BRAZIL: p03 We consider the events and impact os one of the worst tragedies in Brazilian history
L. AMERICA: p09 Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Whatever happens to Hugo Chavez, his supporters will follow through the revolution
LONDON EDITION
www.brazilianpost.co.uk • Issue n. 79
Brazil attracts new investors
As Brazil consolidates itself as one of the world’s biggest economies, its real estate market is showing signs of maturity and looks like one of the most profitable sectors for investors at home and abroad Read more on pages 2 and 8 >>
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Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Front Page INVESTIMENTS
Real estate market in Brazil shows maturity and consolidates itself as good option for investors
Mortimer, Marketing & Media LTD CEO Marcelo Mortimer marcelo@brazilianpost.co.uk Editor-in-chief Ana Toledo ana@brazilianpost.co.uk English Editor Kate Rintoul Portuguese Editor Guilherme Reis Cool Hunter Zazá Oliva Entertainment Ricardo Somera Econommy Christiano Holanda Fashion Nathália Braga Food Saulo Caliari Ombudsman Allyson Leandro Profile Rômulo Seitenfus Sport Tico Silvério
Real estate prices in Brazil rose by 15.2% in 2012, the highest worldwide, ahead of Hong Kong and Turkey
I
By Guilherme Reis
t is no longer news to anyone that Brazil has consolidated itself in recent years as one of the world’s biggest economies. Improved job prospects, together with the steady growth of the minimum wage and the expansion of the middle classes, whose purchasing power is increasingly high, has led the country to reach uncharted waters. As a result more and more Brazilians are able to seek new sources of income and investments. If before, low risk investments and fixed income were the most sought options (because of a basic interest rate that exceeded 10%) today, with the interest rate at 7.25%, riskier investments are on the radar of those who want a more attractive yield. This is leading the Brazilian economy diversify,
which is a good news too for foreign investors. In this sense, the Brazilian real estate market has been consolidated as one of the safest and most profitable sector for investors, both Brazilian and foreign, regardless of the income level. A survey released in December by London-based property consultancy Knight Frank pointed out that Brazil currently has the most effervescent property market in the world. According to the Global House Price Index, produced by the company, prices in the country rose 15.2% in the 12 months until the third quarter of 2012, the largest increase globally. Following Brazil were the markets of Hong Kong, with a high of 14.2% and Turkey, with appreciation of 11.5% in real estate. Another study conducted by Ernst & Young Terco (the Brazilian offshoot of the
US auditors) indicates that the Brazilian real estate market had a record amount of foreign investment in the first half of 2012, the amount was between 5 and 10 billion reais (£1.6 and 3.3 billion). According to the same survey, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the sector is greater than 170 billion reais (around £56.6 billion) and could reach 270 billion reais (around £90 billion) in ten years. The survey also showed that among the attractive points to invest, the Brazilian real estate market is in great demand as incomes rise and there is greater profitability for people who build in the country. Given this, the gross operating margin of the real estate market in Brazil becomes twice the amount reported in the United States and China, for example. Continued on Page 8 >>
Travel Janinne Veloso What’s on Cibele Porto Graphic Design Roman Atamanczuk Free Translation Roberta Schwambach Departamento Comercial Marcelo Mortimer | 078 2816 5812 Support El Ibérico Distribution BR Jet Emblem Group Ltd Published by Mortimer, Marketing & Media LTD 34 Quixley Street, London | E14 9PU 020 7093 1413
Brazil | 03
TRAGEDY
At least 231 die in nightclub fire in Santa Maria, southern Brazil
O
ne of the worst tragedies in Brazilian history killed at least 232 people, many of them students, in a nightclub fire in the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, in the early hours of Sunday 27 January. A further 127 people were injured, 80 of them seriously. The fire generated a strong national sense of grief across the nation and has also been widely reported in the UK and worldwide. In Brazil and abroad, calls have been made for a tightening up of fire regulation across the country. Most of the victims were students at the Federal University of Santa Maria as the party at Kiss nightclub had had been organised by students from here. The cause of the fire is being investigated by authorities, but, according to information passed from the local police, the fire started when a musician who was part of a band performing at the event, lit a flare which set alight sound proofing materials on the ceiling of the venue. Panic quickly set in and many of the victims died of asphyxiation or were crushed as others tried to escape.
Sequence of errors The fire started around 2:30 am, after a member of the group Gurizada Fandangueira lit a firecracker known as “Sputnik”. The band’s drummer, Eliel de Lima told the G1 website, the group have technical staff who are responsible for their shows, which they have never previously encountered trouble with. It is believed that a spark, got into the nightclub’s air flow, quickly spreading to the ceiling, which had been coated in a cardboard soundproofing material. According to the Fire Department, there were about 2,000 people in the club when the fire broke out. The tragedy was made worse by a series of errors. The first was that the venue’s fire extinguishers did not work, only discovered when band members and club security attempted to extinguish the flames. Worst still, there was no signage or emergency exits in the venue. As the fire raged, many people panicked, struggling in the dark to find the only small exit. There have also been reports that not knowing the seriousness of the situation, some security guards tried to stop people leaving before they had settled their bill. All accounts refer to widespread confusion, many confused as how to get out with some trying to shelter in the toilets where, according to police, 180 bodies were found. Reports indicate that the fire department arrived quickly to the scene - about five minutes after the call. The location of the club on a small street full
Fire broke out during a pyrotechnic show of parked cars, however, hindered the rescue, as did the single, small entrance. Fire fighters and volunteers broke the outer walls of the club to widen access to the venue, having to step over bodies to try and reach people still alive in the nightclub. With such a devastating loss of life, the local morgue did not have the capacity to deal with the situation so bodies were taken to a gymnasium, where desperate relatives went to identify them. Vigils and commemorations have already started here.
