Marina Silva and Green Politics
By Sibel Tinar, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – In the last of the three profiles of the leading presidential candidates, The Rio Times looks into the life and achievements of world-renowned environmentalist Marina Silva of Partido Verde (P.V., Green Party). Despite being consistently ranked in third place behind Dilma Rousseff and José Serra, Silva [...]
Law Bans Satirization of Candidates
By Jaylan Boyle, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – A controversial law dating back to 1997 was brought into the limelight this weekend after the government banned the media from satirizing presidential candidates in the run-up to the elections. The ban led to a protest fronted by comedians from popular TV shows CQC and [...]
Hostages Taken at Luxury Hotel in Rio
By Sibel Tinar, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – A violent confrontation between drug traffickers and the police led to a state of emergency in Rio de Janeiro this morning, as a group of bandits took thirty-five guests and employees hostage in a luxury hotel in São Conrado in Zona Sul, after getting involved in [...]
Petrobras Face Rig Safety Problems
By Jewellord T. Nem Singh, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO - Petrobras President José Sérgio Gabrielli admitted this week that there are problems with his company’s platform in the P-33 drilling block which could endanger workers’ safety and operational security. Throughout the week news wires have reported that the platforms are susceptible to corrosion and serious [...]
First of Four Debates for 2010 Elections
By Sibel Tinar, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The first televised presidential debate prior to elections took place in São Paulo on August 5th, organized and broadcast by Rede Bandeirantes, with the participation of the four candidates whose parties are represented in the Câmara dos Deputados (Chamber of Deputies); Dilma Rousseff (PT), José Serra [...]
Brazil Offers Refuge to Iran Stoning Case
By Felicity Clarke, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – In a surprise move, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered refuge in Brazil to an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning in her own country. The appeal to the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and offer of asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, whose [...]
Brazil Plans for Deep-Water Drilling Disaster Contingency
By Mira Olson, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian Environmental Minister Izabella Teixeira announced on Monday, July 26th, that the National Contingency Plan (PNC) for open sea oil exploration and production will be in place by September. The Plan takes into account new global parameters regarding deep-water drilling as influenced by the ongoing [...]
Flood Chaos Remains in N.E. Brazil
By Sibel Tinar, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – One month after heavy tropical rains struck Northeastern Brazil and caused severe flooding killing over seventy people, the hardest-hit rural regions in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco are still suffering, as diseases spread in unhygienic conditions, while relief efforts are delayed or hindered by logistical challenges. [...]
Bruno Sacked Over Murder Charges
By Maíra Amorim, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – From idol to monster: that is how the life of Bruno Fernandes de Souza, Flamengo’s famous former goalkeeper, has changed in the last few weeks. Arrested on July 7th, he is suspected of involvement in the disappearance of his ex-lover, Eliza Samudio, who has been [...]
Dunga Sacked as Brazil World Cup Squad Returns
By Robbie Blakeley, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil coach Dunga has left his post after the nation’s disappointing quarter final exit at the hands of the Netherlands. The move will not surprise or disappoint most Cariocas, who never warmed to the cautiously-minded and tactically-conservative treinador as Dunga attempted to mold a team in [...]