www.brazilianpost.co.uk • Issue n. 74

GUARANI-KAIOWÁ OPEN VEINS

Read more on pages 2 and 4 >>

MUSIC: p08

Criolo, Flavia Coelho and Egberto Gismonti bring the Brazilian swing to London’s Jazz scene

L. AMERICA: p09

Uruguay takes progressive steps with the legalization of marijuana and abortion but how far do the changes really reach?

As a letter declares the “collective death” of 170 indigenous, Brazil is once again looking to avoid the extinction of its oldest traditions. While social and economic development makes the country look forward new times, the open veins of indigenous issue remain.

November 06th - 19th 2012

LONDON EDITION

02 | November 06th - 19th 2012

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IndIgenoUS ISSUe

Guarani-Kaiowá and the historical rights of a people

By guilherme reis

Still is relevant in today’s times the classic work of Eduardo Galeano, Open Veins of Latin America. The book, from the 1970s, brought to the world the silent crime that permeated the early centuries of the region after the “discovery” - a region whose history has been stolen by the long European domination; region that still watch without memory the gradual death of traditions and cultural riches of those who are the first inhabitants of the Americas, the Indians.Centuries have passed since the arrival of Europeans. The decimation of peoples such as Mayan, Inca and Aztec (to stay in the best known) are already outdated stories – turned in myths for tourists - and the sense of debt to the region and its traditional peoples is nothing but rhetoric devoid of concrete and definitive acts in intention to ensure historical rights, which also goes for the black slaves from Africa.Latin America through the centuries trying to get rid of these shackles of domination. Faced dictatorships sponsored by the United States. Suffered from the gross inequalities which are nothing more than fruits of the capitalism “triumph” of superpowers, whose development occurred only at the

expense of the misery of the southern hemisphere.But today, we live in an unprecedented situation, as they say. An Indian was elected in Bolivia - Evo Morales. A metallurgist in Brazil - Lula. Hugo Chávez follows in his Bolivarian revolution and the mainland, more than ever, you can enjoy some independence and plot your path not by will of developed countries, but according to what is necessary for the assertion of national sovereignty and social justice .There remain, however, many open veins in Latin America. And here The Brazilian Post refers to indigenous issues in Brazil. On our first bilingual edition in July this year, we treat the situation of indigenous peoples of the Xingu and its struggle against the construction of the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte. In this edition, the character is another - the indigenous ethnic Guarani-Kaiowá - but the dilemma is still the same: how to become a truly developed country without having to witness the death of the oldest traditions of our country?

‘Collective death’In a letter to the government and the Federal Court, on October 8, ethnicity Guarani-Kaiowá declared the “collective death” of 170 men, women and children

in response to an eviction order handed down by Justice of Nivarai city, in Mato Grosso do Sul State, where they are camped by the river Hovy waiting for the demarcation of their traditional lands. It was an act of desperation called by Guarani-Kaiowá as an “action of genocide and history extermination of the indigenous people.”

>> Continued on Page 04

brazil | 03

oPInIon

Election 2012:The left grows and opposition shrinksBy ari Silveira

The balance of the municipal elections in Brazil was favorable to parties a little more on the left side of the ideological spectrum. From the major parties, the PT, which is on the federal government since 2003, was the only one that grew. Increased the number of mayors and councilors. It was the most voted party college, winning the preference of 17 million voters across Brazil. About 20% of the Brazilian electorate lives in cities with PT administrations.The centrist PMDB, PT main ally, shrank, as well as the largest opposition parties of the right, DEM and PSDB (this, despite the name social democracy, embraced neoliberalism in the 90’ and let the space of social democrat to be occupied by PT).

It should be noted that the PMDB, even having fared worse than four years ago, remained in first place in the absolute number of mayors and only lost to PT in number of votes in places with theirs municipal administration.For the former President, Luz Inacio Lula da Silva, the greatest victory was the reconquest of the city of São Paulo, with a candidate almost unknown, Fernando Haddad – as happened two years before in the presidential race, when Lula, with a capacity to “elect up a tree”, made the former chief of Civil House, Dilma Rousseff, a rookie in elections, his successor. Of course this time Lula featured a combined force: the record rejection to Haddad main opponent, José Serra.Lula, however, had two significant defeats. In Manaus, the former Senator

Arthur Virgílio, a spokesmen from the extreme right, defeated Vanessa Grazziottin (PCdoB). In Salvador, the negletion of Governor Jacques Wagner to public servants would have led the people to elect ACM Neto, heir of the last coronel of Brazilian Northeast.A fact to be noted carefully is the rise of the PSB, the fastest growing party in the municipal election. Historic allied to PT, this socialist party made alliances with the opposition, as happened in Curitiba since 2004 or since 2008 in Belo Horizonte. Desperate with the stratospheric popularity of Lula and Dilma, the oppositionist media does not hide the support to a disruption between PSB and PT, so the Governor of Pernambuco, Eduardo Campos, fall into the arms of the rightest Aecio Neves. It missed to combine the Russians:

PSB leaders ensure that the party does not embark on an adventure of these without compromising the head plate and that the commitment to PT continues to help reelect President Dilma in 2014.And the electoral use of Mensalão? Some say that the effect was the opposite of the intended one. The “coincidence” of the trial with the electoral period and the exploration of the case, nothing subtle by the opposition media – highlighting the “National Journal” from TV Globo, the “o Globo” from Infoglobo publisher and “Veja” published by Editora Abril – would have caused distrust of the electorate, who knew pretty well separate the two things, rejecting the attempts to criminalize the left.

brazil | 04 | November 06th - 19th 2012

>> Continued from Page 02

This group of 170 Indians are camped at the site since 2011 and, as is not difficult to suppose, is surrounded by farmers. In attempts to recover their lands, they have been attacked by gunmen, suffered beatings and mistreatment, and have lost many of their leaders were killed. In ten years, more than 500 indigenous people were murdered in Mato Grosso do Sul, the country’s highest rate.Furthermore, according to report by Special Indigenous Sanitary District of Mato Grosso do Sul (DSEI / MS), between 2000 and 2011 were recorded 555 suicides among young Guarani-Kaiowá (aged 15 to 29 years) - a mortality rate of 62,01 deaths for every 100 thousand people. In 2007, the national rate was 4,7 for every 100 thousand people.According to Funai, the conflict involving Guarani-Kaiowá and farmers began in the second half of the 19th century, shortly after the Paraguayan War. During the dictatorship, has begun a systematic occupation of the territory, with the establishment of agricultural settlements and agricultural activities. The Indians had three options: reservations, work on farms almost as slaves or escape into the forest.However, the current area set aside for indigenous falls far short of an estimate made in 2008 by a study group of their own Funai, who said they needed 6,000 km ² only for the population of Guarani-Kaiowá, which are more than 43 thousand. Today the Indians are confined to reservations as Dourados, subject to all the humanitarian risks as alcoholism and malnutrition, for example.A recent study by the NGO Reporter Brasil denounces the production of soy and cane in lands of the Guarani-Kaiowá. The survey helps the debate on corporate responsibility in conflicts involving

farmers and indigenous - which refers to the situation in 1882, when the federal government leased the area for the Company Matte Orange, who initiated the exploration in the whole Indian territory.

Mobilization and demarcationThe Guarani-Kaiowá letter generated strong popular mobilization that won the media and social networking - with many Facebook users, for example, adding Guarani-Kaiowá to the name. The president of Funai, Marta Azevedo, an anthropologist who has lived with the Guarani and mastered their language, came to say that the initial achievements are due in part to this mobilization. “The mobilization of civil society is absolutely essential, because the indigenous problem is not just a government issue. They suffer with chronic violence and prejudice,” he said in an interview to Carta Maior.Marta was referring to the three announcements made on Tuesday October 30 by Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardoso, during a special meeting of the Council of Defense of Human Rights (CDDPH).The first was that the Federal Court of the 3rd Region stripped the eviction order and ordered the Indians to occupy the site until the ethnological studies are completed over the territory. The second is that the Ministry of Justice has sent the new effective national force to pacify the region. The third is that the ethnological studies conducted on site testified what the Indians repeat since the 1960s: the village Pyelito Kue comes up, yes, indigenous land (the study will be formalized later this month).It is still necessary, however, some scepticism. Despite the positive news, the solution must lie in the final demarcation of the territory, which

has no deadline to happen. With the great conflicts of interests involved, the processes of demarcation are always embarrassingly slow - there are in the Supreme Federal Court (STF) many cases stuck for decades; according to a survey of the Human Rights Secretariat of the Presidency, only in Mato Grosso do Sul are at least ten.The Constitution of 1988 gave a period of five years for the country to undertake the demarcation of indigenous lands. Today there are still 9% of these

demarcations to be done, and it is the most difficult to perform.In a time when the country could be discussing post-demarcation actions - including how to ensure that indigenous peoples, once assured their lands, have an appropriate development process itself to each community - the country is seen tied to conflicts of interest and individualism that are nothing more than remnants of colonial domination which were imposed and that, even today, we still have not truly overcame.

Why demarcateThe demarcation process is the means to clarify the administrative boundaries of the territory traditionally occupied by indigenous peoples. It is the duty of the Federal Government, which seeks, with the demarcation of indigenous lands: a) rescuing a historic debt with the first inhabitants of these lands, b) provide the basic conditions for the physical and cultural survival of these peoples, and c) preserve Brazilian cultural diversity, all in fulfilment of which is determined by

the chapeau of Article 231 of the Federal Constitution.The regularization of indigenous lands by means of demarcation, is of fundamental importance to the physical and cultural survival of the indigenous peoples who live in Brazil, so this has been his main claim. It is known that secure land rights for Indians means ensuring not only their livelihood, but also ensure the cultural space needed to update their traditions.

The Indian Today• Today 817,000 Indians live in Brazil,

about 0.4% of the population, according to the 2010 Census.

• They are distributed among 688 Indigenous and some urban areas. Over 35% of Indians live in urban areas.

• There are also 82 references to non-contacted indigenous groups, of which 32 were confirmed.

• The North remains harbouring the largest number of indigenous

totalling 342,836 between declared and undeclared, followed by the North east with 232,739, and the Midwest, with 143,432. The South east and South have, respectively, 99,137 and 78,773 Indians in total.