Without permit In a statement released through their lawyers, the owners of the nightclub, Kiss have called the incident a “fatality” but argued that the venue was in “good standing, with all equipment needed for to raise the alarm and protect against fire, adapted to the needs of the house and its patrons.” In the morning after the tragedy, however, the commander of the region’s Fire Department, Moisés da Silva Fuch, said the club’s business license had expired in August last year. “A license is required to legally operate a nightclub,” he told G1, also noting that the licence document serves to certify that measures have been taking to prevent and protect in cases of fire. The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Tarso Genro, said the owner should officially submit all documents. “Not to speak now and to force the balme onto
others shows a lack of respect for the work being done by the authorities.” The delegate Sandro Meiner, one of those responsible for the investigation, has said that the band responsible for starting the fire could face charges
of manslaughter, but at this remains speculation while inquiries continue. For more informations about the case, check out our website: www. brazilianpost.co.uk.
Tragedy in Santa Maria is ‘third deadliest in history’ The fire in Santa Maria nightclub was the third most deadly in the world, according to a list of ten similar incidents in public places, compiled by the National Association of Fire Protection in the United States. According to the list, which compiles only fires in nightclubs, the most fatal incident of this nature occurred just over 70 years ago at Boston’s (USA) Coconut Grove nightclub in 1942, killing
492 dead and injuring over 600. A fire at a nightclub in Luoyang, China, on Christmas Eve 2000, left 309 dead. It was the second major fire in Brazilian history, up to the tragedy in Joelma Building in Sao Paulo (179 deaths in 1974), and the crash of TAM airplane in 2007 (199). Only in the circus of Niterói, in 1961, there were so many deaths (more than 500).
Fire reaches has large repercussion in the world press The tragedy at this nightclub became a major news story around the world, many newspapers and agencies carrying the news on their front pages. The New York Times described the incident that occurred at the nightclub as “a scene of horror.” CNN placed a photo of relatives close to a coffin, and wrote that the tragedy left “wailing and
questions” in its wake. Spain’s El País reported on the club operating out of its licence and the tragic loss of life that could have been prevented. The news has also had an impact on social networking sites, with thousands of comments in solidarity with the victims and their families posted.
Brazil | 04 |
Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Brazil reduces energy power costs
S
peaking on national radio and television, President Dilma Rousseff said Brazil has enough energy resources for the present and for the future, “without any risk of rationing or any bottlenecks in the short, medium or long term”. Rousseff also announced that bills will be reduced by 18% for residences and up to 32% for industry, agriculture, trade and services, changes that are already taking affect. The cuts are bigger than previously announced in September 2012. “With the reduction of tariffs, Brazil now is living through a special situation in the electricity sector, while lowering the cost of energy and increasing its electrical output,” said Rousseff. The president criticised predictions about the possibility of energy rationing sparked by low levels of hydroelectric reservoirs. She explained that almost every year the thermal plants fuelled by natural gas, diesel oil, coal or biomass, are driven with minor or major requirement to maintain the country’s energy supply. According to Rousseff, it is “usual, normal, safe and correct.” “It is surprising that some people, by precipitation, misinformation or other reasons have made baseless predictions when reservoir levels dropped and the thermals were triggered. As might be expected, these predictions failed to be proved. Brazil has not failed to produce a single kilowatt it needed. And now, with the return of rain, less heat will again be required,” she explained.
Dilma Rousseff ‘s statement on national television on Jan. 23 and was critical of those who “are always against everything” The president said that over the next 15 years the country will see a doubling in the installed capacity of electric power, which today is 121,000 megawatts. She said last year the country put into operation 4,000 megawatts and 2,700 kilometres of transmission lines that will be followed this year with an additional
8,500 megawatts of energy and 7,500 km of new lines. During the speech, the president criticised those who, “are always against everything,” and those who did not believe that the government could lower interest rates, increase employment and reduce poverty.
Rousseff’s governemtn have delivered on all these pledges and also increased investments in infrastructure, health and education, according to the president. In her final evaluation Rousseff said the country will achieve even more when all Brazilians work to “unite and build” and not to “divide and destroy.”
São Paulo hosts the 2nd Biennial of Graffiti
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or the second time in Sao Paulo, street art leaves its traditional space of the city walls, to settle the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture (Mube). The 2nd Biennial of International Graffiti Fine Art began on 22 January runs until 24 February and features different styles, techniques and concepts of graffiti. “The biennial conceptually shows different art forms from around the world and the revolution that graffiti has sparked. Even the name, Graffiti Fine Art, proposes an important question: why can’t graffiti be classed as fine art, both are produced by an aesthetic or artistic impulse, without objective documentation or advertising?” asked artist and curator of the biennial, Binho Ribeiro, to the readers of Agência Brasil. The intention of the event is to transform Mube into a huge street art gallery. “It’s like they [the viewers] were
in a street gallery, just like a walk in Vila Madalena” (a neighborhood of Sao Paulo that is home to many galleries and studios specialsing in graffiti), “only quite organised in the curatorial sense that it has a specific lighting to highlight the individuality of works,” added the curator. For the biennial, Ribeiro selected new works of 50 national and international artists already recognized in the street art world, such as Kongo and Daze and Brazilians Speto, Finok and Minhau, the last of whom has built a four foot timber cat installation specially for the event. Ribiero has said that panels, installations, paintings, photographs, and sculptures will feature in the biennial this year with “The focus of the biennial’s artistic universe is the graffiti artists who occupy galleries, exhibitions and are important in their scenes around the world.”
