Brazil

08 July 2007 -- The new Seven Wonders of the World have been selected after a global poll. The winners were announced Saturday. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

About 100 million votes were cast by the Internet and cell-phone text messages to choose the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Academy Award-winning British actor Ben Kingsley announced the winners at a glitzy international show at Portugal's largest venue, the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

"The Colosseum in Rome," he said.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2007 —The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to Brazil’s Fundação Luiz Eduardo Magalhães to contribute to the preservation, conservation, and sustainable management of the biodiversity of the Caatinga forest in the states of Bahia and Ceará, while improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.    » read more »

13 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict has asked bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean to be faithful and effective missionaries for the Roman Catholic church. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope made the call at the start of a regional conference.

Pope Benedict led Mass at a basilica near Sao Paulo, marking the start of the fifth conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops. Tens of thousands of people traveled to the site for the open-air ceremony, including more than 160 bishops and cardinals from several nations.    » read more »

13 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has expressed concern about authoritarian governments and Marxist movements in some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pope Benedict spoke to more than 160 bishops and cardinals meeting near Sao Paulo for the fifth conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops. He said many things have changed since the regional group last met in 1992 in Dominican Republic to discuss ways to strengthen the Roman Catholic church and defend against challenges to its authority.

Latin America is home to nearly one half of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.    » read more »

11 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict has canonized an 18th-century Brazilian monk who is credited with helping to cure thousands of people of physical ailments. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that about one million people gathered for the ceremony.

Pope Benedict led the canonization ceremony for Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao who becomes the first Brazilian-born saint in the Roman Catholic church. Brazilian bishops recounted the history of the Franciscan monk, who died in 1822 at the age of 83 after founding several monasteries and convents in the country.    » read more »

10 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has appealed directly to the youth of Brazil to follow a strict moral code. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope's speech to the young is seen as crucial to his effort to strengthen the Roman Catholic church in the face of growing concerns across Latin America.    » read more »

09 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Brazil for a five-day visit that includes meetings with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and with church leaders from across Latin America. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope also is expected to use his public appearances to address key social problems facing the region.

Pope Benedict's visit to Sao Paulo, opens his five-day trip to Latin America. On his arrival here, he was greeted at the airport by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife, Brazilian officials, and the Catholic bishops of the country.    » read more »

08 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict begins his first trip to Latin America this week, traveling to Brazil. He has asked Catholics to pray for the success of the visit to a region that is home to nearly half of the world's Catholics and which the pope has described as "a continent of hope". Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Pope Benedict leaves Wednesday to spend five days in Brazil, the world's largest Roman Catholic country, where the church faces an uncertain future and falling numbers.    » read more »

04 May 2007 -- Brazil has rejected a U.S. drug maker's offer of a 30 percent discount on an anti-AIDS drug, Efavirenz.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's office is now deciding whether to break the drug's patent by making it or buying generic versions.

A spokesperson from Merck expressed disappointment at Brazil's rejection of the offer and said Merck had repeatedly asked to meet with Brazil's Health Ministry to reach an agreement.    » read more »