Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-parliament-formally-sets-april-9-election-date-in-dissolution-vote-186749">Israeli Prime Minister</a> Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-under-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-key-dates-177545">Netanyahu,</a> the first Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil, flew in to Rio de Janeiro to meet with Bolsonaro, an ideological ally who takes office on January 1 after his election victory in October. The two men had lunch in a fort on Copacabana beach before delivering statements.

"Israel is the promised land. Brazil is the land of promise," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel could help in areas such as economics, security, agriculture and water resources.

Bolsonaro pledged he would visit Israel by March as a way to thank Netanyahu for the gesture.

"We will be starting a difficult government from January, but Brazil has potential," Bolsonaro said. "So that we can overcome obstacles, we need good allies, good friends, good brothers, like Benjamin Netanyahu."

The two also visited a synagogue among tight security including snipers on nearby roofs, where Netanyahu emphasized his hopes the two countries could operate in a more aligned and friendly manner in the future.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro and top aides have repeatedly said he would move Brazil`s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but since his election, he has come under pressure to ditch the idea from powerful backers in the agricultural sector, who fear the decision would hurt their halal meat sales in Arab countries.

The Arab League had told Bolsonaro that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would be a setback for relations with Arab countries, according to a letter seen by Reuters earlier in December.

Such a move by Bolsonaro would be a sharp shift in Brazilian foreign policy as it was for the United States when President Donald Trump relocated the US embassy to Jerusalem in May. Brazil has traditionally backed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Some political observers had speculated that Bolsonaro would use Netanyahu's visit as the perfect way to make the announcement.

Bolsonaro discussed Israel during a meeting in Rio with Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton, late last month.

Although Bolsonaro could well make the announcement at a later stage, a senior US State Department official said on Friday the US government expected him to eventually make the move.&nbsp;

"We also welcome President-elect Bolsonaro`s comments regarding moving the Brazilian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in support of Israel`s sovereign right to have its capital of Jerusalem recognized by nations around the world. We look forward to welcoming many more of our friends and allies in Jerusalem," the official said.

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil, flew in to Rio de Janeiro to meet with Bolsonaro, an ideological ally who takes office on January 1 after his election victory in October. The two men had lunch in a fort on Copacabana beach before delivering statements. "Israel is the promised land. Brazil is the land of promise," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel could help in areas such as economics, security, agriculture and water resources. Bolsonaro pledged he would visit Israel by March as a way to thank Netanyahu for the gesture. "We will be starting a difficult government from January, but Brazil has potential," Bolsonaro said. "So that we can overcome obstacles, we need good allies, good friends, good brothers, like Benjamin Netanyahu." The two also visited a synagogue among tight security including snipers on nearby roofs, where Netanyahu emphasized his hopes the two countries could operate in a more aligned and friendly manner in the future. Bolsonaro and top aides have repeatedly said he would move Brazil`s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but since his election, he has come under pressure to ditch the idea from powerful backers in the agricultural sector, who fear the decision would hurt their halal meat sales in Arab countries. The Arab League had told Bolsonaro that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would be a setback for relations with Arab countries, according to a letter seen by Reuters earlier in December. Such a move by Bolsonaro would be a sharp shift in Brazilian foreign policy as it was for the United States when President Donald Trump relocated the US embassy to Jerusalem in May. Brazil has traditionally backed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some political observers had speculated that Bolsonaro would use Netanyahu's visit as the perfect way to make the announcement. Bolsonaro discussed Israel during a meeting in Rio with Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton, late last month. Although Bolsonaro could well make the announcement at a later stage, a senior US State Department official said on Friday the US government expected him to eventually make the move. "We also welcome President-elect Bolsonaro`s comments regarding moving the Brazilian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in support of Israel`s sovereign right to have its capital of Jerusalem recognized by nations around the world. We look forward to welcoming many more of our friends and allies in Jerusalem," the official said.

No embassy move announced as Brazil's Bolsonaro hosts Israel's Netanyahu

Brazil's next government, under incoming <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-invited-brazils-president-elect-bolsonaro-to-us-john-bolton-180251">far-right president Jair Bolsonaro</a> who takes power in three weeks, will be neo-liberal economically, morally conservative and heavy reliant on a contingent of ex-military figures.

That's the final composition that has emerged after weeks of announcements and casting about to fill the top posts of 22 ministries, down from 29 in the outgoing administration.

Seven of the ministers will be military men. Eight have technocrat profiles. And seven are politicians.&nbsp;

All are united by fierce criticism of the leftwing governments that ruled under former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) -- who is now in prison for corruption -- and his protegee Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016) -- whose second mandate was cut short by impeachment.

Bolsonaro said at a ceremony on Monday he would govern "without distinction of social origin, race, sex, age or religion."

There are just two women in Bolsonaro's government, which is double the number in the outgoing lineup under President Michel Temer.&nbsp;

There are no blacks, despite half of Brazil's population being at least partly descended from Africans.

Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said there were three distinct groups to be seen: "A nationalist, anti-globalist group that is oriented towards the populist politics of Donald Trump, a group of neo-liberals that controls the economic part, and another of military men with influence in various areas."

He added: "We'll soon see how the power play will work out between these three axes."

'Chicago Oldies'&nbsp;

A big challenge for Bolsonaro will be to bring Brazil's economy back to full health. The country exited its worst recession on record two years ago but has put in an anemic performance since.

To that end he has tapped Paulo Guedes, a product of the University of Chicago's economic liberalism, to head up an economy superministry in charge of finances, planning, trade and a chunk of the scrapped labour portfolio.

Guedes, a strong advocate of privatization and small government, has named a bunch of veteran economists -- nicknamed the "Chicago Oldies" by the Brazilian press -- to take charge of state oil company Petrobras, the central bank and the BNDES development bank.

"The formation of the economic team suggests that Guedes will enjoy fairly big autonomy to carry out the reform agenda without interference from other parts of the government," Thomaz Favaro, an analyst at the firm Control Risks, told AFP.

Anti-corruption&nbsp;

Another priority is to fight corruption and rampant crime.

Another superministry -- for justice this time -- will be under the command of Sergio Moro, a celebrated anti-graft judge who led the Car Wash investigation that led to Lula and other politicians being sent to prison.

But it remains to be seen how Moro will be able to operate under Bolsonaro's extreme right direction, with divergences already possible over the next president's push to ease gun laws and to label radical rural groups as "terrorists."