Biennial brings together new works of 50 artists
05
Community CAMPAIGN
Happy Child, changing futures
W
hether it’s been at a restuarant, party or even on the pages of The Brazilian Post , we hope that you heard about 1000 Balloon Campaign to raise money for the charity Happy Child. We are happy to report that an initiative of 10 Brazilian companies (see box) based in London have come together to raise awareness and support for the work that the NGO Happy Child has developed in Brazil to protect children at risk over the two last decade. Over the course of the campaign, the goal of these companies was to promote and publicise the work of Happy Child to the large Brazilian community living
in the UK. All involved wanted to show that even a small contribution one can help children facing problems such as prostitution, domestic violence and lack of resources. The successful campaign has been wrapped up by Londonelp4u, in its role as ambassador of the month the company will donate £ 1 from all its consultations in February. Director of LondonHelp4U, Francine Mendonça said, “The LondonHelp4U became involved with Happy Child because we believe in its just cause. We need to wake up to the reality of our children in Brazil. We participate actively in all campaigns organised by Happy Child. I personally know of their projects in
Here are the 10 companies that took part on the campaign:
Ana:
Valeria Zilkha:
Bravo Travel
Chelsea
Brasserie Bairro
Myra Duarte:
Renato e Barbara Paziam:
Skin Life
Made in Brasil
Itamara Dall Alba:
Marcos Fumagali:
Casa Brasil
BRJet
Francine Mendonça:
Flavio Messina:
LondonHelp4U
Messina Clinic
Rodolfo e Adriana:
Leonardo Marcondes:
Vertice Services
Cortisso
Recife and could see the wonderful work that this charity is doing for our children living on the streets. We Brazilians living outside the country, should show our support and donate to this wonderful work more and save more lives.” The diversity in fundraising has been fantastic from special inners, table tennis competitions and sweepstakes, all in support of the essential work Happy Child conducts in Brazil that is backed by years of dedication to this issues. The team at Happy Child greatly appreciates donations made so far. “Our partnership with The Brazilian Post has really helped raise the profile of Happy Child International within the Brazilian community in Britain. The community’s interest in and support of Happy Child’s work with some of the most disadvantaged children in Brazil has been heart-warning and shows
that, wherever they are, Brazilian people are fighting to improve their country” says Sarah de Carvalho, Executive Director of Happy Child International. Sarah further notes that “this is just the beginning. In March this year Happy Child International is opening a new project in Recife for girls who are on the streets, many of whom fall pregnant from as young as 12 and a project for teenage boys aged 18 to 21 who are involved with crime”. While the Campaign is now complete, the charity is always taking donations so, you can still do your part. Sarah added, “We really need support from Brazilian people, groups and organisations in the UK now more than ever. You can donate to Happy Child online at www.happychild.org. Together we can help to alleviate the problems facing street children in Brazil and save young lives.”
Community | 06 |
Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
. http://hilarious-consequences.blogspot.co.uk http://www.steaknightcomics.com/ steaknightcomics.com/RRR_BOOKS.html
OMBUDSMAN This is your chance to let the Brazilian Post’s team know what you think. Send your feedback and get involved! Send your emails to contato@brazilianpost.co.uk
“Accustomed to boom and bust economics, UK business and political leaders can see the potential for great growth in Brazil’s emerging market and have begun attempts to create economic and cultural ties that in the short term will bring more benefits to Brazil, but that’s return be equal if not more to the UK in years to come.”
- Leonardo Hermoso, Chapadão do Sul - MS
Community| 07
PROFILE
Josane Amorim, the storyteller his is the story of a Brazilian who after winning three literary prizes from Harvard University, recently won the Brazilian International Press award in London in the category Literature. Her awardwinning novel, Mevrouw Jane, is a semiautobiographical work that reveals her real past and the imaginary future has also enjoyed commercial success. After losing her family in Brazil, Josane Mary Barcelos Amorim was forced to find a new direction in her life. Closing the doors of her law firm, she left Brazil for the United States to study English at one of the world’s finest Universities. The three years of work and studies at Harvard were the springboard for the young woman from Espírito Santo (a south-eastern state of Brazil) to show the world her passion. According to the biographical novel, a casual drink with a friend ended with Josane, finding love at first sight, after which she quickly found herself getting married in a castle in the Netherlands. Though the relationship was not without its problems, cultural differences, the desire to have children and a difficult relationship with one of her stepchildren were some of the difficulties Josane faced in this distant land. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, she has since battled to find a cure for this psychological condition, which is deemed incurable in the medical world. The first novel has been followed by a second that presents a pleasant life account, alternating between first and third person, the author revisits her real past and transforms the future of Jane and her friend Sophie, a young artist. The friendship between the women is driven by good conversations about life, travel, love and friendship and the ending stores a great surprise.
“
After the tragic loss of your family, why did you leave Brazil to live in foreign lands? After all my relatives died, I closed my law office, sold my car, rented out my apartment and left Brazil. After my achievements at Harvard, I went to live in Holland and got married. Of course I
received the title of best novel of the year and I’m on cloud nine, I have a lot to
thank God for
imagining myself at age 69 and telling my story. The future of Mevrouw Jane is something I believe in, one that brings me hope and strength, a good energy, with the experience of a very mature woman, focused and happy, even in the face of problems. I would like to reach 69 and be like her. I want to give people an interest in listening to the stories of those wonderful older and interesting Brazilian women, ones who know the world and of proud of where they come from, women who deserve to be celebrated in literature. Picture: by Rômulo Seitenfus
You’ve just released your second highly anticipated book, which has led some to say you were born to write. How are you feeling at the moment? My book has just received the title of best novel of the year and I’m on cloud nine, I have a lot to thank God for.
