🇧🇷 Brazil Episodes

After two and a half months, about 100 trucks with supplies arrived in the Gaza Strip this Tuesday (20). The unblocking of humanitarian aid was done on the same day that the European Union and the United Kingdom increased international pressure for Israel to allow aid to Gaza. For Israel, the blockades serve as a way to force Hamas to release the hostages who have been under the terrorist group's power since the attacks of October 7, 2023. The situation in Gaza is so critical that it led the UN to warn that 14,000 babies could die in 48 hours if aid did not arrive. After international pressure and the UN appeal, about 100 trucks with humanitarian aid entered the territory. "They are attacking us with hunger, with thirst," reports the Palestinian Assmaa Abo Eldijian in conversation with Natuza Nery in this episode. Born in the United Arab Emirates, Assmaa lived in Brazil from the age of 4 to 20. Living in Gaza since 2006, where she married and lives with her children, the Palestinian tells how it is to deal with the conflict that has lasted almost 600 days and has already left more than 50,000 dead. Natuza also speaks with João Koatz Miragaya, who speaks directly from Israel. Master in History from the University of Tel Aviv, Miragaya responds how the Israeli population sees the war against Hamas at this moment. He recalls how the blockade of humanitarian aid was one of Israel's first responses to the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,400 Israelis. And he concludes how the perception of the Israeli population about the war has changed since the last exchange of hostages, in February.

The world's third-largest poultry producer, Brazil, managed to keep avian flu away from its commercial farms since confirming the virus in a wild bird in 2023. Until, at the end of last week, a case was detected in Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul. Since then, more than 15 countries and the European Union have closed their markets to Brazilian chicken meat. In circulation since the 1990s, the avian flu virus has never had proven transmission between humans. There is a risk for people who work directly with contaminated animals. Experts say that consuming chicken meat and eggs is safe. These foods should be well cooked before ingestion. This Monday (19th), the Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Fávaro, stated that the country needs 28 days to be considered free of the H5N1 virus again. By Monday night, four other cases were being investigated. In a conversation with Natuza Nery in this episode, economist José Roberto Mendonça de Barros says that the expectation is that the cases will be isolated and will not cause major turbulence in the Brazilian economy. Founder and partner of MB Associados, the economist explains how Brazilian chicken meat and the surveillance system are well regarded worldwide. He says that the Brazilian situation is very different from what is happening in the USA, where more than 150 million birds were slaughtered. And he explains how the drop in exports could make chicken cheaper in the national market. Paula Salati, g1's Agro reporter, also participates in the episode. Paula recalls how the virus had already been circulating in wild birds for two years and recounts the measures taken by producers and the government to contain the H5N1 virus.

The use of biometrics has greatly accelerated and facilitated the lives of many: unlocking cell phones, accessing bank accounts, entering buildings and even stadiums. The technology uses facial features as a kind of "password". An advance that brings benefits, but also risks. Last week, the Federal Police arrested criminals who bypassed a biometrics system to access user accounts on the gov.br platform. In this episode, Natuza Nery talks to Ronaldo Lemos, chief scientist at the Institute of Technology and Society of Rio de Janeiro. Ronaldo explains how each person's face is "sensitive data" and requires a high level of protection, like banking data. He answers in which cases it is possible to refuse the use of one's face to access certain environments. Ronaldo Lemos indicates how to protect oneself and cites good examples of identification use, as is the case in India. With more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, the country created an individual recognition system through the iris of the eyes and fingerprints. Afterwards, the conversation is with Álvaro Massad Martins, executive director of IT By Insight, and coordinator of the MBA in Cybersecurity at FGV. He details how biometrics systems work and gives tips on what to do to protect yourself from possible fraud.

