Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is a polarising figure. He is due for re-election next year. But political campaigning has already begun after his detractors are baking cookies to get their message across. WION brings you a report.

Bakery in Sao Paulo dishes out a 'political cookies' that taste of Bolsonaro's impeachment

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work. 
 
The Vila Nova Star hospital where Bolsonaro has been since Wednesday said that is making satisfactory progress and may be discharged within days, while chief surgeon Antonio Macedo told journalists that he could be released on Sunday. 
 
Bolsonaro was offered a diet of soups and purees on Saturday, and assuming he showed no negative reaction, he could be discharged in the next few days, according to the hospital statement. 
 
Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the Sao Paulo hospital since Wednesday for treatment relating to an obstructed intestine following the 2018 knifing. 
 
In a live online event on Saturday to mark the opening of a Caixa Economica bank branch in the northern state of Ceará, Bolsonaro said he is feeling fine and itching to get back to work. 
 
"I'm fine, thank God. The problem I had earlier this week was still due to the stab wound I received in 2018 ... from time to time, it affects the gut," Bolsonaro said in the live event, explaining that he will not undergo surgery. 
 
"I can't wait to get back to work, see friends, and really get Brazil moving," he added.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for complications following a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Saturday that he feels fine and cannot wait to get back to work. The Vila Nova Star hospital where Bolsonaro has been since Wednesday said that is making satisfactory progress and may be discharged within days, while chief surgeon Antonio Macedo told journalists that he could be released on Sunday. Bolsonaro was offered a diet of soups and purees on Saturday, and assuming he showed no negative reaction, he could be discharged in the next few days, according to the hospital statement. Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the Sao Paulo hospital since Wednesday for treatment relating to an obstructed intestine following the 2018 knifing. In a live online event on Saturday to mark the opening of a Caixa Economica bank branch in the northern state of Ceará, Bolsonaro said he is feeling fine and itching to get back to work. "I'm fine, thank God. The problem I had earlier this week was still due to the stab wound I received in 2018 ... from time to time, it affects the gut," Bolsonaro said in the live event, explaining that he will not undergo surgery. "I can't wait to get back to work, see friends, and really get Brazil moving," he added.

Brazil's Bolsonaro feeling 'fine', could be discharged from hospital on Sunday

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for an obstructed intestine after a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Friday, he hoped to be "back in action soon," while doctors gave no date for him to be discharged. 
 
Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the hospital since Wednesday, when he traveled from Brasilia to Sao Paulo for treatment relating to complications from the 2018 knifing. After initial concerns he might need emergency surgery, doctors now say he is improving, with an operation less likely. 
 
His doctors said in a statement on Friday evening the president was recovering in a satisfactory manner, and that the president began eating again in a smooth fashion. They gave no date for his release from hospital, however. 
 
Earlier on Friday, Bolsonaro tweeted a photo of himself, walking along a hospital corridor with a drip attached to his neck and looking stern-faced. 
 
"Back in action soon, God willing!," he wrote. "We've done a lot, but we still have a lot to do for our Brazil!" 
 
Bolsonaro had said in a TV interview on Thursday he could be out of hospital on Friday. 
 
On Thursday evening, the president`s doctors said they had removed a gastric catheter from Bolsonaro and that he would begin eating again on Friday. 
 
Bolsonaro has faced several health issues during his presidency, mainly stemming from long-term complications after he suffered a perforated intestine when he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018. He was also ill with COVID-19 last year. 
 
Bolsonaro is in a weak political position as senators probe a corruption scandal over the purchase of coronavirus vaccines and he faces criticism over his handling of the pandemic. 
 
COVID-19 has killed nearly 540,000 people in Brazil - the world's second highest death toll behind the United States.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for an obstructed intestine after a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Friday, he hoped to be "back in action soon," while doctors gave no date for him to be discharged.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for an obstructed intestine after a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Friday, he hoped to be "back in action soon," while doctors gave no date for him to be discharged. Bolsonaro, 66, has been in the hospital since Wednesday, when he traveled from Brasilia to Sao Paulo for treatment relating to complications from the 2018 knifing. After initial concerns he might need emergency surgery, doctors now say he is improving, with an operation less likely. His doctors said in a statement on Friday evening the president was recovering in a satisfactory manner, and that the president began eating again in a smooth fashion. They gave no date for his release from hospital, however. Earlier on Friday, Bolsonaro tweeted a photo of himself, walking along a hospital corridor with a drip attached to his neck and looking stern-faced. "Back in action soon, God willing!," he wrote. "We've done a lot, but we still have a lot to do for our Brazil!" Bolsonaro had said in a TV interview on Thursday he could be out of hospital on Friday. On Thursday evening, the president`s doctors said they had removed a gastric catheter from Bolsonaro and that he would begin eating again on Friday. Bolsonaro has faced several health issues during his presidency, mainly stemming from long-term complications after he suffered a perforated intestine when he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018. He was also ill with COVID-19 last year. Bolsonaro is in a weak political position as senators probe a corruption scandal over the purchase of coronavirus vaccines and he faces criticism over his handling of the pandemic. COVID-19 has killed nearly 540,000 people in Brazil - the world's second highest death toll behind the United States.

Brazil's Bolsonaro recovering, says will be 'back in action soon'

Brazil President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine.

Far right leader&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days.

The 66-year-old was later transferred by a Brazilian Air Force airplane to the Vila Nova Star private hospital in Sao Paulo for further tests to determine whether or not he would need to undergo surgery.

The hospital decided on Wednesday to begin with a "conservative clinical treatment."

It said in a statement Thursday&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;remained in its care and was "evolving satisfactorily."

"The previously established treatment plan remains in place. The president will remain with no discharge scheduled," the hospital added.

There are no plans to operate but should the hospital change its mind, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 on the campaign trail.

His legislator son, Eduardo&nbsp;Bolsonaro, said in a video published to Telegram that doctors had removed "close to one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of liquid" from the president's stomach that was caused by the obstruction, considerably alleviating the pain.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-president-jair-bolsonaro-gets-hospitalised-to-find-cause-of-hiccups-398087">Also read |&nbsp;Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gets hospitalised to find cause of 'hiccups'</a>

Another son, senator Flavio&nbsp;Bolsonaro, said his father had been "intubated as a precaution" when he was taken to the hospital in Brasilia.&nbsp;

His admission to the hospital came at a difficult time for&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;who last week saw his disapproval rating climb to an all-time high.

The Senate has also launched an investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed and which has cost almost 540,000 lives in Brazil. The investigation was extended by 90 days on Wednesday.

Bolsonaro, who contracted Covid-19 last year, is also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases.&nbsp;

The opposition is pushing for the president of the chamber of deputies to open impeachment proceedings against&nbsp;Bolsonaro.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine. Far right leader Bolsonaro was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days.

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro was making satisfactory progress on Thursday according to the hospital where he is receiving treatment for a blocked intestine. Far right leader Bolsonaro was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday after suffering persistent hiccups and abdominal pain for around 10 days. The 66-year-old was later transferred by a Brazilian Air Force airplane to the Vila Nova Star private hospital in Sao Paulo for further tests to determine whether or not he would need to undergo surgery. The hospital decided on Wednesday to begin with a "conservative clinical treatment." It said in a statement Thursday Bolsonaro remained in its care and was "evolving satisfactorily." "The previously established treatment plan remains in place. The president will remain with no discharge scheduled," the hospital added. There are no plans to operate but should the hospital change its mind, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 on the campaign trail. His legislator son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, said in a video published to Telegram that doctors had removed "close to one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of liquid" from the president's stomach that was caused by the obstruction, considerably alleviating the pain. Also read | Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro gets hospitalised to find cause of 'hiccups' Another son, senator Flavio Bolsonaro, said his father had been "intubated as a precaution" when he was taken to the hospital in Brasilia. His admission to the hospital came at a difficult time for Bolsonaro who last week saw his disapproval rating climb to an all-time high. The Senate has also launched an investigation over his handling of the pandemic, the seriousness of which he repeatedly downplayed and which has cost almost 540,000 lives in Brazil. The investigation was extended by 90 days on Wednesday. Bolsonaro, who contracted Covid-19 last year, is 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 president of the chamber of deputies to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro's condition 'evolving satisfactorily', says hospital

After 10 straight days of hiccups, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been admitted to a hospital with intestinal obstruction. The 66-year-old had been complaining publicly since last week about suffering from hiccups following a July 3 surgery on a dental implant.

