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ABC News: This Week in Our Headlines

As the news rolled in for the Halloween week many topics were discussed. There were topics of the presidential races, new studies on cancer, and red carpet showing of the best magazine covers of the year. Throughout the whole five day news showing, Brazil was never brought up once. ABC News with Charles Gibson, the news broadcast I chose to observe, never went there. Most of the topics discussed were of either domestic issues, or the boiling tensions that continue to rise in the Middle East.

What I did notice was there were some topics that were talked about repeatedly throughout the week. Now there are some stories that need to be, but then there are others that for the life of me I cannot understand why it was given multiple airings. The biggest story of the week was the increase attacks on Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton. Political writers and commentators went ad nauseam about how this would or wouldn’t sink her chances for a White House bid. Barack Obama sensing that he needed to make a move now rather than later went tough on her, as did others like John Edwards and Joe Biden. But did this needed to be talked about for a week straight?

More I watched the news, more I realized that the shows were heavily devoted to the presidential primaries. There was a piece on Barack Obama, titled “Who Is Barack Obama?” Then there were more on the debates. Not only is the primaries months away, but the actual election is a year away. Why the rush and constant barrage of news on it?

This week in Brazil there were some major stories happening. The biggest was that Petrobras, the state controlled oil company has bought refineries in Japan at an estimated couple billion dollars. Brazil in recent years has continued to position itself as a player on the global energy scene. They have put heavy finances into developing new sources of energy, and the results are new technologies to allow them more power. Not only that, but recent purchase like the oil refineries in Osaka, Japan have increased their staying power in the oil market as well. In a world where oil has a grip on the dynamic of nations, wouldn’t news outlets talk about the business ventures going on?

Of course American news stations will talk about America and take America angles on topics. One story also talked repeatedly during the week was Hurricane Noel rampaging through the Bahamas. Watching the broadcast they briefly described the death toll in the island nations, the amount of damage, and pictures of muddy waves drowning out the streets. But that was shown for about forty-five seconds. The rest of the three minute news segment was directed towards American citizens. How it was going to hit the Carolinas? How this has been a tame season? The angle taken was on the potential threat to us and how we made it out okay. Something was lost in translation there. What was lost was that the real story should be about the damage happening to the Bahamas, but that had nothing to do with us. The reporter ended the story with a warning to us to reconsider the scary rhetoric of hurricane predications. Yes Americans made it out okay, but what about the people in the Bahamas?

This goes the same about Brazil. In recent weeks there have been murders and breakouts of violence. Most of them at the suppose hands of police officers. Should American news outlets discuss these stories? At times I wished they did to allow us a greater understanding of the world around us, but at the same time is that possible. ABC News only has thirty minutes to broadcast. In that time they need to hit many viewers as they possibly can. So topics about how obesity leads to cancer and frozen pizza recalls are needed to be there to make them still relevant. Would American viewers really care what is happening to citizens of another country? Iraq stories are about the soldiers not Iraqis. Brazil to make the evening news would be a miracle. The idea is that if you want to know, there is the internet to allow you the information. But for that thirty minutes, America has to be about America.

Bovespa Stock Surges In Record Day

Brazil's leading stock exchange, Bovespa, surged to a record day after it was listed for the first time. In just one day the stock rose 51%. In the morning the stock exchange was listed at 23 reais, but by days end it was at 34 reais. All this buzz, 288 million shares were sold, generated an astonishing $3.7 billion dollars in IPO. The amazing cash flow promises to boost the local currency and economy.

Bovespa has seen its profits jump 71% in just one year. The main reason for this, besides the first listing, was also the immense interest from oversea investors. The two most notable stakeholders were Brazil's Grupo Itau and Grupo Santander Banespa.

Information found at BBC News

Petrobas Wants to Make Cellulosic Ethanol Viable

Brazil's state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, wants to make cellulosic ethanol viable in the near future. Carlos Tadeu Fraga, executive manager of Petrobras, said that the cellulosic ethanol is at the moment not commercially possible because it costs more to produce that sugarcane or corn. But he wished in the next ten years to make it a possibility.

