Brazils First Woman President?

Dilma Rousseff, Chief of Staff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has been nominated by Brazil's ruling Workers' party, to replace him. This will be the first woman president of Brazil. Lula cannot stand for a third term so he picked Rousseff for the October election

Tourist Killed At Carnival

The body of a German tourist was found yesterday in Brazil. Jennifer Marion Nadja Kloker, 23, came to the country on vacation and to watch the celebration during Carnival. She was accompanied by her husband, their two-year-old child and the parents of her husband. According to reports, the family was driving to make reservations to go to a beach when two armed motocyclists drove up to their car. Forcing them to stop, one of the armed robbers got in the car and ordered them to follow the other motorcyclist. When they reached a deserted area, the men took their money, cell phones and watches. Kloker began to argue with men and started screaming for help. The men drove off in the car with her in it and later shot her. Her body was found by the side of the road in the city of Recife. This was the second major crime to happen to a tourist in Brazil during Carnival

Aiding A Helpless Country

Brazil and Australia will be uniting and working together to help rebuild Haiti. The Caribbean island was left in ruins after the January hurricane that destroyed much of the land and took many lives, including some Brazilians. Yesterday, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith met with Brazil's External Relations Minister Celso Amorim to discuss the plans on aiding and rebuilding Haiti. Both Smith and Amorim will be analyzing the situation and coming up with a final solution in helping out the hurting country.

Miniskirt Mishap Can't Hold Her Down

Geisy Arruda, 20, recently made her comeback from an event that took away her rights to an education. Bandeirante University expelled Arruda last November for wearing a skirt that was seen as too short and immoral. Three months later, Arruda has made her return as a dancer in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival celebration. "I confess, I'm a vain girl, and the changes I've made have given me the confidence I need to dance in these Carnivals," Arruda told The Associated Press. She danced in one of the Carnival parades wearing a version of the skirt that had her removed from the university. "I totally agree with her taking complete advantage of this situation to give herself a better life. She comes from a humble family, and I challenge anyone in a similar situation to say they would not do the same," Sabrina Bispo, 23. This opportunity has given Arruda a chance to show that she will not be held down by the mistakes of others in the past and that she has mad a push for the better to move forwards in her life.

Photo credit : Associated Press

Police Corruption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUQL-8FB2tw

Push For Protection

February 19th marks the start of a three and a half day freewheeling event offering a look at the arts, music and all types of entertainment of Brazil; a time where everyone comes together with much honor and pride as they view the accomplishments of the Brazilian arts. All though this is a heavily respected time for the country, some people use this time to spread corruption. Jose Neto, mayor of Sao Lourenco, has banned the playing of funk and rap music during the celebration. Brazillian funk and rap music has the reputation of promoting sexual acts of indecency and invites violence. With the celebration only a few days away, authorities are tightening up and aiming to avoid any past problems that has occurred at the past celebrations. "They are mass gatherings that demand better coordination, control and security that a public Carnival doesn't allow us to adopt," Neto told Globo TV.

Corruption in Brazil

Photo credit: Agencia Brasil

Jose Roberto Arruda, the governor of Brazil's capital city Brasilia, has been accused of taking bribes from various contractors and bribing witnesses in a corruption case. Arruda claims that the money was donated and was used to buy food for the poor families in Brasilia. Video evidence was discovered showing Arruda accepting money during his 2006 election, but he continues to deny all charges. The Brazilian presidential election will be taking place this October and the current accusations against Arruda will be taken into consideration. Brazilians are being reminded of the mishaps that occured in the past by corrupt officials being sworn into presidency, and whether or not having Arruda as a leader would be a benefit to the people of Brazil.

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From the Inside Out

Brazil is a country known for its beautiful scenery, animals, and to surfers, great waves; but there is more to this location that the tourist eyes doesn't see. With the financial troubles going on in this world, most of the authority is run on corruption and lies. Sure, when Americans and the rest of the world looks towards traveling to Brazil, all they see is what they want to see; the beautiful beaches, beautiful women and what some would call "The Life," but that's not true Brazil. When you come off of the coast, it is not unlikely to hear of many of the Brazillian lower and middle class living in shanty towns called Favelas. This area is not only small and cramped, but it is run by the drug lords of Brazil. What we call some rough areas of the United States ghettos, would be a high luxury, compared to some of the towns in Brazil.