Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord.

Bolsonaro, who won 55 per cent of the vote in a run-off on Sunday, issued a series of campaign pledges that left many fearing for the future of the Amazon, known as "the lungs of the planet".

He promised to merge Brazil's agriculture and environment ministries into one, saying "we won't have any more fights" over ecological concerns on deforestation.&nbsp;

"It's all about downsizing government and getting it out of the way so investors and big agribusiness landowners and companies can come in and have a freer hand for more trashing of resources and indigenous rights," Victor Menotti, a former director of the International Forum on Globalization, told AFP.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain, also raised the prospect of building hydro-electric power stations in the Amazon that would greatly restrict water access and forcibly remove indigenous communities.

"If (Bolsonaro) decides to move forward with his pledges against the environment, indigenous peoples and the climate, his fellow citizens will be the biggest victims," said Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory.

"To increase deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions is to leave each and everyone of us more vulnerable to an increasing risk of climate extremes."

May Boeve, executive director at climate NGO 350.org, warned that a Bolsonaro presidency posed "a real threat to human rights at home and a risk to the momentum for climate action abroad."

Deforestation is responsible for about a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies global warming. &nbsp;

But more than two decades of UN-led efforts to curb the practice have largely failed, with Earth still losing a wooded area the size of Greece every year.&nbsp;

The Amazon itself is retreating to the tune of 52,000 square kilometres (20,000 square miles) -- equivalent to the area of Costa Rica -- each year, as agriculture giants saw down trees to make way for vast tracts on which to graze cattle or grow plants for food and cosmetic products.

Indigenous community fears&nbsp; 
Bolsonaro, who openly admires Brazil's former military dictatorship and shocked many with his derogatory remarks on women, gays and blacks, remained vague about the environment during campaigning.&nbsp;

He stunned many observers in August by pledging to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the 2015 Paris treaty on climate change, before backtracking days before the run-off.&nbsp;

The Paris deal aims to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (36 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;

A major report this month highlighted the vital role forests must play in limiting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the crucial role of indigenous people in forest upkeep.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro said in February that he would not give up "one centimetre more" land to indigenous communities in Brazil -- home to around 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest -- who are often threatened when standing up for their rights.&nbsp;

Brazil is already the deadliest place for environmentalists, which pressure group Global Witness recording 57 deaths of people protecting land there last year.

Its annual report on environmentalist deaths said Brazil was already "actively weakening the laws and institutions designed to protect land rights and indigenous peoples".

Boeve said she feared for the indigenous population as Bolsonaro forges ahead with his development-at-any-price approach.&nbsp;

"The poorest will be the hardest hit by unchecked climate change," she said.

"Poor and vulnerable communities in Brazil also suffer most from the activities that drive climate change –- like fossil fuel extraction, fracking, and deforestation."&nbsp;

Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord.

Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord. Bolsonaro, who won 55 per cent of the vote in a run-off on Sunday, issued a series of campaign pledges that left many fearing for the future of the Amazon, known as "the lungs of the planet". He promised to merge Brazil's agriculture and environment ministries into one, saying "we won't have any more fights" over ecological concerns on deforestation. "It's all about downsizing government and getting it out of the way so investors and big agribusiness landowners and companies can come in and have a freer hand for more trashing of resources and indigenous rights," Victor Menotti, a former director of the International Forum on Globalization, told AFP. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, also raised the prospect of building hydro-electric power stations in the Amazon that would greatly restrict water access and forcibly remove indigenous communities. "If (Bolsonaro) decides to move forward with his pledges against the environment, indigenous peoples and the climate, his fellow citizens will be the biggest victims," said Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory. "To increase deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions is to leave each and everyone of us more vulnerable to an increasing risk of climate extremes." May Boeve, executive director at climate NGO 350.org, warned that a Bolsonaro presidency posed "a real threat to human rights at home and a risk to the momentum for climate action abroad." Deforestation is responsible for about a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies global warming. But more than two decades of UN-led efforts to curb the practice have largely failed, with Earth still losing a wooded area the size of Greece every year. The Amazon itself is retreating to the tune of 52,000 square kilometres (20,000 square miles) -- equivalent to the area of Costa Rica -- each year, as agriculture giants saw down trees to make way for vast tracts on which to graze cattle or grow plants for food and cosmetic products. Indigenous community fears Bolsonaro, who openly admires Brazil's former military dictatorship and shocked many with his derogatory remarks on women, gays and blacks, remained vague about the environment during campaigning. He stunned many observers in August by pledging to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the 2015 Paris treaty on climate change, before backtracking days before the run-off. The Paris deal aims to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (36 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. A major report this month highlighted the vital role forests must play in limiting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the crucial role of indigenous people in forest upkeep. Bolsonaro said in February that he would not give up "one centimetre more" land to indigenous communities in Brazil -- home to around 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest -- who are often threatened when standing up for their rights. Brazil is already the deadliest place for environmentalists, which pressure group Global Witness recording 57 deaths of people protecting land there last year. Its annual report on environmentalist deaths said Brazil was already "actively weakening the laws and institutions designed to protect land rights and indigenous peoples". Boeve said she feared for the indigenous population as Bolsonaro forges ahead with his development-at-any-price approach. "The poorest will be the hardest hit by unchecked climate change," she said. "Poor and vulnerable communities in Brazil also suffer most from the activities that drive climate change –- like fossil fuel extraction, fracking, and deforestation."

Like Trump, Brazil's Bolsonaro favours pulling out of Paris climate accord

WION Fineprint: Bolsonaro wins Brazil's presidential election

Far-right lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro won <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-brazils-tropical-trump-poised-to-win-presidency-174017">Brazil's presidential election </a>on Sunday (October 28), riding a wave of frustration over corruption and crime that brought a dramatic swing to the right in the world's fourth-largest democracy.

With 94 per cent of ballots counted, Bolsonaro had 56 per cent of the votes in the run-off election against left-wing hopeful Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT), who had 44 per cent, according to the electoral authority TSE.

The former army captain's rise has been propelled by the rejection of the leftist PT that ran Brazil for 13 of the last 15 years and was ousted two years ago in the midst of a deep recession and political graft scandal.

Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters cheered and set off fireworks outside his home in Rio de Janeiro's Barra de Tijuca beachfront neighbourhood as his victory was announced. In Brazil's commercial capital of Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro's win was greeted with fireworks and the honking of car horns.

Many Brazilians are concerned that Bolsonaro, an admirer of Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship and a defender of its use of torture on leftist opponents, will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-fears-more-violence-as-they-brace-for-far-right-presidency-173834">trample on human rights</a>, curtail civil liberties and muzzle freedom of speech. Bolsonaro has been called the "Trump of Brazil".

The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has vowed to crack down on crime in Brazil's cities and farm belt by granting police more autonomy to shoot at criminals. He also wants to let more Brazilians buy weapons to fight crime.

Far-right lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil's presidential election on Sunday (October 28), riding a wave of frustration over corruption and crime that brought a dramatic swing to the right in the world's fourth-largest democracy.

Far-right lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil's presidential election on Sunday (October 28), riding a wave of frustration over corruption and crime that brought a dramatic swing to the right in the world's fourth-largest democracy. With 94 per cent of ballots counted, Bolsonaro had 56 per cent of the votes in the run-off election against left-wing hopeful Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT), who had 44 per cent, according to the electoral authority TSE. The former army captain's rise has been propelled by the rejection of the leftist PT that ran Brazil for 13 of the last 15 years and was ousted two years ago in the midst of a deep recession and political graft scandal. Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters cheered and set off fireworks outside his home in Rio de Janeiro's Barra de Tijuca beachfront neighbourhood as his victory was announced. In Brazil's commercial capital of Sao Paulo, Bolsonaro's win was greeted with fireworks and the honking of car horns. Many Brazilians are concerned that Bolsonaro, an admirer of Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship and a defender of its use of torture on leftist opponents, will trample on human rights, curtail civil liberties and muzzle freedom of speech. Bolsonaro has been called the "Trump of Brazil". The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has vowed to crack down on crime in Brazil's cities and farm belt by granting police more autonomy to shoot at criminals. He also wants to let more Brazilians buy weapons to fight crime.

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro wins Brazil elections; he has been called the 'Trump of Brazil'

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner.

Here's what you need to know:

How important is the election? 

Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies, a member of the "BRICS" club and Latin America's biggest country.

Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's eighth-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China.

Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped out much of a preceding decade of prosperity.

Who is Bolsonaro?

Called a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-brazils-tropical-trump-poised-to-win-presidency-174017">Tropical Trump</a>" by some, Bolsonaro is controversial and polarizing.

The former army captain has been a congressman since 1991, and is known for offensive remarks against women, gays, blacks and the poor.

But he also has a healthy lead in the polls -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters.

He was stabbed in the stomach by an attacker at a campaign rally on September 6, which put him in the hospital for three weeks. Since then, he has campaigned entirely on social media.

To his supporters, the episode only bolstered his image as a "Myth" -- their nickname for him -- and underlined the need for the ruthless crackdown on crime he is promising.

Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in Congress that would help him govern if he wins.

But he has inspired massive protests by Brazilian women, under the slogan "Not him."

Is he a shoo-in?

He came close to winning the election outright in the first-round vote on October 7.

In a field of 13 candidates, he won 46 per cent of the vote, to 29 per cent for runner-up Fernando Haddad, his opponent in Sunday's run-off.

Bolsonaro had an eight- to 10-point lead going into the second round, according to two final polls released Saturday.

Pollster Ibope gave him a lead of 54 per cent to 46 per cent for Haddad, while Datafolha gave him 55 per cent to 45.

Haddad is the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular but imprisoned ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for bribery.

The leftist has made up ground -- he trailed by as much as 18 points two weeks ago -- but it would take a dramatic surge for him to win.

What's the future hold?

If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes -- though he would have to work with a divided Congress where the Workers' Party still holds sway.

He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime.

Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiralling public debt.

In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his platform says.

That looks like a reference particularly to neighbouring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil.

Instead, it would turn more toward countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy.

"We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he said in one interview.

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner.

Brazil is holding a presidential run-off election Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner. Here's what you need to know: How important is the election? Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies, a member of the "BRICS" club and Latin America's biggest country. Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's eighth-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China. Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped out much of a preceding decade of prosperity. Who is Bolsonaro? Called a "Tropical Trump" by some, Bolsonaro is controversial and polarizing. The former army captain has been a congressman since 1991, and is known for offensive remarks against women, gays, blacks and the poor. But he also has a healthy lead in the polls -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters. He was stabbed in the stomach by an attacker at a campaign rally on September 6, which put him in the hospital for three weeks. Since then, he has campaigned entirely on social media. To his supporters, the episode only bolstered his image as a "Myth" -- their nickname for him -- and underlined the need for the ruthless crackdown on crime he is promising. Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in Congress that would help him govern if he wins. But he has inspired massive protests by Brazilian women, under the slogan "Not him." Is he a shoo-in? He came close to winning the election outright in the first-round vote on October 7. In a field of 13 candidates, he won 46 per cent of the vote, to 29 per cent for runner-up Fernando Haddad, his opponent in Sunday's run-off. Bolsonaro had an eight- to 10-point lead going into the second round, according to two final polls released Saturday. Pollster Ibope gave him a lead of 54 per cent to 46 per cent for Haddad, while Datafolha gave him 55 per cent to 45. Haddad is the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular but imprisoned ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year sentence for bribery. The leftist has made up ground -- he trailed by as much as 18 points two weeks ago -- but it would take a dramatic surge for him to win. What's the future hold? If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes -- though he would have to work with a divided Congress where the Workers' Party still holds sway. He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime. Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiralling public debt. In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his platform says. That looks like a reference particularly to neighbouring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil. Instead, it would turn more toward countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy. "We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he said in one interview.

Brazil is choosing a new president. Here's what you need to know

The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election.

However, polls published late Saturday from Brazil's two biggest surveying firms showed momentum shifting toward Haddad, though he still trails Bolsonaro by a solid margin.

Former center-left candidate Ciro Gomes said in a video on social media that he would not take sides in the election campaign, withholding support for Haddad of the Workers Party (PT).

Gomes, a former governor of Ceará state in the northeast, is influential in Brazil's poorest region. His endorsement could have given Haddad a big lift in the South American country's most polarized election in a generation.

But Rodrigo Janot, Brazil's influential former prosecutor general under whose watch the country's unprecedented investigations and prosecutions of endemic political graft took place, tweeted late Saturday that he would vote for Haddad. That was a blow to Bolsonaro's work positioning himself as the only anti-corruption candidate.

"I think we are at the brink of a process that could push our democracy beyond its limits," Janot told Reuters late Saturday. "Freedom, equality and fraternity - always and at any cost."

MOMENTUM IN POLLS

Haddad narrowed Bolsonaro's lead to 8 percentage points in an Ibope poll released late Saturday, a survey that gave him 46 percent compared with Bolsonaro's 54 percent.

As only two candidates remain and those figures discard voters who say they will annul their votes, that in practice means Haddad needs to win 5 percentage points to overtake the right-winger.

In a Datafolha poll also released late Saturday, Bolsonaro had 55 percent of voter backing, compared with 45 percent for Haddad.

While Haddad failed to get Gomes to endorse him, he won the backing on Saturday not just of Janot but of Brazil's most popular YouTube host, Felipe Neto, who has 27.7 million followers on his channel. A popular anti-corruption judge, Joaquim Barbosa, who jailed several top PT leaders for corruption, also came out for Haddad.

Gomes finished third in the Oct. 7 first round vote with 12 percent of the vote, behind Bolsonaro's 46 percent and Haddad's 29 percent. Gomes had hoped to be the standard bearer of the left but was outmaneuvered by jailed PT leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption and anointed Haddad as his stand-in. [nL2N1WI0J7]

Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, is poised to become Brazil's first far-right president since the end of the 1964-1985 military dictatorship. The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has promised to crack down on crime and corruption, pitching himself as the anti-establishment candidate for voters fed up with political graft and violent crime.

Bolsonaro's sudden rise comes as Brazil finds itself in its worst recession and embroiled in its biggest corruption scandal after the leftist PT ran the government for 13 of the last 15 years.

Until his presidential run, Bolsonaro was best known for defending the former military regime and its use of torture. He has faced charges for misogynist, racist and homophobic rants.

