federal officials seized 30 gallons of a tea brewed from a Brazilian plant called “hoasca” from the home of Jeffrey Bronfman President of the United States Chapter of a Brazilian religious group called O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Do Vegetal (UDV) UDV members take communion by drinking hoasca but the tea contains a hallucinogen regulated under the Controlled Substances Act After federal officials threatened to prosecute Bronfman the UDV filed a lawsuit alleging that the government violated its religious freedom by preventing members from drinking hoasca Both a federal district court and a federal appeals court ruled that the government did not prove a compelling interest in barring the UDV from using hoasca After government officials appealed to the U.S Alliance Defending Freedom funded an amicus brief in support of the religious group the Supreme Court affirmed that the government did not show a compelling interest in preventing the UDV from using hoasca as a religious sacrament The decision provided an important legal framework for the protection of religious liberty View Profile Director of the Center for Religious Schools View Profile ADF is the world's largest legal organizationcommitted to protecting religious freedom,free speech © 2025 Alliance Defending Freedom is a registered 501(C)(3) Charity. All rights reserved PRODUCTS Gas Turbines M501 J Series M701 J Series M501 G Series M701 G Series F-Class H-25 H-100 Hydrogen Gas Turbines Aero-Derivative Gas Turbines Aero FT8® MOBILEPAC® Aero FT8® SWIFTPAC® Aero FT4000® SWIFTPAC® Steam Turbines Boilers Generators Control Systems Emissions Controls Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) System Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Plants Carbon Capture Electrolyzers Battery Energy Storage Solar Development SOLUTIONS Power Generation Hydrogen Digital Upgrades & Retrofits Emissions Controls Fast-track, On-demand, and Emergency Power SERVICES Gas Turbine Services Steam Turbine Services Generator Services Aero-Derivative Gas Turbine Services Control & Digital Services Boiler Services Emission Control Services SUCCESS STORIES J-POWER Advanced Clean Energy Storage Project Plant Mcdonough-Atkinson IPP Renewed T-Point 2 Hydrogen Park Domo San Pedro Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Capital Power Corporation INSIGHTS & NEWS Events Insights News Video Podcast ABOUT US Why Mitsubishi Power Path to Net Zero Locations Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals to the United States we celebrate the diverse cultures that make up our global workforce we shine a spotlight on our Brazilian colleagues whose unique perspectives and expertise have significantly contributed to our company's success.  Our journey in Brazil is a testament to the company's commitment to global expansion Since its initial entry into the South American market Mitsubishi Power has achieved remarkable milestones including the construction of state-of-the-art power plants such as UTE Novo Tempo Barcarena and UTE Marlim Azul These projects have not only bolstered Brazil's energy infrastructure but have also fostered a strong sense of community among Mitsubishi employees while demonstrating the company’s commitment to the local market.  Mitsubishi Power’s journey in Brazil strengthened with the successful development and construction of the Marlim Azul power plant a groundbreaking project that harnesses the power of pre-salt natural gas to generate electricity This initiative marked a significant milestone for the company and the Brazilian energy sector demonstrating the potential of innovative technologies and sustainable practices.  • Marlim Azul Power Plant: As Brazil’s first and only pre-salt gas-fired thermal generation project Marlim Azul set a new standard for efficiency and environmental sustainability Equipped with Mitsubishi Power’s advanced M501JAC gas turbine the plant offers a reliable and competitive energy solution.  • UTE Novo Tempo Barcarena: Another major GTCC project showcases Mitsubishi Power’s commitment to supporting Brazil'’s energy needs This power plant plays a crucial role in providing electricity to the region and contributing to the country’s economic development currently under construction with partner CONSAG Engenharia will further strengthen Brazil'’s energy infrastructure As one of the largest power plants in Latin America UTE Portocem will provide reliable and dispatchable power capacity to the national grid.  Mitsubishi Power's success in Brazil is underpinned by its strong partnerships with local companies These collaborations have enabled the company to leverage its expertise and resources to develop solutions that address the specific needs of the Brazilian market.  the company's commitment to innovation has been instrumental in driving the adoption of advanced technologies Their focus on research and development has resulted in the development of efficient and sustainable power generation solutions The company’s success in the Brazilian market is only possible due to our amazing local teams across the country Whether on the ground at the different sites let's delve deeper into the stories of Aluizio three remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of Brazilian culture and innovation at Mitsubishi Power.  joined Mitsubishi Power with a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for infrastructure construction in Brazil His commitment to building a better future for his country is evident in his work "A oportunidade de enfrentar novos desafios ao mesmo tempo contribuir com o desenvolvimento do nosso país e criar condições de uma melhor qualidade de vida para os habitantes das regiões onde nossos projetos são implantados." (English: "The opportunity to face new challenges at the same time contribute to the development of our country while improving the quality of life for the people of the regions where our projects are implemented.")  Aluizio's leadership style is characterized by his ability to foster a collaborative and supportive work environment drawing inspiration from the Brazilian traits of fazer acontecer and uniao (1)."Exatamente devido ao conceito de união criado em minha formação me direciona a trabalhar em equipe na solução de problemas e sou muito aberto a aceitar soluções inovadoras e simples" (English: "Because of the concept of unity and collaboration being such a vital concept throughout my professional growth I am guided to work as a team when solving problems and I’m always open to innovative and simple ways to solve problems”) our projects have not only met but exceeded expectations leaving a legacy in the Brazilian energy landscape.  • (1) The terms "fazer acontecer" and "uniao" do have translations but they don't capture the full cultural context and nuances "Fazer acontecer" can be translated as "make it happen" referring to the creative and resourceful way Brazilians solve problems "Uniao" translates to "union" or "unity," emphasizing togetherness and collaboration.  brings a breath of fresh air to Mitsubishi Power her infectious enthusiasm and her passion for her work is palpable Drawn to the company's global reach and the opportunity to work on challenging projects Nikita quickly became an integral part of the team "No final da pandemia eu estava em busca de um novo cargo incrivelmente abriu uma oportunidade de trabalho e vi isso no meu email Quando vi que era Mitsubishi fiquei em êxtase."  (English: At the end of the pandemic and an incredible job opportunity appeared in my inbox When I saw it was Mitsubishi I was ecstatic).  Nikita's ability to seamlessly navigate different cultures is a testament to her adaptability and open-mindedness "Todos os dias me deparo com novos desafios e isso testa minha integridade a vontade de trabalhar com diferentes culturas de todo o mundo abriu tantas oportunidades para mim," (English: Every day I am faced with new tasks that challenge me and the ability to work with different cultures from all over the world has opened so many opportunities for me.) she remarked Nikita's passion for connecting with people from all walks of life has enriched the workplace and strengthened our camraderie.  has played a pivotal role in driving Mitsubishi Power's success in Brazil With his analytical thinking and understanding of the local operations Sergio has been instrumental in ensuring their financial success of the projects "O desafio de ser o responsável pela parte financeira dos projetos no Brasil foi o que me atraiu para essa empresa em Julho de 2020," (English: The challenge of being responsible for the financial side of projects in Brazil was what attracted me to this company in July 2020.)  Sergio's commitment to excellence and his ability to build strong relationships have made him a respected leader within the company He embodies the Brazilian value of hospitalidade creating a welcoming atmosphere for colleagues and partners alike um aspecto da nossa cultura que ajuda muito no trabalho em equipe," he shared (English: Brazil is a very welcoming country an aspect of our culture that helps a lot in teamwork.) Sergio's financial expertise has been invaluable in navigating the complexities of thermal power generation construction contributing significantly to our company's success.  and Sergio have also made significant contributions to the company's culture and community Nikita's multilingual skills and cultural sensitivity have fostered a more inclusive workplace while Aluizio's leadership has inspired and motivated his team members Sergio’s background has played a crucial role in promoting collaboration and delivering successful projects in the challenging Brazilian market.  