Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Saturday he has tested negative for the new coronavirus more than two weeks after being diagnosed on July 7, attributing his recovery to an unproven malaria drug.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced on Saturday he has tested negative for the new coronavirus more than two weeks after being diagnosed on July 7, attributing his recovery to an unproven malaria drug. "RT-PCR for Sars-Cov 2: negative. Good morning everyone," the 65-year-old tweeted, along with a photo of himself smiling and holding a packet of hydroxychloroquine, whose effectiveness against COVID-19 has not been demonstrated in clinical trials. He did not say when he took the latest test. The president, who has routinely downplayed the virus he calls a "little flu" but which is currently ravaging his country, spent nearly 20 days self-isolating at his official residence in the capital Brasilia, the Alvorada Palace. Also read: Brazilian President Bolsonaro says lungs 'clean' after coronavirus test During that time he underwent at least three more virus tests, all positive. Three polls released this week showed the leader dubbed a "Tropical Trump" would win re-election in 2020, despite his controversial handling of the virus crisis. The pandemic has exploded in Brazil, the country with the most infections and deaths from COVID-19 anywhere in the world except the United States. The Latin American powerhouse has registered nearly 2.3 million cases of the new coronavirus and more than 84,000 deaths, and the numbers have continued to rise rapidly. Also read: Brazilian President Bolsonaro tests positive for COVID-19 But Bolsonaro is a fierce critic of stay-at-home measures, arguing the economic pain they result in is worse than the virus itself. The president has appeared to continue flouting virus precautions even after his diagnosis. On Thursday he was seen going for a spin on his motorcycle and chatting maskless with a team of groundskeepers outside the presidential palace. The same day he admitted in a live Facebook video that he was feeling "a bit wretched at being imprisoned here."

Bolsonaro says he tested negative for COVID-19, two weeks after diagnosis

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he had undergone another test for the novel coronavirus and his lungs were "clean," after local media reported he had symptoms associated with the COVID-19 respiratory disease.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday he had undergone another test for the novel coronavirus and his lungs were "clean," after local media reported he had symptoms associated with the COVID-19 respiratory disease. Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the impact of the virus, even as Brazil has suffered one of the world's worst outbreaks, with more than 1.6 million confirmed cases and 65,000 related deaths, according to official data on Monday. CNN Brasil and newspaper Estado de S.Paulo reported that he had symptoms of the disease, such as a fever. Bolsonaro told supporters outside the presidential palace that he had just visited the hospital and been tested. "I can't get very close," he said in comments recorded by Foco do Brasil, a pro-government YouTube channel. "I came from the hospital. I underwent a lung scan. The lung's clean." The president's office said in a statement that the president is at his home and is "in good health." Also read: Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro undergoing Covid-19 test after showing symptoms The right-wing populist has often defied local guidelines to wear a mask in public, even after a judge ordered him to do so in late June. Over the weekend, Bolsonaro attended several events and was in close contact with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil during July 4 celebrations. The U.S. embassy in Brasilia said via Twitter that Todd Chapman, the ambassador, had lunch on July 4 with Bolsonaro, five ministers and Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, who is a federal congressman. The ambassador has no symptoms, but will undergo testing and is "taking precautions," the embassy said. Also read: Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths Bolsonaro tested negative for the coronavirus after several aides were diagnosed following a visit to U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago, Florida, estate in March. CNN Brasil reported that Bolsonaro has begun taking the drugs hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, which he touts as a COVID-19 treatment despite little proof of their effectiveness. Bolsonaro's official events on Tuesday have been canceled, according to CNN Brasil.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro says lungs 'clean' after coronavirus test

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro is undergoing another test for Covid-19 after showing symptoms of the coronavirus.

Bosonaro, 65, cancelled meetings and is taking hydroxychloroquine, a TV channel said.

Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the disease, told supporters outside the presidential residence in capital Brasilia on Monday that he is feeling well.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-surpasses-15-million-coronavirus-cases-as-bolsonaroa-popularity-remains-intact-310603">Also read: Brazil surpasses 1.5 million coronavirus cases as Bolsonaro'a popularity remains intact</a> 
 
Last month Bolsonaro threatened to pull Brazil out of the World Health Organization after the UN agency warned governments about the risk of lifting lockdowns before slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. 
 
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-says-death-was-everyones-destiny-as-country-registers-1349-deaths-305715">&nbsp;Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths</a>

Brazil's Supreme Court published documents in May showing that Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida. The Brazilian leader hasn't said whether he took any additional tests for the disease since.

Bolsonaro's prior tests were conducted using pseudonyms, as is customary for medical tests performed on Brazilian leaders in order to preserve their privacy.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro is undergoing another test for Covid-19 after showing symptoms of the coronavirus. Bosonaro, 65, cancelled meetings and is taking hydroxychloroquine, a TV channel said.

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro is undergoing another test for Covid-19 after showing symptoms of the coronavirus. Bosonaro, 65, cancelled meetings and is taking hydroxychloroquine, a TV channel said. Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the disease, told supporters outside the presidential residence in capital Brasilia on Monday that he is feeling well. Also read: Brazil surpasses 1.5 million coronavirus cases as Bolsonaro'a popularity remains intact Last month Bolsonaro threatened to pull Brazil out of the World Health Organization after the UN agency warned governments about the risk of lifting lockdowns before slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Also read: Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths Brazil's Supreme Court published documents in May showing that Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida. The Brazilian leader hasn't said whether he took any additional tests for the disease since. Bolsonaro's prior tests were conducted using pseudonyms, as is customary for medical tests performed on Brazilian leaders in order to preserve their privacy. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro undergoing Covid-19 test after showing symptoms

Brazil recorded additional 42,223 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Friday, bringing the total tally to 1,539,081, the second-worst outbreak in the world behind the United States.

Brazil recorded additional 42,223 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Friday, bringing the total tally to 1,539,081, the second-worst outbreak in the world behind the United States. The number of coronavirus deaths rose by 1,290 to 63,174, according to the ministry. As the number of dead from coronavirus shot up in Brazil, the popularity of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has remained unchanged, according to AFP. For his supporters, the president has done nothing wrong despite more than 63,000 deaths and 1.5 million infections, the report added. Also read: Brazil president says death was 'everyone's destiny' as country registers 1,349 deaths Bolsonaro originally dismissed the coronavirus as a "little flu" and his opposition to lockdowns and flouting of measures aimed at stifling the spread have provoked a hail of criticism from some. Local epidemiologists and the World Health Organization have expressed concern about the president's approach in a country that is second only to the United States in terms of total cases and deaths from the virus. Yet a poll by Datafolha at the end of June found that 32 per cent of Brazilians thought Bolsonaro's government was "good or very good," a number that hasn't dropped since the start of the health crisis. Also read: Brazil records second highest COVID-19 cases as Bolsonaro downplays it as 'little flu' "People are suffering a lot financially, and when Bolsonaro says: 'We can't stop Brazil from working,' he's speaking to people's despair," said Vinicius Valle, a political science researcher. He says most of the president's supporters recognize there's a health risk -- but with Brazil set for a record recession this year, many have been deeply resistant to the lockdown.

