Posted by Rachel
President Lula is making a big splash in the U.S. this week, where he’s attending several important events. 
First, he accepted an award from the Woodrow Wilson Center, where he celebrated with other world leaders. Yesterday, he attended the UN General Assembly in New York, where he gave a long speech (watch and read the speech here). Now he is off to Pittsburgh for the G20 Summit.
Also, Lula was featured in Newsweek this week as “the most popular politician on earth” — read the article here. There’s also a special Q and A section with Lula available on the Newsweek website.
Posted by Rachel
Here are some big headlines coming out of Brazil this week. Have a look:
Posted by Rachel
China has been in the headlines with Brazil this week, as newspapers report a growing commercial, political and even cultural proximity between the two BRIC countries. Let’s take a look at the biggest stories. 
- China makes big moves in Latin America, Miami Herald
- Rio de Janeiro hosts entrepreneurs from China and Lusophone states, MacauHub
- Brazil’s real rises to 11-month high on Chinese manufacturing, Bloomberg
- Rio Tinto shares drop on China spying claims, Reuters
- Brazil pulp company Suzano posts record 2nd quarter profit, Wall Street Journal
- China, Brazil to clash in Macau Grand Prix, China View
- China development plans Brazil, Russia, Egypt Offices, Bloomberg
Posted by Rachel
At this week’s G-8 summit in Italy, President Lula of Brazil gave President Obama an official Brazil soccer jersey signed by members of the national team.
The signatures included those of “Edmílson, Gomes, Lúcio, Vágner Love, Daniel Carvalho, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Elano, Robinho, Júlio Baptista, Alex and Dida.”
President Lula also teased President Obama about the US team’s 3-2 loss to Brazil last week, chanting “Yes, we can” several times. Obama joked about the game and took the teasing lightly, making a sad face while holding up the shirt to show his disappointment in the US loss. Lula also gave the same signed shirts to members of the G-5 earlier in the week.
Posted by Rachel
President Lula Inacio da Silva made a historic visit to Saudi Arabia this week, the first of its kind for a Brazilian president. He met with King Abdullah, as well as Abdurrahman al-Attiyah, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council. President Lula went with Brazilian businessmen, but also discussed political and cultural ties.
Officially, the visit was meant to be a political move. The Brazilian government wants to use Saudi Arabia as a jumping off point for strengthening ties with the rest of the Middle East.
But in reality, the visit focused largely on trade with Saudi Arabia. Brazil and Saudi Arabia are already commercial partners; annual trade between the two countries amounts to US$5.5 billion. Brazil is Saudi Arabia’s #1 supplier of frozen chicken, and is also a major supplier of beef. During the visit, the Saudis expressed interest in extending trade in pharmaceuticals, oil exploration, and agriculture. Also, the Gulf Cooperation Council is interested in a free trade agreement with Mercosur, of which Brazil is a key player.
On Sunday, President Lula and King Abdullah signed a cooperation agreement in the areas of oil, mining, science, and infrastructure, and to increase trade between the two countries.
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