🇧🇷 Brazil Episodes

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.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born and lived most of his life in Buenos Aires, where he built an ecclesiastical career marked by service to the poorest. He became a priest and cardinal until, in March 2013, he was elected to the highest office of the Catholic Church. In history, he was the first Latin American pontiff, the first Jesuit and the first to adopt the name Francis. In 12 years of papacy, Francis promoted modernization within the Church. Evaluated by many as a progressive leader, he always stood up for the most vulnerable, spoke out against wars and social inequality, and worked to open doors to women and people in the LGBTQIA+ community. The Holy Father's trajectory at the head of the Vatican ended this Monday (21st). He died at the age of 88, a victim of a stroke and heart failure, a day after giving his blessing to the faithful during Easter mass in Saint Peter's Square. Between February and March, the Pope had already been hospitalized for 38 days with pneumonia in both lungs. In this special episode, Natuza speaks with Gerson Camarotti, commentator for TV Globo and GloboNews, about the life and legacy of the Pope. Author of the book "Secrets of the Conclave", Camarotti recalls how Bergoglio was chosen for the papacy and says what to expect from the next leader of the Catholic Church. Filipe Domingues, doctor in social sciences from the Pontifical Gregorian University and director of the Lay Centre, a residence in Rome for students of Catholic universities, also participates. He tells how the last moments of Pope Francis were.

"Food of the gods." This is the meaning of the scientific name of the cocoa tree, the fruit that serves as the raw material for chocolate. Cocoa has seen its price skyrocket: in December, the value of a ton of cocoa exceeded US$11,800. In two years, the accumulated increase is 185%. The commodity reached its highest value in 50 years. The surge directly impacts the price of Easter eggs, which rose almost 10% above inflation. A rise that is not only felt in the pocket. To produce the chocolate that reaches the shelves, some brands have added more additives and sugar, decreasing the percentage of cocoa in the product. This change alters the taste of the chocolate and has repercussions on consumer health. To explain the various factors that led to the skyrocketing price of cocoa, Alan Severiano talks to Ricardo Gomes, territorial development manager at the Arapyaú Institute, an organization focused on climate and development. Ricardo details the opportunities for Brazilian agribusiness and how the scarcity of the fruit affects the quality of the products. Afterwards, Alan talks to Luciana Monteiro, a food engineer. A chocolate specialist, she explains how consumers can differentiate which products are chocolate and which are not, despite appearing to be.

When the girl Sarah Raíssa was mourned, an aunt of the girl made an appeal: "explain the danger that the internet offers". Sarah, 8 years old, was found unconscious by her grandfather at the beginning of April. Next to her were a cell phone and a deodorant bottle. She was taken to the hospital, but died days later. According to the family, Sarah was a victim of a "challenge" spread on social networks. The "deodorant challenge" consists of inhaling the product for as long as possible. The practice has been reproduced by children and adolescents who record videos for social networks, which reach thousands of views. Sarah's case is not isolated. According to the Dimicuida Institute, Brazil has registered 56 cases of children or adolescents who have died or been seriously injured due to irresponsible challenges spread online since 2014. And this number may be even higher, as many cases may not even come to the attention of authorities. Last week, the Ministry of Justice announced that it plans to launch an application to block children and adolescents from accessing social networks and other content. To explain what is being discussed in the government to protect Brazilian children and adolescents from online dangers, Alan Severiano talks to Lílian Cintra de Melo, Secretary of Digital Rights of the Ministry of Justice. Later, Alan speaks with Gabriela dos Santos Lusquiños, Prosecutor of Childhood and Youth of Rio de Janeiro. Gabriela talks about what types of crime are present in these challenges and who can be held responsible. She also answers about the limit between invasion of privacy and monitoring of children and adolescents on the internet: "social network is the street. There is no security, a place where very serious crimes are committed," she concludes.