Brazil surpasses 1.5 million coronavirus cases as Bolsonaro'a popularity remains intact

Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday surpassed 100,000 coronavirus deaths, more than half of them in Brazil, according to Reuters and&nbsp;AFP tally.

In recent weeks Latin America has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic, with a total of 2.1 million cases, with Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile the most affected countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latin-america-and-caribbean-pass-80000-covid-19-deaths-as-global-cases-top-8-million-306151">Latin America and Caribbean pass 80,000 COVID-19 deaths as global cases top 8 million</a>

Mexico on Tuesday registered 6,288 new infections and 793 additional deaths from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the health ministry said, bringing the totals for the country to 191,410 cases and 23,377 deaths.

Mexico has been the worst hit-nation in the region after with Brazil.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-raises-alarm-over-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-in-latin-america-301295">WHO raises alarm over surge in coronavirus cases in Latin America</a>

Brazil on Tuesday registered an additional 1,374 deaths from the virus and 39,436 new cases, pushing the death toll from the novel coronavirus to 52,000 people in in Latin America’s biggest economy. More than 1.1 million have been infected.

The virus also appears to be on the rise in Central America, where Guatemala on Tuesday recorded more than 700 new infections for the first time. Additional 35 deaths were registered in Guatemala, taking it deaths total to 582.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday surpassed 100,000 coronavirus deaths, more than half of them in Brazil, according to Reuters and AFP tally. In recent weeks Latin America has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic, with a total of 2.

Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday surpassed 100,000 coronavirus deaths, more than half of them in Brazil, according to Reuters and AFP tally. In recent weeks Latin America has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic, with a total of 2.1 million cases, with Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile the most affected countries. Also read: Latin America and Caribbean pass 80,000 COVID-19 deaths as global cases top 8 million Mexico on Tuesday registered 6,288 new infections and 793 additional deaths from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the health ministry said, bringing the totals for the country to 191,410 cases and 23,377 deaths. Mexico has been the worst hit-nation in the region after with Brazil. Also read: WHO raises alarm over surge in coronavirus cases in Latin America Brazil on Tuesday registered an additional 1,374 deaths from the virus and 39,436 new cases, pushing the death toll from the novel coronavirus to 52,000 people in in Latin America’s biggest economy. More than 1.1 million have been infected. The virus also appears to be on the rise in Central America, where Guatemala on Tuesday recorded more than 700 new infections for the first time. Additional 35 deaths were registered in Guatemala, taking it deaths total to 582. (With inputs from AFP)

Latin America and Caribbean pass 100,000 coronavirus deaths: Report

Brazil's central bank on Tuesday suspended a newly-launched system allowing users of Facebook Inc's WhatsApp messaging service to send money via chats, ordering Visa and Mastercard to halt payments and transfers via the system, according to Reuters.

Brazil's central bank on Tuesday suspended a newly-launched system allowing users of Facebook Inc's WhatsApp messaging service to send money via chats, ordering Visa and Mastercard to halt payments and transfers via the system, according to Reuters. While banning the WhatApp payment system, the central bank said in a statement that rolling out the service without previous analysis by the monetary authority could damage the Brazilian payments system in the areas of competition, efficiency and data privacy, the report added. The company launched its payment services last week in a nationwide rollout, allowed users to transfer funds to individuals or local businesses within a chat, attaching payments as they would a photo or video. The central bank's move is the latest setback in payments for owner Facebook, which pared back its plans for a global payments system called Libra after meeting stiff resistance from regulators. Also read: Supreme Court seeks RBI response in data localisation matter of WhatsApp payment service WhatsApp has over 120 million users in Brazil, its second-largest market after India, where it has also struggled to roll out a payments system. If Visa and Mastercard do not comply with the order, they would be subject to fines and administrative sanctions, the statement said. A WhatsApp spokesperson said the messaging service would continue working with "local partners" and the central bank to provide digital payments for its users in Brazil. Also read: Two years after testing in India, WhatsApp launches payment feature in Brazil Earlier on Tuesday, before Visa and Mastercard operations with WhatsApp were suspended, the central bank issued regulation saying it could require market participants to receive previous approval to operate in payments. WhatsApp launched its Brazil services without requesting central bank authorization, as it was operating as an intermediary between consumers and financial institutions. Some observers called the regulator's decision an overreaction, while others said WhatsApp presented a potential risk in terms of market concentration and privacy. "It is a bit odd that the central bank decided to suspend WhatsApp as the regulator is already able to oversee all market participants which joined WhatsApp," said Carlos Daltozo, co-head of equities at Eleven Financial. "Besides that, WhatsApp is open to form new partnerships." WhatsApp started its operations in Brazil in partnership with fintech Nubank, state-controlled lender Banco do Brasil SA, Visa, Mastercard and lender Sicredi. In a separate setback for the venture on Tuesday, Brazil's antitrust watchdog, Cade, blocked WhatsApp's partnership with credit and debit card operator Cielo to process the payments. As Cielo is already Brazil's largest payment processor, a partnership with the biggest messaging service could pose a market concentration risk, Cade said. Shares in Cielo soared 30% on the day WhatsApp announced payments service in Brazil. The central bank's move comes as the regulator prepared to launch its own instant payments system in November, called Pix, joining more than 980 participants.

Brazil's central bank suspends WhatsApp's new payments system

Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday passed 80,000 COVID-19 deaths, as the worldwide COVID-19 cases topped 8 million. Since the disease first spread in Latin America in March, a total of 80,505 deaths have been recorded, 43,959 of them in Brazil which has the world's second-highest number of fatalities after the United States.

Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday passed 80,000 COVID-19 deaths, as the worldwide COVID-19 cases topped 8 million. Since the disease first spread in Latin America in March, a total of 80,505 deaths have been recorded, 43,959 of them in Brazil which has the world's second-highest number of fatalities after the United States. Brazil has more than half of the deaths in Latin America as s the virus accelerates across the region. The number of cases reported in Latin America and the Caribbean now stands at 1,681,378. Also read: Brazil records second highest COVID-19 cases as Bolsonaro downplays it as 'little flu In Brazil, a country of 212 million, 888,271 people have been infected -- more than in all of Asia. Mexico, which has a population of 120 million, has Latin America's second-highest death toll, with 17,141 fatalities out of 146,837 cases. Peru has recorded 6,688 deaths while Chile, which has seen an acceleration in recent weeks, has nearly 180,000 cases and 3,362 deaths. More than eight million cases of novel coronavirus have been confirmed worldwide. Also read: Coronavirus: Brazil surpasses the United States in terms of daily death toll At least 8,000,202 infections including 435,176 deaths, mostly in Europe, have been registered since the pandemic first emerged in China late last year. The number of confirmed cases likely represents only a fraction of the real number because most countries are only testing the most serious cases or have limited testing capacity. (With inputs from Reuters)

Latin America and Caribbean pass 80,000 COVID-19 deaths as global cases top 8 million

Brazil on Friday reached the grim milestone of becoming the second-highest coronavirus death toll in the world with 41,828 fatalities, surpassing Britain, AFP report said quoting the health ministry data.

