on April 7, 2006, 16 months after swallowing the fluid while on an outing with friends from the St Nicholas Centre in Lewes, East Sussex, on December 7, 2004. Five other people also drank the poisonous liquid and continue to suffer from oesophageal problems. The group drank the concoction while on a weekly sports outing run by the East Sussex County Council-owned day centre. After finishing their activities, the group stopped to have a drink of orange squash but almost immediately all six were taken severely unwell. They started vomiting, fitting and
coughing up blood, and all six were taken to hospital. Back at the centre, a staff member discovered an open container of Suma Ultra L2 dishwasher fluid, which was usually kept underneath the dishwasher in the centre's kitchen, in a different room. Further investigation found the bottle was of virtually indistinguishable appearance to the bottles of orange squash consumed at the centre, and it was decided that the unnamed person who mixed the drink had not meant to cause any harm. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found no hazardous substance controls were in place at the centre and no data sheet was maintained for the detergent. In January, the county council pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to store a hazardous substance in such a way as to prevent serious risk at Brighton Magistrates' Court. The court heard that the relevant staff at the centre had been disciplined and revised risk assessments put in place since the incident.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
UK to Ban Animal Circuses After Cruelty Exposed The truth, it seems, has the power to set the most inhumanely treated animals free from their abusers. Recently, troubling undercover footage of a circus elephant named Anne being bound and brutally beaten by her keepers sent shock waves through the UK, where such animals are paraded before an audience as 'entertainment'. In response to the public outcry, the UK Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, has announced plans to ban the use of wild animals in circuses -- returning some semblance of dignity to a host of exotic animals that currently share a billing with acrobats and clowns. Using exotic animals as props for human entertainment, of course, dates back thousands of years, from royal courts to ancient coliseums -- but rethinking such practices in the modern era has taken quite a bit longer than did gladiator battles to the death, for example. And, while the exploitative practices onstage have been enough to ruffle more than a few feathers among the most empathetic-enlightened, the recently revealed behind-thescenes treatment of circus animals seems to have awoken the better sensibilities in the masses. Faced with the indisputable horrors related to animal circuses in the UK, the nation's Environmental Minister has been spurred to enact a ban that animal-rights groups have been requesting for decades. “It's about time that in Britain we showed we really are a nation of animal lovers," said Ros Clubb, a senior scientist from the UK's RSPCA. When the ban is ultimately enacted, the UK will join a growing number nations around the world which have already sought to place the basic wellbeing of animals above the interests of profiteers.
Made in UK
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Danny Boyle wants 'sunset' Olympics opener Movie director Danny Boyle has demanded that the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics be delayed until sun set. The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who is masterminding the London 2012 grand opening ceremony, has said that the event should be pushed back so the fireworks can be viewed as night falls. The move threatens to play havoc with other carefully made preparations for the Games, say reports. The Olympic clock, which has already failed once in its countdown to the 2012 spectacular, was timed to reach zero at 7.30 p.m. -- the current start time for the ceremony -- on Friday, July 27, next year. Publicity, ticketing and travel plans are also based on the time. But Boyle, 54, whose other films include Slumdog Millionaire, Train spotting and 28 Days Later, told organisers that his "epic and intimate" show will lose its impact unless it is delayed until after sunset at 8:55 p.m. His delay raises the prospect of more than a million people -including the queen, who will be 86, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who will be 91 -- finding their way home through central London well past midnight. With 481 days to go until the Games, the organizers may have to pulp thousands of brochures, which have been printed with a 7:30 p.m. start, and revise information given to ticket applicants, while extending travel services.
Brazilian artists bring spring to UK
The spring recently invading the street of the UK might be a consequence of the increasing number of Brazilian artists coming to London this month. Indeed a number of renowned as well as lesser know artists from the sunny Brazil are exhibiting their work in the grey city throughout April and May. Amongst them is Tunga, considered as one of the most influential artists of his generation. His latest work exhibited at the city center at the Pilar Corrias gallery, is a series of installations and sculptures that seem to recall ancient rituals and practices of a lost civilization. Fusing lead, glass goblets, steel braiding, crystals and bodily fluids are put together to materialize Tunga's symbolic universe. Also in the city center, at the Max Wigram Gallery, is the Natural order of things. An exhibition by Marcelo Cidade and André
Komatsu as their first collaborative and significant show in Europe. Concrete blocks on wheels scattered across the floor overlooked by a street sign with no directions, a large hammer protruding from a wall, a shelving structure supporting salt, sugar, coffee, cement, glass, concrete and a video projector, three pairs of Doc Marten boots are the main feature of the exhibition which explores the issue of the end of idealism and a new found pragmatism. The show challenges the concepts of commodity and power. Not far from the Max Wigram Gallery is the Sprovieri where another Brazilian, Matheus Rocha Pitta is exhibiting his latest work. The name of his show is Provisional Heritage which mostly features photographs of an abandoned warehouse in East London. Rocha Pitta took photographs as well as a video of the place a few weeks before it was demolished. He said that he came to London only to discover that the problems he thought he had left behind in Brazil, such as economic stagnation and urban decline are part of its cityscape too. Thus through the photographs he blurs the line between the developed and the underdeveloped world, making London and Rio de Janeiro unexpectedly face each other like two mirrors.
The Secret is in Barrica
In central London, set in the busy and Goodge Street, there is a place that hides many secrets. In its relaxed, warm, informal and busy atmosphere Barrica stands as bit of Spain in the heart of London. As they like to call themselves, it is a not a restaurant but a Tapas Bar. Tim Luther, the Barrica owner, an expert in wines and a lover of Spain, managed to recreate here what most of us really enjoy when Spain, and no doubt he had succeeded in it. Just one year after opening, Barrica won the Best Spanish Food and Drink in the Time Out Eating and Drinking Awards 2010 and was shortlisted by Harpers Wine Magazine for Best Spanish Wine List 2010. They source their own Iberico products from Revisan in Guijelo near Salamanca. Fantastic Bellota, Cebo, Salchichon, Chorizo, Sobrasada, Lomito and the extra special (rare) Morcilla Bellota. They also Cook Fresh Iberico products such as Secreto and Presa which are served medium rare, a real delight. The Brazilian Post was there invited by the owner, Tim Luther, with the editor of El Iberico, Paco de La Coba. A few minutes later, and
after opening our appetite with a Pedro Ximenez from an extensive list of sherries, one of the most complete I know in the London dining scene, we began to discover the essence of this authentic tapas bar. The waiters always well ready, began to entertain us with tasty tapas: sausage Iberian (acorn, bait, sausage, chorizo), the traditional Padrón peppers, a point-grilled vegetables without drowning in oil ", a highly recommended croquettes stuffed with artichokes, Villarejo and raisins, and a the star dishe of the house: meatballs with oxtail, a snack of which Barrica can be very proud. Meanwhile, a suggestion came from the many possibilities of their Wine List (All good): an Inurrieta 2007 North, perfect for the occasion. Powerful, tan, reminiscent of oak on the nose, fruity and very tasty in the mouth. Then the of glory of the night: the Secret, an Iberian plate. Combined excellently with shell beads, was perhaps the most brilliant cover night with the regular lanes and mashed potatoes.To finish a simple dessert but direct, those who everyone like: sorbet Pedro Ximenez with nougat.
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APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Man Puts Dead granny found bounty stuffed in closet as on grandson had sex in room Daughter
A woman in the US was found dead and stuffed in a bedroom closet by relatives, who walked in on her grandson having sex with a woman in the same room. Two concerned relatives walked into the apartment at the Wagner Houses on E 124th St, after they did not hear from 76-year-old Cora Davis for two days. They opened the bedroom door to find her grandson Larry Davis, 21, having sex with a 20-year-old woman on the bed. "Where's Mama? Where's Mama?" the New York Daily News quoted sources as reporting a relative asking Davis. An argument started and one of the relatives threatened to call police, following which Davis ran off, while the woman he was having sex with who has a prostitution bust on her record - stayed behind. Cops arrived and searched the apartment, finding Cora's body crammed in the bedroom's closet under a pile of clothes. The city medical examiner was trying to determine the cause of death, and sources said investigators found signs of haemorrhaging around her eyes that suggest she may have been strangled. The elderly woman had an order of protection against her grandson.
Surely this is reprehensible... but on the other hand, what father hasn't wanted to do this? Police in California say 50-yearold Domingos Jose Obouliveira put up "wanted" posters offering a $3,000 bounty for the capture of his teenage daughter's boyfriend -- "dead or alive." But this isn't just a dad who doesn't like the man in his little girl's life -- his 19-year-old daughter is seeing a 33-year-old boyfriend registered sex offender convicted of lewd and lascivious acts on a child 14-15 years old. Police say Oliveira put up about a dozen posters promising the bounty to "anyone who can deliver his body dead or alive to us," along with a picture of the boyfriend.
NY boy, 12, charged with hate crime on Muslims A 12-year-old boy accused of trying to rip the head scarf off a Muslim classmate during recess has been charged in New York City with a hate crime. The boy appeared in family court with his father and his lawyer. He's a 6thgrader at a Staten Island middle school and is being charged as a juvenile. A call to his lawyer wasn't immediately returned. The boy's father says his son is also a Muslim. Police and school officials say the boy has a history of harassing the 13-year-old girl, taunting her and threatening her on at least four separate occasions. The police report says he asked, "Are you Muslim?" while trying to remove her scarf. The girl suffered minor injuries. If convicted, he faces 18 months in juvenile detention.
The Brazilian Post
Baltic Sea letter in a bottle found 24 years later Nearly a quarter-century after a German boy tossed a message in a bottle off a ship in the Baltic Sea, he's received an answer. A 13-yearold Russian, Daniil Korotkikh, was walking with his parents on a beach when he saw something glittering lying in the sand. "I saw that bottle and it looked interesting," Korotkikh told the media. "It looked like a German beer bottle with a ceramic plug, and there was a message inside." His father, who knows schoolboy German, translated the letter, carefully wrapped in cellophane and sealed by a medical bandage. It said: "My name is Frank, and I'm five years old. My dad and I are traveling on a ship to Denmark. If you find this letter, please write back to me, and I will write back to you." The letter, dated 1987, included an address in the town of Coesfeld. The boy in the letter, Frank Uesbeck, is now 29. His parents still live at the letter's address. "At first I didn't believe it," Uesbeck said about getting the response from Korotkikh. In fact, he barely remembered the trip at all; his father actually wrote the letter. The Russian boy and the German man met each other earlier this month via an Internet video
link. Korotkikh showed Uesbeck the bottle where he found the message and the letter that he put in a frame. The Russian boy said he does not believe that the bottle actually spent 24 years in the sea: "It would not have survived in the water all that time," he said. In the web chat earlier this month, Uesbek gave Korotkikh his new address to write to and promised to write back when he receives his letter. "He'll definitely get another letter from me," the 29-year-old said. Uesbeck was especially thrilled that he was able to have a positive impact on a life of a young person far away from Germany. “It's really a wonderful story," he said. "And who knows? Perhaps one day we will actually be able to arrange a meeting in person."