My book has just
“
T
By Rômulo Seitenfus
had to face the difficulties of the past. I am very brave and strong, but after trying to be this fortress, one day my body broke down and asked for help. I was very mentally ill, but I managed to recover. When I picked myself from the floor and decided to write about my experiences. Mevrouw Jane is now well recognised and has my life story on its
pages. Everybody cries, suffers and has disappointments but it is important to try and discover what these times teach us. Where did you find inspiration to look to the future and create the 69 year-old Jane? I tried to project myself into the future,
The books are very open honest, could you tell us how much of this was true in your life? Jane’s past is real: the death of my family, my accomplishments at university, the loss of my daughter, my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, which I learned to cope with and the difficulties of relationships with my Dutch stepchildren. The only fictional time was the trip to Rome, as I have not been there yet. Do you expect to live the future that you wrote for Jane? Good question. Yes, I hope to get old with dignity, maturity, beauty, happiness and sensuality, bringing hope and joy to people. I want to be able to talk about pain, candidly and without anger or sadness. I’m still 50, when I get 69 I’ll tell you how it was...
08 |
Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Real estate funds
>> Continued from Page 02
Better planning and opportunities To better understand the current developments in Brazil’s real estate market in Brazil, The Brazilian Post spoke with consultant Guilherme Machado, whose predication for 2013 is “a more mature and professional market that results in better planned growth.” Guilherme Machado bases his prediction on what happened in 2012. Recalling, “the number of new ventures decreased considerably,” which meant that “companies strove to deliver what they had promised and reduce inventory.” According to Machado: “this behaviour of deceleration was needed to demonstrate the maturing of the market. This reduction in releases does not represent a reduction of force, but that the industry is moving towards a growth grounded in better planning.” In offering tips to would-be investors in 2013, Machado says that “one of the best opportunities in real estate will
be of smaller size proprieties, but wellstructured and well-placed, having in mind the dynamic behaviour of Brazilian families and increasing number of singles seeking independence.” He also noted the decrease of interest announced by the government for the purchase of property valued over 500,000 reais, which “will promote new business within Brazil’s middle class.” For the foreign investor, Machado assesses that “the areas with greatest potential for investment are corporate offices, industrial warehouses and so-called ‘build to suit’ properties, where the developer builds or makes major reforms in consideration of a prospective tenant’s needs.
Specialist points out the best opportunities for foreign investor
Another alternative investment within the real estate sector is the Real Estate Investment Funds (IFIX), which has been falling out of favour with Brazilian investors but which also seem an attractive choice to foreign investors. The IFIX index, which measures the performance of the most liquid property funds traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa), appreciated 35.02% between January and December last year, well above other investments such as buying gold and dollar, which appreciated by 15.26% and 8.94%, respectively. During 2012, the volume of investors and exchange-traded funds also saw large increases. In late 2011, investors could choose between 66 funds available for trading, by November last year (latest data available), there were some 87 funds. The number of investors has increased considerably, from 35,200 to 96,200 for the period (175% growth) and this year the expectations are optimistic,
since the popularisation of these funds, according to experts, is just beginning. The portfolios of these funds generally include properties that are rented and part of the remuneration of shareholders (those who originally invested) profit comes from the payment of rent and the appreciation of the property. The risks of this type of investment are basically twofold: that the tenant does not pay rent and the property to depreciates in value. Investing a smaller amount in this kind of real estate funds is a good way of introducing real estate into your portfolio without having to pay the full amount of the purchase price. Shares in these funds have low minimum applications, usually around 2,000 reais (around £700), thought some are even more modest. Like any application, however, there are risks. Therefore it is wise to know as much as possible about the in which you are investing, how shareholders are compensated and not concentrating all your activity in this type of investment.
HIGH STANDARD
Builders bet on luxury in the South of Brazil
L
atest news in the property sector indicates that high standard proprieties are the best bet for the construction industry in the region of Itajai, Balneario Camboriu and Camboriu, State of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. These are residential complexes for wealthy buyers, offering a wide range of leisure facilities and services, and landscaping that gives the place a unique atmosphere. The prices range from 750,000 reais (£250,000) for a lot to 13 million reais (£4.3 million) for a sea-view home. The emergence of upscale developments coincides with a period of strengthening the regional economy. In Itajai, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 700% over the past 10 years, according to IBGE (Brazilian Geographic Institute). In addition, Balneario Camboriu remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in southern Brazil, properties have appreciated on average 20% per year for two decades the, attracting more investors with an eye on highly profitable returns. One of these luxury developments is the Home Brava Resort (BHR) in Praia Brava (Brave Beach) in Itajai. With just part of the project delivered, the BHR is located in an area of 75 thousand square meters and consists of seven pairs of towers of 3-5 suite apartments, with more than 60 options for leisure, living and health. Founder and director of Procave, the construction firm responsible for BHR, Nivaldo Pinheiro explained to
Brava Home Resort artificial beach The Brazilian Post that the company have operated in the region since 1986, as the area embodies “the best market conditions to develop products of high standard and higher value aggregate, which is exactly the focus of the company.” “Procave played an important role in changing concepts of construction in Camboriú. Initially, the focus was on
small apartment building to serve that audience who came to spend a few vacation days per year. Then we started building large apartments, finished to a high standard, also used for recreation and vacation, but also for those who have decided to live here definitively,” he said. Nivaldo Pinheiro said that there are many buyers in the region looking for a good investment, buying a property to
sell or rent in the future. “Any investor wants a good valuation and earnings and this has been a key attraction at the Home Brava Resort.” Pinheiro also said that investors in the region are predominantly Brazilians, with foreign participation still small, he believes, however, that growth and interest in the region will change this reality in the near future.