Brazil's President Bolsonaro in hospital due to persistent hiccups

After Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital due to persistent hiccups, it was revealed that the far-right leader is suffering from an "intestinal obstruction," the government said. If the surgery is confirmed, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed by a former member of the Socialist and Freedom Party (PSOL), a group that broke away from the Workers' Party (PT) of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is eyeing a run against Bolsonaro next year.

The 66-year-old had been complaining publicly since last week about suffering from hiccups following a July 3 surgery on a dental implant.

At first, he was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia but was then flown in a Brazilian Air Force plane to Sao Paulo where he was admitted to the Vila Nova Star private hospital. There he underwent clinical, laboratory and imaging tests and was being kept in the hospital, for the time being, doctors said.

"He is in good spirits and feels well," the presidency had said earlier in the day.

Also, Bolsonaro was examined in Brasilia by Antonio Macedo. He has operated on the president several times since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 while on the campaign trail.

The hospital said he would "initially" be given a "conservative clinical treatment."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-declining-popularity-bolsonaros-disapproval-rating-surpasses-50-for-the-first-time-397157">Also read | Amid declining popularity, Bolsonaro's disapproval rating surpasses 50% for the first time</a>

Speaking to a local radio station last week, Bolsonaro had said: "This happened to me before, maybe due to the medicine I'm taking, I have hiccups 24 hours a day."

Bolsonaro also contracted Covid-19 last year. However, his symptoms were mild and he did not need hospital treatment.

Bolsonaro is also being investigated by the public prosecutor for allegedly failing to act on an embezzlement tip-off regarding coronavirus vaccine purchases.&nbsp;

The opposition is pushing for the chamber of deputies president to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro.

After Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital due to persistent hiccups, it was revealed that the far-right leader is suffering from an "intestinal obstruction," the government said.

After Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital due to persistent hiccups, it was revealed that the far-right leader is suffering from an "intestinal obstruction," the government said. If the surgery is confirmed, it would be the president's seventh surgery since he was stabbed by a former member of the Socialist and Freedom Party (PSOL), a group that broke away from the Workers' Party (PT) of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is eyeing a run against Bolsonaro next year. The 66-year-old had been complaining publicly since last week about suffering from hiccups following a July 3 surgery on a dental implant. At first, he was taken to a military hospital in the capital Brasilia but was then flown in a Brazilian Air Force plane to Sao Paulo where he was admitted to the Vila Nova Star private hospital. There he underwent clinical, laboratory and imaging tests and was being kept in the hospital, for the time being, doctors said. "He is in good spirits and feels well," the presidency had said earlier in the day. Also, Bolsonaro was examined in Brasilia by Antonio Macedo. He has operated on the president several times since he was stabbed in the abdomen in 2018 while on the campaign trail. The hospital said he would "initially" be given a "conservative clinical treatment." Also read | Amid declining popularity, Bolsonaro's disapproval rating surpasses 50% for the first time Speaking to a local radio station last week, Bolsonaro had said: "This happened to me before, maybe due to the medicine I'm taking, I have hiccups 24 hours a day." Bolsonaro also contracted Covid-19 last year. However, his symptoms were mild and he did not need hospital treatment. Bolsonaro is 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.

Bolsonaro hospitalised after 'chronic hiccups', may need surgery to remove intestinal obstruction

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Saturday that a large number of guests specially invited to watch the Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina have been falsifying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> tests in order to gain entry.

The match between the two arch-rivals is due to kick off on Saturday night at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/argentina-end-28-year-wait-to-lift-major-trophy-as-lionel-messi-and-co-win-copa-america-397365" hreflang="en">Argentina end 28-year wait to lift major trophy as Lionel Messi and co. win Copa America</a>

Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium will host this match between the two archrivals this Saturday.

Due to the pandemic in South America, fans were barred from the first 27 games of the tournament, but CONMEBOL and Rio de Janeiro authorities permitted roughly 10 per cent of the stadium capacity i.e. 6,500 people to attend the final.

As per guidelines, COVID-19 negative tests must be presented by all attendees.

The CONMEBOL said a "significant number" of fraudulent PCR tests had been detected in Argentina as well as Brazil sections.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/copa-america-lionel-messi-said-it-was-my-final-reveals-angel-di-maria-after-winning-the-title-397295" hreflang="en">Copa America: Lionel Messi said it was my final, reveals Angel Di Maria after winning the title</a>

Extremely rigorous steps will be taken to ensure that such people are not allowed entry into the stadium. The final of the Copa America final will have extremely stringent security measures.

No information was provided on the number of fraudulent tests discovered.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Saturday that a large number of guests specially invited to watch the Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina have been falsifying COVID-19 tests in order to gain entry.

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said on Saturday that a large number of guests specially invited to watch the Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina have been falsifying COVID-19 tests in order to gain entry. The match between the two arch-rivals is due to kick off on Saturday night at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Also read | Argentina end 28-year wait to lift major trophy as Lionel Messi and co. win Copa America Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium will host this match between the two archrivals this Saturday. Due to the pandemic in South America, fans were barred from the first 27 games of the tournament, but CONMEBOL and Rio de Janeiro authorities permitted roughly 10 per cent of the stadium capacity i.e. 6,500 people to attend the final. As per guidelines, COVID-19 negative tests must be presented by all attendees. The CONMEBOL said a "significant number" of fraudulent PCR tests had been detected in Argentina as well as Brazil sections. Also read | Copa America: Lionel Messi said it was my final, reveals Angel Di Maria after winning the title Extremely rigorous steps will be taken to ensure that such people are not allowed entry into the stadium. The final of the Copa America final will have extremely stringent security measures. No information was provided on the number of fraudulent tests discovered.

Football- Guests faking COVID-19 tests to access Copa final: CONMEBOL

A poll released on Saturday showed for the first time that a majority of Brazilians support impeaching President Jair Bolsonaro. Serious graft allegations in connection with vaccine procurement have hit Bolsonaro's already maligned image.&nbsp;

The survey was carried out by Datafloha. As per the survey, 54 per cent Brazilians support a proposed move by the country's lower house to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro, while 42% oppose it. In the last Datafolha survey on the issue, released in May, supporters and opponents of impeachment were essentially tied.

In a separate Datafolha poll, released on Thursday, 51% of Brazilians said they disapproved of Bolsonaro, the highest figure since he took office in January 2019.

In recent weeks, Brasilia has been rocked by allegations that federal officials solicited bribes to fast-track and overpay for the Covaxin vaccine developed by India's Bharat Biotech. In late June, Brazil's Health Ministry suspended ($304 million) procurement deal.

A Health Ministry official and a congressman have said they shared their concerns about the Covaxin deal with Bolsonaro, but that no action appeared to have been taken. Last week, a Supreme Court judge authorized an investigation into the president for dereliction of duty.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Bolsonaro said he had taken measures after the officials shared their concerns about the Covaxin deal, but he did not elaborate further.

(With inputs from agencies)

A poll released on Saturday showed for the first time that a majority of Brazilians support impeaching President Jair Bolsonaro. Serious graft allegations in connection with vaccine procurement have hit Bolsonaro's already maligned image.