Man uses fake leg to take down armed robber A Massachusetts man who used his prosthetic leg to take down a robber says he didn't have time to think, he just reacted. Stephen Cornell peered through the window of his neighborhood convenience store in Middleton and saw a man pointing a gun at the owner. He told sources that he intended to tackle the thief when he left JC Grill & Pizza, but instead stuck out his artificial leg and tripped him. Cornell and owner Edson Andrade disarmed the thief and dragged him back into the store in a chokehold before calling police. The weapon was a pellet gun. The 55-yearold Cornell lost his leg at age 12. The suspect, 23-year-old Eric Homen, pleaded not guilty to charges including armed robbery.
Coloring book used in jail drug smuggling scheme
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Three inmates and their loved ones were charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into a New Jersey jail in the pages of a children's coloring book, authorities said. The drug, Subozone, normally used to treat heroin addiction but itself classified as a controlled dangerous substance, was dissolved into a paste and then painted into the coloring book, said Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer. Pages with "To Daddy" scribbled on top were sent to the prisoners at the jail in Cape May, New Jersey. "I've been in law enforcement for 38 years, and I've never seen an thing like this," said Schaffer. Authorities
received a tip drugs were being smuggled in drawings, Schaffer said. Charged in the case were prisoners Zachary Hirsch, Charles Markham and Paul Scipione. Also charged were Markham's mother, Debbie Longo, of West Wildwood, New Jersey, and Katelyn Mosbach, of Trevose, Pennsylvania, who was still being sought. The New Jersey drug bust was the second one this month involving Suboxone smuggling behind bars. Authorities at a prison in Carbon County, Pennsylv nia earlier this month arrested 11 people in what they said was a scheme to hide the drug beneath pos age stamps on letters mailed to inmates from family members.
HIGHLIGHTS: APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
GUIDE
Showbiz: Rebecca Black is about to sue "Friday" producers. Page 14
What's up: The domestic Japanese life is uncovered in this exhibition at Geffrye Museum. Page 17
Sacred Chat: Mind, body and self. Page 20
Mariah Carey's nude pregnant photo Mariah Carey knows how to work a camera lens and Photoshop, and it seems her unborn twins already take after their mother. After the false alarm that happened about two weeks ago, Mariah Carey still found time to pose nude for Life & Style
EASTER
HOLIDAYS! Hi guys, Easter holidays are here! Its time to take a break with the whole family. Also, with the little ones around, indulge in fun activities from decorating easter eggs to baking treats at home. Bring out the bunny costumes, join an easter egg hunt, go for a swim, a picnic or follow-up our guide and enjoy the ride!
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!
Magazine.Page
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Showbiz
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Hello my beloved readers, Twins, this week we had some of them. And you can find on the pregnant Mariah Carey or some lookalike tributes, obviously, everything unpretentiously (NOT) to gain attention from the media. And Mariah Carey couldn´t hold herself just by having the most horrible belly button ever, she had to show to the world her protoshopped shape, but our Mr Big was all natural on his kilt. Super juicy! Come with me!
Rebecca Black
is about to sue "Friday" producers
She recently got famous by singing the worst and non-sense music ever made. The teenager singer youtube sensation, Rebecca Black, is considering taking legal action against Ark Music Factory – responsible for the creation of the video hit, Friday. Black's lawyers are accusing the record Label has infringed on the singer's copyright and illegal exploitation of her publicity rights. According to Rolling Stone magazine, the lawsuit claims Ark Factory Rebecca has refused to hand over the mastered version of the song and video, which the
Olivia Wilde:
‘Justin just a friend' Olivia Wilde has taken to Twitter to respond to recent speculation that she is romantically involved with Justin Timberlake. A source had claimed that the pair "are obviously a couple or on a date" at a club, adding: "They were dancing, whispering, he had his hand on her back and shoulders and they were together all night." Another witness said: "Justin and Olivia were there with a group, but weren't talking to anyone else." However, the House star, who last week teased her impending return to the Fox medical drama, has spoken out against the story and tweeted: "Cool it, honeybadgers. We are just friends and have been for years.” Timberlake has lately been romantically linked to Black Swan actress Mila Kunis, with reports saying that he is "infatuated" with her.
Mr Big flash on the catwalk Chris Noth, The Sex and the City star, showed something extra on the catwalk for the Dressed To Kilt charity fashion event, last Thursday. Noth, 54, was joined on the runway by fellow actors Kiefer Sutherland, 44, Brian Cox, 64, Jason Patric and Jim Gaffigan, both 44, who also decided to flip their kilts up for the audience. All five are currently starring together in the Broadway revival of That Championship Season, a 1972 play written by Jason Miller, Patric's father. All five wore kilts. Although the only truly Scotsman is Cox, born in Dundee, Chris North learned the traditional way to wear a Kilt. Well done, Mr Big!
family says to have previously paid for. Ark allegedly has been for exploiting her likeness and her song on YouTube, iTunes, Amazon and Ark's website, also for creating an unauthorized Friday ringtone and advertising Black as an exclusive Ark recording artist. Denying the allegations, Ark Music founder Patrice Wilson "I have met with Rebecca Black's mom and everything is fine," he said. "She will get the masters and the song. They can have it all." Regarding the "exclusive artist" allegation, Wilson commented, "Once an artist meets with us and once they blow up, they have a choice to retain us or move on if they can. Rebecca is now signed with someone else." Now the 13-year-old star is an artist of L.A.-based DB Entertainment Group. "Friday" is currently in position 38 of the Billboard Digital Chart and the video has already surpassed the 75 million views on YouTube. And it´s totally fair that the little teenager dream is fighting for her rights. She needs to show us that she is not entirely made of stupidity. Go girl!
KATE GOSSELIN
talks about dating
She is has a houseful with 8 of kids and lots of bad publicity to deal with, so it's no wonder Kate Gosselin doesn't have much time to date. During her interview with Matt Lauer, the mommy from the tv show "Kate Plus 8" babe shared that she still hasn't quite found the right guy to fit into her complicated life battle. "I feel like I have my life together pretty much, but let be honest; it's going to take a strong person to wrangle this mess. If [a suitor] can pass the test, he's got to be Superman." If she is not pessimist about finding love, everyone can find the one!
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Pinkett Smith
defends her kid's showbiz career Actor Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett has defended her decision to let her two children start their showbusiness careers at such a young age, insisting they don't shoulder the same burdens as other pre-teen stars because they have no financial pressures. 'This isn't about fame or money. They were still going to have their trials because of who their parents are. As much as I wish I could figure out a way I could protect my children, they have their destiny. I'm not going to put brakes on that out of fear,' she was quoted. Their son Jaden, 12, kickstarted his movie career with last year's remake of 'The Karate Kid', while his 10-year-old sister, Willow, launched herself as a singer and is currently on tour with Justin Bieber. ‘Our children are allowed to stay in the paradigm of being a child. They don't have to take care of their families: become the complete emotional, physical and financial focus that happens to many child stars.'
Showbiz
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Mariah Carey's
nude pregnant photo Mariah Carey knows how to work a camera lens and Photoshop, and it seems her unborn twins already take after their mother. After the false alarm that happened about two weeks ago, Mariah Carey still found time to pose nude for Life & Style Magazine. During a photo shoot for the cover of the magazine she said the day before she was taken to the hospital due to contractions five minutes apart. "the babies were kicking almost the entire time; it was unbelievable," says the singer, who is due to give birth any day now. "Especially the girl — clearly she's a diva in training! We didn't start shooting until 1:30 a.m. because I was in the hospital from the night before until the day of the shoot with contractions five minutes apart!" Although she felt vulnerable about taking pictures of herself at this stage Mariah told Life & Style that she tells the magazine that she "didn't want to miss this opportunity to document this once-in-a-lifetime experience. My ultimate goal was to share this incredibly personal moment with my true fans." The first-time mom, who is expecting a boy and a girl with husband Nick Cannon, says she has "so much respect for mothers everywhere, especially those who've had difficult pregnancies or given birth to multiples. We need to have Mother's Day once a week!" The Diva looks beautifully edited on the photos. After all it's her best quality lately.
Madonna's charity being investigated!
Another educational charity of Madonna's, Success for Kids, is being investigated by the FBI over claims of financial mismanagement. Madonna, 52, chairs the charity, but it is not clear to what extent she is involved in the investigation by the FBI for "several irregularities and suspicious activity", media sources reported. The singer has donated 671,000 dollars since it was founded in 2001, and she has also persuaded a string of celebrity friends to give generously. The development comes a week after it emerged that the Material Girl had to scrap plans to build a school in Malawi due to financial mismanagement by another of her charities. Success for Kids is an offshoot of Raising Malawi and has raised 33 million dollars since 2001 with Madonna being by far its biggest cheerleader. It describes itself as "the largest international social emotional learning organisation in the world" with offices in eight countries, including Malawi.
Johnny Depp calls Penelope Cruz ‘a phenomenal mum' Johnny Depp has praised his friend and fellow actress Penelope Cruz for her parenting skills. The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor said that Cruz, who gave birth to her first child Leo with fellow actor and Spaniard Javier Bardem in January, has taken to motherhood like a duck to water. "She's an inconceivably phenomenal mummy, which I've witnessed firsthand and it's pretty incredible," the actor said. “She's as loyal and true a friend as anyone could ever dream of and I'm very privileged to be able to have her in my life," he added.
by
AUTHENTIC BRAZILIAN BUFFET
Delicious Home-made food and The Best Feijoada of London FOOD ALSO SOLD BY WEIGHT
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London by Night
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
LONDON by night If you are looking for good music, beautiful people and the best of Brazilian rhythm, London is the place. Bars and Restaurants like Bankete, Guanabara, Primo Bar (at the Park Plaza), Ronnie Scott's are some of the best options. Check out the photos by our exclusive photographer Erick Oliveria.
Thiago with friends Haidee Laure and Patricia enjoying the night at Forró do Galpão.
The friends Patricia and Eliane - Forró do Galpão.
Tarciane and Chris Wallace - Forró do Galpão.
Love is in the air: Warley and Thais at Forró do Galpã.