Wladimir Gramacho, a political sciences professor at the University of Brasilia, said Moro and Guedes, as well as Onyx Lorenzoni who will become Bolsonaro's chief of staff, "have the confidence of the three pillars supporting a government: Congress, the economy and public opinion."

Camouflage in cabinet&nbsp;

Brazil's 63-year-old leader-to-be has never hidden his nostalgia for the 1964-1985 military dictatorship he served, nor his intent to dose his cabinet with ex-military types.

In addition to the post of vice president, retired generals have been named as the ministers of defense, the secretariat of government, institutional security, mines and energy, science and technology, infrastructure, and the comptroller's office.

"We'll see what the military men in the future government bring and their interest in taking on greater portions of power," Gramacho told AFP.

God above all

Bolsonaro has also brought in people who share his ultraconservative values -- he is against abortion and gender identity as defined by individuals -- and his Christian faith, as well as his pro-US, anti-globalization, anti-left views that include scepticism toward climate change.

His future foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, has promised to clean out any trace of "cultural Marxism" from his ministry. His education minister, a Colombian philosopher named Ricardo Velez Rodriguez, has stated that "it's nature that defines gender."

His environment minister is a lawyer, Ricardo Salles, who is sympathetic to the powerful rural sector according to Greenpeace and other groups fighting deforestation.

The new minister for human rights, women and the family will be a female evangelical pastor, Damares Alves, who has surprised some by saying she believed it was possible to have "a government of peace between the conservative movement, the LGBT movement and other movements."

Beef, Bullets, Bible&nbsp;

Bolsonaro has eschewed the custom of doling out ministries to parties supporting him.

Instead he has put some portfolios -- agriculture for instance -- in the hands of what is being called the "BBB" lobbies, standing for "Beef, Bullets and the Bible."

They cut across several parties and put forward the interests of Brazil's powerful agribusiness groups, gun advocates, and an influential and growing evangelical movement.

Brazil's next government, under incoming far-right president Jair Bolsonaro who takes power in three weeks, will be neo-liberal economically, morally conservative and heavy reliant on a contingent of ex-military figures.

Brazil's next government, under incoming far-right president Jair Bolsonaro who takes power in three weeks, will be neo-liberal economically, morally conservative and heavy reliant on a contingent of ex-military figures. That's the final composition that has emerged after weeks of announcements and casting about to fill the top posts of 22 ministries, down from 29 in the outgoing administration. Seven of the ministers will be military men. Eight have technocrat profiles. And seven are politicians. All are united by fierce criticism of the leftwing governments that ruled under former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) -- who is now in prison for corruption -- and his protegee Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016) -- whose second mandate was cut short by impeachment. Bolsonaro said at a ceremony on Monday he would govern "without distinction of social origin, race, sex, age or religion." There are just two women in Bolsonaro's government, which is double the number in the outgoing lineup under President Michel Temer. There are no blacks, despite half of Brazil's population being at least partly descended from Africans. Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, said there were three distinct groups to be seen: "A nationalist, anti-globalist group that is oriented towards the populist politics of Donald Trump, a group of neo-liberals that controls the economic part, and another of military men with influence in various areas." He added: "We'll soon see how the power play will work out between these three axes." 'Chicago Oldies' A big challenge for Bolsonaro will be to bring Brazil's economy back to full health. The country exited its worst recession on record two years ago but has put in an anemic performance since. To that end he has tapped Paulo Guedes, a product of the University of Chicago's economic liberalism, to head up an economy superministry in charge of finances, planning, trade and a chunk of the scrapped labour portfolio. Guedes, a strong advocate of privatization and small government, has named a bunch of veteran economists -- nicknamed the "Chicago Oldies" by the Brazilian press -- to take charge of state oil company Petrobras, the central bank and the BNDES development bank. "The formation of the economic team suggests that Guedes will enjoy fairly big autonomy to carry out the reform agenda without interference from other parts of the government," Thomaz Favaro, an analyst at the firm Control Risks, told AFP. Anti-corruption Another priority is to fight corruption and rampant crime. Another superministry -- for justice this time -- will be under the command of Sergio Moro, a celebrated anti-graft judge who led the Car Wash investigation that led to Lula and other politicians being sent to prison. But it remains to be seen how Moro will be able to operate under Bolsonaro's extreme right direction, with divergences already possible over the next president's push to ease gun laws and to label radical rural groups as "terrorists." Wladimir Gramacho, a political sciences professor at the University of Brasilia, said Moro and Guedes, as well as Onyx Lorenzoni who will become Bolsonaro's chief of staff, "have the confidence of the three pillars supporting a government: Congress, the economy and public opinion." Camouflage in cabinet Brazil's 63-year-old leader-to-be has never hidden his nostalgia for the 1964-1985 military dictatorship he served, nor his intent to dose his cabinet with ex-military types. In addition to the post of vice president, retired generals have been named as the ministers of defense, the secretariat of government, institutional security, mines and energy, science and technology, infrastructure, and the comptroller's office. "We'll see what the military men in the future government bring and their interest in taking on greater portions of power," Gramacho told AFP. God above all Bolsonaro has also brought in people who share his ultraconservative values -- he is against abortion and gender identity as defined by individuals -- and his Christian faith, as well as his pro-US, anti-globalization, anti-left views that include scepticism toward climate change. His future foreign minister, Ernesto Araujo, has promised to clean out any trace of "cultural Marxism" from his ministry. His education minister, a Colombian philosopher named Ricardo Velez Rodriguez, has stated that "it's nature that defines gender." His environment minister is a lawyer, Ricardo Salles, who is sympathetic to the powerful rural sector according to Greenpeace and other groups fighting deforestation. The new minister for human rights, women and the family will be a female evangelical pastor, Damares Alves, who has surprised some by saying she believed it was possible to have "a government of peace between the conservative movement, the LGBT movement and other movements." Beef, Bullets, Bible Bolsonaro has eschewed the custom of doling out ministries to parties supporting him. Instead he has put some portfolios -- agriculture for instance -- in the hands of what is being called the "BBB" lobbies, standing for "Beef, Bullets and the Bible." They cut across several parties and put forward the interests of Brazil's powerful agribusiness groups, gun advocates, and an influential and growing evangelical movement.