• The Tikuna ethnicity has the largest number of Indians in Brazil, with 46,045 people, followed by ethnic Guarani-Kaiowá, with 43,401, and Kaingang, with 37,470.

CHarItY

Journey through the arts of Brazil and Ecuador

By Paula Williams

Thursday evening I was transported on an imaginary train journey through a warm, dazzling, sunlit green, lush and remarkable country, thousands of miles away, by the sublime sounds of Emily Burridge, cellist, composer, performer and producer, with percussionist Felix Gibbons at the Bolivar Hall in London’s Fitzrovia, as part of the Festival of the Arts for Brazil and Ecuador.

This dynamic mix of music, art, food and fashion from both countries was the united vision of two designer milliners, the Brazilian Cristina Carneiro de Mendonça and the Ecuadorian Maria Cuji, the driving forces behind this combined fund raiser.Free Blessed supports the comprehensive rehabilitation of young people in conflict with the law by turning their lives around through the arts and other creative trades.

Ephemeral Brazil helps to pave the way for the female artisans of the favelas (slums) of Rio De Janeiro, who use skills both old and new to create something out of materials collected from rubbish tips, interwoven with waste and scrap textiles from local factories, all in a place of unimaginable poverty and with strength of spirit, grim determination, passion, resourcefulness and creativity.Visit www.freeblessed.org to see how YOU CAN HELP youth

rehabilitation in Ecuador.Visit www.ephemeralbrazil.com for stockists. Your purchases

will help the female artisans living in the Rio de Janeiro slums.

05

Community

http://hilarious-consequences.blogspot.co.uk http://www.steaknightcomics.com/steaknightcomics.com/RRR_BOOKS.html

OMBUDSMANThis is your chance to let the Brazilian Post’s team know what you think. Send your feedback and get involved! Send your emails to contato@brazilianpost.co.uk

“Expand the concept of capitalism and transform it into a form of humanitarian exchange is a big challenge, but we must start somehow, a good example being the initiative of the Brixton Pound. The challenge is make people realize the value of this experience, not only financially, but also the sense of community”.

- Ariadne Pereira Leite, São Paulo - SP

Community | 06 | November 06th - 19th 2012

ProFILe

Pedro Skelly: from Punk to ModBy rômulo Seitenfus

Vocalist and guitarist Peter Skelly, along with his band, The Skelies, invade the stage of Camden Town, the most rock n’ roll neighbourhood of London, presenting their Punk/Mod style. Influenced by The Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Jam and The Who, they have become an internet sensation and their recent single, “Superficial” with the B-side “30 Silver Pieces” can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and electronic stores.The Music Business student from Londrina (Paraná - Brazil) Skelly has been based in London since 15 years. Aged just 12, he started scratching the strings of his first guitar, before moving to Europe. “I had never taken music so seriously, it was more a hobby. When I arrived in London, all the influence of the rock scene here caught my attention. It was here that I formed a band and started to take it further,” Peter reveals to The Brazilian Post.When asked about the difficulty in breaking into London’s music scene, Peter recalls the importance of having a network. “The more I learn about the music industry here, the more I realise that if you have talent, your success is relative to who you know or meet. I spend my time attending shows and making contacts. I think if you have talent and determination you can go a long way here,” he says.The Skellies have developed their sound totally independently, with only the help of Roundhouse, which offered the studios to record. Peter says that the

inspiration for his latest single came from a former relationship, “’Superficial’ is a generalisation of ‘mainstream’ girls, a stereotype of what people see as the ‘typical English girl.’ The girls you see in the clubs of central London. I dated a girl like that and realized that if you don’t base them on any other than looks, you get tired of that kind of relationship”.Inspiration comes from people and places that the Brazilian encounters here. “I try to turn up in the strangest places and at the strangest times too. Most of my inspiration comes from my experiences, so I try to go out, travelling and meeting new people as much as possible.”Inspired by English musicians likes Joe Strummer, Jack White, David Bowie, Steve Diggle, Sid Vicious, John Lennon, Paul Weller and Ian Brown, living in London has also changed his way of thinking.“The diversity of this city changes anyone. My favourite part of London is Chalk Farm/Camden Town, but I like the mixed places in the south of the city like Brixton, Peckham and Lewisham. If you want to see more of the reality of the city you can witness incredible things in these neighbourhoods.” he suggests.Asked if he has any tips for bands starting out and aspiring to enter in the London’s musical scene, Peter Skelly says: “Start sending your music to venues and promoters. Go to gigs of local bands that play the same style of music as yours and try making friends with them. Each type of music works in a different way in London.”

