Brazilian SC Judge suspends Elon Musk’s platform X after he refuses to name a legal representative

A Brazilian Supreme Court Justice has ordered the suspension of Elon Musk’s social media platform X in Brazil after the tech billionaire refused to name a legal representative in the country. The move further escalates the months-long feud between the two persons over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation. Justice Alexandre de Moraes had warned Musk earlier this week that X could be blocked in Brazil if he failed to comply with his order to name a representative, and established a 24-hour deadline.The company did not have a representative in the country since earlier this month. Justice De Moraes said the platform would remain blocked until it complies. Responding to the ban, Elon Musk accused the Brazilian Judge of destroying free speech in the country. Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/brazilian-sc-judge-suspends-elon-musks-platform-x-after-he-refuses-to-name-a-legal-representativ...

Read More........ → August 31, 2024

India hands over G20 presidency to Brazil

President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit held in New Delhi Sept. 9 and 10. Brazil took over the presidency from India. PHOTO: X @India’s Ministry of External AffairsNEW DELHI (Reuters) – India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, formally handed over the G20 presidency to Brazil at the closing ceremony of the annual summit of the grouping, that was held in New Delhi this weekend. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the transition by handing over the ceremonial gavel of the presidency to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. India has had the presidency of the G20 since Dec. 1, when it took over from Indonesia, and will continue to hold the position until Nov. 30. During the two-day summit, the bloc adopted a consensus declaration that made commitments on several issues, including that of food and energy security, climate change and global debt vulnerabilities. Modi, on Sunday, also proposed a “virtual summit” of the grouping at the end of November to assess the status of the suggestions and proposals put forth by members...

Read More........ → September 14, 2023

Brics+ and the Tricky Business of Balancing Global Geopolitics

By Priyal Singh: Will an expanded BRICS precipitate a new international order, or collapse under the weight of its internal contradictions? The words of 13th century Persian poet Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, 'As you start to walk the way, the way appears,' certainly found new resonance in Johannesburg last week at the 15th BRICS Summit. Apart from expanding the diplomatic club to include Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the summit revealed the global south's growing disillusionment with the current structure of the international system. These frustrations have bolstered BRICS' appeal as a counterweight to leading Western countries, such as those composing the G7. More significantly, an expanded BRICS represents a resounding call for international reform by global south states, exclusive from, and in opposition to, traditional Western powers. This unprecedented moment reflects the shifting locus of global power, and has propelled an expanded BRICS to chart a way into unknown territory. Decisions over the nature and trajectory of global order...

Read More........ → August 31, 2023

Brazil`s hospitals facing oxygen crisis

The hospitals in the city of Manaus of Brazil have been hit by a massive oxygen crisis since mass vaccinations have not yet begun and it causes medical threats to the city's coronavirus patients. The BBC quoted health officials as warning in local media on Friday that oxygen shortages could kill many people in the Amazon jungle city. The city has “run out of oxygen and some health centers have become a type of suffocation chamber,” Jessem Orellana, from the Fiocruz-Amazonia scientific investigation institute, told AFP.“Here there aren’t any empty beds left, any oxygen tanks, nothing — all we have left is faith,” Manaus resident Luiza Castro told AFP.Amazonas Governor Wilson Lima said the state was “in the most critical moment of the pandemic.”A female doctor from the area appealed for help in a video posted on the Internet. "We are in a terrible situation," she said, " A unit of the hospital has run out of oxygen."In the video clip, the woman said, "There is no oxygen. Many people are dying. If anyone has oxygen, bring it to the clinic. Many people are dying." Source:...

Read More........ → January 17, 2021

Coronavirus drives Brazil jobless rate to record 14.4 percent

The jobless rate in Brazil hit a record 14.4 percent in the June to August period as the coronavirus pandemic pounded Latin America’s largest economy, the government reported Friday.News Agency AFP reported that this is the highest level of unemployment recorded in Brazil since the government started measuring joblessness by three-month periods in 2012.For the May to July stretch it had reached 13.8 percent, which was also a record, the Brazilian statistics institute said. From June to August a record of nearly six million people simply gave up trying to find a job, it added. Brazil’s economy lost 4.3 million jobs for the three-month period, bringing the total number of unemployed to 13.8 million people, the government said.But that was an improvement from the 7.3 million jobs lost from May to July, fueling hope that the recovery is gaining steam.“We are now seeing greater movement in the labour market,” said Adriana Beringuy, an analyst for the statistics institute.However, some other numbers remain grim.On Wednesday the Brazilian real hit a five-month low of 5.75 to the dollar,...