these three individuals represent the best of Brazilian talent and culture at Mitsubishi Power and passion for their work have made a lasting impact on our company As we celebrate Hispanic and LatinX Heritage Month we honor the contributions of our Brazilian colleagues and look forward to a future filled with continued success and innovation.  The Brazilian cultural values of fazer acontecer and teamwork have played a crucial role in the success of Mitsubishi Power in Brazil These values have allowed our Brazilian employees to navigate challenges and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration the ability to find creative solutions to problems has proven invaluable in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of energy Our Brazilian employees are experts at adapting to new technologies and finding innovative ways to overcome obstacles.  • Hospitality has created a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported This sense of community has fostered strong teamwork and collaboration leading to greater efficiency and productivity.  • Adaptability has been essential for navigating the challenges and uncertainties of the energy industry Our Brazilian employees have demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to changing conditions and embrace new technologies ensuring the company's continued success.  • Teamwork is a core value in Brazilian culture and it is evident in the way our Brazilian employees work together The collaborative spirit and willingness to share knowledge and expertise have fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and a culture of continuous improvement.  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Mitsubishi Power is working on integrating BESS with renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. These systems can help balance supply and demand, improve grid stability, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.  • Hybrid Power Plants: The company is exploring the development of hybrid power plants that combine gas turbines with renewable energy sources. These plants can provide flexible and reliable power while reducing emissions. • Research and Development Centers: Mitsubishi Power is expanding its research and development capabilities in Brazil to foster innovation and develop new technologies tailored to the country's specific needs.  • Local Supply Chains: The company is working to strengthen its local supply chains in Brazil, supporting domestic industries and creating jobs.  • Academia and Government: Mitsubishi Power is collaborating with the University of São Paulo and several government agencies such as the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and the Brazilian Development Bank to advance research and development in clean energy technologies.  As Brazil strives for a sustainable energy future, Mitsubishi Power's innovative technologies, partnerships, and commitment to research and development are vital moving the world forward.  By fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging open dialogue, we can tap into the collective wisdom of our employees and drive innovation. Our Brazilian colleagues bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and perspectives that have enriched our company and made us a global leader.  As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our Brazilian employees. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with their unique cultural perspectives, have helped Mitsubishi Power achieve global success. By embracing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion, we can continue to break new ground and shape a brighter future together.  A União Faz a Força – United we stand, stronger together.  Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated. 25 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria won 3–2 over Pacos de Ferreira on Fri Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Pacos de Ferreira 3 win(s) Pacos de Ferreira haven't lost to Uniao de Leiria in their last 7 meetings (3W Have scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Pacos de Ferreira and Uniao de Leiria on Fri 25 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria won 3–2 over Pacos de Ferreira on Fri 25 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Pacos de Ferreira is playing home against Uniao de Leiria on Fri O endereço abaixo não existe na globo.com It was a very unusual week in Portugal’s Liga II The top teams were shocked and none of them won but still managed to stay leaders at the end of round 13 continued the rough patch they are going through with a 3-0 loss away from home against Feirense which brings up the question: is Penafiel’s promotion drive running out of steam PortuGOAL rounds up the weekend action in the Segunda Liga.  also took a huge hit this week with a thumping 5-0 loss against the historical União de Leiria Daniel dos Anjos scored a hat-trick in 21 minutes to give the Leiria team the win Académico de Viseu lost against Torreense in the battle for the promotion spots In a very well-played match between two contenders for promotion the Western Portugal team got the best of the Vitiathus promoted after an excellent campaign with the club’s U23 team last season has now guided the historical club from Torres Vedras to 4 wins and a draw in their last five matches. There are only six points separating the top 6 teams in Liga II and we are in for a hell of a fight for promotion.  at the basement things are already on fire Oliveirense are an interesting team because it is not hard to criticize them They are by far the worst attack in the championship and also have the worst defence There is no light at the end of the tunnel maybe only a red light that will guide them straight into relegation if things don’t start going well right now They suffered four more goals against Alverca and have only six points in 13 games FC Porto B and Mafra are also digging their own graves The satellite team of FC Porto are facing their worst year ever A team that was meant to be competitive and develop young talents on a professional level seems to abandon this idea week in week out With poor tactics and a coach who doesn’t value youth it is hard to implement the ideas that the administration has for this team Mafra lost again after starting the game by going 1-0 up in the first minute they seem to crumble and fall whenever they create an advantage Portimonense finally won a match and left the relegation spots I don’t know if the coach is reading my articles but their defence showed real improvement and understood that in this competitive championship Could Portimonense aim for higher spots after this win The former Benfica striker led União de Leiria to a shock win against the high-flying Benfica B with a 21-minute hat-trick His first half performance was of a level that is hard to find in secondary championships such as the II Liga The Brazilian striker is very experienced in this league but it seems that this may be the year where he can solidify himself as a top striker having notched 5 goals in 11 games for União de Leiria With a powerful shot and amazing physicality Daniel dos Anjos has all the ingredients to be on the top charts this season and the question is: can Daniel dos Anjos be the spearhead that drives a promotion charge for União de Leiria by José Ricardo Leite The prospective agreement between the broadcaster and the LFU member clubs is reportedly worth almost $500 million across five seasons The Brazilian soccer clubs which form part of the Liga Forte União (LFU) collective grouping are reportedly close to signing a domestic broadcast rights deal with free-to-air network Record The 31 clubs across the country’s top soccer divisions that comprise the LFU are assessing an offer worth R$2.8 billion ($494.9 million) across five seasons (2025 through 2029) (hosted by one of the LFU sides) across a 38-week season This deal would explain why the LFU sides rejected an offer from SBT last week resulting in SBT withdrawing from the process altogether The LFU is one of two groups of Brazilian teams that have banded together to sell their TV rights ahead of the 2025 season the clubs from the other collective – Libra – sold their rights until the end of the 2029 campaign to Globo Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis The partnership covers exclusive rights – across free-to-air and streaming – to the home games of Serie A teams Flamengo It has been reported that Globo will be paying R$1.17 billion annually between these sides with the all-encompassing current broadcast rights deal for Serie A action (involving all teams) expiring at the end of the ongoing 2024 campaign Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network the European Commission established the EU Civil Protection Mechanism The Mechanism aims to strengthen civil protection cooperation between the EU countries and 10 additional participating states to improve prevention can request emergency assistance through the Mechanism The Commission plays a key role in coordinating the disaster response and contributing to the transport and/or operational costs of deployments Disasters know no borders and can unexpectedly strike 1 or several countries at the same time The Commission facilitates a well-coordinated joint response allowing the authorities of the affected country to communicate through a single point of contact rather than multiple channels This joint approach further helps to pool expertise and capacities of first responders and ensures that assistance effectively addresses the needs of those affected and skills strengthens and ensures a more coherent response across borders