Brazil on Friday reached the grim milestone of becoming the second-highest coronavirus death toll in the world with 41,828 fatalities, surpassing Britain, AFP report said quoting the health ministry data. The country recorded 909 deaths in the past 24 hours, the report added. There are 828,810 confirmed infections among a population of 212 million, the ministry said. Also read: COVID-19: Death toll in Brazil crosses 40,000; Peru reports deaths of 170 cops Experts say the true number of cases could be 10 or 15 times higher in Brazil, the largest country in Latin America. The United States has by far the highest death toll and caseload in the world. Three and a half months after Brazil's first virus case was detected, the outbreak is far from controlled, although some major cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have moved to reopen their economies. Sao Paulo state, with 46 million people, is by far the hardest-hit, with 10,368 deaths -- about a quarter of the country's total -- and 167,900 infections. Also read: Latin America reports 70,000 coronavirus deaths Rio de Janeiro has seen 7,417 deaths and nearly 78,000 cases. As of Friday, Britain had recorded 41,481 deaths from COVID-19. (With inputs from AFP)

With 41,828 fatalities Brazil coronavirus death toll now world's second-highest: Ministry

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to pull out of the WHO over "ideological bias," and criticized the World Health Organization for suspending clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 -- a decision it reversed this week -- and threatened to follow in Trump's footsteps by quitting.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to pull out of the WHO over "ideological bias," and criticized the World Health Organization for suspending clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 -- a decision it reversed this week -- and threatened to follow in Trump's footsteps by quitting. Latin America is battered by the epidemic, especially Brazil which now has the world's third-highest number of virus deaths. "I'm telling you right now, the United States left the WHO, and we're studying that, in the future. Either the WHO works without ideological bias, or we leave, too," the far-right leader told journalists. Dubbed the "Tropical Trump," Bolsonaro has followed the US president in his handling of the pandemic, downplaying its severity, attacking stay-at-home measures and touting the purported effects of hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19. The WHO had suspended trials of hydroxychloroquine after major studies raised concerns about its safety and effectiveness -- irking Trump, who even took the drug himself as a preventive measure.

Brazil threatens to quit WHO over 'ideological bias'

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped six million Sunday, with Brazil registering another record surge in daily infections. Latin American countries are bracing for difficult weeks ahead as the disease spreads rapidly across the region, even as much of the world exits lockdowns that have wrecked economies and stripped millions of their jobs, according to AFP.

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped six million Sunday, with Brazil registering another record surge in daily infections. Latin American countries are bracing for difficult weeks ahead as the disease spreads rapidly across the region, even as much of the world exits lockdowns that have wrecked economies and stripped millions of their jobs, according to AFP. In Brazil -- the epicentre of South America's outbreak with nearly 500,000 confirmed cases, lagging only behind the United States -- disagreement among leaders over lockdown measures has hampered efforts to slow the virus as the number of fatalities in the country nears 30,000. President Jair Bolsonaro, who fears the economic fallout from stay-at-home measures will be worse than the virus, has berated governors and mayors for imposing what he calls "the tyranny of total quarantine". As the global death toll from the pandemic surpassed 368,000, US President Donald Trump's decision to permanently cut funding to the World Health Organization has been broadly criticised. (With inputs from AFP)

Worldwide virus cases top 6 million as division deepens in dealing with pandemic

Brazil health minister said on Saturday that the country recorded&nbsp;33,274 new coronavirus cases even as&nbsp;the death toll surpassed that of France and now ranks only below the United States, Britain and Italy.

The South American nation has now reported 498,440 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the outbreak began, a level of contagion second only to the United States.

The death toll in Brazil from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, increased to 28,834, with 956 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the ministry said.

Brazilian states are preparing to ease quarantine restrictions despite warnings from public health experts who say the worst is still to come.

Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has played down the gravity of the epidemic and criticized lockdowns for paralyzing the economy and causing widespread unemployment and hardship. 
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Brazil health minister said on Saturday that the country recorded 33,274 new coronavirus cases even as the death toll surpassed that of France and now ranks only below the United States, Britain and Italy.

Brazil health minister said on Saturday that the country recorded 33,274 new coronavirus cases even as the death toll surpassed that of France and now ranks only below the United States, Britain and Italy. The South American nation has now reported 498,440 confirmed cases of coronavirus since the outbreak began, a level of contagion second only to the United States. The death toll in Brazil from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, increased to 28,834, with 956 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the ministry said. Brazilian states are preparing to ease quarantine restrictions despite warnings from public health experts who say the worst is still to come. Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has played down the gravity of the epidemic and criticized lockdowns for paralyzing the economy and causing widespread unemployment and hardship.

Brazil records 33,274 new coronavirus cases, surpasses France in deaths

Brazil's death toll due to novel coronavirus jumped to 27,878, surpassing the toll of hard-hit Spain and making it the country with the fifth-highest number of fatalities.

Brazil's death toll due to novel coronavirus jumped to 27,878, surpassing the toll of hard-hit Spain and making it the country with the fifth-highest number of fatalities. According to the country's health ministry, the epicentre of the South American coronavirus outbreak, Brazil saw 1,124 deaths in 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said. It also had a record number of new cases -- 26,928 in one day -- bringing the total number of infections to 465,166. The United States, Britain, Italy and France lead the world in coronavirus deaths. As of Friday Spain had recorded 27,121 deaths, with virus fatalities there rapidly slowing. Brazil could soon surpass France, which has seen 28,714 deaths. Brazil is second in the number of confirmed cases, though trailing far behind the United States which has 1.7 million infections. Brazil has seen 131.2 coronavirus deaths per one million people -- compared to more than 300 in the United States and 580 in Spain -- but the pandemic has yet to peak in the South American country. "There is no way to foresee" when the outbreak will peak, the Ministry of Health said, and experts say the number of cases in Brazil could be 15 times higher than the confirmed figure because there has been no widespread testing.

Brazil COVID-19 death toll jumps to 27,878, surpasses hard-hit Spain

Brazil overtook Russia Friday as the country with the second-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States, as the Americas emerged as a new epicenter of the pandemic.

Brazil overtook Russia Friday as the country with the second-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States, as the Americas emerged as a new epicenter of the pandemic. Brazil recorded 1,001 daily coronavirus deaths on Friday, taking total deaths to 21,048, according to the Health Ministry. The surge came as the World Health Organization declared South America "a new epicenter" of the pandemic. "Clearly there is a concern across many of those countries, but clearly the most affected is Brazil at this point," said WHO emergencies director Mike Ryan. Brazil's death toll is currently the sixth-highest in the world, behind the United States, Britain, Italy, Spain and France. But the crisis is not expected to peak in Brazil until June. The country of 210 million people has had a disjointed response to the pandemic. In Sao Paulo, the worst hit city, aerial video showed rows of open plots at the Formosa Cemetery as it rushed to keep up with demand. Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his handling of the outbreak and is at the center too of a deepening political crisis. Since the outbreak began, Bolsonaro has lost two health ministers, after pressuring them to promote the early use of anti-malarial drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Several high-profile public health experts have also left. Many have been replaced by soldiers. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US

Brazilians were shocked on Friday after a Supreme Court judge released a video at the centre of an investigation targeting the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro. The expletive-laced meeting between President Jair Bolsonaro and his cabinet on April 22 is under scrutiny by prosecutors probing allegations by former justice minister Sergio Moro that Bolsonaro tried to interfere in federal police investigations.