The friends Frederico, Evertane e Eliz at Canecão.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Happy Hours* House Beer (Brahma) 2-4-1 / All Cocktails 2-4-1All House Wine £9.00 / Double Vodka Red Bull 2-4-1 TIMES: MONDAYS ALL NIGHT/ TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 5.00-8.00PM / THURSDAYS 5.00-8.00PM & 11.30-12.30PM/ FRIDAY & SATURDAYS 5.00-7.30PM* Please note that HAPPY HOUR times are subject to change. HAPPY SUNDAYS 50% OFF FOOD TILL 7:30HOUSE BEER £2.20 * CAIPIRINHA £3.20 ALL NIGHT MON – SAT: Start the party early with DJ's Limão, D.Vyzor and Trever Brazil, playing the best grooves from South America to warm up your night. A mix of sensational Sambas, Bossa, Jazz, Funk and the finest nu-Brazilian beats. MONDAYS – GUANABARA SOCIAL CLUB FREE ENTRYWith a guest DJ and soundtrack every Monday, prepare yourself for 'The Guanabara Social Club', the perfect way to unwind and start your week the right way, with a cultural assault on your senses. This is the perfect way to sample Brazilian and London culture with live music and Guanabara's exclusive 'Silent Cinema'. Come and enjoy Brazilian street food and participate in FREE Samba classes with Rosa Nazira. Be ready to take to the dance floor between 7.30 and 8pm. Check out our website for the most up-to date film showings. TUESDAYS – ZUMBAFREE ENTRY (£5 FOR EACH CLASS)Join us for Zumba classes every Tuesday at Guanabara with your friends and colleagues; it's like going to the best party around! Zumba is the latest Latin dance fitness craze. Using Merenge, Cumbia, Salsa, Samba, Reggaeton music and dance moves, this unique fitness class is set to get your heart pumping and your feet tapping, it's easy-to-follow moves means you can join in immediately and before you know it you'll be hooked! Classes start at 6.30 and 7.30pm very week. Be ready to hit the dance floor for some seriously fun exercising! Plus a guest DJ to carry on the party till late. WEDNESDAYS – GUANABARA SAMBA SCHOOL £5 AFTER 9PMFrom our infamous Cocktail, Samba Percussion and Capoeira Masterclasses, Breakdancers and Brazilian street food to Afrobeat, Pop, House, Nu Disco, Wednesday night is the new Super Cool. Encompassing all forms of culture, that have been influenced by and exposed to Brazil, South America and its many regions. Cocktail MasterClassesWe demonstrate 3-5 cocktails of your choice including the history of each drink, and background on building cocktails then teams create their own masterpiece using mystery ingredients. You make it, name it, we judge it. Everyone who participates gets a free cocktail to try, so bring your friend along have fun learning and tantalising your taste buds! Samba Percussion MasterClassesLearn the art of the Sambista. From beginners to advanced or just for fun, join us every Wednesday for our Percussion/Bataria workshops. April 06 – Cocktail/Percussion Masterclasses* & Samba Lessons April 13 – Cocktail/ Percussion Masterclasses* & Samba Lessons April 20 – Cocktail/ Percussion Masterclasses* & Samba Lessons April 27 – Cocktail/ Percussion
The Brazilian Post
Masterclasses* & Samba Lessons *To take part in any of our Masterclasses, you will need to book in advance. Please call on 02072428600. THURSDAYS – BRAZIL WORLD SERIES PRESENTS: £5 AFTER 9PMEvery Thursday Guanabara blends the best of Brazilian and South American music with House, Funk, Latin beats and live music. It's a perfect example of the rhythms that make Brazilian music famous worldwide. The night maintains the spirit of an 'All Night Party' to get you going to the weekend with guest DJ's and dance lessons every week.
London by Night
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FRIDAYS – FAVELA BLOCPARTY £10 AFTER 9PM No other night in London can you expect a tropical riot of dance sounds and an eclectic mix of global music with a Latin twist! The atmosphere of FAVELA BLOCPARTY is completed with special live acts alongside live percussion, Capoeira, DJ's and our infamous Samba shows. This is the way to start any weekend! April 01 – LIVE BALANCO TROPICAL / DJ's SIX 3 April 08 – LIVE NOTA 10 / DJ ADAM JONES April 15 – LIVE QUEJO PROCESSADO / DJ SIX-3 April 22 – LIVE CLUB POPOZUDA FT MINIBLOCO ELECTRICO / VARIOUS GUESTS April 29 – LIVE EASTER CARNIVAL SPECIAL SPECIAL EVENT: Club Popozuda, 22nd April 2011 8PM to 3AM FREE before 9pm, £10 after
GUANABARA'S edule April Sch
SPECIAL EVENT: Sun Dance, Thurs 21st April, 5PM-2.30AM Line Up: DJ's Sophie Lloyd, Matthew Bandy, Juan 1, Manish and friends. Live performers: Ntoumos, Jan Sam and Bongo Man. Admission: Free before 9pm / £5 After SPECIAL EVENT: Brazilian Love Affair , Thurs 28th April, 5PM-late The night will consist of 3 DJ's playing a selection of Brazilian, afro-latin house with elements of jazz, funk/fusion and salsoul. DJ Soul Provyder (Soul Solution Soundsystem) Jorge Montiel (Los Charly's Orchestra), Dante (offthemeters.com) Musicians: A selection of members from Los Charly's Orchestra and Latin Dub Soundsystem. Live percussion and horn section!
Club Popozuda brings together the very best international DJs and artists to pr vide a uniquely global blend of music designed to make you dance. This is Lo don's biggest and best baile funk night but you can also expect some samba, tecnobrega (from Belém in the state of Paraná, south Brazil) and much more bootyshaking beats from around the world. Experience for yourself why Club Popozuda has gained a loyal and fun-loving following and a reputation as one of the best nights out in London taking place at Guanabara on Friday 22nd April. DJ's: AMY GRANTE, JOAO BRAZIL, THE BUMPS AND LIVE MUSIC FROM MINIBLOCO ELECTRICO SATURDAYS – BRAZIL ROCKS £10 AFTER 8PM Guanabara and Brazil Rocks bring the vibrant, exciting and dynamic culture of contemporary Brazil to the heart of Central London. The world's best Capoeira, Brazilian circus performers some of South America and Europe's leading live music artists and DJ's make for an unforgettable Saturday night. April 02 – LIVE MARACANGALA FT GUSTAVO MARQUES / DJ BRAZILIAN KNIGHTS April 09 – LIVE GUANABARA ALL-STARS / DJ SIX-3 April 16 – LIVE RHYHTMS OF THE CITY /DJ SIX-3 April 23 – LIVE PARAISO SAMBA SCHOOL / DJ's BRAZILIAN KNIGHTS. April 30 - LIVE EASTER CARNIVAL SPECIAL EVERY SUNDAY – Forró£5 AFTER 8PM Forró is the longest running weekly Brazilian night in the country. A night where you can get a true taste of Brazil, packed wall to wall with the very people that gave birth to the sounds of Samba. Forró is European, African and indigenous rhythms and has its own distinctive dance. Arrive early for free Forró lessons and 50% off food before 7.30PM.
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Fashion
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Chloe, 29
Zaza Oliva our Cool Hunter takes from the streets the latest fashion trends and tells you where to find what you're looking for. Clothes and accessories that fit your style and budget.
South Korea/fashion designer Sunglasses: H&M:£7 T-Shirt: Uniqlo:£10 Denim Jacket: Levi's by vintage shop:£20 Skirt: American Apparel:£40 Trainers: Pony:£40 Market bag: £2 Music: Rock Best thing of London: Mix of culture
Sophia, 20 British/acting student Top: Top Shop:£15 Jacket: New Look:£25 Belt: Primark:£5 Denim: Calvin Klein:£70 Bag: Miu Miu:£650 Trainers: Nike:£70 Music: Major Laiser Best thing of London: Clubbing
COOL HUNTER BY
Holly, 21
ZAZA OLIVA
British/psicology student Sunglasses: Ray Ban:£120 T-Shirt: American Apparel:£10 Shorts: Levi's by vintage shop:£15 Trainers: Converse:£30 Music: R&B Best thing of London: Night life
Remy, 21
French/music producer Sunglasses: Ray Ban:£110 Shirt: Uniqlo:£30 Jeans: Meltin Pot:£30 Socks: Decaton:£2 Shoes: Vans:£30 Music: electronic music Best thing of London: Parties
Joohee, 27 Megan, 18 British/art student Necklaces: Made by herself Dress: Top Shop:£36 Belt: Vintage Shop:£10 Tights: Marks & Spencer:£7 Shoes: Office:£70 Music: ecletic music Best thig of London: interesting people
South Korea/graphic designer Hat: Top Shop:£5 Sunglasses: Cutier and Cross:£279 T-Shirt: Uniqlo:£15 Blazer: Philip Lim:£150 Trousers: Korea Market:£7 Trainers: Converse:£30 Brown bag: Korea Market:£20 Black bag: made by herself Music: Indie Rock Best thing of London: Arts, design and events
Erika, 19 Sweden/sales assistant Sunglasses: Monky:£10 Shirt: Vintage Shop:£8 Shorts: H&M:£20 Tights: Tesco:£4 Shoes: Vagabond:£120 Bag: Vintage Shop:£45 Music: Indie Rock Best thing of London: You can be whatever you want to be
The Brazilian Post
What’s Up
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
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16 of April 10:00 - 18:00 Free entry Dogstar 389 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LQ Information: 0872 148 3514
Circolombia
Royal Family The individual members of the Royal Family are pictured in this exhibition by artists that depicted them through art in different ways. A few examples of what you will find at this peculiar exhibition are art works as the paintings of Princesses Eugenie and Princesses Beatrice as classical goddesses by Tony Dant, a photo portrait of Kate and Prince William in bed, which artist Alison Jackson created using lookalike models, among a range of other works that represent the interpretation of our contemporary artists on the Royal Family.
Art at The Bridge The Tower Bridge and Thames river are the themes of this interesting exhibition at Tower Bridge. Featuring sculptures, paintings and photographies, the focus of the event is all the subjects related to the history of these unique landmarks. In display you will find art work by artists like Martin Cottis - sculptures, Simona Pianttieri and Jo Hutton - 1200 Tones - a three minutes film explaining how the lifting system works to raise the bridge and Nash Francis with his oil paintings. Till 30/06 9:30 - 18:00 £3.40 - £8.00 Tower Bridge Tower Hill, SE1 2UP
Til 02/05 10:00 - 18:00 Free Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Southbank, Se1 8XX Information: 0871 971 4345
The Fantastic Miro's World Renowned as one of the greatest Surrealist painters, Miró worked in a rich variety of styles creating, through colours and the imaginary, his own fascinating world with his unique art. The exhibition is set to become one of his most important in here considering it is Miró's first major retrospective in almost 50 years in London. Showcasing 150 paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints, this show is not all about beauty but also a dark side of the master, a reflection which encapsulate Miró's political commitment resulted from a turbulent period in European history. From 14/04 to 11/09 10:00 - 18:00 £15.50 Tate Modern 53 Bankside, Southwark, SE1 9TG Information: 020 7887
Crafty Fox Easter Market
At Home in Japan The domestic Japanese life is uncovered by this exhibition at Geffrye Museum where visitors will find out about contemporary Japanese life through a variety of aspects of the home – from decoration, display, furniture and the thalami mat, to eating, sleeping, 'gifting', cleaning and hygiene and worship represented through a range of photographs, objects and some entire ambients. The Geffrye Museum is also supporting the Japanese Red Cross by collecting donations. Till 29/08 10:00 - 17:00 Tues-Sat, 12:00 17:00 Sun £3.00 - £5.00 Geffrye Museum 136, Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8EA
To get a jump on the Easter rush in anticipation for Easter weekend. Next week for one day only there is a 'Crafty Fox Easter Market'. So get yourselves along and delight yourself with the nicest and most creative seasonal gifts on offer. Besides the opportunity of buying a pretty hand made treat for your loved ones you will also be able to try your hands at crafting and create your own personal gifts in the Easter workshop.
