Explaining Brazil

Two years after the World Health Organization declared the Americas free of measles, the disease could be about to make a comeback. To discuss the issue, Explaining Brazil hosts Dr. Rosana Richtmann, an infectious disease specialist at the Emilio Ribas Institute, in São Paulo. Read show notes. 

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Sunday was a day that killed any argument that Brazil's institutions are working properly. Appellate judge Rogério Favreto tried to release former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from prison at all costs, while the judges who convicted Lula worked tooth and nail to keep him behind bars, despite being on vacation. Read show notes. 

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We shed light on initiatives that fight for the social inclusion of gays, lesbians, and trans individuals. Explaining Brazil hosts Paolo Capistrano, an English teacher who founded English to Trans-form, which helps trans people to improve their skills for the workplace, trying to curb the segregation so often imposed by society.  Read show notes. 

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Between 1999 and 2015, opioid consumption in Brazil has jumped by 465 percent, according to a study recently published by the American Journal of Public Health. Tthat should be cause for concern, say experts. Read show notes. 

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The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 14. One week later, Brazil still doesn't seem to be in the mood for football. Unlike other editions of the event, you don't see many Brazilian flags waved out from windows, nor many people dressed up in yellow and green. Why is that? That's what we debate with Brazilian historian - and football fanatic - Matias Pinto. Read show notes. 

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In 2012, Brazil established nuclear power as a priority. Since then, however, Brazil's economy took a nosedive, power company executives were convicted for corruption, and projects on nuclear energy have stalled. So, what's the state of Brazilian nuclear as of now? That's what we will talk about this week with the president of Eletronuclear - Brazil's state-owned nuclear power company. Read show notes. 

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During the Environmental Week, The Brazilian Report discusses Brazil's energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Read show notes. 

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Over the past week, roads have been blocked and truckers, who are responsible for 60 percent of cargo transportation in Brazil, have not worked. Fuel and food supplies are lacking in most urban centers. São Paulo has declared a state of emergency. Over 270 flights were cancelled because there was simply no fuel left for airplanes. How did it get so bad, and what will happen now? Read show notes. 

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Created in 1991, Mercosur is formed by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela has been suspended, and Bolivia will soon join. What do these economies have in common? As it turns out, not much – and that is one of the reasons why the free trade agreement remains highly dysfunctional. Read show notes. 

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In 2013, anthropologist Lilia Schwarcz published a book about race relations. She conducted a poll that revealed 97 percent of those surveyed said they were not racist – but 98 percent said they know someone who is racist. How can a country be racist ‘without’ having racists? Read show notes. 

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