At least 25 people including a police officer have been killed in a shootout between suspected drug traffickers and police in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. The police said that this is one of the deadliest raids in recent times.

Brazil: At Least 25 dead in police raid in Rio de Janeiro

At least 25 people, including a police officer, died on May 6 in a shootout during a police operation against drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro's Jacarezinho shantytown, O Globo newspaper reported on its website.

About 200 members of Rio’s civil police launched their incursion into Jacarezinho in the early hours of Thursday, sprinting into the vast redbrick community as a bullet-proof helicopter circled overhead with snipers poised on each side.&nbsp;

It was the highest-ever death toll from a police raid in the state, which has for decades suffered from drug-related violence.

"This is the highest number of deaths in a police operation in Rio, surpassing 19 in Complexo do Alemão in 2007," said Chief of Police Ronaldo Oliveira.

"Only in that one we didn't lose anyone. Now, a police officer has died, which is a great loss for us," he said.

Rights group Instituto Fogo Cruzado (the Crossfire Institute) said it was the deadliest police operation in Rio since it began monitoring five years ago.

The operation came despite a Supreme Court ruling barring police from carrying out raids in Brazil's impoverished favelas during the coronavirus pandemic except in "absolutely exceptional circumstances."

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 25 people, including a police officer, died on May 6 in a shootout during a police operation against drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro's Jacarezinho shantytown, O Globo newspaper reported on its website.

At least 25 people, including a police officer, died on May 6 in a shootout during a police operation against drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro's Jacarezinho shantytown, O Globo newspaper reported on its website. About 200 members of Rio’s civil police launched their incursion into Jacarezinho in the early hours of Thursday, sprinting into the vast redbrick community as a bullet-proof helicopter circled overhead with snipers poised on each side. It was the highest-ever death toll from a police raid in the state, which has for decades suffered from drug-related violence. "This is the highest number of deaths in a police operation in Rio, surpassing 19 in Complexo do Alemão in 2007," said Chief of Police Ronaldo Oliveira. "Only in that one we didn't lose anyone. Now, a police officer has died, which is a great loss for us," he said. Rights group Instituto Fogo Cruzado (the Crossfire Institute) said it was the deadliest police operation in Rio since it began monitoring five years ago. The operation came despite a Supreme Court ruling barring police from carrying out raids in Brazil's impoverished favelas during the coronavirus pandemic except in "absolutely exceptional circumstances." (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil: Rio de Janeiro police raid on favela leaves record 25 people dead

President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday said that the Coronavirus may have been made in a laboratory to wage 'biological warfare', in the latest comments likely to strain Brazil's relations with China.

Brazil President Bolsonaro suggests Coronavirus is part of 'biological warfare'

Brazilian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/jair-bolsonaro">Jair Bolsonaro </a>said on Wednesday that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">novel coronavirus </a>may have been created to wage "biological warfare" in a veiled reference to China.&nbsp;

The remarks became even sharper when Bolsonaro talked about the country whose GDP has "grown the most" . China is the only country amongst the G20 nations whose economy rose last year with a 2.3 per cent expansion. &nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;

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"It's a new virus. Nobody knows whether it was born in a laboratory or because a human ate some animal they shouldn't have," Bolsonaro was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

"But the military knows all about chemical, biological and radiological warfare. Could we be fighting a new war? I wonder. Which country's GDP has grown the most?"

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-was-warned-about-brazils-covid-crisis-former-health-minister-382919">Bolsonaro was warned about Brazil's Covid crisis: Former health minister</a>

The Brazilian president and his close aides have in the past too slammed China something which has strained relations with Brazil's biggest trading partner.&nbsp;

Brazil's former foreign minister Ernesto Araujo was replaced after he criticised "Maoist China" and its aim for "world domination". &nbsp;

Supporters of right-wing leaders like Bolsonaro and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump </a>have backed the theory that the virus originated in a lab in China's Wuhan, the virus's first epicentre.&nbsp;

However, World Health Organization (WHO) in its March report concluded that it's "extremely unlikely" that Covid-19 originated in a lab.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that the novel coronavirus may have been created to wage "biological warfare" in a veiled reference to China.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that the novel coronavirus may have been created to wage "biological warfare" in a veiled reference to China. The remarks became even sharper when Bolsonaro talked about the country whose GDP has "grown the most" . China is the only country amongst the G20 nations whose economy rose last year with a 2.3 per cent expansion. Watch | "It's a new virus. Nobody knows whether it was born in a laboratory or because a human ate some animal they shouldn't have," Bolsonaro was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. "But the military knows all about chemical, biological and radiological warfare. Could we be fighting a new war? I wonder. Which country's GDP has grown the most?" Also read | Bolsonaro was warned about Brazil's Covid crisis: Former health minister The Brazilian president and his close aides have in the past too slammed China something which has strained relations with Brazil's biggest trading partner. Brazil's former foreign minister Ernesto Araujo was replaced after he criticised "Maoist China" and its aim for "world domination". Supporters of right-wing leaders like Bolsonaro and Donald Trump have backed the theory that the virus originated in a lab in China's Wuhan, the virus's first epicentre. However, World Health Organization (WHO) in its March report concluded that it's "extremely unlikely" that Covid-19 originated in a lab.

'Military knows all about biological warfare': Bolsonaro's swipe at China over COVID-19

A 18-year-old teenager broke into a daycare center in southern Brazil and stabbed three children and two teachers to death on Tuesday. Officials have said that after killing, the attacker tried to take his own life, but he couldn't. This incident has left the entire city in a state of shock.

18-year-old attacker killed 3 kids & 2 teachers at Brazil daycare center

Several thousand Brazilians marched on Saturday in support of far-right president Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro, ignoring a surging pandemic even as government opponents took their own protests online.

There were rallies in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with many demonstrators wearing the yellow, blue and green of the country's flag.&nbsp;

Brazil, with more than 403,000 Covid-19 deaths, is second only to the United States in that grim category, and&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;faces widespread criticism for not taking the pandemic more seriously.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Brazil hits 82,000 Covid deaths in April, new monthly record">Brazil hits 82,000 Covid deaths in April, new monthly record</a>

Two weeks ago, the president said he was waiting for 'a sign from the people'&nbsp;before 'taking measures'&nbsp;to revoke restrictions imposed by mayors or governors to contain the spread of the virus.

More recently, he told a television interviewer that the army "could take to the street one day, to ensure respect for the Constitution (and for) freedom to come and go."

In Rio on Saturday, several hundred protesters seemed to respond to his call. Rallying along celebrated Copacabana beach, they waved banners demanding a 'military intervention' to bolster&nbsp;Bolsonaro's powers.

A slogan widely seen at the various rallies was 'Autoriso&nbsp;Bolsonaro' ('I authorise&nbsp;Bolsonaro') to send in the army.

In Brasilia, several thousand people assembled on the Esplanade of Ministries as&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;briefly passed overhead in a helicopter.&nbsp;

One of his sons, the deputy Eduardo&nbsp;Bolsonaro, waded into the crowd, his mask worn down around his chin, taking selfies with supporters, their faces also uncovered.

"It's a critical moment and&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;needs the people's support," Edvaldo de Paulo, a demonstrator, told AFP in Brasilia.

"We have to clean house in Brasilia to let the president govern," said Elenir Ritonni, a 63-year-old retiree, who joined several hundred demonstrators in Sao Paulo.

Bolsonaro&nbsp;spoke via videoconference during a farm event.

"It used to be that on May Day, red flags would wave, as if we were a socialist country. I am happy to see green and yellow flags all over the country, with people who are truly working," he said.