Read More........ → October 31, 2020

Bolsonaro again tests positive for coronavirus

Jair Bolsonaro _file Brasilia: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed that he has once again tested positive for the novel coronavirus, roughly a week after he contracted the virus. "We hope that in the next few days, they will give me a new test and, everything will be fine so that we can return to normal activity," Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying in a live Facebook broadcast on Wednesday. Bolsonaro, who repeatedly played down the risks posed by the virus which he termed "a little flu" and asserting that he would not be seriously affected by it, said he would get tested again in a few days. In a statement, the communication secretariat of the presidency said that Bolsonaro was currently staying at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, "and continues to be accompanied by the medical team". According to the statement, the latest test was carried out on Tuesday morning and the result came out at night. On July 7, Bolsonaro announced that after developing a fever and general discomfort, he tested positive for COVID-19 at the Brazilian Armed Forces...

Read More........ → July 23, 2020

FIFA World Cup: Sublime Lionel Messi lights up Maracana

Lionel Messi finally made his mark on the World Cup and lit up the Maracana with his first goal in the finals for eight years but Argentina had to battle hard for a 2-1 win over debutants Bosnia in their opening Group F match on Sunday. Messi, four-times world player of the year and Argentina’s best footballer since Diego Maradona graced the 1986 tournament, put his side 2-0 ahead on a night when the stadium was turned into little Buenos Aires by tens of thousands of his countrymen. “It was important to start with a win and to get three points but we need to improve,” man-of-the-match Messi told reporters. Although they took the lead in the third minute when Sead Kolasinac netted the fastest own goal in World Cup history, Argentina looked unconvincing until Messi struck with a dazzling run and sweet left-foot shot that went in off the post in the 65th minute after a one-two with substitute Gonzalo Higuain. It was Messi’s first goal in the finals since scoring in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Serbia & Montenegro almost eight years ago to the day. Even then they could not afford to...

Read More........ → June 16, 2014

World Cup alternatives: what to watch instead of football

Football fever has firmly taken hold, with the World Cup having finally got underway in Brazil. But with 64 matches packed into four weeks, not everybody is cheering. For the UK, most of the games will take place in the evenings. If you can't bear the thought of wall-to-wall football, Here are our top ten entertainment alternatives... Television: Game of Thrones finale: The tenth episode of Game of Thrones looks set to be "the best season finale ever", according to The Independent, with producers promising the "finest hour" of the series so far. Fans can watch the show at 9pm on Monday 16 June on Sky Atlantic, tactfully missing the Iran v Nigeria match. Cinema: Oculus: What better way to avoid all thoughts of football than by scaring yourself silly? Oculus is out this week and described by IndieWire as "one of the scariest American horror movies in years". Mike Flanagan's psychological horror stars Karen Gillan as a woman who is convinced that an antique mirror is responsible for the misfortunes of her family. Exhibitions: Great War in Portraits: This week...

Read More........ → June 15, 2014

BRICS summit delivers tangible results, Singh meets Putin & Invites the Chinese Premiere

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) poses for a group photo with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (1st L), South African President Jacob Zuma (C), Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (2nd R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (1st R) during the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa, March 27, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua] The leaders of five major emerging economies on Wednesday wrapped up their latest round of summit in the South African city of Durban to promote their partnership for development, integration and industrialization. It is the first time for the BRICS nations, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, to hold their leaders' meeting on the continent of Africa. China Pledges to Enhance BRICS Cooperation While addressing the summit in his keynote speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all BRICS members to work hand in hand for common development. He pledged that China would strengthen cooperation with other members to make economic growth of BRICS countries more robust and their cooperation better-structured and more productive. BRICS cooperation...

Read More........ → March 28, 2013

Gap expansion strategy 2013

US retailer Gap has been on a mission to expand and last year the group opened 75 new Gap and Banana Republic stores. This year the company is focussing on creating a new international structure. Gap intends to expand into Brazil and Peru in 2013 and into India in 2014. The group is also trying to strengthen relations with its partners. “In December, our franchise partner FIBA launched a new e-commerce site in Turkey to supplement the merchandise offer of Gap and Banana Republic stores across the entire country. It was a big step forward for us. This is the first time that our relationship with a franchise partner has developed into a line,” said Stefan Laban, senior vice president of Gap International. “This was clearly a year that generated a lot of miles.” In addition to organisational developments and new markets, the Gap brand having success in its endeavours after its appointment of new creative director Rebekka Bay, last September. The first collection under Bay’s direction is scheduled for spring 2014 and her influence is already showing in the collections. “She works closely...

