Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s disapproval rating passed 50 per cent for the first time, according to a poll published by the Datafolha Institute, marking a new low in the far-right leader’s declining popularity.

Bolsonaro’s gap to former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of next year’s elections also increased from 18 to 21 percentage points.

The percentage of people that consider Bolsonaro to be doing a “bad" or “terrible" job increased from 45 per cent in May to 51 per cent in the poll conducted among more than 2,000 people from July 7-8 and published overnight Thursday to Friday. Bolsonaro’s approval rating also remained at its lowest mark of 24 per cent, set in May.

His highest approval rating of 37 per cent came in December 2020.

But his popularity started to plummet from January 2021, when the government stopped handing out subsidies to mitigate the economic crunch caused by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country of 212 million people.

And the fall continued as Brazil entered a second, and more lethal, pandemic wave at the beginning of 2021, followed by corruption allegations surrounding Bolsonaro’s handling of the health crisis, which has claimed the lives of 530,000 Brazilians.

In the election opinion polls, Bolsonaro’s share increased from 23 per cent in May to 25 Percent, but the uptick fell short of Lula’s jump from 41 to 46 per cent.

Former trade unionist Lula, 75, was denied the possibility of running against Bolsonaro in 2018, as he was serving a 12-year graft sentence linked to the Petrobras corruption scandal. But he was released 18 months later and in March had his convictions quashed on procedural grounds.

The Datafolha poll found the popular Lula would defeat 66-year-old Bolsonaro by 58 per cent to 31 per cent in a second-round election run-off — another four per cent increase on the difference in May.

Both men have their detractors, however, with Bolsonaro’s rejection rating rising from 54 to 59 per cent and Lula’s creeping up from 36 to 37 per cent. Bolsonaro is the subject of a senate investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed.

He’s also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases. The opposition is pushing for the chamber of deputies president to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s disapproval rating passed 50 per cent for the first time, according to a poll published by the Datafolha Institute, marking a new low in the far-right leader’s declining popularity.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s disapproval rating passed 50 per cent for the first time, according to a poll published by the Datafolha Institute, marking a new low in the far-right leader’s declining popularity. Bolsonaro’s gap to former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of next year’s elections also increased from 18 to 21 percentage points. The percentage of people that consider Bolsonaro to be doing a “bad" or “terrible" job increased from 45 per cent in May to 51 per cent in the poll conducted among more than 2,000 people from July 7-8 and published overnight Thursday to Friday. Bolsonaro’s approval rating also remained at its lowest mark of 24 per cent, set in May. His highest approval rating of 37 per cent came in December 2020. But his popularity started to plummet from January 2021, when the government stopped handing out subsidies to mitigate the economic crunch caused by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country of 212 million people. And the fall continued as Brazil entered a second, and more lethal, pandemic wave at the beginning of 2021, followed by corruption allegations surrounding Bolsonaro’s handling of the health crisis, which has claimed the lives of 530,000 Brazilians. In the election opinion polls, Bolsonaro’s share increased from 23 per cent in May to 25 Percent, but the uptick fell short of Lula’s jump from 41 to 46 per cent. Former trade unionist Lula, 75, was denied the possibility of running against Bolsonaro in 2018, as he was serving a 12-year graft sentence linked to the Petrobras corruption scandal. But he was released 18 months later and in March had his convictions quashed on procedural grounds. The Datafolha poll found the popular Lula would defeat 66-year-old Bolsonaro by 58 per cent to 31 per cent in a second-round election run-off — another four per cent increase on the difference in May. Both men have their detractors, however, with Bolsonaro’s rejection rating rising from 54 to 59 per cent and Lula’s creeping up from 36 to 37 per cent. Bolsonaro is the subject of a senate investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed. He’s also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases. The opposition is pushing for the chamber of deputies president to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro.

Amid declining popularity, Bolsonaro's disapproval rating surpasses 50% for the first time

Impeachment? Brazilians protest against Jair Bolsonaro for poor handling of COVID-19

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday he would hand over power to whoever wins next year's presidential election cleanly - but not if there is any fraud.

His comments will do little to dispel the concerns of his critics, who fear that the far-right former army captain will not accept any election loss in next year's vote. Bolsonaro is almost certain to face his political nemesis, former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Polls show Lula ahead.

"I'll hand over the presidential sash to whoever wins the election cleanly," Bolsonaro said in a weekly address via social media. "Not with fraud."

Since his 2018 election victory, Bolsonaro has made baseless allegations of voter fraud in Brazil, which critics say could lay the groundwork to challenge upcoming elections in the same vein as his political idol, former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Bolsonaro backed Trump's claims of a stolen election last year, which culminated in a deadly January&nbsp;6 assault on the Capitol building in Washington by Trump supporters.

In recent months, Bolsonaro has been touting a bill for printed ballots rather than Brazil's modern computer voting. He has said the printed ballots will be easier to audit, and are thus more likely to avoid fraud. Few experts agree, and the bill has yet to gain much traction in Congress.

On Thursday, Bolsonaro said he was "alerting" people about the possibility of problems if the current electronic system remains in place.

"The people won't accept it," he said.

Bolsonaro also said his government was in talks about extending an emergency coronavirus aid package for two or three more months.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday he would hand over power to whoever wins next year's presidential election cleanly - but not if there is any fraud.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday he would hand over power to whoever wins next year's presidential election cleanly - but not if there is any fraud. His comments will do little to dispel the concerns of his critics, who fear that the far-right former army captain will not accept any election loss in next year's vote. Bolsonaro is almost certain to face his political nemesis, former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Polls show Lula ahead. "I'll hand over the presidential sash to whoever wins the election cleanly," Bolsonaro said in a weekly address via social media. "Not with fraud." Since his 2018 election victory, Bolsonaro has made baseless allegations of voter fraud in Brazil, which critics say could lay the groundwork to challenge upcoming elections in the same vein as his political idol, former US President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro backed Trump's claims of a stolen election last year, which culminated in a deadly January 6 assault on the Capitol building in Washington by Trump supporters. In recent months, Bolsonaro has been touting a bill for printed ballots rather than Brazil's modern computer voting. He has said the printed ballots will be easier to audit, and are thus more likely to avoid fraud. Few experts agree, and the bill has yet to gain much traction in Congress. On Thursday, Bolsonaro said he was "alerting" people about the possibility of problems if the current electronic system remains in place. "The people won't accept it," he said. Bolsonaro also said his government was in talks about extending an emergency coronavirus aid package for two or three more months.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says he won't hand over presidency if there is vote fraud

An opposition senator filed a formal criminal complaint at the Supreme Court on Monday against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a COVID-19 vaccine deal that is under investigation for alleged irregularities. 
 
Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing in the deal to buy vaccines developed by India's Bharat Biotech, saying on Monday that he was not aware of any irregularities. A health ministry whistleblower had&nbsp;said he personally alerted the president to being pressured by his superiors to buy the shots. 
 
In a video released by his office, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he had filed a request for the Supreme Court to probe the president 'on account of the serious allegations' and because Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the health ministry'. 
 
The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
The Bharat contract is being probed by federal prosecutors and lawmakers to see why the government struck a speedy agreement with an intermediary for the company after COVID-19 vaccine offers from Pfizer Inc at a lower price were ignored. 
 
Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into a contract worth 1.6 billion reais ($320 million) for 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's vaccine. Prosecutors cited comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the contract signed in February. 
 
Rodrigues, who represents the opposition Rede Sustentabilidade party, is a senior member of a Senate committee probing the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
More than 500,000 people have died from the virus in Brazil, and Bolsonaro has seen his popularity fade after playing down its severity, shunning lockdowns and touting unproven miracle cures. 
 
It remains to be seen if Rodrigues' request will be accepted by the Supreme Court, but the seriousness of the allegations is likely to pose a headache for the president ahead of next year's election where is almost certain to seek re-election. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

An opposition senator filed a formal criminal complaint at the Supreme Court on Monday against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a COVID-19 vaccine deal that is under investigation for alleged irregularities.

An opposition senator filed a formal criminal complaint at the Supreme Court on Monday against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a COVID-19 vaccine deal that is under investigation for alleged irregularities. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing in the deal to buy vaccines developed by India's Bharat Biotech, saying on Monday that he was not aware of any irregularities. A health ministry whistleblower had said he personally alerted the president to being pressured by his superiors to buy the shots. In a video released by his office, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he had filed a request for the Supreme Court to probe the president 'on account of the serious allegations' and because Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the health ministry'. The president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Bharat contract is being probed by federal prosecutors and lawmakers to see why the government struck a speedy agreement with an intermediary for the company after COVID-19 vaccine offers from Pfizer Inc at a lower price were ignored. Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into a contract worth 1.6 billion reais ($320 million) for 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's vaccine. Prosecutors cited comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the contract signed in February. Rodrigues, who represents the opposition Rede Sustentabilidade party, is a senior member of a Senate committee probing the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 500,000 people have died from the virus in Brazil, and Bolsonaro has seen his popularity fade after playing down its severity, shunning lockdowns and touting unproven miracle cures. It remains to be seen if Rodrigues' request will be accepted by the Supreme Court, but the seriousness of the allegations is likely to pose a headache for the president ahead of next year's election where is almost certain to seek re-election. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil senator files criminal complaint against Bolsonaro over vaccine deal with India's Bharat Biotech

Brazil`s government on Monday unveiled emergency hydroelectric measures in response to a drought that has emptied reservoirs and fanned inflation expectations. 
 
Mines and Energy minister Bento Albuquerque in a speech urged consumers to be conscientious in their power and water use, but did not announce energy rationing. He said the government was working on a voluntary program to incentivise companies to use power outside of peak hours. 
 
The news comes after President Jair Bolsonaro signed a temporary executive order that establishes an emergency body, known as the Chamber of Exceptional Rules for Hydro-energy Management. It is able to temporarily establish limits which "may result in a reduction in the flow of hydroelectric plants." The order also paves the way for the government to buy electricity reserves from private companies. 
 
Brazil - Latin America`s biggest country, with the world`s second highest COVID-19 death toll - is facing its worst drought in over 90 years, sparking fears of energy rationing and driving inflation fears. The lack of rain also poses a headache for the country`s giant agriculture sector. 
 
Albuquerque has previously ruled out rationing, but said consumers should expect to pay more for their electricity, as power producers are forced to switch to more expensive sources. 
 
On Friday, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) recommended measures to control energy use and combat waste, asking consumers to take shorter showers and reduce the use of air conditioning, among other measures.

Brazil`s government on Monday unveiled emergency hydroelectric measures in response to a drought that has emptied reservoirs and fanned inflation expectations. Mines and Energy minister Bento Albuquerque in a speech urged consumers to be conscientious in their power and water use, but did not announce energy rationing.

Brazil`s government on Monday unveiled emergency hydroelectric measures in response to a drought that has emptied reservoirs and fanned inflation expectations. Mines and Energy minister Bento Albuquerque in a speech urged consumers to be conscientious in their power and water use, but did not announce energy rationing. He said the government was working on a voluntary program to incentivise companies to use power outside of peak hours. The news comes after President Jair Bolsonaro signed a temporary executive order that establishes an emergency body, known as the Chamber of Exceptional Rules for Hydro-energy Management. It is able to temporarily establish limits which "may result in a reduction in the flow of hydroelectric plants." The order also paves the way for the government to buy electricity reserves from private companies. Brazil - Latin America`s biggest country, with the world`s second highest COVID-19 death toll - is facing its worst drought in over 90 years, sparking fears of energy rationing and driving inflation fears. The lack of rain also poses a headache for the country`s giant agriculture sector. Albuquerque has previously ruled out rationing, but said consumers should expect to pay more for their electricity, as power producers are forced to switch to more expensive sources. On Friday, the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) recommended measures to control energy use and combat waste, asking consumers to take shorter showers and reduce the use of air conditioning, among other measures.

Brazil unveils emergency power measures to beat drought

President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;on Thursday said Brazil never paid for or received any doses of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Indian company Bharat Biotech, in response to allegations of irregularities in a deal that is under investigation.

Federal prosecutors and a special Senate committee are investigating the deal for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot, citing the fact that the government struck a speedy agreement when offers from Pfizer in 2020 at a lower price were ignored at the time.

"We didn't spend one cent on Covaxin. We didn't receive one dose of Covaxin. What sort of corruption is this?"&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;said.

