Thursday, April 7, 2011

11 children, gunman killed in Brazil school shooting

(CNN) -- A gunman opened fired Thursday inside a school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, killing 10 students before being fatally shot himself by police, the country's health minister said.
The student victims were nine girls and one boy, the health ministry told CNN. Eighteen others were injured, including 12 boys and six girls, the government said
Earlier reports erroneously stated that 13 had died at the Tasso da Silveira Municipal School.

According to CNN affiliate Record TV, a man entered the school in the morning armed with two handguns and began shooting at children and school personnel.
The man was identified as Wellington Menezes de Oliveira, 23, a former student at the school, the state-run Agencia Brasil news agency reported.

As the man fled, he ran into military police who were responding to the scene. There was a confrontation, and he was shot, Agencia Brasil reported. He died from his wounds, it said.
There were reports that he had left a letter behind that mentioned he had HIV, Agencia Brasil said.

The injured were transported to the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, where Agencia Brasil reported helicopters were waiting in an adjacent field, ready to transport the more seriously injured to other facilities.

Rio de Janeiro's Hematology Institute, which coordinates the distribution of blood for transfusions, put out a call via Twitter for donations to the hospital.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she was "shocked" by the attack and had "great concern" about the incident.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Last Days: Time of Deceit

After Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples addressed  to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will these things? And what will be the sign of your coming and the end times? " Jesus replied: "Beware that no man deceive you. For many will come in  my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear Speaking of wars and rumors of wars, but fear not. It is necessary all these things happen, but still not the end. Nation will  rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in several places. All this will be the beginning of sorrows. " Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verses 3-8
We live in evil days. In several places, several people  different, we hear that the end is near. The Mayans believed that the end of a great cycle of life would end in 2012. The history of  humanity reveals that all great civilizations have had their fall his moment of greatest height. For us, the 21st century with all its technologies and advances, it would be the pinnacle of modern civilization that live? As to the exact day and time, Jesus said that nobody can  say, however, as someone who looks to the sky, watching the clouds and  realizes that it will rain, all those who observe certain signs should prepare for the end. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24,  several of these signs are revealed.
It is interesting to note what Jesus is saying. Shortly before this writing, in verse 1, Jesus is in the temple with his disciples. The Temple was a construction of reference for the people of that time, for many represented the place God would wave and was worshiped, the symbol of a religion. He was a very important building for life that religious people who still see Jews weeping at the Western Wall Lamentations, the only wall that still stands the ancient Temple. So as in those days, our churches are a reference to people of today. In a way, are the symbol of our religion. And Jesus said that all buildings that Temple would be torn down and there is not left "stone unturned". With that, Jesus was saying that the reference to religion would be destroyed. Today we understanding of it, because we know that God does not live more in construction made by people, now our bodies are sealed by the Holy Spirit the temple where God lives.
The destruction of reference of religion is a requirement to understand what would happen next. Realizing that something big was coming, the curious disciples ask: "Tell it to us when it will happen, and what are the signs of thy coming? "And he starts with a warning: "Beware, lest you be deceived." The first thing that comes to our mind is: "why or by whom they would deceived? ". The answer comes soon after, when he reveals that many come in the name of Jesus Christs are saying. For us to better understand what Jesus is saying, we must know what the word means Christ. Christ is the Greek translation for the word Messiah, which means Anointed. Porting, in "fully translated" what Jesus said is that the first sign of the end times is that many people appear doing things in the name of Jesus and claiming to be anointed. We take beware of false anointed, because Jesus said that in recent days they deceive many. God seeks worshipers who worship in Spirit and Truth. Jesus said that He is the Truth that sets people free, porting to worship God in Spirit and in truth is to worship Jesus as loved it. And he did it resigning oneself to the will of Father.
Before the start of Jesus' ministry, came a guy who had a very special role to prepare the people for things that were happen. He said that even if people attend the churches of his time, and they consider themselves religious good, they needed to repent of your sins because if God wanted him to raise stones as children of Abraham, good religious. The name of this guy was John Baptist, fully translated from Greek, his name would be more or less, "John, who plunges." The word baptism means "Plunge." John came to lift people out of religiosity that is surface dive to the people in the gospel message is that the repentance, renunciation and life based on God's will.
This message that John the Diver, announcing that Jesus is the same, the Anointed continued announcing, "Repent for the kingdom of God has arrived. " Increasingly we are sure that the time of the Kingdom of Man we live in, is ending. The rules of the Kingdom of Man, based on human will and controlled by the forces of evil will not work in the United of God. Who wants to enter the kingdom of God, who has arrived, you need learn the rules and goals that are recorded in the Bible, especially in the Gospels, and beware lest they be deceived by the false anointed.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Brazil War: Police and military forces laid siege to keep the Complexo do Alemão (German Complex) in Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian Army military operations reinforce the Complexo do Alemão, Rio de Janeiro
Originally published in the UOL News (in Portuguese)