09
Latin America VENEZUELA
People on the streets
ensure continuity of the Bolivarian Revolution
“
By Wagner de Alcântara Aaragão, from Caracas, Venezuela
W
hatever happens with the health of Hugo Chavez (at the time of going to press the leader was still hospitalised in Cuba), the streets of Venezuela have made a clear signal: the Revolution is still going strong, despite the fierce opposition of the economic elite and private media outlets, both in the Latin America and abroad. A demonstration of increasingly solid popular support took place on 10 January, when a crowd concentrated at the Miraflores Palace, seat of the President of the Republic, took over the centre of the capital, Caracas, to endorse support for Chavez to serve another historic term. In accordance to the Venezuelen Consitiution, the 10 January marks the beginning of a new presidential term with the newly elected head of the National Assembly formerly inaugurated. The same directive, known as Article 231, points out that if, for exceptional reasons, the president cannot be sworn in on this date, the ceremony may be postponed and reorganised by the Judiciary (Supreme Court of Justice), with no prejudice to the elected representative’s assumption to office. Both the National Assembly and the Supreme Court, consulted by the Executive power, understood that the absence of Chavez for health reasons beyond his control, characterised such an exception. In short: both the Legislature and the Judiciary found that the postponement of the oath was absolutely constitutional. On the streets, thousands of Venezuelans have made it clear this is also what they want, further establishing the country’s constitution, that popular will is sovereign.
Big celebration While the 10 January 2013 did not see the official ceremony, it was a historic day all the same as the huge celebration in Caracas brought together countless people, Venezuelans of all regions, from diverse backgrounds and the most varied ethnic and social classes. From sunrise, caravans from the countryside arrived at Miraflores, gradually joined by the capital’s residents. Some Latin American leaders who appreciate the magnitude
Before Chavez the Indians were not recognised, were not considered citizens of the Bolivarian Revolution were also present. Venezuelans and Latin Americans were carrying banners, placards, flags and pocket copies of the Constitution, together they shouted slogans, sang, danced, and expounded arguments in defence of the Chavista government. This was a demonstration of political ideology but at the same time, festive, peaceful and responsible, unaided by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or aggression. In the middle of the crowd was Marian Guevara, a young indigenous Venezuelan from the Wayay Karina community. She had travelled 12 hours by bus to attend the ceremony, considering it necessary to be part of the mobilised popular movement to send a potent message to the right wing and economic elite that even in the absence of Chavez, the Bolivarian Revolution has the strength to continue.
21st Century Socialism ‘Why defend the Revolution?’ I asked the girl. She responded by reciting, by heart, the articles of the Bolivarian constitution that recognise the rights and culture of indigenous peoples as part of Venezuelan nationality as the basis of her support for Chavez. “Before Chavez the Indians were not recognised, were not considered citizens, today we have schools where we learn Spanish and our native language,
we have health care, we have space for our art forms,” she said. Another young woman, Jana Nava, from urban area, the city of Maracay, also made a point of participating in the demonstration of 10 January to join the chorus of the crowd in defence of the Bolivarian Revolution. For Jana, more than ever it is time to Venezuelans go to the streets to defend the new mandate of Chavez. Adding that even if the president does not survive, the Bolivarian Revolution would be continued by the popular force that supports it. Also for a group of Argentines who were participating in the celebration, the moment calls for their presence. Sílvia Binstock, from Buenos Aires, had already planned the trip to attend the inauguration, the worsening of Chavez’s health did not give her reason not to participate. “It is very important we give support to the Bolivarian Revolution,” said Sylvia. For her and others. the Chavez government is a powerful reference to the left in Latin America, for whom the weakening of Chavismo could jeopardise this ascendant movement of progressive governments in the region.
Rumours and fake news The events have not been without controversy, as those seeking to seize the moment of uncertainty around Chavez’s health to destabilise the country
politically and economically employed unsavoury tactics. In the days leading up to 10 January, some members of right-wing movements and Venezuela’s economic elite, as well as local and foreign media outlets tried to spread information that did not correspond to the reality experienced in Venezuela in order to project a negative image of the Chavez government. Large food suppliers were found to be holding back stock in order to falsely impose shortages. Despite the government’s timely intervention and disproving of this, television stations, including international ones jumped in to report that there was no food in Venezuela’s supermarkets. Another news story broadcast worldwide and vehemently denied by the Venezuelan government was that Chavez was in a coma. Communicating through the state television station, VTV, government officials were quick to clarify that while Chavez was experiencing difficulty in breathing, due to a lung infection, he remained conscious and in recovery. Despite this reassurance, in the National Assembly, opposition MPs used this as an argument to try and prevent the initiation of Chavez’s new mandate and to call for new elections. Stay up to date with news of Chavez’s recovery and other major Latin American stories at www. brazilainpost.co.uk.