The president pledged to take action if any corruption was discovered in his government.&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;said the price for the Bharat vaccines was broadly in line with other countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-delta-variant-is-infecting-vaccinated-people-says-israel-393811">Also Read |&nbsp;COVID-19: Delta variant is infecting vaccinated people, says Israel</a>

He said the government's position has always been to only carry out purchases of vaccines after they are approved for use by federal health authority Anvisa.

Covaxin has yet to receive approval for public use, although it has received permission to conduct a phase 3 clinical trial via a Brazilian partner company.

On Wednesday, Bharat Biotech said in a statement that it had yet to provide vaccine supplies to Brazil and that it has been consistent and transparent in its pricing with all governments.

President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said Brazil never paid for or received any doses of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Indian company Bharat Biotech, in response to allegations of irregularities in a deal that is under investigation.

President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said Brazil never paid for or received any doses of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Indian company Bharat Biotech, in response to allegations of irregularities in a deal that is under investigation. Federal prosecutors and a special Senate committee are investigating the deal for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot, citing the fact that the government struck a speedy agreement when offers from Pfizer in 2020 at a lower price were ignored at the time. "We didn't spend one cent on Covaxin. We didn't receive one dose of Covaxin. What sort of corruption is this?" Bolsonaro said. The president pledged to take action if any corruption was discovered in his government. Bolsonaro said the price for the Bharat vaccines was broadly in line with other countries. Also Read | COVID-19: Delta variant is infecting vaccinated people, says Israel He said the government's position has always been to only carry out purchases of vaccines after they are approved for use by federal health authority Anvisa. Covaxin has yet to receive approval for public use, although it has received permission to conduct a phase 3 clinical trial via a Brazilian partner company. On Wednesday, Bharat Biotech said in a statement that it had yet to provide vaccine supplies to Brazil and that it has been consistent and transparent in its pricing with all governments.

Bolsonaro says Brazil didn't spend a cent on Bharat vaccine deal under probe

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday told a journalist who questioned his frequent refusal to wear a mask to "shut up" and called Globo Group, the country's largest media conglomerate, "shi**y."&nbsp;

"Shut your mouth! You are creeps! You practice rogue journalism, which doesn't help at all. You destroy the Brazilian family, destroy the Brazilian religion!" Bolsonaro lashed out at the reporter after a military ceremony in Guaratingueta, in the state of Sao Paulo.&nbsp; 
 
The journalist from TV Vanguarda, a station from the Globo network, had just reminded the far-right former army officer that he had been fined in several states for refusing to wear a mask in meetings with his supporters.&nbsp; 
 
When the reporter pointed out that Bolsonaro had arrived at the ceremony without a face covering, Bolsonaro snapped back: "I arrive as I want, when I want. I take care of my own life."&nbsp; 
 
Immediately afterwards, he took off the black mask that he was wearing at the time, and declared: "Now you can put it on the Jornal Nacional (Globo's popular nightly newscast): 'I am not wearing a mask in Guaratingueta. Are you happy now?"&nbsp; 
 
Since coming to power in January 2019, Bolsonaro has repeatedly attacked journalists and the media. On Monday, he continued his harangue by declaring that "Globo is a shitty press. You are a crap press... if you watch Globo, you get misinformation. You should be ashamed of yourself for doing such a lousy job," he said.&nbsp; 
 
The Globo Group was quick to react. "The president will not impede or inhibit the work of the press in Brazil by shouting or with intolerance," it said in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
Bolsonaro also railed against CNN Brazil, accusing it of having "praised" demonstrations that last Sunday brought together tens of thousands of people to criticise the government's policy against the coronavirus pandemic, which has already left more than 500,000 dead in the country.&nbsp; 
 
Bolsonaro has opposed any social distancing or isolation measures since the start of the pandemic, and has questioned the efficacy of vaccines and the usefulness of masks, while promoting drugs that have no proven efficacy in fighting the virus.&nbsp; 
 
"As long as I am president... we are going to fight so that citizens have weapons and are not obliged to wear masks," he said last Thursday in his weekly live programme.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday told a journalist who questioned his frequent refusal to wear a mask to "shut up" and called Globo Group, the country's largest media conglomerate, "shi**y.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday told a journalist who questioned his frequent refusal to wear a mask to "shut up" and called Globo Group, the country's largest media conglomerate, "shi**y." "Shut your mouth! You are creeps! You practice rogue journalism, which doesn't help at all. You destroy the Brazilian family, destroy the Brazilian religion!" Bolsonaro lashed out at the reporter after a military ceremony in Guaratingueta, in the state of Sao Paulo. The journalist from TV Vanguarda, a station from the Globo network, had just reminded the far-right former army officer that he had been fined in several states for refusing to wear a mask in meetings with his supporters. When the reporter pointed out that Bolsonaro had arrived at the ceremony without a face covering, Bolsonaro snapped back: "I arrive as I want, when I want. I take care of my own life." Immediately afterwards, he took off the black mask that he was wearing at the time, and declared: "Now you can put it on the Jornal Nacional (Globo's popular nightly newscast): 'I am not wearing a mask in Guaratingueta. Are you happy now?" Since coming to power in January 2019, Bolsonaro has repeatedly attacked journalists and the media. On Monday, he continued his harangue by declaring that "Globo is a shitty press. You are a crap press... if you watch Globo, you get misinformation. You should be ashamed of yourself for doing such a lousy job," he said. The Globo Group was quick to react. "The president will not impede or inhibit the work of the press in Brazil by shouting or with intolerance," it said in a statement. Bolsonaro also railed against CNN Brazil, accusing it of having "praised" demonstrations that last Sunday brought together tens of thousands of people to criticise the government's policy against the coronavirus pandemic, which has already left more than 500,000 dead in the country. Bolsonaro has opposed any social distancing or isolation measures since the start of the pandemic, and has questioned the efficacy of vaccines and the usefulness of masks, while promoting drugs that have no proven efficacy in fighting the virus. "As long as I am president... we are going to fight so that citizens have weapons and are not obliged to wear masks," he said last Thursday in his weekly live programme.

Bolsonaro asks journalist to 'shut up' for urging him to keep mask on

Thousands took to the streets across Brazil on Saturday to protest against President Jair Bolsonaro's pandemic response, blasting the leader for not acquiring vaccines fast enough and for questioning the need for mask-wearing. 
 
Brazil surpassed 500,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, according to the Health Ministry, the world's highest death toll after the United States. 
 
The government faces fierce criticism for passing up early opportunities to buy vaccines. Pharmaceutical maker Pfizer said it got no response to offers to sell vaccines to the government between August and November last year. 
 
"We are protesting against the genocidal Bolsonaro government that did not buy vaccines and has done nothing to take care of its people in the last year," said 36-year-old Aline Rabelo, while protesting on the national mall in Brasilia. 
 
Bolsonaro's press office did not respond to request for comment. Only 11% of Brazilians are fully vaccinated and 29% have received a first dose, Health Ministry data shows. 
 
Brazilian media reported that protests had been held in all 26 states as well as the capital Brasilia. 
 
Many demonstrators called the 500,000 dead a form of genocide carried out by the government on the Brazilian people. They chanted, beat drums and held up signs demanding Bolsonaro be removed for office. 
 
"Half a million reasons to oust Bolsonaro," read one protestor's sign in downtown Sao Paulo. 
 
While organisers promised the largest demonstrations yet in more than 300 cities, gatherings in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia on Saturday morning did not appear to be larger than the last major protests on May 29. 
 
Protests in Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial center, blocked major downtown thoroughfares, where protesters unfurled a banner the size of a city block demanding "Life, Bread, Vaccines and Education." It was unclear how the crowd compared to May 29 protest there. 
 
A special Senate committee is probing the Bolsonaro administration's pandemic response, highlighting delayed efforts to acquire vaccines while prioritizing unproven treatments for COVID-19. 
 
Last month, a poll showed Bolsonaro's popularity has sunk to new lows with only 24% of Brazilians saying his administration is "good" or "great." The same poll showed Bolsonaro's left wing rival, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, would win in a run-off vote if the 2022 elections were held today.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands took to the streets across Brazil on Saturday to protest against President Jair Bolsonaro's pandemic response, blasting the leader for not acquiring vaccines fast enough and for questioning the need for mask-wearing.

Thousands took to the streets across Brazil on Saturday to protest against President Jair Bolsonaro's pandemic response, blasting the leader for not acquiring vaccines fast enough and for questioning the need for mask-wearing. Brazil surpassed 500,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, according to the Health Ministry, the world's highest death toll after the United States. The government faces fierce criticism for passing up early opportunities to buy vaccines. Pharmaceutical maker Pfizer said it got no response to offers to sell vaccines to the government between August and November last year. "We are protesting against the genocidal Bolsonaro government that did not buy vaccines and has done nothing to take care of its people in the last year," said 36-year-old Aline Rabelo, while protesting on the national mall in Brasilia. Bolsonaro's press office did not respond to request for comment. Only 11% of Brazilians are fully vaccinated and 29% have received a first dose, Health Ministry data shows. Brazilian media reported that protests had been held in all 26 states as well as the capital Brasilia. Many demonstrators called the 500,000 dead a form of genocide carried out by the government on the Brazilian people. They chanted, beat drums and held up signs demanding Bolsonaro be removed for office. "Half a million reasons to oust Bolsonaro," read one protestor's sign in downtown Sao Paulo. While organisers promised the largest demonstrations yet in more than 300 cities, gatherings in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia on Saturday morning did not appear to be larger than the last major protests on May 29. Protests in Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and financial center, blocked major downtown thoroughfares, where protesters unfurled a banner the size of a city block demanding "Life, Bread, Vaccines and Education." It was unclear how the crowd compared to May 29 protest there. A special Senate committee is probing the Bolsonaro administration's pandemic response, highlighting delayed efforts to acquire vaccines while prioritizing unproven treatments for COVID-19. Last month, a poll showed Bolsonaro's popularity has sunk to new lows with only 24% of Brazilians saying his administration is "good" or "great." The same poll showed Bolsonaro's left wing rival, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, would win in a run-off vote if the 2022 elections were held today. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazilians protest Bolsonaro's role in half a million COVID-19 deaths

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining.

Bolsonaro was seen in a video listening to local indigenous leader in Maturaca, an Amazon village in the Yanomami reservation.

In the meeting, which took place on Thursday, the leaders asked Bolsonaro to protect their lands from the threat of mining. A Yanomami warrior presented him with a bunch of long arrows that the president held as he spoke to the community.

"Your wishes will be respected. If you do not want mining, there will be no mining," Bolsonaro said.

But he added that other indigenous people in the Amazon and outside the Amazon wanted to mine their land and grow crops, "and we will respect that right of theirs."

Bolsonaro promised Yanomami people that they wouldn't be forced by law to accept mining on their lands.

"It was very good. He made a speech saying that our territory is not threatened by mining," Jose Mario Goes, head of the Yanomami Association of the River Cauaburi and Tributaries, told Reuters by phone.

Bolsonaro did not discuss the gold rush happening at the eastern end of the Yanomami reservation, in the state of Roraima, where more than 20,000 wildcat miners have invaded protected indigenous lands, bringing in malaria and the risk of COVID-19 infections, as well as incidents of violence.

Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time since he became head of state.

But some indigenous leaders had asked him not to visit their lands, complaining that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in what they said was a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year.

Bolsonaro also inaugurated a 20-meter wooden bridge built by the Brazilian army on the Balaio reservation where the Tukano indigenous people live and where major reserves of niobium have been found.

The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that he argues Brazil must exploit.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining.

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining. Bolsonaro was seen in a video listening to local indigenous leader in Maturaca, an Amazon village in the Yanomami reservation. In the meeting, which took place on Thursday, the leaders asked Bolsonaro to protect their lands from the threat of mining. A Yanomami warrior presented him with a bunch of long arrows that the president held as he spoke to the community. "Your wishes will be respected. If you do not want mining, there will be no mining," Bolsonaro said. But he added that other indigenous people in the Amazon and outside the Amazon wanted to mine their land and grow crops, "and we will respect that right of theirs." Bolsonaro promised Yanomami people that they wouldn't be forced by law to accept mining on their lands. "It was very good. He made a speech saying that our territory is not threatened by mining," Jose Mario Goes, head of the Yanomami Association of the River Cauaburi and Tributaries, told Reuters by phone. Bolsonaro did not discuss the gold rush happening at the eastern end of the Yanomami reservation, in the state of Roraima, where more than 20,000 wildcat miners have invaded protected indigenous lands, bringing in malaria and the risk of COVID-19 infections, as well as incidents of violence. Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time since he became head of state. But some indigenous leaders had asked him not to visit their lands, complaining that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in what they said was a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year. Bolsonaro also inaugurated a 20-meter wooden bridge built by the Brazilian army on the Balaio reservation where the Tukano indigenous people live and where major reserves of niobium have been found. The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that he argues Brazil must exploit. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil President Bolsonaro to keep mining out of indigenous lands in Amazon

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." 
 
