At the risk of being a slight hypocrite (by saying I’m allergic to BS), I’d like to “like” the efforts of Reginho who is doing “tecnobrega” (ie, not tecnobrega, but perhaps produced in the same manner). He’s got a catchy tune with a rather créu-like dance, and in time, of course, for Carnival. Apparently, it’s been a hit for the last two months (and, hey, anything is better than “Rebolation”)
So while the north of Brazil barely gets in the news (and when it does, it’s for something bad or crazy that happened), internationally, there are porn “music” videos like this that are promoting Brazil, and horribly at that.
Yes, you saw that right, 270,000 views for that video. Well, at least Christina Aguilera is in Brazil, I’m sure she can top it. If she can’t, then Paris Hilton is in Brazil, too…so are Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. In the meantime, I’m going to return to be previous state of being allergic to utter bullshit.
Apparently, it was in the finishing stages of construction when for unknown reasons (the wind and some rain is being blamed to clear the construction company’s name), it came crashing down today at 2pm. There are reports, most likely unconfirmed, that 20 people died and that the other buildings next to it are feared to be at risk as well. It took place in a noble area of the city, the Nazaré district…which I’ve walked through many times.
Globo (the only time the North gets on the front page)
News Round-up
Brazil Floods: 5 Ways to Help Survivors – Huffington Post
(one man’s loss, via Al Jazeera English)
Brazil seen raising interest rates to curb prices – Reuters
Brazil to Step Up Plans for Disaster Preparedness – NYT
Brazil Added Record 2.52 Million Jobs in 2010 – Bloomberg
I don’t listen to the radio but I was just reading part of an article on the Guardian about how record companies no longer think its viable to “set up” a record, that is, to play it on the radio for several weeks before releasing it to the public in disc or digital form for purchase.
Even though I don’t like funk nor tecnobrega that much, I’m pretty sure they (at least the latter) have been instantly releasing their songs for years. Go to a concert and like the music? Buy the just-recorded disc from the concert itself. Like a particular song that just came out? Go to the corner and buy it from the street vendor (who probably has a deal with the musicians). One more example of how traditional media is going down the tubes.
Petrópolis and surrounding areas have flooded, as you may have heard. Over 800 people so far are said to have lost their lives and more than 400 are still missing. BBC has more. If you are in Rio and want to know how to donate or help, this Google Map lays it all out.
More Photos – Folha
“A study published this Tuesday, the 11th, by the IPEA (Institute for Applied Economic Research) shows that 39.5% of Brazilians don’t have a bank account. The ‘Banks: Exclusion and Services’ study reveals that 52.6% of those interviewed in the Northeast and 50% in the North don’t use banks while in the Midwest, 31.2% don’t have accounts. In contrast, the South and Southeast presented percentages of 65.9% and 70% of those interviewed who saved their money in financial institutions.
According to the IPEA, it’s necessary to create products and services for those 39.5% that don’t have a bank account, so that they can be incorporated into the banking system and socialize access to public services operated by concession.” – Baguete
My Take
This study makes me laugh. Why is it necessary to include a third-party (banks) in an A /B transaction? This was the biggest con of them all when ‘we decided’ (it was decided for us) to use a heavily-controlled monetary system for transactions between a buyer and a seller. Anyone who doesn’t fall in line must be a ‘terrorist’ or something. Can’t trust people that…what’s that called?…oh, yeah, think!
Perhaps the IPEA will learn something from the 5-part video series called ‘Corrupt Banking System’
“The Ministry of Communications stated today that the government is studying the possibility that the Mail and Telegraph Company (ECT) may become a fixed client of the bullet-train that will connect the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Campinas.
According to the ministry, the minister Paulo Bernardo already solicited the new president of Correios, Wagner Pinheiro, to start talks with the National Agency of Land Transport (ANTT) to discuss the project. The minister estimates that close to 80% of Correios’ service traffic is concentrated in the metropolitan areas of Rio and São Paulo. The expectation is that, with Correios having a dedicated wagon for correspondences and parcels, the State can take a large quantity of trucks off the Via Dutra.
The minister believes that the anticipated contract with Correios could guarantee investors that the bullet-train could start right off with a fixed client. The transport of small parcels had already been announced by ANTT as an alternative for entrepreneurs to obtain extra revenues, which do not include direct compensation by means of passenger transport tariffs and economic exploitation of the stations.
The bullet-train auction, also known as the High Velocity Train (TAV), will occur in April. The estimated investment needed is R$33.1 billion, with a maximum timeframe of five years for construction and 40 years for service exploitation.” – Valor Online
“Do you want to see Jesus?” the helicopter pilot asked us. It would be an unusual offer from anyone, but from a pilot it would normally be a cause for serious concern.”
An excellent opening (from a writer’s perspective) for a BBC article on Brazil, Batista and the Chinese connection. The media can’t get enough of Batista, it seems. For the audio on this story, see the latest podcast and start at minute 18 and 20 seconds.
On the 15th of February, Rio de Janeiro will play host to TEDx. For an entire day, cariocas interested in subjects such as health, transportation, education, culture, arts, design, science, technology and sustainability, will be able to share in the experience “in TED style”, as the event’s site says. Like the other TEDx events in Brazil that have come and gone (in São Paulo, the Amazon and most recently, in Porto Alegre), TEDxRio is an independently organized event that will follow TED principles. – Terra
