Brazilian court bans anti-Islam film from YouTube

A court in Brazil said it has ordered YouTube to remove clips of the movie that has touched off deadly protests across the Muslim world, the latest in a spate of court-ordered content-removal cases against the video-sharing site here.

Sao Paulo-based judge Gilson Delgado Miranda gave the site ten days to remove videos, which has raised the ire of many Muslims around the world. After the 10-day window, YouTube’s parent company, Google Inc, will face fines of $5,000 a day for every day the clips remain accessible in Brazil, according to the statement posted on the court’s website late on Tuesday.

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The company did not respond to requests yesterday for comment about the case.

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Brazil 'overtakes UK's economy'

Although notorious for taking loans, BBC reports that Brazil has become the sixth-biggest economy in the world, quoting Brazil's finance minister.

The Latin American nation's economy grew 2.7% last year, official figures show, more than the UK's 0.8% growth.

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and other economic forecasters also said  that Brazil had now overtaken the UK.

Read details: BBC News Business

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Passenger attacks pilot in mid air aboard TAM flight

A Brazilian airliner made a forced landing after a passenger had a "psychotic attack," entered the cockpit and assaulted a pilot. The man also fought back furiously when crew members and passengers tried to subdue him.

File photo of a TAM jet [ Photo AP ]

The TAM Airlines jet was en route from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Sao Paulo when a man who some passengers said was wearing a TAM identification badge got into the cockpit because the door was open. Shortly after, the plane dove to the right, causing passengers to scream and the pilot to yell for help over the speaker system.

"All of a sudden shouts were heard from inside the cabin, and two stewardesses came out asking for help and grabbing a young man by his feet," one unidentified passenger told Uruguay's El Pais newspaper. "The people quickly jumped on top of him, the guy fought back furiously, biting and hurting a half dozen people.

Read details: Huffington Post

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Deadly floods ravage Brazil

[ via BBC News Latin America & Caribbean ] 5 Jan

Floods and landslides caused by heavy rain in south-eastern Brazil have killed at least six people and forced thousands from their homes.

A total of 66 towns cities in Minas Gerais state have declared a state of emergency.

In the town of Ouro Preto two taxi drivers died when a bus station was destroyed by a landslide.

Floodwaters are also threatening hillside communities in Rio de Janeiro state that were devastated a year ago.

Read more: BBC News

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Tribute to Socrates

[ via Goal ] 5 Dec

Socrates became a household name in all four corners of the globe during the 1982 World Cup when he captained a swash-buckling Brazil side - a team commonly regarded as one of the best not to win the showpiece. 

Even when he is no more, his name still resounds in the memory of his countless fans around the world. In His death highly attributed to heavy drinking and chain smoking - which he could not resist even during the peak of his career. His death in 2011 was a sad day for football - a day no football fan will ever forget.

He shall always be known as a great Footballer, artist, icon and activist.

Read full post for a tribute to great Socrates.

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Biologists find albino among Brazil dolphins

Yahoo News 2 Dec

Brazilian biologists have found an extremely rare example of an albino dolphin among an endangered species that lives off the southern coast of South America, reports Yahoo News.

Toninha (Brazil) - La Plata or Franciscana Dolphin (Argentina and Uruguay)

The research group, based at Univille University in Santa Catarina, said Thursday that it was the first recorded instance of an albino in the pontoporia blainvillei species, a very shy type of dolphin that rarely jumps out of the water. It's known in Brazil as Toninha and in Argentina and Uruguay as the La Plata or Franciscana dolphin.

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Another iPhone Explodes

Mail Online 1 Dec 

After the Australian aircraft landing "explosion" of the iPhone, now there is a second explosion - this time far away in Brazil.

Reports say that the iPhone 4 was plugged in to charge overnight when it began to emit smoke and sparks as its owner slept nearby. The smoking and sparky iPhone was inches away from the owner's face. According to Brazilian media reports, "the iPhone’s owner emerged unscathed but flustered."

As already reported in Imposing Headlines, an Apple iPhone began "emitting a significant amount of dense smoke, accompanied by a red glow", while Australia's Regional Express airline was landing. The fire was hurriedly put off by the flight attendant.

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Chevron takes blame of Brazil Oil Spill

Full Story: Huffington Post 20 Nov

Chevron has announced that it takes full responsibility of the oil spill while drilling 230 miles (370 kilometers) off the northeastern coast of Rio de Janeiro. The spill started Nov. 7. The CEO of the Brazilian division of the San Ramon said that Chevron underestimated the pressure in an underwater reservoir, Sunday.

However, the company has rejected accusations that the company did not notify authorities quickly enough after the leak was detected and that it did not properly manage cleanup operations. It is estimated that 420 gallons to 4,200 gallons (1,590 liters to 15,900 liters) a day are still leaking from the seabed cracks.

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Flesh-eating Piranhas attack popular Brazilian tourist beach

Full Story: Mail Online 18 Nov

In a bizarre incident, flesh-eating Piranhas attacked Daveron beach, on the Paraguay river in the west of Brazil, famous among tourist. At the time of attack, there were some 15 people swimming in the water - one swimmer lost the tip of his toe in an attack. 

The officials have warned people to get out of the water as quickly as possible if bitten, so their blood does not attract more of the fish. But people have already decided not to take a chance, leaving the beach deserted.

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