To give all of us a break for the weekend, I offer this report from the Globo News group on the "new" style of making bras a stand-out fashion accessory.
http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/0,,GF62783-5606,00-MODA+E+DEIXAR+SUTIA+APARECER+VEJA+FOTOS.html
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Brazilian Government offers bribes to bureaucrats that actually do their jobs
The Brazilian government's PAC (Accelerated Development Program), responsible for distributing millions up to the next presidential election, has just sent an URGENT CONSTITUTIONAL project of law to the congress.
This law will pay hefty sums to bureaucrats who actually do their jobs instead of just showing up at the ministries to collect their paychecks (or send a "secretary" to do so).
The law stipulates $25 million US to be divided among 2,974 federal bureaucrats if the do their job of spreading around the money allocate to the PAC programs before the election.
This law will pay hefty sums to bureaucrats who actually do their jobs instead of just showing up at the ministries to collect their paychecks (or send a "secretary" to do so).
The law stipulates $25 million US to be divided among 2,974 federal bureaucrats if the do their job of spreading around the money allocate to the PAC programs before the election.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Brazil's President works feaverishly behind the scenes to get relected
Brazil's President Lula has denied again, this time from China, that he is not considering a third term as it is forbidden by the constitution.
This speculation is brought on by the continuing complications of the cancer treatment of his hand-chosen substitute, Minister Dilma.
While he continues to deny his interest in another term of bleeding the treasury, his troops in the congress are offering all sort of benefits to those who sign a petition to change the constitution in order to allow Lula to stand for President again.
This speculation is brought on by the continuing complications of the cancer treatment of his hand-chosen substitute, Minister Dilma.
While he continues to deny his interest in another term of bleeding the treasury, his troops in the congress are offering all sort of benefits to those who sign a petition to change the constitution in order to allow Lula to stand for President again.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Iran's Ahmadinejad and Brasil's Lula Have Similar Ideas About "The New World Order"
The ambassador of Iran in Brazil, Mohsen Shaterzadeh, said there are "political affinities " between president Lula and the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and that these similarities " justify approximation" between the two countries.
“These similarities are found in the idea of social justice, the combat of poverty and the fight against modern political colonizers" , the ambassador said.
According to Shaterzadeh, “the two presidents have similar ideas about creating a new world order ".
The president of Iran arrives Brasilia next Wednesday, for a meeting with Lula.
In the evaluation of Shaterzadeh, this is the beginning of a “new stage" in the relation between the two countries. According to ambassador, the approach between Brazil and Iran must be seen in the light of a “new world order".
“The phase of the unilateralism has passed. In this new world, based on the idea of the multilateralism, many new powers are appearing. Brazil and Iran are among these countries" , Shaterzadeh says. According to him, Brazil and Iran are “strong and influential" countries.
“These similarities are found in the idea of social justice, the combat of poverty and the fight against modern political colonizers" , the ambassador said.
According to Shaterzadeh, “the two presidents have similar ideas about creating a new world order ".
The president of Iran arrives Brasilia next Wednesday, for a meeting with Lula.
In the evaluation of Shaterzadeh, this is the beginning of a “new stage" in the relation between the two countries. According to ambassador, the approach between Brazil and Iran must be seen in the light of a “new world order".
“The phase of the unilateralism has passed. In this new world, based on the idea of the multilateralism, many new powers are appearing. Brazil and Iran are among these countries" , Shaterzadeh says. According to him, Brazil and Iran are “strong and influential" countries.
New Biofuel Production Investments in the Interior of Brasil
The state Mato Grosso has received a new investment in the verticalization of its agricultural production.
Engevix < http://www.engevix.com.br > announced the installation of a new biodiesel and derivatives plant “BioAraguaia,” that will be installed in Água Boa (730 km the East of the capital).
Construction is foreseen for March of next year, the counts on an investment of $ 100 million US, generating around 700 jobs in the 16 months of its construction and 150 full time employees.
At this first moment, 19 producers in the region have guaranteed the supply of 260 a thousand tons of soy and 142 thousand tons of sunflower seed. Along with these producers, 79 thousand hectares already dedicated to the new enterprise.
The state of Mato Grosso was chosen by the entrepreneurs after two years of studies. “Our presence in the State is due to our studies of localization. All the agricultural conditions and of governmental incentives are favourable.”.