Bolsonaro`s popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the far-right leader played down its severity, dismissed mask wearing and cast doubt on the importance of vaccines. 
 
Organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations, Saturday`s protests in the capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro were peaceful, but in the northeastern city of Recife, police threw tear gas and shot rubber bullets. 
 
In Sao Paulo, Brazil`s largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one the largest city`s avenues. One large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire. 
 
Some protests, like the one in Rio, included images of former leftist president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wearing the presidential sash. 
 
Earlier in May, Lula met centrist Fernando Henrique Cardoso, also a two-term former president, for lunch in a public show of their common purpose to block Bolsonaro from gaining a second term in next year`s presidential election.

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now.

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." Bolsonaro`s popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the far-right leader played down its severity, dismissed mask wearing and cast doubt on the importance of vaccines. Organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations, Saturday`s protests in the capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro were peaceful, but in the northeastern city of Recife, police threw tear gas and shot rubber bullets. In Sao Paulo, Brazil`s largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one the largest city`s avenues. One large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire. Some protests, like the one in Rio, included images of former leftist president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wearing the presidential sash. Earlier in May, Lula met centrist Fernando Henrique Cardoso, also a two-term former president, for lunch in a public show of their common purpose to block Bolsonaro from gaining a second term in next year`s presidential election.

Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response

Brazil`s President Jair Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time as head of state, despite protests from some tribal leaders against his drive to open up their protected lands to commercial mining. 
 
Bolsonaro, flanked by army officers and wearing a feather head-dress, watched members of the local Tukano community perform a ritual dance at the Balaio reservation, where he inaugurated a bridge. 
 
Regional indigenous leaders from the upper reaches of the Rio Negro river said they were not invited to see Bolsonaro and that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year. 
 
"Our institution is three decades old but we were not included in the president`s agenda or any dialogue on public polices for the region," the Federation of Rio Negro Indigenous Organizations said in a statement. "He met with self-proclaimed leaders to produce fake news." 
 
The president`s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
The wooden bridge that Bolsonaro inaugurated was built by the Brazilian army on a road that runs to the border with Venezuela, passing through the Balaio reservation, where major reserves of niobium have been found. 
 
The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that Brazil must exploit. 
 
The Balaio reservation is above the Rio Negro at the north-western tip of Brazil bordering Colombia and Venezuela. 
 
Bolsonaro later visited and stayed overnight at a military frontier post in Maturacá, which is located at the western end of the Yanomami reservation, the largest in Brazil. 
 
The reservation`s eastern section in the state of Roraima has been invaded by more than 20,000 illegal gold miners, who have been emboldened by Bolsonaro`s support for the legalization of wildcat mining in Brazil. 
 
Yanomami leaders deplored the far-right president`s visit to their reservation and repeated their calls for authorities to expel the miners. 
 
"The government must urgently remove the invaders from our territories to safeguard our health and that of Mother Earth," they said in a letter to Bolsonaro. 
 
"We do not accept the legalization of mining activities on our lands, because it will not bring the Yanomami any benefit," the letter signed by leaders from Maturacá said. 
 
Bolsonaro`s visit came the day after gold miners illegally prospecting on indigenous lands along the Tapajos river in the Amazon shot at a Munduruku village and burned down the house of one of its leaders. 
 
The lower house of Brazil`s Congress, where Bolsonaro supporters have a majority, is currently considering legislation proposed by the government that would open the door to commercial mining and agriculture on indigenous reservations. 
&nbsp;

Brazil`s President Jair Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time as head of state, despite protests from some tribal leaders against his drive to open up their protected lands to commercial mining.

Brazil`s President Jair Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time as head of state, despite protests from some tribal leaders against his drive to open up their protected lands to commercial mining. Bolsonaro, flanked by army officers and wearing a feather head-dress, watched members of the local Tukano community perform a ritual dance at the Balaio reservation, where he inaugurated a bridge. Regional indigenous leaders from the upper reaches of the Rio Negro river said they were not invited to see Bolsonaro and that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year. "Our institution is three decades old but we were not included in the president`s agenda or any dialogue on public polices for the region," the Federation of Rio Negro Indigenous Organizations said in a statement. "He met with self-proclaimed leaders to produce fake news." The president`s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The wooden bridge that Bolsonaro inaugurated was built by the Brazilian army on a road that runs to the border with Venezuela, passing through the Balaio reservation, where major reserves of niobium have been found. The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that Brazil must exploit. The Balaio reservation is above the Rio Negro at the north-western tip of Brazil bordering Colombia and Venezuela. Bolsonaro later visited and stayed overnight at a military frontier post in Maturacá, which is located at the western end of the Yanomami reservation, the largest in Brazil. The reservation`s eastern section in the state of Roraima has been invaded by more than 20,000 illegal gold miners, who have been emboldened by Bolsonaro`s support for the legalization of wildcat mining in Brazil. Yanomami leaders deplored the far-right president`s visit to their reservation and repeated their calls for authorities to expel the miners. "The government must urgently remove the invaders from our territories to safeguard our health and that of Mother Earth," they said in a letter to Bolsonaro. "We do not accept the legalization of mining activities on our lands, because it will not bring the Yanomami any benefit," the letter signed by leaders from Maturacá said. Bolsonaro`s visit came the day after gold miners illegally prospecting on indigenous lands along the Tapajos river in the Amazon shot at a Munduruku village and burned down the house of one of its leaders. The lower house of Brazil`s Congress, where Bolsonaro supporters have a majority, is currently considering legislation proposed by the government that would open the door to commercial mining and agriculture on indigenous reservations.

Bolsonaro visits indigenous lands in Amazon despite protests

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has made headlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On multiple occasions, he downplayed the gravity of pandemic, even referring to it as a flu.

Now, it turns out that the outspoken president was not truly in favour of mass inoculations in the country, and had originally backed on reaching herd immunity to fight the virus.

Senator Renan Calheiros, who is heading the country’s enquiry into the handling of COVID-19 crisis revealed details of the probe on Friday. Calheiros added that it still remains unclear whether the president committed any criminal offences while handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and added that further investigation is required.

"I think everything points in that direction," Calheiros said, while referring to Bolsonaro’s wish for Brazil to fight the virus by developing herd immunity.

The senator also alleged that Bolsonaro denied the virus. "The president first denied the disease, called it a flu, and then argued against social isolation and lockdown. Then he played down the use of masks and encouraged crowds to gather," Calheiros added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/bolsonaros-approval-falls-to-24-lowest-ever-poll-384826" hreflang="en">Bolsonaro's approval falls to 24%, lowest ever: Poll</a>

"Why is that? Because of herd immunity, the natural immunity ... you have to encourage crowds and the spread of the virus," Calheiros was cited by Reuters as saying. "This is why he never wanted a vaccine," Calheiros further said of Bolsonaro. He also noted how Bolsonaro was slow to use the funds provided by Congress with the aim to procure vaccines from abroad.

When a large part of a given territory’s population achieves immunity against COVID-19, it’s called herd immunity. Most of the times this occurs through widespread infection, which in turn limits the scope of person-to-person infection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/military-knows-all-about-biological-warfare-bolsonaros-swipe-at-china-over-covid-19-383113" hreflang="en">'Military knows all about biological warfare': Bolsonaro's swipe at China over COVID-19</a>

Calheiros has remained a staunch critic of Bolsonaro. His report on the government will focus on the delays in procuring vaccines, and will also assess the negotiations that took place with vaccine makers around the world. In addition, it will also look at how failures in the Amazon&nbsp;resulted in a new variant.

So far, Brazil has registered over 16 million Covid cases. More than 450,000 people have succumbed to the virus in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has made headlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On multiple occasions, he downplayed the gravity of pandemic, even referring to it as a flu.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has made headlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On multiple occasions, he downplayed the gravity of pandemic, even referring to it as a flu. Now, it turns out that the outspoken president was not truly in favour of mass inoculations in the country, and had originally backed on reaching herd immunity to fight the virus. Senator Renan Calheiros, who is heading the country’s enquiry into the handling of COVID-19 crisis revealed details of the probe on Friday. Calheiros added that it still remains unclear whether the president committed any criminal offences while handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and added that further investigation is required. "I think everything points in that direction," Calheiros said, while referring to Bolsonaro’s wish for Brazil to fight the virus by developing herd immunity. The senator also alleged that Bolsonaro denied the virus. "The president first denied the disease, called it a flu, and then argued against social isolation and lockdown. Then he played down the use of masks and encouraged crowds to gather," Calheiros added. Also read: Bolsonaro's approval falls to 24%, lowest ever: Poll "Why is that? Because of herd immunity, the natural immunity ... you have to encourage crowds and the spread of the virus," Calheiros was cited by Reuters as saying. "This is why he never wanted a vaccine," Calheiros further said of Bolsonaro. He also noted how Bolsonaro was slow to use the funds provided by Congress with the aim to procure vaccines from abroad. When a large part of a given territory’s population achieves immunity against COVID-19, it’s called herd immunity. Most of the times this occurs through widespread infection, which in turn limits the scope of person-to-person infection. Also read: 'Military knows all about biological warfare': Bolsonaro's swipe at China over COVID-19 Calheiros has remained a staunch critic of Bolsonaro. His report on the government will focus on the delays in procuring vaccines, and will also assess the negotiations that took place with vaccine makers around the world. In addition, it will also look at how failures in the Amazon resulted in a new variant. So far, Brazil has registered over 16 million Covid cases. More than 450,000 people have succumbed to the virus in the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Bolsonaro preferred COVID-19 herd immunity over vaccines, says Brazilian senator probing country's response

Only about 24 per cent&nbsp;of Brazilians think the administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been "good" or "great," his lowest popularity rating since taking office in 2019 and down from 30 per cent&nbsp;in March.

Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including for opposing lockdown measures, downplaying the severity of the disease and not prioritizing the purchase of vaccines.

Brazil has the world's second largest death toll from COVID-19 that has killed more than 428,000 people as infections surged in recent months.

Approval of Bolsonaro's government slid from a high of 37&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in December and its negative numbers have risen progressively since then. Now, 45% of Brazilians consider his administration "bad" or "terrible" compared to 32&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;at the end of last year, while 54&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of those polled by Datafolha say they would never vote for Bolsonaro.

Results published on Wednesday showed that Brazil's former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would handily defeat Bolsonaro by 55&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;to 32&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in a run-off vote if the 2022 elections were held today.

Lula, who recovered his political rights after corruption convictions against him were annulled this year, is expected to challenge Bolsonaro's re-election next year, although he has not declared he is running.

Datafolha polled 2,071 Brazilians in person Tuesday and Wednesday. The survey has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Only about 24 per cent of Brazilians think the administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been "good" or "great," his lowest popularity rating since taking office in 2019 and down from 30 per cent in March.

Only about 24 per cent of Brazilians think the administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been "good" or "great," his lowest popularity rating since taking office in 2019 and down from 30 per cent in March. Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including for opposing lockdown measures, downplaying the severity of the disease and not prioritizing the purchase of vaccines. Brazil has the world's second largest death toll from COVID-19 that has killed more than 428,000 people as infections surged in recent months. Approval of Bolsonaro's government slid from a high of 37 per cent in December and its negative numbers have risen progressively since then. Now, 45% of Brazilians consider his administration "bad" or "terrible" compared to 32 per cent at the end of last year, while 54 per cent of those polled by Datafolha say they would never vote for Bolsonaro. Results published on Wednesday showed that Brazil's former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would handily defeat Bolsonaro by 55 per cent to 32 per cent in a run-off vote if the 2022 elections were held today. Lula, who recovered his political rights after corruption convictions against him were annulled this year, is expected to challenge Bolsonaro's re-election next year, although he has not declared he is running. Datafolha polled 2,071 Brazilians in person Tuesday and Wednesday. The survey has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Bolsonaro's approval falls to 24%, lowest ever: Poll

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has linked the pandemic to 'biological warfare'. Is there any basis to his claim?

Gravitas: Brazil's President calls Covid-19 'biological warfare'

Brazilian President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;said on Friday that if he were to order the military to take the streets and restore order, "the order will be followed," raising fresh questions about his politicization of the armed forces.

