Death squads within São Paulo’s military police are widely suspected of mass killings and extra-judicial executions in poor neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts. Above, police inspect the scene of a bloodbath in Jardim Rosana that six of their colleagues are now accused of carrying out. By Claire Rigby With a grim tally of almost 100(…)
Refreshing comedy sneaks in the Back Door
Some influential names in Brazilian comedy, including Fabio Porchat, above, have taken to Youtube, where their channel can take on life’s absurdity freely. The result is hilarious – and has English subtitles. By Dom Phillips In an office brainstorming session, a smarmy, deeply irritating marketing man suggests changes to the bible to an earnest Christian(…)
Happy New Year from euphoric, chaotic Rio
Fireworks blast over closely packed crowds on Copacabana Beach on New Year’s Eve, and this year, things turned out much like most mega-events in Rio. By Dom Phillips New Year’s Eve in Rio: it has a certain ring to it. This is the city that specialises in giant set-piece events that draw enormous crowds –(…)
Brazil 2012 – year in review
This year, the country didn’t deliver on everything international observers thought the country had promised, but Brazil still remains one of the 21st century’s most remarkable success stories. 2013 could be decisive. For those paying attention to Brazil headlines, 2012 was mostly a bad year. For some, it was enough to re-evaluate the status as(…)
South America wins – Corinthians take world title
The ‘people’s team‘ from São Paulo upset Chelsea this morning in Japan and delivered Brazilian football a particularly delicious triumph. Above, Peruvian Paolo Guerrero knocks in the winning goal. By Dom Phillips It has been six years since a South American team won the FIFA Club World Cup. But today Corinthians deserved every centimetre of(…)
World Club Championship – Corinthians vs. Chelsea
Sunday is a big date for anyone with more than a passing interest in Brazilian soccer. At 8.30am Brasília time, London’s Chelsea, one of the UK’s richest clubs, and current European Champions, face São Paulo’s Corinthians in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Yokahoma Stadium in Japan. Above, Corinthians goalie Cassio,(…)
Brazil economy – bad news
Guido Mantega – Taking heat. In the last 3-4 days, international opinion on the Brazilian economy has turned. It all started last week, when Guido Mantega, Brazil’s Finance Minister, predicted the beginning of a turnaround in the country’s economy. Then the actual third quarter results came out, far below what he, and even the most(…)
Rio wants their oil money
Rio’s politicians mounted a cleverly-staged piece of political street theatre last week, in order to drive home the message that the state’s residents wants to keep oil royalties for themselves. It worked. By Dom Phillips According to police, some 200,000 people turned up to Sérgio Cabral’s demonstration on Monday in opposition to a new bill(…)
Colour by numbers – race politics in Brazil
We had three “Black” days last week. One was irrelevant. Above, marchers demonstrate in favor of affirmative action programs for black Brazilians, and against violence. By Claire Rigby With odd synchronicity, Brazil’s first so-called ‘Black Friday’ took place last week. Held the day after Thanksgiving in the USA, it signals the start of the Christmas(…)
Formula One in Brazil
São Paulo will be hosting the final and deciding leg of the F1 world drivers’ championship this weekend. That’s quite important, because Formula One is quite important in Brazil – largely because of the country’s history of rock star champions, especially the late Ayrton Senna. I visited the track, above, and wrote two Financial Times(…)