Upon returning to the White House for his second term, Donald Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a conspiracy theorist and vaccine skeptic, as health secretary. In late March, the U.S. government announced a restructuring: 10,000 Health Department employees would be cut. The cut isn't limited to employees, but also affects databases, research, and project funding worldwide. It includes dismantling USAID (United States Agency for International Development), the main U.S. government agency responsible for humanitarian project assistance globally. In February, 90% of USAID's contracts funding organizations in over 120 countries, mainly in Africa, were canceled — the case is in court. To discuss how this dismantling affects the United States, but has a domino effect worldwide, Alan Severiano speaks with Denise Garrett, an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist. Denise speaks live from the U.S. and explains the consequences. With over 30 years of public health experience, including two decades at the CDC, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she assesses the risk of a "brain drain" and the effects on the entire world population.

With the trade war initiated by Donald Trump, analysts and economists began to recall the great crisis experienced by the USA almost a century ago. In 1929, the New York stock market crash opened the door to a major recession in American soil, which would have global effects, both economic and geopolitical. In the wake of the so-called "stock market crash", then-President Herbert Hoover approved the Smoot-Hwaley Act, increasing tariffs on imported products. The law generated a series of retaliations and worsened the situation of the US economy. To explain the similarities and differences of what is underway and what happened in 1930, Alan Severiano receives USP professor Simão Davi Silber. President of the Fipe's board of trustees, Silber recalls the effects of the so-called "Great Depression", when 1 in 4 Americans lost their jobs and the US GDP fell 25%. He also talks about how the crisis shaped economic policies around the world and the geopolitical consequences a century ago. Silber also answers what that moment in history teaches us and which mistakes cannot be repeated.

José Eduardo Franco dos Reis is the son of Brazilians and was born in the municipality of Águas de Prata, in the interior of São Paulo. But he lived as a descendant of British nobility for more than four decades. In 1980, when he was 22 years old, he created the fictitious name Edward Albert Lancelot Dodd Canterbury Caterham Wickfield and assumed a new identity – with which he served as a judge. Armed with false documentation, he was approved at the University of São Paulo for the law course. Afterwards, he passed one of the most disputed competitions in the country: the judiciary. From 1995 until 2018, when he retired, José Eduardo signed more than 5,000 sentences as Judge Edward. The fraud was only discovered in October last year, when he tried to obtain a new copy of his ID. After the complaint was accepted, the retired judge became a defendant and his retirement was suspended — his whereabouts are unknown since he testified. The person telling this story is Reynaldo Turollo Jr., a g1 reporter who revealed the case. Turollo details the behind-the-scenes of the investigation and what the man told the police when he was heard. "He says he had a twin brother who was adopted and raised by a noble English family," he says.

"Today is the law of the jungle". That's how Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo, former director of the World Trade Organization, defines the current status of trade relations between countries. Invited by Natuza Nery in this episode, Azevêdo assesses how the WTO has been losing strength over the years. He analyzes the organization's role amid the trade war opened by Donald Trump. Azevêdo, Director-General of the WTO between 2013 and 2020, recounts how the organization was created to be an international space for dialogue and resolution of trade conflicts between countries. And he recalls the warnings he made about the need to update the institution's negotiation systems. "The multilateral system has collapsed, it is not working today," he assesses. The ambassador analyzes the retreat announced by Donald Trump, who this Wednesday (9th) will reduce reciprocal tariffs to other countries to 10% for a period of 90 days. The exception is China, which retaliated against the tariffs applied by the US, and will now have import taxes of 125%. Azevêdo also concludes on the global consequences of the trade war that seems to escalate every day.