A poll released on Saturday showed for the first time that a majority of Brazilians support impeaching President Jair Bolsonaro. Serious graft allegations in connection with vaccine procurement have hit Bolsonaro's already maligned image. The survey was carried out by Datafloha. As per the survey, 54 per cent Brazilians support a proposed move by the country's lower house to open impeachment proceedings against Bolsonaro, while 42% oppose it. In the last Datafolha survey on the issue, released in May, supporters and opponents of impeachment were essentially tied. In a separate Datafolha poll, released on Thursday, 51% of Brazilians said they disapproved of Bolsonaro, the highest figure since he took office in January 2019. In recent weeks, Brasilia has been rocked by allegations that federal officials solicited bribes to fast-track and overpay for the Covaxin vaccine developed by India's Bharat Biotech. In late June, Brazil's Health Ministry suspended ($304 million) procurement deal. A Health Ministry official and a congressman have said they shared their concerns about the Covaxin deal with Bolsonaro, but that no action appeared to have been taken. Last week, a Supreme Court judge authorized an investigation into the president for dereliction of duty. In a radio interview on Saturday, Bolsonaro said he had taken measures after the officials shared their concerns about the Covaxin deal, but he did not elaborate further. (With inputs from agencies)

Poll shows majority of Brazilians support impeaching Bolsonaro

Lionel Messi and Co. paid&nbsp;the perfect tribute to late football legend Diego Maradona&nbsp;as Argentina lift their first Copa America title since 1993 as they beat hosts Brazil by 1-0 to lift the coveted trophy.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-englands-road-to-the-euro-2020-final-396964" hreflang="en">Football: England's road to the Euro 2020 final</a>

Angel Di Maria's impressive chip over the Brazilian goal-keeper Ederson in the 22nd minute gave Argentina a crucial lead and was the only goal of the match.&nbsp;

Brazil got several chances in the match but Argentina's defence proved too good for them.&nbsp;

The win also marks the end of Lionel Messi's trophy drought with Argentina. This is his first cup with Argentina since winning the gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.&nbsp;

Argentina's win comes as a perfect tribute for late legend Diego Maradona, the World Cup-winning&nbsp;captain who&nbsp;could not win&nbsp;the Copa America with the South American nation.&nbsp;

Lionel Messi was named the Golden Boot victor due four goals he scored and the assists to his name. Gianluca Lapadula and Lautaro Martinez scored three goals each.&nbsp;

Lionel Messi additionally gave the most assists in the tournament. He even broke the record for the most assists in a solitary edition of the Copa America.&nbsp;

While this was Lionel Messi's first-ever international trophy with Argentina, Neymar Jr. is yet to win one with Brazil. Since he wasn't a part of the Brazil squad that won the previous edition of the Copa America in 2019.

Lionel Messi and Co. paid the perfect tribute to late football legend Diego Maradona as Argentina lift their first Copa America title since 1993 as they beat hosts Brazil by 1-0 to lift the coveted trophy.

Lionel Messi and Co. paid the perfect tribute to late football legend Diego Maradona as Argentina lift their first Copa America title since 1993 as they beat hosts Brazil by 1-0 to lift the coveted trophy. ALSO READ: Football: England's road to the Euro 2020 final Angel Di Maria's impressive chip over the Brazilian goal-keeper Ederson in the 22nd minute gave Argentina a crucial lead and was the only goal of the match. Brazil got several chances in the match but Argentina's defence proved too good for them. The win also marks the end of Lionel Messi's trophy drought with Argentina. This is his first cup with Argentina since winning the gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Argentina's win comes as a perfect tribute for late legend Diego Maradona, the World Cup-winning captain who could not win the Copa America with the South American nation. Lionel Messi was named the Golden Boot victor due four goals he scored and the assists to his name. Gianluca Lapadula and Lautaro Martinez scored three goals each. Lionel Messi additionally gave the most assists in the tournament. He even broke the record for the most assists in a solitary edition of the Copa America. While this was Lionel Messi's first-ever international trophy with Argentina, Neymar Jr. is yet to win one with Brazil. Since he wasn't a part of the Brazil squad that won the previous edition of the Copa America in 2019.

Copa America: Lionel Messi's trophy drought ends as Argentina beat Brazil

The Copa America 2021 is set to include the greatest game in South America tomorrow as Brazil takes on Argentina in the Copa America final. The two South American monsters have outstanding in their positions and have a highlight demonstrate in this match.&nbsp;

Argentina have outperformed assumptions in Copa America this year and have assembled a decent squad with Lionel Scaloni in charge. La Albiceleste are in a bewildering trophy dry spell right now and have endeavored to arrive at the final this year.&nbsp;

Brazil are defending Copa America champions and began the tournament as an attacking team. The Selecao have been fixed back on a couple of events lately and should be careful about an impressive Argentina team.&nbsp;

<h2>Head-to-Head</h2>

Brazil have a historical record against Argentina and have dominated 46 matches out of a sum of 111 matches played between the two teams. Argentina have overseen 40 triumphs against Brazil and are entirely fit for holding their own this end of the week.&nbsp;

The last gathering between the two customary South American opponents occurred in 2019 and ended in a 1-0 triumph for Argentina.&nbsp;

<h2>Argentina</h2>

Argentina could be without Cristian Romero, who is nursing a physical issue. Leandro Paredes stays an ensured starter in the holding midfield job. Nonetheless, things get fascinating taking everything into account. Rodrigo De Paul is a top pick as he can offer innovativeness to the table, yet Scaloni may very well go with Giovani Lo Celso ahead of Guido Rodriguez.&nbsp;

Lo Celso can drive forward and make advancement passes in the last third. It very well may be valuable as Brazil are probably going to check Lionel Messi out of the game.&nbsp;

There may be a change at right-back, however, with Gonzalo Montiel beginning ahead of Nahuel Molina. The equivalent can't be said for left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and goalkeeper Emi Martinez as they are crucial resources for the Argentine defense.&nbsp;

Probable Stating XI: E Martinez; Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, L Martinez, Gonzalez&nbsp;

<h2>Brazil&nbsp;</h2>

In the meantime, Brazil's manager could be not able to call upon the administrations of left-back Alex Sandro, while Gabriel Jesus is suspended. Felipe was supplanted in June by Bragantino focus back Leo Ortiz because of injury issues.&nbsp;

Liable to start alongside Neymar Jr, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta, it will be fascinating to perceive how the winger works in the final three. Richarlison is the top choice to work in the number nine job, yet it will not be astounding to see Neymar and Everton float into the central region.&nbsp;

In the meantime, Ederson stays a top choice to begin in goal for the Selecao. He has generally begun the Copa America games up until this point, which means he ought to advance beyond Alisson and Weverton.&nbsp;

Probable Stating XI: Ederson; Danilo, Silva, Marquinhos, Lodi; Casemiro, Fred; Everton, Paqueta, Neymar; Richarlison&nbsp;

Argentina are frantic to win an international trophy, as the tension on Lionel Messi increases ahead of another final. Brazil, then again, have ostensibly been the best team in the tournament.

The Copa America 2021 is set to include the greatest game in South America tomorrow as Brazil takes on Argentina in the Copa America final. The two South American monsters have outstanding in their positions and have a highlight demonstrate in this match.

The Copa America 2021 is set to include the greatest game in South America tomorrow as Brazil takes on Argentina in the Copa America final. The two South American monsters have outstanding in their positions and have a highlight demonstrate in this match. Argentina have outperformed assumptions in Copa America this year and have assembled a decent squad with Lionel Scaloni in charge. La Albiceleste are in a bewildering trophy dry spell right now and have endeavored to arrive at the final this year. Brazil are defending Copa America champions and began the tournament as an attacking team. The Selecao have been fixed back on a couple of events lately and should be careful about an impressive Argentina team. Head-to-Head Brazil have a historical record against Argentina and have dominated 46 matches out of a sum of 111 matches played between the two teams. Argentina have overseen 40 triumphs against Brazil and are entirely fit for holding their own this end of the week. The last gathering between the two customary South American opponents occurred in 2019 and ended in a 1-0 triumph for Argentina. Argentina Argentina could be without Cristian Romero, who is nursing a physical issue. Leandro Paredes stays an ensured starter in the holding midfield job. Nonetheless, things get fascinating taking everything into account. Rodrigo De Paul is a top pick as he can offer innovativeness to the table, yet Scaloni may very well go with Giovani Lo Celso ahead of Guido Rodriguez. Lo Celso can drive forward and make advancement passes in the last third. It very well may be valuable as Brazil are probably going to check Lionel Messi out of the game. There may be a change at right-back, however, with Gonzalo Montiel beginning ahead of Nahuel Molina. The equivalent can't be said for left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and goalkeeper Emi Martinez as they are crucial resources for the Argentine defense. Probable Stating XI: E Martinez; Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, L Martinez, Gonzalez Brazil In the meantime, Brazil's manager could be not able to call upon the administrations of left-back Alex Sandro, while Gabriel Jesus is suspended. Felipe was supplanted in June by Bragantino focus back Leo Ortiz because of injury issues. Liable to start alongside Neymar Jr, Richarlison, and Lucas Paqueta, it will be fascinating to perceive how the winger works in the final three. Richarlison is the top choice to work in the number nine job, yet it will not be astounding to see Neymar and Everton float into the central region. In the meantime, Ederson stays a top choice to begin in goal for the Selecao. He has generally begun the Copa America games up until this point, which means he ought to advance beyond Alisson and Weverton. Probable Stating XI: Ederson; Danilo, Silva, Marquinhos, Lodi; Casemiro, Fred; Everton, Paqueta, Neymar; Richarlison Argentina are frantic to win an international trophy, as the tension on Lionel Messi increases ahead of another final. Brazil, then again, have ostensibly been the best team in the tournament.