Few anti-Bolsonaro&nbsp;protests were planned for Saturday, but key opposition leaders, on the right and the left, were taking part in a trade union-sponsored event on social media critical of&nbsp;Bolsonaro.

Among them were former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010), who is expected to challenge Bolsonaro in next year's elections, and his center-right predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002).&nbsp;

"This is a sad May Day for the workers of our country, a day of mourning for the 400,000 lives lost to Covid-19, many of them because the government of&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;refused to buy the vaccines that were being offered," Lula said.

On Tuesday, a Senate commission of inquiry was established to examine the government's handling of the health crisis, with many experts saying it has been incompetent and irresponsible.

Several thousand Brazilians marched on Saturday in support of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, ignoring a surging pandemic even as government opponents took their own protests online.

Several thousand Brazilians marched on Saturday in support of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, ignoring a surging pandemic even as government opponents took their own protests online. There were rallies in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with many demonstrators wearing the yellow, blue and green of the country's flag. Brazil, with more than 403,000 Covid-19 deaths, is second only to the United States in that grim category, and Bolsonaro faces widespread criticism for not taking the pandemic more seriously. Also read: Brazil hits 82,000 Covid deaths in April, new monthly record Two weeks ago, the president said he was waiting for 'a sign from the people' before 'taking measures' to revoke restrictions imposed by mayors or governors to contain the spread of the virus. More recently, he told a television interviewer that the army "could take to the street one day, to ensure respect for the Constitution (and for) freedom to come and go." In Rio on Saturday, several hundred protesters seemed to respond to his call. Rallying along celebrated Copacabana beach, they waved banners demanding a 'military intervention' to bolster Bolsonaro's powers. A slogan widely seen at the various rallies was 'Autoriso Bolsonaro' ('I authorise Bolsonaro') to send in the army. In Brasilia, several thousand people assembled on the Esplanade of Ministries as Bolsonaro briefly passed overhead in a helicopter. One of his sons, the deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, waded into the crowd, his mask worn down around his chin, taking selfies with supporters, their faces also uncovered. "It's a critical moment and Bolsonaro needs the people's support," Edvaldo de Paulo, a demonstrator, told AFP in Brasilia. "We have to clean house in Brasilia to let the president govern," said Elenir Ritonni, a 63-year-old retiree, who joined several hundred demonstrators in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro spoke via videoconference during a farm event. "It used to be that on May Day, red flags would wave, as if we were a socialist country. I am happy to see green and yellow flags all over the country, with people who are truly working," he said. Few anti-Bolsonaro protests were planned for Saturday, but key opposition leaders, on the right and the left, were taking part in a trade union-sponsored event on social media critical of Bolsonaro. Among them were former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010), who is expected to challenge Bolsonaro in next year's elections, and his center-right predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002). "This is a sad May Day for the workers of our country, a day of mourning for the 400,000 lives lost to Covid-19, many of them because the government of Bolsonaro refused to buy the vaccines that were being offered," Lula said. On Tuesday, a Senate commission of inquiry was established to examine the government's handling of the health crisis, with many experts saying it has been incompetent and irresponsible.

Thousands march in support of Brazil's Bolsonaro defying virus

The death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3.18 million people on Sunday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.&nbsp;

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 151.7 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 151,774,770 and 3,188,331, respectively. 
&nbsp;

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The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 32,389,652 and 576,719, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 19,164,969 cases.

The other countries with more than two million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (14,725,975), France (5,703,505), Turkey (4,849,408), Russia (4,759,902), the UK (4,434,157), Italy (4,035,617), Spain (3,524,077), Germany (3,410,821), Argentina (2,993,865), Colombia (2,877,746), Poland (2,798,617), Iran (2,516,157) and Mexico (2,344,755), the CSSE figures showed.

In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 406,437 fatalities.

Nations with a death toll of over 50,000 are Mexico (216,907), India (211,853), the UK (127,782), Italy (121,033), Russia (108,675), France (104,867), Germany (83,111), Spain (78,216), Colombia (73,992), Iran (72,090), Poland (67,924), Argentina (64,096), Peru (61,477) and South Africa (54,406).

(With inputs from agencies)

The death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3.18 million people on Sunday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.

The death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3.18 million people on Sunday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France. The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 151.7 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 151,774,770 and 3,188,331, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 32,389,652 and 576,719, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 19,164,969 cases. The other countries with more than two million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (14,725,975), France (5,703,505), Turkey (4,849,408), Russia (4,759,902), the UK (4,434,157), Italy (4,035,617), Spain (3,524,077), Germany (3,410,821), Argentina (2,993,865), Colombia (2,877,746), Poland (2,798,617), Iran (2,516,157) and Mexico (2,344,755), the CSSE figures showed. In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 406,437 fatalities. Nations with a death toll of over 50,000 are Mexico (216,907), India (211,853), the UK (127,782), Italy (121,033), Russia (108,675), France (104,867), Germany (83,111), Spain (78,216), Colombia (73,992), Iran (72,090), Poland (67,924), Argentina (64,096), Peru (61,477) and South Africa (54,406). (With inputs from agencies)

Worldwide COVID-19 situation continues to deteriorate; death toll tops 3.18 million

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday.

The travel ban does not apply to passengers, who have transited through those countries, the presidential steering committee on Covid said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines ">Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines&nbsp;</a>

"These precautionary measures are a necessary step to minimise the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries," the statement said.

Nigerians and permanent residents who have been in those countries in the last 14 days will have to undergo mandatory quarantine for a week in a government-approved facility on arrival, it said.

All passengers arriving in Nigeria will now have to show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel rather then the previous 96 hours period.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has reported just over 165,000 cases of the coronavirus and 2,063 deaths since the virus first emerged in China at the end of 2019.

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday.

Nigeria will ban entry to non-Nigerian passengers, who have been in Brazil, India or Turkey in the last fortnight due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in those three nations, health authorities said on Sunday. The travel ban does not apply to passengers, who have transited through those countries, the presidential steering committee on Covid said in a statement. Also read: Australia bans arrivals from India, says offenders face jail, fines "These precautionary measures are a necessary step to minimise the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases introduced to Nigeria from other countries," the statement said. Nigerians and permanent residents who have been in those countries in the last 14 days will have to undergo mandatory quarantine for a week in a government-approved facility on arrival, it said. All passengers arriving in Nigeria will now have to show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of travel rather then the previous 96 hours period. Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has reported just over 165,000 cases of the coronavirus and 2,063 deaths since the virus first emerged in China at the end of 2019.

Nigeria restricts passengers from India, Brazil, Turkey over virus

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday.&nbsp;

Speaking to a World Health Organization (WHO) briefing, Queiroga said Brazil had administered 41,000,000&nbsp;vaccine doses but needed more supplies to meet a daily target of 2,400,000.&nbsp;

"We need to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and in line with this, we would like to call on those countries with extra doses to share them with Brazil as soon as possible so we can also broaden our vaccination campaign and contain the pandemic at this critical time, and avoid the proliferation of new variants," Queiroga said.&nbsp;

Brazil on Thursday became the second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths after the United States. Experts warned the daily toll could remain high for several months due to a slow vaccination rate and loosening social restrictions. Brazil registered 3,001 new COVID-19 deaths on that day.&nbsp;

Experts have blamed the death toll on the failure of government, from President Jair Bolsonaro down to many state governors and mayors, to launch a robust response to the pandemic. &nbsp;

"We hope by the end of this year, we will have vaccinated the entire population," Queiroga said.&nbsp;

The Russian developer of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said on Thursday, it would sue the Brazilian health regulator Anvisa for defamation, prompting a stern rebuttal from the agency.&nbsp;

Anvisa's board on Monday denied requests by Brazilian states to approve Sputnik V for import. The agency's manager for medicines and biological products, Gustavo Mendes, said there was evidence an adenovirus used in the vaccine could reproduce, which he called a 'serious' defect.&nbsp;

Queiroga said Anvisa could withstand external as well as internal pressure. Bolsonaro had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese officials about their respective COVID-19 vaccines, he said, adding: "They are nations that we are friendly with, and as soon as they (vaccines) are approved, we can include them in our immunisation programme".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday.