Indicted by the Federal Police in June 2024, Juscelino Filho's situation in the government became unsustainable this Tuesday morning (9th), upon being denounced by the Attorney General's Office to the Supreme Federal Court. He is accused of participating in a scheme to divert parliamentary amendments - when he was a federal deputy - to the city of Vitorino Freire, in the interior of Maranhão, where his sister is the mayor, and where his father has already been mayor twice. Accused of passive corruption, money laundering, and criminal organization, the União Brasil politician resigned in an open letter released in the early evening. Invited by Natuza Nery in this episode, journalist Ana Flor recounts Juscelino Filho's last hours in government and what weighed on the decision to resign now. Together, Natuza Nery and Ana Flor analyze how the change of ministers may affect Lula's popularity. Ana also tells who is most likely to assume the ministry, a position that fulfills the União Brasil quota in the government. They also assess how the Executive's relationship with Juscelino's party and other Centrão parties will be affected.

Monday (7th) was an up-and-down day on stock exchanges around the world. Result of the uncertainties caused by the trade war opened by Donald Trump. This Monday, the US president doubled down and stated that he may tax Chinese products by another 50% from Wednesday (9th), which would raise the total taxation to 104% in relation to products entering the US from China. While Trump sees tariffs as a "remedy" to strengthen the American economy, stock exchanges around the world melted down. In the US, major investors gave concerned statements about the direction of the economy and warned of the need for a pause in tariffs for negotiations with trading partners. To explain what made the markets have a day of panic, Natuza Nery receives Daniel Sousa. Commentator of GloboNews and professor of Economics at Ibmec, Daniel analyzes the environment of generalized uncertainty. He draws parallels between the current moment and Brexit (when the United Kingdom left the European Union), and analyzes whether or not Trump is "bluffing" when announcing new tariffs. "That would be Donald Trump returning a little more to normal programming, that is, someone who tensions with the objective of achieving better agreements for his objectives," he concludes.

Originally aired between 1988 and 1989, the soap opera marked the history of Brazilian television from the ethical conflict: is anything worth it to succeed? The plot written by Gilberto Braga, Aguinaldo Silva and Leonor Bassères also addresses fundamental aspects of Brazilian society, such as conflict of social classes, economic crises and impunity against corruption, in the historical period of redemocratization of the country, after 20 years of military dictatorship and during the construction of the new Federal Constitution. The remake of Vale Tudo, on the air since last 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 the 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 for this episode -- she even reveals that she already has a suspect in mind to take over 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 of studies on State, power and society at the School of Social Sciences/CPDOC, from FGV of Rio de Janeiro.

For the President of the United States, April 2, 2025, went down in history as "Liberation Day" — the British magazine "The Economist" used the term "Day of Ruin." Amid applause at the White House, Donald Trump detailed a tariff hike aired since the election campaign and announced piecemeal in the first months of his term. The minimum tax on imported products will be 10%, with higher rates for some countries that, according to him, charge more than is produced in the United States. Brazil fell into the minimum tariff, which may open opportunities for the country, as Assis Moreira explains in a conversation with Natuza Nery in this episode. Valor's correspondent in Geneva since 2005, Assis analyzes how Trump's measures affect the European Union, China, and other markets. And he details how the tariff hike inaugurates a new world order in trade between countries. Afterwards, Natuza Nery talks with Ambassador Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio, Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs at Itamaraty and Brazil's negotiator for the G20 and BRICS. He explains the current difficulties in reaching agreements with the US under the government of Donald Trump.