Daniel MilazzoSpecial UOL NewsIn Rio de Janeiro
The police and military forces remain on Saturday (27) enclosure mounted to the German Complex, a large number of slums in northern Rio de Janeiro. Since yesterday afternoon, 800 men of the Infantry Brigade of the Brazilian Army Parachutist are positioned in 44 accessions of the complex. Authorities said the siege has no time or day to end.
According to Col. Lima Castro, public relations, military police, the traffickers are caught. More than 1,500 men, including military and police forces, participating in the siege and the scan operations in Vila Cruzeiro shantytown occupied by BOPE (Special Operations Battalion) since the early evening of Thursday (25).
Men BOPE, Military Police and Civil Police still in the slums in search of weapons, drugs and even bodies in the Vila Cruzeiro. According to the general commander of the Military Police, Colonel Mario Sergio Duarte, BOPE remains recovered in the territory still undetermined. Sniffer dogs are also used in the scan. As reported the BBC News report from the trail left the slum dwellers of destruction and is at bay.
Police say there are still criminals hiding in the community, but many of them fled to neighboring German Complex, where police believe there are 500 dealers gathered. "The culprits are slaughtered. They are all cowards, they fled like hares yesterday, "said Col. Alvaro Garcia, Chief of Staff of the Military Police.Read more news
At the heart of trafficking
"We are at the heart of the faction, said on Friday Col. Lima Castro, referring to the Commando Vermelho criminal group behind the attacks that torched vehicles and spread panic in the state capital and metropolitan region since the end of last week. Lima Castro points out that, historically, the Vila Cruzeiro was known as a strategic region for the concentration and distribution of guns to traffickers in Rio
The public relations PM believes that the time is in favor of the police, adding that the "unrest" is also an important weapon when trying to pull people out of the territory. Lima Castro contends that the siege provisionses hinder the marginal with respect to both the food and ammunition.
The police admits that an operation like this carries risks to the population, particularly those living in the embattled region, but argues that this is a time of sacrifice of the entire city. "The operation is aimed not put innocent people at risk, which does not mean that some people are not injured," ponders Lima Castro.Military support
Upon request of the Governor Sergio Cabral and endorsement of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the military went into action in coordination with the police. Besides the 800 men of the Infantry Brigade of the Army Parachutist, the operation is unprecedented in the history of Rio de Janeiro against drug trafficking also has the support of armored vehicles.
The Navy of Brazil is collaborating with at least 15 armored vehicles. Four of the Marine Corps Amphibious 7A1 model, of U.S. manufacture, known as Clanf (Car Amphibian Lizard), capable of carrying 21 men, six armored M 113, which can carry 11 men; Swiss manufacturing, five armored model Piranha capable of carrying ten men.
The master of sea and land Carlos Chagas, commander of the Marine Corps, states that the mission of the 88th Marines deployed to support the logistics of transporting police and open terrain, going over the barricades, like the ones seen on Thursday in Vila Cruzeiro.
"In all quietness, armored vehicles have weathered very well," said Captain Chagas next to a 113 M hit by bullets, but with virtually no damage. "It's very gratifying to participate in such an operation. The police tell us they have come to places where they had never come, "said Chagas.
The Brazilian Army is also present five-urutus same vehicle used by UN forces in Haiti. Gen. Fernando Sardenberg, commander of the Parachutist Infantry Brigade, said his effective is available to the Security Bureau indefinitely.
 