Brazilians were shocked on Friday after a Supreme Court judge released a video at the centre of an investigation targeting the far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro. The expletive-laced meeting between President Jair Bolsonaro and his cabinet on April 22 is under scrutiny by prosecutors probing allegations by former justice minister Sergio Moro that Bolsonaro tried to interfere in federal police investigations. But it could prove just as damaging to Bolsonaro's 18-month-old government for other sordid details it contains, the report added. The video includes the president using profanity to insult governors, the education minister calling to throw Supreme Court justices in jail and the environment minister urging the government to legalize mining and farming in the Amazon rainforest while the world is distracted by the coronavirus pandemic. The video came to light when Moro resigned two days after the meeting. In a damaging final press conference, the then-justice minister, a popular anti-corruption crusader, accused Bolsonaro of "political interference" in the federal police. Police are reportedly investigating multiple cases involving Bolsonaro and his inner circle, including allegations that his son Carlos, a Rio de Janeiro city councilor, oversaw a fake-news campaign to benefit his father. (With inputs from AFP)

Brazilian President Bolsonaro rocked by release of expletive-laced video

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attacked the lockdown measures taken by some governors to contain the spread of the virus as the country's death toll passed 15,000 on Saturday due to novel coronavirus.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attacked the lockdown measures taken by some governors to contain the spread of the virus as the country's death toll passed 15,000 on Saturday due to novel coronavirus. The number of infections in Brazil topped 230,000, making it the country with the fourth-highest number of cases in the world. With 15,633 deaths and 233,142 confirmed cases, Brazil -- whose president has dismissed the disease as a "little flu" -- is at the epicenter of infections in Latin America. Experts say under-testing means the real figures could be 15 times higher or more, and warn the worst is yet to come. The South American country registered 816 deaths and 14,919 new cases in the past 24 hours. "Unemployment, hunger and misery will be the future of those who support the tyranny of total isolation," the far-right president tweeted, a day after Health Minister Nelson Teich resigned after less than a month on the job. The president insists business closures and stay-at-home orders are unnecessarily damaging the economy. The pandemic has already claimed almost 310,000 lives worldwide.

Brazil's coronavirus death toll tops 15,000 as Bolsonaro attacks lockdown measures

A group of Brazilians stuck in the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak has sent President Jair Bolsonaro a video aired Sunday pleading for help to return home.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-evacuates-200-people-from-wuhan-the-epicentre-of-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-278211">Australia evacuates 200 people from Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak in China</a>

Reading from a letter dated January 30 in the sprawling eastern city of Wuhan, they told him they were willing to be quarantined when they get back.

"As we write this letter, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus or symptoms of infection," one of the group said.

There is no official figure as to how many Brazilians are in Wuhan. It was estimated to be about 70, although some of those citizens came home before the city was effectively shut off.

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The government in Brasilia later said it would bring home the Brazilians still in Wuhan.&nbsp;

"We will bring back all those Brazilians who are located in that region and express a wish to return to Brazil," a statement released by the Defense and Foreign Ministries said.

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It did not say how many Brazilians were in the region, or when the operation would start. But the logistics were to be handled by the Brazilian air force.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro had said Friday that in order to carry out such an operation, a law must be passed guaranteeing that such people would remain quarantined when they return.

Brazil so far has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.

A group of Brazilians stuck in the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak has sent President Jair Bolsonaro a video aired Sunday pleading for help to return home.

A group of Brazilians stuck in the Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak has sent President Jair Bolsonaro a video aired Sunday pleading for help to return home. Also read: Australia evacuates 200 people from Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak in China Reading from a letter dated January 30 in the sprawling eastern city of Wuhan, they told him they were willing to be quarantined when they get back. "As we write this letter, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus or symptoms of infection," one of the group said. There is no official figure as to how many Brazilians are in Wuhan. It was estimated to be about 70, although some of those citizens came home before the city was effectively shut off. × The government in Brasilia later said it would bring home the Brazilians still in Wuhan. "We will bring back all those Brazilians who are located in that region and express a wish to return to Brazil," a statement released by the Defense and Foreign Ministries said. × It did not say how many Brazilians were in the region, or when the operation would start. But the logistics were to be handled by the Brazilian air force. Bolsonaro had said Friday that in order to carry out such an operation, a law must be passed guaranteeing that such people would remain quarantined when they return. Brazil so far has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Coronavirus outbreak: Brazilians in Wuhan ask help leaving ground zero of virus drama

Lionel Messi returned from international suspension to score the winner in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Brazil in Saudi Arabia on Friday. The Barcelona striker, who missed four games after calling the South American Football Confederation "corrupt," scored after 14 minutes to give Argentina a deserved victory in the so-called Superclasico.

Lionel Messi returned from international suspension to score the winner in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Brazil in Saudi Arabia on Friday. The Barcelona striker, who missed four games after calling the South American Football Confederation "corrupt," scored after 14 minutes to give Argentina a deserved victory in the so-called Superclasico. The result extended Brazil’s winless run to five games since they lifted the Copa America in July, their worst such run since 2013. Brazil beat Argentina 2-0 the last time these teams met in the Copa America semi-finals and they should have taken a ninth minute lead but Gabriel Jesus fired a penalty kick wide after he had been brought down in the box. Argentina were also awarded a penalty five minutes later and although Brazilian keeper Alisson saved Messi's initial effort, the Barcelona striker followed up to put Argentina 1-0 ahead. Messi missed two chances to double Argentina's lead before halftime, with defender Eder Militao and Alisson blocking the opportunities. Brazil, who were without Paris St Germain striker Neymar, had two-thirds of the possession but rarely threatened the Argentine goal in a game that featured 41 fouls and six yellow cards. Argentina, meanwhile, looked more sprightly, even without Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala, both of whom were unused substitutes. Argentina have now won three of the five games they have played since their semi-final exit at the Copa America.

Messi goal gives Argentina 1-0 win over Brazil

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Brazil from November 13-14 for the 11th BRICS summit during which New Delhi's focus will be on the issue of multilateralism and counter-terror. 
&nbsp; 
Ahead of the visit, Secretary Economic Relations T S Tirumurt said, "Prime Minister has articulated his vision for reformed multilateralism and has underlined the importance of strengthening and reforming the multilateral system itself. He has specifically underlined that when we call for multilateralism, we should not call to reinforce the status-quo of multilateralism but seek to reform multilateralism itself since this is what BRICS had originally set out to do".

Cooperation on the counter-terror front has been another key focus of New Delhi, with Secretary ER saying, India has "worked closely within BRICS to not only take a strong stand against terrorism but also work to bring about focused consultations on specific aspects related to terrorism".

A joint working grouping has been constituted by BRICS with five focus areas - terrorist financing, countering radicalisation, issue of foreign terrorist fighters, capacity-building and use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. India will be chairing the subgroup on the misuse of the internet by terrorists.