The Supreme Court rejected the racism charge, but has not ruled on a charge of inciting to rape in a case in which he told a fellow lawmaker she was not pretty enough to rape. He called the case political persecution.

'SWEETENING' BOLSONARO

A week ago, Bolsonaro vowed to run all the "red" leftists out of Brazil or put them in jail, harsh words that probably contributed to the narrowing of his lead.

YouTuber Neto said he had been neutral until that point. "Everything changed when (Bolsonaro) said he will sweep opponents out of the country or into jail. In 16 years of PT I have been robbed, but never threatened," Neto said by Twitter.

In the final two days of campaigning, Bolsonaro has sounded more moderate in his statements, backing down on a plan to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change accord.

On Friday he told Xingú tribes people they had a right to charge royalties for mining and hydro electric power generation on their reservations, a proposal welcomed by some natives but rejected by anthropologists and environmentalists who see the tribes as the last guardians of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity.

"You are as Brazilian as any of us," he said in a video posted on social media. "I want you to have the right to use your land and exploit its biodiversity and mineral riches."

In his final hours of campaigning in Sao Paulo, Haddad accused the Bolsonaro camp of "sweetening" their candidate to make him appear what he is not. "He is a truculent and dangerous person, and that's how he should be presented to the nation," he said.

The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election.

The chances of Brazil's leftist presidential candidate Fernando Haddad narrowing the lead of right-wing front-runner Jair Bolsonaro took a hit when he failed to win a crucial endorsement on Saturday, a day before the two face off in a runoff election. However, polls published late Saturday from Brazil's two biggest surveying firms showed momentum shifting toward Haddad, though he still trails Bolsonaro by a solid margin. Former center-left candidate Ciro Gomes said in a video on social media that he would not take sides in the election campaign, withholding support for Haddad of the Workers Party (PT). Gomes, a former governor of Ceará state in the northeast, is influential in Brazil's poorest region. His endorsement could have given Haddad a big lift in the South American country's most polarized election in a generation. But Rodrigo Janot, Brazil's influential former prosecutor general under whose watch the country's unprecedented investigations and prosecutions of endemic political graft took place, tweeted late Saturday that he would vote for Haddad. That was a blow to Bolsonaro's work positioning himself as the only anti-corruption candidate. "I think we are at the brink of a process that could push our democracy beyond its limits," Janot told Reuters late Saturday. "Freedom, equality and fraternity - always and at any cost." MOMENTUM IN POLLS Haddad narrowed Bolsonaro's lead to 8 percentage points in an Ibope poll released late Saturday, a survey that gave him 46 percent compared with Bolsonaro's 54 percent. As only two candidates remain and those figures discard voters who say they will annul their votes, that in practice means Haddad needs to win 5 percentage points to overtake the right-winger. In a Datafolha poll also released late Saturday, Bolsonaro had 55 percent of voter backing, compared with 45 percent for Haddad. While Haddad failed to get Gomes to endorse him, he won the backing on Saturday not just of Janot but of Brazil's most popular YouTube host, Felipe Neto, who has 27.7 million followers on his channel. A popular anti-corruption judge, Joaquim Barbosa, who jailed several top PT leaders for corruption, also came out for Haddad. Gomes finished third in the Oct. 7 first round vote with 12 percent of the vote, behind Bolsonaro's 46 percent and Haddad's 29 percent. Gomes had hoped to be the standard bearer of the left but was outmaneuvered by jailed PT leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption and anointed Haddad as his stand-in. [nL2N1WI0J7] Bolsonaro, a former Army captain, is poised to become Brazil's first far-right president since the end of the 1964-1985 military dictatorship. The 63-year-old seven-term congressman has promised to crack down on crime and corruption, pitching himself as the anti-establishment candidate for voters fed up with political graft and violent crime. Bolsonaro's sudden rise comes as Brazil finds itself in its worst recession and embroiled in its biggest corruption scandal after the leftist PT ran the government for 13 of the last 15 years. Until his presidential run, Bolsonaro was best known for defending the former military regime and its use of torture. He has faced charges for misogynist, racist and homophobic rants. The Supreme Court rejected the racism charge, but has not ruled on a charge of inciting to rape in a case in which he told a fellow lawmaker she was not pretty enough to rape. He called the case political persecution. 'SWEETENING' BOLSONARO A week ago, Bolsonaro vowed to run all the "red" leftists out of Brazil or put them in jail, harsh words that probably contributed to the narrowing of his lead. YouTuber Neto said he had been neutral until that point. "Everything changed when (Bolsonaro) said he will sweep opponents out of the country or into jail. In 16 years of PT I have been robbed, but never threatened," Neto said by Twitter. In the final two days of campaigning, Bolsonaro has sounded more moderate in his statements, backing down on a plan to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change accord. On Friday he told Xingú tribes people they had a right to charge royalties for mining and hydro electric power generation on their reservations, a proposal welcomed by some natives but rejected by anthropologists and environmentalists who see the tribes as the last guardians of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity. "You are as Brazilian as any of us," he said in a video posted on social media. "I want you to have the right to use your land and exploit its biodiversity and mineral riches." In his final hours of campaigning in Sao Paulo, Haddad accused the Bolsonaro camp of "sweetening" their candidate to make him appear what he is not. "He is a truculent and dangerous person, and that's how he should be presented to the nation," he said.

Brazil leftist's hopes of catching Bolsonaro slim, but gap narrows

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday.

Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators.

In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters.

Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll.

"Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo.

"If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?"

There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT).

Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week. But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators. In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters. Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll. "Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo. "If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?" There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT). Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazil fears more violence as they brace for far-right presidency

It took three gunshots to change Katia Sastre's life, turning the police officer first into a heroine and then one of the most successful politicians in Brazil's general election.

Those three shots were what it took to kill an armed robber outside her daughter's school and turn Sastre's life upside down.

She was praised by Sao Paulo's governor and having been fast-tracked into politics, Sastre received 264,000 votes as she was elected to Congress.

Known locally as "mother police officer," Sastre was not shy in using the video of her dramatic shoot-out to promote herself in the election run-up.

"I shot and I would do it again. I'm brave," she said in a campaign video, dressed in her police uniform.

In the video, an armed robber appears suddenly pointing a gun at a woman, but just as quickly, as others scream and run away, the off-duty Sastre pulls a weapon from her handbag and shoots him, twice in the chest and once in the leg.

The 21-year-old assailant died in a hospital.

"I'm not happy about the death, which no one wants. But I am happy for having saved good people," the 42-year-old Sastre told AFP from her office in Suzano, a city in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area.

Family affair

Sastre wasn't just some ordinary passer-by, though. She joined the military police two decades ago, following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, while her husband also works for the same force.

Her moment of fame came on Mothers' Day in May, after which the video quickly went viral on social media.

"When I left the police station after making a statement, people started ringing me and congratulating me as they'd seen the video," she recounts with a smile.

Her actions proved popular not least because security and safety have been major campaign issues in Brazil, where 63,800 people were murdered last year alone.

Sastre's phone didn't stop ringing and almost every political party made overtures hoping to cash in on her sudden fame, recognizing her instant marketability.

She opted for the conservative Party of the Republic and became one of 35 armed forces candidates to earn seats in parliament, twice the number prior to the October 7 general election.

Although she proved highly popular, Sastre's campaign wasn't without controversy.

She had to pull the shooting video for a few days after an appeal by two leftist parties that said it incited violence, but the courts subsequently sided with Sastre.

The dead thief's mother has asked for 477,000 reals ($130,000) in compensation for moral damages over Sastre's use of the video.

"I used it to show what people go through day after day, the violence we suffer," said Sastre, who added that it's unlikely she would use the video again.

'I'm against feminism'

Like the right-wing presidential election front-runner, Jair Bolsonaro, Sastre supports the legalization of gun ownership.

"The bad guys are very well armed, even better than the police. We want good citizens to be free to carry arms so they can defend themselves," she said.

Although she didn't join Bolsonaro's Social Liberal Party, she is supporting the ex-army captain in Sunday's presidential run-off, where he is widely expected to defeat leftist Fernando Haddad.

Bolsonaro has a reputation for making outlandish statements many deemed misogynist, racist and homophobic.

The social media "EleNao" (Not Him) movement has seen thousands of women rally against Bolsonaro's candidacy, but Sastre isn't among them.

She says that opposition is because Bolsonaro says he's against feminism.

"I'm also against feminism," she insisted. "Women don't need to unite to get something done. If they want to do something, just go out and do it."

In a country terrorized by the fear of violence, Sastre feels there are more important issues, where ex-army captain Bolsonaro's tough on crime stance resonates.

"People can no longer tolerate violence and that's why there are so many military in politics now, to try to resolve what's going on," she said.

Now, after 21 years working for the military police, she's about to enter the reserves so that she can embark on a career that six months ago would have seemed unimaginable.

"But once you're military, you are forever," she added.

It took three gunshots to change Katia Sastre's life, turning the police officer first into a heroine and then one of the most successful politicians in Brazil's general election.

It took three gunshots to change Katia Sastre's life, turning the police officer first into a heroine and then one of the most successful politicians in Brazil's general election. Those three shots were what it took to kill an armed robber outside her daughter's school and turn Sastre's life upside down. She was praised by Sao Paulo's governor and having been fast-tracked into politics, Sastre received 264,000 votes as she was elected to Congress. Known locally as "mother police officer," Sastre was not shy in using the video of her dramatic shoot-out to promote herself in the election run-up. "I shot and I would do it again. I'm brave," she said in a campaign video, dressed in her police uniform. In the video, an armed robber appears suddenly pointing a gun at a woman, but just as quickly, as others scream and run away, the off-duty Sastre pulls a weapon from her handbag and shoots him, twice in the chest and once in the leg. The 21-year-old assailant died in a hospital. "I'm not happy about the death, which no one wants. But I am happy for having saved good people," the 42-year-old Sastre told AFP from her office in Suzano, a city in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. Family affair Sastre wasn't just some ordinary passer-by, though. She joined the military police two decades ago, following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, while her husband also works for the same force. Her moment of fame came on Mothers' Day in May, after which the video quickly went viral on social media. "When I left the police station after making a statement, people started ringing me and congratulating me as they'd seen the video," she recounts with a smile. Her actions proved popular not least because security and safety have been major campaign issues in Brazil, where 63,800 people were murdered last year alone. Sastre's phone didn't stop ringing and almost every political party made overtures hoping to cash in on her sudden fame, recognizing her instant marketability. She opted for the conservative Party of the Republic and became one of 35 armed forces candidates to earn seats in parliament, twice the number prior to the October 7 general election. Although she proved highly popular, Sastre's campaign wasn't without controversy. She had to pull the shooting video for a few days after an appeal by two leftist parties that said it incited violence, but the courts subsequently sided with Sastre. The dead thief's mother has asked for 477,000 reals ($130,000) in compensation for moral damages over Sastre's use of the video. "I used it to show what people go through day after day, the violence we suffer," said Sastre, who added that it's unlikely she would use the video again. 'I'm against feminism' Like the right-wing presidential election front-runner, Jair Bolsonaro, Sastre supports the legalization of gun ownership. "The bad guys are very well armed, even better than the police. We want good citizens to be free to carry arms so they can defend themselves," she said. Although she didn't join Bolsonaro's Social Liberal Party, she is supporting the ex-army captain in Sunday's presidential run-off, where he is widely expected to defeat leftist Fernando Haddad. Bolsonaro has a reputation for making outlandish statements many deemed misogynist, racist and homophobic. The social media "EleNao" (Not Him) movement has seen thousands of women rally against Bolsonaro's candidacy, but Sastre isn't among them. She says that opposition is because Bolsonaro says he's against feminism. "I'm also against feminism," she insisted. "Women don't need to unite to get something done. If they want to do something, just go out and do it." In a country terrorized by the fear of violence, Sastre feels there are more important issues, where ex-army captain Bolsonaro's tough on crime stance resonates. "People can no longer tolerate violence and that's why there are so many military in politics now, to try to resolve what's going on," she said. Now, after 21 years working for the military police, she's about to enter the reserves so that she can embark on a career that six months ago would have seemed unimaginable. "But once you're military, you are forever," she added.

Viral video turns Brazilian cop into politician

The skull of Luzia, the oldest known human fossil in the Americas, was found by researchers combing through debris at Brazil's National Museum, which burned down in September, the Museum said on Friday.

The skull, though damaged, was protected by a cabinet that fell over the glass box it was encased in, the museum's deputy director Cristiana Serejo said. "Good news, a miracle, after this tragedy," she said.

Luzia was the star of a collection of 20 million items in the 200-year-old building that also contained Egyptian artifacts, archeological finds and historical memorabilia.

A fire last month destroyed the vast majority of the collection and triggered an outcry about how Brazil's cultural institutions have deteriorated during an era of a weak economy and deep austerity measures.

Discovered in 1975, in the central Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Luzia was probably 25 when she died, according to the museum's website.

The Museum, which was originally the residence of Portugal's royal family in Brazil, will be closed for repairs that should last three years and cost 350 million reais, Museum director Alexander Kellner said.

The museum fire fed the anger many Brazilians feel about the government's austerity measures. The museum's directors have accused the federal government of years of insufficient funding for one of Latin America's most important historical repositories.

Brazil's federal government has accused Rio's federal university of failing to pass on money to the museum.

In a press conference, Dyogo Oliveira, the president of the state-run development bank BNDES, announced a 25 million reais ($6.03 million) plan to fund fire prevention mechanisms at national monuments across the country.

The skull of Luzia, the oldest known human fossil in the Americas, was found by researchers combing through debris at Brazil's National Museum, which burned down in September, the Museum said on Friday.