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday. Speaking to a World Health Organization (WHO) briefing, Queiroga said Brazil had administered 41,000,000 vaccine doses but needed more supplies to meet a daily target of 2,400,000. "We need to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and in line with this, we would like to call on those countries with extra doses to share them with Brazil as soon as possible so we can also broaden our vaccination campaign and contain the pandemic at this critical time, and avoid the proliferation of new variants," Queiroga said. Brazil on Thursday became the second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths after the United States. Experts warned the daily toll could remain high for several months due to a slow vaccination rate and loosening social restrictions. Brazil registered 3,001 new COVID-19 deaths on that day. Experts have blamed the death toll on the failure of government, from President Jair Bolsonaro down to many state governors and mayors, to launch a robust response to the pandemic. "We hope by the end of this year, we will have vaccinated the entire population," Queiroga said. The Russian developer of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said on Thursday, it would sue the Brazilian health regulator Anvisa for defamation, prompting a stern rebuttal from the agency. Anvisa's board on Monday denied requests by Brazilian states to approve Sputnik V for import. The agency's manager for medicines and biological products, Gustavo Mendes, said there was evidence an adenovirus used in the vaccine could reproduce, which he called a 'serious' defect. Queiroga said Anvisa could withstand external as well as internal pressure. Bolsonaro had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese officials about their respective COVID-19 vaccines, he said, adding: "They are nations that we are friendly with, and as soon as they (vaccines) are approved, we can include them in our immunisation programme". (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil calls on countries to share spare vaccines 

Brazil&nbsp;registered 2,595&nbsp;new&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;from&nbsp;Covid-19 on Friday, bringing the total for&nbsp;April&nbsp;to&nbsp;82,266, the second consecutive&nbsp;monthly&nbsp;record&nbsp;as the country struggles with a devastating surge since the start of the year.

According to figures from the Ministry of Health, 66,573 fatalities were recorded in March -- underlining the steep increase in&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;over recent weeks.

With 212 million people,&nbsp;Brazil's death toll in the pandemic surpassed 400,000&nbsp;on Thursday and it also has one of the highest mortality rates at 189&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;per 100,000&nbsp;inhabitants.

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The country is scrambling to secure more vaccines and the Senate is investigating whether President Jair Bolsonaro's government has exacerbated the crisis.

Hospitals have been pushed to the brink of collapse in many areas, although experts say the peak of the&nbsp;new&nbsp;wave appears to have passed.

Experts blame the latest surge partly on the&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;variant of the virus, a mutation that emerged in or around the Amazon rainforest city of Manaus in December.

Known as P1, it can reinfect people who have had the original strain of the virus and may be more contagious.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-calls-on-countries-to-share-spare-vaccines-381826">Brazil calls on countries to share spare vaccines</a>

Around 29 million people in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;have received a first&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccine dose, over 13 per cent of the population. About 13 million have received a second.

But cities in 14 of&nbsp;Brazil's 27 states have had to suspend second doses because of shortages, according to TV Globo.

Bolsonaro has controversially downplayed the virus, fought stay-at-home measures to contain it and rejected some offers of vaccines.

The far-right president has defended his handling of the pandemic, telling supporters: "I was wrong about nothing."

Brazil registered 2,595 new deaths from Covid-19 on Friday, bringing the total for April to 82,266, the second consecutive monthly record as the country struggles with a devastating surge since the start of the year.

Brazil registered 2,595 new deaths from Covid-19 on Friday, bringing the total for April to 82,266, the second consecutive monthly record as the country struggles with a devastating surge since the start of the year. According to figures from the Ministry of Health, 66,573 fatalities were recorded in March -- underlining the steep increase in deaths over recent weeks. With 212 million people, Brazil's death toll in the pandemic surpassed 400,000 on Thursday and it also has one of the highest mortality rates at 189 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The country is scrambling to secure more vaccines and the Senate is investigating whether President Jair Bolsonaro's government has exacerbated the crisis. Hospitals have been pushed to the brink of collapse in many areas, although experts say the peak of the new wave appears to have passed. Experts blame the latest surge partly on the Brazil variant of the virus, a mutation that emerged in or around the Amazon rainforest city of Manaus in December. Known as P1, it can reinfect people who have had the original strain of the virus and may be more contagious. Also read | Brazil calls on countries to share spare vaccines Around 29 million people in Brazil have received a first Covid-19 vaccine dose, over 13 per cent of the population. About 13 million have received a second. But cities in 14 of Brazil's 27 states have had to suspend second doses because of shortages, according to TV Globo. Bolsonaro has controversially downplayed the virus, fought stay-at-home measures to contain it and rejected some offers of vaccines. The far-right president has defended his handling of the pandemic, telling supporters: "I was wrong about nothing."

Brazil hits 82,000 Covid deaths in April, new monthly record

The&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

From 2010 through 2019, Brazil's&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin gave off 16,600,000,000 tonnes of CO2, while drawing down only 13,900,000,000 tonnes, researchers reported on Thursday in the journal Nature Climate Change.

The study looked at the volume of CO2 absorbed and stored as the forest grows, versus the amounts released back into the atmosphere as it has been burned down or destroyed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago">UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago</a>

"We half-expected it, but it is the first time that we have figures showing that the&nbsp;Brazilian&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;has flipped, and is now a net emitter," said co-author Jean-Pierre Wigneron, a scientist at France's National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA).

"We don't know at what point the changeover could become irreversible," he told AFP in an interview.

The study also showed that deforestation -- through fires and clear-cutting -- increased nearly four-fold in 2019 compared to either of the two previous years, from about one million hectares (2.5 million acres) to 3.9 million hectares, an area the size of the Netherlands.

"Brazil saw a sharp decline in the application of environmental protection policies after the change of government in 2019," the INRA said in a statement.

Brazilian&nbsp;President Jair Bolsonaro was sworn into office on January 1, 2019.&nbsp;

Terrestrial ecosystems worldwide have been a crucial ally as the world struggles to curb CO2 emissions, which topped 40 billion tonnes in 2019.&nbsp;

Over the last half century, plants and soil have consistently absorbed about 30 per cent of those emissions, even as those emissions increased by 50 per cent over than period.&nbsp;

Oceans have also helped, soaking up more than 20 per cent.

The&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin contains about half of the world's tropical rainforests, which are more effective at soaking up and storing carbon that other types of vegetation.

If the region were to be come a net source rather than a "sink" of CO2, tackling the climate crisis will be that much harder.

Using new methods of analysing satellite data developed at the University of Oklahoma, the international team of researchers also showed for the first time that degraded forests were a more significant source of planet-warming CO2 emissions that outright deforestation.

Over the same 10-year period, degradation -- caused by fragmentation, selective cutting, or fires that damage but do not destroy trees -- caused three times more emissions that outright destruction of forests.

The data examined in the study only covers Brazil, which holds some 60 per cent of the Amazonian rainforest.