In fact, during the BRICS National Security Advisors meet in Brazil, NSA Ajit Doval had put the proposal to host a BRICS workshop on digital forensics in India. Under Brazil's presidency, first BRICS seminar on Strategies for Countering Terrorism took place.

The PM is also expected to meet his Russian, Brazilian and Chinese counterparts. PM last met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tamil Nadu for the second India China informal summit and Brazilian President Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka Japan.

Four Key outcomes of the summit include MoUs between trade and investment promotion agencies of BRICS, the launch of BRICS women business alliance, iBRICS - Innovation network of BRICS which will include setting up research institutes like science parks, incubators, accelerators and BRICS institute of the future network.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Brazil from November 13-14 for the 11th BRICS summit during which New Delhi's focus will be on the issue of multilateralism and counter-terror.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Brazil from November 13-14 for the 11th BRICS summit during which New Delhi's focus will be on the issue of multilateralism and counter-terror. Ahead of the visit, Secretary Economic Relations T S Tirumurt said, "Prime Minister has articulated his vision for reformed multilateralism and has underlined the importance of strengthening and reforming the multilateral system itself. He has specifically underlined that when we call for multilateralism, we should not call to reinforce the status-quo of multilateralism but seek to reform multilateralism itself since this is what BRICS had originally set out to do". Cooperation on the counter-terror front has been another key focus of New Delhi, with Secretary ER saying, India has "worked closely within BRICS to not only take a strong stand against terrorism but also work to bring about focused consultations on specific aspects related to terrorism". A joint working grouping has been constituted by BRICS with five focus areas - terrorist financing, countering radicalisation, issue of foreign terrorist fighters, capacity-building and use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. India will be chairing the subgroup on the misuse of the internet by terrorists. In fact, during the BRICS National Security Advisors meet in Brazil, NSA Ajit Doval had put the proposal to host a BRICS workshop on digital forensics in India. Under Brazil's presidency, first BRICS seminar on Strategies for Countering Terrorism took place. The PM is also expected to meet his Russian, Brazilian and Chinese counterparts. PM last met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tamil Nadu for the second India China informal summit and Brazilian President Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka Japan. Four Key outcomes of the summit include MoUs between trade and investment promotion agencies of BRICS, the launch of BRICS women business alliance, iBRICS - Innovation network of BRICS which will include setting up research institutes like science parks, incubators, accelerators and BRICS institute of the future network.

PM Modi to focus on reformed multilateralism at 11th BRICS Summit in Brazil

Brazil's far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who was stabbed in the abdomen at a campaign rally a year ago, will undergo surgery next week, his third surgical procedure since the attack although doctors say this one carries only a minor risk.

Brazil's far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who was stabbed in the abdomen at a campaign rally a year ago, will undergo surgery next week, his third surgical procedure since the attack although doctors say this one carries only a minor risk. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, will spend about 10 days recuperating after the procedure, he said on Twitter. The surgery will treat a hernia that developed following his previous surgeries, said Leandro Echenique, one of the president's doctors. "It is common for an hernia to develop where you have had abdominal surgery," Echenique said. "This is a surgical correction ... the president is doing very well health-wise." Adélio Bispo de Oliveira, the man accused by prosecutors of stabbing Bolsonaro last September, was acquitted in June after a judge decided that he was mentally unfit.

Brazil President Bolsonaro to undergo surgery next week, his third after stabbing attack

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed a sexist Facebook post about France's first lady Brigitte Macron Sunday, the latest chapter in an escalating war of words between him and his French counterpart over the Amazon crisis.

Emmanuel Macron had called for emergency talks by <a href="wionews.com/world/g7-pledges-millions-to-help-fight-amazon-fires-245803">G7 nations</a> on the fires <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-across-latin-america-against-bolsonaros-handling-of-amazon-245249">destroying chunks of the Amazon rainforest</a>, piling pressure on Bolsonaro, who in turn accused him of having a "colonialist mentality".

On Sunday, a Bolsonaro supporter posted a meme mocking the appearance of Brigitte Macron and comparing her unfavourably with Brazil's first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, with the tagline: "Now you understand why Macron is persecuting Bolsonaro?"

The far-right Brazilian leader replied: "Do not humiliate the guy, ha ha," referring to Macron.

Asked by AFP whether the response came from Bolsonaro himself, a spokesman for Brazil's presidential palace refused to comment.

The fires across the world's largest rainforest, which experts have blamed on rampant deforestation, have triggered a global outcry -- with European nations leading the charge against Bolsonaro, who has made no secret of his scepticism about climate change.

The row has seen Brazilian politicians -- including Bolsonaro's son Eduardo -- take potshots at Macron, with education minister Abraham Weintraub calling him "an opportunist idiot" and "a president without character" in a flurry of tweets Sunday.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is tipped to be the next ambassador to Washington, on Friday retweeted a video showing violent yellow-vest protests in France headlined "Macron is an idiot", calling it "a message" to the French leader.

Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying about a June pledge to fight global warming and threatened to block efforts to seal a major trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur nations over the Amazon crisis.

Ties between Brazil and France have plunged since Bolsonaro's election. Last month the Brazilian leader snubbed France's top diplomat by cancelling their meeting and getting a haircut instead, which he broadcast live on Facebook.

Jean-Yves Le Drian had angered Bolsonaro by meeting with non-profits which have been critical of the South American leader.

Last week Bolsonaro accused non-profit organizations of deliberately starting the fires after their funding was cut.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed a sexist Facebook post about France's first lady Brigitte Macron Sunday, the latest chapter in an escalating war of words between him and his French counterpart over the Amazon crisis.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed a sexist Facebook post about France's first lady Brigitte Macron Sunday, the latest chapter in an escalating war of words between him and his French counterpart over the Amazon crisis. Emmanuel Macron had called for emergency talks by G7 nations on the fires destroying chunks of the Amazon rainforest, piling pressure on Bolsonaro, who in turn accused him of having a "colonialist mentality". On Sunday, a Bolsonaro supporter posted a meme mocking the appearance of Brigitte Macron and comparing her unfavourably with Brazil's first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, with the tagline: "Now you understand why Macron is persecuting Bolsonaro?" The far-right Brazilian leader replied: "Do not humiliate the guy, ha ha," referring to Macron. Asked by AFP whether the response came from Bolsonaro himself, a spokesman for Brazil's presidential palace refused to comment. The fires across the world's largest rainforest, which experts have blamed on rampant deforestation, have triggered a global outcry -- with European nations leading the charge against Bolsonaro, who has made no secret of his scepticism about climate change. The row has seen Brazilian politicians -- including Bolsonaro's son Eduardo -- take potshots at Macron, with education minister Abraham Weintraub calling him "an opportunist idiot" and "a president without character" in a flurry of tweets Sunday. Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is tipped to be the next ambassador to Washington, on Friday retweeted a video showing violent yellow-vest protests in France headlined "Macron is an idiot", calling it "a message" to the French leader. Macron has accused Bolsonaro of lying about a June pledge to fight global warming and threatened to block efforts to seal a major trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur nations over the Amazon crisis. Ties between Brazil and France have plunged since Bolsonaro's election. Last month the Brazilian leader snubbed France's top diplomat by cancelling their meeting and getting a haircut instead, which he broadcast live on Facebook. Jean-Yves Le Drian had angered Bolsonaro by meeting with non-profits which have been critical of the South American leader. Last week Bolsonaro accused non-profit organizations of deliberately starting the fires after their funding was cut.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro endorses sexist post about France's first lady Brigitte Macron

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro suggested Friday that people "poop every other day" as a way to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-deforestation-climbs-67-per-cent-through-july-as-government-attacks-data-241014">save the environment</a>, after he came under fire for a surge in deforestation of the Amazon since he came to power.

