Brazil - The Expat Reporter

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  Uncategorized

  Lula keeps comeback cards close to his chest

  Since his return to Brazilian politics in March with a rollicking speech at a metalworkers’ trade union outside São Paulo, the popularity of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has continued to rise.

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  Society

  Brazil inquiry into Covid response threatens to loosen Bolsonaro’s grip on electorate

  For the third time in a little over a month, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro rallied thousands of his conservative support base in a noisy motorcycle demonstration dubbed “accelerate for Christ”.

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  Sport

  As virus rages on, Brazil braces for international soccer matches

  Most Brazilians don’t want it. Major sponsors have fled. Even players balked at the idea. But ready or not, the Copa America, one of Latin America’s most important sporting spectacles, is coming to town. The international soccer tournament, which President Jair Bolsonaro greenlit with little warning late last month, will begin Sunday in Brazil against a backdrop of controversy and fear.

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  Business

  Brazil-Argentina new auto pact postpones free trade until 2029

  Brazil and Argentina renewed their auto trade agreement on Friday, allowing increased Brazilian exports to its neighbor through 2029 but postponing free trade in motor vehicles between the countries for the next decade. Argentina is the largest export market for the Brazilian auto industry, but sales have plummeted due to a depression in the Argentine economy. Sales in Brazil in recent months have begun to recover to 2014 levels.

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  Culture

  Street Parties, Samba Parades and Flashy Carnival Balls – Enjoy all That and More at Rio Carnival 2020

  Street Parties, Samba Parades and Flashy Carnival Balls – Enjoy all That and More at Rio Carnival 2020. As the Rio Carnival 2020 approaches, excitement builds up. The yearly party celebrated in real Brazilian style, continues until Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the Lent period, characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures and fasting for Christians around the globe.

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  Society

  Emmanuel Macron says he will block EU trade deal with Brazil over Amazon forest fires

  France will block an EU trade deal with Brazil and its neighbours over the country’s handling of fires in the Amazon rainforest, a spokesperson for Emmanuel Macron has said. Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has been criticised around the world for his response to the fires, which scientists say are man-made and campaigners have linked to businesses looking to exploit the land.

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  Business

  Brazil rides wave of soybean sales to China as U.S. trade war rages

  Soybean trading in Brazil has gained momentum in recent days, driven by a wave of Chinese demand, boosting prices and premiums paid at ports amid a weakening of the Brazilian currency, according to analysts. An estimated 5.5 million tonnes of soybeans have traded over the past few days, and are slated to leave Brazilian ports in June, July and August, according to estimates by the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea) issued on Friday.

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  Lifestyle

  A local’s guide to Rio de Janeiro: 10 top tips

  As a direct budget flight from London launches this week, our Brazil correspondent picks out favela feasts, samba sessions and seaside cycle rides to savour.

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  Culture

  Brazil museum fire: ‘incalculable’ loss as 200-year-old Rio institution gutted

  The Museu Nacional houses artefacts from Egypt, Greco-Roman art and some of the first fossils found in Brazil. Brazil’s oldest and most important historical and scientific museum has been consumed by fire, and much of its archive of 20 million items is believed to have been destroyed.

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  Opinions

  Interview with an Estonian expat in Brazil

  Today’s interview is with Dona, an Estonian expat living in Brazil. Dona is an Estonian expat who first arrived in Brazil as an exchange student to complete her Master’s degree. After meeting her future husband in São Paulo, Dona has learnt to call the city home.