IDa moment to remember: Benicassim Music Festival 2012 in Spain.a fear: To give up on my dreams.a defect: My lack of patience.a quality: Perseverance.a big minus: Weekends when I’ve spent money without control.musicians in your playlist: The Clash, Buzzcocks, The Stone Roses, Toots & The Maytails, Chuck Berry, The Smiths...if you could turn back time, who would you choose to embrace: Ayrton Senna.an amazing cultural product: The documentary about Ayrton Senna, showing that determination as key.If your life was a song, what would it be? Whatever, Oasis.a book: Please Kill Me, by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain.A film: 24 Hour Party People.a song: I Wanna Be Adored - Stone Roses.a restaurant: La Porcheta in Camden Town.a bar: The Enterprise, also in Camden.How do you imagine your life in ten years? With several CDs released, making a successful living from music, a successful career with

children in a stable marriage.a drink: Snake Bite (Larger, Cider and Blackcurrant).What do you find attractive? Personality and character.What is the easiest defect to forgive? Ignorance.Wardrobe essentials: shirts (button down), skinny black jeans and desert boots.The best gift received: Talent.The best gift ever offered: Friendship.A talent that you would like to have but have not: Driving, my dream was to be a racing driver.a beautiful woman: The woman of my dreams is probably Alison Mosshart of The Kills.a handsome man: Jack White.the most beautiful city: Venice.Things to love in London: The diversity, the nightlife, the music, the women and Camden Town.things to hate in london: The gang culture that is growing, racism (the various sides), the difference between rich and poor.A vanity: My hair. Photo: by rômulo Seitenfus

Community| 07

08 | November 06th - 19th 2012

London JaZZ FeStIVaL

In the vibe of Criolo, Flavia Coelho and Egberto Gismonti

Between bossa and samba

t here will be over 250 concerts during ten days in which London will breathe Jazz.

More than 30 performances every night at 50 different venues. From 9 to 18 November, the British capital receives the London Jazz Festival with his usual multiculturalism. And, of course, could not miss the Brazilian touch. The rapper Criolo, who moves with ease through various musical genres, Flavia Coelho, Rio de Janeiro’s girl that has been gaining ground in Europe, and Egberto Gismonti, consecrated multi instrumentalist, will play at concerts that should attract many Brazilian and foreign lovers of Brazil’s swing.Back in London after played at Back2Black festival, in late June, Criolo performs at the London Jazz Festival on 18 November at Koko in Camden Town. The rapper from São Paulo, already established among the leading names in current Brazilian music scene, climb on stage with Mulatu Astatke, the father of Ethio-Jazz, with its mix of pop, modern jazz, traditional Ethiopian music, Latin rhythms, Afro-Caribbean reggae and funk.“My respect for this artist [Mulatu] is so great that I dare not say that there is a partnership between us. Mulatu made a very kind invitation to me to write a composition for one of his themes. I’m a huge fan of Mulatu, I love him and I am with him whenever he invite me,” said Criolo in an interview by e-mail to The Brazilian Post.“London is a city very special to me because it gave me the meeting with Mulatu, I also was greeted with much care and just want to give back all this in return. I had not the pleasure of seeing the city as it was a lot of work, but I met wonderful people,” added the singer.

Flavia Coelho comes to London bringing the great impression that her album Bossa Muffin reached in Europe. As the name suggests, the singer travels the traditions of samba and bossa nova, besides bringing melodies of forró, but also works as reggae rhythms and hip-hop to create a bold style that gives a face to the new Brazil.The singer takes the stage at the Southbank Centre on 15 November. Whoever opens the show is the British Andreya Triana, with a mix of soul, folk and poetry.On the 17th of November is time of Egberto Gismonti perform at Southbank Centre. Singer, songwriter, full hand multi instrumentalist, Gismonti is undoubtedly the best known here. Treated like a virtuoso musician for many English critics, from Gismonti is expected a show with amazing guitar and piano solos, those whose melody becomes contagious.It means good Brazilian music close to us. Access the event’s official website (www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk) and discover other great shows that will roll in the city during the London Jazz Festival. Also check below for some tips and FREE events! Get Involved!

London is a city very special to me because

it gave me the meeting with Mulatu

CRIOLORapper

FRee events

The London Jazz Festival, with its incredible line-up, also brin-gs a series of free concerts. There is no reason to stay out of this! There are more than 80 concerts scheduled totally FREE (see this link http://migre.me/buKUz), including Stonephace Stabbins on Saturday, November 17 (http://migre.me/buL9g).

Keep an eye also on the free programming of the Barbican Centre: http://migre.me/buLer. In addition to shows for free, there will also be talks and workshops, and film screenings. More information on the official website of the event: www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk.

Flavia Coelho15 de novembro

Southbank Centre£10 – 20

http://migre.me/btG6I

egberto Gismonti17 de novembro

Southbank Centre£10 – 25

http://migre.me/btGiJ

Criolo18 de novembro

London Koko£20

http://migre.me/btGuv

Must see at LJF

Robert Glasper experiment9 de novembroSouthbank Centre, £ 10 – 27.50http://migre.me/buJON

John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension11 de novembroBarbican, £ 10 – 35http://migre.me/buJoJ

Dee Dee Bridgewater15, 16, 17 de novembroRonnie Scott’s, £ 40 – 55http://migre.me/buKdn

Jim Hall trio18 de novembroSouthbank Centre, £ 10 – 25http://migre.me/buJjL

Serviço

Jan Garbarek Group13 de novembroSouthbank Centre, £ 10 – 35http://migre.me/buJyh

music

Uruguay has exceptional conditions to be a social lab

the most progressive strategy for Uruguay would be advancing with Mercosur

09

latin americaInterVIeW

Uruguay: A tale of two countriesThe marginal South American country takes progressive steps with the le-galization of abor-tion and marijuana but how far do the changes proposed by President Mujica re-ally reach?By guilherme reis