there are 10 more states that participate in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism: Albania the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has responded to over 770 requests for assistance both inside and outside the EU The Mechanism also helps coordinate disaster prevention and preparedness activities among national authorities and fosters the exchange of best practices This facilitates the continuous development of higher common standards enabling teams from various countries to better understand diverse approaches and work interchangeably when a disaster strikes Following a request for assistance through the Mechanism, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) mobilises assistance or expertise The ERCC monitors events around the globe 24/7 and ensures rapid deployment of emergency support through a direct link with national civil protection authorities can be mobilised at short notice for deployments inside and outside of Europe Satellite maps produced by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service also support civil protection operations The Service provides timely and precise geospatial information useful for delineating affected areas and planning disaster relief operations In the most vulnerable regions of the world civil protection assistance typically goes hand in hand with EU humanitarian aid Experts in both fields work closely together to ensure the most coherent analysis and response The most common types of emergencies triggering the Mechanism’s involvement are disease outbreaks or any relevant international organisation can call on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for help the Mechanism was activated 58 times to respond to (i) war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East (ii) floods in France and Spain; (iii) wildfires in Europe and Latin America; (iv) tropical cyclone Chido in Mayotte Additionally, EU Member States and participating states can also activate the Mechanism to seek assistance for consular support to their citizens (e.g. the Mechanism helped safely evacuate almost 1,400 European citizens from places like Haiti EU Civil Protection Mechanism: 58 activations in 2024 different types of crises are pinned on the map In response to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine all 27 EU countries and 6 participating states (Iceland have offered help to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism The assistance includes millions of items such as first aid kits power generators and firefighting equipment The coordination represents the largest ever operation of the Mechanism to date It helps assist people in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring countries such as Poland The EU is also coordinating medical evacuations of Ukrainian patients in need of urgent care to hospitals across Europe - via the Mechanism and the medical evacuation hub established in Poland over 4,000 patients received treatment as part of the medical evacuations.  To efficiently manage an exceptionally high number of aid deliveries logistical hubs have been set up in Poland These hubs gather the assistance offered by EU countries and participating states and dispatch it to Ukraine In 2019, the EU upgraded the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and created rescEU an additional layer of protection complementing offers by EU Member States and participating states rescEU strengthens European preparedness to disasters and emerging risks and boosts the EU’s capacity to respond to emergencies such as wildfires or incidents affecting energy infrastructure The rapid deployment of rescEU assets has played a pivotal role in addressing recent crises in Europe and from earthquakes in Türkiye to Russia’s war against Ukraine EU Member States and participating states may commit national resources for emergency response to the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP) This Pool allows for better planning and coordination of response activities at European and national levels which means a faster and more reliable EU response to disasters The Pool constitutes the backbone of the Mechanism Prevention and preparedness activities help mitigate the effects of disasters. A training programme for civil protection experts from EU Member States and participating states ensures compatibility and complementarity among intervention teams, while large-scale exercises train capacities for specific disasters each year. The EU supports and complements the prevention and preparedness efforts of its Member States and participating states by focusing on areas where a joint European approach is more effective than separate national actions. These efforts include risk assessments to identify the disaster risks across the EU, encouraging research to enhance disaster resilience and reinforcing early warning systems. Since 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated over 770 times to respond to emergencies, including 58 times in 2024. The Mechanism pools response capacities from all EU countries and 10 participating states. The Mechanism can be deployed inside the EU and around the world, and prioritises joint disaster prevention and preparedness actions. In response to the war in Ukraine, the EU is implementing its largest emergency operation since the creation of the Mechanism, channelling millions of emergency items to Ukraine and the region. Liga Forte União is on the verge of striking its first media rights deal for the new era of Brazilian football from 2025, as the 31-club collective nears an agreement with free-to-air broadcaster Record. ©2025 SBG Companies Limited or its affiliated companies, All rights reserved. PONTA DELGADA (EuroCup Women 2017) – Clube Uniao Sportiva will need all the experience of Portugal national team forward Tamara Milovac if they are to replicate or improve on their impressive rookie EuroCup Women season Located more than 1,200km off the coast of mainland Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean the most westerly team to have ever competed in the competition made a big splash when they they wrote a historical chapter in 2015-16 which witnessed a fabulous four consecutive wins the newcomers missed out on the Quarter-Finals after an epic clash against Angers UFAB 49 with their 6-2 Regular Season record being one the best of those who didn’t make the top eight Milovac was one of the cornerstones of an uplifting story for women’s basketball in Portugal but this time around it might prove a little more difficult The surprise factor has gone – and so has the sensational Ashley Bruner who posted a spectacular double-double in the competition of 20.8 points and 14.9 rebounds The club have partly replaced her with Seton Hall graduate Tiffany Jones who will debut professionally this season and it will prove a tough void to have to fill The American is joined by her compatriot and another Seton Hall alumni in Jasmine Crew That’s because the swingman already knows Portuguese basketball having spent the last three seasons in Liga Feminina where she has regularly averaged huge scoring returns – including a dazzling 23 points per game last season the club have also retained Portugal national team playmaker Ines Faustino and alongside Milovac they will provide a solid backbone for Jones and Crew to work around There are also high hopes of continued progress and a breakthrough for 1999-born duo Maryam Chermiti and Susana Carvalheira who have impressed at youth level for their country Clube Uniao Sportiva will face Mithra Castors Braine Spar Citylift Girona and the winner of Enisey Krasnoyarsk Region and VBW Cekk Cegled who will both meet in the EuroCup Women Qualifiers 22 October 2024 - The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) initiated its activities in Mozambique on 1 September 2024 and deployed 179 observers for election day Since issuing its preliminary statement on 11 October the EU EOM has continued to observe the electoral process although EU observers were prevented to observe tabulation processes in some districts and provinces the EU EOM has noted irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results at polling station and district level As a measure to contribute to the trust and integrity of the electoral process the EU EOM reiterates its call to the electoral bodies to conduct the tabulation process in a transparent and credible manner ensuring the traceability of polling station results Chief Observer Laura Ballarín stated that “the publication of disaggregated results by polling station is not only a matter of good practice but also a strong safeguard for the integrity of results” In view of the social tensions and electoral related violence witnessed in recent days the EU EOM reiterates its condemnation of the killings of Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe and wishes to call for utmost restraint by all and for the respect for fundamental freedoms and political rights The EU EOM considers that it is the responsibility of the electoral administration to clarify the irregularities and of the Constitutional Council to address them during the validation of results process The EU EOM will remain in Mozambique to follow the next phases of the electoral process including its assessment and recommendations for improvement of the electoral framework Find the PDF versions of this Press statement Alessandro Gori – Press Officer – MOE UE Moçambique 2024 Mobile: (+258) 86 668 9688 – email: alessandro.gori@moeuemozambique2024.eu Facebook, Instagram, X @moeueMozambique    https://www.moeuemozambique2024.eu     https://database.eueom.eu 02 