Brazil president-elect Bolsonaro government has military, conservative streak

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-studying-new-auto-tariffs-after-general-motors-announces-job-cuts-180128">US President Donald Trump</a> has invited Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to the United States, National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Thursday following a meeting with the right-wing former army captain, who takes office in January.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Enjoyed a wide-ranging, very productive discussion w/ Brazil’s President-elect Bolsonaro &amp; his national security team. I extended an invitation from Pres. Trump for <a href="https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JairBolsonaro</a> to visit the US. We look forward to a dynamic partnership w/ Brazil. <a href="https://t.co/KrGF7mYDaA">pic.twitter.com/KrGF7mYDaA</a>
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1068097703895285761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Bolton described the meeting, which included members of Bolsonaro's national security team, as "wide-ranging" and "very productive."

Bolsonaro is an admirer of the US president and, like Trump, took the political establishment by surprise when he won office in October, riding a wave of anger against traditional politicians.

He has vowed to sweep out corruption, crack down on crime and align Brazil closely with the United States in a shift towards conservative nationalism.

Bolsonaro has threatened to follow Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate agreement, despite having the world's biggest rainforest in the Amazon.

(With inputs from Reuters)

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ub-T03vXsWQ" width="1280"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to the United States, National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Thursday following a meeting with the right-wing former army captain, who takes office in January.

US President Donald Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to the United States, National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted on Thursday following a meeting with the right-wing former army captain, who takes office in January. Enjoyed a wide-ranging, very productive discussion w/ Brazil’s President-elect Bolsonaro & his national security team. I extended an invitation from Pres. Trump for @JairBolsonaro to visit the US. We look forward to a dynamic partnership w/ Brazil. pic.twitter.com/KrGF7mYDaA — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) November 29, 2018 × Bolton described the meeting, which included members of Bolsonaro's national security team, as "wide-ranging" and "very productive." Bolsonaro is an admirer of the US president and, like Trump, took the political establishment by surprise when he won office in October, riding a wave of anger against traditional politicians. He has vowed to sweep out corruption, crack down on crime and align Brazil closely with the United States in a shift towards conservative nationalism. Bolsonaro has threatened to follow Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate agreement, despite having the world's biggest rainforest in the Amazon. (With inputs from Reuters) ×

Trump has invited Brazil's President-elect Bolsonaro to US: John Bolton

President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday his government would not send back the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have sought refuge in Brazil from the economic breakdown in their leftist-ruled homeland.

The Venezuelan immigrants "are not merchandise or some product that can be returned," he said after attending a military anniversary ceremony.

His comments followed a suggestion by the governor-elect of the state of Roraima that a "return program" be developed to deal with the influx of migrants that have poured into the poor border state from Venezuela.

Bolsonaro said the Venezuelans "are fleeing a dictatorship supported by the PT, Lula and Dilma, and we can't leave them to their fate."

Bolsonaro, who takes office in January, was referring to former presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, who had close ties to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez.

"Venezuela cannot be treated as a democratic country," he said.

The United Nations says at least 2.3 million people have fled Venezuela's economic and political crisis since 2015.

More than 100,000 have entered Brazil over the past three years, with three quarters of them requesting immigration papers from Roraima's state government.

The Brazilian government has allowed them to enter, but has ordered the military to step up security in the area.

President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday his government would not send back the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have sought refuge in Brazil from the economic breakdown in their leftist-ruled homeland.

President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday his government would not send back the tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have sought refuge in Brazil from the economic breakdown in their leftist-ruled homeland. The Venezuelan immigrants "are not merchandise or some product that can be returned," he said after attending a military anniversary ceremony. His comments followed a suggestion by the governor-elect of the state of Roraima that a "return program" be developed to deal with the influx of migrants that have poured into the poor border state from Venezuela. Bolsonaro said the Venezuelans "are fleeing a dictatorship supported by the PT, Lula and Dilma, and we can't leave them to their fate." Bolsonaro, who takes office in January, was referring to former presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, who had close ties to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor, the late Hugo Chavez. "Venezuela cannot be treated as a democratic country," he said. The United Nations says at least 2.3 million people have fled Venezuela's economic and political crisis since 2015. More than 100,000 have entered Brazil over the past three years, with three quarters of them requesting immigration papers from Roraima's state government. The Brazilian government has allowed them to enter, but has ordered the military to step up security in the area.

Brazil's Bolsonaro rules out sending back Venezuelan migrants

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch.

"As previously stated during our campaign, we intend to transfer the Brazilian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel is a sovereign state and we shall duly respect that," Bolsonaro tweeted, a move that will defy Palestinians and most of the world.

In interviews, Bolsonaro said Israel should have the right to decide where its capital is located, just as Brazil moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1960. 
Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, with international consensus being that the status of the whole city must be negotiated between the two sides.

Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.

In December, President Donald Trump reversed longstanding US policy and recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, prompting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to boycott his administration.

The embassy was officially transferred on May 14. Guatemala and Paraguay followed suit, though the latter announced last month it would return its embassy to Tel Aviv.

Bolsonaro, 63, who won a run-off election on Sunday, has outraged many with his overtly misogynistic, homophobic and racist rhetoric. 
Following his victory, Netanyahu told Bolsonaro he was certain his election "will lead to a great friendship between our peoples and the tightening of links between Brazil and Israel."

An official in Netanyahu's office told AFP the Israeli premier was "very likely" to attend Bolsonaro's inauguration ceremony in January.

Bolsonaro meanwhile plans to make Israel one of his first foreign trips as president, along with the United States and Chile -- countries that "share our worldview," according to the president-elect's future for chief of staff, Onyx Lorenzoni.

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch.

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday, making the Latin American giant the largest country after the United States to make the controversial switch. "As previously stated during our campaign, we intend to transfer the Brazilian Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel is a sovereign state and we shall duly respect that," Bolsonaro tweeted, a move that will defy Palestinians and most of the world. In interviews, Bolsonaro said Israel should have the right to decide where its capital is located, just as Brazil moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1960. Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, with international consensus being that the status of the whole city must be negotiated between the two sides. Israel occupied east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community. In December, President Donald Trump reversed longstanding US policy and recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, prompting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to boycott his administration. The embassy was officially transferred on May 14. Guatemala and Paraguay followed suit, though the latter announced last month it would return its embassy to Tel Aviv. Bolsonaro, 63, who won a run-off election on Sunday, has outraged many with his overtly misogynistic, homophobic and racist rhetoric. Following his victory, Netanyahu told Bolsonaro he was certain his election "will lead to a great friendship between our peoples and the tightening of links between Brazil and Israel." An official in Netanyahu's office told AFP the Israeli premier was "very likely" to attend Bolsonaro's inauguration ceremony in January. Bolsonaro meanwhile plans to make Israel one of his first foreign trips as president, along with the United States and Chile -- countries that "share our worldview," according to the president-elect's future for chief of staff, Onyx Lorenzoni.

