Latest posts by Thiana Biondo
Brazil: Communities in Rio Blame Olympics for Evictions
Communities in the West Zone (Zona Oeste) of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil have been earmarked for eviction and removal by the City Hall in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. Recently, at least two of them, 'Vila Harmonia' and 'Vila Autódromo', have witnessed the presence of tractors, government staff and police.
Brazil: Journalist's dismissal causes outrage
Journalist Aguirre Peixoto's dismissal from the Brazilian newspaper A Tarde caused outrage among bloggers and journalists [pt]: Peixoto's reports on the environmental damage caused by a new development to the city of Salvador allegedly put an end to the contractors’ advertising in the broadsheet. After applying 30-days suspension on Peixoto,...
Brazil: WikiLeaks and doubts over technology transfer in French fighters
WikiLeaks has released a document that raises doubts over the main reason behind Brazilian interest to buy French fighter aircraft: the possibility of transferring the technology of construction.
Brazil: WikiLeaks cable reveals suspected terrorists arrested on narcotics charges
Natalia Vianna reports [pt] for WikiLeaks on how US embassy cables reveal Brazilian security forces have cooperated with US intelligence on counterterrorism in the country, arresting individuals with links to terrorism on various other charges, particularly narcotics.
Brazil: New Forestry Code = The Right to Deforestation?
An area of the Amazon equivalent to the size of England and France put together could be destroyed if changes proposed to the Brazilian Forestry Code come into force. The blogosphere reacts.
Brazil: Football and Patriotism During the World Cup
Many bloggers in Brazil have criticized the seasonal wave of patriotism taking place during the World Cup. For some, patriotism is the face of fascist ideologies, while for others the Brazilian team is such a disappointment that they prefer to support the Argentinean national team.
Brazil: Net-citizens have fun shooting corrupt politicians
A videogame in which you can shoot a Brazilian politician recently accused of corruption becomes a hit in 2009, and it was not the first time net-citizens poke fun at their politicians. Is this a new way to protest?
Brazil: The challenge of hosting a worthwhile Olympic Games
Brazilians highlight the problems that the country will have to deal with before the 2016 Olympic Games with wry humor, hoping that organizers will learn from the mistakes made during the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio.
Brazil: Bolivia expels Brazilian citizens
Evo Morales' government claims that recent expulsions of Brazilians from its territory is focused on matters of sovereignty, but some Brazilian bloggers suggest it is to settle government supporters in their place.
Brazil: Digital mob demands the Senate President's resignation
Thousand of protests have taken place 'virtually' on social media networks, such as Twitter, demanding the resignation of the Senate President, José Sarney. But, when the mobilization goes offline, only some dozen protesters have so far taken to Brazil's streets. Bloggers analyze the current Brazilian political scenery, the background of this situation and speculate on a hidden agenda.
Air Bus AF 447: Sorrow, lack of information and sensationalism
Blogs around the world have been sending their condolences to the families suffering the wait for any sign of the vanished Air France Airbus AF 447. Much criticism and discussion is also taking place about the disrespectful way in which the media have been covering the loss of the lives of the 228 on board, and the lack of information regarding the disaster.
Brazil: Land reform or deforestation boost for the Amazon?
Brazilian president Lula da Silva has a controversial bill that will legitimize land-grabbing in the Amazon prior to 2004 on his hands. Will the law help the forest escape further deforestation or is it going to benefit land owners only, and be the last straw for an Amazon rain forest already on its way to destruction?
Brazil: Petroleum, elections and poverty matters
Discussions of an investigation into the nation's biggest state-owned company and its possible political motivation fill the Brazilian blogosphere. This debate takes place in a Brazilian society which sees 'black gold' as a solution to the country's economic and energy problems.
Brazil: The Character Assassination of a Presidential Candidate
It seems that Brazilian mainstream media have set aside good journalistic standards when it comes to news stories about President Lula's preferred presidential candidate, Dilma Roussef. This has not been missed by Brazilian bloggers, who have dissected a series of false media reports, including the unabashed publication of a fake police file that has been circulating on the internet for more than a year.
Brazil: Does the country play a new role in the world?
Brazilian blogs could not stop talking about the way President Barack Obama treated President Lula President in their third meeting at the G-20 Summit in London. Being called "the guy" by the US President, Lula shows the new status of the country and gives everyone a reason for pride, although some bloggers remind us that the main point of the meeting was how the worldwide leaders are going to tackle the economical downturn.
Brazil: Beyond cyberspace – when blogs move offline
Books are becoming e-books and blogs and websites have appeared as books and other types of media. In this state of flux, it looks like the paper book has the power to beat virtual writing rather than the other way round. In Brazil, there is more than just a fashion of launching e-books to attract readers and writers but also an opposite stream in which blogs have reached the offline shelves as well as the movie screens.
Brazil: A Falling Castle (and Congressman) in Two Acts
Recently elected Vice-President and Ethics Magistrate of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, Edmar Moreira has resigned following only one week in the post, after a property of his – a medieval-style castle in the middle of tropical Brazil about which the tax office were not told – has suddenly come into the spotlight. Will he be investigated? Bloggers speculate on this tragic-comic plot.
Best Blogs Brazil: Winners by jury, public and hacker votes
Who won the Best Blogs Brazil 2008? Specialists and the public went to the polls and the winners were announced at Campus Party last week. The competition, which did not offer a money prize just prestige, was taken very seriously by contenders, some even willing to cheat to win.
