Archive for 'Brazilian News'
The Ethanol Question Posted by Transparent Language on Jul 3, 2008
Happy Fourth of July! On the holiday, I’ll leave you with some reading ideas for the weekend, about the hot topic of ethanol. One of the things to keep in mind is the wealth of misinformation out there about the energy source, which in Brazil is produced using sugarcane, not corn. Sugarcane requires less input…
Brazil in the Business News Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 30, 2008
Last week, Merrill Lynch and Cap Gemini released a list of the countries with the largest increase in the number of millionaires, and Brazil came in at number three, after China and India. This was due to the booming economy, which in the last year grew 5.4%, while Bovespa, the São Paulo stock market, grew…
Japanese Celebration at the Sambodrome Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 23, 2008
This past weekend, festivities began to celebrate the one hundred year anniversary of Japanese immigration in Brazil. The event kicked off with a huge celebration in São Paulo’s Sambodrome, where 25,000 people attended. The event included Japanese rhythmic dancing, drum groups, and traditional dances. Since the celebration honored the melding of two cultures, there were…
The New Bondinho Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 15, 2008
Last week, the city government unveiled the new bondinhos (cable cars) at Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. The new cable cars are part of a city-wide face lift in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. The bondinho system was constructed in 1913, and has undergone several major renovations since then. The latest one cost…
Man Makes Money Off of Pet Vulture Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 1, 2008
A man from a rural part of Minas Gerais is making lots of money off of his pet urubu (vulture), Loira. Loira, which means blonde girl in Portuguese, appears at special events for R$1,200 per appearance. Loira’s owner, Célio Luiz da Silva, participates in paragliding competitions, where Loira’s presence is frequently requested. She even helps…
Jerusalem in Rio Posted by Transparent Language on May 27, 2008
This month, a new cultural center opened in Rio de Janeiro which features a 730 square-foot replica of Jerusalem from the era of the Second Temple. It is only the second of its kind, since the only other replica is housed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem itself. The center is funded and run by…
Brazilian Becomes Guinness Recorder Holder Posted by Transparent Language on May 20, 2008
Forty-three year-old Brazilian Elaine Davidson, who lives in Scotland, has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most body piercings: 5,920 in total. She also won the world record in 2000 when she only had 462 piercings, including 192 on her face alone. Elaine is a nurse, and does not drink…