In a meeting with supporters outside the president's official residence, Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that everyone should buy a rifle.

Bolsonaro, who has tried to change the laws to allow more Brazilians to bear arms for self-defence, said gun opponents should stop bothering gun buyers.

During his election campaign, Jair Bolsonaro promised to relax Brazil's gun laws.

The idea was that citizens could use their own weapons to combat the country's rampant crime and violence.

Since being elected president, he has issued a number of decrees to carry out his promise.

In Brazil, it is now much easier to buy and carry firearms.&nbsp;

The relaxation of Brazil's gun laws has resulted in a 65 percent increase in firearms ownership two years into Bolsonaro's term.

While there were approximately 700,000 legal private firearms in private ownership in 2018, hunters, collectors, and citizens seeking to defend themselves now own 1.2 million weapons.

As part of a study conducted by the Brazilian daily newspaper O Globo, this information was obtained from federal police and the military.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a meeting with supporters outside the president's official residence, Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that everyone should buy a rifle.

In a meeting with supporters outside the president's official residence, Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday that everyone should buy a rifle. Bolsonaro, who has tried to change the laws to allow more Brazilians to bear arms for self-defence, said gun opponents should stop bothering gun buyers. During his election campaign, Jair Bolsonaro promised to relax Brazil's gun laws. The idea was that citizens could use their own weapons to combat the country's rampant crime and violence. Since being elected president, he has issued a number of decrees to carry out his promise. In Brazil, it is now much easier to buy and carry firearms. The relaxation of Brazil's gun laws has resulted in a 65 percent increase in firearms ownership two years into Bolsonaro's term. While there were approximately 700,000 legal private firearms in private ownership in 2018, hunters, collectors, and citizens seeking to defend themselves now own 1.2 million weapons. As part of a study conducted by the Brazilian daily newspaper O Globo, this information was obtained from federal police and the military. (With inputs from agencies)

Everyone should buy a rifle: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro

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

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

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

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

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro reportedly tried to sabotage efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in his country, putting forward policies that further undermined the rights of Brazilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed on Wednesday.

The group also claimed that institutions such as the Supreme Court and Congress have stepped up efforts to protect citizens of Brazil, while blocking some dangerous policies put forward by the leader, as stated by the organisation in its annual world report.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bolsonaro-sceptic-on-vaccine-side-effects-351473/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bolsonaro attempted to remove states authority over people's movements. But the Supreme Court ruled against Bolsonaro.

In addition, the country's top court prevented Bolsonaro from withholding data about COVID-19 from the public, additionally ordering the administration to come up with a plan which would protect indigenous groups in Brazil.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/brazils-bolsonaro-asks-india-to-expedite-vaccine-shipment-as-delays-loom-355513" hreflang="en">Brazil's Bolsonaro asks India to expedite vaccine shipment as delays loom</a>

At the same time, Congress was passing a bill to provide emergency health care to indigenous groups.

Bolsonaro is famous for playing down the severity of the pandemic, initially calling it a "little flu". He also criticised lockdowns and social distancing measures.&nbsp;

According to HRW, Bolsonaro has disseminated misleading information about the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/brazilian-president-jair-bolsonaro-says-his-country-is-broke-and-he-cant-do-anything-354727" hreflang="en">Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says his country is 'broke' and he 'can't do anything'</a> 
 
Bolsonaro himself also caught COVID once, but even then his attitude towards the virus remained unchanged. He claimed that lockdowns will damage Brazil's economy and will leave many people out of work.

HRW also claimed that besides the pandemic, Bolsonaro has underplayed women's rights, lashing out at reporters and civil society groups. He has also bullied independent media in the country, the group said.

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

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

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

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and a high-ranking health official said on Wednesday the federal government will not buy a COVID-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac, one day after the Health Minister said it would be included in the nation's immunization program.

Bolsonaro drops plans to buy Chinese vaccine: Says, 'Its expensive and unscientific'

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro held a rally amid the Coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, In Pakistan - Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lost his cool when a journalist asked him about social distancing.

Gravitas: Leaders who chose to ignore social distancing rules