Uruguay is a small country of just over 3 million people bordered by the south of Brazil and Argentina. With an economy still based mainly on agriculture and livestock, it enjoys little presence in the international arena compared to its South American neighbours. Brazil’s decade of unprecedented economic and social development, the governments of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Evo Morales in Bolivia and the ongoing Falklands’ issue between Argentina and the UK all make it hard for Uruguay to play a leading role in regional integration and Latin America’s increasingly independent relationship with the dominant powers (USA and Europe).Since the election of current President Jose Mujica, however, this small South American country has increasingly managed to attract the eyes of the world. With an important history of resistance to the military dictatorship, Mujica won the presidency in 2009, his radical background was enough alone amass followers and sympathizers to vote for him. He remains a reneged, turning down the presidential palace in order to stay in his home in the suburbs of the capital Montevideo, Mujica donates most of the earnings to charitable causes, drives a Beetle and does not carry any trace of ostentation.Now again Uruguay is back in the limelight with news of the legalization of abortion (up until three months of pregnancy) and marijuana (with the state controlling production and distribution), these are both still delicate issues on the continent – especially regarding drugs, given the endless war

against drug trafficking.Taking this opportunity to better understand the circumstances in which these changes have occured and what the possible outcomes will be, The Brazilian Post spoke to Nildo Ouriques Domingues, professor in the Department of Economics at the Federal University of Santa Catarina and member of the Institute of Latin American Studies (IELA). For Domingues the legalization of marijuana “will create exceptional conditions to be a social lab and a means of treating the issue as a public health problem.”

U.S. move and less inequalityAsked about the factors that made the advancement of a marijuana legalization policy in Uruguay possible, Nildo Ouriques Domingues pointed out that the issue is directly linked to the United States. “A considerable part of the Democratic Party shifted and took some decisive action toward liberalization of drugs, to differentiate these issues from the Republican Party. And they found allies in Latin America.”Other factors are very directly linked to the country’s own social and economic reality. “Uruguay has a very small population. There are no urban centers with huge inequality, which is a traditional problem in Sao Paulo, Bogota and even Buenos Aires. It has a more balanced situation, so that the drug does not have the devastating effect it has in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, for example,” argued Nildo.Moreover, Uruguay does not have the capacity in its territory for large-scale marijuana production, making it easier for the sate to take control. Accordingly, Domingues believes that although Uruguay is an ideal laboratory, the possibility of universalization of this policy in Latin America is very restricted. “How could this approach be applied in societies like Brazil, Colombia or Mexico?”, he asks.Colombia and Mexico have very different realities in this matter. In both countries traffickers and police are fighting a bloody war, including territorial disputes - which also occurs to a lesser extent in Brazil. Drug traffickers move large amounts of money and buy power, corrupting the political system and the judiciary, beyond their own security forces. In Brazil, another aggravating factor is the rise of evangelical politicians in Congress who avoid any more serious discussion on the issue, including abortion.

Structures of domination maintained

These measures of José Mujica on the moral issues of abortion and marijuana have obviously pleased many to the left of the political spectrum. Mujica has clearly set out on a course of pragmatism that is too easily forgotten by many leftist leaders who, once in power, accept the elite’s structures of power in the name of an easy term.Domingues maintains that “while these measures are progressive, they do not change the status quo. The system of domination continues and Mujica’s government will not touch the security system, the issue of external debt, foreign exchange, economic policy, or land reform, preferring to prioritise typical topics in modern urban society.” Domingues notes that such measures would disrupt some of these structures if they were taken in other Latin American countries, particularly Colombia and Mexico.

When asked about economic conditions in Uruguay and its relations within Latin America, Domingues argues that “Uruguay can only have a truly viable alternative outside the orbit of the United States as Brazil and Argentina stand up.” But “if Brazil does not advance on issues of science and technology independence, Uruguay does not have a way out.”“As Latin America begins to discuss a common experience with the entry of Venezuela into Mercosur, with Bolivia and Ecuador very likely to enter soon, Uruguay sits apart, instead signing a free trade agreement with the United States. This archaic formula of neoliberal policy, is depleted. The structural limits of Mercosur in the hands of Brazil and Argentina has brought Uruguay closer to U.S. The most progressive strategy for Uruguay would be advancing with Mercosur.”