The National School of Circo Para Todos, an institution created specifically for the disadvantage young people in Colombia, will bring to Roundhouse's stage lots of acrobatics tricks and music performance. This exuberant spectacle explores the Colombian street style where reggaeton and hip hop are mixed with the Colombian culture and a freestyle portrait of society. Till 16/04 Saturdays 14:30 and 19:30 £5 - £20 Roundhouse Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH Information: 0844 482 8008
Late nights at 1001 Cafe Friday Night Skate If you are a skate lover do not miss it out. Every Friday you have a chance to meet new friends and also exercise yourself having the beautiful night London landscapes to inspire you. Both, experienced or not, choose from the two routes options, blue for intermediates or black for advanced, and try to complete 10 to 12 miles of pure fun and adrenaline. You must bring your own skates and it is recommended to wear elbow, knee pads and a helmet. Till February 2012 Free Every Friday 20:00 Hyde Park Bayswater, W2 2UH Meeting point: The Duke of Wellington Arch
Enjoy cult events at 1001 Cafe. The famous venue located at the hectic Brick Lane, in East London, has always something different to offer. With a lounge space where the habitués spred themselves on the confort of the sofas to surfing on internet or chat while sipping a delicious fresh coffe, the place become a tradicional meet point for the young crowd that circulates arond that area. Even if you are not in the chilling out mood, beside the confy area you can enjoy good music as well. Try some serious movement and hit the dance floor at the Puppet Parade nights (16/04 from Midnight to 8AM) at the warehouse space, plenty of house acid house, tecno and certainly lots of fun. 16/04 Open time: 6:00 to Midnight Monday to Saturday / Sundays 6:00 to 23:00 1 Dray Walk, 91, Brick Lane E1 6QL Information: 020 7247 9679
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Sacred Chat
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Mind, body and self There are three aspects to an individual. His persona as people think he is, as he himself thinks he is, and what he actually is.
People judge you mostly by your outward manifestation in terms of your personality, attire, the way you carry yourself and your status in society. You judge yourself by what you think you are capable of doing, while others judge you by what you have already done. An individual's perception about himself is mostly coloured by the twin conditions of self- importance and ego, albeit in varying degrees. Very few are keen to find out the real Self hidden within to ascertain one's true identity. Knowledge of the Self is one of the most important fundamentals of philosophy. "It seems to me ridiculous", said Socrates, "when I am not able to know myself, to investigate irrelevant things." Augustine puts across the importance of Self-realisation a bit differently in his `Confessions' to convey the same meaning, "Men travel to gaze upon mountain heights and the waves of the sea, broad-flowing rivers and the expanse of the ocean, and pass by themselves." In Self- awareness there is immense joy. The Self is chetana, supra- consciousness, the knowledge of pure existence. All the pain and misery is a result of not knowing the Self. The divine in us manifests itself only when we subject ourselves to certain disciplines. The divine operates in us, but it requires an effort to make it shine forth. The epistemological corollary is that man gets knowledge by looking inward, either at his own consciousness or at the revelations it receives from another superior consciousness.
ARIES If you have been hiding your intentions in the past, now you make them crystal clear. There is a strong feeling that no one should be running the show but you, but before you impulsively assert control, it is worth considering just how skillful are the people around you, and how much they are working for your own agenda. There is truly a new start for you now, bringing a dramatic expansion of your horizons. However you must consider the delicate balance that maintains existing positive relationships. Some Arians will receive good news while others will simply feel more optimistic but however your hope and faith is replenished.
TAURUS This is a harmonious period in your life with a focus on clearing up social relationships so that you have the time to make a commitment to serve the community. Far more is going on in your life than meets the eye, and you are currently wrestling with internal issues that threaten to shortcut your beliefs and inner calm. You are being challenged to re-energize your spiritual life, and this is an excellent time for work on an inner level. Many successful ventures begin with a dream and if ever there was a time to have a big dream it is now. These influences may not reveal their potential at this stage but when you see a green light don’t slow down.
GEMINI With your sign ruler Mercury moving retrograde, you have the opportunity to go back over issues in your social life that have caused temperatures to rise, probably because new initiatives have disturbed the status quo. But this week a
real troublemaker enters the midst with an agenda for revolutionary change. This definitely stirs up the ant’s nest, and you will probably find that the important alliances in your life change unrecognizably over the next month or so. When putting your money or your heart into an endeavour, do not rely on verbal agreements; check all the facts and construct a safety net of some description.
CANCER As if the radical changes over the last few months in your career were not enough, this week starts on an explosive note. A leader figure can wreak havoc in your professional life by proposing new initiatives that risk sabotaging what has existed up to now. The question is whether such radical moves are crucial and timely, or whether they cause too much disruption. What is called on from you is leadership and perspective so you could thrust your energies into a whole new project if required. Showing courage and confidence may be an act at first but in no time at all you’ll be borne along by the momentum of events.
LEO There is so much to do, so many people to meet, and there are wise and experienced people out there who only have one missing ingredient – you. This is a time for brave, some would say mad, initiatives. Plans that you may have thought too risky a while back need to be re-examined. Whatever you lacked in the past you have plenty of now. Just do it. Basically you have an extremely good overview right now, and you are attracting a good deal of attention from the right people. Have confidence in your skills, believe in those who are offering you their love or backing, and
don’t allow memories of past hurts and failures to cloud your vision.
VIRGO This time brings a completely new tone to your love life and relationships. You need to go with the flow, because you are not going to be able to micromanage other people now. Let it be. What works for you this week is to return to previous issues that you have been discussing. You need to work hard at compromise. Impulsive actions, especially economically, can cause chaos. Should you be about to join an organization or commit to a long-term association, carry out a thorough background check. In some instances, you may underestimate someone but you will also be vulnerable to projecting unrealistic virtues and vices onto others.
LIBRA This week, the cosmos puts a strong emphasis on lasting commitments to personal and professional partnerships. Strong individuals dominate relationships and have pioneering plans which can bring a lot of excitement into your life. However, with some troublemaker planetary influences, the indications are that there may be surprise disruptions in your relations with others. You need to take care, because there may be destructive moves aimed at you. But for the same influences, these moves can even turn out to be favorable opportunities - A torn relationship can be repaired, a lost love returned and a negative turned into a positive.
SCORPIO With your sign ruler Mars now strongly placed in Aries, you are feeling dynamic and longing to take independent initiatives,
What is the difference between man and animal? When we look at animals, with their perceptual and instinctive consciousness, we observe the inadequacy of the principle of life. As life outreaches matter, so does the mind outreach life. There are forms of life without consciousness but there can be no consciousness without life. The mind in an animal is of a rudimentary character. As humans, we have the play of intelligence. Intelligence frames concepts and ideals, plans means for realisation. Conditioning of the mind is the most important theme of Indian philosophy and the first step towards Self-realisation. The body is called kshetra, the field, and within it dwells the owner of the body and the Supreme Lord, who knows both the body and the owner of the body. Perfect knowledge of the constitution of the body, construction of individual soul, and the constitution of the Super-soul is known as jnana. To understand both the soul and the Super-soul as one, yet as being distinct, is knowledge. According to the Bhagavad Gita, one who studies the subject matter of the field of activity as well as the knower of the field can attain to knowledge. The prayer of every heart is outlined in Hinduism, in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad thus: “Asato maa sadgamaya, / tamaso maa jyotirgamaya, / mrityorma amritamgamaya." -- "Lead me from the unreal to the real, /Lead me from darkness to the light, / Lead me from death to immortality."
especially at work. Any restrictions on your freedom of movement can easily make you explode. Your patience is low, but if you can find an exciting and pioneering project, you can act fast and decisively. If you want to keep the job you’re in, you must show initiative but avoid provocation. If you are bored with your work, then sparks will fly and you may move on. Regardless of the mistakes others have made or the pain they have given you, it may be in your best interests to start over with that person or that group.
SAGITTARIUS This week, you should not hesitate to promote yourself and your creative abilities, and if you get the balance right between selling yourself and adjusting to certain limitations, long term success can come your way. This is also an amazing time for children - for having them, or having adventures with them. Your love life can be pretty spicy too or is on the way to be. Indeed, an offer or idea appearing now could be the very thing to put you back on top. Follow your intuition, even if it means going back over ground you’d prefer to leave behind. With Mercury in retrograde for a little while longer, journeys into the past have a purpose.
CAPRICORN A new start in family life and pioneering initiatives and adventures in on the cards. This may well be a time of professional success for partners, and for you too, there should be a consolidation of career progress. Strange things may also be happening in your domestic environment, and there may be troubles connected with unpredictable males who have an agenda for change and disruption. Making a new beginning is appropriate now,
however you do so and in whatever part of life. You’ve been through something of a rough patch recently and perhaps been forced to leave something behind. Do not worry, that was just a spot of bother.
AQUARIUS The emphasis on your area of communication shows amazing mental development. You meet the wildest people and your network expands exponentially. With so much input coming in there can be moments of stress when you impulsively say things you may later regret. Also other people can shock you in some ways. Maintain your perspective and keep above it all. You are reasonably untouchable, and you benefit from the stability of mature relationships. Partners may be in a wild expansion process, and you provide an excellent counterbalance. Planning a journey in the next couple of weeks is perfectly in-sync with your stars.
PISCES You may well sense that your life is not exactly under your control, there are bigger forces at play. This need not stop you taking radical new initiatives for improving your financial situation and material life. Nothing is predictable here, and there may be strong gains and sudden losses all at the same time. As a general rule, from this point on, get everything in writing and seek unbiased advice; while your dreams may indeed be on their way to fulfilment there’s also a major trend for lost plots and lost hearts. Not this week, though, for now everything is looking peach-perfect. Go, enjoy!
World
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Gauguin painting attacked by woman A woman who attacked a painting by Paul Gauguin hanging in the National Gallery in Washington DC said the French artist was "evil", court records show. Susan Burns pounded Two Tahitian Women and tried to rip it from a gallery wall last Friday, officials said. The 1899 painting, which depicts two women's bare breasts, was behind a plastic cover and was unharmed. She was charged with attempted theft and destruction of property and is being held pending a mental evaluation. On Friday afternoon the accused slammed her hands against the plexiglass cover between the canvas and the frame. A museum security officer intervened and detained her. Ms Burns, 53, from Virginia, told police she thought the painting should be burned, according to court records viewed by media sources. "I feel that Gauguin is evil," she was quoted as telling police. "He has nudity and is bad for the children. He has two women in the painting and it's
very homosexual." The 94cm by 75.4cm (37in by 30in) oil-on-canvas painting is on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is expected to go back on display, National Gallery spokeswoman Deborah Ziska said. The work depicts two serene, golden-skinned Tahitian women offering a bowl of flowers. "The painting captures Gauguin's mythical idea of Tahiti as a paradise of beautiful, mysterious women," museum curators write. The incident was the first act of vandalism at the museum since the 1970s, when over the course of about five years, one man destroyed a Renaissanceera chair and another defaced 25 works, including by Renoir and Henri Matisse, with a "sharp object", Ms Ziska said.