Taking the rest of region into account, "the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;basin as a whole is probably (carbon) neutral," said Wigneron.

"But in the other countries with&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;rainforest, deforestation is on the rise too, and drought has become more intense."

Climate change looms as a major threat, and could -- above a certain threshold of global warming -- see the continent's rainforest tip into a much drier savannah state, recent studies have shown.

This would have devastating consequences not only to the region, which currently harbours a significant percentage of the world's biodiversity, but globally as well.

The&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;rainforest is one of a dozen so-called "tipping points" in the climate system.

Ice sheets atop Greenland and the West Antarctic, Siberian permafrost loaded with CO2 and methane, monsoon rains in South Asia, coral reef ecosystems, the jet stream -- all are vulnerable to point-of-no-return transitions that would radically alter the world as we know it. &nbsp;

The Brazilian Amazon released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution.

The Brazilian Amazon released nearly 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the last decade than it absorbed, according to a stunning report that shows humanity can no longer depend on the world's largest tropical forest to help absorb man-made carbon pollution. From 2010 through 2019, Brazil's Amazon basin gave off 16,600,000,000 tonnes of CO2, while drawing down only 13,900,000,000 tonnes, researchers reported on Thursday in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study looked at the volume of CO2 absorbed and stored as the forest grows, versus the amounts released back into the atmosphere as it has been burned down or destroyed. Also read: UK space agency hunts for 'Moon Trees' from seeds brought back by mission 50 years ago "We half-expected it, but it is the first time that we have figures showing that the Brazilian Amazon has flipped, and is now a net emitter," said co-author Jean-Pierre Wigneron, a scientist at France's National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA). "We don't know at what point the changeover could become irreversible," he told AFP in an interview. The study also showed that deforestation -- through fires and clear-cutting -- increased nearly four-fold in 2019 compared to either of the two previous years, from about one million hectares (2.5 million acres) to 3.9 million hectares, an area the size of the Netherlands. "Brazil saw a sharp decline in the application of environmental protection policies after the change of government in 2019," the INRA said in a statement. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sworn into office on January 1, 2019. Terrestrial ecosystems worldwide have been a crucial ally as the world struggles to curb CO2 emissions, which topped 40 billion tonnes in 2019. Over the last half century, plants and soil have consistently absorbed about 30 per cent of those emissions, even as those emissions increased by 50 per cent over than period. Oceans have also helped, soaking up more than 20 per cent. The Amazon basin contains about half of the world's tropical rainforests, which are more effective at soaking up and storing carbon that other types of vegetation. If the region were to be come a net source rather than a "sink" of CO2, tackling the climate crisis will be that much harder. Using new methods of analysing satellite data developed at the University of Oklahoma, the international team of researchers also showed for the first time that degraded forests were a more significant source of planet-warming CO2 emissions that outright deforestation. Over the same 10-year period, degradation -- caused by fragmentation, selective cutting, or fires that damage but do not destroy trees -- caused three times more emissions that outright destruction of forests. The data examined in the study only covers Brazil, which holds some 60 per cent of the Amazonian rainforest. Taking the rest of region into account, "the Amazon basin as a whole is probably (carbon) neutral," said Wigneron. "But in the other countries with Amazon rainforest, deforestation is on the rise too, and drought has become more intense." Climate change looms as a major threat, and could -- above a certain threshold of global warming -- see the continent's rainforest tip into a much drier savannah state, recent studies have shown. This would have devastating consequences not only to the region, which currently harbours a significant percentage of the world's biodiversity, but globally as well. The Amazon rainforest is one of a dozen so-called "tipping points" in the climate system. Ice sheets atop Greenland and the West Antarctic, Siberian permafrost loaded with CO2 and methane, monsoon rains in South Asia, coral reef ecosystems, the jet stream -- all are vulnerable to point-of-no-return transitions that would radically alter the world as we know it.

Climate change: Amazon may be turning from friend to foe

Brazil has become the second country to pass 400,000 Covid deaths after the United States, as experts warned the daily toll could remain high for several mont

Brazil reaches grim milestone of 400,000 Covid deaths

The Russian developer of the Sputnik V Coronavirus vaccine said that it would sue the Brazilian health regulator Anvisa for defamation, accusing it of knowingly spreading false information.

Sputnik V vaccine developer to sue Brazil's health regulator Anvisa

The developer of Russia's Sputnik V <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> has decided to sue Brazil's health regulator with the allegation of spreading false information about the coronavirus vaccine.

This lawsuit has come after Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa, refused to import the Russian coronavirus vaccine claiming experts have flagged "uncertainties" about the jab.

ALso read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-approves-russian-vaccine-sputnik-v-for-emergency-use-381000" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-approves-russian-vaccine-sputnik-v-for-emergency-use-381000&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjutr344aPwAhXaxDgGHV5RBoAQFjACegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1HkOiPDJ4BB_oY4lSEbbXX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-approves-russian-vaccine-sputnik-v-for-emergency-use-381000" target="_blank">Bangladesh approves Russian vaccine&nbsp;Sputnik V</a>

"Sputnik V is undertaking a legal defamation proceeding in Brazil against Anvisa for knowingly spreading false and inaccurate information," the developer said on Twitter.

The claims by Anvisa have drawn criticism as the health regulator has not released its findings and has refused to give more information on these "uncertainties".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-says-russian-covid-vaccine-carried-the-live-cold-virus-381318/amp" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-says-russian-covid-vaccine-carried-the-live-cold-virus-381318/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjutr344aPwAhXaxDgGHV5RBoAQFjABegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2CcPeheMPvHJZ3u5AV8nYX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-says-russian-covid-vaccine-carried-the-live-cold-virus-381318/amp" target="_blank">Brazil says Russian Covid vaccine carried the live cold virus</a>

However,&nbsp;according to a slideshow uploaded online, the regulator's scientists made the decision on the basis that batches of the vaccine they tested carried a live version of a common cold-causing virus.

Developers of Sputnik V, however, claim that experts of Anvisa have admitted to making a mistake and had claimed that Anvisa had not tested the Russian vaccine.

"Anvisa made incorrect and misleading statements without having tested the actual Sputnik V vaccine," developers claimed.

The developer of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has decided to sue Brazil's health regulator with the allegation of spreading false information about the coronavirus vaccine.

The developer of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has decided to sue Brazil's health regulator with the allegation of spreading false information about the coronavirus vaccine. This lawsuit has come after Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa, refused to import the Russian coronavirus vaccine claiming experts have flagged "uncertainties" about the jab. ALso read | Bangladesh approves Russian vaccine Sputnik V "Sputnik V is undertaking a legal defamation proceeding in Brazil against Anvisa for knowingly spreading false and inaccurate information," the developer said on Twitter. The claims by Anvisa have drawn criticism as the health regulator has not released its findings and has refused to give more information on these "uncertainties". Also read | Brazil says Russian Covid vaccine carried the live cold virus However, according to a slideshow uploaded online, the regulator's scientists made the decision on the basis that batches of the vaccine they tested carried a live version of a common cold-causing virus. Developers of Sputnik V, however, claim that experts of Anvisa have admitted to making a mistake and had claimed that Anvisa had not tested the Russian vaccine. "Anvisa made incorrect and misleading statements without having tested the actual Sputnik V vaccine," developers claimed.

Sputnik V's developer to sue Brazil regulator for 'false information'

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.

The deal, which was finalised on Christmas Eve, already has been ratified by the UK Parliament and conditionally came into force pending the European Parliament's approval.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine">COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine</a>

Because of disagreement on how to apply trade rules in Northern Ireland, some EU legislators previously threatened to hold back the ratification vote, but a large majority of lawmakers are in favor of the deal.