Speaking during a TV interview,&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;said he would not "go into details into what I'm preparing." But he said that "if we were to have problems, we have a plan of how to enter the field ... our armed forces could one day go into the streets."

The comments by&nbsp;Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain who has long praised Brazil's two-decade military dictatorship, will do little to assuage critics who fret about his politicization of the military. Others worry about his commitment to a peaceful handover of power in the event of a tight result in next year's presidential election.

Pressure has grown on the president as Brazil's coronavirus pandemic has spiraled out of control. He has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the outbreak in Brazil, which has the world's second highest coronavirus death toll after the United States.

Last month,&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;put his former chief of staff in charge of the Defense Ministry and swapped all three commanders of the armed forces as part of a cabinet reshuffle that was met with shock from senior military officers.

Since his 2018 election victory,&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;has made baseless allegations of voter fraud in Brazil, which critics say could lay the groundwork to challenge upcoming elections in the same vein as his political idol, former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bolsonaro&nbsp;threw his support behind Trump's conspiracies of a stolen election last year, which culminated in his supporters' deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol building in Washington.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that if he were to order the military to take the streets and restore order, "the order will be followed," raising fresh questions about his politicization of the armed forces.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that if he were to order the military to take the streets and restore order, "the order will be followed," raising fresh questions about his politicization of the armed forces. Speaking during a TV interview, Bolsonaro said he would not "go into details into what I'm preparing." But he said that "if we were to have problems, we have a plan of how to enter the field ... our armed forces could one day go into the streets." The comments by Bolsonaro, a far-right former army captain who has long praised Brazil's two-decade military dictatorship, will do little to assuage critics who fret about his politicization of the military. Others worry about his commitment to a peaceful handover of power in the event of a tight result in next year's presidential election. Pressure has grown on the president as Brazil's coronavirus pandemic has spiraled out of control. He has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the outbreak in Brazil, which has the world's second highest coronavirus death toll after the United States. Last month, Bolsonaro put his former chief of staff in charge of the Defense Ministry and swapped all three commanders of the armed forces as part of a cabinet reshuffle that was met with shock from senior military officers. Since his 2018 election victory, Bolsonaro has made baseless allegations of voter fraud in Brazil, which critics say could lay the groundwork to challenge upcoming elections in the same vein as his political idol, former U.S. President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro threw his support behind Trump's conspiracies of a stolen election last year, which culminated in his supporters' deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol building in Washington.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says military would follow his orders to take the streets

Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a Senate investigation of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic to go forward, one of two cases it tackled that could affect the leader's bid for reelection next year.

The full court also was weighing the political future of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a potential powerful rival to Bolsonaro.

One of the judges earlier ruled he had been unjustly convicted in a corruption case, a decision that effectively reinstated his right to run for the presidency again.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-brazil-now-has-more-young-than-old-patients-in-icus-377443/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The court voted 10-1 Wednesday to uphold Justice Luis Roberto Barroso's order that the Senate should start an investigation of into Bolsonaro's management of the crisis because a required number of senators had sponsored such a call.

The Senate president had tried to delay the probe, citing pandemic health restrictions.

Critics, including those calling for or leading the investigation, say Bolsonaro has bungled Brazil's response to the pandemic by resisting health-driven restrictions on activity, failing to marshal resources for vaccines, and stimulating the use of drugs that don't work against the virus.

Bolsonaro and his allies say he's being unfairly blamed for Brazil's surge in COVID-19 deaths, a toll that trails only that of the United States. Brazil's seven-day average death toll hit a new record on Monday.

The Senate probe is an attempted ''political coup against the president," said Sen. Marcio Bittar, a Bolsonaro ally in a Twitter post on Wednesday.

He's also cried foul as the Supreme Court has issued rulings that go against him, prompting outrage from his conservative base that claims the court is overstepping constitutional bounds.

Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, said the investigation poses risks for Bolsonaro.

''The desperation with the pandemic tends to increase as deaths continue to grow. Economic issues are also far from being solved. And at the same time his administration is fighting with its base in congress over next year's budget,''&nbsp;Melo said.

''The surroundings of the inquiry don't favor Bolsonaro."

The top court last year knocked down Bolsonaro's attempt to overturn local restrictions meant to slow the advance of COVID-19, ruling that governors and mayors are free to determine their own COVID-19 protocols.

On Tuesday, a justice also suspended parts of four Bolsonaro decrees aimed at loosening gun controls.

The Brazilian leader, who has long downplayed the risks of the disease and still denounces lockdowns, has argued lawmakers should also investigate the actions of governors and mayors to whom the federal government provided funds.

He and his allies scored a partial win at the Senate on Tuesday when the use of such funds was made part of the investigation.

Bolsonaro on Wednesday complained that Justice Barroso's April 8 ruling that the Senate probe should go forward had created ''an atmosphere of animosity.''

''That justice is interfering with the Senate in order to go after me," he said.

More than the required 27 senators had signed a request for the investigation, but the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, had refrained from greenlighting the probe, citing health concerns amid the pandemic.

The court on Wednesday also began assessing the decision by Justice Luiz Edson Fachin on March 8 to annul da Silva's two corruption convictions, which were related to the massive ''Car Wash''&nbsp;scandal focused on the state oil company.

Early polling for the 2022 election shows the 75-year-old leftist, who governed Brazil between 2003 and 2010, neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro.

Da Silva was leading polls in 2018 when he was knocked out of the race by a conviction involving a beachfront apartment that prosecutors alleged&nbsp;and he denied&nbsp;belonged to him.

Bolsonaro won the election and the judge who oversaw da Silva's conviction, Sergio Moro, became his justice minister. One of the top court's two panels of justices already ruled Moro was biased against da Silva.

The question now before the full court was whether Moro's court even had jurisdiction to hear the case, and the justices may also evaluate the panel's finding regarding bias.

''The Supreme Court has the opportunity to make history today, maintaining the annulment of the sentences and the bias of Moro against him,''&nbsp;said Gleisi Hoffmann, chairwoman of da Silva's Workers' Party, on Twitter.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a Senate investigation of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic to go forward, one of two cases it tackled that could affect the leader's bid for reelection next year.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a Senate investigation of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic to go forward, one of two cases it tackled that could affect the leader's bid for reelection next year. The full court also was weighing the political future of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a potential powerful rival to Bolsonaro. One of the judges earlier ruled he had been unjustly convicted in a corruption case, a decision that effectively reinstated his right to run for the presidency again. The court voted 10-1 Wednesday to uphold Justice Luis Roberto Barroso's order that the Senate should start an investigation of into Bolsonaro's management of the crisis because a required number of senators had sponsored such a call. The Senate president had tried to delay the probe, citing pandemic health restrictions. Critics, including those calling for or leading the investigation, say Bolsonaro has bungled Brazil's response to the pandemic by resisting health-driven restrictions on activity, failing to marshal resources for vaccines, and stimulating the use of drugs that don't work against the virus. Bolsonaro and his allies say he's being unfairly blamed for Brazil's surge in COVID-19 deaths, a toll that trails only that of the United States. Brazil's seven-day average death toll hit a new record on Monday. The Senate probe is an attempted ''political coup against the president," said Sen. Marcio Bittar, a Bolsonaro ally in a Twitter post on Wednesday. He's also cried foul as the Supreme Court has issued rulings that go against him, prompting outrage from his conservative base that claims the court is overstepping constitutional bounds. Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo, said the investigation poses risks for Bolsonaro. ''The desperation with the pandemic tends to increase as deaths continue to grow. Economic issues are also far from being solved. And at the same time his administration is fighting with its base in congress over next year's budget,'' Melo said. ''The surroundings of the inquiry don't favor Bolsonaro." The top court last year knocked down Bolsonaro's attempt to overturn local restrictions meant to slow the advance of COVID-19, ruling that governors and mayors are free to determine their own COVID-19 protocols. On Tuesday, a justice also suspended parts of four Bolsonaro decrees aimed at loosening gun controls. The Brazilian leader, who has long downplayed the risks of the disease and still denounces lockdowns, has argued lawmakers should also investigate the actions of governors and mayors to whom the federal government provided funds. He and his allies scored a partial win at the Senate on Tuesday when the use of such funds was made part of the investigation. Bolsonaro on Wednesday complained that Justice Barroso's April 8 ruling that the Senate probe should go forward had created ''an atmosphere of animosity.'' ''That justice is interfering with the Senate in order to go after me," he said. More than the required 27 senators had signed a request for the investigation, but the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, had refrained from greenlighting the probe, citing health concerns amid the pandemic. The court on Wednesday also began assessing the decision by Justice Luiz Edson Fachin on March 8 to annul da Silva's two corruption convictions, which were related to the massive ''Car Wash'' scandal focused on the state oil company. Early polling for the 2022 election shows the 75-year-old leftist, who governed Brazil between 2003 and 2010, neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro. Da Silva was leading polls in 2018 when he was knocked out of the race by a conviction involving a beachfront apartment that prosecutors alleged and he denied belonged to him. Bolsonaro won the election and the judge who oversaw da Silva's conviction, Sergio Moro, became his justice minister. One of the top court's two panels of justices already ruled Moro was biased against da Silva. The question now before the full court was whether Moro's court even had jurisdiction to hear the case, and the justices may also evaluate the panel's finding regarding bias. ''The Supreme Court has the opportunity to make history today, maintaining the annulment of the sentences and the bias of Moro against him,'' said Gleisi Hoffmann, chairwoman of da Silva's Workers' Party, on Twitter.

Brazil's Supreme Court approves probe of Bolsonaro's virus response

Brazil’s Senate on Tuesday began a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

On Tuesday, Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco claimed that a congressional enquiry into Bolsonaro administration’s response to the pandemic would also probe how resources were distributed among states.

Brazil is witnessing a deadly wave of COVID-19 infections and with it Bolsonaro’s disapproval ratings have reached record levels.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-prez-bolsonaro-takes-birthday-swipe-at-covid-19-restrictions-372298/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The investigation is known as CPI in Portuguese can trigger a number of actions including forwarding a potential wrongdoing in law enforcement. Many pro-Bolsonaro lawmakers have urged for an enquiry into each state’s response to the pandemic, which the Senate leader has said could trespass the jurisdiction of state assemblies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/brazil-top-court-orders-probe-of-bolsonaros-pandemic-steps-376254" hreflang="en">Brazil top court orders probe of Bolsonaro's pandemic steps</a>

Brazil is currently fighting rising infections, most of which have been attributed to the so-called P1 variant, believed to be more infectious by medical professionals.

On Tuesday, the country witnessed 3,808 deaths according to country’s Health Ministry. The total death toll in the country now stands at 358,000, the second-highest in the world after the United States.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/covid-in-brazil-out-of-control-says-the-journalist-who-sued-bolsonaro-for-derogatory-remarks-374703" hreflang="en">Covid in Brazil 'out of control', says the journalist who sued Bolsonaro for derogatory remarks</a>

The country’s current wave is affecting youngsters more, with over 50 per cent intensive care beds under the occupancy of patients under 40 years old, as revealed in a study published by the Brazilian Association of Intensive Medicine.

Bolsonaro has faced criticism for his pandemic response. In the early phases of the pandemic, he had referred to COVID-19 as a “little flu”.&nbsp;

In addition, he has ignored suggestions by health experts to wear masks while opposing implementing lockdown measures.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil’s Senate on Tuesday began a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the country. On Tuesday, Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco claimed that a congressional enquiry into Bolsonaro administration’s response to the pandemic would also probe how resources were distributed among states.

Brazil’s Senate on Tuesday began a probe into President Jair Bolsonaro’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the country. On Tuesday, Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco claimed that a congressional enquiry into Bolsonaro administration’s response to the pandemic would also probe how resources were distributed among states. Brazil is witnessing a deadly wave of COVID-19 infections and with it Bolsonaro’s disapproval ratings have reached record levels. The investigation is known as CPI in Portuguese can trigger a number of actions including forwarding a potential wrongdoing in law enforcement. Many pro-Bolsonaro lawmakers have urged for an enquiry into each state’s response to the pandemic, which the Senate leader has said could trespass the jurisdiction of state assemblies. Also read: Brazil top court orders probe of Bolsonaro's pandemic steps Brazil is currently fighting rising infections, most of which have been attributed to the so-called P1 variant, believed to be more infectious by medical professionals. On Tuesday, the country witnessed 3,808 deaths according to country’s Health Ministry. The total death toll in the country now stands at 358,000, the second-highest in the world after the United States. Also read: Covid in Brazil 'out of control', says the journalist who sued Bolsonaro for derogatory remarks The country’s current wave is affecting youngsters more, with over 50 per cent intensive care beds under the occupancy of patients under 40 years old, as revealed in a study published by the Brazilian Association of Intensive Medicine. Bolsonaro has faced criticism for his pandemic response. In the early phases of the pandemic, he had referred to COVID-19 as a “little flu”. In addition, he has ignored suggestions by health experts to wear masks while opposing implementing lockdown measures. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil's Senate begins probe into government's pandemic response amid record dip in Bolsonaro's approval ratings

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary.

