Beyond the Uruguay River, what defines the Brazil/Argentina border? Mapping and analysis of the offer of the Spanish language in municipal schools on the border line

The study investigates the provision of the Spanish language in municipal schools along the Brazil/Argentina border, focusing on 16 municipalities from Garruchos to Barra do Guarita in Rio Grande do Sul. Utilizing field research and questionnaires sent to municipal education secretariats, the study assesses compliance with Constitutional Amendment 74/2018, which mandates the offering of Spanish. The findings highlight the importance of collaborative linguistic planning between the state and linguistic communities to value languages, cultures, and identities in this diverse border region.

The concentration camp in the Amazon where hundreds of Japanese families were imprisoned during World War II

During World War II, Brazil, aligning with the Allies, persecuted Japanese, Italian, and German immigrants, confining many in 11 concentration camps across the country. The Tomé-Açu camp, unique for being in the Amazon region, held Japanese immigrants under strict rules and surveillance. Families were stripped of their rights and properties, and their communication was heavily censored. The camp functioned as a self-contained city with a military detachment for security. After the war, the detainees faced stigmatization and poverty, with many struggling to rebuild their lives. The Assembleia Legislativa do Amazonas later apologized for the wartime abuses. Tomé-Açu eventually thrived economically through sustainable agroforestry, with the Japanese culture leaving a lasting impact on the local society.

Meet the Pampa, the least protected biome in the country

The Pampa biome in Rio Grande do Sul has the highest biodiversity of plants per square meter among Brazilian ecosystems, yet less than half of its native vegetation is preserved. It is also the Brazilian biome with the smallest area within conservation units, only 3.3% according to Ibama. The Pampas contribute to carbon sequestration and erosion control, with an estimated 3,000 plant species, many of which have not yet been cataloged. The region faces threats from erosion due to intense human activity and contamination from agricultural inputs.

The Amazon's Shipping Boom: Soy Routes, Environmental Concerns, and China's Influence

The article discusses the increasing use of the 'northern route' through the Amazon Basin for exporting soybeans from Brazil to China, which has grown due to the trade war between China and the US. The Brazilian Association of Cereal Exporters (ANEC) reports a 28% increase in soy exports from the Amazon ports between 2017 and 2018. This route is shorter and cheaper compared to traditional routes, but it has led to environmental damage, rights violations, and negative social impacts on indigenous communities. The Munduruku people claim they were not consulted about the port developments, and prosecutors allege environmental risks were not properly assessed. The article also mentions the interest of Chinese companies like Cofco in using and improving this route, including investments in infrastructure projects like the Paraense Railroad and Ferrogrão.

Exclusive: Who is Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Stabbed During Presidential Campaign?

Jair Bolsonaro, a presidential candidate in Brazil, believes the country should reconsider its partnerships within regional blocs like Mercosur, which he views as having excessive influence. He criticizes Brazil's strong ties with China, expressing concerns over China's investments in Brazilian infrastructure and land. Bolsonaro also accuses the media of being against him and spreading fake news, while stating he would not regulate the media but opposes leftist interference on social platforms. His ability to implement changes would depend on support from Brazil's congress, where his small party lacks major alliances.

Indigenous rights clash with the 'ruralist' parliamentary group

On International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, organizations are denouncing the efforts of Brazilian agribusiness-linked parliamentarians to block land allocation policies for native peoples. The Brazilian Constitution mandates the demarcation of indigenous lands, which cover about 14% of the national territory. However, the ruralist parliamentary group, representing agribusiness interests, sees this as an obstacle to development. Advocates for indigenous rights argue that the ruralists' economic model threatens the sustainability and cultural integrity of indigenous peoples. The current government, supported by the ruralists, has been criticized for favoring agribusiness over indigenous rights, as evidenced by the non-demarcation of new indigenous lands and the weakening of the Funai, the official indigenous agency. The Supreme Federal Court is set to rule on cases that could have significant implications for indigenous land rights.

The escalation of the Turkey-Netherlands diplomatic crisis

The article discusses the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands, which has escalated due to a disagreement over political campaigning in the Netherlands by Turkish officials. The crisis coincides with a referendum in Turkey proposing a shift from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, which would increase President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's powers. The article includes opinions from Dutch Turks, some supporting the referendum and Erdoğan, while others oppose it, fearing a move towards undemocratic governance. The crisis was sparked when the Dutch government refused landing rights to the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs and barred the Turkish Minister of Family and Social Policies from entering the Turkish embassy in Rotterdam. President Erdoğan accused the Netherlands of Islamophobia and acting like Nazis, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations and restrictions on Dutch Turks in Turkey.