The far-right leader offered this idea in response to a journalist's question as to whether it was possible to simultaneously spur economic growth, feed the world's hungry and also preserve the environment.

"It's enough to eat a little less. You talk about environmental pollution. It's enough to poop every other day. That will be better for the whole world," said Bolsonaro, who earlier this month sacked the head of a government agency that had reported a major increase in Amazon deforestation.

Bolsonaro has been criticized for a rapid acceleration in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, which covers vast swathes of Brazil and is considered vital to combatting global warming.

According to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which tracks clear-cutting of the rainforest, around 2,254 square kilometers (870 square miles) of the Amazon were cleared in July, an increase of 278 percent from a year ago.

That followed a 90 percent increase in June compared to the year prior -- figures that Bolsonaro has called "lies," and which prompted the sacking of INPE chief Ricardo Galvao on August 2.&nbsp;

The rapid rise in deforestation has triggered a global outcry and threatens to create problems for the recent free trade agreement between the South American trade bloc known as Mercosur. The pact includes Brazil and the European Union.

The Amazon is vital to the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere -- a check on global warming.

But Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said the INPE data was published in a way that satisfied "sensationalist interpretations" and was aimed at getting "more donations from foreign NGOs".&nbsp;

Data from INPE, an institution of international repute, showed that overall deforestation has increased 40 percent in the last twelve months compared with the same period a year ago.

Bolsonaro, a combative politician frequently denounced for derogatory remarks about women and minority groups, said the rapid rise in populations around the world needed to be addressed.

"When you see how the world's population is increasing by 70 million a year, you need a family planning policy," said the former army officer, declining to use the term "birth control" for fear of an adverse media reaction.

"Don't make me say that, otherwise (the daily) Folha de S. Paolo will run a headline saying I favor birth control," he said.

"But you can see that more educated people have fewer children. I'm an exception to that rule, I have five," he said.

The sacking of the INPE director prompted criticism from environmental groups.

"Bolsonaro knows that his government is primarily responsible for the current destruction of the Amazon. The dismissal of the director of INPE is nothing more than an act of revenge against those who show the truth," said Marcio Astrini from Greenpeace.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro suggested Friday that people "poop every other day" as a way to save the environment, after he came under fire for a surge in deforestation of the Amazon since he came to power.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro suggested Friday that people "poop every other day" as a way to save the environment, after he came under fire for a surge in deforestation of the Amazon since he came to power. The far-right leader offered this idea in response to a journalist's question as to whether it was possible to simultaneously spur economic growth, feed the world's hungry and also preserve the environment. "It's enough to eat a little less. You talk about environmental pollution. It's enough to poop every other day. That will be better for the whole world," said Bolsonaro, who earlier this month sacked the head of a government agency that had reported a major increase in Amazon deforestation. Bolsonaro has been criticized for a rapid acceleration in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, which covers vast swathes of Brazil and is considered vital to combatting global warming. According to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which tracks clear-cutting of the rainforest, around 2,254 square kilometers (870 square miles) of the Amazon were cleared in July, an increase of 278 percent from a year ago. That followed a 90 percent increase in June compared to the year prior -- figures that Bolsonaro has called "lies," and which prompted the sacking of INPE chief Ricardo Galvao on August 2. The rapid rise in deforestation has triggered a global outcry and threatens to create problems for the recent free trade agreement between the South American trade bloc known as Mercosur. The pact includes Brazil and the European Union. The Amazon is vital to the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere -- a check on global warming. But Environment Minister Ricardo Salles said the INPE data was published in a way that satisfied "sensationalist interpretations" and was aimed at getting "more donations from foreign NGOs". Data from INPE, an institution of international repute, showed that overall deforestation has increased 40 percent in the last twelve months compared with the same period a year ago. Bolsonaro, a combative politician frequently denounced for derogatory remarks about women and minority groups, said the rapid rise in populations around the world needed to be addressed. "When you see how the world's population is increasing by 70 million a year, you need a family planning policy," said the former army officer, declining to use the term "birth control" for fear of an adverse media reaction. "Don't make me say that, otherwise (the daily) Folha de S. Paolo will run a headline saying I favor birth control," he said. "But you can see that more educated people have fewer children. I'm an exception to that rule, I have five," he said. The sacking of the INPE director prompted criticism from environmental groups. "Bolsonaro knows that his government is primarily responsible for the current destruction of the Amazon. The dismissal of the director of INPE is nothing more than an act of revenge against those who show the truth," said Marcio Astrini from Greenpeace.

Poop less for a cleaner planet, says Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday there was no hunger in the country, citing the lack of rail-thin poor people in the streets as proof.

Speaking to foreign journalists, Bolsonaro blamed "populists" for propagating "a big lie" that some of Brazil's 209 million people did not have enough to eat.

"There is no hunger," the far-right leader said, noting Brazil "was rich in practically every type of crop".&nbsp;

"You don't see poor people in the street with bone-thin bodies like in other countries.

"To say that there is hunger in Brazil is a populist discourse to try to win popular sympathy, nothing more than that."

But after widespread coverage of his remarks &nbsp;and social media criticism, Bolsonaro backtracked, saying that "Brazilians eat poorly. And some people are hungry.

"And that is unacceptable in a country as rich as ours, with as much arable land as we have and more than enough water."&nbsp;

But "we have diet problems here in Brazil. We have them, it's not my fault, and that was here before I was," Bolsonaro stressed.

Often dubbed the "Trump of the tropics," Bolsonaro slammed the reporting as "fake news."

Latest figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization show 5.1 million Brazilians are "undernourished."&nbsp;

But the proportion of the population suffering had fallen to less than 2.5 percent between 2008 and 2010, compared with 11.9 percent in the 1999-2001 period.&nbsp;

The FAO attributed the decline to social welfare programs introduced by the leftwing government of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, including the Zero Hunger campaign.

In a recent interview with O Globo, Rodrigo Maia, the powerful head of the lower chamber of Congress, accused Bolsonaro of showing no concern for the poor.&nbsp;

What deforestation?&nbsp;

Bolsonaro also told the foreign journalists that he was skeptical of reports of increased deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

The president is suspicious of foreign interest in the rainforest, seeing control of the region as an issue of national sovereignty.

"With all the devastation that you are accusing us of doing ... the Amazon region would already have been extinguished," he told the reporters.

However according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), satellite data shows Amazon rainforest deforestation has increased 88 percent in June compared to the same period one year earlier.

Bolsonaro said he has called on the head of INPE "to come to Brasilia to explain the data that was released to the press."