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria won 1–0 over Penafiel on Sun The current head to head record for the teams are Uniao de Leiria 0 win(s) Who won between Uniao de Leiria and Penafiel on Sun 02 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria won 1–0 over Penafiel on Sun 02 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Uniao de Leiria is playing home against Penafiel on Sun 16 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria won 3–1 over Mafra on Sun Have scored 1 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't scored in their last 2 matches Who won between Uniao de Leiria and Mafra on Sun 16 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria won 3–1 over Mafra on Sun 16 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Uniao de Leiria is playing home against Mafra on Sun 11 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Feirense won 2–1 over Uniao de Leiria on Fri The current head to head record for the teams are Feirense 3 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (11) Have scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Feirense and Uniao de Leiria on Fri 11 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT?Feirense won 2–1 over Uniao de Leiria on Fri 11 Apr 2025 17:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Feirense is playing home against Uniao de Leiria on Fri 09 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria vs FC Porto B on Sun Who won between Uniao de Leiria and FC Porto B on Sun 09 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria vs FC Porto B on Sun 09 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT ended in a 0–0 tie.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Uniao de Leiria is playing home against FC Porto B on Sun 17 Feb 2025 18:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria vs Academico Viseu on Mon The current head to head record for the teams are Uniao de Leiria 3 win(s) Have scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Uniao de Leiria and Academico Viseu on Mon 17 Feb 2025 18:00:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria vs Academico Viseu on Mon 17 Feb 2025 18:00:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Uniao de Leiria is playing home against Academico Viseu on Mon 22 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Uniao de Leiria won 2–1 over Maritimo on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are Maritimo 4 win(s) Have scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Maritimo and Uniao de Leiria on Sat 22 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT?Uniao de Leiria won 2–1 over Maritimo on Sat 22 Feb 2025 15:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Maritimo is playing home against Uniao de Leiria on Sat 19 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT?.css-1txiau5-AnswerContainer{color:var(--GlobalColorScheme-Text-secondaryText2);}Vizela won 1–0 over Uniao de Leiria on Sun The current head to head record for the teams are Vizela 1 win(s) Have scored 12 goals in their last 5 matches Who won between Vizela and Uniao de Leiria on Sun 19 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT?Vizela won 1–0 over Uniao de Leiria on Sun 19 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Vizela is playing home against Uniao de Leiria on Sun This is the horrifying moment a mother walking her pram was run over by a bus The woman, 27, was walking in the middle of a narrow road to avoid a pothole while taking a stroll with her daughter, two, in Brazil on January 7. Footage shows her being struck by a Uniao Transportes bus as it turned off the main highway onto the side street. The young mother can be seen slipping on the wet asphalt as she was shunted by the vehicle before she fell to the ground and narrowly avoided going under the bus. Her daughter's pushchair toppled over and was sent skidding along the road, with the bus tyres missing the toddler's head by mere inches. The bus driver and conductor were later seen stepping out of the bus to apologise following the crash in the Varzea Grande municipality of Mato Grosso state. The near-miss accident happened on January 7 but only came to light last week after the woman's father reported the incident. He said: 'They are both psychologically shaken. My granddaughter gets scared when she sees a car. I was scared too, I could have lost both my daughter and granddaughter. Every time I watch the video, I cry.' The bus company has apologised and said the bus driver will undergo defensive driving lessons. A repair team was also sent to the area to repair the pothole on the road, the local government said. This comes after a report revealed that a baby whose pram smashed into a train carriage in the UK was just three seconds away from colliding with it head on. The miraculous escape was captured on CCTV footage at Banbury train station in June 2024 when a buggy carrying the three-month-old child rolled towards the tracks and hit the Cross Country train. The impact sent the buggy spiraling down the platform before it toppled over, with someone swiftly plucking the young child out and to safety. The youngster sustained a 'minor head injury', but had the accident happened three seconds sooner, the pram would have collided with the train head on, according to a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).  RAIB added that it was 'unable to determine' how the baby's mother let go of the pram, which did not have its brakes applied at the time.  The report stated the pram had been 'momentarily released by the infant's parent' before rolling down the platform slope as the train was entering the station.  It added: 'Around 15 seconds before the accident, the infant's parent started to move the pram closer to the platform edge, intending to board the train.  'The pram was moved perpendicular to the platform edge and, around 10 seconds before the accident, its front wheels were touching the yellow line with the parent holding the pram's handle with both hands.  'The infant's parent then leant away from the pram to place one hand on their wheeled luggage and turned to face their relative, momentarily letting go of the pram.'  'Around 6 seconds before the accident, with the parent still facing away from the pram, it began to move towards the platform edge.  Crucially, the report stated that around three seconds before the parm collided with the carriage, 'the front of the train passed the position where the pram was located'. 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No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} Sie haben erfolgreich Ihre Einwilligung in die Nutzung von Transfermarkt mit Tracking und Cookies widerrufen Sie können sich jetzt zwischen dem Contentpass-Abo und der Nutzung mit personalisierter Werbung the dominance in the jiu jitsu world toned down though Nova União is still considered to be one of the best academies in the game with very strong affiliated academies throughout the world such as Kimura in Natal (Brazil) Gustavo Dantas JJ Association (USA) and many others Nova Uniao came from the merge of two teams Dedé Pederneiras Jiu Jitsu and Mello Tenis Clube two academies from the Rio de Janeiro state led by André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander respectively Pederneiras and Alexander met in a jiu jitsu tournament where they had both their teams competing with the two meeting many times in tournaments that followed and becoming good friends Wendell had an athlete competing in a small tournament that he could not attend he turned to Pederneiras and asked him if he could support the fighter in his absence This was the first time a competitor of Alexander’s team fought for Dedé it was Pederneiras who could not attend a tournament and his fighters fought for Alexander’s team the two realized that they were stronger together and that they could pose a threat to the bigger teams in the top tournaments by combining forces deciding on the merge to which they called Nova União (translates literally to New Union) It didn’t take long for the Nova União team to kick off and start making a dent in the jiu jitsu scene As both Pederneiras and Wendell were well respected coaches before they joined forces soon the academy started releasing high level black belt practitioners into the top competitions On the first jiu jitsu world championships in 1996 Nova Uniao conquered 7 medals; though none of them were in the black belt division this was a strong indicator of good things to come Nova Uniao made a big bang and took 28 medals 5 of which in the lighter weights of the black belt division and 19 lightweight medals combining all the belts (from “galo” to “leve”) taking also the gold in the teams award This gave them the label of being a lightweight’s specialist team The years that followed would confirm that same brand even when Nova Uniao made the transition to MMA the lighter weights were the first to cause an impression and the first to win titles for the world most prestigious MMA organization the UFC (namely Jose Aldo and Renan Barao) In 2002 Nova Uniao took the decision of not competing in IBJJF tournaments (jiu jitsu’s main governing body) its management joined forces with a new federation that was emerging at the time called CBJJO (Confederação Brasileira de Jiu Jitsu Olimpico) this federation intended to professionalize jiu jitsu and start paying athletes for their medals Only in 2007 did NU return to IBJJF related tournaments Nova Uniao is also represented in the United States through Robson Moura three of the team’s most prestigious members Many of Nova Uniao’s and MMA’s top fighters started climbing the ranks through the Shooto-Brazil organization Nova Uniao