Read More........ → March 10, 2013

BRICS to strengthen cooperation in health sector

BRICS is an international political organisation of leading emerging economies, arising out of the inclusion of South Africa into the BRIC: Image Link Wikimedia New Delhi, Jan 10: Health officials of the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - Thursday discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of manufacturing affordable health products and developing advanced health technologies. The two-day deliberations begin Thursday with meeting of health secretaries and senior advisers, while the health ministers would participate on Friday. The meeting will result in adoption of a Delhi Communique, which will see concrete plans on issues like integrated management of non-communicable prevention, coordination and financing of research and development for medical products, strengthening health surveillance and drug discovery and development. Addressing the meeting, India's Health Secretary P.K. Pradhan said BRICS countries represent 43 percent of the world's population and this is both a strength and challenge for them. "Although...

Read More........ → February 07, 2013

India pips brazil, russia to become 4th largest market for sony

Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony today said its Indian operations have emerged as its fourth largest globally, overtaking businesses in Brazil and Russia by the end of December quarter this fiscal. The sluggish demand in developed nations has helped the company's growing subsidiary Sony India, which has clocked a revenue of over Rs 6,000 crore during April-December period in 2012-13, to improve its position in global ranking. "The Indian operations has become the number four in global ranking. We have overtaken Brazil and Russia, which were ahead of us in last fiscal," Sony India Managing Director Kenichiro Hibi told reporters here. The existing top three positions are held by the US, China and Japan, he said without sharing details. "We have almost touched last year's revenue... We are completely on our track to treble our turnover to Rs 20,000 crore by 2015," Hibi said. The Indian operations' revenue for 2011-12 was Rs 6,313 crore compared to Rs 5,446 crore in the previous fiscal. The company is expecting 30-40 per cent growth in this fiscal. Sony India's achievement comes...

Read More........ → January 17, 2013

Vettel wins Japanese GP

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, center, celebrates on the podium after winning the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, as third placed Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan looks on, and second placed Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil climbs on to the podium, at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan. (AP Photo/Greg Baker) Source: Hindustan Time...

Read More........ → October 08, 2012

Hyundai Targets Brazilian Market with New 2013 HB20 Supermini, Confirms Sedan and CUV

With its sights heavily set on increasing its footprint in the growing Brazilian market, Hyundai lifted the covers off a new model named HB20 (HB stands for 'Hyundai Brazil'), with which it will enter the biggest and most competitive segment in the country’s car market. The HB20 was not only designed for Brazil but it will also be the first model to be produced at Hyundai’s fully-owned new plant in Piracicaba, located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Production of the sub-compact hatch will begin on September 20, while sales will start in early October. "For Hyundai, the launch of HB20 means a lot more than simply presenting a new model. Unlike our other models currently offered in Brazil, HB20 is the first model strategically  developed and produced exclusively for the Brazilian market," said Chang Kyun Han, President of Hyundai Motors Brazil. The five-door hatchback is related to the European market i20 featuring a revised exterior styling and a different interior. Hyundai says it has adapted the HB20 to the needs of buyers in Brazil. "This...

Read More........ → September 26, 2012

environmentalists will press issue at RIO 20 conference

RTSea; In June, the RIO+20 conference will be held in Rio de Janeiro. This conference name is more of a nickname, as it is officially the United Nations Conference on  Sustainable Development.Many of  the issues  discussed revolve around land use and crop yields in addition to water usage and availability. The goal is to be able to provide for human populations in a responsible manner that can guarantee available resources for generations to come. None of this can be accomplished without considering the impact mankind is having on nature and wildlife in general. The BBC recently reported that environmentalists will be pressuring government leaders at the conference to make a more concerted effort to protect nature as a critical component of any sustainable development policy. "The Rio+20 conference is an opportunity for the world to get serious about the need for development to be made sustainable," said David Nussbaum, CEO of World Wildlife Fund-UK. "We need to elevate the sense of urgency, and I think this is ultimately not only...

Read More........ → September 19, 2012

Brazilian boy with no feet to train at Barcelona

Muniz appeared on the hit Brazilian show TV Globo, where officials for Barcelona saw his story. He then showed off his skills at a training session in Saquarema. Gabriel Muniz is impressing soccer fans all around the world with his inspiring story. Despite not having feet, the boy is one of the best soccer players in his school. That is just how this little kid rolls, according to his mom. He started walking before he was one. We would go after him, expecting him to keep falling, but he never fell. Muniz continues to exceed expectations, not willing to consider himself with a handicap. He even An 11-year-old Brazilian boy has earned a place at the Barcelona football team's summer training camp - despite being born without feet. has ankle prosthetics, but the report states he ditches those to play soccer, even against older kids. By then, Catalan officials were so moved that they offered him an invitation to travel to Barcelona's September academy. There he will get a chance to see all the players he would consider putting on a dream team of sorts. Here...

Read More........ → August 30, 2012