Quran-burning US ditches US pastor adds Yemen's more fuel to fire President Saleh The United States, which long supported Yemen's president, even in the face of recent widespread protests, has now quietly shifted positions and has concluded that he is unlikely to bring about the required reforms and must be eased out of office, according to American and Yemeni officials. The Obama administration had maintained its support of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and refrained from criticizing him in public, even as his supporters fired on peaceful demonstrators, as he was considered a critical ally in fighting the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida. This position has fueled criticism of the US in some quarters for hypocrisy. While US officials have not publicly pressed Saleh to go, they have told allies that they now view his hold on office as untenable, and they believe he should leave. A Yemeni official said the American position changed when negotiations with Saleh on the terms of his potential departure began recently. Those negotiations now center on a proposal for Saleh to hand over power to a provisional government led by his vice president.
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The US pastor, whose burning of a Quran sparked deadly violence in Afghanistan, has called for "immediate" US and UN action against its perpetrators, saying the whole religion of Islam must be held accountable. "Islam is not a religion of peace," Dove World Outreach Centre pastor Terry Jones said in a statement issued after seven foreign UN workers had been killed in Afghanistan by protesters angered by the Quran burning, in the deadliest attack on the UN there since the 2001 invasion. "The time has come to hold Islam accountable," he added. Jones called the killings "a very tragic and criminal action." "The US government and the UN itself, must take immediate action," he continued . "We must hold these countries and people accountable for what they have done as well as for any excuses they may use to promote their terrorist activities." The controversial evangelical pastor said he and his supporters demanded action from the UN. "Muslimdominated countries can no longer be allowed to spread their hate against Christians and minorities," he said. "They must alter the laws that govern their countries to allow for individual freedoms and rights, such as the right to worship, free speech, and to move freely without fear of being attacked or killed." Jones said he did not feel responsible for the Afghanistan killings. "We don't feel responsible for that. The radical element of Islam takes that as an excuse to promote their violent activities."
Japan dumps toxic water into the Pacific Tokyo Electric Power Company has began dumping over 11,000 tons of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, mostly to make room in storage containers for increasing amounts of far more contaminated runoff. The water, most of it to be released over two days, contains about 100 times the legal limit of radiation, Tokyo Electric said. The more contaminated water has about 10,000 times the legal limit. The effort would help workers clearing radioactive water from the turbine buildings at the damaged reactors, making it less dangerous to reach some of the most crucial controls for their cooling systems, which were knocked out by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan on March 11.
The hopes are that the cooling systems can be revived and bring the plant back under control. But the pumping effort is not expected to halt, or even alter, the gushing leak from a large crack in a six-foot-deep pit next to the seawater intake pipes near Reactor No. 2. Tokyo Electric said it would dump 4,800 tons of water a day for two days. An additional 1,500 tons will also be released from the No. 5 and No. 6 reactors, after runoff was found flooding parts of their turbine buildings.
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World
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Russia bid farewell to Soviet film queen Thousands of Russians on saturday last week queued to pay a final farewell to the grande dame of Soviet cinema whose death robbed millions of one of their best-loved links to the past. Lyudmila Gurchenko, who died on last Wednesday aged 75, starred in a sequence of hit Soviet films that are watched to this day, winning hearts with her radiant voice and sweet girl-next-door looks. In a dramatic final act to her life, thousands of Russians braved the late winter cold and long queues to file past her coffin in the Central House of Literature in Central Moscow. Meanwhile, her estranged daughter Maria, who reportedly had not spoken to her mother for years and only found out about her death from the media, made an unexpected appearance to lay flowers at the coffin. "An unbelievable number of people have come to say goodbye. She earned it. She always said that she worked for the people," said legendary Soviet and Russian film star Sergei Yursky. "A golden era has ended," added writer Mikhail Zhvanetsky. "This is her last full house." Weekend commuters on the Moscow metro, meanwhile, were serenaded by recordings of Gurchenko singing in some of her best loved films.
She was later buried in Moscow's famed Novodevichye cemetery after a funeral procession through Moscow led by a giant photograph of the iconic actress, watched by applauding onlookers.
Somali PM orders UN to return to Mogadishu
UN agencies involved in Somalia, but based in neighbouring Kenya for safety reasons, have been told to move to Mogadishu within three months. The order came from the prime minister of Somalia's UN-backed interim government, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. He said the UN had offices in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan which were "more dangerous than the Somali capital". Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda control much of the country. But the government, backed by African Union troops, has recently gained some ground in Mogadishu from the al-Shabab militants. Mr Mohamed said the security of the areas controlled by his government and its allies had improved a great deal. "This government has decided all UN agencies working for Somalia ought to move to Mogadishu within 90 days so that it will become easier for them to know the Somali situation," he told reporters in Mogadishu. Mohamed Mohamed, said that the weak transitional government has been trying to flex its muscles recently. Recently it announced it was extending its mandate for a year. It has also rejected an invitation by the UN to attend a reconciliation meeting on Somalia's future in the Kenyan capital, saying it should be held in Somalia. The UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, has urged all Somali leaders and groups to attend the gathering in Nairobi later this month. Somalia has not had a functioning national government since Siad Barre was ousted 20 years ago.
World
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China considers switch to solar photovoltaics to scale down N-power China is seriously considering to down size its massive expansion plan of nuclear plants in view of radiation crisis created by ruptured Japanese nuclear reactors and weighed option to double the target capacity of solar photovoltaics (PV) to meet future power requirements. China, world's largest PV producer, is seriously considering to increase the five year target for PV industry capacity from five gigawatts (GW) to 10 GW, said Shi Lishan, deputy director of the renewable energy department of the National Energy Administration (NEA) on last Wednesday. China's PV production hit about 4000 MW last year, with majority of products sold overseas. Shi's comments came amid reports that China may fine tune its nuclear power development plan as the nuclear leak crisis in Japan has triggered security concerns. China at present has 13 nuclear reactors and approved construction of 10 more mega nuclear reactors in addition to 25 currently being built to step up its nuclear power generation capacity to 86 GW by 2020 with a massive investment of $121.5 billion. According to China Nuclear Energy Association, China plans to build more than 60 reac-
tors by 2020 by that time nuclear power will account for five per cent of the 15 per cent power generation from renewable sources. But now China plans scale back its nuclear power projection to around three per cent, Sun Qin, the head of the China's nuclear plant operator, China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) said. Qin said there will be no changes in its plans to build more plants due Japanese radiation crisis, though safety standards will be beefed up. On March 16, Chinese Cabinet decided to halt new approvals of nuclear projects following crisis at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant. After this, China's National Nuclear Safety Administration ordered existing facilities to begin safety checks.
Son eyeing Gaddafi throne to end crisis
Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif el-Islam is proposing a resolution to the Libyan conflict that would entail his father relinquishing power for a transition to constitutional democracy under his son's direction, a diplomat with close ties to the Libyan government said, citing "eminent people" in Tripoli. But neither Gaddafi nor the rebels seeking his ouster appear ready to accept such a proposal, the diplomat said. Despite the evidence of deep internal discontent, Gaddafi appears to believe that rebellion against him is a foreign conspiracy of Islamist radicals and Western powers attempting to take over Libya, the diplomat said. And the rebels continue to insist on the exit from power of Gaddafi and his sons. “This is the beginning position of the opposition, and this is the beginning position of the Libyan government," this diplomat said. "But the bargaining has yet to begin." Speculation has swirled about a possible proposal from the Gaddafi camp since Saif's top aide, Mohamed Ismail, traveled to UK for undisclosed talks with the British several days ago.
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World
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Berlusconi sex Up to 150 migrants feared dead trial adjourned as boat capsizes near Italy The trial of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on charges of paying for sex with an underage prostitute has opened in Milan. Neither Mr Berlusconi nor the alleged prostitute, Karima El Mahroug, were in court, and the hearing was adjourned after only a few minutes, until 31 May. Mr Berlusconi is also accused of abuse of office by intervening to have Ms Mahroug released from police custody. He denies any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated. Mr Berlusconi faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty. However, most observers expect a long trial with frequent delays and legal challenges at every stage. Over the weeks and months ahead, 20,000 pages of evidence will be presented and about 40 women will be called as witnesses. Mr Berlusconi denies having sex last year with teenage nightclub dancer Ms Mahroug - better known as Ruby. She also denies having sex with Mr Berlusconi, or being a prostitute. Prosecutors allege that the Italian leader paid for sex with Ruby while she was still 17, an offence under Italian law. They maintain that the prime minister had sex with her on 13 occasions.
Up to 150 people are feared dead after a boat carrying migrants from north Africa to Italy capsized in stormy seas, according to the coastguard. The vessel, believed to have been transporting 200 people, sank at about 4am local time 40 miles south of the Italian island of Lampedusa. A total of 48 people were rescued, and 20 bodies have been recovered, Italy's Ansa news agency reported. Rough conditions and high winds have hampered rescue boats and a police chopper. Coastguards say the chance of finding more survivors is diminishing, particularly as they are unlikely to have lifejackets. More than a dozen bodies have been spotted in the sea. "We fear that many people may have died," a rescue official in Lampedusa said. The route to Lampedusa, less than 100 miles from the coast of Tunisia, has long been popular for those seeking a new life in Europe. The numbers involved have increased greatly since the collapse of the Tunisian government in mid-January. Almost 20,000 people, mostly young men from the country, have arrived on the island since the start of the year. A UN official reported than 400 migrants had died after two vessels that left Libya in late March disappeared en route to Italy. The influx of migrants into Lampedusa has seen thousands of new arrivals based temporarily in tent encampments, with many then moved elsewhere in the country on ferries chartered by the Italian government. Last Tuesday the interior minister, Roberto Maroni, signed an agreement with the Tunisian government to try to halt the flow, promising aid, police co-operation and the possible compulsory repatriation of illegal immigrants.
Tutu, Annan condemn Ivory Coast violence The Elders group of eminent global leaders, including Nobel laureates Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan, called on warring parties in Ivory Coast to ensure accountability for the killings there. "Former president Laurent Gbagbo must bear primary responsibility for the violence, which was sparked by his refusal to accept the election results and step down. His term is over and he must depart the political stage," The Elders said in a statement. "Meanwhile, former president Gbagbo and President Alassane Ouattara both bear responsibility for the actions of forces under their control," they said. "They must demand an immediate end to attacks on civilians and UN personnel. Hundreds of people have been killed in the west African country since strongman Gbagbo refused to cede power to his rival Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of the November elections. "I urge President Ouattara to commit publicly to a process of accountability. His actions and words in the coming days are critical to the future of Cote d'Ivoire," Tutu said. "The people need reconciliation, not retaliation," he added. Last week, forces loyal to Ouattara stepped up their military operations in a bid to dislodge Gbagbo, leaving scores dead. The UN reported that hundreds of people have been killed and the death toll is rising following news of mass killings in the western town of Duekoue. "The violence must stop and the atrocities and human rights abuses must be investigated. Those who have perpetrated these terrible crimes, in Duekoue and elsewhere, must be held accountable," said Annan. Ouattara forces said last Wednesday they had gone to remove Gbagbo from a bunker at his Abidjan residence where he was holed up and refusing to surrender.