Brazil will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem: President-elect Bolsonaro

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects.

His comments came after the far-right governor-elect of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, met with criticism after announcing he would deploy police snipers to shoot suspects even if officers' lives are not in danger.

"It's a necessary reaction to the ostentatious display of weapons of war, often in the hands of young people," retired general Augusto Heleno told Radio Nacional.

"It's not about killing indiscriminately. You need well-established criteria," he added.

"Police in Rio are very brave... But they need another kind of support."

Rio de Janeiro's impoverished "favela" neighbourhoods are regular scenes of combat-style confrontations between heavily armed drug traffickers and security forces.

Witzel, a vocal Bolsonaro backer, was elected alongside him Sunday after both campaigned on hardline platforms that tapped outrage over violent crime.

Following through on a campaign pledge, the governor-elect said he would instruct police and soldiers to open fire on armed suspects, even if it meant shooting them in the back unprovoked.

"I'd rather defend officers in the courts than go to their funerals," he said in an interview Monday night with TV network Globonews.

He also proposed deploying snipers in helicopters to shoot suspects from above during police operations against drug traffickers.

Asked if his plan included shooting suspects in the back, he said: "Gun in hand? He's a threat. He's going to use that gun to attack anyone who's in front of him."

In February, President Michel Temer deployed the army to Rio to try to gain the upper hand in the bloody war on drug trafficking. Witzel said he wants to extend that 10-month emergency deployment by another 10 months.

In a country that registered a record 63,880 murders last year, many Brazilians are fed up with violent crime - a big factor in Bolsonaro's victory, and those of 12 far-right governors swept to office with him.

But rights activists said Witzel's proposals were not even legal.

"Giving prior authorization to automatically kill anyone who may be armed when there is no imminent risk to life is an affront to Brazilian and international law," Amnesty International said in a statement.

"It would only result in an escalation of violence and put hundreds of thousands of people's lives at risk, including those of the officers themselves." Witzel, a little-known federal judge, surged to victory in Brazil's "Bolsonaro wave" after declaring his fervent support for the far-right former army captain.

Bolsonaro's own crime-fighting proposals include relaxing gun-control laws so "good people" can take justice into their own hands.

"Those who don't respect the law need to understand they will be held responsible, either before the law or by being taken down," he said Monday in his first interview as president-elect.

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects.

The army general tapped by Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be defence minister said on Wednesday that snipers should be deployed to take down armed criminal suspects. His comments came after the far-right governor-elect of Rio de Janeiro, Wilson Witzel, met with criticism after announcing he would deploy police snipers to shoot suspects even if officers' lives are not in danger. "It's a necessary reaction to the ostentatious display of weapons of war, often in the hands of young people," retired general Augusto Heleno told Radio Nacional. "It's not about killing indiscriminately. You need well-established criteria," he added. "Police in Rio are very brave... But they need another kind of support." Rio de Janeiro's impoverished "favela" neighbourhoods are regular scenes of combat-style confrontations between heavily armed drug traffickers and security forces. Witzel, a vocal Bolsonaro backer, was elected alongside him Sunday after both campaigned on hardline platforms that tapped outrage over violent crime. Following through on a campaign pledge, the governor-elect said he would instruct police and soldiers to open fire on armed suspects, even if it meant shooting them in the back unprovoked. "I'd rather defend officers in the courts than go to their funerals," he said in an interview Monday night with TV network Globonews. He also proposed deploying snipers in helicopters to shoot suspects from above during police operations against drug traffickers. Asked if his plan included shooting suspects in the back, he said: "Gun in hand? He's a threat. He's going to use that gun to attack anyone who's in front of him." In February, President Michel Temer deployed the army to Rio to try to gain the upper hand in the bloody war on drug trafficking. Witzel said he wants to extend that 10-month emergency deployment by another 10 months. In a country that registered a record 63,880 murders last year, many Brazilians are fed up with violent crime - a big factor in Bolsonaro's victory, and those of 12 far-right governors swept to office with him. But rights activists said Witzel's proposals were not even legal. "Giving prior authorization to automatically kill anyone who may be armed when there is no imminent risk to life is an affront to Brazilian and international law," Amnesty International said in a statement. "It would only result in an escalation of violence and put hundreds of thousands of people's lives at risk, including those of the officers themselves." Witzel, a little-known federal judge, surged to victory in Brazil's "Bolsonaro wave" after declaring his fervent support for the far-right former army captain. Bolsonaro's own crime-fighting proposals include relaxing gun-control laws so "good people" can take justice into their own hands. "Those who don't respect the law need to understand they will be held responsible, either before the law or by being taken down," he said Monday in his first interview as president-elect.

Brazil's next defence minister wants snipers to take out criminals

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister.

Bolsonaro publicly offered him the post after being swept to the presidency Sunday on a wave of anti-establishment anger fueled partly by Moro's probe into the large-scale looting of state oil company Petrobras.

Moro flew to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for a meeting with the hardline conservative. It ended with him accepting the offer to head a "super ministry" combining the justice and public security portfolios, both men said.

The move will likely fuel accusations that Moro's so-called "Car Wash" probe has been politically motivated and disproportionately targeted left-wing politicians -- especially ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom polls showed would have beaten Bolsonaro had he not been serving a 12-year corruption sentence.

"Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organized crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our compass!" Bolsonaro tweeted.

Moro confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honor."

"In practice, this will mean consolidating the advances we have made against crime and corruption in recent years and fending off the risk of a backslide, for the greater good," he said.

Corruption dragnet

Since it was launched in 2014, Moro's investigation has taken out a Who's Who of politicians and executives who colluded to pump billions of dollars from Petrobras into their own pockets or the coffers of their political parties.

Although politicians of all stripes have fallen, Moro has been accused of being particularly merciless on the left -- especially Lula, Brazil's president from 2003 to 2010.

Moro sentenced Lula -- a hugely divisive but enduringly popular figure -- to jail for taking bribes from a Petrobras contractor.

Lula tried to stage a presidential come-back in this year's elections, but the courts barred his candidacy.

His substitute, former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, lost to Bolsonaro in the run-off election, 55 percent to 45 percent.

In a country left polarized by the election, Bolsonaro and Moro are both divisive figures, too.

The president-elect has outraged many Brazilians with his derogatory remarks against women, gays and blacks, and his outspoken admiration for Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985).