is famous for its work with the lower classes of Brazilian society through both their main figures Both instructors always tried to help society’s rejects often allowing students to train without paying and even letting them live in the academy to keep them off the streets (such was the case of Jose Aldo) When interviewed to the TV Program Sensei SporTV and asked about his will to work Pro Bono Andre Pederneiras said: “I always believed in people with low purchasing power because they always have that drive to get somewhere.” Nova Uniao Academy Head Quarters by Real Rio Show: Robson Moura is one of the guys I watched on bjj instructionals I like the teams that are still tied back to the old school Brazilian jiu-jitsu roots I guess I like it more as a fighting style than a sport and Nova Uniao was around at that time Think I just saw Pederneiras in someone’s corner at a recent UFC too They really do run an excellent academy with very good facilities one of the only schools in Rio that has the room to run gi and no-gi classes at the same time in different spaces They also ranked 3rd in the 2012 Rio Jiu-Jitsu Ranking: RioJiuJitsuRanking.com you may want to add Rene Nazare-Acevedo a Nova Uniao 4th degree black belt World champion and current bellator fighter You are Missing Rene Nazare Acevedo on ur list Robson Moura 2012 IBJJF World Champion GOLD as well He has a Good récord on bjj aswell but i couldnt find him in bjj héroes not even on the alphabetical list… I believe Edwardo Dantes held the bantam weight belt in the Belator promotion as well I am a student of Professor Leandro Ataides I will come to your gym all the way from Bangladesh which is in South east Asia I will train at your gym to make a career in MMA in the best promotions of mma and bjj and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Leozão hit his chest three times in a row União Corinthians had just beaten Franca It was the end of the São Paulo team's unbeaten run in the NBB I said in an interview before the game that we were going to win I talked to Baianinho (Franca's wardrobe man) I tried to take the motivation to the locker-room and we went to the game to win It was great to be with the family and very emotional" This is the feeling that fans from Santa Cruz do Sul and the region in Rio Grande do Sul have for the team: simply true love União Corinthians is a traditional Brazilian basketball team when it was national champion and had wide gaucho dominance the Santa Cruz team returned to the Brazilian scene last season by winning the Brazilian Basketball Championship from CBB (Brazilian Basketball Confederation) The gauchos applied for a spot on the NBB and The return to the national elite league made fans relive the most incredible moments of the team’s history “I could compare the fan's passion with Franca One thing that is quite different is that we are in the first year with a low financial capacity and the entire population understands this They know that they are doing our best and that this season would be difficult” União Corinthians is 16th out of 17 teams The team from Rio Grande do Sul has its last commitment of the season this Thursday against Corinthians They have so far seven wins and eight defeats at home quite different from the 15 defeats in 16 matches away from home having the family around motivates a lot” “Children and young people here in Rio Grande do Sul come to the games and say: 'I was thinking about stopping playing it makes us give 110% of our energy every game In other places it would just be different,” he adds Leozão returned to the state where he was born The center had stints in several Brazilian clubs and seeks to end his career alongside the gaucho public “Basketball is part of the city's culture… it is widely practiced It was always present in the life of the Santa Cruz community there is a passionate fan base for the game and União Corinthians” a former athlete who had three passages at the Rio Grande do Sul club A figure of the team in the golden decade of the 1990s Cantarelli was already the reason for the chorus of the entire arena: “The game against Flamengo of Oscar (Schmidt) started a widespread chorus asking for my entry into the game: gaucho One of the biggest emotions of my sporting life The fans have always been a prominent factor in Santa Cruz do Sul” With a very young team and one of the lowest payrolls in the competition União Corinthians will seek to qualify for the playoffs in 2022-23 Leozão knows that the message the team sends is much bigger than just success on the court “Regardless of whether we win or not What I want to pass on to the children is this to sow something in the lives of these children that sport can change something It is with this feeling that the fans of Santa Cruz do Sul and region continue to cultivate a huge love for the team and for basketball The brazilian basketball team Esporte Clube União Corinthians will compete for the title of the National Basketball League in the 2022/23 season with the sponsorship of Imply® Imply® will be responsible for the Integrated Platform for Ticket Sales People Access Control and Membership Management we need the fundamental support of the fans Therefore, the community is invited to join the team of sponsors, becoming a Member, in any of the modalities.  Tickets and Members Plans are available on the Portal: https://unico.eleventickets.com/ With over 15 years of experience in the sports market, we develop customized solutions to optimize management and modernize experiences. Learn more: https://imply.com/engb/access-systems/ 1.111 - RST 287 Km 105 | Santa Cruz do Sul | RS - Brazil imply@imply.com (+55) 51 2106-8000 ©2025 SBG Companies Limited or its affiliated companies Kadaja Bailey to Play Professionally for Clube Uniao Sportiva in Portugal7/12/2023 2:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball Longtime Red Storm star inks deal to play in Portugal QUEENS, N.Y.– Former St. John's guard Kadaja Bailey has inked a contract with Clube Unaio Sportiva in Portugal Bailey will join the squad in preparation for the 2023-24 campaign in Ponta Delgada Portugal and will compete in the EuroCup League Bailey was a standout guard in Queens from 2018-23 she cemented herself into the record books ranking first in games played (146) 10th in all-time scoring (1,456) and sixth in career free-throw percentage (78.7) Bailey became the longest tenured player in Red Storm men's and women's basketball history The guard burst onto the scene during her rookie campaign and earned All-BIG EAST Freshman Team recognition and made herself a staple in the starting line-up for Head Coach Joe Tartamella The following four years after her freshman campaign Bailey started 89 of 116 possible contests for the Johnnies Bailey made the most of it guiding the Red Storm to an NCAA Tournament victory and was an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention selection and was named to the All-MET Second Team and All-BIG EAST Preseason Team The guard ranked second on the team averaging 12.9 points per game finishing in double-figures in 25 of 32 games Bailey shot 82.0 percent from the charity stripe which ranked sixth in the BIG EAST and eighth all-time in St Bailey joins backcourt teammate Jayla Everett as the second Red Storm player to sign a professional contract this off-season. Everett inked a deal with Elfic Fribourg in Switzerland.   Reporting by Anthony Boadle; editing by Grant McCool Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Brazil — A long partnership between Brazilian MMA teams Nova Uniao and Kimura has come to an end after 20 years Kimura is a popular MMA and jiu-jitsu team in Natal, where talents like Renan Barao, Claudia Gadelha, Jussier Formiga and Ronny Markes trained under Jair Lourenco and constantly traveled between Natal and Rio de Janeiro to prepare for their MMA fights 16 that it will no longer be affiliated with Kimura Trend Fit Academia and Unisports are no longer part of the Nova Uniao group as well “There's a restructuring in Nova Uniao today that doesn’t involve only the competition part,” Pederneiras told reporters at Nova Uniao’s new training center It’s not that they are wrong and we’re right but when you set a goal to grow and organize my way of thinking won’t always be like yours but that doesn’t mean we’re no longer friends.” Pederneiras posted statement on social media revealing that they would no longer allow fighters to represent any team other than Nova Uniao Athletes like Formiga and Barao always represented both Nova Uniao and Kimura Gadelha also represented both teams before leaving in September 2016 Pederneiras declined to detail exactly what led to the end of the Nova Uniao-Kimura partnership but admits that the new rule that an athlete wouldn’t be able to represent both teams was one of the key factors “We won’t forget an history that was created for more than 20 years,” Pederneiras said and we brought them knowledge so we could walk side by side towards our final goal of building champions You have an athlete with a big potential and sent them to another team to develop more of his potential and reach the highest level I think that trade was good for everyone for as long as it lasted I continue to be friends with Jair and every other coach.” Lourenco, who moved to the United States in 2016 to train current Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader at Power MMA, declined to comment when reached out by MMA Fighting, but released a statement on his social media “I fought until I could to stay on the team,” Lourenco wrote “I never had Kimura as just a partner of Nova Uniao and my plan was always to be by his side until the end but unfortunately