National Day to Combat Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation is celebrated next Sunday, May 18th. In Brazil, 13 children and adolescents are victims of some type of sexual, physical, or psychological violence every hour. There are more than 115,000 victims per year, according to the 2025 Violence Atlas, released this week by Ipea and the Brazilian Public Security Forum. In this episode, Natuza Nery listens to the account of one of these victims, the artist Georgia Bergamim. At 34 years old, Georgia had her story told in the documentary 'Despite'. On the Matter, she recalls when she realized she was a victim of her stepfather and how she was silenced by people close to her. "While I was a child, I never felt confident in being able to talk about it," she says, recalling how she "emitted signals" that something was wrong. She talks about how the routine of abuse marked the way she deals with her own body. And she recalls the mechanisms that helped her cope with the trauma. Also participating in the episode is lawyer Luciana Temer, CEO of the Liberta Institute, which works to combat sexual violence against minors. Luciana exposes the existence of an "epidemic of abuse" that may be even greater: according to her, only 11% of cases are reported.

Last week, a decision by the Chamber of Deputies plenary suspended the criminal action against Congressman Alexandre Ramagem (PL-RJ), defendant for attempted coup. Since then, the Chamber and the Supreme Court have returned to a "tug-of-war": the five ministers of the Supreme Court's 1st Panel overturned the Chamber's decision. Subsequently, the president of the Chamber, Congressman Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), filed an appeal with the Supreme Court requesting that the case be analyzed by the full Court. The case reignites an institutional crisis between the Legislative and Judiciary branches, as Natuza Nery explains in this episode in conversation with Fernando Abrucio. Professor at FGV-SP and commentator for GloboNews, Abrucio details the political and legal meanings of the Chamber's decision and the Supreme Court's response. He assesses the current status of the relationship between parliamentarians and ministers of the Supreme Court. For Abrucio, despite the current tension, the relationship between the two powers is in the "easy phase": he answers what the prospects are for an even greater crisis. And he concludes what Hugo Motta's intention is in doubling down and appealing the Supreme Court's decision in the Ramagem case. Abrucio points out that the president of the Chamber signals to his peers that, in the future, he may defend each of them.

At 89, Pepe Mujica died Tuesday (13th) from esophageal cancer. Mujica fought the Uruguayan dictatorship and suffered torture during his over 10 years of imprisonment. Pardoned and freed in 1985, he entered partisan life. Elected president in 2010, he governed until 2015, then served as senator until retiring from politics. At the end of 2024, he made his last speech at a rally: "I am an old man who is very close to retiring to a place from which there is no return." To recall Mujica's trajectory and how he went from guerrilla to "pop icon," Natuza Nery talks with Ariel Palácios, Globo's correspondent in Buenos Aires. Ariel, author of the book "Latin America, Side B," recalls meetings he had with Mujica, and the day he was the former Uruguayan president's bodyguard. Ariel details the political life of the former Uruguayan president, from guerrilla times to retirement, and what differentiated him from other leaders. "He was not a classic politician. He was like the figure of a grandfather, without being a paternal and populist figure," he affirms. Ariel highlights Mujica's simple profile, in line with Uruguayan culture, where ostentation is devalued. And he concludes what Pepe Mujica's legacy is: "he showed that a politician can live austerely."

After months of escalating tariff disputes, the United States and China jointly announced a 90-day truce in reciprocal tariffs between the two countries. Thus, US tariffs on Chinese imports will fall from 145% to 30%. And China's rates on American products will be reduced from 125% to 10%. To explain how the two sides reached the agreement – released after a series of meetings between trade officials over the weekend in Switzerland – Natuza Nery speaks with economist Otaviano Canuto. Professor at George Washington University, in the USA, Canuto details how Donald Trump's tariffs reflected on the American economy. He, who was vice-president of the World Bank and executive director of the IMF, analyzes whether the truce between the US and China removes the fear of recession. Direct from China, professor Marcus Vinicius de Freitas details the effects of the tariff in the Asian country, and what are the responses of the Beijing government. He, who teaches at the University of Foreign Affairs of China, talks about how the negotiations between the two parties were. Marcus Vinicius also talks about what to expect from the meeting between Lula and Xi Jinping, scheduled for this Tuesday, and what is the status of the relationship between Brazil and China.