In turn, the Air Force of Brazil released at least two armored helicopters able to conduct night operations.;

Monday, November 1, 2010

Dilma Rousseff, was elected president of Brazil

Finally comes to an end a most decisive episode in Brazilian history. In 2010, Brazil Dima Rousseff choose as the first woman to be elected president.
I personally thought this election was apathetic. I voted for Marina Silva, the only viable option to the duality between left and right that exists in Brazil today. While the candidate Jose Serra, the PSDB party's right wing, was the most voted in the richest regions of the country (south and southeast), the pupil of Lula was elected thanks to the votes of the poorest regions (Northeast and North).
In 2002, when the worker Lula was elected president for the first time, the feeling of the people was that they had finally won probram the wealthy. But the victory comes only Dilma to be a continuity in the vote for Lula. The problem is that the history of Dilma is not the best. Hopefully everything will work out!
See what the international press said about the Brazilian election of 2010.

Friday, October 1, 2010

"Law of Gershon": the brazilian and the corruption


You're complaining about the President Lula? of Sao Paulo Governor Jose Serra? the Roussef, former chief minister of the Civil House and presidential candidate as successor to Lula? Arrruda the (governor of the Federal District, was accused of corruption and resigned)? Sarney's (former president of Brazil)? of Collor (Brazil's former president, resigned to not suffer impeachiman)? From Renan, involved in huge corruption scandal? of Palocci, former finance minister under Lula, accused of corruption? the Delúbio Smith, treasurer of the party of President Lula, engaged in the grand scheme of corruption? Roseanne's Sarney, daughter of Sarney? Of the political district of Brasilia? Juca's? Kassab's? more 300 picks of the Brazilian Congress?

The Brazilian people complain about corruption. Complains that politicians do nothing and that they only think about taking advantage. Why is it?

Check out below some of the "Law of Gershon," also known as "Brazilian way".

The Brazilian complains of?

The Brazilian is like this:

1. - Pillages loads of crashed vehicles on the roads.

2. - Parks sidewalks, often under boards prohibitive.

3. - Bribery or attempts to bribe when caught committing the infraction.

4. - Exchange vote for anything as sand, cement, brick, and even dentures.

5. - Speech on the phone while driving.

6. -Traffic from the right shoulders in a traffic jam.

7. - Stop double row, triple in front of schools.

8. - Violates the law of silence.

9. - Drive after consuming alcohol.

10. - Not satisfied at banks, using the flimsiest
excuses.

11. - Spread tables, barbecue on the sidewalk.

12. - Get medical certificates without being sick, only to miss
work.

13. - Does "cat" of light, water etc ... (Cat = illegal connection)

14. - Records in the office properties worth less than purchased,
often woefully inadequate just to pay less taxes.

15. - Purchase receipt for slaughter in the declaration of tax
income to pay less tax.

16. - Change the color of the skin to enter the university through
the quota system.

17. - When traveling in the service by the company, if lunch cost 10
ask for the bill, 20.

18. - Sells donated items such campaigns disasters.

19. - Parks in exclusive places for the disabled.

20. - Change the car's speedometer to sell it as if
was slightly rotated.

21. - Buying pirated products with the full awareness that they are
pirate.

22. - Replace the catalyst for a car that only has the shell.

23. - Lowers the age of the child so that it passes beneath the
wheel of the bus, passing without paying.

24. - Gained the car outside his home to pay less property taxes.

25. - Attends the slot and makes a leap of faith in the game of numbers.

26. - Take business where he works, small objects like
clips, envelopes, pens, pencils .... As if that was not theft.

27. - Sells the travel vouchers and meal vouchers
receives business where he works.

28. - Fake it, all right ... not only what they fakes
has not yet been invented.

29. - When returning from abroad, never tells the truth when
customs tax question which brings in baggage.

30. - When you find a lost object, in most cases
no returns.

And you want politicians to be honest ...

Offend with the fun of airline tickets ...

Those politicians who are out there the middle of that same people or not?
Brazilian complains of what, anyway?

And it's so true, that is the worst! So I suggest we adopt a
behavior change, starting with ourselves, wherever!

Let's give the good example!

Spread this idea!

"They talk about both the need to leave a better planet for
our children and forget the urgency of letting children better
(Educated, honest, decent, ethical, responsible) for our
planet, through our examples ... "

Friends!