10 |
Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Technology TECH GENIUS
On the screen, Steve Jobs is not so good
J
ust like one of the historic announcement’s that Steve Jobs will forever be remembered for, the biopic of his life, jOBS, featuring Ahston Kutcher as the visionary of Apple was launched with a great deal of anticipation and hype surrounding it. Screened at the close of the Sundance film festival in Utah last week, many were looking forward to seeing what light this film would shed on the man who changed the world of technology. The film has been met by mixed reviews coming in from around the world, a sign of just how many people are interested in the life of Steve Jobs. In the UK, Sebastian Doggart writing in the Telegraph didn’t find much to like in the film: “It’s a heroic story, but Matthew Whiteley’s episodic, superficial script makes an almighty mess of it…. where the film completely falls down is in director Joshua Michael Stern’s disastrous decision to cast Ashton Kutcher in the central role…The poverty of his skills as a serious actor is on full display”. Ouch. To be fair Kutcher was aware of what he was letting himself in for, telling people ahead of the premier that this was the “the most terrifying” thing he’d done in his life, begging the question why would
Kutcher was aware of what he was letting himself in for he decide to voluntarily put himself under the eye of such scrutiny. Perhaps now all the tabloid fodder over his treatment of Demi Moore has blown over he felt there was a lack of publicity in his life.
In America critics have been a little more balanced in their response appreciating the honesty of the film that doesn’t omit the darker times in Jobs’ life, LSD trips, the rejection of his
pregnant girlfriend and later denial of his daughter. Though questions have arisen over the accuracy of presenting the complex characters of Jobs and his early partner Steve Wozniak, prompting the filmmakers to issues a statement saying that the film “is not a documentary, nor is it meant to be a blow by blow, word for word account of all conversations and events. The filmmakers acknowledge that not every single thing in the film is a precise representation of what took place, but is feature film entertainment.” Most critics have said that many will be disappointed by the film which says a lot about what we already know about Jobs without shedding any real light on what made him such a visionary or the excitement in creating such an unstoppable brand. People looking for real insight will have to wait for the pending film from The Social Network writer Aaron Sorkin that will be filmed in real-time focussing on Jobs’ mentality in the hours ahead of one of Apple’s major product launches.
What do you think of the casting of Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs, tweet us @ BrazilianPost_ #jobsbio
INTERNET
UK is lagging behind on broadband speed
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e’ve all had those frustrating moments, staring at a blank screen, internally screaming at the ‘buffering’ message and now a recent study by has shown that the UK is lagging behind on broadband speed, with even formerly Communist countries such as Romania outstripping us. The research conducted by content delivery network, Akamai found that the UK’s average broadband speed is a sluggish 6.3Mbps, compared to 6.4Mbps in Romania. The UK also languishes behind comparable European countries such as Ireland (6.7Mbps), Belgium (also 6.7Mbps), Sweden (6.8Mbps) and the Netherlands (8.5Mbps). The US averages 7.2Mbps, Japan a speedy 10.5Mbps and South Korea a lightning-fast 14.7Mbps -- more than
double the UK’s average. The fastest average in the world is currently held by Hong Kong, with a staggering 54Mbps. Akamai’s data comes from the third quarter of 2012. The company said speeds across Europe are generally improving. British broadband sped up by 20 per cent last year, according to the telecoms watchdog Ofcom, boosted by superfast packages from BT and Virgin, with its Double Your Speeds programme. Sky admitted this week that its broadband was crawling to a halt, however, weighed down by too many new subscribers attracted to its unlimited downloads.
How does your broadband speed compare, do the test and let us know @BrazilianPost_ #needforspeed
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Economy BY
CHRISIANO HOLANDA c.mail@me.com
Briefings… U.K. Lending Drops
New data showed lending to U.K. businesses fell in December, raising doubts over the effectiveness of the Bank of England’s program to boost credit availability.
Tesco Seeks Clarity on India Rules
According to a senior government official, the Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma met Tesco PLC’s chairman in Davos where the British retailer sought clarity on the government’s policy on foreign investment.
U.K. Unemployment Falls For once employment news is upbeat as recent data has shown another fall in unemployment in the three months to November.
Cameron Draws Fire Over Europe Plan E uropean leaders have criticised UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s promise to renegotiate his country’s relationship with the European Union and let the British people vote on the outcome, creating potential hurdles to his plan. “The EU does not need unwilling Europeans,” said Mario Monti, Italy’s prime minister and a former European commissioner, during a speech at an annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland. “We need more, not less integration,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said separately. The pushback from fellow EU leaders represents a problem for Cameron. In attempting to address anti-Europe sentiments in the UK and especially in his own Conservative Party, Cameron has given the rest of Europe another timeconsuming problem to solve on top of the Continent’s already long list of concerns. In a landmark speech, Cameron, said he wants to retool the UK’s relationship with the EU and hold a referendum on the new settlement in the first half of its five-year parliamentary term, if a Conservative government were to be elected in 2015. Such a referendum would mark the first vote by an existing member on whether to leave since the modern-day EU was established in the early 1990s.
The immigrant effect
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anada has long considered immigration as a valuable way to increase the domestic market and infuse the economy with skilled workers. But new research also suggests that immigrants are a strong factor in expanding markets overseas. Immigrants have social and business networks, language skills and knowledge of their home culture that makes it easier for international relationships to form. In my view, businesses can put too much of a premium on the Canadian experience, English-language skills and how people fit into Canadian culture, without considering the assets of the international experience immigrants are bringing. The Canadian numbers are echoed by a new study out of Spain. Between 1995 and 2008, immigrants increased from
1% of the Spanish population to 10%. At the same time, international trade also increased to 44% of Spanish GDP, up from 35%. (font: Spain Gov. and Conference Board of Canada) Through business and social networks, expatriates increase the diffusion of information and reduce the cost of doing business with their ‘mother’ country. The presence of immigrants has increased the number of exporting Spanish firms, has promoted exports of sophisticated manufacturing goods and has increased exports with countries ‘culturally’ different from Spain.” The bottom line is, wherever immigrants are coming from, they appear to increase trade with their home country, and they are associated with increased FDI into his “new home” from their home country.”