Furthermore, Bolsonaro slammed as "disinformation" news that Brazilian farmers are heavy users of toxic pesticides -- an issue that could create problems for a free trade agreement between the South American Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union.

"Brazil is the country that least uses toxic pesticides because if we were selling poison, you wouldn't be buying. I'm surprised by this disinformation," he said.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday there was no hunger in the country, citing the lack of rail-thin poor people in the streets as proof. Speaking to foreign journalists, Bolsonaro blamed "populists" for propagating "a big lie" that some of Brazil's 209 million people did not have enough to eat.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday there was no hunger in the country, citing the lack of rail-thin poor people in the streets as proof. Speaking to foreign journalists, Bolsonaro blamed "populists" for propagating "a big lie" that some of Brazil's 209 million people did not have enough to eat. "There is no hunger," the far-right leader said, noting Brazil "was rich in practically every type of crop". "You don't see poor people in the street with bone-thin bodies like in other countries. "To say that there is hunger in Brazil is a populist discourse to try to win popular sympathy, nothing more than that." But after widespread coverage of his remarks and social media criticism, Bolsonaro backtracked, saying that "Brazilians eat poorly. And some people are hungry. "And that is unacceptable in a country as rich as ours, with as much arable land as we have and more than enough water." But "we have diet problems here in Brazil. We have them, it's not my fault, and that was here before I was," Bolsonaro stressed. Often dubbed the "Trump of the tropics," Bolsonaro slammed the reporting as "fake news." Latest figures from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization show 5.1 million Brazilians are "undernourished." But the proportion of the population suffering had fallen to less than 2.5 percent between 2008 and 2010, compared with 11.9 percent in the 1999-2001 period. The FAO attributed the decline to social welfare programs introduced by the leftwing government of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, including the Zero Hunger campaign. In a recent interview with O Globo, Rodrigo Maia, the powerful head of the lower chamber of Congress, accused Bolsonaro of showing no concern for the poor. What deforestation? Bolsonaro also told the foreign journalists that he was skeptical of reports of increased deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The president is suspicious of foreign interest in the rainforest, seeing control of the region as an issue of national sovereignty. "With all the devastation that you are accusing us of doing ... the Amazon region would already have been extinguished," he told the reporters. However according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), satellite data shows Amazon rainforest deforestation has increased 88 percent in June compared to the same period one year earlier. Bolsonaro said he has called on the head of INPE "to come to Brasilia to explain the data that was released to the press." Furthermore, Bolsonaro slammed as "disinformation" news that Brazilian farmers are heavy users of toxic pesticides -- an issue that could create problems for a free trade agreement between the South American Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union. "Brazil is the country that least uses toxic pesticides because if we were selling poison, you wouldn't be buying. I'm surprised by this disinformation," he said.

Bolsonaro says claims of hunger in Brazil 'a big lie'

More than half of Brazilians say they lack confidence in right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, whose support has steadily eroded since winning a commanding victory in October's election, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.

The number of respondents lacking confidence in Bolsonaro rose to 51% from 46% in a previous poll, pollster Ibope said in a survey commissioned by industry group CNI. A range of other measures also pointed to rising negative sentiment toward Bolsonaro's administration.

After assuming office on Jan. 1, Bolsonaro's government has lurched from one scandal to the next, including internal conflicts leading to a string of ministers resigning or being fired.

The economy has also been slower than expected to recover from a deep recession as Bolsonaro's flagship pension reform bill, aimed at closing a huge shortfall in public finances, inches its way through Congress.

On Thursday, the central bank slashed gross domestic product growth predictions for 2019 to 0.8% from 2.0% previously, and the government announced that the economy added less than half as many jobs as forecast in May.

About 32% of those surveyed by Ibope said the government was doing a "bad" or "terrible" job, up from 27% in the previous poll.

The Bolsonaro government's "good/great" rating was 32%, down from 35% in April and 49% in January, shortly after assuming office.

Ibope surveyed 2,000 people across Brazil from June 20-23. The poll's margin of error is 2 percentage points.

More than half of Brazilians say they lack confidence in right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, whose support has steadily eroded since winning a commanding victory in October's election, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday.

More than half of Brazilians say they lack confidence in right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, whose support has steadily eroded since winning a commanding victory in October's election, according to an opinion poll released on Thursday. The number of respondents lacking confidence in Bolsonaro rose to 51% from 46% in a previous poll, pollster Ibope said in a survey commissioned by industry group CNI. A range of other measures also pointed to rising negative sentiment toward Bolsonaro's administration. After assuming office on Jan. 1, Bolsonaro's government has lurched from one scandal to the next, including internal conflicts leading to a string of ministers resigning or being fired. The economy has also been slower than expected to recover from a deep recession as Bolsonaro's flagship pension reform bill, aimed at closing a huge shortfall in public finances, inches its way through Congress. On Thursday, the central bank slashed gross domestic product growth predictions for 2019 to 0.8% from 2.0% previously, and the government announced that the economy added less than half as many jobs as forecast in May. About 32% of those surveyed by Ibope said the government was doing a "bad" or "terrible" job, up from 27% in the previous poll. The Bolsonaro government's "good/great" rating was 32%, down from 35% in April and 49% in January, shortly after assuming office. Ibope surveyed 2,000 people across Brazil from June 20-23. The poll's margin of error is 2 percentage points.

Public support for Brazil President Bolsonaro eroding: Poll

An ally of Jair Bolsonaro won a fraught vote for the head of Brazil's Senate on Saturday, a boost for the far-right president's legislative efforts to open the economy, tackle crime and enact socially conservative measures.

Davi Alcolumbre, from the Democrats party, was supported by the president's son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, and Bolsonaro's Chief of Staff, Onyx Lorenzoni. He won 42 votes, one more than was needed to become Senate president.

His election comes the day after Rodrigo Maia, also of the Democrats party, won his bid to remain leader of the lower house.

Their victories should help Bolsonaro as he seeks to pass a divisive pension reform, which is widely seen as necessary to shore up Brazil's creaking public finances but is likely to face stiff opposition.

The leaders of Brazil's legislative bodies have broad powers to pick and choose what bills are debated, and when. With two business-friendly legislature heads, Bolsonaro's pension reform bill stands a better chance.

However, the manner of Alcolumbre's win may herald trouble.

He beat Senator Renan Calheiros, a canny political operative who was seeking his fifth Senate presidency and had requested a secret vote.

But Flavio Bolsonaro revealed that he voted in favour of Alcolumbre, a move seen as indicating where the government's preference lay and likely dooming Calheiros, who subsequently withdrew.

"This process is not democratic," said Calheiros.

Calheiros enjoys strong support among the elder statesmen of the chamber but is increasingly at odds with growing public resentment against the veteran political class, seen by many Brazilians as corrupt.

He will now be the de facto head of a powerful group of senators that could pose a headache for Bolsonaro's legislative agenda in the upper house.

An ally of Jair Bolsonaro won a fraught vote for the head of Brazil's Senate on Saturday, a boost for the far-right president's legislative efforts to open the economy, tackle crime and enact socially conservative measures.