It is useful to remembering that together with the jobs announced, the number of indirect jobs will be significant" , the vice-president of the Engevix, Gerson de Mello Allamada added. Currently the project is in phase of getting the environmental licenses for installation.
“This is an enterprise that fits this moment of Mato Grosso’s development.
It is a business that is born with partnerships and comes to add value to our production " , detailed the secretary of Agrarian Development, Neldo Égon. The by-product bran will be used in the confinement feeding, common in the region.
Engevix < http://www.engevix.com.br > announced the installation of a new biodiesel and derivatives plant “BioAraguaia,” that will be installed in Água Boa (730 km the East of the capital).
Construction is foreseen for March of next year, the counts on an investment of $ 100 million US, generating around 700 jobs in the 16 months of its construction and 150 full time employees.
At this first moment, 19 producers in the region have guaranteed the supply of 260 a thousand tons of soy and 142 thousand tons of sunflower seed. Along with these producers, 79 thousand hectares already dedicated to the new enterprise.
The state of Mato Grosso was chosen by the entrepreneurs after two years of studies. “Our presence in the State is due to our studies of localization. All the agricultural conditions and of governmental incentives are favourable.”.
It is useful to remembering that together with the jobs announced, the number of indirect jobs will be significant" , the vice-president of the Engevix, Gerson de Mello Allamada added. Currently the project is in phase of getting the environmental licenses for installation.
“This is an enterprise that fits this moment of Mato Grosso’s development.
It is a business that is born with partnerships and comes to add value to our production " , detailed the secretary of Agrarian Development, Neldo Égon. The by-product bran will be used in the confinement feeding, common in the region.
A Brasilian Solution to the Dissaperarence of Family Farms: PRONAF
in 1996 the PRONAL program was created with the stated objective of promoting the sustainable development of small, family farms.
The Pronaf is known basically by the credit offered to the farmers and their families, but there is more. Currently the program also offers Technical Assistance and the Agricultural Extension Program which is dedicated to helping the individual farms develop income through agricultural tourism, biofuels , medicinal plants, financing equipment, transport , contacts and assistance in marketing their production.
Insurance for price and calamity i.e. for north-eastern droughts.
Naturally, as a Brasilian government effort it is bogged down by bureaucracy and probably loses a significant part of it’s working funds through corruption.
All this aside, it is a clear effort to allow the small family farms to not only survive but to progress.
The Pronaf is known basically by the credit offered to the farmers and their families, but there is more. Currently the program also offers Technical Assistance and the Agricultural Extension Program which is dedicated to helping the individual farms develop income through agricultural tourism, biofuels , medicinal plants, financing equipment, transport , contacts and assistance in marketing their production.
Insurance for price and calamity i.e. for north-eastern droughts.
Naturally, as a Brasilian government effort it is bogged down by bureaucracy and probably loses a significant part of it’s working funds through corruption.
All this aside, it is a clear effort to allow the small family farms to not only survive but to progress.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Swine Flu Drops Shares of Brasilian Airlines and Meat Packers
Though there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Brazil, the effect of the illness already threaten the business of slaughterhouses and airlines.
This Monday (27/4), the shares of companies in both the sectors declined strongly, as investors expect less export of swine products and less travel to Mexico and the USA.
By 14:00, shares JBS-Friboi (JBSS3) fell by 6.91%, .This Company has pig operations in the United States, country that already has confirmed cases of the illness.
Health department states the swine flu is not transmitted by the meat, but this did not stop China, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand placing embargoes on the products from the United States and Mexico.
This Monday (27/4), the shares of companies in both the sectors declined strongly, as investors expect less export of swine products and less travel to Mexico and the USA.
By 14:00, shares JBS-Friboi (JBSS3) fell by 6.91%, .This Company has pig operations in the United States, country that already has confirmed cases of the illness.
Health department states the swine flu is not transmitted by the meat, but this did not stop China, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand placing embargoes on the products from the United States and Mexico.
Brasilians leave Mexico Hotels, Universities for fear of Swine Flu
This morning, at Guarulhos airport, passengers from flights from Mexico landed full-up with Brasilian tourists, students who are at Mexican Universities and business men who cut their travel plans short.
Inspectors of the National Agency of Sanitary Monitoring (Anvisa) met the arrival of Aeroméxico flight 0014 abd the Mexican Company of Aviacion flight 1689 Airport of Guarulhos, dressed in masks and latex gloves.
