News stories by Fabiana Frayssinet, page 21

Companies from Brazil and India -- whose bilateral trade flow rose nearly threefold in the last three years -- are starting to diversify and complement their business dealings in order to strengthen the two emerging powers' economic presence in the world, in a kind of new two-way 'route to the Indies'.

Brazil, firmly opposed to a militarisation of the crisis in Libya and in favour of negotiated solutions without foreign intervention, is heading to a Mar. 7-8 meeting with India and South Africa on the unrest in the Arab world, and Libya in particular.

Thousands of women farmers in Brazil demonstrated this week against the use of toxic weedkillers and pesticides on crops and in favour of agricultural techniques that protect their families' health.

A protestor held out a handful of metal dust, part of the 'silvery rain' falling that day in Santa Cruz, a low-income neighbourhood on the west side of this Brazilian city, as proof of the environmental nightmare affecting the area ever since a German steel plant opened there.

In the countdown to her inauguration on Jan. 1, Brazilian President-elect Dilma Rousseff has completed her cabinet, which points to a government of continuity whose most novel aspect will be a greater female presence.

In one of the most environmentally damaged areas of Brazil's Mata Atlântica forest, work is under way to reforest a watershed that supplies Rio de Janeiro, while also establishing a 'reforestation' market that stimulates local job creation and local consumption.

Reports of human rights abuses committed during the police and military occupation of several favelas in this Brazilian city are jeopardising local residents’ newfound support for the security forces and posing challenges within the police.

In a move seen as a sign that gender will be important in her government, Brazil's president-elect Dilma Rousseff is preparing a Cabinet that is one-third women.

In Brazil, 136 million voters will head to the polls in Sunday's presidential runoff election, after a campaign heavy on recriminations and moralistic attacks and weak on substantive issues.

Every vote counts for the two candidates competing for the presidency of Brazil in next Sunday's runoff, and the governing Workers' Party (PT) is galvanising its electoral base into active campaigning, after the complacency instilled by eight years in power.