Results of the vote are set to be announced on Wednesday, almost five years after U.K. Voters decided to withdraw from the bloc.

This deal is not good because Brexit is not good. The situation is also complicated because we cannot be sure how trustworthy the UK government really is," said Terry Reintke, the vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.

Still, this agreement can be a starting point reconstructing what we lost due to Brexit."

Top European Union officials and their British counterparts have so far failed to find common ground on implementing the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, which were designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, and to guarantee the integrity of the bloc's single market.

In March, the U.K. Government unilaterally extended until October a grace period for not conducting checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., a decision that led the EU to start legal action against its former member nation.

In an address to EU lawmakers ahead of Tuesday's ratification vote, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she shared their concerns on ?unilateral actions taken by (the) United Kingdom" but noted some progress in the talks with British officials.

In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new constructive dynamic, and we will continue to work closely with the U.K. To find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed,&nbsp;she said.

Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. But remained part of the EU's single market for goods after Brexit to avoid customs checks at the territory's border with EU member Ireland. An open Irish border helped underpin the peace process that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

But tensions and violence have escalated in recent weeks, with unionists saying the arrangement the British government and the EU worked out has amounted to the creation of a border between the territory and the rest of the U.K.

The sensitivity of Northern Ireland's status also was in September when the U.K. Parliament considered legislation that would have given Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government the power to override part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland.

The tension increased in January when the EU threatened to ban shipments of coronavirus vaccines to Northern Ireland as part of moves to shore up the bloc's supply. That would have drawn a hard border on the island of Ireland - exactly the scenario the Brexit deal was crafted to avoid.

Relations between the EU and the U.K. Have been strained since a Brexit transition period ended on Jan. 1.

The two sides have argued so far this year over issues ranging from COVID-19 vaccine supplies to the full diplomatic recognition of the EU in Britain.

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.

European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules. The deal, which was finalised on Christmas Eve, already has been ratified by the UK Parliament and conditionally came into force pending the European Parliament's approval. Also read: COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine Because of disagreement on how to apply trade rules in Northern Ireland, some EU legislators previously threatened to hold back the ratification vote, but a large majority of lawmakers are in favor of the deal. Results of the vote are set to be announced on Wednesday, almost five years after U.K. Voters decided to withdraw from the bloc. This deal is not good because Brexit is not good. The situation is also complicated because we cannot be sure how trustworthy the UK government really is," said Terry Reintke, the vice-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. Still, this agreement can be a starting point reconstructing what we lost due to Brexit." Top European Union officials and their British counterparts have so far failed to find common ground on implementing the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, which were designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, and to guarantee the integrity of the bloc's single market. In March, the U.K. Government unilaterally extended until October a grace period for not conducting checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K., a decision that led the EU to start legal action against its former member nation. In an address to EU lawmakers ahead of Tuesday's ratification vote, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she shared their concerns on ?unilateral actions taken by (the) United Kingdom" but noted some progress in the talks with British officials. In recent days and weeks, we have seen a new constructive dynamic, and we will continue to work closely with the U.K. To find constructive solutions that respect what was agreed, she said. Northern Ireland is part of the U.K. But remained part of the EU's single market for goods after Brexit to avoid customs checks at the territory's border with EU member Ireland. An open Irish border helped underpin the peace process that ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. But tensions and violence have escalated in recent weeks, with unionists saying the arrangement the British government and the EU worked out has amounted to the creation of a border between the territory and the rest of the U.K. The sensitivity of Northern Ireland's status also was in September when the U.K. Parliament considered legislation that would have given Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government the power to override part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland. The tension increased in January when the EU threatened to ban shipments of coronavirus vaccines to Northern Ireland as part of moves to shore up the bloc's supply. That would have drawn a hard border on the island of Ireland - exactly the scenario the Brexit deal was crafted to avoid. Relations between the EU and the U.K. Have been strained since a Brexit transition period ended on Jan. 1. The two sides have argued so far this year over issues ranging from COVID-19 vaccine supplies to the full diplomatic recognition of the EU in Britain.

European Parliament set to greenlight post-Brexit trade deal

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated.

Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine">COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine</a>

"Anvisa's delays in approving Sputnik V are unfortunately of a political nature and have nothing to do with access to information or science," the official Sputnik V Twitter account said.

It pointed to a recent US government report that said Washington had tried to persuade Brazil not to use Sputnik.

"The United States Department of Health, in its 2020 annual report several months ago, publicly stated that the United States health attache 'persuaded Brazil to reject the Russian vaccine against COVID-19,'" the account added.

Anvisa said its experts had flagged "uncertainties" about the jab, which has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Russian vaccine has so far been approved for use in at least 60 countries, including more than 10 in Latin and Central America.

Argentina signed a deal with Russia earlier this month to become the first Latin American country to produce Sputnik V shots, and will aim for full-scale production to start in June.

The Kremlin said Tuesday it needed more information about the Brazilian decision before commenting, adding that it was not in touch with Brazilian authorities on the issue.

But in general, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We are against the use of vaccines as a political tool."

Some Western countries have been wary of Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- over concerns the Kremlin would use it as a soft power tool to advance its interests.

Moscow registered the jab in August before large-scale clinical trials, but leading medical journal The Lancet has since said it is safe and more than 90 percent effective.

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated. Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy.

The developers of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday criticised Brazil's refusal to import the jab as politically motivated. Brazilian health regulator Anvisa on Monday denied requests from several states to receive batches of Sputnik V, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab's safety and efficacy. Also read: COVID-19: Brazil health regulator Anvisa rejects Russia's Sputnik vaccine "Anvisa's delays in approving Sputnik V are unfortunately of a political nature and have nothing to do with access to information or science," the official Sputnik V Twitter account said. It pointed to a recent US government report that said Washington had tried to persuade Brazil not to use Sputnik. "The United States Department of Health, in its 2020 annual report several months ago, publicly stated that the United States health attache 'persuaded Brazil to reject the Russian vaccine against COVID-19,'" the account added. Anvisa said its experts had flagged "uncertainties" about the jab, which has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Russian vaccine has so far been approved for use in at least 60 countries, including more than 10 in Latin and Central America. Argentina signed a deal with Russia earlier this month to become the first Latin American country to produce Sputnik V shots, and will aim for full-scale production to start in June. The Kremlin said Tuesday it needed more information about the Brazilian decision before commenting, adding that it was not in touch with Brazilian authorities on the issue. But in general, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "We are against the use of vaccines as a political tool." Some Western countries have been wary of Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- over concerns the Kremlin would use it as a soft power tool to advance its interests. Moscow registered the jab in August before large-scale clinical trials, but leading medical journal The Lancet has since said it is safe and more than 90 percent effective.

Russia says Brazil's refusal to import Sputnik V is 'political'

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday approved a 24 per cent cut to the environment budget for 2021 from 2020’s levels. This comes in a day after the country vowed to increase its budget to fight deforestation in the country.

During the climate summit organised by US President Joe Biden, Bolsonaro promised to double the budget for environment enforcement and to end illegal deforestation by 2030.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/life-returns-to-polluted-brazil-river-after-removal-of-tonnes-of-trash-379566/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In just less than 24 hours, Bolsonaro signed off on the 2021 federal budget which included $365.30 (2 billion reais) million for the Environment Ministry and agency overseen by the ministry. This marks a drop of 2.6 billion reais, as cited by the government’s gazette. Even then, spending may be tweaked over the year.