it’s not only up to Dede or myself.” Written by  Jane G. Rainey A man brews psychedelic ayahuasca tea in 2016 in Brazil American members of the Brazlian UDV church drink a similar hallucinogenic tea in their religious rituals The Supreme Court upheld their right to drink the tea in Gonzales v O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao Do Vegetal (2006) used with permission from the Associated Press.) O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao Do Vegetal the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the sacramental use of a hallucinogenic substance under the First Amendment free exercise clause is taken during religious ceremonies by members of the União Do Vegetal (UDV) a church from Brazil with about 130 members in the United States rejected all three of the government’s reasons for attempting to prohibit the sacramental tea: Applying the compelling interest test as required by RFRA the Court concluded that denial of access to hoasca placed a substantial burden on the practice of the UDV religion and that the government had not demonstrated a sufficiently compelling reason to interfere with the UDV’s religious freedom on the basis of health or recreational concerns Roberts argued that RFRA places in the courts’ hands the task of determining when exceptions to laws are warranted He noted that the Controlled Substances Act in fact provided for waivers and that an exception was already in place for religious use of peyote by “every recognized Indian Tribe.” Roberts noted that while the UN Convention did apply to hoasca this in itself did not represent a compelling interest for rejecting a UDV exception observing that such difficulties were among the reasons the Court had rejected the compelling interest standard in Smith in the first place Amicus briefs in support of the UDV were filed by both liberal and conservative religious advocacy groups and the UDV victory was hailed as a vindication for the compelling interest standard This article was originally published in 2009 Rainey is a professor emeritus of political science at Eastern Kentucky University She specializes in politics and religion in the United States She speaks to civic and church groups on First Amendment establishment clause issues and the role of churches and faith-based groups in influencing public policy Send Feedback on this article Explore The First Amendment Encyclopedia Nearly 1,700 articles on First Amendments topics The Free Speech Center operates with your generosity! Please donate now! nonprofit public policy center dedicated to building understanding of the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education Subscribe to our newsletter for latest news Augusta's animal pharmaceutical plant is officially back in business The Brazilian drug company that acquired the former Elanco facility last year celebrated the restart of production on Thursday with a catered lunch for employees and local economic development officials produces recombinant bovine somatotropin – an injectable hormone that stimulates milk production in dairy cows and is marketed under the Posilac brand name the animal health division of Eli Lilly & Co. had targeted the plant for closure and laid off more than half its 280 employees before Uniao Quimica CEO Fernando de Castro Marques purchased it in October for an undisclosed amount "Fernando always had a dream of having a business outside of Brazil," said Sergio Eduardo A.C "This business was a tremendous opportunity." The privately held company is Brazil’s largest pharmaceutical firm and produces generic drugs and over-the-counter medications Its animal health division also produces anti-parasitics anti-microbials and other livestock medicine Freire said during the luncheon that the company resumed production of the 500-mililiter Posilac syringes Wednesday night and that production of a new 325-mililiter syringe is expected to begin within two weeks The smaller syringe will be marketed primarily to dairies in Central and South America where cows are smaller than North American and European breeds Elanco had been Uniao Quimica's primary supplier of the hormone The company hopes the Augusta plant will give it an edge over its primary competitor in Brazil that sources rBST from a South Korean producer "We are very confident about that market and here in America too," Freire said to the company's 130 employees "Thank you for your confidence in this company and your engagement with this company We are sure that we are going to grow together to make this business very strong again." Uniao Quimica expects to begin selling the products pending regulatory approval in the third or fourth quarter said the operation wouldn't have been salvageable without the plant's core operations group "But the most important thing here is the people who has worked at the plant since it was built in 1998 by Monsanto Co. said the facility has "done a complete 180" since it was acquired last year The facility was three-quarters decommissioned and was to be shuttered completely by December "We are very very thankful and very blessed to be here," said Ferguson adding that employment could reach 200 next year located in east Augusta near a string of chemical plants on Columbia Nitrogen Road and Lovers Lane has the capacity to add additional product lines by tapping more than $110 million in bond financing that was approved last year by the Augusta Economic Development Authority "It's exciting to see investment coming back in this corridor," Authority President Cal Wray said "I think we see a lot of bright plans in the future." Diálogo Américas the Frigate União returned to Rio de Janeiro after having participated in the Maritime Task Force (FTM) of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) The incorporation of the Frigate União (F-45) into the FTM had great political significance for Brazil in the field of international relations insofar as it demonstrated the country’s commitment to UNIFIL The Frigate União was the primary resource for a multinational group operating in Lebanon The ship’s presence in the region contributed to ensuring peace and security in southern Lebanon in support of that country’s Armed Forces and helping to enhance border security thereby preventing the illegal entry of weapons and related material into the country by sea besides of assisting the Lebanese Navy in training its personnel so that it will be able to control its territorial waters in the future The Brazilian frigate had an AH-11A Super Lynx aircraft of its own a detachment of combat divers to conduct special operations and a detachment of Marines to provide security for the ship itself The total contingent onboard came to approximately 300 Military personnel The Frigate União was incorporated into the UNIFIL FTM on November 14 and was relieved by the Frigate Liberal on May 17 it visited the port of Istanbul in Turkey and the port of Civitavecchia in Italy and docked at the port of Las Palmas in Spain and the port of Recife in Pernambuco For more on security and defense issues around the globe The requested URL was not found on this server Sodré will be vying for his first brown belt world championship This year the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship has one of the best crops of brown-belts we’ve seen Among the talent is 21-year-old Alex Sodré from the state of Amazonas A student under Rodrigo Feijão at Nova União he will be shooting for gold in the light featherweight division meaning he will be up against Pablo Mantovani (Atos) Yago Rodrigues (Marcio Rodrigues) and more “I’m feeling very well in general,” Sodré said in an interview this week In fact I’ve never hit weight so well like this because I always hit it one day prior to a competition.” About the training he did recently at GD Jiu-Jitsu in Arizona he added: “The camp was very good for me because the quality of the training was great so that I don’t get surprised when it’s time to fight So it’s always good to practice everything and study a lot I really like passing guard using the mobility of my legs.” Sodré also talked about what was going on in his mind right before hitting the mat at the Worlds “I don’t really like to think about the fights,” he said The biggest lesson that Feijão imparts to me is that the Sun shines for all and that it is up to you to make your dreams and goals come true.” Sodré has collected two Brazilian Nationals titles one title at World Pro and several triumphs in open IBJJF tourneys Pragmatic88Slot Gacor Nova União held their first ever Invitational an in-house Nova União team-only event held in Arizona About 85 competitors came to compete at the family-friendly event Gustavo Dantas halted the competition to induct the team’s two greatest IBJJF champions Robson Moura and Vitor “Shaolin,” into their newly created Nova União USA Hall of Fame Robson Moura / Photo: personal archives of Gustavo Dantas Robson has known Gustavo Dantas for years and the two are the best of friends “Gustavo was so happy when he was talking about us during his speech and everything we’ve been doing since 1995,” Robson says “He’s worked really hard to create this [Nova União] family It was really emotional for me to get this honor They grew up together at the same Jiu-Jitsu school in Brazil but now Shaolin is in New York and Robson is in Florida so they don’t see each other as often as they’d like “Sharing this time with him and Gustavo was a blast,” Robson says Gustavo does such a great job with his competitions I learn so much every time I spend a few days with him and Gustavo held a seminar for the Nova União students as part of the event They worked diligently to pull something