Moro meanwhile is a hero to some for his crusade against endemic graft -- but condemned by others as a politically motivated opportunist who may have changed the destiny of Latin America's largest country.

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister.

The judge who has upended Brazilian politics with a sweeping corruption investigation, Sergio Moro, accepted an offer Thursday from far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro to be his justice minister. Bolsonaro publicly offered him the post after being swept to the presidency Sunday on a wave of anti-establishment anger fueled partly by Moro's probe into the large-scale looting of state oil company Petrobras. Moro flew to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for a meeting with the hardline conservative. It ended with him accepting the offer to head a "super ministry" combining the justice and public security portfolios, both men said. The move will likely fuel accusations that Moro's so-called "Car Wash" probe has been politically motivated and disproportionately targeted left-wing politicians -- especially ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom polls showed would have beaten Bolsonaro had he not been serving a 12-year corruption sentence. "Federal judge Sergio Moro has accepted our invitation to be minister of justice and public security. His anti-corruption, anti-organized crime agenda and his respect for the constitution and the law will be our compass!" Bolsonaro tweeted. Moro confirmed in a statement that he had "accepted the invitation as an honor." "In practice, this will mean consolidating the advances we have made against crime and corruption in recent years and fending off the risk of a backslide, for the greater good," he said. Corruption dragnet Since it was launched in 2014, Moro's investigation has taken out a Who's Who of politicians and executives who colluded to pump billions of dollars from Petrobras into their own pockets or the coffers of their political parties. Although politicians of all stripes have fallen, Moro has been accused of being particularly merciless on the left -- especially Lula, Brazil's president from 2003 to 2010. Moro sentenced Lula -- a hugely divisive but enduringly popular figure -- to jail for taking bribes from a Petrobras contractor. Lula tried to stage a presidential come-back in this year's elections, but the courts barred his candidacy. His substitute, former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, lost to Bolsonaro in the run-off election, 55 percent to 45 percent. In a country left polarized by the election, Bolsonaro and Moro are both divisive figures, too. The president-elect has outraged many Brazilians with his derogatory remarks against women, gays and blacks, and his outspoken admiration for Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985). Moro meanwhile is a hero to some for his crusade against endemic graft -- but condemned by others as a politically motivated opportunist who may have changed the destiny of Latin America's largest country.

Brazil's crusading judge Moro to be justice minister

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

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-lion-air-passenger-plane-goes-missing-official-174088">Indonesia: Lion Air plane with 188 on board goes missing</a>

An Indonesian Lion Air passenger plane has gone missing. The plane went missing 13 minutes after it took off from the Indonesian capital Jakarta.&nbsp;

The plane was flying to Pangkal Pinang. There were 188 people on board.&nbsp;

"It’s true that Lion Air JT 610 has lost contact. We have forwarded the information to search and rescue teams," AFP quoted AirNav Indonesia spokesman Yohanes Harry Douglas as saying.

Reuters meanwhile is reporting that the plane has crashed into the sea off the coast of Sumatra.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/far-right-jair-bolsonaro-wins-brazil-presidential-race-174068">Far-right Jair Bolsonaro wins Brazil elections; he has been called the 'Trump of Brazil'</a>

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.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/thai-owner-of-leicester-city-was-killed-in-helicopter-crash-174067">Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha pronounced dead in helicopter crash</a>

Leicester City FC has confirmed that the club's owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was died in the helicopter which crashed outside team's stadium shortly after it took off on Saturday.

"It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium," the club said in a statement.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-turns-violent-as-one-killed-at-ex-ministers-office-174097">Sri Lanka crisis turns violent as 1 killed at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-turns-violent-as-one-killed-at-ex-ministers-office-174097">ex-minister's</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-turns-violent-as-one-killed-at-ex-ministers-office-174097"> office</a>

A political crisis in Sri Lanka took a deadly turn on Sunday, with one person killed when a sacked cabinet minister tried to re-enter his office, days after the president removed the prime minister and installed a powerful ally of China in his place.

Sri Lanka has been plunged into crisis since Friday, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister to replace him.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-unlikely-to-honour-indias-invite-for-republic-day-celebrations-174076">Trump unlikely to accept India's Republic Day invite: Sources</a>

US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept India's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, sources said Sunday.

The US is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that Trump may not be able to honour the invitation as he will have pressing engagements, including his State of The Union (SOTU) address, around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day.

 
&nbsp;

Indonesia: Lion Air plane with 188 on board goes missing An Indonesian Lion Air passenger plane has gone missing. The plane went missing 13 minutes after it took off from the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

Indonesia: Lion Air plane with 188 on board goes missing An Indonesian Lion Air passenger plane has gone missing. The plane went missing 13 minutes after it took off from the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The plane was flying to Pangkal Pinang. There were 188 people on board. "It’s true that Lion Air JT 610 has lost contact. We have forwarded the information to search and rescue teams," AFP quoted AirNav Indonesia spokesman Yohanes Harry Douglas as saying. Reuters meanwhile is reporting that the plane has crashed into the sea off the coast of Sumatra. Far-right Jair Bolsonaro wins Brazil elections; he has been called the 'Trump of Brazil' 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. Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha pronounced dead in helicopter crash Leicester City FC has confirmed that the club's owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was died in the helicopter which crashed outside team's stadium shortly after it took off on Saturday. "It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium," the club said in a statement. Sri Lanka crisis turns violent as 1 killed at ex-minister's office A political crisis in Sri Lanka took a deadly turn on Sunday, with one person killed when a sacked cabinet minister tried to re-enter his office, days after the president removed the prime minister and installed a powerful ally of China in his place. Sri Lanka has been plunged into crisis since Friday, when President Maithripala Sirisena abruptly sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister to replace him. Trump unlikely to accept India's Republic Day invite: Sources US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept India's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, sources said Sunday. The US is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that Trump may not be able to honour the invitation as he will have pressing engagements, including his State of The Union (SOTU) address, around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day.

News brief: Big stories of the day

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

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual.

Bolsonaro, 63, has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment -- no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician.

The seven-term congressman has few legislative initiatives to his record but, crucially, has not been caught up in the massive corruption scandals that have made Brazilians furious with the political class in recent years.

However, he has made enemies with his denigrating comments on women, gays and blacks, while fondly recalling Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985), in which he served as an army captain.

"The dictatorship's mistake," he said two years ago, "was to torture and not kill" leftist dissidents and suspected sympathizers.

But Bolsonaro has promised that if elected, he would govern "with authority, but not authoritarianism."