Football: Argentina and Brazil set up Copa America showdown

Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will line up opposite each other in Saturday's Copa America final looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries' greatest players.

Like Brazil's Pele and Diego Maradona of Argentina before them, neither Messi nor Neymar has ever won the Copa.

That statistic will change for one of them in the dream final at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium.

For six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, this will be his fourth Copa final and perhaps his last chance to finish on the winning side.

He's been his team's standout performer, as ever, scoring four goals and creating five more -- the tournament leader in both categories.

But at 34, this may well be his last Copa and next year's World Cup could be his last major international tournament altogether.

So far, finals have led only to disappointment for Messi having lost in 2007, 2015 and 2016 at the Copa, and seen his side beaten 1-0 by Germany at the 2014 World Cup.

Some people believe winning something with Argentina is Messi's only remaining professional goal.

"We'll try to stop him achieving this objective," said Brazil centre-back Marquinhos.

"As much as Messi, we also have players that deserve this title ... like our own 'Ney' who wasn't there for the last Copa," he added.

At 29, Neymar has a bit more time on his side but he was injured and absent two years ago when Brazil won their ninth title on home soil, beating Peru 3-1 in the final.

<h2>'Eternal rivals'&nbsp;</h2>

But as well as the two superstars lining up on opposite sides on Saturday, this is a classic match between two world heavyweights.

"We're going to play a final against our eternal rivals, the lifelong ones, the two most powerful national teams in South America and we hope ... it will be a great match," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

"Brazil versus Argentina is much more than a simple game of football ... these jerseys make the world stand still to watch their games. That represents the history of Brazil-Argentina," added Marquinhos.

Incredibly, these two sides are not even the two most successful ones in Copa history, with Uruguay having won 15 titles to Argentina's 14 and Brazil's nine.

In what is the 47th edition of the Copa, this is also just the fourth time these two have met in the final, with Argentina triumphing the first time in 1937 and Brazil coming out on top in 2004 and 2007.

And that is despite having faced each other more than 100 times in their history.

They have been by far the strongest two sides in the competition, even if Argentina rode their luck a touch in their semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Colombia.

<h2>'World class players'&nbsp;</h2>

The two squads are impressive for their strength in depth.

In their semi-final victory over Peru -- and despite Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus being suspended -- Brazil left the likes of Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Flamengo hot-shot Gabriel Barbosa and Real Madrid starlet Vinicius Junior on the bench.

In midfield, Liverpool's Fabinho has been kept out of the side by a resurgent Fred, of Manchester United.

Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria -- a bright spark when he came on in the semi-final against Colombia -- has mostly started on the bench while new Barcelona signing Sergio Aguero has hardly had a look in for Argentina.

Messi and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez (three goals) have provided Argentina's main attacking thrust but they have quality and creativity throughout.

"Argentina are not just Lautaro and Messi, we cannot only concentrate on those two," said Brazil and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro.

"They're great players, world class players, but if Argentina have reached the final it's because of the (whole) group, we have to respect this."

As well as looking to end his career-long trophy drought with Argentina, Messi could make history in another way on Saturday.

He currently sits on 76 goals for Argentina, one shy of Pele's South American record of 77 national team goals.

Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will line up opposite each other in Saturday's Copa America final looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries' greatest players.

Former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar will line up opposite each other in Saturday's Copa America final looking to end a hoodoo that has also affected some of their countries' greatest players. Like Brazil's Pele and Diego Maradona of Argentina before them, neither Messi nor Neymar has ever won the Copa. That statistic will change for one of them in the dream final at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium. For six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, this will be his fourth Copa final and perhaps his last chance to finish on the winning side. He's been his team's standout performer, as ever, scoring four goals and creating five more -- the tournament leader in both categories. But at 34, this may well be his last Copa and next year's World Cup could be his last major international tournament altogether. So far, finals have led only to disappointment for Messi having lost in 2007, 2015 and 2016 at the Copa, and seen his side beaten 1-0 by Germany at the 2014 World Cup. Some people believe winning something with Argentina is Messi's only remaining professional goal. "We'll try to stop him achieving this objective," said Brazil centre-back Marquinhos. "As much as Messi, we also have players that deserve this title ... like our own 'Ney' who wasn't there for the last Copa," he added. At 29, Neymar has a bit more time on his side but he was injured and absent two years ago when Brazil won their ninth title on home soil, beating Peru 3-1 in the final. 'Eternal rivals' But as well as the two superstars lining up on opposite sides on Saturday, this is a classic match between two world heavyweights. "We're going to play a final against our eternal rivals, the lifelong ones, the two most powerful national teams in South America and we hope ... it will be a great match," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. "Brazil versus Argentina is much more than a simple game of football ... these jerseys make the world stand still to watch their games. That represents the history of Brazil-Argentina," added Marquinhos. Incredibly, these two sides are not even the two most successful ones in Copa history, with Uruguay having won 15 titles to Argentina's 14 and Brazil's nine. In what is the 47th edition of the Copa, this is also just the fourth time these two have met in the final, with Argentina triumphing the first time in 1937 and Brazil coming out on top in 2004 and 2007. And that is despite having faced each other more than 100 times in their history. They have been by far the strongest two sides in the competition, even if Argentina rode their luck a touch in their semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Colombia. 'World class players' The two squads are impressive for their strength in depth. In their semi-final victory over Peru -- and despite Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus being suspended -- Brazil left the likes of Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, Flamengo hot-shot Gabriel Barbosa and Real Madrid starlet Vinicius Junior on the bench. In midfield, Liverpool's Fabinho has been kept out of the side by a resurgent Fred, of Manchester United. Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria -- a bright spark when he came on in the semi-final against Colombia -- has mostly started on the bench while new Barcelona signing Sergio Aguero has hardly had a look in for Argentina. Messi and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez (three goals) have provided Argentina's main attacking thrust but they have quality and creativity throughout. "Argentina are not just Lautaro and Messi, we cannot only concentrate on those two," said Brazil and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro. "They're great players, world class players, but if Argentina have reached the final it's because of the (whole) group, we have to respect this." As well as looking to end his career-long trophy drought with Argentina, Messi could make history in another way on Saturday. He currently sits on 76 goals for Argentina, one shy of Pele's South American record of 77 national team goals.

Football: Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. to battle in dream Copa America final for first title

Emiliano Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he saved three times in a shootout to take his team into a Copa America final match-up with Brazil after Tuesday's semi-final against Colombia finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Martinez, who tried to distract Colombia's players in the shootout with a barrage of trash talk, saved from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona.

Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez scored for Argentina as they booked a spot against the host nation in Saturday’s final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

“I’m speechless,” said Argentine keeper Martinez. “They took us to penalties and that’s a question of luck, today it was my turn for glory.”

Both sides had chances to win in an intense, end-to-end match punctuated by 46 fouls and 10 yellow cards.

Argentina are seeking to win their first major international title since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and once again Lionel Messi was the star man, notching up his fifth assist of the tournament to add to his four goals.

Taking a superb pass from Giovani Lo Celso after six minutes, Messi rolled the ball to Lautaro Martinez to fire home a low shot and give Argentina the lead.

Colombia found their feet soon after and hit the woodwork twice in a minute towards the end of the first half when Wilmar Barrio’s deflected shot struck the post and then Mina watched his header hit the bar from the resulting corner.

Their equaliser came on the hour mark when Luis Diaz finished from a tight angle to complete a surprise counter attack.

Argentina are now unbeaten in 19 games, with their last loss coming to Brazil in the semi-final of the 2019 Copa America. They were also the last team to beat Brazil, in November 2019 when Messi got the only goal of the game in a friendly in Saudi Arabia.

Since then Brazil, who beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to reach the final, have won 12 and drawn one.