Petrobras inaugurated a pilot plant to produce ethanol from sugarcane bagasse, a residue from ethanol or sugar production. The company plans to have a full plant running in 2010, able to produce ten tons of the product out. U.S. has aims for the same objective, but has yet to produce the technology to make it a possibility.

Brazil Looks Into Drilling In Amazon

The Natural Petroleum Agency, or ANP, announced a week ago that they plan to invest a little under $36 million dollars to look for oil and gas in the province of Acre. The western jungle of the Amazon is located in Acre. Many critics are nervous that this could catastrophically alter the jungle, one of the last untouched wildernesses in the world.

ANP director Getulio Silveira Leite urge that this was needed to discover the possibilities. Joao Paulo Capobianco, the Environment Ministry’s executive secretary, was cautious and listening to the decision. He said, "In theory, there are methodologies and technologies that allow this activity without environmental damage." He stressed to do research into ANP's plans and to make sure everyone knew what scale they were dealing on.

Acre congressman Marcelo Serafim, was on the same page. He did note that other plans to preserve the Earth and maintain a viable energy system has not worked in the past. The past examples he quoted were the Atlantic forests and Pantanal (wetlands).

Brazil's population continues to grow and more natural resources are needed to maintain the society. They have already started to build pipelines inside the Amazon.

All information found at Associated Press

Brazil Wins Suit Against America

America was found guilty in paying their cotton farmers illegal subsidies up towards $3 billion dollars, to help against Brazil's production. WTO issued the remarks opening the door for Brazil to receive new economic freedom and power. This all goes along to helping Brazil continue its agricultural might.

Phil Bloomer of Oxfam International, called it a, "a triumph for developing countries, and a warning for rich countries whose unfair systems are creating misery and poverty for millions. This is a signal that the modus operandi of the rich and powerful in the WTO getting away with anything they like will no longer be tolerated."

Many thought that the illegal subsidies help create the plunging poverty in the region. The overproduction kept the prices down, forcing Brazilian farmers to work extra hard just to make ends meet.

U.S. plans to appeal to the WTO on the matter.

All information found at BBC

South American Nations to Create New Bank

Led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an assortment of South American nations are creating a new bank to rival the IMF, American bank IDB, and World Bank. The countries include Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Argentina. The bank will be called Banco del Sur, or Bank of the South.

So why are all these countries uniting to create a new bank? Chavez strongly believes that the other banks create impossibly difficult sanctions that leave many in region under extreme poverty. Under the new system it will help alleviate their citizens to new financial prosperity.

Most can look into this as Chavez as positioning himself more and more as the strong Latin America voice against America, but South American countries facing poverty this looks like a golden opportunity for them.

Brazil itself has played an important role. The most economic and populated nation in the region was hesitant to go in at first, citing they wanted to make sure that the bank was established to help growing communities. They agreed hoping this would allow Brazil businesses to grow to even greater heights. This all comes at the eve of the World Bank about to hold meetings this week.

All information found at Taipei Times

Ethanol Production Creates Horrid Working Conditions

Sugarcane-based Ethanol, the new energy source that powers 30% of the Brazil's automobiles, has become a standard. The country has become the number one exporter of the world in ethanol. They export over 900 million gallons, returning $1.6 billion in profits. All of this has positioned Brazil as a progressive energy leader.

But all of this has created a harsh working conditions for the workers in charge of harvesting the sugarcanes. Working 12 hours a day in blazing heat with little pay, the workers find themselves in desperate situations. Their salary is around $420 a month. The plantation owners charge them for the transportation and food, furthering them into debt.

Worst yet is the pace they have to keep. In the outset sugarcane was sold in tons ranging from 6 t0 8 a day. Now, with European imports booming, the pace has quickened to 10 to 12 tons a day.

UNICA, the country's association of sugar and ethanol producers have acknowledged working conditions in the cane fields have caused U.S. and European importers to ban their products. The whole scenario is taken right out of Upton Sinclair's novel the Jungle. Little hope or movement yet to see if conditions are improving.