O Supremo retoma nesta quinta-feira (3) a chamada ‘ADPF das Favelas’, ação que está na Corte desde 2019 e visa reduzir a letalidade em operações policiais no Rio de Janeiro. Proposta após a morte da menina Agatha Félix, de 8 anos, em setembro de 2019, a ação questiona se moradores de comunidades do Rio de Janeiro têm direitos constitucionais desrespeitados em operações policiais. O texto da ação em análise no Supremo é alvo de críticas da polícia e de autoridades do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Neste episódio, Natuza Nery ouve Daniel Sarmento, um dos autores da ação em julgamento no STF, e Ronaldo Oliveira, delegado aposentado da Polícia Civil do RJ. Daniel explica como a ADPF nasceu e seus objetivos. Ele detalha quais medidas práticas a ação propõe e como funcionaria, na prática, a proposta para que escolas sejam avisadas sobre operações policiais. Ronaldo, que atuava como delegado quando a ADPF começou a ser discutida, relata como regras determinadas pelo STF durante a pandemia mudaram a rotina policial no Rio de Janeiro. O delegado aposentado avalia ainda se a ADPF aumenta a insegurança jurídica de policiais e agentes de segurança da ativa. The Supreme Court resumes this Thursday (3rd) the so-called 'ADPF das Favelas', an action that has been in the Court since 2019 and aims to reduce lethality in police operations in Rio de Janeiro. Proposed after the death of 8-year-old Agatha Félix in September 2019, the action questions whether residents of communities in Rio de Janeiro have constitutional rights disrespected in police operations. The text of the action under analysis in the Supreme Court is the target of criticism from the police and authorities of the State of Rio de Janeiro. In this episode, Natuza Nery listens to Daniel Sarmento, one of the authors of the action being judged in the STF, and Ronaldo Oliveira, a retired delegate of the Civil Police of RJ. Daniel explains how the ADPF was born and its objectives. He details what practical measures the action proposes and how the proposal for schools to be notified about police operations would work in practice. Ronaldo, who was working as a delegate when the ADPF began to be discussed, reports how rules determined by the STF during the pandemic changed police routine in Rio de Janeiro. The retired delegate also assesses whether the ADPF increases the legal uncertainty of police officers and active security agents.

Localizado em uma região que concentra 90% dos terremotos do planeta, Mianmar foi devastado por um tremor de 7,7 graus no fim da semana passada – o mais forte dos últimos 100 anos no país. Mais de 3 mil pessoas morreram, mas a estimativa é de que o número total de vítimas chegue a 10 mil. A devastação atinge um território assolado por uma guerra civil iniciada em 2021, depois que um golpe militar colocou fim a uma tentativa de transição democrática. Para explicar as dificuldades de o país se reerguer, Natuza Nery conversa com Maurício Santoro. Doutor em ciência política pelo IUPERJ, o Instituto Universitário de Pesquisas do Rio de Janeiro, Maurício relembra o histórico de conflitos, políticos e étnicos, em Mianmar. Ele, que é colaborador do Centro de Estudos Político-Estratégicos da Marinha do Brasil, detalha os interesses da China e da Índia no país. E analisa os diversos fatores que fazem com que a economia local não prospere, ao contrário de outras nações do sudeste asiático, que viveram saltos de desenvolvimento nas últimas décadas.

The American president systematically advances on pillars of US democracy. The pressures Trump has already subjected part of the press and universities to have also reached the country's Justice system. The Republican's new target is "big law," that is, large American law firms. Last week, Trump released a statement threatening to punish lawyers and firms involved in cases he considers "frivolous, irrational and vexatious" against his administration -- sanctions that could prevent these professionals from accessing public buildings and prohibit them from closing contracts with the government. Days earlier, he had already attacked the judicial system by threatening to impeach a judge who blocked an executive order from the Presidency. To explain Trump's new offensive, Natuza Nery talks with Guga Chacra, commentator for TV Globo, Globonews and CBN radio, and columnist for the newspaper O Globo. He details, for example, the case of the Paul Weiss firm, which has already capitulated and agreed to provide 40 million dollars in legal services for causes supported by the Trump administration. Guga also comments on the possibility of the American president running for a third term -- which is unconstitutional in the USA.

