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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 4 november 2020
In Brazil, a parrot puppeteer's death stirs the nation

By DAVID BILLER troublemaker, grumpy, a
Associated Press flirt, a charmer."
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In The program drew 13 mil-
a time of so much loss, it is lion daily viewers on aver-
rare for an individual death age in 2020, the most in Bra-
to stir a country. And it is zil for its time slot, accord-
extraordinary for national ing to Globo, the channel
grief to be triggered by the that airs it. Brazilians wrote
passing of a puppet. condolence messages on
But so it was in Brazil on social media; some even
Monday, as an outpouring posted fan art. Celebrities
of emotion followed news including singers Ivete San-
that the puppeteer behind galo and Luan Santana, as
Louro José – a 2-foot tall well as YouTube influencer
parrot that is a fixture on Felipe Neto, shared their
the country's most popular sorrow with their tens of mil-
morning show – had died. lions of followers.
Puppeteer Tom Veiga suf- "Louro José was one of the
fered a stroke caused by greatest creations in the
an aneurysm at his home history of Brazilian televi-
in Rio de Janeiro, at age sion," wrote Neto, who TIME
47. For more than two de- magazine recently named
cades, his green-and-yel- one of the world's 100 most
low bird was comic relief on influential people.
the program "Mais Voce," In this photo released on Nov. 2, 2020 by Globo, Globo TV presenter Ana Maria Braga smiles next Louro José was initially
somewhere between side- to the parrot puppet Louro Jose, played by Tom Veiga, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Associated Press conceived of to entertain
kick and co-host to Ana a young audience — and
Maria Braga. The program ers, barely holding herself – Braga didn't shy from dis- Monday to Friday for two that he did — but his jokes
was a welcome source of together while standing in closing personal struggles, decades," Stycer said. "As were hardly infantile, ac-
levity in a country accus- front of a drawing of Louro according to Mauricio Sty- strange as it may seem, it cording to Lígia Mesquita,
tomed to news of violence, José with a halo. "It's really cer, a prominent television became natural. The char- a former newspaper col-
inequality, plus political like a mom who loses a son, critic and columnist. And acter became part of peo- umnist focused on televi-
and economic turbulence. a companion." Louro José complemented ple's lives." sion and now a producer
"I woke up today and kept Her homage reflects in part her with his carefree mock- Louro José often wore cos- herself. The parrot's wit and
thinking how I was going why "Mais Voce" became ing and sarcastic jokes. tumes, and even traveled. double entendres went
to manage to get here so popular. While featur- "The commotion it's caus- Veiga had previously de- right over kids' heads, she
and say 'Good morning' ing standard morning show ing is because it's a doll scribed his character as "a said. q
to you, because it hurts a fare – an upbeat mix of rec- that, together with a per-
lot," Braga, 71, told view- ipes, celebrities and the like son, came into your home

Spanish court takes over new

investigation of ex-king

were probing the alleged
use by the former king,
ex-Queen Sofia and some
family members of credit
cards linked to foreign ac-
counts not in their names.
Spanish government
spokeswoman María Jesús
Montero declined to com-
ment on the case, but said
the government hoped it
would be clarified as soon
as possible. The prosecu-
In this Sunday, June 2, 2019 file photo, Spain's former King Juan tor's office gave no details
Carlos waves during a bullfight at the bullring in Aranjuez, of the probe, but private
Madrid, Spain. news agency Europa Press
Associated Press said prosecutors confirmed
By CIARÁN GILES ing the opening of probes it concerned the case
Associated Press against him in Spain and mentioned by elDiario.es.
MADRID (AP) — Spanish Switzerland. Europa Press didn't name
Supreme Court prosecu- The State Prosecutor's of- the prosecutors who pro-
tors have taken over a new fice Tuesday confirmed the vided that information. A
investigation into the finan- court had taken charge prosecutor's statement said
cial activities of ex-King of a new investigation af- they were also investigat-
Juan Carlos, who recently ter Spanish online daily ing the leaking of the anti-
left Spain to live in an un- elDiario.es reported that corruption probe to a me-
specified country follow- anti-corruption prosecutors dia outlet.q