SoCIaL netWork

Opinsy: a smarter internet sensationby kate rintoul

Should gay marriage be made legal? Should Hezbollah be stopped? Are we alone in the universe? These and other more trivial questions are being put to the public vote on the new social networking site, Opinsy.com, launched last month.The pervasive culture of blogging and ‘status updates’ have made us all much more confident in sharing our views to the virtual audience and this new site seeks to bring this together with more traditional elements of classic debates.The London-based start up was the brain child of 32-year-old web wizard Ankur Shah, who previously established Techligtenment, a social technology service which was later snapped up credit agency Experian. Users can create an account or sign in with their Twitter or Facebook details and enter debates ranging from the whimsical, the current, the serious and the far-reaching. People can also post their own assertions, give a short reasoning and invite others to vote. So far the site has proved an excellent forum for relevant debates on topical issues, the US presidential race and on-going conflict in Syria proving popular

subjects. Further evidence perhaps that far from ‘dumbing down’ or giving way to individual self interest, social media is a powerful tool in measuring and driving public interest and action. And this is only the beginning, Mr Shah has big plans for the future: “The idea is that we could easily become the YouTube for opinions, a place where all opinions are consolidated,” he told the Metro. But in some ways this form of debate might

further highlight the highly superficial and narcissistic nature of the Facebook generation. Many of whom are all too happy to take to the online airwaves to vent their opinion, regardless of how much they actually know about the subject and as we have seen in many cases, who they might offend. Not a week goes by without a social media scandal, new mum Adele was said to have left Twitter last week after she received death threats aimed at her son. While the democratisation of technology has given formerly marginal groups a platform, it has also eroded the few bastions and integrity of traditional media. But there are signs that people have had enough of self-style experts and shallow arguments and Mr Shah believes there is a demand for coherent arguing. “One of the things that shouted out to us was the fact you can tweet in 140 characters, you can rant on a blog or rant on the comments of a newspaper online, but there’s nowhere to have discussion, intelligent or otherwise,” he said. “Ultimately, Twitter is the place to see what people are doing. We want to be the place where you go to see what people are thinking. We made Opinsy to be the

home of debate on the web. That was the original ambition. As we move forward, we’re starting to see it take a whole other form around people being able to express their beliefs very simply by agreeing or disagreeing with an opinion, but also the ability to create communities and debate within those communities.’”Shah is all too aware of the level of work involved in expanding Opinsy ‘Our biggest challenge is how we deal with trolls and people who are there intent to disrupt. A combination of technology and human eye will weed out those using obscenities or trolling”, he said. While the basic premise of debating and arguing may have remained the same, Mr Shah said the internet has moved the goalposts. “Since the dawn of the internet, everyone’s had a view…We have started to see more of these opinions proliferate as there are more and more people online, but what we’ve not seen is that information structured in a way that it can be utilised. It’s such an incredibly powerful communications medium and everybody has an opinion. We’re just trying to bring a bit of intelligence back to the web.”

opinsy.com: new social networking site launched last month

opnisy allows users to “agree” or “disagree” with opinions

10 | November 06th - 19th 2012

technology

Briefings…

sharp says its Future is at Risk Sharp has posted a $3.12 billion loss and said it had doubts about remaining a “going concern,” another sign of the problems gripping Japan’s consumer-electronics makers. Sony also reported a loss. signs Point to asian ResilienceAsia showed signs of improvement in October, with quickening manufacturing in China suggesting the country is regaining momentum and South Korean exports indicating firmer overseas demand.

China Floods market With CashChina’s central bank injected a record amount of cash into the financial system this week, but that doesn’t necessarily signal an escalation of Beijing’s effort to ease monetary conditions.

Exxon’s Profit SlipsExxon Mobil reported a 7.4 per cent drop in earnings on lower production and weaker prices for natural gas, offsetting benefits from stronger margins in its refining arm.

Spain, Rescued but Not SavedIn Spain’s recent attempts to right its economy, a pattern emerges: There is intervention layered upon intervention, dithering as the problem deepens, “reform” resulting in higher taxes—and, sometimes, the suggestion of cronyism.Last month La Moncloa announced “perhaps one of the most necessary reforms” to address the “debt hole left by previous governments.” Since 1998, Spain has subsidised the production of green power via feed-in tariffs, which require electrical companies to pay renewables producers a fixed, above-market price for their output. It worked. In 2008, Spain accounted for half of the world’s new solar-power installations in wattage terms.But to keep household electricity bills from rising too quickly, the government covered the utilities’ extra costs out of the public purse. The

accumulated “tariff deficit” had grown to €24 billion by this year, and was set to grow an additional €5 billion annually. (Spain’s entire 2011 budget deficit was €100 billion.)September’s solution is a 6 per cent tax on all energy production, renewable and otherwise. The Spanish treasury will also assume €2.1 billion of next year’s cost of servicing outstanding obligations. New levies on nuclear waste and hydropower round off the measures, which are expected to eliminate new tariff deficits starting in 2013.Announcing the reform, Deputy Premier Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría said she was confident it wouldn’t affect households. Citi, however, estimates that €1.1 billion of the new revenue next year will come from consumers, as the utilities pass through their higher costs.

This isn’t quite the reform observers expected a few months ago. In July, Industry Minister José Manuel Soria had proposed taxing wind, solar and thermal generation at a higher rate than fossil-fuel production to pay down the deficits—which had, after all, been rung up to pay renewables producers. But Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro insisted that the new tax be technology-agnostic.We have some idea of why. Mr. Montoro’s brother and the brother of his chief of staff run a lobbying group that advises solar firms. “This conflict [of interest] you’re analysing doesn’t exist because there isn’t an energy tax policy that we have changed,” Mr. Montoro told Bloomberg in August. “We’ve talked about it, but a policy hasn’t been decided.” The policy was decided in the Cabinet a few weeks later.