Economy - Brazil
The Brazilian Post
25
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Brazil Real surges as market ignores tax hike
IN BRIEF: UK Companies: Capita pay strategy
Rio plans Russian diamond push
Outsourcer freezes base salaries of Executive directors Spotlight on ethics FTSE4Good index looks at governance, social and green Practices. BA surcharge blow Airline's fuel surcharge now at highest level in seven years
International Companies Bank fees lifeline Investments banks fees at pre-crisis levels, aided by State-owned clients Vale vote paves way Iron ore miner's investors vote to replace chief executive With former director WPP buys into Vice Sir martin Sorrell's WPP takes minority stake in New York group
Market & Investing Copper run warning China inflation measures could derail copper's bull market, say miners Brake on drivers Soaring petrol costs could see the US recovery Slip down a gear
Rio Tinto is planning a push into Russian diamond mining, eyeing a tie-up with Alrosa the stateowned miner, as the global industry looks ahead to rising demand from China amid tight supply constraints. Rio is understood to be a final contender to form a partnership with Alrosa to develop a large deposit near the northern port of Archangel, according to diamond market insiders. The company declined to comment on its intentions or on wider reports that Tom Albanese, chief executive, had travelled repeatedly over the past year to Russia, a country where Rio has no operations. Rio makes the bulk of its profits from iron ore but it is also a significant diamond miner, producing 13.8m carats last year, compared with De Beers' 33m and Alrosa's 34.3m. Alrosa exceeded De Beers' production for a second year. Rio's interest is understood to be focused on the Lomonosov deposit, which has estimated diamond reserves of 128m carats. Des Kilalea, analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said: "Several players have looked at it. "De Beers and others have had a look because Alrosa has made it clear they would like to do a joint venture there, the reason being that they need to spend billions on their other mines." Rio continues to be bullish about the diamond industry prospects as it develops a new mine in India, expands its flagship Australian mine and explores for new deposits in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A diamond industry executive said Rio was pursuing deposits round the Russian Archangel region. But he expressed surprise that a company of Rio's size would invest to expand its diamond position. Alrosa is preparing for an initial public offering of 20 to 25 per cent of its shares, its chief executive confirmed on Friday after reports last year in the Financial Times. This could be achieved, the report added, if a strategic stake "could be sold to a diversified mining company such as Rio Tinto or an investment company".
Brazil's real surged as investors saw Brazilian policymakers as willing to allow further gains in the currency to offset inflation pressure, while Mexico's and Chile's pesos were little changed. Brazil announced a minor tax increases on foreign to try to halt the real's appreciation, but the measure was far less drastic than many had feared. Brazil has tried a variety of measures to slow the real's gains, but analysts said authorities had few options besides severe capital controls that could spur sharp losses in the real and risk further inflaming inflation by increasing import costs. "In the near term, tolerance for currency strength looks increasingly a function of inflation expectations," RBS Securities analyst Flavia Cattan-Naslausky wrote in a note. Data showed consumer prices in Brazil rose more expected in March, pushing the annual inflation rate near the top of a government ceiling and putting more pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates. The real BRBY bid 1.05 percent stronger to 1.595 per dollar as it trades near its strongest levels since
August 2008. Analysts at RBS and Barclays Capital both see the real now firming to as strong as 1.50 per dollar as low interest rates in major developed economies like the United States and Japan boost the appeal of Brazil's double-digit debt yields. Still, a widening current account deficit and less favorable global liquidity conditions could cause Brazil's real to weaken slightly over the next year. Mexico's and Chile's pesos slipped from early gains as the dollar firmed against the euro after European Central Bank President JeanClaude Trichet said a 25 basis point interest rate hike was not necessarily the first in a series of increases. The weakness of the dollar against the euro had helped support Latin American currencies against the greenback. The Mexican peso pulled back from its 2-1/2 year intraday high in the previous session. Mexico's central bank chief signaled on Wednesday little worry about the peso's gains, casting doubt on speculation that Mexico could increase its pace of buying dollars.
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Economy - UK
The Brazilian Post
UK Economy: doing more with less After a week in which it emerged that Britons could afford to buy less at the end of last year than they could at the beginning, Economy Watch is bracing itself for the start of the government's new financial year. Official data showed that our pay packets purchased 0.8 per cent less at the end of 2010 than at the end of 2009 after taking account of inflation, the first time they have fallen year on year in three decades. Even in 1981, the last time this phenomenon was apparent, the drop was smaller. Mostly, the official explanation goes, this is because inflation has been rising much faster than pay. Data for the fourth quarter show we are consuming less generally and that we are spending more on what we have to buy – electricity, gas and other fuels – and less on what we want to buy, such as footwear and clothing. Not that that would surprise high street operators. A range of retailers recounted last week how soaring commodities prices and consumers too fearful to spend are making trading conditions tough. A closely watched survey of supermarkets noted that sales had fallen sharply in recent weeks and for the first time since July 2009, inflation is rising faster than sales. Hennes & Mauritz warned its profit margins were hit by high cotton prices, while Mothercare said its profits had taken a beating on heavy discounting of goods. The chief executive of Dixon's, the electricals group, issued a profits warning, saying that consumer confidence had collapsed since Christmas and cited the "chilling" effect of public sector workers waiting
to see whether they still had jobs. At Northern Rock, the stricken lender awaiting privatization, another 680 jobs are to go. But the lift that manufacturers are seeing from export demand is only partly reflected in salaries two surveys this week show that while wage settlements are posting bigger rises than a year ago – and rises that are ahead of the Bank of England's inflation target – these are still rising much more slowly than prices. Also, in a worrying sign that the economy may be weakening even before cuts to the public sector begin to bite, manufacturing growth slowed sharply in March. The manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to its lowest level since October, which some economists suggest could reflect the impact of the Japanese tsunami on the global supply chain. Over the first quarter as a whole, manufacturing output rose at the fastest pace since 1994. Britain's services sector – the nation's largest – bounced back in January after heavy snow in December, with businesses from financial services to hotels showing a rise. Economists expect this to make a significant contribution to output for the first quarter. And there was good news on the housing front, as a key lenders' index showed prices rising in March for the second month in a row. However, other data showed mortgage lending in the doldrums and lenders reported an unexpected pickup in foreclosures in the first quarter of the year. Economy Watch suspects that doing more with less will become the mantra for everyone in the new financial year.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
British economy ‘remains weak'
The British economy remains weak despite growing by an estimated 0.7% in the first quarter of this year, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research has warned. In the latest prediction that Britain's recovery from recession is faltering, the NIESR said the UK had probably only achieved "weak" average quarterly growth of 0.1% over the last six months. Robust growth since January had done little more than recover output that was lost in the final weeks of 2010 when heavy snow disrupted the economy, it said. The think-tank said the fragile situation made it almost certain that the Bank of England's monetary policy committee will leave interest rates unchanged at noon on Thursday. "This strong figure for the first quarter of this year is flattered by the economic impact of the adverse weather in the final quarter of last year," said the NIESR. "With the state of the recovery uncertain we expect the MPC to maintain the current monetary policy stance." The latest industrial output figures also suggested that the economy is running out of steam, having initially rebounded strongly from last December's wintry weather. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed a 1.2% drop in British industrial output in February. Manufacturing output was flat monthon-month, disappointing City analysts who expected growth of around 0.6%. Labour claimed the data from the NIESR and the ONS showed the government's economic policies were not working. "Our economy should not only be making up all the lost ground from the end of
last year but growing strongly on top of that," said Angela Eagle, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury. "But this disappointing forecast from NIESR would mean that over the last six months, and since George Osborne's spending review, the recovery has ground to a halt and our economy has barely grown at all. "The decline in industrial output, record low consumer confidence figures and poor retail sales add to the concerns." However, a spokesman for Osborne pointed out that the NIESR's forecast is similar to that of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, issued alongside the budget. "The OBR's own growth forecasts are predicated on some choppiness in the recovery," he said. Nida Ali, economic adviser to the Ernst & Young Item Club, was concerned by the lack of growth in the manufacturing sector in February, but cautioned against reading too much into a single month's figures. "The results, when coupled with a sharp slowdown in the manufacturing PMI for March, suggest that strength in the sector may be faltering," Ali said.
Tips on getting a tax refund from HMRC Thousands of taxpayers reporting delays in getting a tax refund due from HM Revenue & Customs but there are ways to navigate the system to get what is owed to you. Richard Mannion, national tax director at Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group tells Money Matters his top tips on how to speed up the process of getting a refund. Firstly, he points out that whether you are owed tax due to an overpayment of income tax, capital gains or other taxes, the same system applies. Here are his other suggestions: 1. Do not assume that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will automatically send you a cheque to pay your tax refund. They may think you would prefer to offset future tax bills with this 'credit'. So if you want your money to be re-paid rather than held on account, write to them and request payment. Keep a copy of your letter. 2. When you write, be sure to give your tax reference number, NI number and of course your full name and address (which should naturally agree with the records they already have on file for you). 3. If there is a delay of several weeks
telephone your local tax office to find out the reason for the hold-up and roughly how much longer it should take for the refund to come through.(Be sure of having to hand the information above). 4. If the payment has not reached you within, say, eight weeks, send a formal letter of complaint to the Complaint Manager at your local tax office explaining the position and how long you have been waiting. Complaint Managers have been instructed to deal with complaints about delayed refunds by organizing the repayment themselves, so you should get a response. Again, be sure to date your letter and keep a copy. Ideally, get proof of postage. 5. You should normally be paid interest from the date when the money was outstanding, but the current rate of interest is 0 per cent! Some of the longest delays are caused by HMRC needing to run security checks, and at first glance it seems there is little that one can do in those cases. However if everyone affected by security delays were to write and complain that might lead to more resource being directed to this work so as to speed up the process.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Economy - World
27
Consumers warned over deregulation of legal services
Lisbon bail-out estimated at €80bn Portugal's caretaker government has said it will submit a formal written request for a financial rescue package to the European Commission, becoming the third Eurozone country to seek a bail-out after Greece and Ireland. Pedro Silva Pereira, minister for the cabinet, said the request would take into account the fact that a caretaker government was administering Portugal until a general election on June 5. "The solutions found will have to take into account the limitations of the current government," he told a news conference. The formal request follows an announcement on Wednesday night by José Sócrates, outgoing prime minister, that Portugal had decided to ask the European Union for emergency support to ensure that it could continue to finance its debt. Mr Pereira Silva declined to specify how much aid Portugal was seeking, over what period or on what conditions. "This is not the moment" to discuss these matters, he said, adding that the formal request contained no pre-conditions and did not refer to any specific amount of aid. He said the Commission had already informed the government that it was "fully disposed" to help Portugal and would send a delegation of EU and European Central Bank officials to Lisbon for talks on the bailout. Economists expect Portugal to negotiate a EU-led bail-out totaling €70bn-€80bn ($100bn-$114bn) to finance its public debt and support its banks over the next three years. Analysts expressed misgivings on Thursday over the ability of rival political parties to compromise over the austerity measures and economic reforms that will be required as conditions for receiving aid. However, shares in Portuguese banks leapt as the market priced in the likely funding support for lenders. The assistance will ease the pressure on banks that have seen their credit ratings cut to "dangerous levels never experienced before", Mr Sócrates, said on Wednesday evening as he announced he had requested emergency aid. Espirito Santo gained 5.8 per cent to €3.04, Banco BPI rose 4.5 per cent to €1.31, while Millennium was up 4.6 per cent to €0.62. Lisbon's PSI 20 index rose 1.2 per cent to 7911.17. Portuguese government bonds were steady on Thursday, LCH.Clearnet, Europe's biggest independent clearing house by volume, imposed an additional 15 per cent fee in margin requirements for the trading of
Portuguese sovereign bonds. The 10-year Portuguese yield spread over Germany pushed above 450 basis points last week, a level considered by the market to be the trigger for the increase. Christoph Weil, an economist with Commerzbank, said Lisbon would need €35bn to redeem government bonds and a further €25bn to finance its public deficit to mid-2014. Emergency EU support would also probably cover potential liquidity injections into banks, he said in a report. Luigi Speranza, an economist with BNP Paribas, said a rescue package of €75bn€80bn would represent about 45 per cent of Portugal's annual gross domestic product, about the same proportion as the bail-out packages for Greece and Ireland. Franceso Garzarelli, of Goldman Sachs Global Economics, said a rescue package of €70bn-€80bn would probably be funded in equal parts by the EU and the International Monetary Fund. The interest rate Portugal would pay on EU loans would probably be aligned with those of Greece, at about 1 percentage point below the rate paid by Ireland, Mr Garzarelli wrote in a report. Ireland's rate would also probably be lowered to same level paid by Greece, he said. EU leaders decided on March 11 that the interest charged on EFSF loans to distressed eurozone countries should be lower than market rates by differing amounts according to the maturity of the loans. Mr Sócrates, a centre-left socialist, said on Wednesday he would negotiate a rescue package that was in the "best interests of Portugal". Pedro Passos Coelho, leader of the centre-right Social Democrats, the main opposition party, said he would support the negotiations. The opposition leader added, however, that the caretaker government should negotiate only a "minimum aid framework", leaving a "more substantial" package to be negotiated by the government that emerges from the June 5 election. This leaves open the possibility that Mr Sócrates will begin preliminary negotiations to secure immediate aid until a new government can begin discussions on a full EFSFand IMF-backed programme. Portugal's political limbo ahead of the election also raises the question of how EU and IMF officials will be able to secure any immediate commitment to the austerity measures and structural reforms that Portugal will be required to implement in return for aid.