A brasilian surferwho spent 10 days Nexpa and noticed the epidemic climate when he arrived in Mexico City last Thursday (23). "It seemed we were in a Sci-Fi movie" he joked through his face mask.
Twitter is FULL of chatter and information on this situation, search #swineflu, #influenza.
Inspectors of the National Agency of Sanitary Monitoring (Anvisa) met the arrival of Aeroméxico flight 0014 abd the Mexican Company of Aviacion flight 1689 Airport of Guarulhos, dressed in masks and latex gloves.
A brasilian surferwho spent 10 days Nexpa and noticed the epidemic climate when he arrived in Mexico City last Thursday (23). "It seemed we were in a Sci-Fi movie" he joked through his face mask.
Twitter is FULL of chatter and information on this situation, search #swineflu, #influenza.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sweet News: Brazilian exportation of honey grows 12% in March
Brazilian exportations of honey continue growing in 2009. In March, the Brazil sold three thousand tons, US$ 7,216 million, an increase of 11,9% in relation the February (US$ 6,446 million).
The growth compared to March of 2008, when exports were 990 tons in weight.
The growth compared to March of 2008, when exports were 990 tons in weight.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Politicians attempt to gag the use of the internet to protect selves in coming elections
The Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), in the resolution 22,718, by the minister Ari Pargendler, attempts to sabotage the internet, this most democratic means of communication.
Among others steps backwards, he declares the same restrictions already applied to the electoral propaganda on TV and radio,( that are concessions of the State and so mainly in the hands of established political families)
It also restricted the candidates to having only one site in the net, not being able to use tools of contact and interaction with the voters except through this one site.
Even with the attempt to impose restrictions that will favor the members of the present political class, the Internet will have a larger part to play in the electoral battles of this year.
In the presidential election of 2006 there was already an attempt to limit the effect of the internet vis-à-vis the TV and Radio media that is almost 95% in the hands of long time politicians.
The Internet itself makes difficult to enforce these restrictive measures and allows ideas and proposals circulate freely, interacting with the society.
Well made, well directed internet presentations can reach a powerful universe of people.
A video of Obama, in the late election had upwards of 20 million hits in few days.
We expect to see these latest attempts to guarantee the in-place politicians stability and immunity from prosecution for their extensive, open corruption made useless by the liberty of expression imposed by the internet.
Among others steps backwards, he declares the same restrictions already applied to the electoral propaganda on TV and radio,( that are concessions of the State and so mainly in the hands of established political families)
It also restricted the candidates to having only one site in the net, not being able to use tools of contact and interaction with the voters except through this one site.
Even with the attempt to impose restrictions that will favor the members of the present political class, the Internet will have a larger part to play in the electoral battles of this year.
In the presidential election of 2006 there was already an attempt to limit the effect of the internet vis-à-vis the TV and Radio media that is almost 95% in the hands of long time politicians.
The Internet itself makes difficult to enforce these restrictive measures and allows ideas and proposals circulate freely, interacting with the society.
Well made, well directed internet presentations can reach a powerful universe of people.
A video of Obama, in the late election had upwards of 20 million hits in few days.
We expect to see these latest attempts to guarantee the in-place politicians stability and immunity from prosecution for their extensive, open corruption made useless by the liberty of expression imposed by the internet.
Judge Condems Manager for "Branding" Secretary
A mechanics Company owner in Brasil’s interior is condemned for branding an employee.
A former-secretary of a farm mechanics firm in Goiânia will have to receive indemnity for pain and suffering, aesthetic and material loss to the value of US$ 15,000.
The woman was branded with an iron used to mark tires in her shoulder by the owner of the company with HL, the initials of his company.
Judge Platon Grandson, of 8ª Court of Goiânia, considered the act “Barbarian”.
In the sentence, the magistrate comments that at the time the condemned committed this aggression, the manager, to add insult to injury, ironized to his secretary, that " Cows are marked here".
There's nuts everywhere. Did this character think he would get away with this? Or is he just an idiot? What does he do to his family?
A former-secretary of a farm mechanics firm in Goiânia will have to receive indemnity for pain and suffering, aesthetic and material loss to the value of US$ 15,000.
The woman was branded with an iron used to mark tires in her shoulder by the owner of the company with HL, the initials of his company.