Running against leftist Fernando Haddad in Sunday's vote, Bolsonaro has promised to relax gun-control laws so that "good people" can take justice into their own hands, in a country fed up with violent crime.

In an ironic twist of fate, he was himself stabbed in the stomach at a campaign rally in September, by an attacker who said God had sent him to kill Bolsonaro.

The front-runner spent three weeks in the hospital. But he did not let his injuries keep him off his beloved social media accounts, where he kept up his virulent campaign.

He survived without long-term damage, but, citing doctors' orders, has since refrained from campaign rallies and -- to Haddad's chagrin -- debates.

Business, beef, bullets, Bibles

Bolsonaro calls himself an admirer of Donald Trump, and has similarly tapped a deep national malaise -- in Brazil's case, one caused by crime, an ailing economy and the never-ending "Car Wash" corruption scandal that has stoked fury at the political class.

"He talks about 'politicians' as if he weren't part of that world. He wants to come across as a strongman, a hardliner, who will fight corruption," said Michael Mohallem, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Bolsonaro has sealed the support of the business sector, as well as Brazil's powerful "Beef, bullets and Bible" caucus -- comprising the agrobusiness lobby, security hardliners and Evangelical Christians.

He owes his business support mainly to his choice of top financial adviser: respected liberal economist Paulo Guedes, a graduate of the University of Chicago.

He earned the agro-lobby's backing with vows to put agriculture before the environment -- frightening environmentalists, who warn he would be disastrous for the Amazon rainforest.

Evangelicals meanwhile like his social conservatism -- although some frown on the fact that Bolsonaro, a Catholic, has five children by three women.

Attacking women, blacks, gays

Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor.

Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since.

He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks.

In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping."

In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay.

In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship.

With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days -- earning the nickname "Big Horse."

Today, his most fervent supporters have given him another nickname, the "Myth" -- an image only bolstered when he survived the stabbing attack last month.

Bolsonaro has four sons -- three of them politicians -- and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter.

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual.

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual. Bolsonaro, 63, has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment -- no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician. The seven-term congressman has few legislative initiatives to his record but, crucially, has not been caught up in the massive corruption scandals that have made Brazilians furious with the political class in recent years. However, he has made enemies with his denigrating comments on women, gays and blacks, while fondly recalling Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985), in which he served as an army captain. "The dictatorship's mistake," he said two years ago, "was to torture and not kill" leftist dissidents and suspected sympathizers. But Bolsonaro has promised that if elected, he would govern "with authority, but not authoritarianism." Running against leftist Fernando Haddad in Sunday's vote, Bolsonaro has promised to relax gun-control laws so that "good people" can take justice into their own hands, in a country fed up with violent crime. In an ironic twist of fate, he was himself stabbed in the stomach at a campaign rally in September, by an attacker who said God had sent him to kill Bolsonaro. The front-runner spent three weeks in the hospital. But he did not let his injuries keep him off his beloved social media accounts, where he kept up his virulent campaign. He survived without long-term damage, but, citing doctors' orders, has since refrained from campaign rallies and -- to Haddad's chagrin -- debates. Business, beef, bullets, Bibles Bolsonaro calls himself an admirer of Donald Trump, and has similarly tapped a deep national malaise -- in Brazil's case, one caused by crime, an ailing economy and the never-ending "Car Wash" corruption scandal that has stoked fury at the political class. "He talks about 'politicians' as if he weren't part of that world. He wants to come across as a strongman, a hardliner, who will fight corruption," said Michael Mohallem, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. Bolsonaro has sealed the support of the business sector, as well as Brazil's powerful "Beef, bullets and Bible" caucus -- comprising the agrobusiness lobby, security hardliners and Evangelical Christians. He owes his business support mainly to his choice of top financial adviser: respected liberal economist Paulo Guedes, a graduate of the University of Chicago. He earned the agro-lobby's backing with vows to put agriculture before the environment -- frightening environmentalists, who warn he would be disastrous for the Amazon rainforest. Evangelicals meanwhile like his social conservatism -- although some frown on the fact that Bolsonaro, a Catholic, has five children by three women. Attacking women, blacks, gays Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor. Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since. He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks. In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping." In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay. In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship. With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days -- earning the nickname "Big Horse." Today, his most fervent supporters have given him another nickname, the "Myth" -- an image only bolstered when he survived the stabbing attack last month. Bolsonaro has four sons -- three of them politicians -- and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter.

Bolsonaro, Brazil's 'Tropical Trump' poised to win presidency

Brazil's leading presidential candidate vowed to defend freedom of the press after his tirades against the media and reports of his supporters attacking journalists raised fears that civil liberties might suffer if he is elected.

Soon after describing the media as "trash" in a Thursday tweet, far-right congressman and former army captain Jair Bolsonaro turned around and called journalists "friends," pledging to defend their work.

"When they cover the facts, without political activism and partiality, the media fulfil the valuable role of informing people," he said on Twitter, adding "WE ARE AGAINST ANY TYPE OF SOCIAL CONTROL OF THE MEDIA AND INTERNET."

Like U.S. President Donald Trump, whose 2016 campaign he has emulated, Bolsonaro has derided critical press coverage as "fake news" and connected directly with supporters on social media, where he posts video chats, retweets right-wing outlets and suggests the media is part of a corrupt system out to stop him.

In a Friday interview, his presidential rival, leftist Fernando Haddad, criticized Bolsonaro's campaign for "fostering a culture of violence."

Bolsonaro suspended campaign events after surviving a knife attack during a rally last month, but still rode a wave of anger over political graft, rising violence and a weak economy to win 46 percent of first-round votes on Sunday.

Opinion polls show him with a double-digit lead over Haddad ahead of the Oct. 28 run-off.

In Brazil's most bitterly polarized election since the end of military rule in 1985, Bolsonaro's stabbing by a mentally disturbed man has been the most prominent in a string of violent acts hanging over the race.

Some incidents involve his supporters allegedly attacking or threatening journalists, along with gay people and other minorities that he has denigrated. Some of his comments have led to him facing federal charges of hate speech, which he has dismissed as politically motivated.

On Thursday, a car transporting Haddad was blocked by a pick-up truck in Brasília, according to his communication staff. The unidentified occupants of the vehicle shouted epithets against Haddad, his aides said.

Haddad said a man had been identified in connection with the incident and is being monitored by police.

CLIMATE OF FEAR

Since the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff, which Haddad's Workers Party (PT) called a media-supported "coup," crowds at leftist rallies have also been accused of intimidating camera crews from major TV stations.