Severe and intense droughts have become more frequent and devastating in Brazil and worldwide, especially in the last four decades. During this period, the country recorded more than 13,000 cases of extreme drought, from north to south -- this is the conclusion of a study published in the scientific journal "Science". In 2024, for example, almost 60% of the country suffered from the worst drought in history, compromising biomes and agricultural production, as the drought scenario favors fires and compromises pastures, taken by fire. The consequences are seen now, immediately, and tend to be even more worrying for the future. Scientists warn that droughts will get worse until 2060. The solutions point to reducing deforestation, investing in sustainable technologies, and demanding government action. Ana Paula Martins do Amaral Cunha, a researcher at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, Cemaden, explains this. "The images we have seen in recent years are of rivers disappearing." This is a situation that, according to her, is spreading throughout Brazil. "Now we have seen large rivers in the Amazon, where this is not common, drying up. And not only in the Amazon, but also in the Paraguay Basin region, that is, the Pantanal Biome region."

Uma estudante turca que faz doutorado na universidade de Tufts, nos Estados Unidos, foi presa por agentes de imigração na região de Boston. Rumeysa Ozturk foi abordada por homens à paisana, alguns deles mascarados, e levada em um carro, nesta quinta-feira (27). No ano passado, a jovem escreveu um artigo de opinião em que pedia que a universidade cortasse laços com Israel. A prisão de Rumeysa não é única entre estudantes de outros países neste segundo mandato de Donald Trump. No início de março, Mahmoud Khalil, palestino que cursa pós-graduação da Universidade de Columbia, também foi preso — ele teve papel de destaque nos protestos pró-palestinos no ano passado. Segundo Trump, mais prisões estão por vir. Para discutir o contexto autoritário da política dos Estados Unidos que tem aberto brecha para esse tipo de situação, Natuza Nery entrevista Marcelo Lins, comentarista da GloboNews e apresentador do GloboNews Internacional. Para Lins, essa é uma guerra "contra a crítica, contra o questionamento". "Esses ataques têm a ver com outras frentes de batalha nessa guerra que Trump está promovendo, seja ela no comércio internacional, que ele troca negociação pela chantagem das tarifas, seja na guerra com o judiciário". Depois, Natuza conversa com Lilia Schwarcz , direto dos Estados Unidos, onde ela leciona na Universidade de Princeton. A historiadora e antropóloga, que também é professora da USP, fala do clima em algumas instituições de ensino e de relatos de professores que precisaram tirar palavras como diversidade, inclusão, gênero e sustentabilidade, por exemplo, de programas. "Isso já significa uma forma de atuar muito própria do governo Trump, que é a coerção. É uma política de medo, de amedrontamento."

Em um dia histórico, Jair Bolsonaro tornou-se o primeiro ex-presidente a virar réu por tentativa de golpe de Estado. A análise do caso foi decidida pela primeira turma do Supremo Tribunal Federal nesta quarta-feira (26), quando os ministros Flávio Dino, Luiz Fux, Cármen Lúcia e Cristiano Zanin leram seus votos, acompanhando o relator, ministro Alexandre de Moraes. Agora, o ex-presidente e mais sete aliados, incluindo militares de alta patente, vão a julgamento — a data ainda não foi marcada. Se condenados, eles podem ser presos por atentar contra a democracia. Diferentemente da terça-feira,(25) quando Bolsonaro esteve no plenário da Corte, neste segundo dia, ele acompanhou a análise do gabinete do filho, o senador Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). Depois da sessão, Bolsonaro disse que as acusações são infundadas, repetiu os ataques a Moraes e ao sistema eleitoral. Para analisar as chances de Bolsonaro conseguir evitar uma condenação, Natuza Nery entrevista Davi Tangerino, advogado criminalista e professor de direito da UERJ, a Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Ele também detalhe os votos dos ministros, que decidiram de forma unânime. Depois, para entender as repercussões políticas e o discurso de Bolsonaro que, depois da sessão, disse que as acusações são infundadas e repetiu os ataques a Moraes e ao sistema eleitoral, a conversa é com Vera Magalhães, colunista do jornal O Globo, âncora na rádio CBN e apresentadora do programa Roda Viva, da TV Cultura. "Acredito que ele corre mais risco de ter produzido alguma nova prova contra si. Eu achei que, se tinha alguma estratégia ali, ela se perdeu logo no início daquela longa fala meio desconexa."