The skull of Luzia, the oldest known human fossil in the Americas, was found by researchers combing through debris at Brazil's National Museum, which burned down in September, the Museum said on Friday. The skull, though damaged, was protected by a cabinet that fell over the glass box it was encased in, the museum's deputy director Cristiana Serejo said. "Good news, a miracle, after this tragedy," she said. Luzia was the star of a collection of 20 million items in the 200-year-old building that also contained Egyptian artifacts, archeological finds and historical memorabilia. A fire last month destroyed the vast majority of the collection and triggered an outcry about how Brazil's cultural institutions have deteriorated during an era of a weak economy and deep austerity measures. Discovered in 1975, in the central Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Luzia was probably 25 when she died, according to the museum's website. The Museum, which was originally the residence of Portugal's royal family in Brazil, will be closed for repairs that should last three years and cost 350 million reais, Museum director Alexander Kellner said. The museum fire fed the anger many Brazilians feel about the government's austerity measures. The museum's directors have accused the federal government of years of insufficient funding for one of Latin America's most important historical repositories. Brazil's federal government has accused Rio's federal university of failing to pass on money to the museum. In a press conference, Dyogo Oliveira, the president of the state-run development bank BNDES, announced a 25 million reais ($6.03 million) plan to fund fire prevention mechanisms at national monuments across the country.

Skull of ancient human found in burned Brazilian museum

Allegations of a dirty tricks campaign on WhatsApp dominated Brazil's presidential election race on Thursday, turning attention to social media manipulation following abuses uncovered in the last US election and Britain's Brexit referendum.

Trailing leftist candidate Fernando Haddad accused the far-right frontrunner, Jair Bolsonaro, of "illegal" electoral tactics after a report that companies were poised to unleash a flood of WhatsApp messages attacking him and his Workers Party.

Bolsonaro denied the allegation, tweeting that the Haddad's Workers Party "isn't being hurt by fake news, but by the TRUTH."

The exchange happened 10 days before a run-off election that polls predict Bolsonaro -- a bluff, internet-savvy, pro-gun polemicist often compared to US President Donald Trump -- will likely win comfortably.

Ordinary Brazilians told AFP they got much of their election information through WhatsApp. They said some in their families or entourage swallowed some misinformation, but denied they themselves were being influenced.

"We get a lot of news, even false news, but some true, about politics but I don't think it changes very much in terms of making decisions," said&nbsp;Ana Clara Valle, a 27-year-old engineer in Rio.

She said she was voting for Bolsonaro because of his Catholic, pro-family stance, not because of any "extreme right" sensibility.

Andre de Souza, a 35-year-old lawyer leaning toward voting for Bolsonaro, said he receives around 500 WhatsApp messages a day for and against both candidates.

The rumors and false information "don't make a difference to me," he said, but added: "My mother received a WhatsApp message saying Bolsonaro was doing away with (mandatory) end-of-year&nbsp;salary payments, and she believed it!"

'Slander'&nbsp;

Haddad made his accusation after Brazil's widest circulation newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, reported it had discovered contracts worth up to $3.2 million each for companies to send out bulk WhatsApp messages attacking the Workers Party.

"We have identified a campaign of slander and defamation via WhatsApp and, given the mass of messages, we know that there was dirty money behind it, because it wasn't registered with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal," Haddad told a media conference in Sao Paulo.

Bolsonaro's lawyer, Tiago Ayres, told the financial daily Valor there was no evidence of any connection between the companies mentioned by Folha de Sao Paulo and Bolsonaro's campaign.&nbsp;

The row shone a light on an issue&nbsp;that has become a pressing one in democracies: the organized abuse of social media to sway public opinion in countries.

Facebook -- which owns WhatsApp, as well as popular image-based network Instagram -- is the most prominent company that has come under scrutiny, though Twitter has also come in for criticism.

The platforms have made an effort to clean up who uses their services after evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 US election that saw Trump triumph, and accusations Facebook allowed user data to be harvested to bolster the campaign the same year for Britain to leave the European Union.

Facebook has also shut down disinformation pages traced to campaigns believed to have ties to Iran's state-owned media and to Russian military intelligence services.

Seeking a debate&nbsp;

There is no evidence of foreign interference online in Brazil's election.

The director of major polling firm Datafolha, Mauro Paulinho, said on Twitter that his company had detected "some shifts" in public opinion just before the first round of the election on October 7, which Bolsonaro won handily.

"Technical and factual observations" were made, he said, without drawing any conclusions.

There are 120 million WhatsApp user accounts in Brazil, whose population is 210 million. The app works as a popular social network for friends, families and work colleagues.

Both Haddad and Bolsonaro are the subject of memes, cartoons and slogans circulating online in Brazil.

Haddad, a former education minister and ex-mayor of Sao Paulo, has repeatedly tried to draw Bolsonaro into televised debates on policies.

The leftist candidate has an academic background he believes would give him an advantage if the exchanges moved away from the one-line quips and insults that characterize most social media communications.

But Bolsonaro, who skipped early debates because he was recovering from a knife stab wound after being attacked by a lone assailant while campaigning last month, has thus far shown little inclination to go head-to-head with Haddad.

Allegations of a dirty tricks campaign on WhatsApp dominated Brazil's presidential election race on Thursday, turning attention to social media manipulation following abuses uncovered in the last US election and Britain's Brexit referendum.

Allegations of a dirty tricks campaign on WhatsApp dominated Brazil's presidential election race on Thursday, turning attention to social media manipulation following abuses uncovered in the last US election and Britain's Brexit referendum. Trailing leftist candidate Fernando Haddad accused the far-right frontrunner, Jair Bolsonaro, of "illegal" electoral tactics after a report that companies were poised to unleash a flood of WhatsApp messages attacking him and his Workers Party. Bolsonaro denied the allegation, tweeting that the Haddad's Workers Party "isn't being hurt by fake news, but by the TRUTH." The exchange happened 10 days before a run-off election that polls predict Bolsonaro -- a bluff, internet-savvy, pro-gun polemicist often compared to US President Donald Trump -- will likely win comfortably. Ordinary Brazilians told AFP they got much of their election information through WhatsApp. They said some in their families or entourage swallowed some misinformation, but denied they themselves were being influenced. "We get a lot of news, even false news, but some true, about politics but I don't think it changes very much in terms of making decisions," said Ana Clara Valle, a 27-year-old engineer in Rio. She said she was voting for Bolsonaro because of his Catholic, pro-family stance, not because of any "extreme right" sensibility. Andre de Souza, a 35-year-old lawyer leaning toward voting for Bolsonaro, said he receives around 500 WhatsApp messages a day for and against both candidates. The rumors and false information "don't make a difference to me," he said, but added: "My mother received a WhatsApp message saying Bolsonaro was doing away with (mandatory) end-of-year salary payments, and she believed it!" 'Slander' Haddad made his accusation after Brazil's widest circulation newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, reported it had discovered contracts worth up to $3.2 million each for companies to send out bulk WhatsApp messages attacking the Workers Party. "We have identified a campaign of slander and defamation via WhatsApp and, given the mass of messages, we know that there was dirty money behind it, because it wasn't registered with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal," Haddad told a media conference in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro's lawyer, Tiago Ayres, told the financial daily Valor there was no evidence of any connection between the companies mentioned by Folha de Sao Paulo and Bolsonaro's campaign. The row shone a light on an issue that has become a pressing one in democracies: the organized abuse of social media to sway public opinion in countries. Facebook -- which owns WhatsApp, as well as popular image-based network Instagram -- is the most prominent company that has come under scrutiny, though Twitter has also come in for criticism. The platforms have made an effort to clean up who uses their services after evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 US election that saw Trump triumph, and accusations Facebook allowed user data to be harvested to bolster the campaign the same year for Britain to leave the European Union. Facebook has also shut down disinformation pages traced to campaigns believed to have ties to Iran's state-owned media and to Russian military intelligence services. Seeking a debate There is no evidence of foreign interference online in Brazil's election. The director of major polling firm Datafolha, Mauro Paulinho, said on Twitter that his company had detected "some shifts" in public opinion just before the first round of the election on October 7, which Bolsonaro won handily. "Technical and factual observations" were made, he said, without drawing any conclusions. There are 120 million WhatsApp user accounts in Brazil, whose population is 210 million. The app works as a popular social network for friends, families and work colleagues. Both Haddad and Bolsonaro are the subject of memes, cartoons and slogans circulating online in Brazil. Haddad, a former education minister and ex-mayor of Sao Paulo, has repeatedly tried to draw Bolsonaro into televised debates on policies. The leftist candidate has an academic background he believes would give him an advantage if the exchanges moved away from the one-line quips and insults that characterize most social media communications. But Bolsonaro, who skipped early debates because he was recovering from a knife stab wound after being attacked by a lone assailant while campaigning last month, has thus far shown little inclination to go head-to-head with Haddad.

WhatsApp dirty tricks alleged in Brazil presidential race

A stoppage-time goal from Miranda gave Brazil a 1-0 win over South American rivals Argentina in a foul-strewn friendly in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The central defender rose at the near post to beat Argentina keeper Sergio Romero to a&nbsp;Neymar corner and head home the winner, deciding a game that was set to go to penalties to determine a winner.

"Scoring a goal against Argentina is always gratifying and always exciting," Miranda said.

Argentina are one of only two teams to have beaten Brazil since Tite took over as coach in 2016, but without Lionel Messi, who is taking a sabbatical from international football, they rarely troubled their neighbours in a derby match dubbed the Superclasico.

The game was played in the heat of the King Abdullah Sports City and the conditions contributed to a stop-start encounter that included 35 fouls, 21 of them awarded to Brazil.

Miranda should have put Brazil 1-0 up in the 28th minute when a Casemiro cross fell to him just metres from goal, but his scuffed shot was blocked on the line by Nicolas Otamendi.

Paulo Dybala went close with a swerving free kick for Argentina from just outside the box a minute later and Leandro Paredes watched a long-range effort drift just wide early in the second half.

Argentina improved considerably after the break, but Brazil still had the better chances, with Romero parrying away a fierce volley from Arthur after 70 minutes and Casemiro almost grabbing the winner with seven minutes left only to see his deflected free-kick curl wide.

"The team felt tired in the second half but I think we dominated our opponents, we played well and we got the goal at the end," said Brazil's Filipe Luis.

"Obviously our team is better than theirs, we have maintained the same squad for years and they are in the process of renewal, but you don't notice that so much in a clasico, what you do notice is their fight," the Atletico Madrid defender added. "But I think we deserved to win."

The defeat was the first in four games for Lionel Scaloni, the interim coach who replaced Jorge Sampaoli after the Russia World Cup.

It extends Brazil's run to four wins in four games since they were knocked out the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Belgium.

A stoppage-time goal from Miranda gave Brazil a 1-0 win over South American rivals Argentina in a foul-strewn friendly in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The central defender rose at the near post to beat Argentina keeper Sergio Romero to a Neymar corner and head home the winner, deciding a game that was set to go to penalties to determine a winner.

A stoppage-time goal from Miranda gave Brazil a 1-0 win over South American rivals Argentina in a foul-strewn friendly in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The central defender rose at the near post to beat Argentina keeper Sergio Romero to a Neymar corner and head home the winner, deciding a game that was set to go to penalties to determine a winner. "Scoring a goal against Argentina is always gratifying and always exciting," Miranda said. Argentina are one of only two teams to have beaten Brazil since Tite took over as coach in 2016, but without Lionel Messi, who is taking a sabbatical from international football, they rarely troubled their neighbours in a derby match dubbed the Superclasico. The game was played in the heat of the King Abdullah Sports City and the conditions contributed to a stop-start encounter that included 35 fouls, 21 of them awarded to Brazil. Miranda should have put Brazil 1-0 up in the 28th minute when a Casemiro cross fell to him just metres from goal, but his scuffed shot was blocked on the line by Nicolas Otamendi. Paulo Dybala went close with a swerving free kick for Argentina from just outside the box a minute later and Leandro Paredes watched a long-range effort drift just wide early in the second half. Argentina improved considerably after the break, but Brazil still had the better chances, with Romero parrying away a fierce volley from Arthur after 70 minutes and Casemiro almost grabbing the winner with seven minutes left only to see his deflected free-kick curl wide. "The team felt tired in the second half but I think we dominated our opponents, we played well and we got the goal at the end," said Brazil's Filipe Luis. "Obviously our team is better than theirs, we have maintained the same squad for years and they are in the process of renewal, but you don't notice that so much in a clasico, what you do notice is their fight," the Atletico Madrid defender added. "But I think we deserved to win." The defeat was the first in four games for Lionel Scaloni, the interim coach who replaced Jorge Sampaoli after the Russia World Cup. It extends Brazil's run to four wins in four games since they were knocked out the World Cup in the quarter-finals by Belgium.

Miranda heads late winner as Brazil beat Argentina 1-0 in friendly

Brazil's Neymar spoke about his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi's absence from the Argentina squad as the South American soccer rivals Argentina and Brazil are gearing up for Tuesday's friendly match at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City.

Argentina's missing captain Lionel Messi and three other stars: Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, Argentina is trying out different combinations.

He said Messi's absence is not good for the football lovers. "I think it is bad for football lovers to not have (Lionel) Messi, a great legend, out of a game like this," said Neymar.

He then added, "But for us is good (smiles). But I insist to reinforce the quality of Argentina, the quality of players that are there today."

"We know it will be a very tough match. We must do our part and a derby like this is always great to play."

He then talked about whether Brazil is favourite or not, "There's no such thing as favoritism between Brazil and Argentina. It is a derby where I am sure it will be great to watch by everyone who appreciates football," concluded Neymar.

The match against Argentina will be Brazil's fourth friendly since they lost to Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Brazilian side also beat the United States and El Salvador last Friday and will have superstar Neymar as permanent team captain.

Probable lineups:

Argentina: Sergio Romero; Renzo Saravia, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes, Santiago Ascacibar; Eduardo Salvio, Maximiliano Meza, Angel Correa; Mauro Icardi.

Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Casemiro; Arthur, Renato Augusto; Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Roberto Firmino.

Brazil's Neymar spoke about his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi's absence from the Argentina squad as the South American soccer rivals Argentina and Brazil are gearing up for Tuesday's friendly match at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City.

Brazil's Neymar spoke about his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi's absence from the Argentina squad as the South American soccer rivals Argentina and Brazil are gearing up for Tuesday's friendly match at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City. Argentina's missing captain Lionel Messi and three other stars: Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain, Argentina is trying out different combinations. He said Messi's absence is not good for the football lovers. "I think it is bad for football lovers to not have (Lionel) Messi, a great legend, out of a game like this," said Neymar. He then added, "But for us is good (smiles). But I insist to reinforce the quality of Argentina, the quality of players that are there today." "We know it will be a very tough match. We must do our part and a derby like this is always great to play." He then talked about whether Brazil is favourite or not, "There's no such thing as favoritism between Brazil and Argentina. It is a derby where I am sure it will be great to watch by everyone who appreciates football," concluded Neymar. The match against Argentina will be Brazil's fourth friendly since they lost to Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals. The Brazilian side also beat the United States and El Salvador last Friday and will have superstar Neymar as permanent team captain. Probable lineups: Argentina: Sergio Romero; Renzo Saravia, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes, Santiago Ascacibar; Eduardo Salvio, Maximiliano Meza, Angel Correa; Mauro Icardi. Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Casemiro; Arthur, Renato Augusto; Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Roberto Firmino.