Brazil Refuse to Extradite Lebanes Banker

In an announcement, the Brazil Supreme Court refused to extradite Rana Koleilat to Lebanese officials. The vote was unanimous because the lack of treaty talks between the two nations. Koleilat was under suspicion for bank fraud and possible connections to the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

In 2003 her bank, Al-Madina, was found to be missing over $300 million dollars. She fled the country and wound up in Brazil. The UN questioned her for her role in the car bombings that claimed Hariri. Some believed she used her money from Al-Madina to fund the operation.

Brazil is allowing her to leave the country in eight days. She plans to go to a European country where she holds a citizenship card.

U.S. Needs Brazil to Save Doha Talks

Doha, the long-running trade talks envisioned to help millions out of poverty and increase global trade, has been hitting stalemates. U.S. and the European Union want to continue as is, but developing nations think the proposals are unfair and need to be revamped. Since the summer the World Trade Organization has been looking for some hope.

That is where Brazil comes. The Latin American powerhouse holds influence over many countries and the U.S. wants the nation to step up, speak for their behalf, and to convince the others to fall in line. Brazil, which has been a major player in the Doha talks, is hesitant to do so.

For the deal to come to light, every member of the WTO needs to agree to it. That means the developing countries must see some significant gains, which they think is not coming. Brazil, who has a strong agricultural backbone, feels that the talks are not based strongly there. Brazil has a booming economy and could continue to grow if more revisions to the deals would include agriculture. U.S. might have to let this in to have Brazil in their corner. Either way Brazil holds the fate for many people's future.

Bush Might Cut Funding to Brazil

As Brazil continues to develope its economy into one of the largest in the world, the slums have stayed occupied. The USA has funded aid to leviate the poor into the country, but soon President Bush might stop funding the effort. Bush reasons are to help government spending wherever he can. But House Representives see this as a possible danger.

Rep. Dan Burton, of Indiana, stressed that Brazil needs the funding to maintain their friendship in the Latin American community. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has made an effort to be a thorn to America' s side, is a growing popular figure in South America. Brazil, which hosts both the largest population and economy, is a powerful ally to help maintain a good word in the continent.

Plus the House is interested in the biofuels that Brazil has developed. Their research has allowed them to be a global voice in energy. The cuts will not start till 2008, but one has to ask is it worth it to lose favor with a potential global power?

Information found at Washington Times

Brazil to Increase Tech Power

Brazil in recent news have increased its desire in US tech companies. Spending will drastically go from $20 billion (2007) to $32.3 billion (2011). The companies invested in the large nation are Dell, Myspace, and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. All of this spending could increase the power of the nation as it competes with others like India and China in technologic integration.

But why has this country been slow to the curve. Inflation crippled the economy, slowing it down. It took the country many reforms to stabilize it and now they plan to reinvest. But will it work? The great divide between rich and poor might increase more if only the rich can obtain computers and the internet. Plus taxes might kill the early adopters into buying in. Either way Brazil seems steadfast into enter the ethernet mainfraim and become even more globally recoginized.

Information found at USA Today

Bidding for Brazil Oil Blocks

Reported in a press release by the Embassy of Brazil in London, bids will start for the ability to explore for gas and oil in Brazil. A presentation will be hosted by The Embassy of Brazil in London and the Brazilian National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP) at the end of September. Bids will not happen until the end of November during the Brazil Round 9. It will offer 98,000 square kilometers in proven, unexplored, and high potential sectors.

Gas and oil have proven critical for Brazil's economy. In the last ten years, gas and oil have tripled in the country's GDP from 3% to 10%. Reports on last year has stated that the country shipped 12.2 billion barrels of oil in 2006. The new expansion of exploration and potential drilling will only increase the flow of not only oil, but for money as well.


Information found at Embassy of Brazil in London

Catholic Church In Danger?

Brazil is the largest Catholic nation in the world, sporting upwards to 125 million followers. But in recent years the population has begun to drop. In just the last 20 years the Catholic Church has lost 12% of its participants. This was due to the growing popularity of Pentecostal churches who now boast over 20 million members.

In an article posted by the BBC, Leonardo Boff, a leading voice for the Liberation Theology, said this about the Church's decline. "So many people leave and look for other churches, which have more populist language, and they are more welcoming and they allow for a sacred experience, an experience of God which is easier and more immediate." He later goes on to blame the rigid dogma and the Church's inability to integrate Latin America more with Rome.