David Cameron gives a speech in Davos In doing so, Cameron challenged fellow European leaders to move toward a bloc-wide negotiation of a new treaty, but added that the UK will pursue separate talks if that isn’t possible. He dwelled at length on the bloc’s current shortcomings, which he said had led to growing popular frustration across its membership, citing street protests in Athens, Madrid and Rome, and heated disputes in parliaments in Berlin,
Helsinki and The Hague. Cameron’s stated aim of negotiating looser ties with the 27-member EU appears to run counter to most of his counterparts who are in the process of building a more closely integrated group. While a lot of that work revolves around solving problems related to the Euro currency, in which the UK is not included, some of the related measures will have repercussions felt here.
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Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
Sport
by Tico Silvério
FOOTBALL MARKET
Here (Europe) and there (Brazil), it is time to buy
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hile in Europe the league seasons are already past the half-way stage, in Brazil the teams are warming up for a new campaign. But in both parts of the world, January is a time to buy new players. Ahead of the approaching closure of the transfer window, fans in Europe and Brazil are expecting big last-minute player signings; coaches are awaiting the arrival of reinforcements; and agents are plotting to increase their bank accounts. The current market offers a huge number of options and, even with the high price of the world’s so-called star players, it is still possible to find rare talent on the cheap through good scouting. Spain, mainly due to the good phase of the national team, is a great option for those looking for technical quality, so the big European clubs are chasing a lot Spanish players. In Brazil, the demand for foreign players has also increased, with Argentines and Uruguayans the hot property at the moment. And due to the good economic situation in the country, many South American players have opted to continue to ply their trade in Brazilian
football, leaving Europe as a second option. However, as hiring players is no longer just a tactical issue and has become a business that involves not only the technical department, but investors, marketing and lots of money, players are now being sought for their image and marketability as well as their technical qualities. With this in mind, Chelsea and Santos have done a great job hiring in the January transfer window.
fee not being officially unveiled, it is speculated that Santos coughed up around 10 million Euros for the services of the Argentine, far less than the 15 million Euros demanded by Cruzeiro last season. At the end of last term Santos sold the midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, who was returning from injury, for 9.1 million Euros to Sao Paulo.
Chelsea The sale of striker Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool for £12 million was certainly a great deal for the Blues since the player has never managed to establish himself in the first team. With his departure, Chelsea hired striker Demba Ba, who arrived from Newcastle for £7.5 million.
Santos The club of Neymar has finally managed to sign the talented 28-year-old Montillo, from Cruzeiro. Despite the transfer
The Argentinean Montillo will play with Neymar
England and Brazil duel at Wembley
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n February 6 the Brazilian football team will be back at Wembley Stadium six months after their disappointing defeat to Mexico in the final of the Olympic Games. Now the game is more festive: part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the English Football Association. But despite the expected joyous atmosphere, the Brazilian team sees the game as a great opportunity to regain the confidence of the fans. The game will mark the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari to the command of the national side. After the resignation of Mano Menezes, Scolari was called to try to rediscover the attractive football of his first spell in charge of the Seleção. Scolari has tried to merge experience and youth, with the return of veterans Ronaldinho and the goalkeeper Julio Cesar to a young and talented squad. Even without major modifications to the base of former coach Menezes, Scolari expects new motivation and willingness
from his charges on the pitch. Against England, we will finally see Brazil facing a high-ranked opponent, which didn’t happen in the Mano Menezes era and is essential in World Cup 2014 preparations. Scolari arrives with the support and experience of a world title, but also comes as a major contributor to the bad season of Palmeiras in the last Brazilian Championship, which for many critics only emphasizes the downturn of the coach, who after leaving the command of the Portuguese national team, has had some questionable managerial spells. Brazil will face the English occupying 18th place in the FIFA Rankings and surrounded by suspicion, but a good presentation in the temple of football can renew hopes for 2014. We must not forget, however, that the British will be motivated that Brazil does not spoil the party. Therefore, the expectation is for a great football game. Scolari looks set to field an exciting midfield with Ramires, Hernanes, Oscar and Ronaldinho.
Parque Olímpico Rio 2016. Foto: divulgação
Sport | 13 BEST OF EUROPE
Champions League knockout: time for big ones
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By Jamie Jubon
he UEFA Champions League resumes on 19th February after a two-month break when the knockout stages begin. As has been the case in the last few years, Barcelona remain many people’s favourites, with World Player of the Year Lionel Messi in sparkling form once again this season, having scored a staggering 44 goals already. Despite their current struggles in La Liga, Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid is still expected to be major contenders, although first they will have to overcome a major obstacle in Manchester United. Over the last few years, it has predominantly been England’s Premier League clubs who have been the main challengers to Spain’s big two. However, both this season and last has seen two Premier League clubs eliminated at the group stage, with both Manchester City and Chelsea exiting this time around. Manchester United and Arsenal still remain but have hugely challenging fixtures to navigate against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. If either is to reach the quarter-finals, they will have to produce something special. Indeed, whilst the Premier League team’s fortunes have declined, the growing strength of the German Bundesliga has seen three of their teams make it through to the knockout stages this year. Bayern and Borussia Dortmund in particular will feel they have a fighting chance of going all the way, and even Schalke, who topped Arsenal’s group, may be able to force their way through to the latter stages. There are some fascinating last-16 matches to look forward and below we preview each one.