Emiliano Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he saved three times in a shootout to take his team into a Copa America final match-up with Brazil after Tuesday's semi-final against Colombia finished 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Emiliano Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he saved three times in a shootout to take his team into a Copa America final match-up with Brazil after Tuesday's semi-final against Colombia finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Martinez, who tried to distract Colombia's players in the shootout with a barrage of trash talk, saved from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona. Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez scored for Argentina as they booked a spot against the host nation in Saturday’s final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. “I’m speechless,” said Argentine keeper Martinez. “They took us to penalties and that’s a question of luck, today it was my turn for glory.” Both sides had chances to win in an intense, end-to-end match punctuated by 46 fouls and 10 yellow cards. Argentina are seeking to win their first major international title since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and once again Lionel Messi was the star man, notching up his fifth assist of the tournament to add to his four goals. Taking a superb pass from Giovani Lo Celso after six minutes, Messi rolled the ball to Lautaro Martinez to fire home a low shot and give Argentina the lead. Colombia found their feet soon after and hit the woodwork twice in a minute towards the end of the first half when Wilmar Barrio’s deflected shot struck the post and then Mina watched his header hit the bar from the resulting corner. Their equaliser came on the hour mark when Luis Diaz finished from a tight angle to complete a surprise counter attack. Argentina are now unbeaten in 19 games, with their last loss coming to Brazil in the semi-final of the 2019 Copa America. They were also the last team to beat Brazil, in November 2019 when Messi got the only goal of the game in a friendly in Saudi Arabia. Since then Brazil, who beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to reach the final, have won 12 and drawn one.

Football: Argentina beat Colombia in shootout to reach Copa America final

Brazil forward Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals.

Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday's semi-final in Rio de Janeiro thanks to a 35th-minute goal from Lucas Paqueta to book their spot in Saturday’s decider at the Maracana stadium.

The second semi-final between Argentina and Colombia is on Tuesday.

“I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said with a smile. “I have friends there and in final Brazil will win.”

The last time the two sides met in a Copa America final was in 2007 when Brazil won 3-0 in Venezuela, and a title match between the arch-rivals would be a treat for the neutrals.

It would not only pit the tournament's only unbeaten teams against each other it would also be a showdown between two of the best No. 10s in the game, former Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Both players have had an exceptional tournament so far, with Neymar recording two goals and three assists, while Messi has four goals and four assists.

Brazil are reigning champions and have home advantage at a tournament that was supposed to be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia.

Colombia was stripped of hosting rights due to a wave of civil unrest and Argentina pulled out at the last minute because of a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Neymar missed Brazil's Copa America triumph on home soil two years ago but inspired them to the 2013 Confederations Cup as well as Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Messi, meanwhile, has won everything with his club Barcelona but nothing with Argentina, who are aiming to win a first major title since the 1993 Copa America.

Brazil forward Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals.

Brazil forward Neymar said he hopes Argentina will be their opponents in the Copa America final and has no doubts that the hosts would come out on top against their fierce rivals. Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in Monday's semi-final in Rio de Janeiro thanks to a 35th-minute goal from Lucas Paqueta to book their spot in Saturday’s decider at the Maracana stadium. The second semi-final between Argentina and Colombia is on Tuesday. “I want Argentina, I am cheering them on,” Neymar said with a smile. “I have friends there and in final Brazil will win.” The last time the two sides met in a Copa America final was in 2007 when Brazil won 3-0 in Venezuela, and a title match between the arch-rivals would be a treat for the neutrals. It would not only pit the tournament's only unbeaten teams against each other it would also be a showdown between two of the best No. 10s in the game, former Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi. Both players have had an exceptional tournament so far, with Neymar recording two goals and three assists, while Messi has four goals and four assists. Brazil are reigning champions and have home advantage at a tournament that was supposed to be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia. Colombia was stripped of hosting rights due to a wave of civil unrest and Argentina pulled out at the last minute because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Neymar missed Brazil's Copa America triumph on home soil two years ago but inspired them to the 2013 Confederations Cup as well as Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Messi, meanwhile, has won everything with his club Barcelona but nothing with Argentina, who are aiming to win a first major title since the 1993 Copa America.

Copa America: Neymar wants Brazil to face Argentina in Copa America final

As Brazil battles, a pandemic that has taken over half a million lives and thrust millions more further into poverty, a church in the west of Rio de Janeiro has assumed a new mission: to bake thousands of loaves of bread.

A church in Brazil takes on a new mission, baking bread for the poor

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU. 
 
The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public, alleging irregularities. One Health Ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns. 
 
Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazil's COVID-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday, he said he was not aware of any irregularities. But thorny questions refuse to go away, and may pose problems for him ahead of next year's presidential vote. 
 
Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said at a news conference, his team would probe the allegations during the suspension. 
 
"According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract," the ministry said in a statement. 
 
Earlier on Thursday, CNN Brasil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract. 
 
Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. It is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic. 
 
One of the leading opposition senators on that panel filed a formal criminal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he wanted the court to investigate 'the serious allegations' and to find out why Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the Health Ministry'. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU.

Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU. The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public, alleging irregularities. One Health Ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns. Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazil's COVID-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing. On Monday, he said he was not aware of any irregularities. But thorny questions refuse to go away, and may pose problems for him ahead of next year's presidential vote. Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said at a news conference, his team would probe the allegations during the suspension. "According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract," the ministry said in a statement. Earlier on Thursday, CNN Brasil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract. Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. It is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic. One of the leading opposition senators on that panel filed a formal criminal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he wanted the court to investigate 'the serious allegations' and to find out why Bolsonaro 'did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the Health Ministry'. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil to suspend Indian COVID-19 vaccine deal as graft allegations probed

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday issued a broad 120-day ban on unauthorized outdoor fires as the country suffered its worst drought in decades ahead of the annual burning season in the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;rainforest.

On Monday, Bolsonaro redeployed the military to stop deforestation in the world's largest&nbsp;rainforest.

Both moves repeat policies instituted by Bolsonaro annually since 2019, in response to the international outcry that Brazil was not doing enough to stop the destruction of the vital bulwark to climate change.

Neither policy has previously been effective in lowering deforestation or forest fires. Generally, criminals first cut down the valuable timber and later set fire to the area, clearing it for future agricultural use in speculative land grabs.

Deforestation in the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;has accelerated under Bolsonaro, hitting a 12-year-high in 2020 as an area seven times the size of London was cut down, according to national space research agency Inpe. Last year the region also recorded the most fires since 2017, Inpe data show.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-year-of-hong-kong-security-law-crackdown-on-people-and-the-press-394849">Also Read |&nbsp;A year of Hong Kong security law: Crackdown on people and the press</a>

Preliminary Inpe data show deforestation rose a further 25% in the first five months of 2021 from a year ago.

Scientists warn the risk for fires is greater this year due to extreme drought, with many parts of the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;recording drier weather than last year.

Between September and May, hydroelectric plants across the country have reported the lowest water inflows in 91 years, according to the Mines and Energy Ministry.

"To make matters worse, this is a year affected by La Niña, which especially makes it dry in the southern&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;– which expands the window of deforestation and burning," said the non-profit&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) in a statement.

Fire season, which generally peaks in August and September, is beginning to accelerate, with 23 major fires recorded so far this year, according to Matt Finer, who leads a fire tracking project for the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;Conservation non-profit. All the fires have been in Mato Grosso state at the southeastern edge of the&nbsp;Amazon, Finer said.

Bolsonaro issued this year's fire ban in a decree published in the official government gazette on Tuesday. The decree redeploying the military was published Monday night.

This military deployment will be much more focused than past deployments restricted to 26 municipalities in four states -&nbsp;Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará and Rondônia. The most recent past deployment, which ended in April, was for the entire&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;region.

Bolsonaro authorized the current deployment until the end of August.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday issued a broad 120-day ban on unauthorized outdoor fires as the country suffered its worst drought in decades ahead of the annual burning season in the Amazon rainforest.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday issued a broad 120-day ban on unauthorized outdoor fires as the country suffered its worst drought in decades ahead of the annual burning season in the Amazon rainforest. On Monday, Bolsonaro redeployed the military to stop deforestation in the world's largest rainforest. Both moves repeat policies instituted by Bolsonaro annually since 2019, in response to the international outcry that Brazil was not doing enough to stop the destruction of the vital bulwark to climate change. Neither policy has previously been effective in lowering deforestation or forest fires. Generally, criminals first cut down the valuable timber and later set fire to the area, clearing it for future agricultural use in speculative land grabs. Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated under Bolsonaro, hitting a 12-year-high in 2020 as an area seven times the size of London was cut down, according to national space research agency Inpe. Last year the region also recorded the most fires since 2017, Inpe data show. Also Read | A year of Hong Kong security law: Crackdown on people and the press Preliminary Inpe data show deforestation rose a further 25% in the first five months of 2021 from a year ago. Scientists warn the risk for fires is greater this year due to extreme drought, with many parts of the Amazon recording drier weather than last year. Between September and May, hydroelectric plants across the country have reported the lowest water inflows in 91 years, according to the Mines and Energy Ministry. "To make matters worse, this is a year affected by La Niña, which especially makes it dry in the southern Amazon – which expands the window of deforestation and burning," said the non-profit Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM) in a statement. Fire season, which generally peaks in August and September, is beginning to accelerate, with 23 major fires recorded so far this year, according to Matt Finer, who leads a fire tracking project for the Amazon Conservation non-profit. All the fires have been in Mato Grosso state at the southeastern edge of the Amazon, Finer said. Bolsonaro issued this year's fire ban in a decree published in the official government gazette on Tuesday. The decree redeploying the military was published Monday night. This military deployment will be much more focused than past deployments restricted to 26 municipalities in four states - Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará and Rondônia. The most recent past deployment, which ended in April, was for the entire Amazon region. Bolsonaro authorized the current deployment until the end of August.

