Survive News 47

 

Survive News 47

In the first quarter of 2024, Brazil and the United States showed different economic performances, highlighting a certain imbalance between the two economies.

Brazil: Moderate and Stable Growth

Brazil's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 0.8% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter, exceeding market expectations, which predicted a 0.7% increase. In the annual comparison, growth was 2.5%, driven by the increase in investment and household consumption. This performance kept the country on an economic recovery path, with emphasis on the services and manufacturing sectors

United States: Significant Slowdown

In contrast, the United States economy showed signs of slowdown. GDP grew 1.4% in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease compared to the 3.4% recorded in the previous quarter. Furthermore, projections for the first quarter of 2025 indicate a possible contraction of 1.5%, reflecting economic and political uncertainties. Factors such as an increase in the trade deficit, a drop in consumption and protectionist policies developed for this scenario.

·        The Federal Government has started the national vaccination drive in public schools, which will take place between April 14 and 25, 2025. The initiative aims to update the vaccination records of approximately 27.8 million students up to 15 years old, covering 109.8 thousand schools in 5,544 municipalities across the country.

On April 14, 2025, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the definitive registration of the first vaccine against chikungunya in Brazil. Developed by the Butantan Institute in partnership with the French-Austrian pharmaceutical company Valneva, the vaccine is intended for adults aged 18 or over who are at increased risk of exposure to the virus.

·        Dangerous challenges posted on social media have become a growing concern, especially among children and teenagers. These challenges, often presented as games or tests of courage, can result in serious health risks and even death.

Examples of Dangerous Challenges

·        Choking Game: Involves causing loss of consciousness through suffocation, leading to risks of brain damage and death.

·        Deodorant Challenge: Involves inhaling aerosols, such as deodorants, which can cause poisoning and respiratory failure.

·        Blue Whale Challenge: Proposes a series of self-destructive tasks, culminating in suicide.

·        Momo Challenge: Involves interactions with a fictional character that incites dangerous and self-harming behavior.

·        A4 Sheet Challenge: Encourages unrealistic beauty standards, promoting eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Impact and Warning from Authorities

Between 2014 and 2025, at least 56 children and adolescents, aged between 7 and 18 years old, died or suffered serious injuries while participating in these online challenges. The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) issued alerts highlighting the need for parental supervision, reporting of dangerous content and raising awareness in schools about digital risks.

 

After the murder of the inspector of the Special Resources Coordination (Core) of the Civil Police, João Pedro Marquini, on March 30, 2025, a police operation was carried out in the community of Ladeira dos Tabajaras, in Copacabana, resulting in the death of five suspects.

·        Peru’s former First Lady, Nadine Heredia, wife of former President Ollanta Humala, has requested and received diplomatic asylum at the Brazilian Embassy in Lima after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering. The conviction is related to receiving approximately $3 million in illicit contributions from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht and the Venezuelan government for Humala’s 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.

 

The Trump administration has recently stepped up pressure on U.S. universities to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This includes threats of significant cuts in federal funding and investigations into alleged civil rights violations.

Pressure on Universities

More than 50 higher education institutions are under investigation for maintaining DEI initiatives, such as minority scholarships, mentoring programs, and cultural events. The Trump administration claims that such programs violate federal law by promoting reverse discrimination and fostering ideologies considered radical. The University of Michigan, for example, closed its diversity office after threats of losing federal funding

While some universities, such as Columbia, have bowed to pressure to restore funding, Harvard has maintained its position of resistance, defending academic autonomy and institutional freedom. Critics see the Trump administration's actions as an attempt to exert ideological control over higher education, using legitimate concerns, such as combating anti-Semitism, as a pretext to restrict diversity and academic freedom.

·        The federal government announced, through the 2026 Budget Guidelines Bill (PLDO), the forecast of increasing the minimum wage to R$1,630 from January next year.

The Town 2025 festival recently announced the creation of a new space: Palco Quebrada, dedicated to highlighting the artistic potential of Brazilian suburbs. Singer Belo has been named ambassador for this stage, which will feature three daily performances over the five days of the event, from September 6 to 14, at the Autódromo de Interlagos, in São Paulo.

·        ​The Internal Affairs Unit of the Military Police of São Paulo has concluded the Military Police Inquiry (IPM) into the murder of Vinícius Gritzbach, a businessman and whistleblower for the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which occurred on November 8, 2024, near Guarulhos International Airport. As a result, 16 military police officers were indicted for various crimes related to the case.

The Brazilian Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) recently published Resolution No. 2,427/2025, which establishes new guidelines for medical care for people with gender incongruence or dysphoria. The main changes include restrictions on the minimum age for hormone therapies and gender affirmation surgeries, as well as additional requirements for performing these procedures.

·        The Northeast region of Brazil is currently facing a drought situation that is affecting several states, although with variations in intensity and impacts. Current Drought Situation in the Northeast According to the Drought Monitor, the states of Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba have areas with moderate to severe drought. The lack of rainfall has negatively impacted agriculture and water supply in these regions. On the other hand, states such as Bahia, Pernambuco and Maranhão are experiencing milder conditions, with recent rains contributing to improved soil moisture and partial relief from the drought

·        🐾 What is SinPatinhas?

SinPatinhas is part of the National Program for the Protection and Ethical Population Management of Dogs and Cats (ProPatinhas), coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA). The goal is to promote ethical population control of dogs and cats, combat mistreatment and abandonment, and facilitate the implementation of public policies aimed at animal health and protection.

The United States government has signaled a significant shift in its diplomatic stance toward peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is considering withdrawing from the negotiations if there is no concrete progress in the coming days. Rubio stressed that Washington does not intend to continue the talks indefinitely without clear signs of progress, indicating that a decision will be made within days.

·        The Maranhão Court ordered the preventive arrest of Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, 35, the main suspect of poisoning a family with an Easter egg in Imperatriz (MA). The case resulted in the death of a 7-year-old boy and left his mother and sister hospitalized in serious condition.

 

The increase in motorcycle thefts in Brazil has significantly boosted the illegal trade in parts, especially in large urban centers such as São Paulo

 

Papa Francisco/ The Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The official cause of death was a massive stroke, followed by irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The medical statement, signed by Andrea Arcangeli, the Vatican's director of Health and Hygiene, also mentioned that his condition was aggravated by pre-existing conditions, such as pneumonia, multiple bronchiectasis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, who declared: "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and the Church."

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, was the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church and the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff to hold the position. Elected on March 13, 2013, after the resignation of Benedict XVI, Francis became known for his humility, emphasis on divine mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interreligious dialogue.

With the death of the Pope, the period of "sede vacante" begins, during which the Cardinal Camerlengo assumes temporary administration of the Vatican. Francis' body will be laid out in St. Peter's Basilica, and the conclave to elect the new pontiff is expected to be called in the coming days.

World leaders have expressed their condolences over the loss. Former US President Barack Obama said Francis was "the rare leader who made us want to be better people", highlighting his humility and commitment to the marginalized.

Pope Francis will be remembered for his legacy of compassion, reforms and dedication to those most in need, marking a significant era in the history of the Catholic Church.

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