According to the reports, the Senate about to open an investigation into the response of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has played down the pandemic from the start.

Brazil is nearing the single-day record that the United States registered on January&nbsp;20 of 4,405 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brazil’s outbreak is spiralling out of control, with vaccines in short supply and Bolsonaro fighting lockdowns.

The public healthcare system has shown growing signs of buckling under the caseload, and a survey by the National Association of Private Hospitals (ANAHP) this week suggests even the richest hospitals are running short on critical medicine.

Three out of four private hospitals said they have a week or less of supplies for treating COVID-19, including oxygen, anaesthesia and essential drugs for intubation, according to the ANAHP survey of 88 member hospitals across Brazil.

Bolsonaro’s government has minimized the risk of hospitals running out of medicine, as the right-wing leader tries to allay fears of the virus, while railing against state and local efforts to restrict movement.

“Let’s not cry over spilt milk. We’re still going through a pandemic that, in part, is being used politically - not to defeat the virus but to bring down the president,” Bolsonaro said in a public address on Wednesday. “In what country on earth do people not die? Unfortunately, people die everywhere.”

Brazil’s Senate plans to set up a special committee next week to investigate the government’s response to the pandemic, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said.

A Supreme Court judge ruled on Thursday that the Senate must proceed with installing the committee, which Pacheco had sought to delay despite already having been approved by a sufficient number of senators.

While stating he would comply with the court order, Pacheco said it was too early to investigate while Brazil was still dealing with the crisis and that the committee would put members’ health at risk as its meetings are held in person.

More than 345,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Brazil, making it the second-deadliest outbreak after the United States, whose population is about 50% greater at about 330 million.

Brazil’s Supreme Court also ruled on Thursday that state and municipal bans on religious gatherings were legal, in a blow to Bolsonaro, who has called them an attack on religious freedom.

As Brazil suffers the worst of the pandemic, the country has become a testing ground for new vaccines.

Health regulator Anvisa on Thursday approved the fifth late-stage trial for a coronavirus vaccine, greenlighting a study by Canada’s Medicago R&amp;D Inc and GlaxoSmithKline PLC.

Anvisa said the companies were authorized to conduct phase 3 trials in Brazil. The companies are recruiting around 3,500 Brazilian volunteers for the study, which will include some 30,000 people, in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary.

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered the Senate on Thursday to investigate the government's handling of the deadly covid-19 pandemic and the full court ruled that churches can be barred from reopening during the pandemic, threatening to further strain tensions between President Jair Bolsonaro and the judiciary. According to the reports, the Senate about to open an investigation into the response of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has played down the pandemic from the start. Brazil is nearing the single-day record that the United States registered on January 20 of 4,405 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Brazil’s outbreak is spiralling out of control, with vaccines in short supply and Bolsonaro fighting lockdowns. The public healthcare system has shown growing signs of buckling under the caseload, and a survey by the National Association of Private Hospitals (ANAHP) this week suggests even the richest hospitals are running short on critical medicine. Three out of four private hospitals said they have a week or less of supplies for treating COVID-19, including oxygen, anaesthesia and essential drugs for intubation, according to the ANAHP survey of 88 member hospitals across Brazil. Bolsonaro’s government has minimized the risk of hospitals running out of medicine, as the right-wing leader tries to allay fears of the virus, while railing against state and local efforts to restrict movement. “Let’s not cry over spilt milk. We’re still going through a pandemic that, in part, is being used politically - not to defeat the virus but to bring down the president,” Bolsonaro said in a public address on Wednesday. “In what country on earth do people not die? Unfortunately, people die everywhere.” Brazil’s Senate plans to set up a special committee next week to investigate the government’s response to the pandemic, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said. A Supreme Court judge ruled on Thursday that the Senate must proceed with installing the committee, which Pacheco had sought to delay despite already having been approved by a sufficient number of senators. While stating he would comply with the court order, Pacheco said it was too early to investigate while Brazil was still dealing with the crisis and that the committee would put members’ health at risk as its meetings are held in person. More than 345,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Brazil, making it the second-deadliest outbreak after the United States, whose population is about 50% greater at about 330 million. Brazil’s Supreme Court also ruled on Thursday that state and municipal bans on religious gatherings were legal, in a blow to Bolsonaro, who has called them an attack on religious freedom. As Brazil suffers the worst of the pandemic, the country has become a testing ground for new vaccines. Health regulator Anvisa on Thursday approved the fifth late-stage trial for a coronavirus vaccine, greenlighting a study by Canada’s Medicago R&D Inc and GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Anvisa said the companies were authorized to conduct phase 3 trials in Brazil. The companies are recruiting around 3,500 Brazilian volunteers for the study, which will include some 30,000 people, in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Latin America. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil top court orders probe of Bolsonaro's pandemic steps

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation.&nbsp;

“We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating. The situation is completely out of control,” said journalist Patricia Campos Mello.

Campos Mello comments came after Brazil registered on Tuesday a daily record tally of Covid deaths, recording more than 3,700 deaths, according to data from Brazil’s health ministry.

Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for Folha de Sao Paulo, had sued President Jair Bolsonaro after he made remarks that questioned her credibility.

The Covid-19 death toll spiralled out of control in Brazil in March, more than doubling the country's previous monthly record.

Brazil reported 66,573 people had died of Covid-19 in March -- more than twice as many fatalities as the country's second-deadliest month of the pandemic, July 2020.

The virus has killed more than 2.8 million people since it emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. And though the world is looking to vaccines to end the upheaval Covid-19 has brought, rollouts are off to a sputtering start in many countries.

That includes Brazil, where health experts say the explosion of cases is partly driven by a local variant of the virus known as P1, which can re-infect people who have had the original strain and is believed to be more contagious.

"Never in Brazilian history have we seen a single event kill so many people" in one month, said Doctor Miguel Nicolelis, former pandemic response coordinator for Brazil's impoverished northeast.

With the southern hemisphere winter approaching and the virus spreading fast, Brazil is facing "a perfect storm," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation. “We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating.

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation. “We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating. The situation is completely out of control,” said journalist Patricia Campos Mello. Campos Mello comments came after Brazil registered on Tuesday a daily record tally of Covid deaths, recording more than 3,700 deaths, according to data from Brazil’s health ministry. Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for Folha de Sao Paulo, had sued President Jair Bolsonaro after he made remarks that questioned her credibility. The Covid-19 death toll spiralled out of control in Brazil in March, more than doubling the country's previous monthly record. Brazil reported 66,573 people had died of Covid-19 in March -- more than twice as many fatalities as the country's second-deadliest month of the pandemic, July 2020. The virus has killed more than 2.8 million people since it emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. And though the world is looking to vaccines to end the upheaval Covid-19 has brought, rollouts are off to a sputtering start in many countries. That includes Brazil, where health experts say the explosion of cases is partly driven by a local variant of the virus known as P1, which can re-infect people who have had the original strain and is believed to be more contagious. "Never in Brazilian history have we seen a single event kill so many people" in one month, said Doctor Miguel Nicolelis, former pandemic response coordinator for Brazil's impoverished northeast. With the southern hemisphere winter approaching and the virus spreading fast, Brazil is facing "a perfect storm," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid in Brazil 'out of control', says the journalist who sued Bolsonaro for derogatory remarks

The commanders of Brazil's army, navy and air force will be replaced, the defence ministry said Tuesday, a day after President Jair Bolsonaro overhauled his cabinet with six substitutions, including a new defence minister.

"The decision was communicated in a meeting on Tuesday with incoming defence minister (Walter Souza) Braga Netto and outgoing minister Fernando Azevedo," it said in a brief statement that did not give a reason for their departure.

Amid a slide in his popularity, President Jair Bolsonaro had earlier shaken up the Cabinet, including replacing Brazil's foreign minister,&nbsp;who was widely&nbsp;criticised&nbsp;for an anti-globalism stance and accused by some of aggravating the pandemic by alienating vaccine suppliers.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro tweeted&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday that he was shifting three other Cabinet ministers to new posts,&nbsp;chief of staff,&nbsp;defence&nbsp;minister and attorney general,&nbsp;and naming a new justice and public security minister and a new government secretary.&nbsp;

But the biggest change was moving&nbsp;Ernesto Araújo&nbsp;out as foreign minister.&nbsp;Ernesto Araújo&nbsp;had most recently been under fire for comments and actions that critics said impeded faster access to coronavirus vaccines as the coronavirus batters Brazil.&nbsp;

It was just the latest Cabinet turmoil for the embattled Bolsonaro. The president in mid-March replaced the health minister, whose tenure coincided with most of Brazil's 314,000 Covid-19 deaths and became the target of fierce criticism. In February, Bolsonaro tapped a retired army general to take over state-run oil behemoth Petrobras, seeking to appeal to his constituency of truck drivers,&nbsp;who had threatened to strike over fuel price increases.&nbsp;

Araújo&nbsp;was subjected to a nearly five-hour Senate hearing last week to defend his ministry's actions during the pandemic. Center-right Sen Tasso&nbsp;Jereissati&nbsp;told the minister that he no longer had the standing to remain in the post and that his exit would end the help end the crisis.&nbsp;

Maurício Santoro, professor of political science and international relations at the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, said the Senate attacks on&nbsp;Araújo&nbsp;became too overpowering for Bolsonaro to withstand.&nbsp;

"The vaccine issue was the spark that lit the fire,"&nbsp;Santoro said.&nbsp;"The general context is&nbsp;Araújo&nbsp;failed in all the most important tasks he had to do as a minister. Brazil is facing bad political dialogue with its biggest trade partners,&nbsp;China, the US, the EU and Argentina,&nbsp;all for different reasons.&nbsp;

The new foreign minister is Carlos&nbsp;França, who like&nbsp;Araújo&nbsp;is a career diplomat. But unlike&nbsp;Araújo,&nbsp;França&nbsp;isn't a follower of far-right ideologue Olavo de Carvalho, the newspaper O Globo reported. He is an adviser to Bolsonaro and former ceremonial chief at the presidential palace and is considered to be pragmatic rather than ideological.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The commanders of Brazil's army, navy and air force will be replaced, the defence ministry said Tuesday, a day after President Jair Bolsonaro overhauled his cabinet with six substitutions, including a new defence minister.

The commanders of Brazil's army, navy and air force will be replaced, the defence ministry said Tuesday, a day after President Jair Bolsonaro overhauled his cabinet with six substitutions, including a new defence minister. "The decision was communicated in a meeting on Tuesday with incoming defence minister (Walter Souza) Braga Netto and outgoing minister Fernando Azevedo," it said in a brief statement that did not give a reason for their departure. Amid a slide in his popularity, President Jair Bolsonaro had earlier shaken up the Cabinet, including replacing Brazil's foreign minister, who was widely criticised for an anti-globalism stance and accused by some of aggravating the pandemic by alienating vaccine suppliers. Bolsonaro tweeted on Monday that he was shifting three other Cabinet ministers to new posts, chief of staff, defence minister and attorney general, and naming a new justice and public security minister and a new government secretary. But the biggest change was moving Ernesto Araújo out as foreign minister. Ernesto Araújo had most recently been under fire for comments and actions that critics said impeded faster access to coronavirus vaccines as the coronavirus batters Brazil. It was just the latest Cabinet turmoil for the embattled Bolsonaro. The president in mid-March replaced the health minister, whose tenure coincided with most of Brazil's 314,000 Covid-19 deaths and became the target of fierce criticism. In February, Bolsonaro tapped a retired army general to take over state-run oil behemoth Petrobras, seeking to appeal to his constituency of truck drivers, who had threatened to strike over fuel price increases. Araújo was subjected to a nearly five-hour Senate hearing last week to defend his ministry's actions during the pandemic. Center-right Sen Tasso Jereissati told the minister that he no longer had the standing to remain in the post and that his exit would end the help end the crisis. Maurício Santoro, professor of political science and international relations at the University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, said the Senate attacks on Araújo became too overpowering for Bolsonaro to withstand. "The vaccine issue was the spark that lit the fire," Santoro said. "The general context is Araújo failed in all the most important tasks he had to do as a minister. Brazil is facing bad political dialogue with its biggest trade partners, China, the US, the EU and Argentina, all for different reasons. The new foreign minister is Carlos França, who like Araújo is a career diplomat. But unlike Araújo, França isn't a follower of far-right ideologue Olavo de Carvalho, the newspaper O Globo reported. He is an adviser to Bolsonaro and former ceremonial chief at the presidential palace and is considered to be pragmatic rather than ideological. (With inputs from agencies)

Military chiefs exit in new turmoil for Bolsonaro after Cabinet shake-up

Brazil topped 300,000 COVID-19 deaths amid a major shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital beds. Latin American leaders see red as Bolsonaro continues to reject partial lockdown measures. Has Brazil's pandemic response completely broken down? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Brazil suffocates as Oxygen cylinders run low

Lawyers and human-rights activists warn Brazil is seeing a surge in legal and extra-legal moves to stifle dissent against President Jair Bolsonaro, in some cases with legislation and tactics dating back to the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship -- for which the president is openly nostalgic.