However, many reporters say the animosity from Bolsonaro supporters has been more intense, targeting specific journalists for social media attacks that have led to physical confrontations.

"There is no doubt we've had violent episodes and a growing climate of fear," said Diego Escosteguy, former editor-in-chief of newsweekly Epoca and critic of the PT.

"Journalists, blacks, women, transsexuals, gays, PT voters - many are afraid," he tweeted on Friday. "That fear is not paranoia. It is the result of what Bolsonaro and his allies say - and what the candidate does not say."

The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji) has identified more than 60 instances of physical violence or its imminent threat against journalists during the campaign and more than 70 cases of online persecution.

Bolsonaro attempted to address the issue during a rare news conference in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, although his efforts were undercut by supporters in the room.

"Members of the press, or maybe I should say 'friends,' ... we're going to guarantee the freedom of the press," he said.

"We want for you to really be independent, and be responsible in everything that you write," he added.

But when it was the turn of a female reporter from newspaper Folha de S.Paulo to ask a question, she was hissed and booed by his supporters, prompting party leader Gustavo Bebianno to remind them of their commitment to a free press. Folha broke news of police investigating a senior Bolsonaro aide this week.

Regarding the aggressions allegedly carried out by his supporters, Bolsonaro said he had zero tolerance.

"If by any chance it was somebody who voted for me, I reject that sort of vote. They committed a crime, they'll have to pay," he said. "My people are not disseminating hate."

Brazil's leading presidential candidate vowed to defend freedom of the press after his tirades against the media and reports of his supporters attacking journalists raised fears that civil liberties might suffer if he is elected.

Brazil's leading presidential candidate vowed to defend freedom of the press after his tirades against the media and reports of his supporters attacking journalists raised fears that civil liberties might suffer if he is elected. Soon after describing the media as "trash" in a Thursday tweet, far-right congressman and former army captain Jair Bolsonaro turned around and called journalists "friends," pledging to defend their work. "When they cover the facts, without political activism and partiality, the media fulfil the valuable role of informing people," he said on Twitter, adding "WE ARE AGAINST ANY TYPE OF SOCIAL CONTROL OF THE MEDIA AND INTERNET." Like U.S. President Donald Trump, whose 2016 campaign he has emulated, Bolsonaro has derided critical press coverage as "fake news" and connected directly with supporters on social media, where he posts video chats, retweets right-wing outlets and suggests the media is part of a corrupt system out to stop him. In a Friday interview, his presidential rival, leftist Fernando Haddad, criticized Bolsonaro's campaign for "fostering a culture of violence." Bolsonaro suspended campaign events after surviving a knife attack during a rally last month, but still rode a wave of anger over political graft, rising violence and a weak economy to win 46 percent of first-round votes on Sunday. Opinion polls show him with a double-digit lead over Haddad ahead of the Oct. 28 run-off. In Brazil's most bitterly polarized election since the end of military rule in 1985, Bolsonaro's stabbing by a mentally disturbed man has been the most prominent in a string of violent acts hanging over the race. Some incidents involve his supporters allegedly attacking or threatening journalists, along with gay people and other minorities that he has denigrated. Some of his comments have led to him facing federal charges of hate speech, which he has dismissed as politically motivated. On Thursday, a car transporting Haddad was blocked by a pick-up truck in Brasília, according to his communication staff. The unidentified occupants of the vehicle shouted epithets against Haddad, his aides said. Haddad said a man had been identified in connection with the incident and is being monitored by police. CLIMATE OF FEAR Since the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff, which Haddad's Workers Party (PT) called a media-supported "coup," crowds at leftist rallies have also been accused of intimidating camera crews from major TV stations. However, many reporters say the animosity from Bolsonaro supporters has been more intense, targeting specific journalists for social media attacks that have led to physical confrontations. "There is no doubt we've had violent episodes and a growing climate of fear," said Diego Escosteguy, former editor-in-chief of newsweekly Epoca and critic of the PT. "Journalists, blacks, women, transsexuals, gays, PT voters - many are afraid," he tweeted on Friday. "That fear is not paranoia. It is the result of what Bolsonaro and his allies say - and what the candidate does not say." The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (Abraji) has identified more than 60 instances of physical violence or its imminent threat against journalists during the campaign and more than 70 cases of online persecution. Bolsonaro attempted to address the issue during a rare news conference in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, although his efforts were undercut by supporters in the room. "Members of the press, or maybe I should say 'friends,' ... we're going to guarantee the freedom of the press," he said. "We want for you to really be independent, and be responsible in everything that you write," he added. But when it was the turn of a female reporter from newspaper Folha de S.Paulo to ask a question, she was hissed and booed by his supporters, prompting party leader Gustavo Bebianno to remind them of their commitment to a free press. Folha broke news of police investigating a senior Bolsonaro aide this week. Regarding the aggressions allegedly carried out by his supporters, Bolsonaro said he had zero tolerance. "If by any chance it was somebody who voted for me, I reject that sort of vote. They committed a crime, they'll have to pay," he said. "My people are not disseminating hate."

Right-wing Brazil candidate Bolsonaro commits to free press after calling it 'trash'

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory.

Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad.

An official tally showed Bolsonaro won 46 per cent against Haddad's 29 per cent.

"I am certain that if this hadn't happened, we would have known the name of the president of the Republic tonight," Bolsonaro said in a live Facebook video feed.

The 63-year-old former paratrooper and the longterm congressman had boasted as he voted Sunday that a run-off would not be necessary.

Although he easily won the first round, surveys suggest the outcome of the second round is uncertain, with Haddad expected to come up almost neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro as he picks up support from other beaten candidates.

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory. Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad.

Brazil's far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro said "polling problems" during Sunday's election cheated him of outright victory. Bolsonaro fell short of the threshold required -- 50 per cent plus one vote -- to avoid an October 28 run-off against his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad. An official tally showed Bolsonaro won 46 per cent against Haddad's 29 per cent. "I am certain that if this hadn't happened, we would have known the name of the president of the Republic tonight," Bolsonaro said in a live Facebook video feed. The 63-year-old former paratrooper and the longterm congressman had boasted as he voted Sunday that a run-off would not be necessary. Although he easily won the first round, surveys suggest the outcome of the second round is uncertain, with Haddad expected to come up almost neck-and-neck with Bolsonaro as he picks up support from other beaten candidates.