Celtic (Scotland) v Juventus (Italy) Celtic produced the shock of the Group Stages when they somehow claimed a famous victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park and were also one minute away from drawing at the Nou Camp. The unbeaten champions of Italy though will provide a stern test. They came through Chelsea’s group and all but condemned the holders to elimination with a comfortable victory in Turin. The Italians should be too strong for Scotland’s finest.
Valencia (Spain) v Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Arsenal (England) v Bayern Munich (Germany)
Must wanted trophy in the world? This is one of the more delicately poised of the last-16 ties. Valencia, with their experience of regularly participating in the Champions League, will fancy their chances but many people are tipping PSG to go a long way in the competition this season. Backed by mega-rich investors, they have invested significantly in their squad and their mega-money summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic may make the difference in this fixture.
Real Madrid (Spain) v Manchester United (England) Undoubtedly the tie of the round. Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid are struggling badly in La Liga and even trail city rivals Atletico in the league standings. As such, Mourinho is under big pressure to deliver in this competition and many have stated that he may need to win the whole thing to have any chance of retaining his job. It will also be Cristiano Ronaldo’s first visit back to Old Trafford to face his former employers so he will be keen to impress, whilst Manchester United possess perhaps the most potent outand-out striker in world football in Robin van Persie. It is extremely difficult to call a winner, but with reported feelings of dressing-room unrest at the Bernebeu, and many players supposedly falling out with their manager, it may be the Red Devil’s greater team spirit that sees them through.
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Shakhtar are many people’s dark horses to go a long way in the competition. Their Brazilian Wilian has been in scintillating form and they also progressed along with Juventus from Chelsea’s group. However, Dortmund themselves came through their own Group of Death, helping to eliminate Manchester City, and with a third successive Bundesliga title seemingly out of the question this season, the Germans will have even more focus on a strong European run and should make the quarter-finals.
Porto (Portugal) v Malaga (Spain) Champions League debutants Malaga have been the surprise package this season, finishing ahead of AC Milan and keeping clean sheets in all of their first three Champions League fixtures. Porto however have tons of experience of this stage of European football, though have lost some key players in recent years with the likes of Hulk and Falcao moving on to pastures new. Despite that, their know-how might be too much for the Spaniards.
Another highly intriguing match-up between two of Europe’s traditional powerhouses. Arsenal have lost a string of influential players in the last few seasons, how they would have loved to be able to call upon Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri against Bayern. However, they still have some very handy footballers in their squad, Santi Cazorla is hugely talented and Lukas Podolski will be going back to his old club with a point to prove having struggled to make the grade in Munich. Bayern though, boast one of the most fearsome squads in Europe and are still hurting after losing the final last season in their own stadium. Arsenal will need to take a lead to the second leg at the Allianz Arena to have a chance of progressing, but even that may not be enough.
AC Milan (Italy) v Barcelona (Spain) AC Milan were dealt a body blow at the knockout stage draw when they landed the tie everybody wanted to avoid, a meeting with Barcelona. Whoever the Spaniards were drawn against would have been huge underdogs and AC Milan will certainly be. The teams met in the quarterfinal stage last season, with the Catalans advancing, although not without a certain degree of difficulty. This time though, should be plain sailing for Barca. Milan are nowhere near the force they were, and are struggling so badly in Serie A that they probably won’t even be competing in the Champions League next season. Galatasaray (Turkey) v Schalke (Germany) Schalke managed to avoid defeat twice against Arsenal in the Group Stages, and notched up a famous 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed a new contract in a major boost for the Germans but Galatasaray, with new signing Wesley Sneijder in tow, will certainly have a fighting chance. However, the Bundesliga is growing in strength and Schalke, as they showed in the last round, have some tidy footballers and are likely to overcome the Turkish Champions.
Sport | 14 |
Jan 29th – Feb 11th 2013
TENNIS
Djokovic makes history at Australian Open
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Hair: Daniel Dyer • Make-up: Alex Babsky
y beating Brit Andy Murray by three sets to one on Sunday, Novak Djokovic became the first consecutive triple Australian Open champion, with the Serb having already lifted the trophy in 2011 and 2012. It is his fourth title in Melbourne (he also won the tournament in 2008) and the sixth Grand Slam in the career of the current world number one. The first two sets of the final were evenly contested. Murray won the opener 7-6, with the 25-year-old saving four break-points against the top seed before winning the tie break comfortably. However, Djokovic wasn’t subdued for long and battled back to force another tie-break in the second set, with the defending champion coming out on top 7-3.
After that Djokovic took over. He was dominant on the court and dictating play and went on to win the final two sets 6-3 and 6-2 . “It makes me feel wonderful to be holding this trophy again. Thank you for these two weeks. You deserve it as much as I do. See you next year,” the Serb said and congratulated the crowd after lifting the trophy. In the women’s final Belarusian Victoria Azarenka defeated Chinese Na Li 4-6 6-4 6-3. It was the second Grand Slam title for Azarenka, who secured her number one position in the rankings ahead of American Serena Williams. Djokovic celebrates third championship in a row
BE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN SKIN, AND LET ANIMALS KEEP THEIRS. Jamelia BY MARY MCCARTNEY
Every year, millions of animals are gassed, electrocuted, trapped, drowned, clubbed, poisoned and skinned alive for their fur.
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