Judge Platon Grandson, of 8ª Court of Goiânia, considered the act “Barbarian”.
In the sentence, the magistrate comments that at the time the condemned committed this aggression, the manager, to add insult to injury, ironized to his secretary, that " Cows are marked here".
There's nuts everywhere. Did this character think he would get away with this? Or is he just an idiot? What does he do to his family?
Brasilian Scientists reduce the effluent of ethanol fermentation in half.
Brasilian Scientists reduce the effluent of ethanol fermentation in half.
Researchers and the private initiative had discovered a way to reduce of residue from the production of ethanol. Vinasse is the main residue of the fermentation of sugar cane - a water mixture with organic substances and a very high BOD.
It cannot be disposed of in the rivers due to the risk of killing everything in the water.
The solution found was to double the alcoholic content at the end of fermentation so there is proportionally less vinasse for the same sugar.
Most fermentations end with 7 -9% ethanol. Higher levels will begin to kill the yeast used.
The amount of vinasse produces is enormous and costs a lot to spray on the fields (the present best solution).
This new technique allows the final ethanol level to reach around 15–17% so there is proportionally less vinasse
This means less cost to apply to the fields and a more efficient/economical distillation.
The economy for the industry in Brasil can easily exceed R$ 1 billion a year.
The process is not patentable as it was presented in an open meeting in 2008
Researchers and the private initiative had discovered a way to reduce of residue from the production of ethanol. Vinasse is the main residue of the fermentation of sugar cane - a water mixture with organic substances and a very high BOD.
It cannot be disposed of in the rivers due to the risk of killing everything in the water.
The solution found was to double the alcoholic content at the end of fermentation so there is proportionally less vinasse for the same sugar.
Most fermentations end with 7 -9% ethanol. Higher levels will begin to kill the yeast used.
The amount of vinasse produces is enormous and costs a lot to spray on the fields (the present best solution).
This new technique allows the final ethanol level to reach around 15–17% so there is proportionally less vinasse
This means less cost to apply to the fields and a more efficient/economical distillation.
The economy for the industry in Brasil can easily exceed R$ 1 billion a year.
The process is not patentable as it was presented in an open meeting in 2008
The Brasilan Post Office Quickly Adapts to the Internet's Challanges
When the internet caught on in Brasil it was expected that email would eliminate written letters.
In fact, the number of letters fell.
But the businesses of the Brazilian Company of Post Offices and Telegraphs went against the flow and grew in clever and adaptive ways.
In 2008,11 billion Reals .
The president of the company, Carlos Custódio, explains this performance by linking to the extraordinary growth of the Brasilian economy in recent years.
He also credits the launching of new products, based on internet technology.
The next challenge is the cellular telephone. "Actually It is our main competitor:”
The people still send letters? Very few.
As an example, in 2002,the post office processed 5 billion letters.
In 2008, they did not reach 3 billion. In this year, only 10% are people to people.
What was the damage to the Post office? Nothing!
Each year reaches a new invoicing record.
In 2008 it was over 11 billion Reals.
As the economy was heated, we have gained in customer base.
The new products, like Sedex 10 and services use the Internet.
The great challenge is to confront the move of letters to electronic formats. We process the bills for residential light, telephone and water, and this is growth. We believe that soon this correspondence will be delivered by email when trustworthy digital certification is more common.
The post office is adapting to the internet for example,the public can send a telegram via the Internet: log on to the Post Offices site and write - the Post office prints and delivers.
The delivery of Internet purchases is an area that the Brasilian Post office is very efficient and economical at processing, beating the courier companies inside the country.
One major challenge is cellular phones, due to SMS messages.
The cellular operators generated millions of letters
This is a significant competitor.
We already sell the cellular daily recharge card and we also carry out the recharging of the cards.
The strategic choice is uniting with cellular phones and growing with it. In the short term, the post office needs to become logistical partner of the operators.
As an example, repair services for the phones, the operators will the Post office to send to assistance and then return to the customer
Another idea, in the long run,is to become a reseller of cellular time credits. The Post office can buy a few thousand minutes for 300 Reals and would resell the credit for 400 Reals .
This is already SOP at European Post offices.
In fact, the number of letters fell.
But the businesses of the Brazilian Company of Post Offices and Telegraphs went against the flow and grew in clever and adaptive ways.
In 2008,11 billion Reals .