Barclays Faces $435 Million FineFacing a double-barreled assault from U.S. authorities, as the federal energy-market regulator sought a record $435 million in penalties for the bank’s alleged manipulation of U.S. electricity markets, and the lender also disclosed that it was facing a U.S. anticorruption investigation.The corruption investigation focuses on potential violations during the bank’s efforts to raise money from Middle Eastern investors in the early days of the financial crisis. The probe, being conducted by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, is at an early stage. Barclays said that it is investigating the matter itself and cooperating with authorities. The U.S. investigation follows a similar probe that British regulators opened earlier this year.According to briefed on the U.S. probe, it is examining Barclays’s use of middlemen serving as brokers to connect the bank with powerful Middle Eastern interests at a time when the bank was seeking a cash injection from investors in the region.

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Economy

Can’t ‘find’ Apple over Maps appsApple Inc. executive Scott Forstall was asked to leave the company after he refused to sign his name to a letter apologizing for shortcomings in Apple’s new mapping service, according to people familiar with the matter.The incident was the latest clash between Mr. Forstall, who oversaw Apple’s mobile software unit, and other executives at the company. It led to one of the most significant management shake-ups in Apple’s recent history and its most sweeping changes under Chief Executive Tim Cook.Apple announced the departure of Mr. Forstall on Monday.

12 | November 06th - 19th 2012

sport by Tico Silvério

Football X RacismLately the beautiful games has been mired by controversy and debate. In the dispute between Football and Racism, differences of race, creed and colour are gaining attention while the dribbles and goals are left behind.Players exchanging insults, the racist chants and gestures of fans and now a referee has been accused of racism have all been exploited by the media to dominate the sports pages. Even with the efforts of organizations like the FA and UEFA only seem to fuel disagreements.Severe punishments and high fines are some of the attempts to exterminate any kind of segregation or racism in sport, but as always the best solution seems to be awareness of athletes, officials

and fans. But as this is a long process, it seems that steps forward are small and we have to live with some of these situations.Forcing players to shake hands will not change anything in the current situation, not if they continue not to respect differences. The hope is that someday we will see that the only difference in the field is the uniforms.

The man behind the starsWhat do Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Falcao Garcia, Maria Dí and several other football stars have in common? Fame…money…success? Yes, but in this case we are talking about the man who manages their careers, the largest employer in the world of football, Jorge Mendes.The Portuguese Jorge Mendes is not only responsible for managing the careers of superstars mentioned above, but about 80 other players, valued at about £430 million. The amount of transactions for the ever-busy Mendes is so high that it can be compared to the market value of the Portuguese Investment Bank (BPI), which is valued today at £440 million.In a further illustration of the entrepreneur’s power, of the 23 players of Portuguese National Team that competed at Euro 2012, 17 are managed by Mendes and ten were from Paulo Bento, coach of Portugal.Apparently, the power of the Portuguese manager is not restricted only to the high sums involved in millionaire transfers and transactions. It is speculated that, behind the scenes, Jorge Mendes is also responsible for calls for selections, suggestions for hiring and even hunches escalations.The most recent case involved Real Madrid, coached by José Mourinho. The conflict involving Mourinho and Bosco Leite, father and manager of

Brazilain Kaka. Bosco Leite was angered by Mourinho’s decision that Kaka would not have many chances at Real Madrid and accused him of wanting to removed Kaka in favour of players managed by his associate Jorge Mendes.

While Mendes’ influence in the internal decisions of the clubs might be questionable, there is little doubt that he is responsible for some of the big changes in football lately. The latest rumors suggest that Mendes is preparing

a great shot soon, related to the names of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and Falcao Garcia.So just wait and see what the next move of the almighty master Jorge Mendes brings.

sport | 13

CLUB WorLd CUP

Chelsea and Corinthians prepare for potential match-upBy Jamie Jubon

European Champions Chelsea will head to Japan next month to compete in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup along with the Copa Libertadores winners Corinthians. The annual competition pits the champions of all six of FIFA’s continental confederations against each other, as well as the league champion of the host country.The tournament is played to determine the undisputed club ‘world champion’. Traditionally, the trophy is won by either participants from Europe or South America. Indeed since 2005, when the old Intercontinetal Cup became the FIFA Club World Cup that it is today, no team from any other continent has been crowned ‘World Champion’.Brazil triumphed in the first three finals in 2000, 2005 and 2006 when Brasileirao clubs Corinthians, Internacional and Sao Paulo all lifted the trophy.However, since then Europe has reigned supreme over their South American counterparts, with AC Milan, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Barcelona on two separate occasions, all emerging victorious.Only once has Europe not faced off against South America in the final. In 2010 Inter Milan had to see off the challenge of Congolese surprise package TP Mazembe, who had embarrassed Internacional 2-0 in the semi-finals.This year however, it is widely expected that both Chelsea and Corinithians will win their respective semi-final matches and compete against each other in the final in Yokohama.It will undoubtedly be the final that FIFA will want to see, and will also be the final that the majority of the world will want to see.

