Major Brazilian Bank Merger Posted by Rachel on Nov 5, 2008
This week, two Brazilian banks announced a major merge between Unibanco and Itau, which would form the largest private-sector bank in the Americas with combined assets of nearly US$262 billion and a market value of US$41.3 billion. The goal of the merger is to create stability in an uncertain financial environment and for the new…
Hip Hop Festival Begins in Rio Posted by Rachel on Nov 4, 2008
Today, aside from being election day in the US, is the opening day of the Ninth Annual Hutúz Festival, a celebration of hip hop culture in Rio de Janeiro. The opening coincides with Dia da Favela, Slum Day, and as such the opening will take place in Manguinhos, the home of the Central Única das…
Podcast: Making a Business Phone Call Posted by Rachel on Nov 3, 2008
Today we’re going to learn how to make a business phone call in Portuguese. Click here to access the MP3. Boa tarde. Gostaria de falar com a Marta Ribeiro, por favor. Ela não está? Posso deixar um recado? Meu nome é Gilberto Barros e sou da empresa Rede Parede. Quero conversar com a Marta sobre…
Feliz Dia do Saci! Posted by Rachel on Oct 31, 2008
Today is Saci Day in Brazil, which celebrates the Brazilian folkloric figure Saci. The Society of Saci Observers chose October 31st on purpose to coincide with Halloween, since they want to promote Brazilian folklore and ensure that Brazilians celebrate their own culture. Saci Pererê, as he is known, is a mythical figure in Brazilian folklore…
Brazilian Profile: Ruy Barbosa Posted by Rachel on Oct 30, 2008
Ruy Barbosa is one of Brazil’s great figures and all-around renaissance men: he was a writer, philosopher, lawyer, politican, diplomat, and translator. Born in Salvador in 1849, he grew up in Bahia, where his teachers recognized him as a great mind and talent. He went to São Paulo to study law, and began his law…
Brazil in the News Posted by Rachel on Oct 29, 2008
Today we’re going to look at some of the world headlines about what’s going on in Brazil: Economic crisis hits as Brazil builds, LA Times Ex-Militant Concedes Loss in Election for Rio Mayor, New York Times Lula setback in Brazil city poll, BBC Brazil’s ruling coalition gains city halls, Miami Herald Brazil oil delays may…
Indigenous Leader Receives Human Rights Prize Posted by Rachel on Oct 28, 2008
Brazilian indigenous leader Almir Suruí received an award from the International Society of Human Rights this week in Geneva, Switzerland for his work in the Amazon. The leader of the Suruí tribe located on a reservation in Rondônia state, Almir is also the coordinator for the Etno-Ambiental da Coordenação das Organizações Indígenas da Amazônia Brasileira…