It is one of the emails that I received more true!

The change must start within ourselves, our homes, our values, our attitudes!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

DILMA CAI PARA 46%, SERRA TEM 28% E MARINA SOBE PA...

SERMÕES BÍBLICOS: DILMA CAI PARA 46%, SERRA TEM 28% E MARINA SOBE PA...: "Dilma tem 46%, e Serra, 28%, aponta pesquisa Datafolha Marina Silva tem 14%, segundo levantamento feito na segunda-feira (27). Margem de er..."

Monday, September 6, 2010

CPFL: total indifference to the consumer


Below is a consumer complaint against the company CPFL. 
This complaint was made to the site "Complain Here" (Reclame Aqui in portuguease). The site contained several other consumer complaints against the company: The main reasons are: neglect of the cosumidor. The Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL) is a company traded on the Stock Exchange (Bovespa). As CPFL went from serious and respected company after privatization to become a company that does not value their customers? Why? Good question. Spread the complaint, you complain too. We will mobilize against this company that has complete disregard for customers!



Below is a consumer complaint against the company CPFL:
"I had the electricity cut out of my residence. Performed the payment of debts and asked the rewiring. Theoretically the standard procedure. I was wrong, that's when he began a novel in which asymmetric information nothing solved my problem. A COMPLETE DISREGARDS!
Attempt No. 1. The clerk reported that for some reason the request for reconnection was not being accepted into the system and it was necessary to seek an agency (which incidentally is in another city).
Attempt No. 2. The clerk at the agency said that issue had nothing to do with it, not open Protocol, gave no information, affront to my mother and said she should look for the phone service.
Attempt No. 3. First step: I called in phone service and registered a complaint against the agency. Second step: another attempt to restart 
electricity in my house. The clerk reported that the system had debts outstanding, and that one agency should have seen it. After more than half an hour, the clerk discovered these debts were open a split that had been canceled. Gave me a new number of phone service for me to check with them.

Attempt No. 4. The phone service was a collection agency. I was informed that contained an open split, which had actually been canceled for nonpayment. But trading would again be enabled if the overdue installments of split were paid. Promise of reconnection in two days working. Action: Find the slips.
Attempt No. 5. In phone service I was informed that if I did not find the slips could request a duplicate. With the payment before the 16 hours from Friday, reconnection could be made on an emergency basis (up to 4 hours). 12:30 I call there and ask for 2nd copy of the slips. Attendant says the slips are not generated at the time, but within two hours I will be receiving. Received them on Monday the 15h via fax.
Attempt No. 6. With portions of split paid in arrears, protocols, new applications for restart of energy in my house. CLERK question several times ON PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS THAT WANTS had won, aiming to confuse the customer and camouflage LACK OF INFORMATION BY THE COMPANY PAST. After a very long time on the phone informs the clerk that the request for reconnection was denied, no one knows why. Ask me again directs the agency to write off the payments.
Attempt No. 7. The agency register the payments and tries to make fresh application for reconnection of the energy on my house. For some reason he can not explain, the deadline for reconnection is 10 days. That goes against CONSUMER LAW as contained in the SITE OF CPFL "• After solving the problems that led to cutting off the supply, the concessionaire will have at most 24 hours to restore service," http://www.cpfl.com.br/DireitoseDeveres/tabid/725/Default.aspxWHAT NOW MY MOTHER IS A LADY COME BACK TO HOUSE NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
Attempt No. 8. I turn back to service phone and request reconnection once all outstanding debts are paid. Attendant said that has already logged a request for reconnection to the system there for 10 days. I tell him this is unacceptable since it is first necessary service, and no competitor that provides the service, according to information from Procon (
consumer protection organization). With the debts paid, the service should be reestablished as indicated on the website of CPFL (in 24hours). Only after hearing the magic word "Procon" the attendant offers me a new solution. Request a call in the name of another person, for me. We do all the procedure for registration in my name and look ... Several minutes later the clerk informs me that my request for reconnection in my name was also denied, and that can be accepted if in compliance with the deadline of 10 days to analyze cash. Attendant terminates the call with the worst phrase I could hear "finally understood why his application for rewiring needs an analysis of 10 days, is that as the plot was partly paid (delay plots only), it is necessary that within 10 days until the cash flow analysis and DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT.