Brazil bans unauthorised outdoor fires, redeploys military to protect Amazon rainforest

President Bolsonaro has been heavily criticised for not implementing a co-ordinated national response and for his scepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements.

Brazil records over 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19

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

Ford Motor Co said its financial services arm, Ford Credit, would wind down operations in Brazil and Argentina and take a non-cash charge of up to $375 million.

World Business Watch: Ford Credit to wind down operations in Brazil and Argentina

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

India's home-made shot Covaxin is at the centre of a storm in Brazil. Federal prosecutors in Brazil suspect corruption in the way Bharat Biotech's representative reached an agreement with the government. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Covaxin at the centre of a storm in Brazil

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday revoked the passport of former Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, who stepped down earlier this week amid an investigation into his alleged role in allowing illegal exports of timber from the Amazon rainforest. 
 
Justice Carmen Lucia said in a ruling that Salles was barred from leaving the country after federal prosecutors entered a motion that he be considered a flight risk. The former minister was given 24 hours to hand over his passport to police, according to court documents. 
 
Salles could not immediately be reached for comment. The former minister has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
In May, federal police disclosed that Salles and several other government officials were under investigation for allegations of possible corruption and other crimes in allowing illegal logged Amazon rainforest wood to be exported to the United States and Europe. 
 
Earlier this month, Lucia also launched an investigation into whether Salles had obstructed the police logging probe. 
 
Salles resigned on Wednesday, saying he wanted to allow for Brazil's international and domestic agenda to be carried out as smoothly as possible. 
 
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon surged during Salles' tenure, hitting a 12-year high in 2020 with an area seven times the size of London destroyed. 
 
(With the inputs from agencies)

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday revoked the passport of former Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, who stepped down earlier this week amid an investigation into his alleged role in allowing illegal exports of timber from the Amazon rainforest.

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday revoked the passport of former Environment Minister Ricardo Salles, who stepped down earlier this week amid an investigation into his alleged role in allowing illegal exports of timber from the Amazon rainforest. Justice Carmen Lucia said in a ruling that Salles was barred from leaving the country after federal prosecutors entered a motion that he be considered a flight risk. The former minister was given 24 hours to hand over his passport to police, according to court documents. Salles could not immediately be reached for comment. The former minister has denied any wrongdoing. In May, federal police disclosed that Salles and several other government officials were under investigation for allegations of possible corruption and other crimes in allowing illegal logged Amazon rainforest wood to be exported to the United States and Europe. Earlier this month, Lucia also launched an investigation into whether Salles had obstructed the police logging probe. Salles resigned on Wednesday, saying he wanted to allow for Brazil's international and domestic agenda to be carried out as smoothly as possible. Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon surged during Salles' tenure, hitting a 12-year high in 2020 with an area seven times the size of London destroyed. (With the inputs from agencies)

Brazil judge revokes passport of ex-environment minister under probe

A magistrate on&nbsp;Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday annulled two more cases against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that had been brought by former judge Sergio Moro, who had previously been deemed by the same court to have been "biased" in convicting and jailing the iconic leftist leader.&nbsp;

The latest ruling invalidates all the evidence collected by Moro, meaning the trial process will have to start again from scratch.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-supreme-court-ruling-could-free-corruption-convicts-including-lula-da-silva-256611">Brazil Supreme Court ruling could free corruption convicts, including Lula da Silva</a>

That diminishes the chances of a relatively quick verdict being delivered that would block the 75-year-old Lula, as he is popularly known, from running for president in 2022.

Socialist Lula claimed his conviction was politically motivated in a bid to prevent him from running against President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 election that brought the far-right politician to power.

Supreme Court magistrate Gilmar Mendes said there were "factual and legal" links between the case in which Moro was declared "biased" and the other two cases that passed through the judge's court in the southern city of Curitiba during his massive anti-corruption campaign known as "Operation Car Wash."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/landmark-car-wash-investigation-ends-with-a-whimper-in-brazil-361828">Landmark 'Car Wash' investigation ends with a whimper in&nbsp;Brazil</a>

Therefore, Mendes ordered an annulment of "all the decision-making actions" taken by Moro, including those that "preceded the procedure."&nbsp;

In 2017, Moro convicted Lula of accepting a luxury apartment in Sao Paulo as a bribe and sentenced him to more than nine years in jail.

An appeals court upheld his conviction, preventing him from running for president again as he spent 19 months in jail.

But the second chamber of the Supreme Court, which is made up of five judges, in March accepted the argument by Lula's defence that Moro's political bias was evident when he was appointed justice minister by Bolsonaro.

The Supreme Court itself later ratified that ruling by a vote of seven to four.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-supreme-court-judge-clears-ex-president-lula-of-corruption-charges-368999">Brazil Supreme Court judge clears ex-president Lula of corruption charges</a>

Mendes' decision extends that ruling to the other two cases Moro brought against the former president in Curitiba.&nbsp;

One case is related to the refurbishment of a farm in Sao Paulo state and the other to the purchase of land for the Lula Institute.&nbsp;

The former president, who was in office from 2003-2010, has always professed his innocence, but still faces three other trials, one in Brasilia and two in Sao Paulo.

A magistrate on Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday annulled two more cases against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that had been brought by former judge Sergio Moro, who had previously been deemed by the same court to have been "biased" in convicting and jailing the iconic leftist leader.

A magistrate on Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday annulled two more cases against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that had been brought by former judge Sergio Moro, who had previously been deemed by the same court to have been "biased" in convicting and jailing the iconic leftist leader. The latest ruling invalidates all the evidence collected by Moro, meaning the trial process will have to start again from scratch. Also read | Brazil Supreme Court ruling could free corruption convicts, including Lula da Silva That diminishes the chances of a relatively quick verdict being delivered that would block the 75-year-old Lula, as he is popularly known, from running for president in 2022. Socialist Lula claimed his conviction was politically motivated in a bid to prevent him from running against President Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 election that brought the far-right politician to power. Supreme Court magistrate Gilmar Mendes said there were "factual and legal" links between the case in which Moro was declared "biased" and the other two cases that passed through the judge's court in the southern city of Curitiba during his massive anti-corruption campaign known as "Operation Car Wash." Also read | Landmark 'Car Wash' investigation ends with a whimper in Brazil Therefore, Mendes ordered an annulment of "all the decision-making actions" taken by Moro, including those that "preceded the procedure." In 2017, Moro convicted Lula of accepting a luxury apartment in Sao Paulo as a bribe and sentenced him to more than nine years in jail. An appeals court upheld his conviction, preventing him from running for president again as he spent 19 months in jail. But the second chamber of the Supreme Court, which is made up of five judges, in March accepted the argument by Lula's defence that Moro's political bias was evident when he was appointed justice minister by Bolsonaro. The Supreme Court itself later ratified that ruling by a vote of seven to four. Also read | Brazil Supreme Court judge clears ex-president Lula of corruption charges Mendes' decision extends that ruling to the other two cases Moro brought against the former president in Curitiba. One case is related to the refurbishment of a farm in Sao Paulo state and the other to the purchase of land for the Lula Institute. The former president, who was in office from 2003-2010, has always professed his innocence, but still faces three other trials, one in Brasilia and two in Sao Paulo.

Brazil judge annuls all of Moro's cases against ex-president Lula

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

Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games on Wednesday but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa America.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-england-get-the-job-done-with-1-0-win-over-czechs-at-euro-2020-393281" hreflang="en">Football: England get the job done with 1-0 win over Czechs at Euro 2020</a>

Brazil had won their previous nine games coming into the match in Rio de Janeiro, all bar one of them without conceding a goal, but they went behind in the 10th minute thanks to a wonder strike from Luis Diaz.