The Pentecostal churches have promoted a self-improvement message that has grown on the younger generation. They have continued to develope despite recent flurries of controversy including some of the church founders caught smuggling money inside Bibles. The Pope has stated worries. This in the eyes that their rivals have gained more political clout and media power. Will the Roman Catholic Church continue to recede power to its rivals or regain its stability? Time will tell.

A Century of Political Turmoil

After Dom Pedro became the first emperor of Brazil it faced immediate challenges. His son, Pedro II, came to power in 1840 and had to deal with rising revolts because of slave use. That was the first of many domestic blows that began to crumble his power base. In parallel to this was the rise of the Army, who began clambering for a Republic. Even though slavery was abolished, the emperor had no give in the political arena.

General Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca planned a military coup in 1889 to rid of Pedro II. He success resulted in the collapse of the empire and the start of the Brazil Republic, with him as the first President. The Republic lasted in its true form from 1889-1930. During that time the economy faced many speed bumps. The abolishment of slavery crippled their exporting economy which relied heavily on sugar and coffee. Plus the equipment being used was not up to the quick standards of their North Western counterparts.

The country also was split in its class, economic, and culture. The north was rural and mostly impoverished. The south was dynamic, populated, and economically reliable. The Republic power base came from the south allowing them complete decision making. Yet no political outbursts occurred till 1930.

It was it that year that the economy fell to ruins along with the rest of western world due to the stock market crash of 1929. Getúlio Vargas, a governor in a influential province, used another military coup to oust the leaders from their hold. He ruled till his death in 1954. Under his control he pushed his populist beliefs to reinvigorate the working class and gain unprecedented political clout. He established hard tariffs to quell the country's nature to import to solve their problems.

With such popularity Vargas was allowed to model his government in an almost dictatorial fashion. He rewarded the sugar land owners for their allegiance and gave nothing to the working class, going against his promise. Communist uprisings began to pop up, but Vargas united different classes, unions, and political players to keep himself in power.

The class wars were still brimming with anger and it led to the third military coup in 1964. The new ruling class was run entirely by the military. They weakened the legislative and judicial branches and gave more to the president. Humberto de Alencar Castello Branco, was the first president under the new rule and set the tone for his followers. But economy continued to grow and modernization expanded their agricultural reach.

In 1985 Brazil went through its fourth and final transformation. The middle class wanted new responsible leaders and not chained to the military. They succeeded placing a return to a civil democratic government. Their federal constitution was constructed in 1988 and has been upheld since.

All information found at Wikipedia and their sources for above post.

How It Came to Be

Being the fifth largest and fifth most populous country in the world, Brazil naturally holds caveat in the global stage. But it took them time to get there. Portugal in their schemes to become the dominant trading empire of their times began colonizing the western hemisphere. Pedro Alvares Cabral discovered the land in 1500 and Portugal began investing heavily into the territory in 1530. It's main objective was to establish a viable economy built on the land's natural resources. But that did not last long as countries closer to Europe were far more financial viable. Instead it was the discovery of gold that spurred new found interest in Brazil.

What later followed was Brazil's fight for independence. With abusive taxes placed on the country and most of the gold profit going towards the King of Portugal, civil unrest swept the streets. The last decade of the 18th century saw the country facing economic dry spell. Gold was not as strong and no new resource had presented itself. Worst yet was the Portuguese head of states fled their homeland and settled in Brazil avoiding the rampaging armies of Napoleon.

A series of events unfolded between 1821-1825 that propelled Brazil from colony to independent nation. Latin America began to strike back and Brazil got involved in the conflict. Much of the Portugal royalty returned to Lisbon with Napoleon defeated leaving a small sect to govern. The remaining sect decided to abolish Brazil and make all of it directly subordinate to Lisbon itself. The armies present at the time were mixed of Portuguese and Brazilian, but the difference split them apart. Dom Pedro leader of Brazil refused to leave and cement full Portugal control leading to further tensions. He forced Portuguese troops to leave the country and later establish a government coalition with Jose Bonifacio de Andrade e Silva, whose knowledge help stabilize the land. On September 7th, 1822 they won their freedom and Dom Pedro became the first emperor later that year.