Police in Brazil have even employed a national security law against his critics, while lawyers and activists rally to provide them with legal help and accuse the government of trying to silence dissent.

On Friday, demonstrators challenged police in the capital by parading with anti-Bolsonaro signs a day after four protesters were detained. They had called the president "genocidal" for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and displayed a cartoon depicting him as a Nazi. Officers took no action Friday as about 40 people protested for an hour.

The national security law makes it a crime to harm the heads of the three branches of government or expose them to danger. The vague measure has recently been used to detain or investigate Bolsonaro critics.

On several instances, the president has complained that he is being unfairly vilified, most recently Thursday night during a live Facebook broadcast.

"They call me a dictator. I want you to point at one thing I did in two years and two months that was autocratic," he said while complaining about a newspaper column that used the word genocidal to describe him.

Brasilia police said Thursday that the four detained protesters violated the national security law "as they showed a Swastika in association to the symbol of the president of the Republic." But Brazil's federal police force, which decides whether cases brought by local police deserve to go ahead in national security crimes, dismissed the case and released three of the four demonstrators. One was held on an outstanding warrant from a previous case.

The cases appear to almost entirely target Bolsonaro's critics, human rights organisations and activists say.

Federal police have conducted more than 80 investigations under the security law during Bolsonaro's first two years, and more than 10 in the first 45 days of 2021, according to the newspaper O Globo. The yearly average before the conservative leader took office was 11.

Other critics of the president complain of less-official backlash, in the form of "online militias" of Bolsonaro supporters who launch coordinated attacks and smear campaigns against his perceived opponents on social media.

Journalists, artists and scientists have also complained of coordinated attacks by Bolsonaro backers online.

The hate campaigns sometimes spill from the virtual world into real life.

Cardiologist Ludhmila Hajjar, whom Bolsonaro recently interviewed to be his next health minister, received death threats for supporting stay-at-home measures and questioning the use of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19 despite studies finding them ineffective.

When she met Bolsonaro -- himself a one-time user and heavy backer of hydroxychloroquine -- in Brasilia, unknown individuals tried to invade her hotel. She said she ultimately turned down the health minister job, citing "differences" with the president.

(with inputs from agencies)

Lawyers and human-rights activists warn Brazil is seeing a surge in legal and extra-legal moves to stifle dissent against President Jair Bolsonaro, in some cases with legislation and tactics dating back to the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship -- for which the president is openly nostalgic.

Lawyers and human-rights activists warn Brazil is seeing a surge in legal and extra-legal moves to stifle dissent against President Jair Bolsonaro, in some cases with legislation and tactics dating back to the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship -- for which the president is openly nostalgic. Police in Brazil have even employed a national security law against his critics, while lawyers and activists rally to provide them with legal help and accuse the government of trying to silence dissent. On Friday, demonstrators challenged police in the capital by parading with anti-Bolsonaro signs a day after four protesters were detained. They had called the president "genocidal" for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and displayed a cartoon depicting him as a Nazi. Officers took no action Friday as about 40 people protested for an hour. The national security law makes it a crime to harm the heads of the three branches of government or expose them to danger. The vague measure has recently been used to detain or investigate Bolsonaro critics. On several instances, the president has complained that he is being unfairly vilified, most recently Thursday night during a live Facebook broadcast. "They call me a dictator. I want you to point at one thing I did in two years and two months that was autocratic," he said while complaining about a newspaper column that used the word genocidal to describe him. Brasilia police said Thursday that the four detained protesters violated the national security law "as they showed a Swastika in association to the symbol of the president of the Republic." But Brazil's federal police force, which decides whether cases brought by local police deserve to go ahead in national security crimes, dismissed the case and released three of the four demonstrators. One was held on an outstanding warrant from a previous case. The cases appear to almost entirely target Bolsonaro's critics, human rights organisations and activists say. Federal police have conducted more than 80 investigations under the security law during Bolsonaro's first two years, and more than 10 in the first 45 days of 2021, according to the newspaper O Globo. The yearly average before the conservative leader took office was 11. Other critics of the president complain of less-official backlash, in the form of "online militias" of Bolsonaro supporters who launch coordinated attacks and smear campaigns against his perceived opponents on social media. Journalists, artists and scientists have also complained of coordinated attacks by Bolsonaro backers online. The hate campaigns sometimes spill from the virtual world into real life. Cardiologist Ludhmila Hajjar, whom Bolsonaro recently interviewed to be his next health minister, received death threats for supporting stay-at-home measures and questioning the use of drugs such as hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19 despite studies finding them ineffective. When she met Bolsonaro -- himself a one-time user and heavy backer of hydroxychloroquine -- in Brasilia, unknown individuals tried to invade her hotel. She said she ultimately turned down the health minister job, citing "differences" with the president. (with inputs from agencies)

Bolsonaro critics targetted in intimidation campaign in Brazil

China was on the defensive in Brazil.

The Trump administration had been warning allies across the globe to shun Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, denouncing the company as a dangerous extension of China’s surveillance system.

Brazil, ready to build an ambitious 5G wireless network worth billions of dollars, openly took President Donald Trump’s side, with the Brazilian president’s son — an influential member of Congress, himself — vowing in November to create a secure system “without Chinese espionage.”

Then pandemic politics upended everything.

With COVID-19 deaths rising to their highest levels yet, and a dangerous new virus variant stalking Brazil, the nation’s communications minister went to Beijing in February, met with Huawei executives at their headquarters and made a very unusual request of a telecommunication company.

“I took advantage of the trip to ask for vaccines, which is what everyone is clamoring for,” said the minister, Fábio Faria, recounting his meeting with Huawei.

Two weeks later, the Brazilian government announced the rules for its 5G auction, one of the biggest in the world. Huawei, which the government appeared to have barred just months before, will be allowed to participate.

The about-face is a sign of how politics in the region have been scrambled by the pandemic and Trump’s departure from the White House — and how China has begun to turn the tide.

China spent months batting away resentment and distrust as the place where the pandemic began, but in recent weeks its diplomats, pharmaceutical executives and other power brokers have been fielding scores of requests for vaccines from desperate officials in Latin America, where the pandemic is taking a devastating toll that grows by the day.

Beijing’s ability to mass-produce vaccines and ship them to countries in the developing world — while rich countries, including the United States, are hoarding many millions of doses for themselves — has offered a diplomatic and public relations opening that China has readily seized.

Suddenly, Beijing finds itself with enormous new leverage in Latin America, a region where it has a vast web of investments and ambitions to expand trade, military partnerships and cultural ties.

Only last year, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, a right-wing leader who was closely aligned with Trump, disparaged the Chinese vaccine while it was undergoing clinical trials in Brazil, and shut down an effort by the health ministry to order 45 million doses.

“The Brazilian people WON’T BE ANYONE’S GUINEA PIG,” he wrote on Twitter.

But with Trump gone and Brazilian hospitals overwhelmed by a surge of infections, Bolsonaro’s government scrambled to mend fences with the Chinese and asked them to expedite tens of millions of vaccine shipments, as well as the ingredients to mass-produce the shots in Brazil.

The precise connection between the vaccine request and Huawei's inclusion in the 5G auction is unclear, but the timing is striking, and it is part of a stark change in Brazil’s stance toward China. The president, his son and the foreign minister abruptly stopped criticizing China, while Cabinet officials with inroads to the Chinese, like Faria, worked furiously to get new vaccine shipments approved. Millions of doses have arrived in recent weeks.

“With the desperation in Latin America for vaccines, this creates a perfect position for the Chinese,” said Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College, who specializes on the region’s relationship with China.

With the coveted 5G contracts at stake — a source of intense geopolitical jockeying worldwide, including in countries like Britain and Germany — Huawei has mounted a well-timed charm offensive in Brazil.

It supplied hospitals with software to help doctors on the front lines of the pandemic. More recently, it donated 20 oxygen-making machines to the city of Manaus, where COVID patients suffocated to death in February as hospitals ran out of oxygen.

“May our joint efforts save lives!” the Chinese Embassy in Brazil said in a message on Twitter announcing the gift.

Before the first vaccines rolled off assembly lines, Huawei seemed to be losing the 5G contest in Brazil, knocked to the sidelines by the Trump administration’s campaign against it. Latin America’s largest nation was only months away from holding an auction to create its 5G network, a sweeping upgrade that will make wireless connections faster and more accessible.

Huawei, along with two European competitors, Nokia and Ericsson, aspired to play a leading role in partnering with local telecommunications companies to build the infrastructure. But the Chinese company needed the green light from Brazilian regulators to take part.

The Trump administration moved aggressively to thwart it. During a visit to Brazil late last year, Keith Krach, then the State Department’s top official for economic policy, called Huawei an industry pariah that needed to be locked out of 5G networks.

“The Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted with our most sensitive data and intellectual property,” he said in a Nov. 11 speech in Brazil, during which he referred to Huawei as “the backbone of the CCP surveillance state.”

Krach argued that “free nations” needed to agree to coalesce around a “clean network” that excluded Huawei, because “our chain of security is only as strong as its weakest link.”

Weeks after the visit, Brazil appeared to be on board with Washington’s efforts to blacklist Huawei. In a statement issued after Krach’s meeting, Brazil’s foreign ministry said Brazil “supports the principles contained in the Clean Network proposal made by the United States.”

Eduardo Bolsonaro, a son of the president, who headed the foreign affairs committee in the lower house of Congress, said in a tweet that Brazil would back Washington’s push.

China had already faced scorn in some corners of Latin America early in the pandemic, as concerns that it had been careless in allowing the virus to slip beyond its borders took root. Beijing’s reputation took an additional hit in Peru, after exporting cheap, unreliable COVID tests that became an early misstep in the country’s efforts to rein in contagion.

But China found an opportunity to shift the narrative early this year, as its CoronaVac became the cheapest and most accessible inoculation for countries in the developing world.

With the pandemic under control in China, Sinovac, the maker of CoronaVac, began shipping millions of doses abroad, offering free samples to 53 countries and exporting it to 22 nations that placed orders.

As the first doses of CoronaVac were administered in Latin America, China took a swipe at wealthy nations that were doing little to guarantee prompt access to vaccines in poorer countries.

“Global distribution of vaccines must be fair and in particular, accessible and affordable to developing countries,” the foreign minister, Wang Yi, said in a speech late last month. “We hope that all countries that have the capability will join hands and make due contributions.”

In late February, as the first doses of China’s vaccines were being administered in Brazil, the country’s telecom regulatory agency announced rules for the 5G auction, which is scheduled to take place in July, that do not exclude Huawei.

The change in Brazil reflects how the campaign against Huawei driven by Trump has lost momentum since his defeat in the November election. Britain said it would not ban equipment made by Huawei from its new high-speed 5G wireless network. Germany has signaled a similar approach to Britain’s.

Thiago de Aragão, a Brasília-based political risk consultant who focuses on China’s relationships in Latin America, said two factors saved Huawei from a humiliating defeat in Brazil. The election of President Joe Biden, who has harshly criticized Brazil’s environmental record, made the Brazilian government unenthusiastic about being in lock step with Washington, he said, and China’s ability to make or break the early phase of Brazil’s vaccination effort made the prospect of angering the Chinese by banning Huawei untenable.

“They were facing certain death by October and November and now they’re back in the game,” de Aragão said of Huawei.

The request for vaccines by the Brazilian communications minister, Faria, occurred as it became clear Beijing held the keys to accelerate or throttle the vaccination campaign in Brazil, where more than 270,000 people have died of COVID-19.

