Category: From the News

From to print to radio, and everything in between, we bring you the relevant stories straight from the headlines.

Residents in Brazil being removed for mega-events are the last to know

Posted on August 1, 2011 by admin
Raquel Rolnik

The following is an interview with Raquel Rolnik – (Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) on adequate housing) – by Manuela Azenha from the site Vi  O Mundo. The urban planner and teacher Raquel Rolnik says that residents are the last to know, after the government decides their communities must be removed to make way for projects related to the World Cup and in the case of Rio de Janeiro, the Olympics. Rolnik makes this claim as the … Read More

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Vigilantes take over Rio shanty towns

Posted on June 11, 2011 by admin
Rio de Janeiro's Militias

The sprawling favelas of Rio de Janeiro are home to more than a million of Brazil’s poorest citizens. Many of these shanty towns are controlled by drug gangs, and there are regular and violent confrontations with the police. But a growing number of these neighbourhoods are being taken over by what are known here as militias, complicating an already difficult … Read More

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Minha Casa, Minha Vida Troubled By Corruption

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Leuvis
MinhaCasaMinhaVida

Though the state sponsored Minha Casa, Minha Vida housing program has seen success in other Brazilian states, the program has had its shares of issues in Rio de Janeiro. Though rumors have hampered the program, details into the types of corruption have been limited. However, Brazilian newspaper “O Globo” has published a scathing article revealing some of the details, and … Read More

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Rio City Government In Brazil Offers IT Courses for Disadvantaged Residents

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Leuvis
prefeitura logo vert e horiz

The FINANCIAL — Department of Science and Technology Sets Up Cisco Networking Academy Classes in Rio’s Poor Communities; Favela da Rocinha Will Be First to Offer Certifications The Rio city government, through the Department of Science and Technology, has launched an unique IT training program in the city’s most disadvantaged areas in order to help residents acquire relevant job skills … Read More

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Brazil Under Fire For World Cup Slum Evictions

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Leuvis
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Reuters, Wednesday May 11, 2011 * Brazil accused of ignoring rights in infrastructure push * Critics say Rio projects ignoring city’s long-term needs * City says many more people will benefit than lose out By Stuart Grudgings RIO DE JANEIRO – (Reuters) – Like his house, Jose Santos de Oliveira is an island of resistance. The middle-aged gardener and his … Read More

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Rio Government makes changes to Public Defenders Office

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Leuvis
estagio-defensoria-publica-rj

The Public Defender’s Office has gone through a series of extreme attacks from higher ups in government, causing a significant change to its administration. The Public Defender’s Office has been hard at work, fighting against the forced evictions in the wake of preparations for the World Cup and Olympic Games. As a result of these drastic changes to the PDO, … Read More

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The Sensationalization of Rio’s Dark Side Causes Stir; Mundo Real Reacts

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Leuvis
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The internet was a buzz yesterday as ESPN published its expose on what it considered the “real” Rio de Janeiro. It was an interesting article by ESPN, not only because of the suggestive title, “Deadly Games,” but because of the way it presented a city we have come to know and love. It is without a doubt that Rio de … Read More

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Militia Groups Targeting Housing Programs In Rio de Janeiro

Posted on May 10, 2011 by admin
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At least eleven sets of housing blocks in the program “Minha Casa, Minha Vida” (My House, My Life), are being targeted by the actions of paramilitary groups in the western area of Rio de Janeiro. According to information published on Saturday by the newspaper O Globo, the militia loyal to former military police officer Ricardo Teixeira da Cruz, Batman, were exploiting gas services, cable TV, and”private security”, making threats to residents in condos in Campo Grande, Cosmosand Realengo. Currently Batman is being held in a maximum security federal prison in Mato Grosso do Sul. According to … Read More

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Renovated Maracanã Shuts Out Rio’s Poor

Posted on May 8, 2011 by admin
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  Brazil’s Soul, in Form of a Stadium RIO DE JANEIRO — Generations of Brazilians have grown up in the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, known around the world as the Maracanã. Built for the 1950 World Cup and at the time the largest stadium in the world, it became an instant national landmark, a symbol of Brazil’s soccer-centric culture. The … Read More

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Delays In World Cup Construction Are Cause For Concern

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Leuvis
Brasil2014

Brazil is falling behind preparations for the 2014 World Cup, and is still within reach of losing its bid if it doesn’t speed up progress. This news comes from the Brazilian Audit Court, who has criticized officials for missing deadlines, overspending and a lack of transparency. The fear among critics is that a loss by Brazil would be a media … Read More

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