"The gesture of giving a speech yesterday isn't enough… Brazil's government needs to do its homework”, Congressman Rodrigo Agostinho, leader of the environmental caucus in Congress was cited as saying by Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/please-delay-pregnancies-brazil-urges-local-women-amid-coronavirus-surge-378199" hreflang="en">'Please delay pregnancies', Brazil urges local women amid coronavirus surge</a>

In addition to the funding drop, Bolsonaro also vetoed a series of environmental budget provisions worth 240 million reais.&nbsp;

All questions to Bolsonaro so far have been directed to the Economy Ministry, which told Reuters that the budget for environment was in sync with what was proposed by the president originally.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/in-brazil-graveyard-shift-reveals-staggering-cost-of-pandemic-378134" hreflang="en">In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic&nbsp;</a>

Earlier on Friday, the country’s Environment Minister Ricardo Salles posted a request on social media asking for 270 million reais as additional funding for the country’s environment agency Ibama along with its parks service ICMBio.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday approved a 24 per cent cut to the environment budget for 2021 from 2020’s levels. This comes in a day after the country vowed to increase its budget to fight deforestation in the country.

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday approved a 24 per cent cut to the environment budget for 2021 from 2020’s levels. This comes in a day after the country vowed to increase its budget to fight deforestation in the country. During the climate summit organised by US President Joe Biden, Bolsonaro promised to double the budget for environment enforcement and to end illegal deforestation by 2030. In just less than 24 hours, Bolsonaro signed off on the 2021 federal budget which included $365.30 (2 billion reais) million for the Environment Ministry and agency overseen by the ministry. This marks a drop of 2.6 billion reais, as cited by the government’s gazette. Even then, spending may be tweaked over the year. "The gesture of giving a speech yesterday isn't enough… Brazil's government needs to do its homework”, Congressman Rodrigo Agostinho, leader of the environmental caucus in Congress was cited as saying by Reuters. Also read: 'Please delay pregnancies', Brazil urges local women amid coronavirus surge In addition to the funding drop, Bolsonaro also vetoed a series of environmental budget provisions worth 240 million reais. All questions to Bolsonaro so far have been directed to the Economy Ministry, which told Reuters that the budget for environment was in sync with what was proposed by the president originally. Also read: In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic Earlier on Friday, the country’s Environment Minister Ricardo Salles posted a request on social media asking for 270 million reais as additional funding for the country’s environment agency Ibama along with its parks service ICMBio. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil cuts environment budget a day after US climate summit

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro approved a 24% cut to the environment budget for 2021 from last year's level, on Friday, just one day after he vowed to increase spending to fight deforestation during the climate summit organised by US President Joe Biden.

Brazil chops environmental budget a day after US climate summit pledge

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

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

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

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

Growth in Latin America's biggest economy looks on track for completing a V-shaped pickup in the second quarter

Brazil's economy at crunch time for recovery

As Brazil continues to be the epicenter of the pandemic COVID-19 with record number of cases and deaths, cops in the country have raided several illegal parties in Sao Paulo.

Brazil: Revellers go for partying amidst rising COVID-19 cases, flout lockdown norms

France will impose a 10-day quarantine on arrivals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and South Africa over concerns about variants of the coronavirus, the prime minister's office announced on Saturday.&nbsp;

Although flights from Argentina, Chile and South Africa will not be suspended, all arrivals from those countries will have to submit to the quarantine or face fines.&nbsp;

Flights from Brazil were suspended until at least next Friday because of concern about the P1 variant of the coronavirus, which is more contagious than the original strain and can also re-infect those, who have had the original virus.&nbsp;

Justifying the decision not to ban flights from the other three countries, Paris said that those variants had not reached the levels observed in Brazil.&nbsp;

The new quarantine measures will be gradually introduced over the coming days until they are fully enforced by next Saturday.&nbsp;

The new measures will also restrict arrivals from the named countries, mainly to French and their families as well as other EU nationals and others, who are French residents.&nbsp;

Arrivals from French Guyana and the Antilles will also be subjected to tests before and after their flights, said the statement.&nbsp;

France has recently tightened restrictions in its fight against the third wave of the coronavirus, imposing an overnight curfew, closing non-essential shops and restricting travel inside the country.&nbsp;

France will impose a 10-day quarantine on arrivals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and South Africa over concerns about variants of the coronavirus, the prime minister's office announced on Saturday.

France will impose a 10-day quarantine on arrivals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and South Africa over concerns about variants of the coronavirus, the prime minister's office announced on Saturday. Although flights from Argentina, Chile and South Africa will not be suspended, all arrivals from those countries will have to submit to the quarantine or face fines. Flights from Brazil were suspended until at least next Friday because of concern about the P1 variant of the coronavirus, which is more contagious than the original strain and can also re-infect those, who have had the original virus. Justifying the decision not to ban flights from the other three countries, Paris said that those variants had not reached the levels observed in Brazil. The new quarantine measures will be gradually introduced over the coming days until they are fully enforced by next Saturday. The new measures will also restrict arrivals from the named countries, mainly to French and their families as well as other EU nationals and others, who are French residents. Arrivals from French Guyana and the Antilles will also be subjected to tests before and after their flights, said the statement. France has recently tightened restrictions in its fight against the third wave of the coronavirus, imposing an overnight curfew, closing non-essential shops and restricting travel inside the country.

France to impose quarantine on arrivals from four countries 

As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> cases are alarmingly increasing in Brazil, the authorities have urged women to delay pregnancy for at least a few months.

The request has come as Brazil is experiencing one of the worst waves of coronavirus, with the country marking one of the highest death tolls in the world.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/patients-tied-to-beds-in-brazil-as-country-runs-out-of-sedatives-reports-378022">Patients tied to beds in Brazil as country runs out of sedatives: Reports</a>

"If it's possible, delay pregnancy a little until a better moment,"&nbsp;Raphael Parente, a health ministry official said during a news conference.

This has also been requested as the officials claim the new Brazil variant is more dangerous for pregnant women.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-brazil-graveyard-shift-reveals-staggering-cost-of-pandemic-378134">In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic</a>

"The clinical experience of specialists shows that this new variant acts more aggressively in pregnant women," Parente explained.

Brazilian variant of coronavirus, also known as P1, was first identified in Manaus, an Amazon city, and spread very quickly in Brazil. It has also been assumed to be one of the biggest reasons behind the surge in cases in the country.

The outbreak has also affected the younger generation this time, especially people in their 30s and 40s, who have been admitted in the ICUs.

With the hospitals running on full capacity, the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has again opposed lockdown and has continued holding large and crowded events in the country.

As coronavirus cases are alarmingly increasing in Brazil, the authorities have urged women to delay pregnancy for at least a few months. The request has come as Brazil is experiencing one of the worst waves of coronavirus, with the country marking one of the highest death tolls in the world.

As coronavirus cases are alarmingly increasing in Brazil, the authorities have urged women to delay pregnancy for at least a few months. The request has come as Brazil is experiencing one of the worst waves of coronavirus, with the country marking one of the highest death tolls in the world. Also read | Patients tied to beds in Brazil as country runs out of sedatives: Reports "If it's possible, delay pregnancy a little until a better moment," Raphael Parente, a health ministry official said during a news conference. This has also been requested as the officials claim the new Brazil variant is more dangerous for pregnant women. Also read | In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic "The clinical experience of specialists shows that this new variant acts more aggressively in pregnant women," Parente explained. Brazilian variant of coronavirus, also known as P1, was first identified in Manaus, an Amazon city, and spread very quickly in Brazil. It has also been assumed to be one of the biggest reasons behind the surge in cases in the country. The outbreak has also affected the younger generation this time, especially people in their 30s and 40s, who have been admitted in the ICUs. With the hospitals running on full capacity, the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has again opposed lockdown and has continued holding large and crowded events in the country.