The only reason Brazil had a few million doses of CoronaVac on hand in early February was that one of Bolsonaro’s rivals, São Paulo Gov. João Doria, had negotiated directly with the Chinese.

In an interview, Faria said there was no quid pro quo suggested in his request to Huawei for help with vaccines. In fact, he said, he also asked executives at competing telecommunications companies in Europe if they could help Brazil obtain shots.

“It wasn’t put on the table, vaccines versus 5G,” he said, describing the request for help with vaccines as appropriate.

On Feb. 11, Faria posted a letter from China’s ambassador to Brazil in which the ambassador noted the request and wrote that “I give this matter great importance.”

In a statement, Huawei did not say it would provide vaccines directly but said the company could help with “communication in an open and transparent manner in a topic involving the two governments.”

China is also the dominant supplier of vaccines in Chile, which has mounted the most aggressive inoculation campaign in Latin America, and it is shipping millions of doses to Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia.

In a sign of China’s growing leverage, Paraguay, where COVID-19 cases are surging, has struggled to gain access to Chinese vaccines because it is among the few countries in the world that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.

In an interview, Paraguay’s foreign minister, Euclides Acevedo, said his country is seeking to negotiate access to CoronaVac through intermediary countries. Then he made an extraordinary overture to China, which has spent years trying to get the last few countries that recognize Taiwan to switch their alliances.

“We would hope the relationship does not end at vaccines, but takes on another dimension in the economic and cultural spheres,” he said. “We must be open to every nation as we seek cooperation and to do so we must have a pragmatic vision.”

China was on the defensive in Brazil. The Trump administration had been warning allies across the globe to shun Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, denouncing the company as a dangerous extension of China’s surveillance system.

China was on the defensive in Brazil. The Trump administration had been warning allies across the globe to shun Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, denouncing the company as a dangerous extension of China’s surveillance system. Brazil, ready to build an ambitious 5G wireless network worth billions of dollars, openly took President Donald Trump’s side, with the Brazilian president’s son — an influential member of Congress, himself — vowing in November to create a secure system “without Chinese espionage.” Then pandemic politics upended everything. With COVID-19 deaths rising to their highest levels yet, and a dangerous new virus variant stalking Brazil, the nation’s communications minister went to Beijing in February, met with Huawei executives at their headquarters and made a very unusual request of a telecommunication company. “I took advantage of the trip to ask for vaccines, which is what everyone is clamoring for,” said the minister, Fábio Faria, recounting his meeting with Huawei. Two weeks later, the Brazilian government announced the rules for its 5G auction, one of the biggest in the world. Huawei, which the government appeared to have barred just months before, will be allowed to participate. The about-face is a sign of how politics in the region have been scrambled by the pandemic and Trump’s departure from the White House — and how China has begun to turn the tide. China spent months batting away resentment and distrust as the place where the pandemic began, but in recent weeks its diplomats, pharmaceutical executives and other power brokers have been fielding scores of requests for vaccines from desperate officials in Latin America, where the pandemic is taking a devastating toll that grows by the day. Beijing’s ability to mass-produce vaccines and ship them to countries in the developing world — while rich countries, including the United States, are hoarding many millions of doses for themselves — has offered a diplomatic and public relations opening that China has readily seized. Suddenly, Beijing finds itself with enormous new leverage in Latin America, a region where it has a vast web of investments and ambitions to expand trade, military partnerships and cultural ties. Only last year, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, a right-wing leader who was closely aligned with Trump, disparaged the Chinese vaccine while it was undergoing clinical trials in Brazil, and shut down an effort by the health ministry to order 45 million doses. “The Brazilian people WON’T BE ANYONE’S GUINEA PIG,” he wrote on Twitter. But with Trump gone and Brazilian hospitals overwhelmed by a surge of infections, Bolsonaro’s government scrambled to mend fences with the Chinese and asked them to expedite tens of millions of vaccine shipments, as well as the ingredients to mass-produce the shots in Brazil. The precise connection between the vaccine request and Huawei's inclusion in the 5G auction is unclear, but the timing is striking, and it is part of a stark change in Brazil’s stance toward China. The president, his son and the foreign minister abruptly stopped criticizing China, while Cabinet officials with inroads to the Chinese, like Faria, worked furiously to get new vaccine shipments approved. Millions of doses have arrived in recent weeks. “With the desperation in Latin America for vaccines, this creates a perfect position for the Chinese,” said Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College, who specializes on the region’s relationship with China. With the coveted 5G contracts at stake — a source of intense geopolitical jockeying worldwide, including in countries like Britain and Germany — Huawei has mounted a well-timed charm offensive in Brazil. It supplied hospitals with software to help doctors on the front lines of the pandemic. More recently, it donated 20 oxygen-making machines to the city of Manaus, where COVID patients suffocated to death in February as hospitals ran out of oxygen. “May our joint efforts save lives!” the Chinese Embassy in Brazil said in a message on Twitter announcing the gift. Before the first vaccines rolled off assembly lines, Huawei seemed to be losing the 5G contest in Brazil, knocked to the sidelines by the Trump administration’s campaign against it. Latin America’s largest nation was only months away from holding an auction to create its 5G network, a sweeping upgrade that will make wireless connections faster and more accessible. Huawei, along with two European competitors, Nokia and Ericsson, aspired to play a leading role in partnering with local telecommunications companies to build the infrastructure. But the Chinese company needed the green light from Brazilian regulators to take part. The Trump administration moved aggressively to thwart it. During a visit to Brazil late last year, Keith Krach, then the State Department’s top official for economic policy, called Huawei an industry pariah that needed to be locked out of 5G networks. “The Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted with our most sensitive data and intellectual property,” he said in a Nov. 11 speech in Brazil, during which he referred to Huawei as “the backbone of the CCP surveillance state.” Krach argued that “free nations” needed to agree to coalesce around a “clean network” that excluded Huawei, because “our chain of security is only as strong as its weakest link.” Weeks after the visit, Brazil appeared to be on board with Washington’s efforts to blacklist Huawei. In a statement issued after Krach’s meeting, Brazil’s foreign ministry said Brazil “supports the principles contained in the Clean Network proposal made by the United States.” Eduardo Bolsonaro, a son of the president, who headed the foreign affairs committee in the lower house of Congress, said in a tweet that Brazil would back Washington’s push. China had already faced scorn in some corners of Latin America early in the pandemic, as concerns that it had been careless in allowing the virus to slip beyond its borders took root. Beijing’s reputation took an additional hit in Peru, after exporting cheap, unreliable COVID tests that became an early misstep in the country’s efforts to rein in contagion. But China found an opportunity to shift the narrative early this year, as its CoronaVac became the cheapest and most accessible inoculation for countries in the developing world. With the pandemic under control in China, Sinovac, the maker of CoronaVac, began shipping millions of doses abroad, offering free samples to 53 countries and exporting it to 22 nations that placed orders. As the first doses of CoronaVac were administered in Latin America, China took a swipe at wealthy nations that were doing little to guarantee prompt access to vaccines in poorer countries. “Global distribution of vaccines must be fair and in particular, accessible and affordable to developing countries,” the foreign minister, Wang Yi, said in a speech late last month. “We hope that all countries that have the capability will join hands and make due contributions.” In late February, as the first doses of China’s vaccines were being administered in Brazil, the country’s telecom regulatory agency announced rules for the 5G auction, which is scheduled to take place in July, that do not exclude Huawei. The change in Brazil reflects how the campaign against Huawei driven by Trump has lost momentum since his defeat in the November election. Britain said it would not ban equipment made by Huawei from its new high-speed 5G wireless network. Germany has signaled a similar approach to Britain’s. Thiago de Aragão, a Brasília-based political risk consultant who focuses on China’s relationships in Latin America, said two factors saved Huawei from a humiliating defeat in Brazil. The election of President Joe Biden, who has harshly criticized Brazil’s environmental record, made the Brazilian government unenthusiastic about being in lock step with Washington, he said, and China’s ability to make or break the early phase of Brazil’s vaccination effort made the prospect of angering the Chinese by banning Huawei untenable. “They were facing certain death by October and November and now they’re back in the game,” de Aragão said of Huawei. The request for vaccines by the Brazilian communications minister, Faria, occurred as it became clear Beijing held the keys to accelerate or throttle the vaccination campaign in Brazil, where more than 270,000 people have died of COVID-19. The only reason Brazil had a few million doses of CoronaVac on hand in early February was that one of Bolsonaro’s rivals, São Paulo Gov. João Doria, had negotiated directly with the Chinese. In an interview, Faria said there was no quid pro quo suggested in his request to Huawei for help with vaccines. In fact, he said, he also asked executives at competing telecommunications companies in Europe if they could help Brazil obtain shots. “It wasn’t put on the table, vaccines versus 5G,” he said, describing the request for help with vaccines as appropriate. On Feb. 11, Faria posted a letter from China’s ambassador to Brazil in which the ambassador noted the request and wrote that “I give this matter great importance.” In a statement, Huawei did not say it would provide vaccines directly but said the company could help with “communication in an open and transparent manner in a topic involving the two governments.” China is also the dominant supplier of vaccines in Chile, which has mounted the most aggressive inoculation campaign in Latin America, and it is shipping millions of doses to Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. In a sign of China’s growing leverage, Paraguay, where COVID-19 cases are surging, has struggled to gain access to Chinese vaccines because it is among the few countries in the world that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. In an interview, Paraguay’s foreign minister, Euclides Acevedo, said his country is seeking to negotiate access to CoronaVac through intermediary countries. Then he made an extraordinary overture to China, which has spent years trying to get the last few countries that recognize Taiwan to switch their alliances. “We would hope the relationship does not end at vaccines, but takes on another dimension in the economic and cultural spheres,” he said. “We must be open to every nation as we seek cooperation and to do so we must have a pragmatic vision.”

Brazil needs vaccines. China is benefiting

Lula, whose corruption convictions were overturned by a Supreme Court justice on Monday allowing him to return to political office, said he had not decided whether to run in next years election.

'Many deaths could have been avoided', Lula takes aim at Bolsonaro

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has witnessed a dip in support in the country, a poll by Datafolha showed.

Currently, the second wave of COVID-19 is wrecking the country's pandemic response. Even with dwindling support, the majority of Brazilians are against his impeachment.&nbsp;

The data from both the polls was&nbsp;released by Datafolha on Friday. And in one of the polls, 40 per cent of respondents rated Bolsonaro's administration as bad or terrible. In December, 32 per cent had claimed the same.&nbsp;

Only a third of respondents rated his administration good or excellent. In an earlier poll from December, 37 per cent responded positively.&nbsp; 
 
According to the Folha de S Paulo newspaper, this represents the biggest drop in approval for Bolsonaro since his government assumed power in 2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/indigenous-leaders-of-brazil-sue-bolsonaro-for-crimes-against-humanity-358862" hreflang="en">Indigenous leaders of Brazil sue Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'</a>

Critics have called Brazil's vaccine rollout slow, as the second of COVID-19 intensifies in the country. The country of 210 million people began rolling out vaccines last week.

Protests were witnessed in cities across the country this month. Many have asked for Bolsonaro's impeachment for his skewed response to the pandemic.

The new variant of the virus has now appeared in northern Brazil, putting more pressure on an already cramped healthcare system. This variant is considered more transmissible than the original strain. Owing to this, countries have banned entry for Brazilian travellers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/with-a-hanuman-image-brazil-president-bolsonaro-thanks-pm-modi-for-covid-vaccines-358644" hreflang="en">With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines</a>

Bolsonaro has played down the pandemic multiple times and has said that he will not be taking the vaccine. 
 
Another poll by Datafolha revealed that 53 per cent of respondents do not want the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro for how he handled the pandemic. This number went up from 50 per cent in a previous survey. 
 
