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In his superb biography, Benjamin Moser has done an amazing amount of research on the life of Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector, particularly on how powerfully her Jewish background influenced her fiction, so that the enigmatic writer emerges as a complete yet complex figure.
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Beagá is the nickname for the south east Brazilian city we’re after in today’s Geo Quiz. It’s full name in Portuguese means “Beautiful Horizon.” The city’s got a great view of the Espinhaço Mountains.

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Legendary Brazilian psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes is resurfacing after a 30 year hiatus. It took a misunderstanding to get the band to reunite for a special concert at London’s Barbican Center in May 2006. Download MP3
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Veteran Brazilian writer Ignácio de Loyola Brandão expertly lampoons the vapidity of celebrity culture, the tyranny of the photo-op, in his latest novel.
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Seawater covers 71 percent of the planet. Fresh water is a much more precious commodity. So, a Brazilian environmental group has come up with a novel proposal for conserving clean water. SOS Mata Atlantica is urging people to urinate in the shower. Doing so could save households more than a thousand gallons of water a year in toilet flushes. Leave your comment…(photo: flickr.com/photos/gehat)
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In South America, politicians and corporate leaders have devised a grand plan for an overland trade route to compete with the Panama Canal. The idea is to move goods from the Pacific to the Atlantic along a chain of ports, highways, and riverways. Reporter Melaina Spitzer followed the route from the Ecuadorian port city of Manta.
Anchor Lisa Mullins profiles Brazilian singer Ceu who says her latest album is all about taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life.
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We close our program today with the latest release from Brazilian singer Ceu. Now you may recall Ceu first came on the scene in 2007 with her self titled debut CD. Starbuck’s released it and Apple’s iPhone helped promote it. This time around though the hype has settled a bit — but in a good way.
The World’s William Troop bemoans a tough loss for the US men’s national soccer team against Brazil, but muses that defeat may create more committed fans for US soccer.Listen