RESULT: still without energy, having to wait 10 days, with all my debts paid off, running the risk that after this period of "analysis" of cash my request is again denied. TOTAL DISREGARDS. I FEEL VERY INJURED UNDER HOURS NEED TO MOVE THE PHONE, AND LET MY WORK FOR TWICE TO GO IN ANOTHER AGENCY IN TOWN WITHOUT MY PROBLEM BE RESOLVED. AND ONLY AFTER 8 (EIGHT) ATTEMPTS DISCOVER THE REAL REASON OF MY REQUEST RECONNECT OF ELECTRIC ENERGY TO BE DENIED BY 7 TIMES."

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Burger King is sold to Brazilian company

Published in the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo on September 2, 2010 (in Portuguese) 


Burger King announced this morning an agreement Thursday with Brazil's 3G Capital to sell all its common shares for $ 24 each, or a total of U.S. $ 4 billion, said in a statement the fast-food . The acquisition includes the refinancing of company debt. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.
At 11h58 (GMT-3) the stock was sold for U.S. $ 23.4 on the NYSE (NYSE), 24% more than the closing price yesterday, to U.S. $ 18.86 per share.
In a statement, Burger King said the term of the agreement was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors Network, and details all the common shares will be sold. The premium obtained with the operation, according to the company, will be 46% on the price of paper - before affected by market rumors.
The agreement provides that 3G Capital to purchase, through public offering, all outstanding shares (listed on the Stock Exchange) company.
About 31% of the outstanding shares owned by members of TPG Capital LP, Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Bain Capital Investors. The agreement states that this percentage will be offered entirely on the sale.
For the acquisition, 3G Capital won funding directed to purchase all outstanding shares and in order to refinance existing debts.
According to the institutional site of 3G Capital - a company that has connections with the founders of AmBev, entrepreneurs Marcel Telles, Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira - 3G Capital focuses on "investing in stocks of well managed companies, primarily solid being traded at a substantial discount to its market, and traded.
In a statement, Alex Behring, managing partner of 3G Capital, justified the purchase to be "the Burger King an icon of global brands and strong franchise network, in addition to offering great products [which] make this [agreement] a perfect fit for 3G Capital - which has a strong track record of long-term investments in brands global consumer and retail. "
DIFFICULTIES
Burger King trades its shares on the NYSE (NYSE) since 2006.
In August, the Burger King low projected demand for the current fiscal year amid a difficult economic recovery and said he was unsure about how much the cost of raw materials, such as meat, would impact the company.
The company said that the high unemployment rate in the U.S. and the austerity programs in Europe would affect sales in restaurants in operation for over a year.
Burger King competes with McDonald's, said he expected commodity prices in the U.S. are weak in fiscal 2011, although the cost of beef and wheat are not accurate.
The fast-food chain currently operates 12 150 restaurants in 50 states and 75 countries. According to Burger King, about 90% of its units are operated by independent franchisees.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Generation Y in the churches

In a world where everything can be equal and different to it is increasingly necessary to think about how to deal with people is essential and fundamental for both organizations and for the people themselves.
In the corporate world is much talk about Generation Y, a generation of angry people usually between 15 and 30, who grew up wrapped in digital technologies, and coming to the labor market Transforming what's around you. In many organizations are experiencing a conflict of generations, by basic differences in "world view" of people.
In churches, it could not be difetente.Vários pastors understand that the needs of its young people are different from the needs of its adults. Those who do not understand, often times young people are seeing their increasingly close to the world.
The world and people change. God's principles do not. We as young people often can not live standards "old." But that should not mean lack of holiness. Remembering that God says we are strong, the Spirit of God lives in us, and we young people have overcome the wicked.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Persecuted Church: Brazilian man is arrested in Egypt for carrying Bibles and religious material