The UEFA Champions League and the Copa Libertadores are, by quite some distance, the strongest continental championships, and the FIFA Club World Champion will rightfully come from one of these two competitions.Will it be Europe or South America though this year?In the eyes of most observers, Chelsea are a far better team this year than the one which conquered Europe for the first time last season. Last season saw their worst league performance since Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the club back in 2003.They finished in sixth place, and only qualified for this season’s UEFA Champions League, as a consequence of winning the competition back in May.They may have lost Didier Drogba, the man who almost single-handedly delivered the trophy for them last year, but they have invested heavily in their squad, particularly in midfield where they have looked nothing short of outstanding thus far.The multi-million pound arrivals of Eden Hazard and the Brazilian Oscar have given Chelsea a new dimension, and along with Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, the trio have breathed new life into the Blues’ style of play, as they have evolved from a cautious, defence-minded team into a flamboyant, offensive version this time around.Indeed, their style could now be described as rather more Brazilian than English, perhaps owing somewhat to the influence the highly impressive Oscar, but also due to the influence of the owner Abramovich, who for years has wanted his team to adopt a more expansive playing style.That is would make a potential meeting with Corinthians hugely intriguing. The

Brazilian giants won the Libertadores for the first time in their history in a style similar to that of Chelsea’s defensive-minded approach last season.It will be interesting to see whether they opt for a similar gameplan if they meet in the Club World Cup. If they do so, for watchers of the European game, it may seem like watching a mirror-image of

the old Chelsea taking on a far more entertaining new Chelsea.Whichever style they choose to implement, players such as Paolo Guerrero, Douglas and Fabio Santos would ensure a tricky match for Chelsea and one they certainly couldn’t afford to take lightly.

dreaM

Neymar staying put - for nowBrazilian sensation Neymar spoke about his future this week, saying that whilst he dreams of one day playing in Europe, he is very happy at Santos for the time being.The 20-year-old has long been linked with a high-profile transfer to Barcelona but feels he should continue to improve as a player in Brazil before switching continent.‘I’m happy here in Brazil. I’m happy at Santos. I have a dream of playing in Europe, but it’s still not the right moment.’It is inevitable that Neymar will end up playing in Europe, and quite possible at Barcelona.If he does move to the Nou Camp, the

prospect of Neymar alongside Lionel Messi in La Liga is one that that would excite football fans across the globe.

English football round-up

In a remarkable week of English domestic cup action, there were a staggering 21 goals alone in just two of the high-profile matches.Chelsea beat Manchester United 5-4 after extra-time to progress to the quarter-finals of the English League Cup, whilst Arsenal produced arguably one of the finest comebacks in English football history as they recovered from 4-0 down against fellow Premier League team Reading, eventually triumphing 7-5 after 120 minutes.

It was the first time that a team had scored five goals in an English cup competition and been eliminated, and sent Arsenal through to the quarter-finals for the 10th successive year.Liverpool and Tottenham were also eliminated from the competition after respective defeats to Swansea City, managed by Barcelona legend Michael Laudrup, and Norwich City.

BraZILIan on traCk

Rhalf Lo Turco is the champion of Hottrax Superbike Championship

With an incredible season packed with good results – taking 1st place seven times; six times second and third three times -, Rhalf Lo Turco, a Brazilian who lives in London, gave little chance to his opponents, winning by more than 70 points ahead of the second-placed Briton Julian Hughes“I believe that the title came with the consistency of good results. I won some races, but always tried to stay on the podium. It was a very important year for riders like me who want to move up in class in the coming years. I hope to participate in the Superstock class in British Superbike in 2013,” Lo Turco told The Brazilian Post.Lo Turco thanks everyone who helped win that title, especially his family, his wife Marcia, sons Enzo and Lavinea, father Jose Pedro, the mechanics and everyone who helped make this unprecedented achievement in British Land possible. Brazil is making history in the land of the Queen.Rhalf Lo Turco, is a native of Sao Paulo who moved to London in 2001 and worked as a courier for more than five years before buying his bike shop, the SBK City Servicing Ltd, which also manages City staff and SBK Racing.Acting as owner and manager of the team SBK Rhalf has dedicated his life to the lanes with the hard work of managing other drivers. Dominic De Leon, another foreigner who lives in

London, is also part of the team along with two British riders, Jack Bleakley and Kevin Allen.Painted black so that the distinctive flag of Brazil on the back stands out, the bikes bring the Brazilian spirit to motorcycle competitions here in England. The riders and staff are always willing to receive friends during races, typical of Brazilian hospitality.The Hottrax Superbike Championship is an event of the second division of the British Superbike and the final step before the premier category of British motorcycling. BSB racers use their time in Hottrax to train and finally tune their motorcycles, which useful, especially for the development of less experienced riders. For a short time Hottrax also became the organiser of the British

Endurance Championship, composed of long races, up to three hours in total.The former couriers has come along way to be at the top of his sport and with Lo Turco set to appear in the top British Superbike events next season, everyone

is excited to see what he will deliver next on the tracks.The City SBK Racing team is sponsored by Cannon BMW Motorcycles of Braintree, Rider Support Services, OSX Rider Fashion, Bazzaz UK.

sport | 14 | November 06th - 19th 2012

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