Having graduated from the Federal University of Bahia in Communication-Journalism, I finished my MA in International Relations at the University of Sussex, England, in 2012. I'm interested in the subjects of ‘development’, post-colonialism and identity. I love narratives in all different formats and I'm addicted to storytelling.
Latest posts by Thiana Biondo
Global: BRICS vs. NATO – Battlefield of Ideas on Interventions
China’s and Russia’s recent decision to veto the United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria -has reignited the debate over the relationship between 'new' powers Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - the BRICS - with 'old' powers - NATO - in international interventions.
Brazil: Questions Surrounding Rio's ‘Pacifying Police’ Units
The state government of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has adopted a security policy based on the installation of Pacifying Police Units who tackle crime in favelas (shanty towns) but also promote social policies. But there are questions about the motivations behind this strategy and whether the voices of residents are being heard.
Brazil: Can the Agrarian Economy Develop Without Rural Bloodshed?
Nilcilene Miguel de Lima is one of the dozens of small farmers from the Amazon who are being threatened to death by land-grabbers and illegal loggers. As Brazil's GDP goes up, its environmental heritage is increasingly less protected, and the new forest code, soon to be voted, will open up the forest for use by big agricultural businesses.
Brazil: Watchdog of 2016 Olympics Reports on Suspended Bid
An injunction has suspended bid for 2016 Rio Olympic Park, reported the organization RioOnWatch. The court considered that the concerned Public-Private Partnership contract is not clear on whether or not the Olympic development to be constructed on the Vila Autódromo neighbourhood would imply the eviction of 900 families from the...
Brazil: Movement Calls for March Against Law on Construction in Salvador
The Movement ‘Desocupa Salvador’ – which recently claimed rights for public space during carnival -, is now calling [pt] people to march towards the City Hall on February 1. Major grievances include the illegal approval by the Mayor of amendments in a law that threatens the Enchanted Valley Ecological Park,...
Brazil: Movement Claims Right for Public Space During Carnival
The Carnival of Salvador, in Brazil, is one of the biggest street parties in the world. People from the city, however, have been fed up by the excess of commercialization and the transformation of public spaces into private provisional balconies. Organizing themselves through Facebook and Twitter protesters took action on January 14 demanding for private companies to withdraw their infra-structures from the streets.
Brazil: Blogger Censored and Sued by Businessman
Journalist Paulo Cezar Prado's Blog do Paulinho [pt] has been blocked by the Brazilian Justice, reports the Blue Bus [pt]. Businessman Franck Henouda's lawyer has sued the blogger who had also criticized other public figures related with sports: Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the CBF and Andres Sanchez the president...
Brazil: Report Reveals Unsustainable Practices of Biofuel Industry
Though biofuel has been acclaimed as the best exit for the world’s struggle for energy resource and a 'green' alternative which can reduce carbon emission, a recent study by the NGO Reporter Brasil on the Brazilian ethanol chain production reveals its high socio-environmental cost.
Brazil: Communities in Rio Blame Olympics for Evictions
Communities in the West Zone (Zona Oeste) of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil have been earmarked for eviction and removal by the City Hall in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. Recently, at least two of them, 'Vila Harmonia' and 'Vila Autódromo', have witnessed the presence of tractors, government staff and police.
Brazil: Journalist's dismissal causes outrage
Journalist Aguirre Peixoto's dismissal from the Brazilian newspaper A Tarde caused outrage among bloggers and journalists [pt]: Peixoto's reports on the environmental damage caused by a new development to the city of Salvador allegedly put an end to the contractors’ advertising in the broadsheet. After applying 30-days suspension on Peixoto,...
Brazil: WikiLeaks and doubts over technology transfer in French fighters
WikiLeaks has released a document that raises doubts over the main reason behind Brazilian interest to buy French fighter aircraft: the possibility of transferring the technology of construction.
Brazil: WikiLeaks cable reveals suspected terrorists arrested on narcotics charges
Natalia Vianna reports [pt] for WikiLeaks on how US embassy cables reveal Brazilian security forces have cooperated with US intelligence on counterterrorism in the country, arresting individuals with links to terrorism on various other charges, particularly narcotics.
Brazil: New Forestry Code = The Right to Deforestation?
An area of the Amazon equivalent to the size of England and France put together could be destroyed if changes proposed to the Brazilian Forestry Code come into force. The blogosphere reacts.
Brazil: Football and Patriotism During the World Cup
Many bloggers in Brazil have criticized the seasonal wave of patriotism taking place during the World Cup. For some, patriotism is the face of fascist ideologies, while for others the Brazilian team is such a disappointment that they prefer to support the Argentinean national team.
Brazil: Net-citizens have fun shooting corrupt politicians
A videogame in which you can shoot a Brazilian politician recently accused of corruption becomes a hit in 2009, and it was not the first time net-citizens poke fun at their politicians. Is this a new way to protest?
Brazil: The challenge of hosting a worthwhile Olympic Games
Brazilians highlight the problems that the country will have to deal with before the 2016 Olympic Games with wry humor, hoping that organizers will learn from the mistakes made during the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio.
Brazil: Bolivia expels Brazilian citizens
Evo Morales' government claims that recent expulsions of Brazilians from its territory is focused on matters of sovereignty, but some Brazilian bloggers suggest it is to settle government supporters in their place.
Brazil: Digital mob demands the Senate President's resignation
Thousand of protests have taken place 'virtually' on social media networks, such as Twitter, demanding the resignation of the Senate President, José Sarney. But, when the mobilization goes offline, only some dozen protesters have so far taken to Brazil's streets. Bloggers analyze the current Brazilian political scenery, the background of this situation and speculate on a hidden agenda.
Air Bus AF 447: Sorrow, lack of information and sensationalism
Blogs around the world have been sending their condolences to the families suffering the wait for any sign of the vanished Air France Airbus AF 447. Much criticism and discussion is also taking place about the disrespectful way in which the media have been covering the loss of the lives of the 228 on board, and the lack of information regarding the disaster.
Brazil: Land reform or deforestation boost for the Amazon?
Brazilian president Lula da Silva has a controversial bill that will legitimize land-grabbing in the Amazon prior to 2004 on his hands. Will the law help the forest escape further deforestation or is it going to benefit land owners only, and be the last straw for an Amazon rain forest already on its way to destruction?
Brazil: Petroleum, elections and poverty matters
Discussions of an investigation into the nation's biggest state-owned company and its possible political motivation fill the Brazilian blogosphere. This debate takes place in a Brazilian society which sees 'black gold' as a solution to the country's economic and energy problems.
