Author: Isabela Cruz
Jun 28, 2024 14:39 5 min read “The victory of the people shows that the agendas imposed by the system are not satisfying their wishes,” Jair Bolsonaro, celebrated the advance of far-right parties in the European Parliament elections on social media earlier this month. Pro-EU center-right and center-left groups still control most seats in Brussels, but Bolsonaro supporters see this as a victory. This Sunday, as France holds legislative elections, Bolsonaro’s stance against President Emmanuel Macron is expected to intensify due to their clashes over the Amazon deforestation issue. Despite the support of Bolsonaro’s followers for France’s far-right National Rally…
Brazilian Supreme Court Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession Jun 27, 2024 13:23 5 min read (Updated: Jun 27, 2024 13:49) In a landmark decision after a nearly decade-long trial, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled on June 26 that the possession of marijuana for personal consumption is now considered an administrative offense rather than a crime, while selling cannabis remains illegal. The court set a threshold of up to 40 grams of cannabis or six female plants as a presumption for personal use rather than intent to sell. However, authorities can still make arrests for trafficking based on evidence of intent to sell. This…
Jun 20, 2024 16:47 5 min read Five years after the landmark reform of the Brazilian pension system, the topic has resurfaced with new vigor. Fiscal pressures and evolving demographic trends in Brazil have reignited the debate. The Supreme Court has taken up 13 cases challenging various aspects of the 2019 pension reform, along with two additional actions, posing a significant fiscal risk to the government. The potential impact on public coffers could reach nearly BRL 498 billion. Despite a majority of justices already voting to overturn certain provisions of the reform, the final decision has been delayed for further…
Jun 18, 2024 17:06 6 min read Brazil is gearing up for a new electoral cycle, with voters set to elect new mayors and city council members in October. However, concerns have been raised about the proliferation of disinformation, especially with the use of artificial intelligence, which poses a serious threat to the integrity of elections and democracy itself. Despite these warnings, lawmakers have yet to take significant action to address the issue. The “Fake News Bill” has been stalled in Congress, with disagreements over how to hold digital platforms accountable for the content they propagate. Efforts to combat disinformation…
Jun 18, 2024 10:37 3 min read Brazil’s Supreme Court is seeking contractors to monitor social media continuously to identify its main detractors and their locations. The contractors are tasked with suggesting ways to improve the court’s communication with Brazilian citizens and identifying opinion-makers on court-related issues. This move by the Supreme Court comes in the midst of legal debates about the Judiciary’s role in combating disinformation and safeguarding democracy. The hiring of online monitoring contractors has drawn attention, especially due to previous lawsuits filed by justices against social media users. The Supreme Court’s monitoring efforts aim to compile public…
Jun 14, 2024 11:58 5 min read (Updated: Jun 14, 2024 11:59) The Brazilian government recently issued a provisional decree relaxing regulatory performance requirements for energy systems in the North region. The changes primarily benefit Amazonas Energia, a struggling power distributor in the state of Amazonas, enabling the company’s contracts to become sustainable and preparing it for potential sale. Covering an area equivalent to France, Spain, and Sweden combined, Amazonas Energia serves around 1 million people. The decree’s provisions have taken immediate effect, pending approval by Congress within 120 days to maintain validity. As reported by The Brazilian Report, Amazonas…
Jun 11, 2024 16:42 2 min read The Brazilian government recently canceled an auction for the import of 263,300 tons of rice, valued at BRL 1.3 billion, due to irregularities with the winning bidders. This decision aims to prevent major price spikes caused by recent floods in the rice-producing state of Rio Grande do Sul. Rice prices have been on the rise globally, with a 10 percent increase in the past month and a 30 percent increase over the last year. In Brazil, rice inflation reached over 25 percent in the 12 months leading up to April. The National Supply…
Jun 11, 2024 16:17 3 min read Representatives from various productive sectors meet with lawmakers to advocate for overturning a presidential decree that increases their tax burden. The decree changes the federal tax credits system, aiming to compensate for payroll tax breaks approved in 2023. Seventeen sectors and small municipalities benefit from the tax breaks, intended to create jobs. However, a study by Ipea shows these sectors do not employ the most people. The government claims the decree is needed to meet fiscal targets, but business owners argue it burdens the productive sector. The healthcare sector warns of passing costs…
Jun 10, 2024 12:30 2 min read After more than a month of devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, the state capital, has finally restored operations in all six water treatment plants. The city faced a water crisis affecting 85 percent of the population due to flooded stations and power outages. Rationing was implemented, and emergency measures were taken to supply water to strategic points, including hospitals. Recent efforts have allowed the resumption of water treatment, but challenges remain as the city gradually returns to normal. Activities like car washing and watering plants are discouraged to prioritize…
Jun 08, 2024 16:14 7 min read (Updated: Jun 08, 2024 16:15) A delegation from the Brazilian government, led by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, participated in the Cosban commission in China to enhance trade relations and commemorate 50 years of diplomatic ties. However, Brazil faces challenges due to deforestation in the Cerrado, aggravated by agricultural exports to China. The Cerrado, Brazil’s second-largest biome and rich in biodiversity, is suffering from increased deforestation, especially in the Matopiba region. Chinese demand for Brazilian agricultural products has led to record-breaking sales, with China being the leading buyer of various commodities. China’s significant role…