Nestled in the heart of the Himalayan mountain range, the Kashmir region is rich in natural beauty and water resources. A strategic place where the interests of three countries collide: Pakistan, India, and China. And the scene of three wars between Pakistanis and Indians, in a conflict that has lasted almost 80 years. Historical tension reignited in mid-April, when an attack in the Indian region of Kashmir left 26 tourists dead, mostly Hindus. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for the attack. On the other side, the Pakistani government denied it and launched an offensive against the neighboring country. On Saturday (10th), US President Donald Trump announced a truce in the conflict, but hours later, India and Pakistan exchanged accusations of disrespect for the ceasefire. The hostilities put the world on alert, as both countries have nuclear weapons. To explain the origins of the dispute in Kashmir and the risk of an escalation in the conflict between India and Pakistan, Natuza Nery receives Gunther Rudzit. Rudzit, PhD in Political Science from USP and professor of International Relations at ESPM, details the status of recent tension between the two countries, the size of each side's nuclear arsenal, and how China plays an important role in this story.

It was past 6 PM local time when the expected white smoke began to emerge from the Sistine Chapel chimney in the Vatican. On the second day of the conclave, it was the sign the world awaited: the 133 cardinals gathered had a consensus on the new pope. Born in the USA, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was elected and chose the name Leo XIV. Vatican expert Mirticeli Medeiros describes who Prevost is – she was the one who, on the subject of last Wednesday (7th), the starting date of the conclave, warned about the possibility of him being the new pope. Live from St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, Mirticeli speaks again with Natuza Nery to recall who Prevost is and the meanings around the choice of the name Leo XIV. She answers whether the new pope represents continuity in relation to Francis, his predecessor. And she analyzes the signs given by Leo XIV in his first speech. Also participating, live from the Vatican, is journalist Gerson Camarotti. Commentator for TV Globo, GloboNews and columnist for g1, Camarotti reports on how the campaign was conducted in favor of Prevost, a cardinal who became a Peruvian citizen. Camarotti recalls how Prevost acted within the Catholic Church and what to expect from the relationship between Leo XIV and the President of the USA, Donald Trump, criticized by Prevost for his immigration policy.

In 2023, a unanimous Supreme Federal Court decision mandated Congress to redistribute the 513 Chamber seats based on the 2022 Census data – the number of deputies is proportional to each state's population. The STF gave until June 30th of this year for the redistribution. Otherwise, the TSE should do the redivision. With the deadline approaching, the Chamber approved last Tuesday (6th) a bill increasing the number of federal deputies from 513 to 531. There were 270 votes in favor and 207 against. Now, the text goes to the Senate. To explain the project's political and economic impacts, Natuza Nery receives Lara Mesquita. Doctor in Political Science and professor at FGV's School of Economics in São Paulo, Lara details what the project foresees and analyzes whether it corrects, or not, representativeness distortions in the Chamber of Deputies.

"Todos para fora."

The billion-dollar fraud that ousted Carlos Lupi (PDT) from the Ministry of Social Security opened a new crisis within the Lula government. The opposition promises to open a CPI this week to investigate the scheme that may have diverted more than R$ 6 billion and affected more than 4 million people. Meanwhile, the government promises in the coming days the plan to compensate retirees and pensioners who were harmed. In conversation with Natuza Nery in this episode, GloboNews reporter Guilherme Balza traces the timeline of this unprecedented fraud at the INSS. Balza, who closely follows the scandal, recalls the signs that show how the now former minister Carlos Lupi was negligent about the scheme. He also explains how, in just one act, the INSS released the irregular discount on benefits of more than 34.5 thousand retirees. To explain the political effects of the fraud, Natuza Nery also receives journalist Daniela Lima. Columnist for g1 and presenter of GloboNews, Daniela reveals how the investigation into this case may go beyond payroll deductions and what developments were discovered by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). Daniela also analyzes the political dimension of the case and the possible developments of a CPI on the scandal.

Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Monjaro were originally created to treat type 2 diabetes, but have shown surprising performance in combating obesity as well. Studies show that, under proper medical guidance, the use of these drugs results in a loss of up to 20% of the patient's initial weight. Produced from semaglutide, a substance that acts on satiety control, the drugs are applied via injection and have the shape of a "pen". The fame of miraculous solution for weight loss resulted in a real rush to pharmacies: the rampant use, without medical indication or supervision, has transformed these drugs into a public health problem. The list of dangers involves self-medication, smuggling, counterfeiting and even hospitalizations due to inappropriate use. Therefore, Anvisa decided that the medical prescription must be retained at the time of purchase of these slimming pens. To explain what this means in practice, Alan Severiano talks to the endocrinologist Bruno Geloneze, principal researcher at the Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), at Unicamp. Geloneze also talks about the risks of the rampant use of these drugs and says what are the benefits for people who really need and undergo a complete treatment - which includes changes in diet and lifestyle.