Map of countries accused of persecution of the church in 2009


Originally published in the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo on August 25, 2010 (in portuguease). 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil said the tour operator Dagnaldo Pinheiro Gomes, 36, arrested in Egypt, should be extradited. The information was passed by the Egyptian government to the Brazilian embassy in Cairo. The Brazilian was arrested on August 17, 2010, accused of religious proselytizing. The practice is prohibited in the African country, a secular state with a Muslim majority.
Preliminary information indicates that the Brazilian was caught with a Bible and a Christian religious material. He lived for seven years in Cairo and in Egypt is the representative of the tourism agency Orientur, located in the city of Guarulhos (Sao Paulo metropolitan region, southeastern Brazil), and accompanying groups of tourists visiting the country. According to the company Orientur Renata Freire, Gomes has a work visa in 2012 and was legally in the country.
The bride's Gomes, Mariângela Vale, said she received a call from him on the night of 18, he said he had been arrested the previous day. He did not say why he had been arrested.
"The reason for the arrest is unknown. That is our concern," said Mariângela, who lives in the city of Balsas (within the state of Maranhao, northeastern Brazil). For her the telephone call from Gibson was being monitored and he could not give details. She said he appeared to be quiet.
"We expected that everything could be resolved quickly because he speaks Arabic. But we are six days we have not heard from him," said the bride. According Mariângela, links to his cell phones are routed directly to voicemail and he came in closer contact.

Tourism in Brazil after the 2014 and 2016, will be like?

Brazil

In the next few years Brazil will receive two major global events: the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Until these events occur, the country is investing in training and improved structure to receive tourists. As far as the government and private companies are preparing for their professional growth of the tourism sector in Brazil. And the expectation is high. Today, tourism in Brazil represents 2.8% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). In 2014 will be 4%.
But one thing is certain. This growth will only be sustainable if investments in tourism continue. After all this investment, and Brazil to show the world, it's time to keep it.

We are building a new Brazil. Take part in this movement.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Marina Silva, an evangelical management model for Brazil?

Are times of elections in Brazil, and Brazilians can change the country's history. Also for the first time we have a candidate for President who is evangelical. This person is Marina Silva.

However, we still see little middle evangelical talking about it. Okay, I know there is a trauma among the people Brazilian evangelical, because many politicians are not well regarded, and even evangelical bench in Congress gives bad witness once in a while.

But now is the time to do something better. Politicians such as Magno Malta are proof of that.

The question is: is that Marina is the best option for the people of God in Brazil?

For a sustainable world, I vote for Marina Silva President of Brazil!

PT-BR: eu sou Marina. Por um Brasil Sustentável.

EN: For a sustainable world, I vote for Marina Silva President of Brazil!

ES: Por un mundo sostenible, yo voto por Marina Silva Presidente de Brasil!

 


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Good times: domestic consumption rises Brazilian GDP

Published on Jormal Folha de Sao Paulo in 8/10/2010. 


The Brazilian economy should grow 6.5% this year, according to a forecast of the Finance Ministry. The Brazilian Economy in Perspective report indicates that the expansion in 2010 will be driven by investment and household consumption, in addition to accelerating the implementation of the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program).
Household consumption should end the year high of 6.6%, and investment must represent an advance of 20.4%. Government consumption must be discharged more modest 2.8%, according to the report.
According to the report, the country resumed the cycle of sustainable growth, up 2.7% in the first quarter and 11.4% in annualized terms. Even with the strong expansion in the period, the Treasury points out that the end of the fiscal and monetary stimulus will cause the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) continues to grow in the second half, but no signs of overheating.
The domestic demand was responsible for the rapid recovery of the economy after the global crisis, with an advance of 9.1%, more than offsetting the 2.6% drop in external demand. The growth of income and employment are appointed by the Ministry of Finance as responsible for the gains.
INFLATION
The government maintained its forecast for the IPCA (Consumer Price Index Large) emem 5.2% this year. The index is above the central target for the period from 4.5%. In July, inflation was found in 0.01%, after recording stable in June.
Over the past 12 months, the IPCA accumulated a high of 4.6%, almost in the center of the target (4.5%) determined by the federal government. For the year, the index recorded an increase of 3.1%.
Food had a deflation of 0.76%, compared to negative growth of 0.90% last month. Non-food products were registered slowdown and inflation of 0.24% against 0.27% in June.
Figures are from the bimonthly report, for June and July 2010, prepared by experts from the Ministry of Finance.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Most Brazilians are against adoption by gay couple