Juan Cuadrado swung in a cross from the right and Porto midfielder Diaz leapt acrobatically to volley an overhead kick past a helpless Weverton.

Brazil were forced to chase the game and they had most of the ball and almost all the chances, though Colombia did an excellent job of closing them down in the final third.

The hosts eventually got an equaliser with 12 minutes remaining, though it came in controversial circumstances.

With Brazil on the attack, the ball hit referee Nestor Pitana and as Colombia's players paused expecting him to order a drop ball the Argentine, who refereed the 2018 World Cup final, allowed play to continue.

Brazil took full advantage as Roberto Firmino headed home a cross from the left, with goalkeeper David Ospina letting the ball squirm through his hands on the night he tied Carlos Valderrama as Colombia’s most capped male player with 111 appearances.

The Colombian players were incensed but the goal was allowed to stand, even after a check by the Video Assistant Referee.

Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda refused to be drawn on the decision other than to say, “I think the situation with the referee distracted our players.”

There was worse to come for the visitors.

Their protests after the equaliser led to 10 minutes of stoppage time being added, and in the 100th minute of the match Casemiro headed home from a corner to give Brazil the win.

Captain Casemiro said Brazil fully deserved the three points.

"Brazil deserve congratulations for their mental strength, for being well on top, and getting our reward in the end because we had the coolness to keep plugging away in search of a goal," he added. "That’s the mentality you have to have.

"They came forward once, scored a goal, sat back and it turned into a game of attack against defence."

Brazil had already qualified for the quarter-finals and with four points from four games Colombia join them. Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are vying for the last two spots from the group.

In Sunday's final group games, Ecuador face Brazil while Peru play Venezuela.

Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games on Wednesday but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa America.

Brazil went behind for the first time in eight games on Wednesday but responded with a controversial equaliser before netting a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Colombia in the Copa America. ALSO READ: Football: England get the job done with 1-0 win over Czechs at Euro 2020 Brazil had won their previous nine games coming into the match in Rio de Janeiro, all bar one of them without conceding a goal, but they went behind in the 10th minute thanks to a wonder strike from Luis Diaz. Juan Cuadrado swung in a cross from the right and Porto midfielder Diaz leapt acrobatically to volley an overhead kick past a helpless Weverton. Brazil were forced to chase the game and they had most of the ball and almost all the chances, though Colombia did an excellent job of closing them down in the final third. The hosts eventually got an equaliser with 12 minutes remaining, though it came in controversial circumstances. With Brazil on the attack, the ball hit referee Nestor Pitana and as Colombia's players paused expecting him to order a drop ball the Argentine, who refereed the 2018 World Cup final, allowed play to continue. Brazil took full advantage as Roberto Firmino headed home a cross from the left, with goalkeeper David Ospina letting the ball squirm through his hands on the night he tied Carlos Valderrama as Colombia’s most capped male player with 111 appearances. The Colombian players were incensed but the goal was allowed to stand, even after a check by the Video Assistant Referee. Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda refused to be drawn on the decision other than to say, “I think the situation with the referee distracted our players.” There was worse to come for the visitors. Their protests after the equaliser led to 10 minutes of stoppage time being added, and in the 100th minute of the match Casemiro headed home from a corner to give Brazil the win. Captain Casemiro said Brazil fully deserved the three points. "Brazil deserve congratulations for their mental strength, for being well on top, and getting our reward in the end because we had the coolness to keep plugging away in search of a goal," he added. "That’s the mentality you have to have. "They came forward once, scored a goal, sat back and it turned into a game of attack against defence." Brazil had already qualified for the quarter-finals and with four points from four games Colombia join them. Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are vying for the last two spots from the group. In Sunday's final group games, Ecuador face Brazil while Peru play Venezuela.

Copa America: Late goal gives Brazil controversial 2-1 win over Colombia

Brazilian&nbsp;federal&nbsp;prosecutors&nbsp;have opened an investigation into a contract worth 1.6 billion reais ($320 million) for 20 million doses of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> made by India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/bharat-biotech">Bharat Biotech</a>, according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The Prosecutor General's office (PGR) cited comparatively high prices, speedy talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the Bharat contract signed in February, before similar deals with Pfizer Inc and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/johnson-and-johnson-covid-vaccine-update">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a>.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-signs-deal-with-indias-bharat-biotech-for-20-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-366357">Brazil signs deal with India's Bharat Biotech for 20 million Covid-19 vaccine doses</a>

Bharat did not respond to a request for comment outside of business hours in India.

The Bharat contract has also drawn scrutiny from a&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;Senate inquiry, which called for testimony on Wednesday from the head of Precisa Medicamentos, Bharat's intermediary in Brasilia.

Justifying the preliminary probe,&nbsp;prosecutors&nbsp;flagged in a document dated June 16 that Precisa's partners include Global Saude, a company accused of selling but not delivering medicine to the Health Ministry in a case under investigation by police.

Precisa said it had no knowledge of the&nbsp;prosecutors' probe and it was open to cooperate with Senate investigators. In a statement, the company said its talks with the Health Ministry were transparent and the price of Bharat's vaccine in Brazil was the same charged in more than a dozen other countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-bharat-biotech-to-supply-its-covid-19-vaccine-to-brazil-356520">India's Bharat Biotech to supply its Covid-19 vaccine to Brazil</a>

The Health Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that no payment of any kind had been made to Precisa and that its legal department was analysing the case.

Global Saude did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prosecutors&nbsp;questioned why the Health Ministry had agreed to buy the Bharat vaccine, which had not cleared regulatory hurdles, for around $15 per dose: significantly more than what it paid for Pfizer's vaccine, which had regulatory approval.

"The history of irregularities involving partners at Precisa and the elevated price paid for the doses under contract ... require deep investigation in both civil and criminal aspects," wrote&nbsp;prosecutors.

In a separate document seen by Reuters, Senate investigators cited testimony from an unnamed public servant describing "abnormal pressures" from senior Health Ministry officials to reach a deal for the Bharat vaccine, branded Covaxin.

In March,&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;health regulator Anvisa rejected a request from the government to import doses of Covaxin, citing concerns about Bharat's manufacturing standards as well as a lack of safety data and other documentation.

This month, Anvisa's board agreed to allow the import of just 4 million Covaxin doses for further study of its safety and effectiveness, but the Health Ministry must first sign an agreement with the regulator on key conditions.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into a contract worth 1.6 billion reais ($320 million) for 20 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by India's Bharat Biotech, according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into a contract worth 1.6 billion reais ($320 million) for 20 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by India's Bharat Biotech, according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The Prosecutor General's office (PGR) cited comparatively high prices, speedy talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the Bharat contract signed in February, before similar deals with Pfizer Inc and Johnson & Johnson. Also read | Brazil signs deal with India's Bharat Biotech for 20 million Covid-19 vaccine doses Bharat did not respond to a request for comment outside of business hours in India. The Bharat contract has also drawn scrutiny from a Brazilian Senate inquiry, which called for testimony on Wednesday from the head of Precisa Medicamentos, Bharat's intermediary in Brasilia. Justifying the preliminary probe, prosecutors flagged in a document dated June 16 that Precisa's partners include Global Saude, a company accused of selling but not delivering medicine to the Health Ministry in a case under investigation by police. Precisa said it had no knowledge of the prosecutors' probe and it was open to cooperate with Senate investigators. In a statement, the company said its talks with the Health Ministry were transparent and the price of Bharat's vaccine in Brazil was the same charged in more than a dozen other countries. Also read | India's Bharat Biotech to supply its Covid-19 vaccine to Brazil The Health Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that no payment of any kind had been made to Precisa and that its legal department was analysing the case. Global Saude did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Prosecutors questioned why the Health Ministry had agreed to buy the Bharat vaccine, which had not cleared regulatory hurdles, for around $15 per dose: significantly more than what it paid for Pfizer's vaccine, which had regulatory approval. "The history of irregularities involving partners at Precisa and the elevated price paid for the doses under contract ... require deep investigation in both civil and criminal aspects," wrote prosecutors. In a separate document seen by Reuters, Senate investigators cited testimony from an unnamed public servant describing "abnormal pressures" from senior Health Ministry officials to reach a deal for the Bharat vaccine, branded Covaxin. In March, Brazilian health regulator Anvisa rejected a request from the government to import doses of Covaxin, citing concerns about Bharat's manufacturing standards as well as a lack of safety data and other documentation. This month, Anvisa's board agreed to allow the import of just 4 million Covaxin doses for further study of its safety and effectiveness, but the Health Ministry must first sign an agreement with the regulator on key conditions.