Brazil vs Argentina: South American football rivals gear up for friendly battle

Brazil captain Neymar said on Monday that Argentina will still be a difficult opponent, despite the absence of Lionel Messi for their friendly on Tuesday (October 16).

Messi is taking a sabbatical from international&nbsp;football, following Argentina's disappointing World Cup.

The match will be played at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Neymar said the Argentina team is full of good players, and Messi isn't the only one.

Brazil's coach Tite said he hopes the crowd will get behind his players.

Brazil captain Neymar said on Monday that Argentina will still be a difficult opponent, despite the absence of Lionel Messi for their friendly on Tuesday (October 16).

Brazil captain Neymar said on Monday that Argentina will still be a difficult opponent, despite the absence of Lionel Messi for their friendly on Tuesday (October 16). Messi is taking a sabbatical from international football, following Argentina's disappointing World Cup. The match will be played at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Neymar said the Argentina team is full of good players, and Messi isn't the only one. Brazil's coach Tite said he hopes the crowd will get behind his players.

Argentina will be difficult opponent despite Messi's absence, says Neymar

Worldwide Caesarean section use has nearly doubled in two decades and has reached "epidemic" proportions in some countries, doctors warned Friday, highlighting a huge gap in childbirth care between rich and poor mothers.

They said millions of women each year may be putting themselves and their babies at unnecessary risk by undergoing C-sections at rates "that have virtually nothing to do with evidence-based medicine".&nbsp;

In 2015, the most recent year for which complete data is available, doctors performed 29.7 million C-sections worldwide -- 21 per cent of all births. This was up from 16 million in 2000, or 12 per cent of all births, according to research published in The Lancet.

It is estimated that the operation -- a vital surgical procedure when complications occur during birth -- is necessary 10-15 per cent of the time.&nbsp;

But the research found wildly varying country rates of C-section use, often according to economic status: in at least 15 countries more than 40 per cent births are performed using the practice, often on wealthier women in private facilities.

In Brazil, Egypt and Turkey, more than half of all births are done via C-section.&nbsp;

The Dominican Republic has the highest rate of any nation, with 58.1 per cent of all babies delivered using the procedure.&nbsp;

But in close to a quarter of nations surveyed, C-section use is significantly lower than average.&nbsp;

Authors pointed out that while the procedure is generally over-used in many middle- and high-income settings, women in low-income situations often lack necessarily access to what can be a life-saving procedure.&nbsp;

"We would not expect such differences between countries, between women by socioeconomic status or between provinces/states within countries based on obstetric need," Ties Boerma, professor of public health at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and a lead author on the study, told AFP.

Jane Sandall, professor of social science and women's health at King's College London and a study author, told AFP that there were a variety of reasons women were increasingly opting for surgery.

Legal concerns&nbsp;

These include "a lack of midwives to prevent and detect problems, loss of medical skills to confidently and competently attend a vaginal delivery, as well as medico-legal issues."

Doctors are often tempted to organise C-sections to ease the flow of patients through a maternity clinic, and medical professionals are generally less vulnerable to legal action if they choose an operation over a natural birth.

Sandall also said there were often "financial incentives for both doctor and hospital" to perform the procedure.

The study warned that in many settings young doctors were becoming "experts" in C-section while losing confidence in their abilities when it comes to natural birth.

It also identified an emerging gap between wealthy and poorer regions within the same country. In China, C-section rates diverged from 4 per cent to 62 per cent; in India the range was 7-49 per cent.&nbsp;

While the US saw more than a quarter of all births performed by C-section, some states used the procedure more than twice as often as others.

"It is clear that poor countries have low C-section use because access to services is a problem," said Sandall. "In many of those countries, however, richer women who live in urban areas, have access to private facilities have much higher C-section use."

'Alarming' trend&nbsp;

C-sections may be marketed by clinics as the "easy" way to give birth, but they are not without risks.&nbsp;

Maternal death and disability rates are higher after C-section than vaginal birth. The procedure scars the womb, which can lead to bleeding, ectopic pregnancies (where the embryo is stuck in the ovaries), as well as still- and premature future births.

The authors suggested better education, more midwifery-led care and improved labour planning as ways of ensuring C-sections are only performed when medically necessary, as well as ensuring women properly understand the risks involved with the procedure.

"C-section is a type of major surgery, which carries risks that require careful consideration," said Sandall.&nbsp;

In a comment accompanying the study, Gerard Visser of the University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, called the rise in C-sections "alarming."

"The medical profession on its own cannot reverse this trend," he said.

"Joint actions are urgently needed to stop unnecessary C-sections and enable women and families to be confident of receiving the most appropriate care for their circumstances."

Worldwide Caesarean section use has nearly doubled in two decades and has reached "epidemic" proportions in some countries, doctors warned Friday, highlighting a huge gap in childbirth care between rich and poor mothers.

Worldwide Caesarean section use has nearly doubled in two decades and has reached "epidemic" proportions in some countries, doctors warned Friday, highlighting a huge gap in childbirth care between rich and poor mothers. They said millions of women each year may be putting themselves and their babies at unnecessary risk by undergoing C-sections at rates "that have virtually nothing to do with evidence-based medicine". In 2015, the most recent year for which complete data is available, doctors performed 29.7 million C-sections worldwide -- 21 per cent of all births. This was up from 16 million in 2000, or 12 per cent of all births, according to research published in The Lancet. It is estimated that the operation -- a vital surgical procedure when complications occur during birth -- is necessary 10-15 per cent of the time. But the research found wildly varying country rates of C-section use, often according to economic status: in at least 15 countries more than 40 per cent births are performed using the practice, often on wealthier women in private facilities. In Brazil, Egypt and Turkey, more than half of all births are done via C-section. The Dominican Republic has the highest rate of any nation, with 58.1 per cent of all babies delivered using the procedure. But in close to a quarter of nations surveyed, C-section use is significantly lower than average. Authors pointed out that while the procedure is generally over-used in many middle- and high-income settings, women in low-income situations often lack necessarily access to what can be a life-saving procedure. "We would not expect such differences between countries, between women by socioeconomic status or between provinces/states within countries based on obstetric need," Ties Boerma, professor of public health at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, and a lead author on the study, told AFP. Jane Sandall, professor of social science and women's health at King's College London and a study author, told AFP that there were a variety of reasons women were increasingly opting for surgery. Legal concerns These include "a lack of midwives to prevent and detect problems, loss of medical skills to confidently and competently attend a vaginal delivery, as well as medico-legal issues." Doctors are often tempted to organise C-sections to ease the flow of patients through a maternity clinic, and medical professionals are generally less vulnerable to legal action if they choose an operation over a natural birth. Sandall also said there were often "financial incentives for both doctor and hospital" to perform the procedure. The study warned that in many settings young doctors were becoming "experts" in C-section while losing confidence in their abilities when it comes to natural birth. It also identified an emerging gap between wealthy and poorer regions within the same country. In China, C-section rates diverged from 4 per cent to 62 per cent; in India the range was 7-49 per cent. While the US saw more than a quarter of all births performed by C-section, some states used the procedure more than twice as often as others. "It is clear that poor countries have low C-section use because access to services is a problem," said Sandall. "In many of those countries, however, richer women who live in urban areas, have access to private facilities have much higher C-section use." 'Alarming' trend C-sections may be marketed by clinics as the "easy" way to give birth, but they are not without risks. Maternal death and disability rates are higher after C-section than vaginal birth. The procedure scars the womb, which can lead to bleeding, ectopic pregnancies (where the embryo is stuck in the ovaries), as well as still- and premature future births. The authors suggested better education, more midwifery-led care and improved labour planning as ways of ensuring C-sections are only performed when medically necessary, as well as ensuring women properly understand the risks involved with the procedure. "C-section is a type of major surgery, which carries risks that require careful consideration," said Sandall. In a comment accompanying the study, Gerard Visser of the University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, called the rise in C-sections "alarming." "The medical profession on its own cannot reverse this trend," he said. "Joint actions are urgently needed to stop unnecessary C-sections and enable women and families to be confident of receiving the most appropriate care for their circumstances."

Doctors warn of global C-section 'epidemic'

Brazilians began casting ballots Sunday in their most divisive presidential election in years, with a far-right politician promising an iron-fisted crackdown on crime, Jair Bolsonaro, the firm favourite in the first round.

Surveys suggest the 63-year-old former paratrooper, who wants to cut spiralling debt through sweeping privatizations and embrace the United States and Israel, could count on more than one in three voters in the vast Latin American nation.

But at least as many in the 147-million-strong electorate reject the veteran federal lawmaker.

He is known for repeated offensive comments against women, gays and the poor, and for lauding the military dictatorship Brazil shucked off just three decades ago.

If Bolsonaro gets more than 50 per cent of the vote to lead the field of 13 candidates, he will win the presidency outright. Otherwise, a run-off will be held on October 28.

Analysts say a first-round victory for Bolsonaro is possible -- but unlikely.

The last surveys released late Saturday credited Bolsonaro with 36 per cent against 22 per cent for his nearest rival, leftist former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad.&nbsp;

With blank and invalid votes stripped out, Bolsonaro could pocket 40-41 per cent of the vote to 25 per cent for Haddad, polling firms Ibope and Datafolha said.

A run-off was seen as too close to call, given the two-point margin of error, though Bolsonaro was seen with a small edge: 45 per cent, to 41-43 per cent for Haddad.

Voting began at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) under tight security. Initial results were expected shortly after the last polling stations close at 2200 GMT in the western Amazonian state of Acre.

Voting marked by 'fear, anger'&nbsp;

Haddad, 55, has picked up support that still exists for leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Workers Party icon jailed for corruption who was declared ineligible from making a comeback because of a failed appeal.

Brazil lived through its economic heyday during Lula's 2003-2010 presidency, but plunged into its worst-ever recession under his chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached and booted from office in 2016 for financial wrongdoing.

Many blame the Workers Party for the country's current economic malaise.

The result is one of the most polarized elections Brazil has seen. Voter rejection of the two leading candidates is bigger than their polled support.

Voters stuck between the far right and the left are likely to make their choice "more from fear or from anger than from conviction," said Geraldo Monteiro, a political analyst at Rio de Janeiro State University.&nbsp;

The run-off round could be "even more radical, maybe with violence," he warned.

The winner will rule the world's eighth biggest economy: a nation with 210 million inhabitants and abundant natural resources whose top trading partner is China.

Should Bolsonaro become president, he will have to form legislative alliances.

His ultraconservative Social Liberal Party has just eight deputies in the outgoing, 513-seat lower house of congress.&nbsp;

After Sunday's general election, in which new federal and state legislatures will also be chosen, it might at best pick up only a handful of seats.

But Bolsonaro, a Catholic, is close to the evangelical church lobby that includes many lawmakers. Deputies linked to Brazil's powerful agro-business lobby are also siding with him.

A 'clean' candidate&nbsp;

Bolsonaro's profile and anti-crime agenda got an unintended boost a month ago when he was stabbed by a lone assailant who police said had political motives.

Forced off the campaign trail for weeks, Bolsonaro intensified his use of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to reach Brazilians.

In the week before the election, his poll figures soared, while Haddad's stalled.

Even those opposed to Bolsonaro admit that he is a "clean" candidate, unsullied by corruption scandals that have mired many other politicians.

At a last pro-Bolsonaro rally in the capital Brasilia, supporters said they saw him as a savior.

"Bolsonaro is the best for the country today -- he is the hope of a better country. If we don't have Bolsonaro, we will become a Venezuela," said one demonstrating government worker, Cacio de Oliveira.

The current president, Rousseff's center-right former deputy Michel Temer, is not contesting Sunday's election.

He will leave office at the end of the year as a deeply unpopular figure in a country with 13 million unemployed, climbing public debt and inflation, and record violence.

Brazilians began casting ballots Sunday in their most divisive presidential election in years, with a far-right politician promising an iron-fisted crackdown on crime, Jair Bolsonaro, the firm favourite in the first round.

Brazilians began casting ballots Sunday in their most divisive presidential election in years, with a far-right politician promising an iron-fisted crackdown on crime, Jair Bolsonaro, the firm favourite in the first round. Surveys suggest the 63-year-old former paratrooper, who wants to cut spiralling debt through sweeping privatizations and embrace the United States and Israel, could count on more than one in three voters in the vast Latin American nation. But at least as many in the 147-million-strong electorate reject the veteran federal lawmaker. He is known for repeated offensive comments against women, gays and the poor, and for lauding the military dictatorship Brazil shucked off just three decades ago. If Bolsonaro gets more than 50 per cent of the vote to lead the field of 13 candidates, he will win the presidency outright. Otherwise, a run-off will be held on October 28. Analysts say a first-round victory for Bolsonaro is possible -- but unlikely. The last surveys released late Saturday credited Bolsonaro with 36 per cent against 22 per cent for his nearest rival, leftist former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad. With blank and invalid votes stripped out, Bolsonaro could pocket 40-41 per cent of the vote to 25 per cent for Haddad, polling firms Ibope and Datafolha said. A run-off was seen as too close to call, given the two-point margin of error, though Bolsonaro was seen with a small edge: 45 per cent, to 41-43 per cent for Haddad. Voting began at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) under tight security. Initial results were expected shortly after the last polling stations close at 2200 GMT in the western Amazonian state of Acre. Voting marked by 'fear, anger' Haddad, 55, has picked up support that still exists for leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Workers Party icon jailed for corruption who was declared ineligible from making a comeback because of a failed appeal. Brazil lived through its economic heyday during Lula's 2003-2010 presidency, but plunged into its worst-ever recession under his chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached and booted from office in 2016 for financial wrongdoing. Many blame the Workers Party for the country's current economic malaise. The result is one of the most polarized elections Brazil has seen. Voter rejection of the two leading candidates is bigger than their polled support. Voters stuck between the far right and the left are likely to make their choice "more from fear or from anger than from conviction," said Geraldo Monteiro, a political analyst at Rio de Janeiro State University. The run-off round could be "even more radical, maybe with violence," he warned. The winner will rule the world's eighth biggest economy: a nation with 210 million inhabitants and abundant natural resources whose top trading partner is China. Should Bolsonaro become president, he will have to form legislative alliances. His ultraconservative Social Liberal Party has just eight deputies in the outgoing, 513-seat lower house of congress. After Sunday's general election, in which new federal and state legislatures will also be chosen, it might at best pick up only a handful of seats. But Bolsonaro, a Catholic, is close to the evangelical church lobby that includes many lawmakers. Deputies linked to Brazil's powerful agro-business lobby are also siding with him. A 'clean' candidate Bolsonaro's profile and anti-crime agenda got an unintended boost a month ago when he was stabbed by a lone assailant who police said had political motives. Forced off the campaign trail for weeks, Bolsonaro intensified his use of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to reach Brazilians. In the week before the election, his poll figures soared, while Haddad's stalled. Even those opposed to Bolsonaro admit that he is a "clean" candidate, unsullied by corruption scandals that have mired many other politicians. At a last pro-Bolsonaro rally in the capital Brasilia, supporters said they saw him as a savior. "Bolsonaro is the best for the country today -- he is the hope of a better country. If we don't have Bolsonaro, we will become a Venezuela," said one demonstrating government worker, Cacio de Oliveira. The current president, Rousseff's center-right former deputy Michel Temer, is not contesting Sunday's election. He will leave office at the end of the year as a deeply unpopular figure in a country with 13 million unemployed, climbing public debt and inflation, and record violence.