The legal ombudsman has warned that consumers will need to take even greater care checking the regulatory status of firms offering legal services when the legal world experiences its equivalent of the big bang this autumn. Chief ombudsman Adam Sampson says his team has not been able to deal with many of the complaints brought to the service because consumers have unknowingly bought services from people who are not qualified as solicitors. He believes that problems arising from this lack of understanding are likely to increase once new providers, including supermarkets and banks, enter the market in October. Some services such as conveyancing, will writing, divorce, and no win, no fee can already be conducted by people who are not qualified lawyers, provided the case does not become contentious. But while their services are often cheaper, it means the client has no redress to the professional bodies responsible for regulating solicitors or the ombudsman if things go wrong. And Sampson believes even more people will become confused about what they are buying and from whom from 6 October when reformation of the legal sector means non-law businesses or alternative business structures (ABS) can move into legal services. Although companies such as the Co-op and Halifax, as ABSs, will provide regulated legal services, their entrance to the market could further blur the distinction between regulated and nonregulated activities still further.
Sampson cites the example of a man who approached a high street solicitor about writing his will. The solicitor introduced him to someone he believed to be a direct colleague who drew up the will. But when the will turned out to be deficient and he complained to the solicitor's firm, he was told the will writer was not a solicitor or part of the solicitor's firm, but actually working for a subsidiary providing non-regulated services. "In that case we decided there was sufficient grounds to take the complaint on because the will writing firm was owned by the solicitor concerned," Sampson said. "But we've seen lots of cases where people have had deficient wills where we haven't been able to help. This problem will only increase as the legal services market reforms, and internet-based provision and commoditization of legal services increases." Since it was established six months ago the legal ombudsman has received about 40,000 phone calls, letters and emails, but it has only taken on about 4,000 as complaints and has completed almost 1,500 cases. Other complaints concern the length of time taken to complete a legal service and the total cost. "This is usually due to a failure on the part of the lawyer and the customer to form a joint view of expectations," Sampson said. He recommends that clients should establish right at the very beginning what it is the lawyer is going to do for them, a timescale, and how much they are going to charge, although this will in most cases be an estimate.
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Economy
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
BRAZIL: in High-frequency trading Samba dancers, football, carnival, bikini-clad women, rum and high-frequency trading. The final item on this list might not normally come to mind when you think of Brazil, but it should. Brazil's ambition is to become a type of Latin American mecca for "high-frequency traders" and the country's exchange BM&FBovespa has poured huge amounts of money into its trading platform and offered steep discounts in a bid to make that happen. Although high-frequency trading only really got going in Brazil in the middle of 2009, it now accounts for about 6 per cent of the exchange's total volume and is growing fast. Last month, the volume of equity trades carried out through direct market access – where traders use a broker's membership to trade on BM&FBovespa – hit a record high, rising 16.4 per cent from February. As a testament to that growth, Brazil hosted Latin America's first ever high-frequency trading conference earlier this month, bringing about 230 young "quants", software developers and mostly buy-side investors to one of São Paulo's most luxurious hotels. "None of us dreamed a couple of years ago that we would be talking about high-frequency trading," said Nilson Monteiro from the city's Link Investimentos brokerage. "We now receive weekly visits from new companies wanting to learn about it, which shows that it's here to stay in Brazil." But out in the lobby during coffee breaks, one word kept cropping up: monopoly. The dominant position of BM&FBovespa's exchange is still a big concern and considered one of the main barriers to the development of high-frequency trading in the country. "The exchange has to change for high frequency to flourish – traders need fragmented markets," said David Clayden, US director of sales at Automated Trader. Although BATS Global Markets recently teamed up with Claritas, the Brazilian asset manager, to consider building a new exchange, there are doubts about whether it would be able
to create its own clearing house or even just get basic regulatory permission. If other areas of Brazil's economy are anything to go by nowadays, such as the oil and mining sectors, it seems that the government is seeking more control not less and favouring centralisation over "fragmentation". Technology is another big question mark. "Here we have higher-frequency trading not really high-frequency trading," said Hamilton Araujo, managing director of Alphastream. "It all depends on the exchange to improve their infrastructure." On this issue, investors are much more confident, espe-
cially about BM&FBovespa's plans to roll out a new matching engine to reduce "latency" – messaging speed. Derivatives are expected to go live on the new platform this year and equities in 2012. However, in general, the immaturity of the high frequency trading industry in Brazil may actually work in its favour. Many hours during the two-day conference were taken up just talking about the May 6 "flash clash" in the US, and the damage it has done to the image of high-frequency trading around the world. "Not so long ago people thought you were evil!" Garrett Nenner, global markets managing director at Momentum Trading Partners, told the audience on the second day of the conference. The erroneous assumption that high-frequency trading was at the root of the flash crash made the practice very unpopular with the man on the street, he said. "Trading electronically has been looked at with fear because of the general public's misunderstanding of what you are doing." But the Brazilian faces in the audience looked back at him blankly. The image of high-frequency trading is much more benign in Brazil. This is because most people still know very little about the practice but also because there is the feeling that Brazil will take a more cautious approach than mature markets to the north. As is the case with mortgage lending in Brazil, highfrequency trading is growing at exactly the right moment – when the memories of the crises in the US and Europe are still fresh enough to provide useful warning signs. This will make Brazil's adoption of it smarter and safer, its creators say. “The exchange has also put it very pragmatically, explaining how [high-frequency trading] increases liquidity," says Delfos Machado, head of Latin American trading at HSBC. "I don't see the same hysteria that people have in the States. That crisis only lasted 15 minutes. Honestly, if you're a retail guy you didn't even notice."
Rubber cultivation in South America booms as prices soar Until recently, few shared it in Colombia, where pests and poor soil were thought to make rubber plantations unfeasible. Southeast Asia is the source of 94% of the world's rubber supply. The success of the 1,200-acre Mavalle operation was considered an anomaly. Colombia accounted for only a tiny fraction of the 11 million tons of rubber harvested worldwide last year. But the doubling of rubber prices since 2007 to about $2.25 per pound, along with advances in soil management, are once again spurring interest in the cultivation of rubber in South America. Giant agribusinesses as well as small entrepreneurs are planting thousands of acres in this sparsely populated region, hoping to cash in. In Colombia, rubber tree planting has increased tenfold over the last decade to 25,000 acres, a figure that could triple again by 2016. Last year's harvest of 3,200 tons of rubber is projected to reach 35,000 tons by 2020. Driving rubber prices higher are brisk car sales in China, India and other emerging nations. That has created a corresponding demand for tires, which soak up 70% of the world's natural rubber production, said Raul Nizo, the business manager for Mavalle, which is owned by Colombian billionaire Luis Carlos Sarmiento. China is the world's largest car market, with 13.8 million vehicles sold last year — a 33% increase from2009. Although growth is expected to slow from that torrid pace, the market continues to expand. SAIC Motor Corp, China's biggest automaker, expects its 2011 vehicle sales to rise 12% to about 4 million units. Advances in agriculture are aiding Latin American rubber farmers as well. Henry Ford's fabled Fordlandia rubber plantation in Brazil was devastated in the 1930s by a fungus known as South American leaf blight, or Microcyclus ulei. Today the region's rubber growers are avoiding that scourge by planting trees in areas with just the right mix of humidity, temperature and rainfall conditions, said Anibal Tapiero, a plant pathologist with Corpoica, Colombia's government-sponsored agricultural research agency in Villavicencio. Another farming innovation — adding lime to once useless, highly acidic grassland to make it fertile — is driving production of other crops as well. Millions of dollars are being invested into Llanos soy, rice, corn and sugar farms. Ecopetrol, the state-controlled oil company, is betting on this area's future as a farm center. Its Bioenergy biofuels unit is planning to start construction soon on Colombia's largest ethanol plant. The $139-million facility will be fed with sugar cane from a newly planted 40,000-acre plantation.