The surveys were conducted on January 20, 21 for which over 2,030 people were interviewed.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has witnessed a dip in support in the country, a poll by Datafolha showed. Currently, the second wave of COVID-19 is wrecking the country's pandemic response.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has witnessed a dip in support in the country, a poll by Datafolha showed. Currently, the second wave of COVID-19 is wrecking the country's pandemic response. Even with dwindling support, the majority of Brazilians are against his impeachment. The data from both the polls was released by Datafolha on Friday. And in one of the polls, 40 per cent of respondents rated Bolsonaro's administration as bad or terrible. In December, 32 per cent had claimed the same. Only a third of respondents rated his administration good or excellent. In an earlier poll from December, 37 per cent responded positively. According to the Folha de S Paulo newspaper, this represents the biggest drop in approval for Bolsonaro since his government assumed power in 2019. Also read: Indigenous leaders of Brazil sue Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity' Critics have called Brazil's vaccine rollout slow, as the second of COVID-19 intensifies in the country. The country of 210 million people began rolling out vaccines last week. Protests were witnessed in cities across the country this month. Many have asked for Bolsonaro's impeachment for his skewed response to the pandemic. The new variant of the virus has now appeared in northern Brazil, putting more pressure on an already cramped healthcare system. This variant is considered more transmissible than the original strain. Owing to this, countries have banned entry for Brazilian travellers. Also read: With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines Bolsonaro has played down the pandemic multiple times and has said that he will not be taking the vaccine. Another poll by Datafolha revealed that 53 per cent of respondents do not want the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro for how he handled the pandemic. This number went up from 50 per cent in a previous survey. The surveys were conducted on January 20, 21 for which over 2,030 people were interviewed.

Polls reveal support for Bolsonaro fell sharply, but majority reject impeachment

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines. In his tweet, Bolsonaro included an image of Lord Hanuman bringing the 'Sanjivani booti' from India to Brazil. Sanjivani Booti is the medicine Lord Hanuman delivered for Laxmana, the legendary warrior and brother of Lord Rama when he was injured in battle in the Indian epic Ramayana. But in Bolsonaro's tweet, the 'Sanjivani Booti' is the COVID vaccine.

"Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil," said Bolsonaro in Twitter.

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Namaskar, Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> 
 
Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. 
 
Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. 
 
Dhanyavaad! धनयवाद
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1352630699480797186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Two flights, each carrying two million vaccine doses for Brazil and Morocco took off from Mumbai airport early on Friday.

"The Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) carrying 2 million doses to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo and 2 million doses to Morocco on Royal Air Maroc," said a press release by the airport. It mentioned that the airport has facilitated movement of over 14.17 million doses of the Covishield vaccine across various international and domestic destinations

On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a media briefing that India had sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Seychelles.

Asked whether India is sending the vaccines to Pakistan, Srivastava said he was not aware of any request for their supply by Pakistan on a government-to government basis or commercial basis.

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On Wednesday, India sent 1,50,000 doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bhutan and 1,00,000 doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. 
India on Thursday delivered two million doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bangladesh and one million doses to Nepal under grants assistance, while a consignment containing 1.5 million doses was sent to Myanmar, 50,000 doses to Seychelles on Friday.

"Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," Srivastava said.

Srivastava said supplies of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance will be made to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan after getting confirmation of regulatory clearances.

"Acting East. Acting fast. Indian vaccines have arrived in Myanmar to contribute to our neighbour's inoculation efforts," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. 
"Indian vaccines reach Seychelles. That's what friends are for," he said in another tweet.

(With agency inputs)

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines.

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coronavirus vaccines. India, one of world's biggest drug manufacturers is already helping several countries by providing them coronavirus vaccines. In his tweet, Bolsonaro included an image of Lord Hanuman bringing the 'Sanjivani booti' from India to Brazil. Sanjivani Booti is the medicine Lord Hanuman delivered for Laxmana, the legendary warrior and brother of Lord Rama when he was injured in battle in the Indian epic Ramayana. But in Bolsonaro's tweet, the 'Sanjivani Booti' is the COVID vaccine. "Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil," said Bolsonaro in Twitter. Namaskar, Prime Minister @narendramodi Brazil feels honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle by joining efforts. Thank you for assisting us with the vaccines exports from India to Brazil. Dhanyavaad! धनयवाद — Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) January 22, 2021 × Two flights, each carrying two million vaccine doses for Brazil and Morocco took off from Mumbai airport early on Friday. "The Covishield vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) carrying 2 million doses to Brazil via Emirates Sky Cargo and 2 million doses to Morocco on Royal Air Maroc," said a press release by the airport. It mentioned that the airport has facilitated movement of over 14.17 million doses of the Covishield vaccine across various international and domestic destinations On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a media briefing that India had sent consignments of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Seychelles. Asked whether India is sending the vaccines to Pakistan, Srivastava said he was not aware of any request for their supply by Pakistan on a government-to government basis or commercial basis. × On Wednesday, India sent 1,50,000 doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bhutan and 1,00,000 doses to the Maldives as grant assistance. India on Thursday delivered two million doses of Covisheild vaccine to Bangladesh and one million doses to Nepal under grants assistance, while a consignment containing 1.5 million doses was sent to Myanmar, 50,000 doses to Seychelles on Friday. "Keeping in view the domestic requirements of the phased rollout, India will continue to supply COVID-19 vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. It will be ensured that domestic manufacturers will have adequate stocks to meet domestic requirements while supplying abroad," Srivastava said. Srivastava said supplies of coronavirus vaccines under grant assistance will be made to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan after getting confirmation of regulatory clearances. "Acting East. Acting fast. Indian vaccines have arrived in Myanmar to contribute to our neighbour's inoculation efforts," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted. "Indian vaccines reach Seychelles. That's what friends are for," he said in another tweet. (With agency inputs)

With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution. Chief Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at the ICC on Friday.

Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, "the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure," said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday.

The complaint said that the deforestation had increased "by 34.5 per cent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats."

The two leaders said killings and forced transfer of locals and persecution amounted to "crimes against humanity".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-a-hanuman-image-brazil-president-bolsonaro-thanks-pm-modi-for-covid-vaccines-358644">With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines</a>

Bolsonaro government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions in Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction and agriculture.

Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.&nbsp;

The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019.&nbsp;

"This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro", who wants to "lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon," the suit said, also singling out mining firms. 
It said the "destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity."

In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people.

(With AFP inputs)

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution.

Two top Brazillian indigenous leaders on Friday, asked International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate President Jair Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'. They have accused him of unprecedented environmental damage, killings and persecution. Chief Raoni Metuktire, the leader of the Kayapo people, and Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, leader of the Paiter Surui tribe, filed the claim at the ICC on Friday. Since Bolsonaro became president in January 2019, "the destruction of the Amazonian forest has accelerated without measure," said the complaint to the ICC, reported by France's Le Monde newspaper on Saturday. The complaint said that the deforestation had increased "by 34.5 per cent in a year, the assassination of indigenous leaders is at an 11-year high and environmental agencies have collapsed or faced threats." The two leaders said killings and forced transfer of locals and persecution amounted to "crimes against humanity". Also Read | With a Hanuman image, Brazil President Bolsonaro thanks PM Modi for COVID vaccines Bolsonaro government has proposed legislation that would relax restrictions in Amazon regions on commercial mining, oil and gas extraction and agriculture. Activists are pushing for ecocide to be added to the crimes prosecuted by the ICC, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The issue was raised by the Maldives and Vanuatu at the ICC general assembly in December 2019. "This situation, the most dramatic in the last 10 years, is a direct result of the policies of Jair Bolsonaro", who wants to "lift all the barriers to plunder the wealth of the Amazon," the suit said, also singling out mining firms. It said the "destruction of the Amazon forest... was a direct danger not only for Brazilians but for all humanity." In July last year, health workers in Brazil had also urged the ICC to probe Bolsonaro for crimes against humanity over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. A month earlier Chief Raoni had told AFP in an interview that Bolsonaro was trying to use the pandemic to eliminate indigenous people. (With AFP inputs)

Indigenous leaders of Brazil sue Bolsonaro for 'crimes against humanity'

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly tried to sabotage efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in his country, putting forward policies that further undermined the rights of Brazilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed on Wednesday.

The group also claimed that institutions such as the Supreme Court and Congress have stepped up efforts to protect citizens of Brazil, while blocking some dangerous policies put forward by the leader, as stated by the organisation in its annual world report.

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Bolsonaro attempted to remove states authority over people's movements. But the Supreme Court ruled against Bolsonaro.

In addition, the country's top court prevented Bolsonaro from withholding data about COVID-19 from the public, additionally ordering the administration to come up with a plan which would protect indigenous groups in Brazil.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/brazils-bolsonaro-asks-india-to-expedite-vaccine-shipment-as-delays-loom-355513" hreflang="en">Brazil's Bolsonaro asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as delays loom</a>

At the same time, Congress was passing a bill to provide emergency health care to indigenous groups.

Bolsonaro is famous for playing down the severity of the pandemic, initially calling it a "little flu". He also criticised lockdowns and social distancing measures.&nbsp;

According to HRW, Bolsonaro has disseminated misleading information about the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/brazilian-president-jair-bolsonaro-says-his-country-is-broke-and-he-cant-do-anything-354727" hreflang="en">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says his country is 'broke' and he 'can't do anything'</a> 
 
Bolsonaro himself also caught COVID once, but even then his attitude towards the virus remained unchanged. He claimed that lockdowns will damage Brazil's economy and will leave many people out of work.

HRW also claimed that besides the pandemic, Bolsonaro has underplayed women's rights, lashing out at reporters and civil society groups. He has also bullied independent media in the country, the group said.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly tried to sabotage efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in his country, putting forward policies that further undermined the rights of Brazilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed on Wednesday.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly tried to sabotage efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in his country, putting forward policies that further undermined the rights of Brazilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed on Wednesday. The group also claimed that institutions such as the Supreme Court and Congress have stepped up efforts to protect citizens of Brazil, while blocking some dangerous policies put forward by the leader, as stated by the organisation in its annual world report. Bolsonaro attempted to remove states authority over people's movements. But the Supreme Court ruled against Bolsonaro. In addition, the country's top court prevented Bolsonaro from withholding data about COVID-19 from the public, additionally ordering the administration to come up with a plan which would protect indigenous groups in Brazil. Also read: Brazil's Bolsonaro asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as delays loom At the same time, Congress was passing a bill to provide emergency health care to indigenous groups. Bolsonaro is famous for playing down the severity of the pandemic, initially calling it a "little flu". He also criticised lockdowns and social distancing measures. According to HRW, Bolsonaro has disseminated misleading information about the virus. Also read: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says his country is 'broke' and he 'can't do anything' Bolsonaro himself also caught COVID once, but even then his attitude towards the virus remained unchanged. He claimed that lockdowns will damage Brazil's economy and will leave many people out of work. HRW also claimed that besides the pandemic, Bolsonaro has underplayed women's rights, lashing out at reporters and civil society groups. He has also bullied independent media in the country, the group said.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro sabotaged coronavirus relief measures, claims Human Rights Watch

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine amid broader delays to the vaccine's arrival in Brazil, according to a letter on Friday.

Brazil's Bolsonaro asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as delays loom

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro slammed neighbouring Argentina's decision to legalise abortion, branding it as state "consent" to killing children.

"I deeply regret the lives of Argentine children, now exposed to being cut from the wombs of their mothers with the consent of the state," tweeted the far-right leader of the world's biggest Catholic country.

Argentina has become one of only a handful of South American nations to legalise abortion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-brazil-interfering-with-healthcare-353698">WATCH|</a>

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South America has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. In Argentina, terminations are currently allowed in only two instances: rape, and danger to the mother's life.&nbsp;

The landmark law would legalise voluntary abortions at up to 14 weeks.

The bill was proposed by President Alberto Fernandez and passed the Chamber of Deputies on December 11, despite fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and evangelical Christians.

Pro-choice activists have campaigned for years to change the abortion laws that date from 1921, adopting a green scarf as their symbol.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro slammed neighbouring Argentina's decision to legalise abortion, branding it as state "consent" to killing children. "I deeply regret the lives of Argentine children, now exposed to being cut from the wombs of their mothers with the consent of the state," tweeted the far-right leader of the world's biggest Catholic country.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro slammed neighbouring Argentina's decision to legalise abortion, branding it as state "consent" to killing children. "I deeply regret the lives of Argentine children, now exposed to being cut from the wombs of their mothers with the consent of the state," tweeted the far-right leader of the world's biggest Catholic country. Argentina has become one of only a handful of South American nations to legalise abortion. WATCH| × South America has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. In Argentina, terminations are currently allowed in only two instances: rape, and danger to the mother's life. The landmark law would legalise voluntary abortions at up to 14 weeks. The bill was proposed by President Alberto Fernandez and passed the Chamber of Deputies on December 11, despite fierce opposition from the Catholic Church and evangelical Christians. Pro-choice activists have campaigned for years to change the abortion laws that date from 1921, adopting a green scarf as their symbol.

Brazil President Bolsonaro slams Argentina abortion law

The world is welcoming Argentina's new abortion law, but Brazil's President Jair M. Bolsonaro is unhappy. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Is Brazil interfering with healthcare?

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