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Brazilian farmer held over slave-case murders
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Brasilia: Police have arrested one of the world's top bean growers, accusing him of ordering the execution of three labour inspectors who were investigating reports of slavery on one of his plantations.
Norberto Manica, a rancher and businessman, was arrested in southern Brazil and accused of forming the gang that ambushed and killed the labour inspectors and their driver in January, police said.
A judge in the central state of Minas Gerais, where the agents from the Labour Ministry were shot inside their truck, ordered Manica to be held in custody.
"There was already strong and sufficient evidence he ordered this after contradictions he made during questioning," a police spokesman said of Manica's arrest in Corbelia, in the state of Parana.
The killings embarrassed the Government by highlighting the violence involved in modern-day slavery, which is still common in the countryside more than a century after Brazil formally abolished slavery.
The practice, whereby poor workers incur large debts, forcing them to stay on isolated farms, is mostly found in the impoverished north-east. However, these killings took place in Unai, a town just 140 kilometres from the capital, Brasilia.
The Government estimates 25,000 people work as slaves, but rights organisations say the figure could be much higher. Labour inspectors, like the ones who were killed, have this year freed 5000 people from slave-like conditions through surprise raids on farms.
Manica, said to be Brazil's biggest individual bean grower, had already been fined for labour conditions on his plantation, police said. Manica, who also has holdings in the grain producing southern state of Parana, has denied any role in the killings.
Last month police arrested four men who admitted being the hired killers who shot the investigators in their car. Police arrested three others who they suspect hired the gunmen.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed to eradicate forced labour in Brazil.


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ONE of Australia's most acclaimed group 1 jockeys, Glen Boss, believes that those who are predicting the end of Black Caviar's winning streak at Flemington today should focus on the champion mare running times that have never been recorded when she tackles the Lightning Stakes.
Boss, who has won two Lightning Stakes - on Choisir in 2003 and Fastnet Rock (2005) - said the doomsayers were fooling themselves, and that the Australian sporting public could, with luck, see one the most stunning exhibitions of sheer speed when Black Caviar races up the straight 1000 metres today.
''There is no sprinter like her,'' says Boss. ''She has the capabilities to run two sectional times during a race that are five- to six-lengths superior to any horse in the world.
''I just can't see where those who are doubting her ability to win at Flemington [in the Lightning] are coming from.
''This mare can reel off staggering times when asked, but she never is. You know, one day I would love Luke [Nolen] to sit her back four or five lengths from them and go crunch.
''Then we can look at the clock and say that will never be done again. And it won't. And I hope we see it today.''
Boss said that his two Lightning Stakes winners were great sprinters but nothing in his lifetime could compare with Black Caviar.
''I think one day … and it could be today, she is going to get under 10 seconds for 200 metres. I'm very sure she will do it. If it's not today, it will be just around the corner.
''I'm riding in the race on a lovely group 1-winning mare, Lone Rock, who comes from near last and finishes off well. And while she is as honest as the day is long, she can't match the times Black Caviar can carve out, seemingly at the drop of a hat.
''You go out in every race to win. If the odds are stacked against you, well, you find a way of winning. But you scratch your head and think, 'how do you beat this speed machine?' Luke can ride her back in the field or up the front of the race, anywhere for that matter, and still they never seem to get to the bottom of that massive engine.''
Boss said that the riding tactics on Black Caviar had, understandably, been conservative - never once had the connections thrown caution to the wind.
But he said that was with good reason considering the mounting workload she faces, both here and overseas, in the coming months.
''I'm being a bit cheeky but I would love, just for history's sake, for them to set her alight with 400 metres to go and not only put her rivals away but see what the stopwatch says when she hits the line,'' he said. ''I'm just blown away with her incredible turn of foot. That's her weapon, that's what makes her so invincible, and in a grade of her own.
''The amazing ability to put a race away without having to be shaken up or pushed around. She ambles into the race, whatever distance that is, wins - she may shatter the clock, she may not - and goes home for another day.
''We are indeed fortunate to have this rare sprinter racing in our time.
''And hopefully, one day, some unbelievable times might go into history [along] with her record-breaking sequence of winning races.''

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You can get the most out of your air conditioner this summer by paying attention to a few small things. Kevin Comerford, owner of Service Champions, a Diamond Certified company, suggests changing the system's filters frequently because the dirt builds up, restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder and less efficiently. You can do this yourself, and while you're at it, clean and hose off the outside condenser coils with Simple Green. If your system is blowing warm air it may be that the Freon is out of balance or the compressor outside is shut down. So while a professional is checking that, have him clean the blower motor and the indoor evaporator coil.
A programmable thermostat can help reduce your utility bill and eliminate large swings in temperature. This will also extend the life of the air conditioner, which lasts an average of 12 years. The latest models are much more energy efficient.


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If you've ever watched students struggle with overloaded backpacks, you can probably imagine the health risks for their backs and spines.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Association says hauling heavy backpacks on a continual basis can cause stress to growing spinal columns.
With that in mind, the chiropractic association has again partnered with the Salvation Army to give children a good start this school year, and to raise awareness, promote good practices and prevent future back health problems.
With the help of the province's chiropractors, the Salvation Army and the association will distribute 500 ergonomic backpacks and supplies to some of the province's neediest children through the Pack It Light, Wear It Right program. This doubles the organizations' donation from last year, says a prepared release.
The number includes more than 100 bags going to children in the Corner Brook area.
Children should have the opportunity to head back to school without jeopardizing their spines, says Newfoundland and Labrador Chiropractic Association executive director Dr. Darrell Wade in the release.
"This is a basic need as far as I am concerned," he said.