In the week TV Globo celebrates 60 years, O Assunto replays the special episode about the soap opera Vale Tudo. Originally aired between 1988 and 1989, the plot marked the history of Brazilian television from the ethical conflict: is anything worth doing to get ahead? Written by Gilberto Braga, Aguinaldo Silva and Leonor Bassères, the soap opera also addresses fundamental aspects of Brazilian society. The remake of Vale Tudo, on air since March 31 on TV Globo and Globoplay, revisits the same dilemmas, but from the perspective of today's Brazil. The author of the new version, Manuela Dias, emphasizes the challenge of balancing recognition of the original work with the need to surprise the public, incorporating the numerous technological, cultural and social updates that have occurred since then. "The biggest challenge will be killing Odete Roitman," says Manuela, in an interview with Natuza Nery - she even reveals that she already has a suspect in mind to take on the murder. The playwright tells how she updated the plot to the world of 2025 without mischaracterizing iconic characters such as Odete Roitman herself, as well as Raquel and Maria de Fátima. And to explain the importance of "Vale Tudo" for television drama and Brazilian culture, Natuza also talks with historian Martina Spohr, professor and coordinator of the laboratory for studies on the State, power and society at the School of Social Sciences/CPDOC, of FGV in Rio de Janeiro.

Liberal Mark Carney won the right to continue as Canada's prime minister in an election with a record number of voters. Carney's victory consolidates a turnaround in the country's political landscape – until January of this year, polls pointed to up to 80% favoritism for the opposition. In the Canadian electoral timeline, the turning point is clear: Donald Trump's inauguration as president of the United States, in January. “He was the anti-campaigner,” summarizes Maurício Moura, a professor at George Washington University, with whom Natuza Nery talks in this episode. As soon as he took office, Trump launched a series of provocations against the neighboring country, including the threat to annex Canada as the 51st American state. And he changed the focus of the election. Criticism of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was supplanted by the anti-Trump discourse adopted by Carney – Trudeau's successor, who resigned in March to prevent the Liberal Party from losing control of Parliament. The election in Canada, explains Maurício Moura, is the peak of the “Trump effect” so far: leaders who rival the American see their popularity increase worldwide.

Immigrant crisis, threat to annex Canada, WHO withdrawal, offensive against universities, controversial statements on Gaza and Ukraine... The list of actions in Trump's first 100 days of his second term includes public squabbles, the opening of a trade war against key US partners, and the disorganization of historical alliances. One hundred days after his return to the White House, a survey released in recent days by The Washington Post, ABC News, and the Ipsos Institute showed that 55% of the population disapproves of his government. It is the worst index in 80 years for a president in the first 100 days of his term. In this episode, Natuza Nery talks with Felippe Coaglio, Globo's correspondent in the US. He speaks directly from Iowa, the state that gave Trump a large victory and one of the pillars of American agribusiness. Felipe reports what he heard from farmers about the US president's tariff war: "there is a climate of uncertainty and they are struggling with labor," he says, citing the current government's anti-immigration policy. Then, Natuza receives Oliver Stuenkel, professor of International Relations at FGV, researcher at Harvard University and the Carnegie Endowment. Oliver analyzes the profound transformations, inside and outside the US, that Trump set in motion in his first 100 days in office. For him, American democracy faces "the greatest threat and the greatest challenge" in more than a century.