Brazil votes for new president, far-right Bolsonaro in lead

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job.

Here's what you need to know:

How important are the elections?

Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies out there, one of the BRICS and Latin America's biggest democracy.&nbsp;

Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's 8th-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China. &nbsp;

Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped away much of a preceding decade of prosperity.

Who is Bolsonaro?

Out of a field of 13 presidential candidates, Bolsonaro is by far the most controversial and polarizing.&nbsp;

Once an army captain, he has been a deputy in Brazil's congress since 1991, during which he became known for offensive remarks against women, gays and Brazil's mostly black poor.&nbsp;

But he also has a healthy polling lead over rivals -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters.&nbsp;

Massive protests by Brazilian women have been held against Bolsonaro.

Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in congress that would help him govern if he wins the presidency.

A stabbing attack by a lone knifeman last month as he campaigned only increased sympathy for him -- and for his pledge to be ruthless with street criminals.

Is he a shoo-in?

Not yet. Sunday is the first round of the presidential elections. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, then a second, knockout round will be held on October 28 between the two with the highest scores.

Bolsonaro boasts he will win outright on Sunday and Brazilians can go to the beach instead on October 28. But analysts say that while a first-round victory can't be excluded, the polling numbers available make it unlikely.&nbsp;

In a second round, the outcome would be uncertain. Surveys suggest Bolsonaro would be neck-and-neck with his nearest rival, leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is in jail for bribery.

Against the candidate currently trailing in third place, center-left politician Ciro Gomes, Bolsonaro would likely lose, recent polls show.

What changes does he promise?&nbsp;

If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes.

He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime.

Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiraling public debt.

In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his manifesto says.

That looks like a reference particularly to neighboring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil.&nbsp;

Instead, it would turn more towards countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy.

"We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he told a Brazilian TV station, Record, late Thursday.

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job.

Brazil holds presidential and legislative elections on Sunday. A far-right politician promising a hard line on crime and corruption, Jair Bolsonaro, is the frontrunner for the top job. Here's what you need to know: How important are the elections? Brazil is one of the most important emerging economies out there, one of the BRICS and Latin America's biggest democracy. Whoever ends up as president will be at the helm of the world's 8th-biggest economy, an oil producer and major energy consumer whose chief trading partner is China. Yet it's only three decades since Brazil shucked off a military dictatorship. And it has just emerged from its worst-ever recession, which wiped away much of a preceding decade of prosperity. Who is Bolsonaro? Out of a field of 13 presidential candidates, Bolsonaro is by far the most controversial and polarizing. Once an army captain, he has been a deputy in Brazil's congress since 1991, during which he became known for offensive remarks against women, gays and Brazil's mostly black poor. But he also has a healthy polling lead over rivals -- attributed to his tough-guy promises to crack down on crime and graft, and his canny use of Facebook to reach out to voters. Massive protests by Brazilian women have been held against Bolsonaro. Although a Catholic, he has the backing of an influential evangelical bloc in congress that would help him govern if he wins the presidency. A stabbing attack by a lone knifeman last month as he campaigned only increased sympathy for him -- and for his pledge to be ruthless with street criminals. Is he a shoo-in? Not yet. Sunday is the first round of the presidential elections. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent, then a second, knockout round will be held on October 28 between the two with the highest scores. Bolsonaro boasts he will win outright on Sunday and Brazilians can go to the beach instead on October 28. But analysts say that while a first-round victory can't be excluded, the polling numbers available make it unlikely. In a second round, the outcome would be uncertain. Surveys suggest Bolsonaro would be neck-and-neck with his nearest rival, leftist candidate Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party's choice to replace popular ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is in jail for bribery. Against the candidate currently trailing in third place, center-left politician Ciro Gomes, Bolsonaro would likely lose, recent polls show. What changes does he promise? If he does enter Planalto, Brazil's equivalent of the White House, Bolsonaro has promised big changes. He wants looser gun laws for "good" civilians to help counter rife street assaults and murders, and for the army to go after organized crime. Political corruption will be quashed and the government streamlined, he has said. Brazil would sell off state enterprises to bring down spiraling public debt. In foreign relations, Brasilia would "cease coddling murderous dictatorships," his manifesto says. That looks like a reference particularly to neighboring Venezuela, whose implosion under the rule of Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into Brazil. Instead, it would turn more towards countries such as the United States, Israel and Italy. "We've got to give Socialism, Communism, a kick up the ass," he told a Brazilian TV station, Record, late Thursday.

Brazil is choosing a new president; here's what you need to know

Brazil presidential election candidate Ciro Gomes left hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, a day after undergoing surgery on his prostate.

Currently running third in opinion polls ahead of the October 7 election first round, 60-year-old Gomes underwent a minimally invasive procedure that involved the "cauterization of blood vessels," his centre-left PDT party said in a statement.

He left the hospital in time to take part in Wednesday's televised presidential debate.

He had been campaigning in Rio de Janeiro state on Tuesday morning before being admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo in the afternoon having felt pain.

With 11 per cent of voting intentions in the latest opinion poll on Monday, Gomes trails right-wing frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro, with 28 per cent, and leftist Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad, at 22 per cent.

Bolsonaro is himself recovering in another hospital in Sao Paulo after he was stabbed in the abdomen while campaigning in the south of the country on September 6. He will miss Wednesday's debate as he is not expected to leave the hospital until the end of the month.

If opinion polls are accurate, Gomes stands little chance of getting through to the head-to-head second round on October 28.

Brazil presidential election candidate Ciro Gomes left hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, a day after undergoing surgery on his prostate. Currently running third in opinion polls ahead of the October 7 election first round, 60-year-old Gomes underwent a minimally invasive procedure that involved the "cauterization of blood vessels," his centre-left PDT party said in a statement.

Brazil presidential election candidate Ciro Gomes left hospital in Sao Paulo on Wednesday, a day after undergoing surgery on his prostate. Currently running third in opinion polls ahead of the October 7 election first round, 60-year-old Gomes underwent a minimally invasive procedure that involved the "cauterization of blood vessels," his centre-left PDT party said in a statement. He left the hospital in time to take part in Wednesday's televised presidential debate. He had been campaigning in Rio de Janeiro state on Tuesday morning before being admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo in the afternoon having felt pain. With 11 per cent of voting intentions in the latest opinion poll on Monday, Gomes trails right-wing frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro, with 28 per cent, and leftist Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad, at 22 per cent. Bolsonaro is himself recovering in another hospital in Sao Paulo after he was stabbed in the abdomen while campaigning in the south of the country on September 6. He will miss Wednesday's debate as he is not expected to leave the hospital until the end of the month. If opinion polls are accurate, Gomes stands little chance of getting through to the head-to-head second round on October 28.

Brazil presidential candidate Gomes leaves hospital after prostate surgery

Brazilian footballer Marta Vieira da Silva was born to play football in a country where girls and women were banned from playing the game. Brazil had a law, according to which, girls and women were not allowed to play football, not professionally, not in schools, not even for fun.

Female aspirant athletes were subjected to gender bias untill the government lifted the ban in 1979. Meanwhile, during that era, their male counterparts were earning accolades and winning World Cups.

However, Marta fought her way through all the stereotypes and built a successful career for herself in a sport which never seemed "incompatible with the female nature".

She holds the record for the most goals scored in women's World Cup and defeated Olympique Lyonnais pair Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Dzsenifer Marozsan of Germany to win this year's best FIFA women's award for the sixth time.

Marta, popularly known as "Pele in skirts", a name which was given by Pele himself, is a role model for many female footballers who still face gender inequality in the sport.

32-year-old Marta is known for her pace when dribbling at speed and often regarded as the best female player of all time. Her flair, quick feet and exceptional skills with the ball have earned her comparisons with legendary footballers like Ronaldinho, Romario and Pele.

Coming from an underprivileged family, Marta made her international debut in 2002 at the age of 16 years and was on the squad for the 2003 World Cup.

She led Orlando Pride team to reach the US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoff semi-finals.

In the 2007 World Cup, Brazil reached the finals but lost to Germany, while, Marta displayed a brilliant performance throughout the tournament and appeared in the international spotlight. She was the winner of both the 'Golden Ball' being the top individual player and the 'Golden Boot' as the competition's top scorer with seven goals.&nbsp;

She also played in the 2008 Summer Olympics and earned a silver medal. In August 2016, Marta was one of the eight to carry the Olympic Flag in the Rio Olympics.

The Brazilian led her country to the Copa America title in April and next year's World Cup will be crucial for her.

She has competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup and three Olympics and with 15 goals, she holds the record for most goals scored at FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, ahead of Birgit Prinz's 14 goals.&nbsp;

The way Marta dribbled all the way from streets to Olympics, it's an inspiration for thousands of aspirants.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Brazilian footballer Marta Vieira da Silva was born to play football in a country where girls and women were banned from playing the game. Brazil had a law, according to which, girls and women were not allowed to play football, not professionally, not in schools, not even for fun.

Brazilian footballer Marta Vieira da Silva was born to play football in a country where girls and women were banned from playing the game. Brazil had a law, according to which, girls and women were not allowed to play football, not professionally, not in schools, not even for fun. Female aspirant athletes were subjected to gender bias untill the government lifted the ban in 1979. Meanwhile, during that era, their male counterparts were earning accolades and winning World Cups. However, Marta fought her way through all the stereotypes and built a successful career for herself in a sport which never seemed "incompatible with the female nature". She holds the record for the most goals scored in women's World Cup and defeated Olympique Lyonnais pair Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Dzsenifer Marozsan of Germany to win this year's best FIFA women's award for the sixth time. Marta, popularly known as "Pele in skirts", a name which was given by Pele himself, is a role model for many female footballers who still face gender inequality in the sport. 32-year-old Marta is known for her pace when dribbling at speed and often regarded as the best female player of all time. Her flair, quick feet and exceptional skills with the ball have earned her comparisons with legendary footballers like Ronaldinho, Romario and Pele. Coming from an underprivileged family, Marta made her international debut in 2002 at the age of 16 years and was on the squad for the 2003 World Cup. She led Orlando Pride team to reach the US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) playoff semi-finals. In the 2007 World Cup, Brazil reached the finals but lost to Germany, while, Marta displayed a brilliant performance throughout the tournament and appeared in the international spotlight. She was the winner of both the 'Golden Ball' being the top individual player and the 'Golden Boot' as the competition's top scorer with seven goals. She also played in the 2008 Summer Olympics and earned a silver medal. In August 2016, Marta was one of the eight to carry the Olympic Flag in the Rio Olympics. The Brazilian led her country to the Copa America title in April and next year's World Cup will be crucial for her. She has competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup and three Olympics and with 15 goals, she holds the record for most goals scored at FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, ahead of Birgit Prinz's 14 goals. The way Marta dribbled all the way from streets to Olympics, it's an inspiration for thousands of aspirants. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: 'Pele in skirts' - Brazilian Marta's success is inspiration for many

Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said in a video released Friday that he expects to leave the hospital before the end of the month after he was stabbed in the abdomen two weeks ago.

"I've never felt so happy and good in my life. Many thanks to you all. By the end of the month, God willing, I'll be discharged," said the 63-year-old ex-army captain in a video released on Facebook.

He has been leading opinion polls ahead of the October 7 first election round ever since jailed leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was barred from standing due to his corruption conviction.

"We're returning, together, to make Brazil a great nation," Bolsonaro added in a message eerily similar to US President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" catchphrase.

Bolsonaro underwent two operations and has been in the hospital since September 6 when he was stabbed by a left-wing activist while campaigning in southern Brazil.

In the latest Datafolha opinion poll released Wednesday, he tabled 28 per cent of the vote, with Lula's replacement and Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad second at 16 per cent.

Although they are the leading candidates, Bolsonaro and Haddad are also the two most hated amongst the 13 presidential runners and engender the highest rejection rates.

Bolsonaro has been heavily criticized by detractors over controversial comments many deemed racist, sexist and homophobic, while he has also spoken admiringly about the 1964-85 military dictatorship's use of torture.

But his supporters laud his tough stance on crime and he is seen as a market-friendly candidate. 
&nbsp;

Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said in a video released Friday that he expects to leave the hospital before the end of the month after he was stabbed in the abdomen two weeks ago.

Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said in a video released Friday that he expects to leave the hospital before the end of the month after he was stabbed in the abdomen two weeks ago. "I've never felt so happy and good in my life. Many thanks to you all. By the end of the month, God willing, I'll be discharged," said the 63-year-old ex-army captain in a video released on Facebook. He has been leading opinion polls ahead of the October 7 first election round ever since jailed leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was barred from standing due to his corruption conviction. "We're returning, together, to make Brazil a great nation," Bolsonaro added in a message eerily similar to US President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" catchphrase. Bolsonaro underwent two operations and has been in the hospital since September 6 when he was stabbed by a left-wing activist while campaigning in southern Brazil. In the latest Datafolha opinion poll released Wednesday, he tabled 28 per cent of the vote, with Lula's replacement and Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad second at 16 per cent. Although they are the leading candidates, Bolsonaro and Haddad are also the two most hated amongst the 13 presidential runners and engender the highest rejection rates. Bolsonaro has been heavily criticized by detractors over controversial comments many deemed racist, sexist and homophobic, while he has also spoken admiringly about the 1964-85 military dictatorship's use of torture. But his supporters laud his tough stance on crime and he is seen as a market-friendly candidate.

Brazil presidential candidate expects to leave hospital by month's end

Brazil's reputation as a&nbsp;soccer-mad country has been dented by a report which found that only 60 per cent of those interviewed said they were interested in the sport.

The United Arab Emirates came top of a table compiled by global information, data and measurement company Nielsen Sports which ranked 30 countries according to the percentage of the population who described themselves as interested in football.

The UAE, where the figure was 80 per cent, was followed by Thailand (78 per cent) and Chile, Portugal and Turkey (all 75) while five-times world champions Brazil ranked a modest 13th.

The Brazilian figure had dropped from 72 per cent in 2013, the year before the country hosted the World Cup where the national team were humiliated 7-1 in the semi-finals by Germany.

Brazilians can be very fickle about football and attendances at games in the country fluctuate wildly, depending on the form of the teams involved, whether they are at a decisive stage of a competition, the kickoff time of the match and even the weather.

Last season's Brazilian championship had a modest average attendance of 16,418.

The report said that the figure for China increased from 27 per cent in 2013 to 32 per cent in 2017, in India from 30 per cent to 45 per cent and in the U.S. from 28 per cent to 32 per cent.

The United Kingdom, despite boasting the English Premier League, was a modest 17th in the rankings with 51 per cent.

The report also said that Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the use of social media by players, well ahead of his rival Lionel Messi.

His 570 million engagements across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the first five months of this year were well ahead of Neymar, with 294 million, and Messi with 201 million.

The report pointed out that engagements, rather than number of followers, were the key to understanding the value of a social media account, as they showed how many people interacted with the account and gave a better idea of impact and influence.

Social media success was not always linked to success on the pitch, the report added.

"A broader range of factors comes into play, such as the ability to project a likeable personality or enviable lifestyle," it said.

Controversial Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was fourth with 158 million engagements and Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah fifth with 105.3 million.

In terms of social media followers, Ronaldo also led with 322.8 million across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook combined while Neymar had 194.2 million and Messi 181.9 million

The Brazilian figure had dropped from 72 per cent in 2013, the year before the country hosted the World Cup where the national team were humiliated 7-1 in the semi-finals by Germany

Brazil's reputation as a soccer-mad country has been dented by a report which found that only 60 per cent of those interviewed said they were interested in the sport. The United Arab Emirates came top of a table compiled by global information, data and measurement company Nielsen Sports which ranked 30 countries according to the percentage of the population who described themselves as interested in football. The UAE, where the figure was 80 per cent, was followed by Thailand (78 per cent) and Chile, Portugal and Turkey (all 75) while five-times world champions Brazil ranked a modest 13th. The Brazilian figure had dropped from 72 per cent in 2013, the year before the country hosted the World Cup where the national team were humiliated 7-1 in the semi-finals by Germany. Brazilians can be very fickle about football and attendances at games in the country fluctuate wildly, depending on the form of the teams involved, whether they are at a decisive stage of a competition, the kickoff time of the match and even the weather. Last season's Brazilian championship had a modest average attendance of 16,418. The report said that the figure for China increased from 27 per cent in 2013 to 32 per cent in 2017, in India from 30 per cent to 45 per cent and in the U.S. from 28 per cent to 32 per cent. The United Kingdom, despite boasting the English Premier League, was a modest 17th in the rankings with 51 per cent. The report also said that Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo dominated the use of social media by players, well ahead of his rival Lionel Messi. His 570 million engagements across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the first five months of this year were well ahead of Neymar, with 294 million, and Messi with 201 million. The report pointed out that engagements, rather than number of followers, were the key to understanding the value of a social media account, as they showed how many people interacted with the account and gave a better idea of impact and influence. Social media success was not always linked to success on the pitch, the report added. "A broader range of factors comes into play, such as the ability to project a likeable personality or enviable lifestyle," it said. Controversial Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was fourth with 158 million engagements and Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah fifth with 105.3 million. In terms of social media followers, Ronaldo also led with 322.8 million across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook combined while Neymar had 194.2 million and Messi 181.9 million

FIFA World Cup: Football craze in Brazil drops to 60 per cent

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has turned 26 on Tuesday and received an "eggy" birthday bash. The birthday boy was enjoying on the pitch on a bright sunny day when he was pranked by his waiting teammates.

He is currently training in Russia ahead of the World Cup with his teammates.

Brazil striker Neymar Jr pelted eggs on Coutinho's head and wished him "Happy Birthday" in the most hilarious way possible.

Watch how the video, how Philippe Coutinho celebrated his 26th birthday with teammates:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Happy 26th birthday to <a href="https://twitter.com/Phil_Coutinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Phil_Coutinho</a>! ???? <a href="https://t.co/35L7nSlxHF">pic.twitter.com/35L7nSlxHF</a>
— Barça World (@oOBarcaWorldOo) <a href="https://twitter.com/oOBarcaWorldOo/status/1006530981325606914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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? Brazil ?? celebrates <a href="https://twitter.com/Phil_Coutinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Phil_Coutinho</a> ‘s birthday by covering him in ?, ? and ? <a href="https://twitter.com/CBF_Futebol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBF_Futebol</a> <a href="https://t.co/ta85SZybDt">pic.twitter.com/ta85SZybDt</a>
— 433 (@official433) <a href="https://twitter.com/official433/status/1006545509098586112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He was also targeted by Marcelo, Willian and Gabriel Jesus. They poured water also to blow up the celebration.

Brazil arrived in Russia on Sunday as they make their final preparations ahead of their opening World Cup match against Switzerland on Sunday.

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has turned 26 and received an "eggy" birthday bash

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has turned 26 on Tuesday and received an "eggy" birthday bash. The birthday boy was enjoying on the pitch on a bright sunny day when he was pranked by his waiting teammates. He is currently training in Russia ahead of the World Cup with his teammates. Brazil striker Neymar Jr pelted eggs on Coutinho's head and wished him "Happy Birthday" in the most hilarious way possible. Watch how the video, how Philippe Coutinho celebrated his 26th birthday with teammates: Happy 26th birthday to @Phil_Coutinho! ???? pic.twitter.com/35L7nSlxHF — Barça World (@oOBarcaWorldOo) June 12, 2018 × ? Brazil ?? celebrates @Phil_Coutinho ‘s birthday by covering him in ?, ? and ? @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/ta85SZybDt — 433 (@official433) June 12, 2018 × He was also targeted by Marcelo, Willian and Gabriel Jesus. They poured water also to blow up the celebration. Brazil arrived in Russia on Sunday as they make their final preparations ahead of their opening World Cup match against Switzerland on Sunday.

Watch: Neymar's prank on Philippe Coutinho as he turns 26

Neymar Jr admitted that five-time champions Brazil are dreaming of winning the World Cup 2018 again as they arrived in Russia.&nbsp;

All in all, Brazil have a great team - Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Paulinho, Fernaninho, Fernando, Firmino, Coutinho, Neymar - looks like a World Cup winning squad to me if they have the right mentality.

Brazil have been outstanding during the World Cup friendly matches. Although the defence has been fragile that reminds me of Brazil's previous World Cup campaign when the team faced a tragic 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals.

However, Brazil have improved its game plan and also the mid-fielders like Firmino, Coutinho, Fernandinho have been good in the recently concluded domestic games.

With lots of positives, why Brazilians are not excited not excited about the World Cup?

The trade group surveyed 18,000 people across Brazil, which suggests that there has been a drop in the craze which Brazilians used to have earlier.&nbsp;

Some 24 per cent of consumers plan to buy products over the next few weeks to celebrate the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, well below the 50.1 per cent who spent money on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to the results of a survey released Monday by the Brazilian Business Confederation.

"In addition to there naturally being less enthusiasm among the people for a World Cup played abroad, the situation among consumers is less favorable in 2018 than it was four years ago," Brazilian Business Confederation economic unit chief Fabio Bentes said in a statement.

Brazil's economy contracted 3.5 per cent in 2015, the worst performance in 25 years, and another 3.5 per cent in 2016, marking the first time since 1931 that the gross domestic product (GDP) fell for two consecutive years.

Even though Brazil has started recovering from the severe recession, households are still struggling with low purchasing power and high unemployment, Bentes said.

The trade group, however, said it was still a good sign for businesses that one in four Brazilian consumers planned to spend money on products linked to the World Cup.

"Despite the fact that the country already put the recession behind it, the recovery in the economy and consumer spending continues to be slow and subject to fluctuations," Bentes said.

Some 51.6 percent of respondents said they planned to spend a maximum of 200 reais (about $52.60) on World Cup merchandise, while 39.2 per cent of respondents said they would spend up to 300 reais (some $78.90).

The situation among consumers is less favorable in 2018 than it was four years ago, says Brazilian Business Confederation economic unit chief Fabio Bentes

Neymar Jr admitted that five-time champions Brazil are dreaming of winning the World Cup 2018 again as they arrived in Russia. All in all, Brazil have a great team - Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Paulinho, Fernaninho, Fernando, Firmino, Coutinho, Neymar - looks like a World Cup winning squad to me if they have the right mentality. Brazil have been outstanding during the World Cup friendly matches. Although the defence has been fragile that reminds me of Brazil's previous World Cup campaign when the team faced a tragic 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals. However, Brazil have improved its game plan and also the mid-fielders like Firmino, Coutinho, Fernandinho have been good in the recently concluded domestic games. With lots of positives, why Brazilians are not excited not excited about the World Cup? The trade group surveyed 18,000 people across Brazil, which suggests that there has been a drop in the craze which Brazilians used to have earlier. Some 24 per cent of consumers plan to buy products over the next few weeks to celebrate the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, well below the 50.1 per cent who spent money on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to the results of a survey released Monday by the Brazilian Business Confederation. "In addition to there naturally being less enthusiasm among the people for a World Cup played abroad, the situation among consumers is less favorable in 2018 than it was four years ago," Brazilian Business Confederation economic unit chief Fabio Bentes said in a statement. Brazil's economy contracted 3.5 per cent in 2015, the worst performance in 25 years, and another 3.5 per cent in 2016, marking the first time since 1931 that the gross domestic product (GDP) fell for two consecutive years. Even though Brazil has started recovering from the severe recession, households are still struggling with low purchasing power and high unemployment, Bentes said. The trade group, however, said it was still a good sign for businesses that one in four Brazilian consumers planned to spend money on products linked to the World Cup. "Despite the fact that the country already put the recession behind it, the recovery in the economy and consumer spending continues to be slow and subject to fluctuations," Bentes said. Some 51.6 percent of respondents said they planned to spend a maximum of 200 reais (about $52.60) on World Cup merchandise, while 39.2 per cent of respondents said they would spend up to 300 reais (some $78.90).

Neymar hopes for positive World Cup but Brazilians not excited: Survey

Brazil left-back Filipe Luis, who has joined up with the national squad in Russia for the upcoming World Cup, has said he remembers praying with his entire family during the dramatic penalty shootout which Brazil won against Italy to decide the 1994 World Cup final. 
 
In an interview with the Brazilian Football Association (CFB) published on Monday, the leftback spoke of his childhood memories, when playing on the World Cup stage was still a distant dream. 
 
"From '94, I mostly remember the penalties during the shootout, my whole family were together at my grandmother's house, holding hands as we prayed for the win", 32-year-old Luis told CFB, who was nine years old when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup, which was held in the United States. 
 
All he remembers from Italia '90, when he was five, was crying after Brazil were knocked out by bitter rivals Argentina in the Round of 16. 
 
He said his clearest, and happiest, World Cup memories came in 2002, when a star-studded Brazil, led by the forward line of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, won the nation's fifth title in South Korea and Japan. 
 
"They played an excellent campaign. Everyone remembers Ronaldo in the final, who gave us the trophy and scored two goals in the final after going through so much" at the previous tournament in France. 
 
Luis, who goes to Russia as the back up to Marcelo at left back, is making his first ever appearance at the World Cup, after he missed out on a spot in 2014, when Brazil were hosts. 
 
Brazil, one of the pre-tournament favorites, are in Group E alongside Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia. 
 
Their opening game is on Sunday against Switzerland.

Brazil left-back Filipe Luis said that he remembers praying with his entire family during the dramatic penalty shootout which Brazil won against Italy to decide the 1994 World Cup final

Brazil left-back Filipe Luis, who has joined up with the national squad in Russia for the upcoming World Cup, has said he remembers praying with his entire family during the dramatic penalty shootout which Brazil won against Italy to decide the 1994 World Cup final. In an interview with the Brazilian Football Association (CFB) published on Monday, the leftback spoke of his childhood memories, when playing on the World Cup stage was still a distant dream. "From '94, I mostly remember the penalties during the shootout, my whole family were together at my grandmother's house, holding hands as we prayed for the win", 32-year-old Luis told CFB, who was nine years old when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup, which was held in the United States. All he remembers from Italia '90, when he was five, was crying after Brazil were knocked out by bitter rivals Argentina in the Round of 16. He said his clearest, and happiest, World Cup memories came in 2002, when a star-studded Brazil, led by the forward line of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, won the nation's fifth title in South Korea and Japan. "They played an excellent campaign. Everyone remembers Ronaldo in the final, who gave us the trophy and scored two goals in the final after going through so much" at the previous tournament in France. Luis, who goes to Russia as the back up to Marcelo at left back, is making his first ever appearance at the World Cup, after he missed out on a spot in 2014, when Brazil were hosts. Brazil, one of the pre-tournament favorites, are in Group E alongside Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia. Their opening game is on Sunday against Switzerland.

