Social Network for Justice and Human Rights
Director of the Social Network for Justice and Human Rights in São Paulo, Brazil and Professor of International Relations at the University of Rio de Janeiro
PROFILE
Maria Luisa Mendonça
Guest
FROM Maria Luisa Mendonça
To the Point
Brazil's Political Crisis and the Olympic Games The upcoming summer games have turned a global spotlight on Brazil, as the elected President is being impeached by legislators more corrupt than she is. Dilma Rousseff's leftist administration is being taken over by a highly unpopular, conservative Vice President, Michel Temer, who's talking about austerity. Political unrest could disrupt the games, and there's dispute whether the flood of tourists and spectators could help spread the Zika virus.
To the Point
Massive Economic Protests as Brazil Readies for World Cup Another wave of protests snarled traffic today in São Paulo, and federal police have been sent to five cities hosting international soccer games. It all started less than two weeks ago with protests against a 10¢ increase in bus fares in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest city. Brutal police repression was shared on social media, and protests spread to other cities, where tens of thousands have turned out in outrage over a whole range of issues, becoming Brazil's biggest upheaval since democracy replaced military dictatorship in 1985. Middle-class professionals are in the streets alongside radicals and university students, to the apparent surprise of elected leaders. We hear about political corruption, the high cost of living and huge public spending for the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games .
Recommended
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.