Founded in 1636, Harvard University was born even before the Independence of the USA (1776). With 388 years of life, now the prestigious educational institution is considered a “threat to democracy” by President Donald Trump. In another chapter of the battle between the US president and universities in the country, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the American government to prevent the freezing of more than US$ 2.2 billion in subsidies. In the background of this dispute are demands made by the Trump government to universities. For the academic community and other universities in the country, what is underway is an attempt at political interference. In this episode, Natuza Nery talks to Guga Chacra to explain what Trump wants and what the response of the most respected university in the USA is. Globo commentator in New York and columnist for the newspaper O Globo, Guga recalls how the president of the USA uses the argument that American universities are a stage for anti-Semitism to pressure for political alignment. Guga answers whether the American government has the power to prevent Harvard from accepting enrollments from foreign students, one of the threats made by Trump to Harvard. In the conversation, Guga also explains what allowed Harvard to resist, unlike the posture adopted by Columbia, another institution that is among the most respected in the country. He also analyzes the chances of the lawsuit opened by Harvard reaching the US Supreme Court.

A day after the Federal Police and the Comptroller General of the Union carried out an operation that ended with the INSS president being dismissed, the government suspended transfers to entities and said that affected retirees and pensioners will receive the money back. The case revealed by an operation on Wednesday (23) is the beginning of a "scandal", says journalist Camila Bomfim in conversation with Natuza Nery in this episode. On Wednesday, the now former president of INSS Alessandro Stefanutto and other members of the institute's leadership were the target of an operation that, according to investigations, benefited at least 11 entities suspected of unduly discounting the benefits of retirees and pensioners. The suspicion is that, between 2019 and 2024, the diversions may have reached more than R$ 6 billion. Columnist for g1 and presenter of GloboNews, Camila Bomfim recalls what weighed against Stefanutto and the indications that the case may lead to an even greater scandal. Camila reports how the INSS, whose last two presidents were appointed by the Minister of Social Security, Carlos Lupi, has become a source of concern for President Lula's government. "What Lupi has delivered so far has been a problem," she says, recalling how Lula's promise to eliminate the INSS queue is far from being fulfilled. Natuza Nery also talks with Diego Cherulli, lawyer and president of IBDP, the Brazilian Institute of Social Security Law. He explains how, by coordinating benefits for millions of Brazilians, the INSS is a source of fraud. "The blocking of transfers to entities should have been done last year," he says, recalling reports of blatant fraud at the institute. Cherulli answers what can be done to prevent new corruption schemes at the institute and what beneficiaries can do to protect themselves.

In 2024, the Labor Court registered over 258,000 lawsuits from workers seeking recognition of employment ties. This is a 57% increase compared to the previous year. And a number that reinforces the growing trend of judicialization of employer-employee relations since the labor reform came into effect in 2018. The volume of actions overburdens the judicial system. In the Supreme Federal Court alone, the increase was 76% between 2023 and 2024. Under this justification, Minister Gilmar Mendes decided, on April 14, to halt all labor lawsuits until the Court makes a collegial decision on the hiring modality of employees as Legal Entities, the so-called 'PJs'. To explain the theses that will guide the votes of the Supreme Court ministers in the case of general repercussion regarding hiring under the Legal Entity regime, Natuza Nery interviews Olívia Pasqualeto, professor of Labor Law at FGV-SP. Also in this episode, Nelson Marconi, professor of Economics also from FGV-SP, presents the results of his research on the impacts of pejotization.

The proposal originated in 2022 to spare protesters arrested in protests since the last presidential election result. It grew, encompassed other bills, and broadened its scope: now, it aims to pardon anyone who participated in the January 8 coup acts – before, during, or after that day; a pardon that would include former president Jair Bolsonaro, accused by the Attorney General's Office of attempted coup. In recent weeks, the opposition focused efforts on advancing the text in the Chamber of Deputies and managed to collect 262 signatures from deputies – the minimum number is 257 – to file the request for urgency in the bill's processing. Now it is the House Speaker, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), who decides whether or not to proceed with the proposal. The government is working to reverse some of the support for the amnesty: Gleisi Hoffmann, Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations, questioned parliamentarians who are part of the allied base and voted in favor of the project. The government also hopes that, if the bill passes in the Chamber, it will be blocked in the Senate and considered unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. To analyze the real chances of the amnesty advancing in Congress and explain the contradictions in the bill's text, Natuza Nery talks to Malu Gaspar, columnist for the newspaper O Globo and commentator for CBN radio.