But perhaps the biggest challenge in this lightly populated area is a labor shortage. Mavalle's Nizo said oil firms in the region pay five times the wages that farm workers earn. To recruit, he markets benefits such as free childcare and education and the chance to obtain small loans to start side businesses. Nizo said the other selling points are the tappers' tranquil way of life and a stable work environment. Cauchopar, a company starting a 1,600-acre rubber plantation in San Teodoro in Vichada state 160 miles east of here, is so concerned about securing enough reliable help that it's offering ownership to prospective rubber tappers. Workers will have the option of buying 25-acre plots of rubber trees after seven years of production, or 14 years after the trees have been planted.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Economy
29
Brazil Keeps Google's Orkut Relevant;
Tops Facebook Let's face it, if not for Brazil, Google's Orkut would go the way of Rupert Murdoch's My Space. For now, Orkut remains the leading social network in Brazil. If not for Brazil, Google's Orkut would be irrelevant. Brazil keeps Orkut relevant. “It is the social network in Brazil,” says Alex Banks, Managing Director of ComScore, a global digital marketing intelligence firm. “Everyone made a big deal when Facebook came to Brazil and argued that it would cut Orkut's user count in half, but Orkut is huge and I suspect it to stay strong. The level of engagement on Orkut is impressive. Brazilians are social creatures and Orkut is the number one way they communicate on line,” Banks says. In March, Orkut had 34.2 million unique visitors from the home and office market which is calculated in Brazil to be around 46 million. It's increasing its user numbers by around 28% each month. If ComScore calculated the number of users who access social networking sites from internet cafes, still very popular in Brazil among lower incomes, Orkut's numbers would be even higher. That's mostly because Facebook is more of an international phenomenon for Brazilians. They use it to connect with their family and friends abroad, and the Facebook user population tends to be concentrated among wealthier Brazilians in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Sure there is room for two social networks in Brazil with Orkut being the Brazilian go-to site, and Facebook being the one for international contacts. Globally, Facebook has destroyed My Space and Orkut. It outpaced Orkut in
India last year. It's a different story in Brazil. Orkut icons on corporate and media websites are as prominent as the icon of Facebook and of Twitter. “We are committed to Orkut,” says a Google spokesperson in Brazil. Of course they are, especially considering that over 90% of the page views on Orkut are viewed in Brazil. Moreover, Brazilians log onto their Orkut account more times per month than the average viewer logs onto Facebook worldwide. According to ComScore, Facebook's visitor count in March was under 12 million. Last year, an average of 31.2 million visitors logged onto Orkut, registering 20.6 million average page views, according to ComScore. Facebook by comparison was 12.1 million, with just 813,000 page views. Facebook is still in the process of finding its wings in Brazil. It's unique visitor growth rose 258% in 2010, but Orkut also grew, this time by 28%. Social media accounts for nearly 20% of Brazilians' time spent online. Brazil is the world's eighth largest internet market and one of the fastest growing. It's audience consumes more pages views than Australia, Italy and Taiwan combined. That has global marketers excited about new ways to reach Brazil's spend thrifty consumers. Social networking isn't just about friends and family anymore; it's about building brands and advertising tooth whiteners, games, and how to build muscles in seven days. Google Brasil says that Orkut has some display ad formats that are completely sold out for 2011. One thing is clear, says ComScore in a report on Brazil, “if not for Brazil, Orkut would likely cease to exist in 2011.”
30
Sport
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Around the world Epic Battle With Serie A, La Liga, Primeira Liga, Bundesliga and Premier League about to end, we are very close to finding out who will win the domestic titles but at the beginning of the season guessing the winner was a very hard job as all the teams were at the same level. Now, after a few months there are no doubts and things are quite clear. In Italy, AC Milan is one step away to take the Inter Milan's supremacy and return to be the Italian number 1 after 6 years. In Spain, Barcelona has confirmed itself as the strongest and did not give any chance to Real Madrid to catch up with them. In Portugal, Porto is celebrating the title, the team has lead the Primeira Liga from the first round and after a great victory against rival Benfica they are the 2010/11 Portuguese winners. In Germany, a bonus of â‚Ź 4 millions offered by the sponsors to motivate Borussia Dortmund's players to win the title apparently worked and the team is very close to winning the trophy for the first time since 2002. In England, Manchester United had some sleepy moments but the rivals did not take advantage of those opportunities to get close and now with Rooney back in the game, the Red Evils are but a few games from taking the title and becoming the biggest winners in the Premier League history.
Volleyball World league
The FIVB Volleyball World League 2011 will run from May 27-July 10 with the final round taking place in Gdansk-Sopot, Poland. Brazil will be going in the tournament, propelled by their 2010 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship win last November in Italy and will be aiming to add a tenth World League title to their mantelpiece. The side has won the last two editions and will go into the tournament in excellent form. Joining them will be legendary player Giba. The 34-year old has been central to the team's development over the last few years and has himself won eight World League titles, more than anyone else in the world. However, a number of countries will be eager to overtake the South American side.
Indonesian football under FIFA's control FIFA's Emergency Committee has decided to take control of Indonesia's football after the Indonesian Football Association failed to find a solution to the crises that has affected the local football. The members chosen by FIFA to sort out the problem include Indonesia's football personalities, to drive the process of reconciliation between Liga Premiere and Indonesian Football Association and also be responsible for choosing others who will keep the good work going and take the Indonesian Football to a better level.
Gold and silver medalists in the 200m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Michael Phelps and Park Tae-hwan will meet at the Santa Clara International in California in June. The competition is the seventh and final leg of the 2010-11 USA Swimming Grand Prix. The last time they met was in Rome at the 2009 world titles but Park was washed away in suit wars and did not make the final of the race won by Paul Biedermann (GER) with a world record of 1:42.00 ahead of Phelps. That clash was followed swiftly by a FINA decision to set January 1, 2010 as the date by which all non-textile suits were to be banned.
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
The Brazilian Post
Sport
31
European Squad in South America Cup
Brazilian Athletes' home in London Crystal Palace will be the home for the Brazilian Olympic athletes. The Brazilian committee has signed a contract to use Crystal Palace sports grounds for training during the London 2012 Olympics. This will be the first time that Brazilian athletes will have their own place to train in an Olympic Games. Crystal Palace's training centre has 4 international pools, one training ground and 87 rooms, and can accommodate 144 people. Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Brazilian committee, said that the London 2012 organization will finish the works that Crystal Palace centre needs to receive the Brazilian athletes in July of 2012, few days before the start of the games.
The World Cup winner can be the first European squad to compete at the South America Cup, after Japan abandoned the Tournament. Argentina's press is speculating that the president of the Argentinian Football Confederation, Julio Grondona, has contacted the president of Spanish Football Confederation, Angel Maria Villar, with the objective to invite the Spanish squad to join the South America cup. If Spain accepts the invitation, the World Cup winner will be part of the Group A, together with Colombia, Bolivia and Argentina. But if Spain says no, USA, Honduras and the Republic of Costa Rica will be the other candidates. The competition will be held in Argentina from July 1 to July 24, 2011.
Brazil Under-17
After the Brazilian Under-20 won the South America Tournament and have guaranteed a place in the London 2012, now it's time for the Under 17 squad to shine. The Brazilian boys showed a consistent and mature football in the South America Under- 17 Championship and have stamped their passports to the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and also to the –2011 Pan American Games Mexico, both of which will be held in Mexico. The Brazilian squad is full of new young talent and many scouts around the world are keeping their eyes on them but one of the young boys has already joined a big club. Lucas Piazon, 17, has signed a contract and will be part of the Chelsea squad from next year.
32
The Brazilian Post
APRIL 11 - 17th 2011
Rio school massacre puts spotlight on gun violence, rising firearm sales Brazil is no stranger to urban mayhem, with street shootouts splashing the front pages of newspapers each day in the nation that tops the world in deaths by firearms. But last week's massacre of 12 children at school in western Rio de Janeiro has touched a nerve in this hardened nation. As families hold burial services, Brazil is asking how such violence more associated with the United States became a reality here. As happened following the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1999 Columbine high school killings, the worst school shooting in Brazilian history is sparking debate on gun ownership laws. Already, those favoring Brazil's right to own firearms have fought to distinguish law from tragedy, while others have lamented that a 2005 referendum failed to ban gun sales to civilians. João Luiz, the pastor of a Presbyterian church facing the school, says he regrets the 2005 vote. "To my surprise, the people said 'yes, the citizen has a right to arms.' I really lament that," he says after accompanying his parishioners in identifying the body of their young daughter killed in Thursday's massacre. Voting in favor of such a measure, he adds, means that in a way "you are contributing to a tragedy like this." The massacre began when former student Wellington Oliveira, 23, walked into the Tasso da Silveira school, which serves grades one through eight, and opened fire at about 8:30 a.m. He killed 10 girls and two boys between the ages of 12 and 15 and injured several others before shooting himself after police surrounded him. The nation reacted with shock and remorse. "I ask for one minute of silence for these children who were taken so early from their life," Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said. "It's not in the nature of our nation to have these types of crimes." Finger-pointing begins While the shooter left a letter, it did not clearly lay out his motive. The gun lobby in the national congress immediately went on the defensive, saying the incident was unrelated to the nation's gun laws. The city of Rio's firearm death rate actually dropped from a high of 50.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2003 to 33.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2007, according to numbers from the Brazilian government. "What is the relation between the right of people to acquire an arm within the law and this that happened? I doubt the gunman bought legally," Congressman Ônyx Lorenzoni, a leader in the gun rights movement, said to local media. "I will fight so that this doesn't lead to a person being prohibited from having the right to have an arm to defend their family and property." On the other side of the argument, Minister of Justice José Eduardo Cardozo and lower house speaker Marco Maia both said the school incident should renew the debate over disarma-
ment. The school shooting will likely intensify an ongoing gun debate in Brazil, says William Godnick, coordinator for the public security program at the United Nations Center for Peace Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Illegal arms.
Gun laws among world's strictest Violence in Brazil grew steadily at the end of the last decade, with the firearm death rate growing threefold from 1982 to 2002, to 31 per 100,000 inhabitants. A growing social movement of activists and politicians pushed Brazil to pass a 2003 statute that ranks among the world's strictest national firearms laws. Today a gun owner must be older than 25 to legally possess arms and also must pass a series of tough background checks. Still, anti-gun advocates sought to take restrictions even further by banning sales to civilians. Placed to voters in 2005, the referendum failed with 64 percent voting in favor of continued
sales, in part because of the argument that guns were needed for personal safety.
8 million unregistered guns An estimated half of the 16 million guns in Brazil are thought to be unregistered, according to a December report by the Rio de Janeiro nongovernmental organization Viva Rio, which played a leading roll in tougher gun legislation, and the Justice Ministry. The report says that Brazil is the "world champion" in absolute numbers of deaths by firearms each year. According to a 2010 analysis by Brazil's National Confederation of Municipalities, more than 70 percent of Brazil's murders in 2008 were committed with a firearm, reaching about 35,000.
One of world's most-violent nations
Poster used during 1995 referendum.
Brazil's murder rate already puts it in the top 5 percent of the most violent countries in the world, notes Leandro Piquet Carneiro of the University of São Paulo in his 2010 study on illicit markets and public safety. With a 2010 homicide rate of about 27 per 100,000 residents, Brazil is three times the global average. As the country mourns, pro-disarmament activists see this as a time to put the 2003 statute, which in theory is a strong gun law, into better practice. "Like any law it is not enough to be written. It has to be implemented. … This case that happened exactly puts this question [on the agenda again]," says Melina Risso, director of the Sou de Paz institute in São Paulo. She notes that the statute in itself applied in vigor would reduce the number of arms on the street, since it requires re-registration of arms in case they go missing. Considering at least 7 million weapons are already legally registered, she says. "It's already a great arsenal for a country like ours that has a prohibition on a civilian walking armed." Without coming out in support of gun control, an editorial in the leading Rio de Janeiro daily said the event "calls attention" to the debate: "The country is weeping with sadness. But let's hope that from the suffering there comes the lesson of seeing the crime in Realengo not as an isolated happening, but an alert for the public authorities to improve their instruments of prevention of any type of violence."
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