The president of the company, Carlos Custódio, explains this performance by linking to the extraordinary growth of the Brasilian economy in recent years.
He also credits the launching of new products, based on internet technology.
The next challenge is the cellular telephone. "Actually It is our main competitor:”
The people still send letters? Very few.
As an example, in 2002,the post office processed 5 billion letters.
In 2008, they did not reach 3 billion. In this year, only 10% are people to people.
What was the damage to the Post office? Nothing!
Each year reaches a new invoicing record.
In 2008 it was over 11 billion Reals.
As the economy was heated, we have gained in customer base.
The new products, like Sedex 10 and services use the Internet.
The great challenge is to confront the move of letters to electronic formats. We process the bills for residential light, telephone and water, and this is growth. We believe that soon this correspondence will be delivered by email when trustworthy digital certification is more common.
The post office is adapting to the internet for example,the public can send a telegram via the Internet: log on to the Post Offices site and write - the Post office prints and delivers.
The delivery of Internet purchases is an area that the Brasilian Post office is very efficient and economical at processing, beating the courier companies inside the country.
One major challenge is cellular phones, due to SMS messages.
The cellular operators generated millions of letters
This is a significant competitor.
We already sell the cellular daily recharge card and we also carry out the recharging of the cards.
The strategic choice is uniting with cellular phones and growing with it. In the short term, the post office needs to become logistical partner of the operators.
As an example, repair services for the phones, the operators will the Post office to send to assistance and then return to the customer
Another idea, in the long run,is to become a reseller of cellular time credits. The Post office can buy a few thousand minutes for 300 Reals and would resell the credit for 400 Reals .
This is already SOP at European Post offices.
Mumbai attacker claims he is a juvenile
I realize this is not about Brasil but I feel the need to put in my 2 cents worth. These people (terrorists, Muslim religious fanatics mostly)feel the right, the religious "duty", to kill those who live a modern, 21st century lifestyle and don't share their particular narrow view of the world and eternity.
If he's old enough to kill with sophisticated weapons at random, he's old enough to be tried as an adult and executed as one.
This goes for the Somalian pirate who is in the USA for trial and turning the process topsy-turvy by having his "parents" claim he's 15 or 16... He's on the high seas looking to capture a ship under the threat of murder... he's a pirate, he's a killer, he's an adult!!
If he's old enough to kill with sophisticated weapons at random, he's old enough to be tried as an adult and executed as one.
This goes for the Somalian pirate who is in the USA for trial and turning the process topsy-turvy by having his "parents" claim he's 15 or 16... He's on the high seas looking to capture a ship under the threat of murder... he's a pirate, he's a killer, he's an adult!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Alcohol fuel and vast opportunites right now
There is an obvious increase of the international groups coming to Brazil, interested in potential long-term investments.
The choice for ethanol as THE substitute for fossil fuels is attracting these investors to be in Brazil at an increasing rate.
At the DATAGRO congress there were at least 30 delegations from various destinations looking to learn and investigating present and projected production facilities.
The Brazilian sugar/alcohol industry is fragmented.
A level of processing of around 50 million tons of cane, the largest producer controlling only 5% of the market means that there are many opportunities for investment.
On the other hand, this producer’s output is equivalent to 5 times the sugar per year from Cuba.
Home-made Bomb explodes in Brasilan Embassy in Chile
Home-made Bomb explodes in Brasilan Embassy in Chile. No none was injured.
It's been a long time since this sort of activity has occured and there's nor evident reason for this to happen.
It's been a long time since this sort of activity has occured and there's nor evident reason for this to happen.
Freedom for Plantation owner Accused of having American Missionary Murdered
The Supreme Court of the state of Para freed Plantation owner Vladimir Bastos who is accused of having American Missionary and Ecological activist Dorothy Strang in 2005.
Who has money ...walks.
Who has money ...walks.
Brasilan Public Figures on Tax-paid Tourism
The president of the supreme court (from his Mexican vacation villa) has asked the Attorney General (also on a Spring trip) to investigate the association of two other Supreme Court Judges with the incredible excessive travel expenses of the Congress and Senate, their friends and family.
We can expect the usual denials and ironic comments as the politicians once again demonstrate the complete freedom from responsibility and accountability they feel and demonstrate.
We can expect the usual denials and ironic comments as the politicians once again demonstrate the complete freedom from responsibility and accountability they feel and demonstrate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)