Brazil prosecutors probe price, intermediary on Bharat Biotech vaccine deal

Hundreds of red roses dotted Rio's Copacabana beach on Sunday (June 20) as Brazil became the second country to pass 500,000 COVID-19 deaths after the United States. Volunteers from Rio de Paz, a non-governmental organisation, placed 500 red roses on pegs and unfurled victim's names embroidered on cloths.

Red roses dot Copacabana beach for Brazil's 500,000 COVID deaths

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

Brazil recorded 44,178 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 1,025 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. 
 
Brazil has registered more than 17.9 million cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 501,825, according to ministry data.

Death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 500,000 on Saturday in Brazil as experts warn that the world's second-deadliest outbreak may worsen due to delayed vaccinations and the government's refusal to back social distancing measures.

Only 11% of&nbsp;Brazilians have been fully vaccinated and epidemiologists warn that, with winter arriving in the southern hemisphere and new variants of the coronavirus circulating, deaths will continue to mount even if immunisations gain steam.

Brazil&nbsp;has registered 500,800 deaths from 17,883,750 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to Health Ministry data on Saturday, the worst official death toll outside the United States. Over the past week,&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has averaged 2,000 deaths per day.

COVID-19 continues to devastate countries around the region with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reporting 1.1 million new cases of COVID-19 and 31,000 deaths in the Americas last week. PAHO noted upticks in six Mexican states, Belize, Guatemala, Panama and some places in the Caribbean.

PAHO warned that Colombia's COVID-19 situation is at its worst point yet, with intensive care unit beds filled in major cities.

Experts see the toll in&nbsp;Brazil, already the highest in Latin America, climbing far higher.

"I think we are going to reach 700,000 or 800,000 deaths before we get to see the effects of vaccination," said Gonzalo Vecina, former head of&nbsp;Brazilian health regulator Anvisa, predicting a near-term acceleration in fatalities.

Vecina criticised far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic, including the lack of a coordinated national response and his skepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, which he has sought to loosen.

Thousands of&nbsp;Brazilians protested against Bolsonaro's management of the pandemic in nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, blaming the administration for the high death toll and calling for the president's ouster.

Raphael Guimaraes, a researcher at&nbsp;Brazilian biomedical centre&nbsp;Fiocruz, said delays in the vaccination program in Latin America's most populous nation meant its full effects would not be felt until September or later.

Guimaraes warned that&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;could revisit scenes from the worst of its March-April peak, when the country averaged 3,000 deaths per day.

"We are still in an extremely critical situation, with very high transmission rates and hospital bed occupancy that is still critical in many places," he said.

This week, new confirmed cases in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;accelerated to more than 70,000 per day on average, edging past India for the most in the world.

Vaccination will be crucial in beating the virus in&nbsp;Brazil, since the country has failed to reach a consensus on social distancing and masks, said Ester Sabino, an epidemiologist at the University of Sao Paulo.

"We really need to increase vaccination very quickly," she said.

However, evidence from neighboring Chile, which like&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has relied overwhelming on a vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, suggests it may be months before mass immunization will effectively curb transmission.

Nearly half of Chileans have been vaccinated, but their capital Santiago just went back into lockdown as cases surged again to near peak levels.

Brazil&nbsp;will need to inoculate some 80 million people to reach Chile's current per capita vaccination levels.

That will require a more consistent supply of vaccines and ingredients in&nbsp;Brazil, which have been spotty in recent months, as imports from China were delayed after Bolsonaro antagonised Beijing with comments perceived as anti-Chinese.

Brazil recorded 44,178 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 1,025 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Brazil recorded 44,178 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, along with 1,025 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Brazil has registered more than 17.9 million cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 501,825, according to ministry data. Death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 500,000 on Saturday in Brazil as experts warn that the world's second-deadliest outbreak may worsen due to delayed vaccinations and the government's refusal to back social distancing measures. Only 11% of Brazilians have been fully vaccinated and epidemiologists warn that, with winter arriving in the southern hemisphere and new variants of the coronavirus circulating, deaths will continue to mount even if immunisations gain steam. Brazil has registered 500,800 deaths from 17,883,750 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to Health Ministry data on Saturday, the worst official death toll outside the United States. Over the past week, Brazil has averaged 2,000 deaths per day. COVID-19 continues to devastate countries around the region with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reporting 1.1 million new cases of COVID-19 and 31,000 deaths in the Americas last week. PAHO noted upticks in six Mexican states, Belize, Guatemala, Panama and some places in the Caribbean. PAHO warned that Colombia's COVID-19 situation is at its worst point yet, with intensive care unit beds filled in major cities. Experts see the toll in Brazil, already the highest in Latin America, climbing far higher. "I think we are going to reach 700,000 or 800,000 deaths before we get to see the effects of vaccination," said Gonzalo Vecina, former head of Brazilian health regulator Anvisa, predicting a near-term acceleration in fatalities. Vecina criticised far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic, including the lack of a coordinated national response and his skepticism toward vaccines, lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, which he has sought to loosen. Thousands of Brazilians protested against Bolsonaro's management of the pandemic in nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, blaming the administration for the high death toll and calling for the president's ouster. Raphael Guimaraes, a researcher at Brazilian biomedical centre Fiocruz, said delays in the vaccination program in Latin America's most populous nation meant its full effects would not be felt until September or later. Guimaraes warned that Brazil could revisit scenes from the worst of its March-April peak, when the country averaged 3,000 deaths per day. "We are still in an extremely critical situation, with very high transmission rates and hospital bed occupancy that is still critical in many places," he said. This week, new confirmed cases in Brazil accelerated to more than 70,000 per day on average, edging past India for the most in the world. Vaccination will be crucial in beating the virus in Brazil, since the country has failed to reach a consensus on social distancing and masks, said Ester Sabino, an epidemiologist at the University of Sao Paulo. "We really need to increase vaccination very quickly," she said. However, evidence from neighboring Chile, which like Brazil has relied overwhelming on a vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech, suggests it may be months before mass immunization will effectively curb transmission. Nearly half of Chileans have been vaccinated, but their capital Santiago just went back into lockdown as cases surged again to near peak levels. Brazil will need to inoculate some 80 million people to reach Chile's current per capita vaccination levels. That will require a more consistent supply of vaccines and ingredients in Brazil, which have been spotty in recent months, as imports from China were delayed after Bolsonaro antagonised Beijing with comments perceived as anti-Chinese.

Brazil reports 44,178 new coronavirus cases and 1,025 deaths

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

Brazil on Saturday, June 19, became the second country after the United States to surpass 500,000 Covid-19 deaths as the country fights the third wave of the deadly pandemic.

Brazil on Saturday, June 19, became the second country after the United States to surpass 500,000 Covid-19 deaths as the country fights the third wave of the deadly pandemic. As per the Health Ministry, there have been 500,800 deaths, including 2,301 in the last 24 hours. This week the average number of daily deaths surpassed 2,000 for the first time since May 10. Ethel Maciel, an epidemiologist from Espirito Santo University, told AFP, "The third wave is arriving, there's already in a change in the case and death curves". He added, "Our vaccination (program), which could make a difference, is slow and there are no signs of restrictive measures, quite the contrary". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga wrote, "500 thousand lives lost by the pandemic that affects our Brazil and the whole world. I work tirelessly to vaccinate all Brazilians in the shortest time possible and change this scenario that has plagued us for over a year". He further wrote, "I offer my sympathy to every father, mother, friends and relatives who have lost loved ones". Also Read | Brazilians protest Bolsonaro's role in half a million COVID-19 deaths While life seems normal in large cities, where restaurants have opened, the situation is yet very critical in 19 of Brazil's 27 states with more than 80 per cent occupancy of intensive care beds. As the death toll soared, thousands took to the streets across Brazil 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. 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. Bolsonaro's press office did not respond to the request for comment. Only 11 per cent of Brazilians are fully vaccinated, and 29 per cent have received the first dose, Health Ministry data shows.

Third pandemic wave hits as Brazil surpasses half million deaths due to covid

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