Filipe Luis recalls praying during '94 World Cup final shootout vs Italy

Neymar on Sunday started and led Brazil to a 3-0 win over Austria in the Seleçao's final pre-World Cup friendly. 
 
During the final test ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on June 14, Brazilian national team coach Tite relied on two defensive midfielders, Barcelona's Paulinho and Real Madrid's Casemiro, with Philippe Coutinho as playmaker. 
 
The Brazilian national team exerted its main pressure on the left side, as the duo of Neymar and Coutinho proved once again to be the key to the team's playmaking. 
 
Eight minutes into the game, Casemiro threatened goaltender Heinz Lindner by firing a powerful shot that went just slightly wide shortly before Neymar unsuccessfully tried his luck with a shot from long range. 
 
The hosts, however, reacted with David Alaba several times moving the ball in behind the Brazilian defense, which clearly displayed some weaknesses. 
 
Posing a danger for the first time, Austria's Alessandro Schopf collected a rebound ball but then sent it off target, while Marko Arnautovic fired high minutes later. 
 
After a few good minutes for Austria, Brazil made an effort to seize full control of the game during the last third of the first half. 
 
Thiago Silva squandered a golden scoring chance with a header on a Neymar corner. 
 
And finally, Brazil got onto the scoreboard as Gabriel Jesus collected a rebound ball, sending it home in the 36th minute. 
 
After the intermission, Brazil's momentum continued as it took advantage of the physical ebb experienced by the Austrians. 
 
The European squad, which had won its previous seven matches, seemed to take the game too seriously for a friendly. 
 
Brazil managed to create for itself the space in which it thrives and doubled the score as Willian assisted Neymar, who dribbled past a defender before putting the ball between Lindner's legs. 
 
Six minutes later, Coutinho took advantage of the space he was offered during a left side counterattack to run with the ball, firing his team's third goal.

Neymar started and led Brazil to a 3-0 win over Austria in the Selecao's final pre-World Cup friendly

Neymar on Sunday started and led Brazil to a 3-0 win over Austria in the Seleçao's final pre-World Cup friendly. During the final test ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on June 14, Brazilian national team coach Tite relied on two defensive midfielders, Barcelona's Paulinho and Real Madrid's Casemiro, with Philippe Coutinho as playmaker. The Brazilian national team exerted its main pressure on the left side, as the duo of Neymar and Coutinho proved once again to be the key to the team's playmaking. Eight minutes into the game, Casemiro threatened goaltender Heinz Lindner by firing a powerful shot that went just slightly wide shortly before Neymar unsuccessfully tried his luck with a shot from long range. The hosts, however, reacted with David Alaba several times moving the ball in behind the Brazilian defense, which clearly displayed some weaknesses. Posing a danger for the first time, Austria's Alessandro Schopf collected a rebound ball but then sent it off target, while Marko Arnautovic fired high minutes later. After a few good minutes for Austria, Brazil made an effort to seize full control of the game during the last third of the first half. Thiago Silva squandered a golden scoring chance with a header on a Neymar corner. And finally, Brazil got onto the scoreboard as Gabriel Jesus collected a rebound ball, sending it home in the 36th minute. After the intermission, Brazil's momentum continued as it took advantage of the physical ebb experienced by the Austrians. The European squad, which had won its previous seven matches, seemed to take the game too seriously for a friendly. Brazil managed to create for itself the space in which it thrives and doubled the score as Willian assisted Neymar, who dribbled past a defender before putting the ball between Lindner's legs. Six minutes later, Coutinho took advantage of the space he was offered during a left side counterattack to run with the ball, firing his team's third goal.

Neymar, Jesus, Coutinho lead Brazil to 3-0 win over Austria in friendly

France have appeared at 14 World Cups, claiming their best result when they won the title on home soil in 1998 led by then captain and current coach Didier Deschamps, as Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France.

After&nbsp;finishing third in 1958, France had to wait until the 1980s to become title contenders once more, twice falling at the semi-final stage to West Germany in 1982 and four years later.

France reached the final again in 2006, inspired by talismanic midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who scored and was then sent off in the title match after his remarkable head butt on Marco Materazzi as Italy won on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

<hr />
Coach: Didier Deschamps

Deschamps is France's most decorated player at club and national team level, having captained the team to the 1998 World Cup and the Euro 2000 titles.

He also won the Champions League twice, with Olympique de Marseille and Juventus as a steely holding midfielder, which earned him the nickname 'water carrier' by Eric Cantona.

He became France coach in 2012 when he succeeded his former France team mate Laurent Blanc, taking Les Bleus to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the Euro 2016 final at home.

Prior to his international managerial stint, he gained promotion to Serie A with Juventus, took Monaco to the Champions League final and led Marseille to their first title in 18 years.

Deschamps started his playing career at Nantes and also represented Chelsea, Valencia and Bordeaux. His performances and his qualities as team leader earned the 49-year-old 103 caps for France.

<hr />
Key players:

Antoine Griezmann: Griezmann's stellar campaign with Atletico Madrid has seen him strongly linked with a move to Barcelona during the close season. After scoring 19 goals from 30 La Liga games and six in 13 European ties, the striker heads to Russia in the form of his life.

Paul Pogba: France's chances could largely depend on Pogba's form after the Manchester United midfielder endured a patchy season under coach Jose Mourinho, who was not afraid to drop him following poor performances. Deschamps will also be prepared to keep Pogba on the bench if his performances waver in Russia.

Olivier Giroud: Giroud has often been dismissed by fans as too clumsy and one-dimensional to lead the France attack yet the Chelsea striker, Europe's most prolific in the air over the past three seasons, has always saved some of his best performances for the national side.

<hr />
Form guide:

France have conceded six goals in their last three games, including in a 3-2 home defeat in a friendly against Colombia, indicating that Les Bleus have a problem in defence. They did bounce back with a convincing 3-1 away win against Russia but Deschamps will be hoping centre backs Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane are on their best form when the competition starts.

<hr />
How they qualified:

In a group featuring Sweden and the Netherlands, France were strong favourites and they progressed in a relatively straightforward manner with seven wins, two draws and a defeat, scoring 18 and conceding six goals.

<hr />
Prospects:

France should have little trouble advancing from Group C where they will face Australia, Denmark and Peru. They will, however, be wary of Peru as the last time they played a South American side (Colombia), they lost. If they qualify for the last 16, they will take on one of the top-two finishers in Group D, which features Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria. Should they make the quarter-finals, Les Bleus could face either Spain or Portugal, who beat them in the Euro 2016 final.

<hr />
France's fixtures

June 16

03:30 PM | France vs Australia | Kazan Arena, Kazan

June 21

08:30 PM | France vs Peru | Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg

June 26

07:30 PM | South Korea vs Germany | Kazan Arena, Kazan

<hr />
Squad

Goalkeepers:&nbsp;Alphone Areola (Paris St Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille)

Defenders:&nbsp;Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St Germain), Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Adil Rami (Olympique de Marseille), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders:&nbsp;Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Strikers:&nbsp;Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

<img alt="fifa 2018 Russia_7.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/fifa%202018%20Russia_7.jpg" width="770" />

&nbsp;

France have appeared at 14 World Cups, claiming their best result when they won the title on home soil in 1998

France have appeared at 14 World Cups, claiming their best result when they won the title on home soil in 1998 led by then captain and current coach Didier Deschamps, as Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France. After finishing third in 1958, France had to wait until the 1980s to become title contenders once more, twice falling at the semi-final stage to West Germany in 1982 and four years later. France reached the final again in 2006, inspired by talismanic midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who scored and was then sent off in the title match after his remarkable head butt on Marco Materazzi as Italy won on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Coach: Didier Deschamps Deschamps is France's most decorated player at club and national team level, having captained the team to the 1998 World Cup and the Euro 2000 titles. He also won the Champions League twice, with Olympique de Marseille and Juventus as a steely holding midfielder, which earned him the nickname 'water carrier' by Eric Cantona. He became France coach in 2012 when he succeeded his former France team mate Laurent Blanc, taking Les Bleus to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the Euro 2016 final at home. Prior to his international managerial stint, he gained promotion to Serie A with Juventus, took Monaco to the Champions League final and led Marseille to their first title in 18 years. Deschamps started his playing career at Nantes and also represented Chelsea, Valencia and Bordeaux. His performances and his qualities as team leader earned the 49-year-old 103 caps for France. Key players: Antoine Griezmann: Griezmann's stellar campaign with Atletico Madrid has seen him strongly linked with a move to Barcelona during the close season. After scoring 19 goals from 30 La Liga games and six in 13 European ties, the striker heads to Russia in the form of his life. Paul Pogba: France's chances could largely depend on Pogba's form after the Manchester United midfielder endured a patchy season under coach Jose Mourinho, who was not afraid to drop him following poor performances. Deschamps will also be prepared to keep Pogba on the bench if his performances waver in Russia. Olivier Giroud: Giroud has often been dismissed by fans as too clumsy and one-dimensional to lead the France attack yet the Chelsea striker, Europe's most prolific in the air over the past three seasons, has always saved some of his best performances for the national side. Form guide: France have conceded six goals in their last three games, including in a 3-2 home defeat in a friendly against Colombia, indicating that Les Bleus have a problem in defence. They did bounce back with a convincing 3-1 away win against Russia but Deschamps will be hoping centre backs Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane are on their best form when the competition starts. How they qualified: In a group featuring Sweden and the Netherlands, France were strong favourites and they progressed in a relatively straightforward manner with seven wins, two draws and a defeat, scoring 18 and conceding six goals. Prospects: France should have little trouble advancing from Group C where they will face Australia, Denmark and Peru. They will, however, be wary of Peru as the last time they played a South American side (Colombia), they lost. If they qualify for the last 16, they will take on one of the top-two finishers in Group D, which features Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria. Should they make the quarter-finals, Les Bleus could face either Spain or Portugal, who beat them in the Euro 2016 final. France's fixtures June 16 03:30 PM | France vs Australia | Kazan Arena, Kazan June 21 08:30 PM | France vs Peru | Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg June 26 07:30 PM | South Korea vs Germany | Kazan Arena, Kazan Squad Goalkeepers: Alphone Areola (Paris St Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille) Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris St Germain), Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Adil Rami (Olympique de Marseille), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich) Strikers: Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of France

Football legend Pele, 77, &nbsptoday cast doubts about Brazil's chances in the World Cup saying that former champions still did not have the "right team".

Pele under whom Brazil won three World Cups, said Brazil has individual players but still don't have a team.

"My worry is about one thing there are only a few days until the World Cup starts and we still don't have the right team. Individually all the players are very good. But we're not a team," Pele told newswire Reuters.

Although Brazil has lost just one match in the last two years but haven't exuded&nbspconfidence of a World champion with Neymar still recovering from injury with days away from the World Cup coach Tite's worries have increased.

"I have the utmost confidence in Tite's ability," the Brazilian legend said.

"Neymar is to me&nbspis one of the best players in the world," Pele said. "Today he is more mature and he has more experience but he isn't going to win the World Cup on his own. It’s teams that win the World Cup," he said.

Pele said the 1970 Brazilian World Cup team was the "greatest" asserting that Tostao, Rivellino, Gerson and he himself had spent more than six months together "that's why it worked." 
&nbsp 
Brazil begins their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17.

Pele said the 1970 Brazilian World Cup team was the "greatest"

Football legend Pele, 77, &nbsptoday cast doubts about Brazil's chances in the World Cup saying that former champions still did not have the "right team". Pele under whom Brazil won three World Cups, said Brazil has individual players but still don't have a team. "My worry is about one thing there are only a few days until the World Cup starts and we still don't have the right team. Individually all the players are very good. But we're not a team," Pele told newswire Reuters. Although Brazil has lost just one match in the last two years but haven't exuded&nbspconfidence of a World champion with Neymar still recovering from injury with days away from the World Cup coach Tite's worries have increased. "I have the utmost confidence in Tite's ability," the Brazilian legend said. "Neymar is to me&nbspis one of the best players in the world," Pele said. "Today he is more mature and he has more experience but he isn't going to win the World Cup on his own. It’s teams that win the World Cup," he said. Pele said the 1970 Brazilian World Cup team was the "greatest" asserting that Tostao, Rivellino, Gerson and he himself had spent more than six months together "that's why it worked." Brazil begins their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17.

Neymar cannot win World Cup on his own: Pele

Croatia's national soccer team have started the last phase of their build-up for the June 14-July 15 World Cup tournament in Russia this week.

Although the star-studded team, captained by Real Madrid's Luka Modric and featuring the likes of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Juventus' Mario Mandzukic, and Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, suffered a 2-0 defeat last Sunday (June 3) in a friendly against Brazil at Anfield, the players are confident that this team might reach the knockout stage for the first time since the nation's tournament debut in 1998.

"Well, as I said, we will fight to the end. We have quality, we have experience, we just need to show that on the pitch," Lovren told reporters in Rijeka on Tuesday (June 5).

He was one of two Croatians who played the Champions League final last month, the other being Modric, who won his fourth title with Real Madrid in Europe's top club competition.

But Lovren added that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of.

This will be Croatia's fifth appearance in the tournament, and even though they were a surprise of the tournament in 1998 when they finished third, they failed to progress out of the group stage in 2002, 2006, and 2014.

Manager Zlatko Dalic, who took over the team last October, had announced on Monday (June 4) the final 23-man squad that he would take to Russia, dropping Club Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic for lack of fitness and picking Red Bull Salzburg's young Duje Caleta-Car instead.

After their return from Liverpool, the Croatian squad will continue training in the Adriatic city of Rijeka before leaving for the eastern city of Osijek to play Senegal in a friendly on Friday (June 8).

The match is meant to prepare them for their opening World Cup match against Nigeria on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Argentina on June 21 in Nizhny Novgorod and Iceland on June 26 in Rostov-on-Don.

