13 h. ago Brazil’s former president arrested and ordered to begin prison sentence

Fernando Collor, who led the country from 1990 to 1992, was sentenced in 2023 after being convicted for corruptionBrazil’s former president, Fernando Collor, has been arrested early and ordered to begin serving a prison sentence stemming from his 2023 conviction for corruption.Collor was convicted of receiving 20m reais ($3.5m) to facilitate contracts between BR Distribuidora, a fuel distributor formerly controlled by the state-owned oil company Petrobras, and construction firm UTC Engenharia for the construction of fuel distribution bases. In return, he offered political support for the appointment of executives at BR Distribuidora when it was still state-owned. Continue reading...

Events

36 h. ago Brazil former President Bolsonaro's health has worsened, doctors say

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s health condition has worsened following bowel surgery nearly two weeks ago, his doctors say

Politics

38 h. ago Pope Francis’s funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness

Saturday’s event will feature leaders who would not usually appear in the same roomAs world leaders head to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, fraught Vatican officials will be poring over logistics in an effort to avoid diplomatic awkwardness.Should Donald Trump be kept away from the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy? Or the French president, Emmanuel Macron, or Brazil’s leftist leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, or any Iranians that might appear? There may be relief that Vladimir Putin has said he will not attend, but will everyone expect front row seats? Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Xi contrasts China’s clean energy promises with Trump turmoil

Virtual meeting of leaders also hears UN’s António Guterres proclaim ‘no group or government’ can stop green revolutionChina will continue to push forward on the climate crisis, Xi Jinping has said while appearing to criticise the “protectionism” of Donald Trump’s tariff policies.The Chinese president was attending a closed-door virtual meeting with the UN secretary general, António Guterres, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and about a dozen other heads of state and government to discuss the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago UN chief: no group or government can stop clean energy future

Remarks by António Guterres follow virtual meeting with world leaders including China’s Xi JinpingNo government or fossil fuel interest can hold the world back from pursuing a clean energy future, the the UN secretary general has said, after a key meeting with the president of China.António Guterres held a closed-door virtual meeting with Xi Jinping of China on Wednesday, along with Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and about a dozen other heads of state and government, to discuss the climate crisis. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Brazilian judges accept coup plot charges against more Bolsonaro allies

Panel unanimously accepts charges against six more key allies of ex-president over alleged plan to keep him in officeA panel of Brazil’s supreme court justices has unanimously accepted criminal charges against six more key allies of former president Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot to keep him in office after his 2022 election defeat.Last month, the panel unanimously accepted charges against Bolsonaro and seven close allies over the alleged coup plot following his loss to current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and ordered the former rightwing leader to stand trial. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro remains hospitalized with abdominal pain

Doctors say former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro remains hospitalized with abdominal pain and is expected to be transferred by medical aircraft from northeastern Brazil to the capital Brasilia

Politics

2 w. ago Brazil to prioritize negotiation after US trade tariffs, official says

Brazil’s strategy to address extra tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump is to combine negotiations with the U.S. while it expands trade agreements with other countries, a top foreign trade official said Thursday

Politics

3 w. ago Why Starmer’s trade diplomacy may still bear fruit despite 10% tariffs on UK

Retaliation may not be needed as Britain likely to be ‘front of the queue’ in agreeing deal to redraw trade relationshipWhat is the best way to respond to Donald Trump and his sweeping tariffs? Keir Starmer thinks the answer is to tread softly, softly – while engaging in intensive negotiations behind the scenes.There are signs that this strategy is bearing fruit. On Wednesday night, the president announced “reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world” including a 10% import tax on UK exports to the US – crucially, lower than the 20% imposed on the EU. The 10% rate was the lowest rate Trump announced and applied to several other countries including Australia, Singapore and Brazil.100 days of Trump’s presidency, with Jonathan Freedland and guests Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Brazil's Lula to meet Putin and Xi amid global trade war fears

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will meet with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow and China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing, two important partners for the South American giant, in May

Politics

4 w. ago Is coup trial ruling the beginning of the end for Bolsonaro and his supporters?

While many in Brazil delight at the ex president’s predicted downfall, others fear who may follow in his far-right footstepsThere were cries of joy in progressive parts of Rio on Wednesday as Brazil’s supreme court ruled that the former president Jair Bolsonaro should stand trial for an alleged coup plot.“No amnesty! No amnesty!” one elated lefty roared from his balcony into the sunny autumn afternoon. Continue reading...

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