'Please delay pregnancies', Brazil urges local women amid coronavirus surge

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. &nbsp;

But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule.&nbsp;

The vertiginous rise in deaths in Sao Paulo in recent months has forced the mayor of the country's richest and most populous city to adapt funeral planning to avoid being overwhelmed.&nbsp;

Now, in addition to hiring more personnel and vehicles, night shifts have been added in four of the 22 municipal cemeteries, where 600 graves are dug every day. &nbsp;

One of these is Vila Formosa, the largest cemetery in Latin America and a showcase for the lethal cost of the pandemic in Brazil, where more than 360,000 people have already died from Covid-19. &nbsp;

At 6 pm, the night shift clocks in. Two huge lamps powered by generators start up, illuminating the graves and filling the air with the smell of diesel. &nbsp;

It is the start of autumn here, and in this tree-lined cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo the temperature has dropped to around 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

Eight gravediggers clad in white overalls, face masks and gloves arrive in two vans. They get out and form a circle around the graves, hands behind their backs and heads bowed to observe a minute of silence. &nbsp;

Then, they fetch their shovels and lay to rest the first deceased of the night. &nbsp;

"Are there no relatives?" asks one. &nbsp;

"No. You can go ahead," answers another, clutching the deceased's documents in his hand. &nbsp;

In May 2020, during the first onslaught of the pandemic, the cemetery hired three excavators to dig 60 graves a day. Now, there are six machines digging 200 graves a day, say the workers, who labor until 10 pm. &nbsp;

Fifty rented vans are used to move bodies, due to a lack of hearses to cope with the influx of dead. The mayor's office has denied local media reports that school buses have been pressed into service.&nbsp;

Shortly after, a van arrives with another casket. A large group of relatives surrounds the grave where the 57-year-old man, who died of Covid-19, is to be buried. The dead man's sons ask if they can place a yellow and green shirt from the Brazilian soccer team on top of the coffin.&nbsp;

The gravedigger who is holding the burial documents nods his assent. "It's the only thing we can do," he says.&nbsp;

Four men start shovelling reddish earth on to the coffin. In seconds, it is covered. &nbsp;

Howls of anguish mingle with the grating of shovels and the hum of generators. &nbsp;

&nbsp;By now accustomed to the presence of journalists and photographers, the gravediggers chat but ask not to be identified. &nbsp;

Almost all are vaccinated, and say the pandemic was worse for people in funeral homes than for people like them who work outdoors.&nbsp;

"I want this to end quickly, because it is very sad. We try not to get upset in our work, but it is sad, it is a lot of people, and a long time," says one of the gravediggers, peeling off his green gloves at the end of his shift. &nbsp;

Vila Formosa is the final resting place of 1.5 million people. In March it peaked at 105 burials in a single day, three times the pre-pandemic average. &nbsp;

On March 30, the city of Sao Paulo as a whole set a new record when it buried 426 people in just one day. &nbsp;

That experience has not been repeated since then: the current average is 391 deaths and 325 burials per day. &nbsp;

The mayor's office warns that if the daily average exceeds 400 burials, it will have to implement new measures, although it has ruled out round-the-clock burials in Vila Formosa. &nbsp;

The council is also looking at whether to build a vertical cemetery in the east of the city, as Vila Formosa fills up. &nbsp;

The gravediggers estimate that in 12 months they have already used 26 lots, an area that in pre-pandemic times would yield more than two years of burials.&nbsp;

"There's room to continue here," says one of the men. "But at this rate, I don't know how long that will last."&nbsp;

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule.

In almost three decades of working in Sao Paulo's largest cemetery, the oldest gravediggers can't remember performing more than 10 night burials. But since the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept across Brazil, that exception has become the rule. The vertiginous rise in deaths in Sao Paulo in recent months has forced the mayor of the country's richest and most populous city to adapt funeral planning to avoid being overwhelmed. Now, in addition to hiring more personnel and vehicles, night shifts have been added in four of the 22 municipal cemeteries, where 600 graves are dug every day. One of these is Vila Formosa, the largest cemetery in Latin America and a showcase for the lethal cost of the pandemic in Brazil, where more than 360,000 people have already died from Covid-19. At 6 pm, the night shift clocks in. Two huge lamps powered by generators start up, illuminating the graves and filling the air with the smell of diesel. It is the start of autumn here, and in this tree-lined cemetery on the outskirts of Sao Paulo the temperature has dropped to around 16 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit). Eight gravediggers clad in white overalls, face masks and gloves arrive in two vans. They get out and form a circle around the graves, hands behind their backs and heads bowed to observe a minute of silence. Then, they fetch their shovels and lay to rest the first deceased of the night. "Are there no relatives?" asks one. "No. You can go ahead," answers another, clutching the deceased's documents in his hand. In May 2020, during the first onslaught of the pandemic, the cemetery hired three excavators to dig 60 graves a day. Now, there are six machines digging 200 graves a day, say the workers, who labor until 10 pm. Fifty rented vans are used to move bodies, due to a lack of hearses to cope with the influx of dead. The mayor's office has denied local media reports that school buses have been pressed into service. Shortly after, a van arrives with another casket. A large group of relatives surrounds the grave where the 57-year-old man, who died of Covid-19, is to be buried. The dead man's sons ask if they can place a yellow and green shirt from the Brazilian soccer team on top of the coffin. The gravedigger who is holding the burial documents nods his assent. "It's the only thing we can do," he says. Four men start shovelling reddish earth on to the coffin. In seconds, it is covered. Howls of anguish mingle with the grating of shovels and the hum of generators. By now accustomed to the presence of journalists and photographers, the gravediggers chat but ask not to be identified. Almost all are vaccinated, and say the pandemic was worse for people in funeral homes than for people like them who work outdoors. "I want this to end quickly, because it is very sad. We try not to get upset in our work, but it is sad, it is a lot of people, and a long time," says one of the gravediggers, peeling off his green gloves at the end of his shift. Vila Formosa is the final resting place of 1.5 million people. In March it peaked at 105 burials in a single day, three times the pre-pandemic average. On March 30, the city of Sao Paulo as a whole set a new record when it buried 426 people in just one day. That experience has not been repeated since then: the current average is 391 deaths and 325 burials per day. The mayor's office warns that if the daily average exceeds 400 burials, it will have to implement new measures, although it has ruled out round-the-clock burials in Vila Formosa. The council is also looking at whether to build a vertical cemetery in the east of the city, as Vila Formosa fills up. The gravediggers estimate that in 12 months they have already used 26 lots, an area that in pre-pandemic times would yield more than two years of burials. "There's room to continue here," says one of the men. "But at this rate, I don't know how long that will last."

In Brazil, graveyard shift reveals staggering cost of pandemic 

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus </a>crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives.&nbsp;

News agency Associated Press reported that several reports are coming to the fore saying medical professionals are being forced to intubate patients without the use of sedatives.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-govts-negligence-of-covid-19-causing-humanitarian-catastrophe-377985/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For the unversed, intubation is a process in which a ventilator helps a patient to inhale oxygen when the body struggles to breathe on its own.&nbsp;

A doctor at the Albert Schweitzer municipal hospital said health workers diluted sedatives for days to increase the stock.&nbsp;

However, when they ran out of it, doctors and nurses started using neuromuscular blockers and tying patients to their beds, the doctor added.&nbsp;

"You relax the muscles and do the procedure easily, but we don’t have sedation," the doctor said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/brazil-investigates-reports-of-vaccines-being-exchanged-for-illegal-gold-377659">Brazil investigates reports of vaccines being exchanged for illegal gold</a> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;"Some try to talk, resist. They’re conscious."

Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both raised concerns over the lack of sedatives, with Sao Paulo's Health Secretary saying the city's ability to nurse severe Covid-19 patients is on the brink of collapse.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said the country is engaging with Spain and other nations to get emergency drugs.&nbsp;

He added that hospitals were also struggling to get enough oxygen.

 
&nbsp;

The coronavirus crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives.

The coronavirus crisis in Brazil is not seeming to end, and now reports are coming in from the country suggesting that many hospitals are running out of sedatives. News agency Associated Press reported that several reports are coming to the fore saying medical professionals are being forced to intubate patients without the use of sedatives. Watch | For the unversed, intubation is a process in which a ventilator helps a patient to inhale oxygen when the body struggles to breathe on its own. A doctor at the Albert Schweitzer municipal hospital said health workers diluted sedatives for days to increase the stock. However, when they ran out of it, doctors and nurses started using neuromuscular blockers and tying patients to their beds, the doctor added. "You relax the muscles and do the procedure easily, but we don’t have sedation," the doctor said. Also read | Brazil investigates reports of vaccines being exchanged for illegal gold "Some try to talk, resist. They’re conscious." Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both raised concerns over the lack of sedatives, with Sao Paulo's Health Secretary saying the city's ability to nurse severe Covid-19 patients is on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said the country is engaging with Spain and other nations to get emergency drugs. He added that hospitals were also struggling to get enough oxygen.

Patients tied to beds in Brazil as country runs out of sedatives: Reports

An international medical humanitarian organisation Doctor without Borders has slammed Brazil government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aid group has said that the authorities have not taken the disease seriously enough in the country.

Brazil govt's negligence of COVID-19 causing humanitarian catastrophe

Brazil must demonstrate it can reduce the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon before Norway will resume payments in support of preserving the world`s largest rainforest, the Norwegian environment minister told Reuters. 
 
Norway worked closely with Brazil to protect the vulnerable ecosystem between 2008 and 2018, paying $1.2 billion into the Amazon Fund, which pays Brazil to prevent, monitor and combat deforestation. Oslo has by far been the biggest donor. 
 
But rainforest destruction has surged since Brazil`s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office in January 2019, weakening enforcement and calling for development of the Amazon, and also changing the fund`s governance. 
 
Still, Brazil earlier this month sought $1 billion in aid over a 12-month period from countries including the United States and Norway to help reduce deforestation by between 30% and 40%. 
 
Oslo, which in 2019 froze funds worth more than 5 billion Norwegian crowns ($585 million), said talks with Brazil were ongoing. 
 
"The conditions for a reopening and making these funds available is that deforestation decreases substantially and that agreement is reached regarding the governance structure of the Amazon Fund," Norway`s Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn said. 
 
He also recently spoke with Brazil`s Minister of Environment Ricardo Salles. 
 
"I noted that he says he wants to strengthen the police efforts against illegal deforestation. These are measures that have had a great effect in the past, and which can also be decisive in the time to come," Rotevatn said. 
 
In addition to a rich biodiversity, tropical forests soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide, making their preservation vital to the combat of man-made climate change. 
 
Deforestation in Brazil`s Amazon rainforest declined overall in the first quarter of 2021, preliminary data showed last week, but the measures are uncertain and experts also point to a concerning jump in destruction in March. 
 
Despite the freezing of funds, Norway is contributing a limited amount of some 50 million crowns for upholding the law in the Amazon under a previously launched project. 
 
"We stand ready to further support this work when we see reduced deforestation and a display of political will on the Brazilian side," Rotevatn said. 
 
Bolsonaro is among the 40 world leaders invited to US&nbsp;President Joe Biden`s April 22-23 summit on climate change.

Brazil must demonstrate it can reduce the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon before Norway will resume payments in support of preserving the world`s largest rainforest, the Norwegian environment minister told Reuters.

Brazil must demonstrate it can reduce the ongoing deforestation in the Amazon before Norway will resume payments in support of preserving the world`s largest rainforest, the Norwegian environment minister told Reuters. Norway worked closely with Brazil to protect the vulnerable ecosystem between 2008 and 2018, paying $1.2 billion into the Amazon Fund, which pays Brazil to prevent, monitor and combat deforestation. Oslo has by far been the biggest donor. But rainforest destruction has surged since Brazil`s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office in January 2019, weakening enforcement and calling for development of the Amazon, and also changing the fund`s governance. Still, Brazil earlier this month sought $1 billion in aid over a 12-month period from countries including the United States and Norway to help reduce deforestation by between 30% and 40%. Oslo, which in 2019 froze funds worth more than 5 billion Norwegian crowns ($585 million), said talks with Brazil were ongoing. "The conditions for a reopening and making these funds available is that deforestation decreases substantially and that agreement is reached regarding the governance structure of the Amazon Fund," Norway`s Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn said. He also recently spoke with Brazil`s Minister of Environment Ricardo Salles. "I noted that he says he wants to strengthen the police efforts against illegal deforestation. These are measures that have had a great effect in the past, and which can also be decisive in the time to come," Rotevatn said. In addition to a rich biodiversity, tropical forests soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide, making their preservation vital to the combat of man-made climate change. Deforestation in Brazil`s Amazon rainforest declined overall in the first quarter of 2021, preliminary data showed last week, but the measures are uncertain and experts also point to a concerning jump in destruction in March. Despite the freezing of funds, Norway is contributing a limited amount of some 50 million crowns for upholding the law in the Amazon under a previously launched project. "We stand ready to further support this work when we see reduced deforestation and a display of political will on the Brazilian side," Rotevatn said. Bolsonaro is among the 40 world leaders invited to US President Joe Biden`s April 22-23 summit on climate change.

Brazil must show Amazon protection is working, top donor Norway says

According to the Brazilian ICU Project, the number of people aged 39 or below rose drastically to more than 11,000, which is 52.2 per cent of the total in the month of March

COVID-19: Brazil now has more young than old patients in ICUs

Brazil on Tuesday reported 3,808 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising its pandemic death toll to 358,425. 
 
According to the Ministry of Health, during the same period, tests detected 82,186 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 13,599,994. 
 
With overburdened hospitals and 80 per cent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds occupied, Brazil, which reported a daily average of 3,068 deaths over the past seven days, is registering the most coronavirus deaths for a single country, according to data from the Council of State Health Secretariates. 
 
Brazil has the world`s second-largest pandemic death toll only after the United States. Since February, the country has seen a new wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the spread of the P1 variant that emerged in the Amazon.

Brazil on Tuesday reported 3,808 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising its pandemic death toll to 358,425. According to the Ministry of Health, during the same period, tests detected 82,186 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 13,599,994.

Brazil on Tuesday reported 3,808 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, raising its pandemic death toll to 358,425. According to the Ministry of Health, during the same period, tests detected 82,186 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 13,599,994. With overburdened hospitals and 80 per cent of COVID-19 intensive care unit beds occupied, Brazil, which reported a daily average of 3,068 deaths over the past seven days, is registering the most coronavirus deaths for a single country, according to data from the Council of State Health Secretariates. Brazil has the world`s second-largest pandemic death toll only after the United States. Since February, the country has seen a new wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the spread of the P1 variant that emerged in the Amazon.

Brazil reports 3,808 single-day COVID-19 deaths

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

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

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

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

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