An ally of Jair Bolsonaro won a fraught vote for the head of Brazil's Senate on Saturday, a boost for the far-right president's legislative efforts to open the economy, tackle crime and enact socially conservative measures. Davi Alcolumbre, from the Democrats party, was supported by the president's son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, and Bolsonaro's Chief of Staff, Onyx Lorenzoni. He won 42 votes, one more than was needed to become Senate president. His election comes the day after Rodrigo Maia, also of the Democrats party, won his bid to remain leader of the lower house. Their victories should help Bolsonaro as he seeks to pass a divisive pension reform, which is widely seen as necessary to shore up Brazil's creaking public finances but is likely to face stiff opposition. The leaders of Brazil's legislative bodies have broad powers to pick and choose what bills are debated, and when. With two business-friendly legislature heads, Bolsonaro's pension reform bill stands a better chance. However, the manner of Alcolumbre's win may herald trouble. He beat Senator Renan Calheiros, a canny political operative who was seeking his fifth Senate presidency and had requested a secret vote. But Flavio Bolsonaro revealed that he voted in favour of Alcolumbre, a move seen as indicating where the government's preference lay and likely dooming Calheiros, who subsequently withdrew. "This process is not democratic," said Calheiros. Calheiros enjoys strong support among the elder statesmen of the chamber but is increasingly at odds with growing public resentment against the veteran political class, seen by many Brazilians as corrupt. He will now be the de facto head of a powerful group of senators that could pose a headache for Bolsonaro's legislative agenda in the upper house.

Bolsonaro ally wins Senate leadership, smoothing legislative path

Brazilian firefighters on Sunday resumed searching for hundreds of missing people and called off an evacuation of nearby residents after a mining dam ruptured on Friday, triggering a deadly mudslide.

A remaining dam at a Vale SA iron ore mining complex in Brazil was no longer at risk of bursting, said Flavio Godinho, a spokesman for the Minas Gerais civil defense agency.

The dam burst at Vale's Corrego do Feijao mine in southeastern Brazil unleashed a torrent of mud on Friday, burying the mining facilities and nearby homes in the town of Brumadinho.

Nearly 300 people are still missing, with the list of those unaccounted for being constantly updated, Godinho told reporters. Most of those lost are presumed dead, officials said.

The figure could rise as authorities reconcile its list of missing residents with the tally of Vale employees who are not accounted for, he said. The confirmed death toll rose to 37 by Sunday morning, according to the fire department.

The death toll exceeded a 2015 tailings dam collapse at an iron ore mine less than 100 km (60 miles) to the east, belonging to Samarco Mineracao SA, a Vale joint venture with BHP Group.

The Samarco dam break spilled five times the mining waste into a more remote region, killing 19 people, burying a small village and contaminating a major river in Brazil's worst environmental disaster on record.

Fears about another dam burst in Brumadinho on Sunday triggered evacuation sirens in the town before dawn, but by afternoon officials said there was no risk and the evacuation was called off.

State fire department spokesman Pedro Aihara initially said 24,000 people would need to be evacuated, but later revised the number down to 3,000. In total, 24,000 people are affected in some way by the disaster, he said.

"Fed up"

Renato Maia, a 44-year-old salesman whose best friend's daughter remained missing, fled his home in panic early Sunday morning and they were stuck for hours at a police barricade on the outskirts of town, stewing at the situation.

"We're all fed up with Vale ... and this is really adding to the tension," he said. "It was a huge tragedy and now we don't know what might come next."

The Brazilian government has ordered Vale to halt operations at the Corrego do Feijao mining complex. On Sunday, courts nearly doubled to 11 billion reais ($2.9 billion) the amount of Vale assets frozen in anticipation of damages and fines.

Vale Chief Executive Fabio Schvartsman apologized without taking responsibility in an television interview on Saturday.

"Apologies to society, apologies to you, apologies to the whole world for what has happened," he said. "I don't know who is responsible, but you can be sure we'll do our part."

The cause of the dam burst remained unclear. Recent inspections by a German auditor TUV SUD and Vale did not indicate any problems with the dam, the companies said.

Federal prosecutor Jose Adercio Sampaio told Reuters on Saturday that state and federal authorities have failed to apply more stringent regulation to the hundreds of tailings dams around the country.

Schvartsman said all of Vale's tailings dams were checked after the 2015 disaster and periodic reviews are carried out.

Brazilian firefighters on Sunday resumed searching for hundreds of missing people and called off an evacuation of nearby residents after a mining dam ruptured on Friday, triggering a deadly mudslide.

Brazilian firefighters on Sunday resumed searching for hundreds of missing people and called off an evacuation of nearby residents after a mining dam ruptured on Friday, triggering a deadly mudslide. A remaining dam at a Vale SA iron ore mining complex in Brazil was no longer at risk of bursting, said Flavio Godinho, a spokesman for the Minas Gerais civil defense agency. The dam burst at Vale's Corrego do Feijao mine in southeastern Brazil unleashed a torrent of mud on Friday, burying the mining facilities and nearby homes in the town of Brumadinho. Nearly 300 people are still missing, with the list of those unaccounted for being constantly updated, Godinho told reporters. Most of those lost are presumed dead, officials said. The figure could rise as authorities reconcile its list of missing residents with the tally of Vale employees who are not accounted for, he said. The confirmed death toll rose to 37 by Sunday morning, according to the fire department. The death toll exceeded a 2015 tailings dam collapse at an iron ore mine less than 100 km (60 miles) to the east, belonging to Samarco Mineracao SA, a Vale joint venture with BHP Group. The Samarco dam break spilled five times the mining waste into a more remote region, killing 19 people, burying a small village and contaminating a major river in Brazil's worst environmental disaster on record. Fears about another dam burst in Brumadinho on Sunday triggered evacuation sirens in the town before dawn, but by afternoon officials said there was no risk and the evacuation was called off. State fire department spokesman Pedro Aihara initially said 24,000 people would need to be evacuated, but later revised the number down to 3,000. In total, 24,000 people are affected in some way by the disaster, he said. "Fed up" Renato Maia, a 44-year-old salesman whose best friend's daughter remained missing, fled his home in panic early Sunday morning and they were stuck for hours at a police barricade on the outskirts of town, stewing at the situation. "We're all fed up with Vale ... and this is really adding to the tension," he said. "It was a huge tragedy and now we don't know what might come next." The Brazilian government has ordered Vale to halt operations at the Corrego do Feijao mining complex. On Sunday, courts nearly doubled to 11 billion reais ($2.9 billion) the amount of Vale assets frozen in anticipation of damages and fines. Vale Chief Executive Fabio Schvartsman apologized without taking responsibility in an television interview on Saturday. "Apologies to society, apologies to you, apologies to the whole world for what has happened," he said. "I don't know who is responsible, but you can be sure we'll do our part." The cause of the dam burst remained unclear. Recent inspections by a German auditor TUV SUD and Vale did not indicate any problems with the dam, the companies said. Federal prosecutor Jose Adercio Sampaio told Reuters on Saturday that state and federal authorities have failed to apply more stringent regulation to the hundreds of tailings dams around the country. Schvartsman said all of Vale's tailings dams were checked after the 2015 disaster and periodic reviews are carried out.

Brazil resumes search for missing after dam collapse, ends evacuation

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