Brazil

Country Page: Brazil

**Wikispace Assignment # 2**

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=Wikispace Assignment 1, Begin Here: =

Insert "horizontal lines" to separate individual student work.
Andrew Richman Assignment 1-Wiki LAH 3200 1/27/2013

In a recent article written by Simon Romero in the New York Times, it overviews the disastrous condition of much of Brazil's infrastructure. The most notable and notorious for both Brazilian citizens and visitors is the manhole explosions that have been a problem for a few years now. Many of the manhole eruptions have been caused by gas or oil leaks into underground networks, some built as far back as the 1920s. This problem really came to a light after a surge in the explosions in 2010 and have continued. In 2010 these explosions injured many and killed one worker. With the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics right around the corner a lot of pressure has been put on the government of Brazil and especially Rio de Janeiro to get their manhole explosion problem under control. Not only is this a significant problem but with Brazil's increased economic success and as more cars and people continue to flock the streets, Brazil's roads, sidewalks and highways are going to be put to the test. Some restoration projects have been set for this upcoming year and the government is fining energy companies $250,000 per manhole explosion, so advances are being made but according to many experts the infrastructure is not even close to ready to handle the economic and social demands of the upcoming world events.

I chose this article because I have been following the Rio 2016 Olympics since it was chosen and this is a problem some Brazilian friends of mine have confessed to me. Brazil will be on the world stage in just a few years and these are problems that need to be taken care of so visitors can feel safe on the streets.

Sources: Romero, Simon. "Rio's Exploding Manholes Menace Residents and Highlight Aging Infrastructure." //New York Times//. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. 

Rhiannin Boudreau Assignment 1-Wiki LAH 3200 1/27/2013

Mexico sees an opportunity to improve gun control between the United States and Mexican borders, especially with the new gun contriol campaign instituted by President Barack Obama. Since the elimination of the Assults Weapons Ban in 2004, Mexico has seen vast increase in brutality by Mexican Drug Cartel. With Obama's new gun policy Mexican government looks to lessen of not deminish the gun trafficking from the United States into Mexico. This can be greatly be said because from 2007 to 2011 approximately 70% of guns and weapons had been comandeered by Mexico. While Mexican authorities have begun an exchange program for guns in the capital, and even gone as far as to make a sign using these guns to proclaim "No More Weapons" at the U.S. border the Mexican government hope that with this gun control shift in the United States will bring about peace and peace of mind to Mexican residents.

I chose this piece because gun control has become a bigger issue in the United States since the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut.

Sources: Shoichet, Catherine E., Rafael Romo, and Rey Rodriguez. "Mexico Eyes U.S. Gun Policies, Hopes for Shift." //CNN//. Cable News Network, 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. retrieved from []

Brian Skylar Berry Assignment 1 - Wiki LAH 3200 1/18/2013



According to “The Rio Times”, Brazil is looking to capitalize on Oil exploration within their country as they are opening 172 blocks of land up for auction for private corporations looking to explore. Long disputes between rival politicians over oil royalties have finally come together and approved the upcoming auctions. Even though Brazil will be placing strict rules and regulations that guarantee the private corporations will produce 65 percent of their goods and services in Brazil. This is not uncommon for many countries as they are looking out for their countries own interests. Brazil is looking to further strengthen their reserves as they are currently amid an energy crisis with the recent doubts (Willis, 2013).

I chose the news piece as it caught my attention how countries differ in their approaches to handle the “energy crisis” that plague all industrialized nations.

Resources Willis, A. The Rio Times. Brazil to Auction 172 Oil Blocks in May. January 15th 2013. Retrieved from ([]).