Lovren said that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of

Croatia's national soccer team have started the last phase of their build-up for the June 14-July 15 World Cup tournament in Russia this week. Although the star-studded team, captained by Real Madrid's Luka Modric and featuring the likes of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Juventus' Mario Mandzukic, and Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, suffered a 2-0 defeat last Sunday (June 3) in a friendly against Brazil at Anfield, the players are confident that this team might reach the knockout stage for the first time since the nation's tournament debut in 1998. "Well, as I said, we will fight to the end. We have quality, we have experience, we just need to show that on the pitch," Lovren told reporters in Rijeka on Tuesday (June 5). He was one of two Croatians who played the Champions League final last month, the other being Modric, who won his fourth title with Real Madrid in Europe's top club competition. But Lovren added that an exhausting season behind them is not a problem, as playing in the World Cup for one's national team is an experience any player dreams of. This will be Croatia's fifth appearance in the tournament, and even though they were a surprise of the tournament in 1998 when they finished third, they failed to progress out of the group stage in 2002, 2006, and 2014. Manager Zlatko Dalic, who took over the team last October, had announced on Monday (June 4) the final 23-man squad that he would take to Russia, dropping Club Brugge defender Matej Mitrovic for lack of fitness and picking Red Bull Salzburg's young Duje Caleta-Car instead. After their return from Liverpool, the Croatian squad will continue training in the Adriatic city of Rijeka before leaving for the eastern city of Osijek to play Senegal in a friendly on Friday (June 8). The match is meant to prepare them for their opening World Cup match against Nigeria on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Argentina on June 21 in Nizhny Novgorod and Iceland on June 26 in Rostov-on-Don.

Croatia's Lovren says the team will 'fight to the end' in the World Cup

Mastercard on Monday said it was changing a campaign in which thousands of free meals were to be given to the needy every time football superstars Neymar and Messi scored goals.

Under the scheme, every time the Brazil and Argentina strikers scored, 10,000 meals would be donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

The idea, due to run until March 2020, drew fire from many on social media who said it was in poor taste. Brazilian national team coach Tite also criticized it as counterproductive because it put too much pressure on individual stars.

The credit card giant, which sponsors both players and the Brazilian Football Confederation, says that instead a million meals will be donated in 2018, regardless of the goals scored. That is in addition to 400,000 meals already donated.

"We don't want the fans, players or anyone else to lose focus of the crucial question of hunger and our efforts to help this cause," Mastercard said in a statement in Brazil.

On-pitch rivals Neymar and Messi will continue to cooperate for the campaign, the company said.

On Saturday, Tite had addressed Mastercard directly, saying that one or two players should not shoulder the burden of generating the meals.

"This is a very good gesture..., but it would be even bigger if the donation was made every time a goal was scored by all the athletes from Brazil and Argentina, because we play as a team," he said, following Brazil's pre-World Cup warm-up game against Croatia in Liverpool.

Mastercard to distribute thousands of free meals to the needy on every goal Neymar and Messi score during the World Cup

Mastercard on Monday said it was changing a campaign in which thousands of free meals were to be given to the needy every time football superstars Neymar and Messi scored goals. Under the scheme, every time the Brazil and Argentina strikers scored, 10,000 meals would be donated to the United Nations World Food Program. The idea, due to run until March 2020, drew fire from many on social media who said it was in poor taste. Brazilian national team coach Tite also criticized it as counterproductive because it put too much pressure on individual stars. The credit card giant, which sponsors both players and the Brazilian Football Confederation, says that instead a million meals will be donated in 2018, regardless of the goals scored. That is in addition to 400,000 meals already donated. "We don't want the fans, players or anyone else to lose focus of the crucial question of hunger and our efforts to help this cause," Mastercard said in a statement in Brazil. On-pitch rivals Neymar and Messi will continue to cooperate for the campaign, the company said. On Saturday, Tite had addressed Mastercard directly, saying that one or two players should not shoulder the burden of generating the meals. "This is a very good gesture..., but it would be even bigger if the donation was made every time a goal was scored by all the athletes from Brazil and Argentina, because we play as a team," he said, following Brazil's pre-World Cup warm-up game against Croatia in Liverpool.

World Cup 2018: Mastercard ends meals-for-goals campaign with Neymar, Messi

Brazil star Neymar said he suffered a lot during a three-month injury lay-off after making a goalscoring comeback in his side's 2-0 win over Croatia at Anfield on Sunday (June 3).

The PSG forward came on at Anfield as a second-half substitute and made a swift impression with a superbly taken opener in the 69th minute as the five-time World Cup winners warmed-up for this month's tournament in Russia in style.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino wrapped up the win in stoppage time.

Neymar, the world's most expensive player, has been sidelined since February 25, when he fractured a metatarsal and sprained his ankle playing for the French champions in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille.

"I have a lot of respect for Romario, Zico, Ronaldo, Pele because they are my idols. The statistics are just numbers. I'm happy to help the team, scoring goals for the national team. I don't want to be better than them, everyone has their own story, everybody knows how important they were for the national team, for now I'm just really happy for the goals," said Neymar Jr.

Wearing the number 10 shirt, made famous by Pele, Neymar's popularity soared after he led Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal win in Rio in 2014.

He became the world's most expensive footballer when he signed for PSG from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($264 million) last August.

The Selecao play their final warm-up match against Austria in Vienna on June 10, before heading to Russia.

Brazil are in World Cup Group E with Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica and kick off their campaign against the Swiss on June 17.

Brazil star Neymar said he suffered a lot during a three-month injury lay-off after making a goalscoring comeback in his side's 2-0 win over Croatia

Brazil star Neymar said he suffered a lot during a three-month injury lay-off after making a goalscoring comeback in his side's 2-0 win over Croatia at Anfield on Sunday (June 3). The PSG forward came on at Anfield as a second-half substitute and made a swift impression with a superbly taken opener in the 69th minute as the five-time World Cup winners warmed-up for this month's tournament in Russia in style. Liverpool's Roberto Firmino wrapped up the win in stoppage time. Neymar, the world's most expensive player, has been sidelined since February 25, when he fractured a metatarsal and sprained his ankle playing for the French champions in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille. "I have a lot of respect for Romario, Zico, Ronaldo, Pele because they are my idols. The statistics are just numbers. I'm happy to help the team, scoring goals for the national team. I don't want to be better than them, everyone has their own story, everybody knows how important they were for the national team, for now I'm just really happy for the goals," said Neymar Jr. Wearing the number 10 shirt, made famous by Pele, Neymar's popularity soared after he led Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal win in Rio in 2014. He became the world's most expensive footballer when he signed for PSG from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($264 million) last August. The Selecao play their final warm-up match against Austria in Vienna on June 10, before heading to Russia. Brazil are in World Cup Group E with Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica and kick off their campaign against the Swiss on June 17.

Watch: Don't want to be better than Zico, Pele, says Brazil's Neymar

Brazilian forward Neymar Jr admitted that he is not "100 per cent fit"&nbspfor the World Cup which is scheduled to start from June 14.

Paris-Saint Germain star player also mentioned that he feels discomfort while recovering&nbspbut believes that he will be better for the tournament.

The 26-year-old, who joined PSG for a world-record 222 million euros ($264 million) from Barcelona last year, suffered a fractured bone in his right foot in February in a match against Marseille.

"Physically I am well, my foot is fine. I am adapting in a few things. I still feel some discomfort, but it is not something that will trouble me," Neymar told journalists at Brazil's football confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Recently, he said, "Everything's going well, thank God, but there's always this fear when you come back and I need to get rid of that fear as soon as possible to arrive at the World Cup."&nbsp

Neymar, who missed Brazil's 7-1 semi-final thrashing on home soil by Germany through injury four years ago, is key to his country's hopes at this year's World Cup, which starts on June 14.

Brazilian forward Neymar Jr admitted that he is not "100 per cent fit" for the World Cup which is scheduled to start from June 14

Brazilian forward Neymar Jr admitted that he is not "100 per cent fit"&nbspfor the World Cup which is scheduled to start from June 14. Paris-Saint Germain star player also mentioned that he feels discomfort while recovering&nbspbut believes that he will be better for the tournament. The 26-year-old, who joined PSG for a world-record 222 million euros ($264 million) from Barcelona last year, suffered a fractured bone in his right foot in February in a match against Marseille. "Physically I am well, my foot is fine. I am adapting in a few things. I still feel some discomfort, but it is not something that will trouble me," Neymar told journalists at Brazil's football confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Recently, he said, "Everything's going well, thank God, but there's always this fear when you come back and I need to get rid of that fear as soon as possible to arrive at the World Cup." Neymar, who missed Brazil's 7-1 semi-final thrashing on home soil by Germany through injury four years ago, is key to his country's hopes at this year's World Cup, which starts on June 14.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Neymar admits he is not '100% fit'

After days of continued nationwide strike by Truckers in Brazil, the government and transport unions reached a deal to suspend the strike which&nbspcaused a massive shortage of fuel and food in various areas.&nbsp

President Michel Temer's chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha told reporters that the Union heads representing truckers have committed to "suspend the strike movement for 15 days when a new meeting with the government will be held."

The announcement was made on the night of the fourth day of the strike after the seven hours of negotiations with transportation unions.

After the negotiations on Thursday, the government has also assured to abolish at least one tax on diesel and implement subsidies to maintain a temporary 10 per cent fuel price reduction.

The demonstrators are protesting against the rising diesel prices, as the blocked main roads in nearly all states of Brazil which already has limited rail services.

Brazil's economy runs largely on road transport, and truckers are on strike from past four days paralyzing transportation of the country.

Following the strike airports and gas stations were running out of fuel as well as agricultural exports was also hit.&nbsp

Air services were also affected. According to reports, Brasilia, the capital of Brazil allowed landings of the planes which had enough fuel to take off again.&nbsp

However, no flight cancellations were reported.

In the port of Santos near Sao Paulo -- the largest in Latin America -- there were virtually no arrivals or departures of trucks for three days, the management said, even if the "loading and unloading operations of ships continues normally" for now.

School were also closed during the strike.

Various abattoirs have also halted operations, affecting a key export sector.&nbsp

Following the supply problem people also faced a hike in prices of fruits and vegetables. In some places, prices were reportedly hiked up to 400 per cent.

Pump prices were also higher as long lines were formed at many gas stations.

The increase in the diesel price is the result of a politically sensitive decision made in late 2016 to allow the Petrobras oil giant autonomy over its pricing, as well as a rise in world prices in recent weeks.

But the determination of the truckers caught centre-right President Michel Temer's government flat-footed, five months ahead of presidential elections.

As a way of defusing an increasingly out-of-control situation, Petrobras yielded to pressure on Wednesday and reduced fuel prices for 15 days, sending its shares plunging by around 14 per cent on the Sao Paulo stock market by the close on Thursday.

As a temporary measure on Wednesday's night, the lower house of Congress had decided to eliminate the two taxes on diesel until the end of the year. However, it is yet to be approved&nbspby Senate.

(With inputs from AFP)

After days of continued nationwide strike by Truckers in Brazil, the government and transport unions reached a deal to suspend the strike which caused a massive shortage of fuel and food in various areas

After days of continued nationwide strike by Truckers in Brazil, the government and transport unions reached a deal to suspend the strike which&nbspcaused a massive shortage of fuel and food in various areas. President Michel Temer's chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha told reporters that the Union heads representing truckers have committed to "suspend the strike movement for 15 days when a new meeting with the government will be held." The announcement was made on the night of the fourth day of the strike after the seven hours of negotiations with transportation unions. After the negotiations on Thursday, the government has also assured to abolish at least one tax on diesel and implement subsidies to maintain a temporary 10 per cent fuel price reduction. The demonstrators are protesting against the rising diesel prices, as the blocked main roads in nearly all states of Brazil which already has limited rail services. Brazil's economy runs largely on road transport, and truckers are on strike from past four days paralyzing transportation of the country. Following the strike airports and gas stations were running out of fuel as well as agricultural exports was also hit. Air services were also affected. According to reports, Brasilia, the capital of Brazil allowed landings of the planes which had enough fuel to take off again. However, no flight cancellations were reported. In the port of Santos near Sao Paulo -- the largest in Latin America -- there were virtually no arrivals or departures of trucks for three days, the management said, even if the "loading and unloading operations of ships continues normally" for now. School were also closed during the strike. Various abattoirs have also halted operations, affecting a key export sector. Following the supply problem people also faced a hike in prices of fruits and vegetables. In some places, prices were reportedly hiked up to 400 per cent. Pump prices were also higher as long lines were formed at many gas stations. The increase in the diesel price is the result of a politically sensitive decision made in late 2016 to allow the Petrobras oil giant autonomy over its pricing, as well as a rise in world prices in recent weeks. But the determination of the truckers caught centre-right President Michel Temer's government flat-footed, five months ahead of presidential elections. As a way of defusing an increasingly out-of-control situation, Petrobras yielded to pressure on Wednesday and reduced fuel prices for 15 days, sending its shares plunging by around 14 per cent on the Sao Paulo stock market by the close on Thursday. As a temporary measure on Wednesday's night, the lower house of Congress had decided to eliminate the two taxes on diesel until the end of the year. However, it is yet to be approved&nbspby Senate. (With inputs from AFP)

Brazil government reaches deal with transportation unions, strike to halt for 15 days

In a one-of-kind-incident, a remote Brazilian island with a ban on childbirth celebrated the birth of the first baby in over a decade.&nbsp;

Brazil's Fernando de Noronha island is situated around 370 km from the city of Natal. Home to about 3,000 residents, the island has no maternity wards and expectant mothers travel to the mainland in order to deliver.

The scenic island has strict population controls in place because of the reserve's vulnerability.

The 22-year-old woman, who delivered the child on Friday night, told reporters that she was unaware of her pregnancy. According to reports, the woman gave birth to a baby girl when she went to use the bathroom.

The inhabitants of the island were overjoyed on the birth of the first baby in nearly 12 years. Residents are helping the family with some donating clothes to the baby girl.

The 22-year-old woman, who delivered the child on Friday night, told reporters that she was unaware of her pregnancy

In a one-of-kind-incident, a remote Brazilian island with a ban on childbirth celebrated the birth of the first baby in over a decade. Brazil's Fernando de Noronha island is situated around 370 km from the city of Natal. Home to about 3,000 residents, the island has no maternity wards and expectant mothers travel to the mainland in order to deliver. The scenic island has strict population controls in place because of the reserve's vulnerability. The 22-year-old woman, who delivered the child on Friday night, told reporters that she was unaware of her pregnancy. According to reports, the woman gave birth to a baby girl when she went to use the bathroom. The inhabitants of the island were overjoyed on the birth of the first baby in nearly 12 years. Residents are helping the family with some donating clothes to the baby girl.

Brazilian island celebrates birth of first baby in 12 years

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