together their students would really enjoy “We spent hours on the mats deciding what to teach,” he says I don’t normally do that because there’s no time Known to be one of the most technical and creative black belts out there today Robson thrives on creating new Jiu-Jitsu techniques and then teaching them to his students “Ever since I was a blue belt I’ve loved to create new techniques,” he says “It’s hard for me to say why these things come into my mind I can have a dream about a situation or new technique Robson says his greatest and most creative move so far is his Robinho cross-guard technique “I spent a lot of time creating every single detail about submission sweeps I didn’t want to share it with people until I was sure it would work I trained in it and worked on it every day Now I know it works because I’ve created so many situations with it and his passion for the sport are a few of the reasons why he’s such a great practitioner and competitor “Everything in life that you really love…if you give yourself to the sport or anything else I was 10 years old when I stepped on the mats I can’t even remember when the last time was that I took one week off I can always learn more whether I’m teaching a class to my beginners My mind is so open to learning…I don’t think I know everything I’ve been a black belt for so long and a world champion and I can see what I can do to be better and better.” It’s hard to imagine Robson getting any better when you look at his Jiu-Jitsu record over the years Robson held three belts: In January 1996 he won his first Worlds championship as a purple belt From January to November he was a brown belt He was the 1996 Pan American brown belt champion and a Brazilian National Champion In November 1996 he received his black belt He then dominated the super feather black belt division In 1998 he was also the Brazilian National Champion In 2001 he was a bronze medalist at both the Worlds and the ADCC’s Robson then took five years off from competing he came back to the Worlds in 2007 and won gold in his division again When asked if winning tournaments came to him from learning through lots of losses I have 23 years competition experience now I don’t have any nerves before a competition but I used to put a lot of pressure on myself I’m really confident and know what to do when I step on the mats.” These days Robson has a better understanding of his own competition style and the sport itself the superstar hadn’t competed since 2007 when he received and accepted an invitation to the 2011 ADCC’s and although he couldn’t sleep for two or three nights after his competition saying the loss gave him “bad dreams,” he was still able to give himself a break and acknowledge that he did a good job “I’m always building to be a better competitor,” he says “I was able to go to the ADCC’s and do a good job after many years of not competing I haven’t competed at that high of a level since 2007 I’m going to go and have fun.’ And that’s what I did Robson tries to share his competition philosophy and experience with his students If he beats you because he’s had better training go back and fix your mistakes and then go back for the next one.’ You have to know you’re going to learn and get better.” “You can be a great black belt with or without the competitions or the winning,” he says Jiu-Jitsu took me from nothing to where I am today Everything is better in life when you have confidence.” and his passion all together to create a full and happy life the only option I had in my life was Jiu-Jitsu,” Robson says I had to take a bus and travel 1 ½ hours to train Jiu-Jitsu was my green card to get a better life to help my family I had to give everything I had and do the best I could do Thanks to God that I was able to accomplish all this in my life.” Gustavo Dantas and Vitor "Shaolin" / Photo: personal archives of Gustavo Dantas Robson loves to give back to others and he’s able to do it through teaching at his two schools in Tampa and at his affiliate schools all over the world “I teach and give seminars every weekend,” Robson says “I have 22 association schools around the world whether they’re in Illinois or Canada or Europe I come back Sunday or Monday and then start teaching again When they tell me how much Jiu-Jitsu has changed their lives I still train in MMA and I still want to do it again With MMA I still think I still have something more to do there.” he still has more goals to accomplish in 2012 “I’ve met every single goal as a competitor,” he says then I will decide to jump on one when it comes up maybe you’ll see me competing at the Worlds in 2012 I’m going to continue to teach classes and seminars and watch my guys improve every single day I want to build my new school and I want to get more involved in MMA I’ve dedicated myself to the Nova Uniao association I’m also going to continue to work on my website: robsonmoura.com Robson wants people to look at him and see that he dedicated his whole life to represent Jiu-Jitsu “I’m not talking about my school or Nova Uniao,” he says I want my name to come into people’s minds when they talk about it in general When they go online to learn about competitors I always want to be remembered as one of the best competitors of all time 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 150ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:fill 120ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;font-size:inherit;}.css-v4v4rs{-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;fill:currentColor;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;-webkit-transition:fill 120ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;font-size:inherit;}@media (min-width:0px){.css-v4v4rs{display:block;}}@media (min-width:1100px){.css-v4v4rs{display:none;}}.css-mps3fk{-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;width:1em;height:1em;display:inline-block;fill:currentColor;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;-webkit-transition:fill 120ms cubic-bezier(0.4 It appears as though the Brazilian was listening JDS is heading to the renowned Nova Uniao camp for training Note that JDS is referred to as "gypsy" in the report A devastating loss to Velasquez at UFC 166 put the spotlight squarely on dos Santos' cornermen The fact that the third fight was a mirror image of the second indicated that JDS' camp failed to create an effective strategy and their fighter suffered (a lot) for it They were criticised for not only coming up with a gameplan to counter Velasquez's offense but also for allowing their fighter to continue to be beat down even when it was clear that the Brazilian was out of the fight Althought Nova Uniao doesn't have a lot of (or any) bigger training partners to square dos Santos up with there's no question that this move will have a positive effect on dos Santos' performance in the Octagon JDS has basically run through every fighter in the division other than Velasquez and it will be very hard for him to get another title shot so long as Velasquez is champion is one of the most respected coaches in the game today and has produced two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Jose Aldo and Renan Barao JDS capped off a strong showing against Mark Hunt at UFC 160 with a stunning spinning back kick He's also never lost to anyone not named Velasquez in the Octagon and has finishes in 14 of his 16 victories Although many fans will look at this as a positive for dos Santos it does open the door for an ugly war of words to play out should the story gain traction in the media neither side has commented on the change of camps The sport of MMA and BJJ regard loyalty to one's coach/master as something not to be taken lightly and fans need only look to the rivalry between Brazilian Top Team and Chute Boxe in Pride as evidence that gym loyalty matters in Brazil Update - It looks as though JDS is denying the reports. Jeremy Botter has the details With voting in the 2012 World MMA Awards closing at the end of this month onetime UFC veteran Andre Pederneiras has the opportunity to be one of the evening's big winners.He's up for the Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year award Add in UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao's nomination for "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year," and it could be a special night "I have been working for a long time," Pederneiras told USA TODAY Sports and now I have an opportunity to show how good the skills of my students are with this show." Pederneiras does boast four bouts of professional MMA experience after tangling with MMA legends Pat Miletich But the 45-year-old is best known as a Carlson Gracie black belt and one of the two founders of the legendary Nova Uniao team UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Bellator bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas Established primarily as a jiu-jitsu academy Pederneiras said there are now more than 100 locations worldwide with some 10,000 students training under the banner Pederneiras said more than 100 students per year transition into MMA with the primary goal to join the flagship gym in Rio de Janeiro where some 60 fighters – including the three champions previously mentioned The World MMA Awards nominations are a first for both Pederneiras and Nova Uniao and he's hoping his fighters' accomplishments are enough to give his team the nod over other notable gyms such as American Kickboxing Academy Kings MMA and 2009 World MMA Awards winner Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA "I think my gym is a great gym," Pederneiras said Nova Uniao made a little bit more than Jackson's MMA I have some great fighters here and