Originally published in the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo (in Portuguese) 


Cláudia Collucci from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Almost two months after the STJ (Superior Court) to recognize that gay couples have the right to adopt, 51% of Brazilians say they are against this practice. Another 39% are in favor of adoption by gays.
This was revealed Datafolha survey conducted between 20 and 21 May with 2660 respondents across the country. The margin of error of two percentage points more or less.
Women are more tolerant of gay adoption than men: 44% vs. 33%. Just as young people in relation to older people: aged between 16 and 24 years, the practice is supported by 58%, while among those 60 years or more, only 19%.
"It's a breakthrough. In the Middle Ages, were burned. Then, taken as criminals and patients. The fact that almost 40% of the population support gay adoption is great news," said Toni Reis, president of ABGLT (Brazilian Association Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).
He acknowledges, however, that prejudice is still great. "It will require many parades and marches to convince people that we are citizens who deserve the right of fatherhood and motherhood."
The rate of people in favor of gay adoption grows with income (49% among those receiving more than ten times the minimum wage from 35% among those earning up to two floors) and education (50% among those with higher education and 28% elementary education).
For lawyer Maria Berenice Dias, Chief Judge of the Court of RS, the trend is that the decision from the Supreme Court serves as a case for future actions and that it gradually motivate more people to approve the adoption by homosexuals.
"Most of the Brazilian population is still conservative, but it was worse."
Between religions, Catholics are the most "progressive": 41% declare themselves in favor of gay adoption and 47% opposed. Among Pentecostals, disapproval reaches the highest rate: 71%, versus only 22% favorable.
Father Luiz Antônio Bento, adviser to the commission for life and family CNBB (National Conference of Bishops of Brazil), states that adoption by homosexuals violates the right of the child to grow up in a family environment made up of father and mother, and this can bring "psychological problems for the child."
Psychologist Ana Bahia Bock, a professor at Catholic University of São Paulo, disagrees. "The issue is cultural. If a child lives with people who see a natural [the sexuality of parents], it gives a positive meaning to experience."

Friday, July 30, 2010

"Logo of FIFA World Cup 2014 is a nightmare"

An American designer named Felix Sockwell. He is art director and accumulated experience in major advertising agencies like DDB, The Richards Group and Ogilvy. He saw the logo produced for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil a nightmare.
He said there are several points that need improvement in the brand so that it becomes a more professional brand, as you can see here on his blog (in English) or here on UOL Esportes (in Portuguese).

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Brazil against corruption - Candidate is barred by the Law of Clean Sheet

Candidate in Minas Gerais is the1st barred by  Law of Clean Sheet

FILIPE MOTTA from SAO PAULO - Brazil. Published in the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo on 7/26/2010. 


The first candidate was barred based on the Law of Clean Sheet. Athos Avelino Pereira, who is running for the office of state representative for the party PPS-MG, had its registration application denied by five votes to zero in the TRE (Regional Electoral Tribunal) of State of Minas Gerais on the afternoon of Monday.
According to the court, the reasons for rejecting the application were the lack of documents for the record (criminal and civil certificates, and proof of education) and ineligibility imposed in 2009.  

The TRE considered Pereira as ineligible for three years for committing abuse of power in 2008, when he tried to re-election to mayor of the city of Montes Claros (Minas Gerais). According to the decision of the season, the candidate also made improper use of the media.
The suit challenging the candidature was proposed by the prosecutor's Electoral state of Minas Gerais and the candidate for state representative Luiz Tadeu Martins Leite (PMDB party), son of the current mayor of the city of Montes Claros, Luiz Tadeu Leite, who defeated Pereira in 2008.

APPEALS

Renato Galuppo, Attorney PPS party in Minas Gerais, said the party will appeal.
For him, the Law of Clean Record is unconstitutional to deny the principle that a defendant may be convicted when there is no more recourse. As Pereira was convicted by the TRE and later by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, but have not had the appeal dismissed by the Supreme Court (the highest court in Brazil) could not have contested the nomination, the lawyer said.
Athos Avelino has three days to appeal the decision.


NOTE: The Law of Clean Sheet is a law recently approved in Brazil against political corruption. It prevents candidates who are being accused in court apply for public office.

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