some upcoming guys that I think in one or two years can compete and one day be a champion and know I have some great fighters in my gym." The crown jewel of the camp right now is unquestionably Aldo who is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport and currently boasts an impressive 14-fight win streak when he takes on former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 156 in Las Vegas It will be Aldo's first fight in nearly 13 months after injury forced him to the sidelines for much of 2012 and while he'll look for a fourth defense of his 145-pound title in the bout with Edgar Pederneiras said his fighter is intent on a move to 155 pounds he wants to fight at 155 pounds," Pederneiras said with a laugh "'I don't want to cut any more weight.' Every day I listen to him about that." Aldo certainly wouldn't be one of the division's tallest fighters but his coach believes he can compete in the weight class he thinks the move is still about one year away "I think for him it's better to wait a little bit because he's putting on mass every year," Pederneiras said "He doesn't need to put so much mass that he can't move the same I don't want to put pressure on him to gain weight Another of the gym's rising stars is Barao the 25-year-old with the incredible 29-fight unbeaten streak who this past July defeated Urijah Faber to win the UFC's interim bantamweight belt "Now he has a chance to show his skills and to fight for the title." Barao had hoped his next fight would be to unify the title with injured bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz complications with Cruz's recovery from knee surgery forced Barao to instead take a fight with dangerous knockout artist Michael McDonald at February's UFC on FUEL TV 7 event in London Pederneiras said Cruz's lingering difficulties and uncertain return date made the decision to remain active an easy one "He needs to fight," Pederneiras said of Barao He can't wait for Dominick for such a long time And so 2013 will get off to a busy start for the Brazilian resident who said his team had more than 150 fights that forced he and his coaches to each make between 20 and 30 trips outside of their native country "It's a dream come true because I've trained my fighters a long time," Pederneiras said "Now I have an opportunity to see my name beside those guys Voting for the 2012 World MMA Awards is underway at www.worldmmaawards.com MMAjunkie.com earned a nomination in the Media Source of the Year category staff writers John Morgan and Ben Fowlkes are nominees in the MMA Journalist of the Year division After two of his elite fighters defended their UFC titles this past weekend esteemed Nova Uniao coach Andre Pederneiras spoke to MMAjunkie about their fights as well as what's coming up for his team who talks about Jose Aldo's defense of the UFC featherweight title against Ricardo Lamas and Renan Barao's defense of the bantamweight belt against Urijah Faber What would you like to share about Jose Aldo and Renan Barao's fights (on Saturday) Lamas was able to take a lot of punishment "Junior" tried to knock him out a few times Barao was able to land a good punch and follow up to finish the fight Faber has always had bad luck against Nova Uniao Maybe his game doesn't match up well against our athletes I don't see anyone better in the weight class For his recent visit to your academy in Rio de Janeiro how long did he stay and what did he bring to the table is able to point out things to us that we may miss amongst ourselves And we also showed him some things he had not seen before Barao was the interim champion for a long time while Cruz kept promising to return some fans still need to see him defend that to solidify him as the true champion it wasn't without controversy since Faber claimed he was OK after the stoppage I think that's more of a question for Faber Barao took advantage of the moment and hit Faber as much as possible until the referee stopped it And even if it didn't happen at that moment Barao had the upper hand and the means to get the stoppage Claudia Gadelha recently moved to San Jose and said she might train with AKA before going on "The Ultimate Fighter." Any thoughts So she came to California to spend a month and a half getting to know his family and also learning English (Editor's note: Pederneiras said his fighters tend to avoid English classes even when he pays for them.) Is this because the UFC believes in his potential or because he only lost to top talent Both guys who beat him also fought for the belt he's there because the UFC believes he deserves to be in the top 10 What do you think of Thales Leites' comeback after being out of the UFC for so long He's actively training to be ready for the next opportunity There are several other Brazilians ranked above him now Eduardo Dantas has voiced unhappiness over idle time from Bellator MMA and lack of sponsorship "Dudu" is expected to fight at least three times this year anyone who is booked against a Nova Uniao fighter should expect to face a very well-prepared opponent For complete coverage of UFC 169, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site Prior to Marlon Sandro's fight at Thursday's Bellator 92 event MMAjunkie.com's Christian Stein headed to Brazil for a trip to the featherweight tournament participant's home gym He captured images from inside Academia Upper Flamengo (formal name: Sport Site Club Upper) in Rio de Janeiro's Flamengo neighborhood The star-studded camp is home to the dominant Nova Uniao team just prior to early-year title wins by UFC champs Jose Aldo and Renan Barao as well Bellator titleholder Eduardo Dantas Invicta FC contender Claudia Gadelha also was in the gym Ronys Torres and Sandro oversaw the "shark tank" sessions And for the latest on Bellator 92, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site Mexican goalkeeper Raul Gudiño has joined União da Madeira on loan from FC Porto for the remainder of the Primeira Liga season joins União da Madeira after starting goalkeeper André Moreira picked up an ankle injury last week The Mexico youth international joined FC Porto in the 2014/2015 season from Chivas Gudiño started in 24 games for FC Porto's B-team União da Madeira's next game will be on Sunday when they take on Arouca The Brazil-based owner of Augusta's former Elanco animal pharmaceuticals plant said the idle facility will be restarted in May creating up to 100 new jobs during the next year In an interview with The Augusta Chronicle CEO of União Química Farmacêutica Nacional S.A. said the plant in east Augusta is gearing up to restart production of recombinant bovine somatotropin – a hormone for dairy cows marketed under the Posilac brand name – for the growing dairy industry in Brazil and other South and Central American countries Marques' company acquired the plant in October when he purchased Eli Lilly & Co.'s animal health division for an undisclosed amount laid off more than half its 280-employee workforce and had been targeted for closure in December "It would have been a crime to close this facility because there is a lot of technology involved here," Marques said "We could not accept this – we really needed to keep this facility running." The Elanco plant was União Química's sole supplier of recombinant bovine somatotropin an injectable supplement commonly known as rBST which mimics a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates milk production in dairy cows Privately held União Química is Brazil's largest pharmaceutical company and produces generic drugs and over-the-counter medications Its Union Agener division also produces anti-parasitics The Augusta plant primarily produced 500-mililiter Posilac syringes for North American dairy markets Plant operations manager Rodney Ferguson said the plant already has hired 25 employees this year to help retool the facility to make a 325-mililiter syringe for Central and South American cows which are mainly Holland and African Zebu breeds "They are smaller so they don't need 500 milliliters," Ferguson said "The difference is due to the cows' genetic makeup and the climate." since 1994 but has been banned in many European countries and Canada Demand for "organic" and "natural" foods from American consumers has caused domestic sales to fall sharply despite scientific evidence showing milk produced from rBST-injected cows is indistinguishable from milk produced by non-treated cows Marques said only 3 percent of Brazil dairy producers use rBST Increasing the figure to 20 percent would enable the Augusta plant to activate its second production line Anything beyond that would enable the company to expand the plant by tapping more than $110 million in bond financing approved last year by the Augusta Economic Development Authority "We have a big market to explore here," Marques said "There are a lot of farmers who are not using rBST now and now we can introduce this product again." Union Agener acquired Posilac distribution rights to 25 countries It hopes to gain approval to sell rBST to China's 50 million-cow dairy market Farmers there are under pressure to meet government-mandated milk production quotas Union Agener's general manager for Augusta "The government has set a target that every child until 7 years old needs 1.5 liters per day," he said they can't do this because production is much less than they need." The synthetic hormone enables dairy farmers to get higher milk yields without increasing feed and fertilizer consumption which Marques said lowers consumer prices and reduces dependency on dairy imports Marques said developing nations "really need more milk and lower prices." "That is what makes me most proud of this facility," he said