'Polling problems' denied outright victory: Brazil's Bolsonaro

Polarizing far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro looked to be the big winner of a first-round presidential election in Brazil on Sunday, according to mostly complete results -- but a final victory in a run-off to be held in three weeks is far from assured.

The 63-year-old former paratrooper, who has vowed a harsh crackdown on rampant crime, came within spitting distance of winning the presidency outright on Sunday.

He picked up 47 per cent of votes, against 28 per cent for his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad, electoral authorities said after counting ballots from 93 per cent of polling stations.

Had he pocketed more than 50 per cent, he would automatically have become the president-elect.

But he faced fierce resistance from a big part of the 147-million strong electorate put off by his denigrating comments against women, gays and the poor, and his unabashed nostalgia for the brutal military dictatorship that ruled Brazil between 1964 and 1985.

Now Bolsonaro and Haddad -- the two top candidates from a field of 13 on Sunday -- will have to duke it out on October 28.&nbsp;

'Not him'

Surveys suggest Bolsonaro currently has a very slight edge for that run-off but the outcome is too close to call as Haddad will likely now pick up substantial support from the other beaten candidates.

Voting Sunday revealed the deep divisions generated by Bolsonaro and Haddad.

Some voters -- particularly women -- wore "Not Him" slogans to polling stations, declaring their fierce opposition to Bolsonaro.

But supporters, like 53-year-old lawyer Roseli Milhomem in Brasilia, said they backed him because "Brazil wants change."

"We've had enough of corruption. Our country is wealthy, it can't fall into the wrong hands," she said.

Other Brazilians banged pots in protest when Haddad, 55, voted in Sao Paulo, the mega-city he once ruled as mayor.

There is palpable disappointment and anger at the Workers Party, blamed for being at the helm when Brazil plunged into its worst-ever recession, from which it is still struggling to recover.

But a Haddad voter, Jose Dias, said it would be a "catastrophe" if Bolsonaro triumphed.&nbsp;

"A lot of young people are voting for him. They don't know what it was like under the dictatorship," he said.

Split electorate

Better-off Brazilians have rallied to Bolsonaro's pledge to crush crime that includes more than 62,000 murders each year, nearly as many rapes and frequent robberies.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro wants to boost police forces and relax gun laws for "good" citizens.

Many voters also like his promises to tackle corruption and cut climbing public debt through privatizations, as well as the devout Catholic's family-first stance.

But poorer Brazilians, who benefited most from the heyday under the Workers Party's iconic former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva between 2003 and 2010, want a return to good times and hope Haddad can deliver.

The result is a very split electorate. Whoever ultimately wins will grapple with deep-rooted rejection and a large bloc of ideological hostility.

Despite sitting in congress for nearly three decades, Bolsonaro casts himself as a political outsider in the mold of America's Donald Trump or the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte: tough-talking, brash, promising a root-and-branch overhaul to an electorate weary of traditional parties spouting empty promises.

"We can't always vote for the same candidates, the same parties. Overall change is needed," a 58-year-old retiree, Rubens Dantas de Oliveira, said as he voted.

In Rio de Janeiro, Clara Gentil turned out to vote in Copacabana, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the message "Not him."

"Brazilians were manipulated to vote out of hate. So this election is more important than others. Today, there is recession, hunger, people living in the streets, unemployed," she said.&nbsp;

The outgoing center-right president, Michel Temer -- who took over after Lula's chosen successor Dilma Rousseff was impeached and ousted in 2016 for financial wrongdoing -- was not standing for re-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.

Polarizing far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro looked to be the big winner of a first-round presidential election in Brazil on Sunday, according to mostly complete results -- but a final victory in a run-off to be held in three weeks is far from assured.

Polarizing far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro looked to be the big winner of a first-round presidential election in Brazil on Sunday, according to mostly complete results -- but a final victory in a run-off to be held in three weeks is far from assured. The 63-year-old former paratrooper, who has vowed a harsh crackdown on rampant crime, came within spitting distance of winning the presidency outright on Sunday. He picked up 47 per cent of votes, against 28 per cent for his nearest rival, leftwing candidate Fernando Haddad, electoral authorities said after counting ballots from 93 per cent of polling stations. Had he pocketed more than 50 per cent, he would automatically have become the president-elect. But he faced fierce resistance from a big part of the 147-million strong electorate put off by his denigrating comments against women, gays and the poor, and his unabashed nostalgia for the brutal military dictatorship that ruled Brazil between 1964 and 1985. Now Bolsonaro and Haddad -- the two top candidates from a field of 13 on Sunday -- will have to duke it out on October 28. 'Not him' Surveys suggest Bolsonaro currently has a very slight edge for that run-off but the outcome is too close to call as Haddad will likely now pick up substantial support from the other beaten candidates. Voting Sunday revealed the deep divisions generated by Bolsonaro and Haddad. Some voters -- particularly women -- wore "Not Him" slogans to polling stations, declaring their fierce opposition to Bolsonaro. But supporters, like 53-year-old lawyer Roseli Milhomem in Brasilia, said they backed him because "Brazil wants change." "We've had enough of corruption. Our country is wealthy, it can't fall into the wrong hands," she said. Other Brazilians banged pots in protest when Haddad, 55, voted in Sao Paulo, the mega-city he once ruled as mayor. There is palpable disappointment and anger at the Workers Party, blamed for being at the helm when Brazil plunged into its worst-ever recession, from which it is still struggling to recover. But a Haddad voter, Jose Dias, said it would be a "catastrophe" if Bolsonaro triumphed. "A lot of young people are voting for him. They don't know what it was like under the dictatorship," he said. Split electorate Better-off Brazilians have rallied to Bolsonaro's pledge to crush crime that includes more than 62,000 murders each year, nearly as many rapes and frequent robberies. Bolsonaro wants to boost police forces and relax gun laws for "good" citizens. Many voters also like his promises to tackle corruption and cut climbing public debt through privatizations, as well as the devout Catholic's family-first stance. But poorer Brazilians, who benefited most from the heyday under the Workers Party's iconic former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva between 2003 and 2010, want a return to good times and hope Haddad can deliver. The result is a very split electorate. Whoever ultimately wins will grapple with deep-rooted rejection and a large bloc of ideological hostility. Despite sitting in congress for nearly three decades, Bolsonaro casts himself as a political outsider in the mold of America's Donald Trump or the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte: tough-talking, brash, promising a root-and-branch overhaul to an electorate weary of traditional parties spouting empty promises. "We can't always vote for the same candidates, the same parties. Overall change is needed," a 58-year-old retiree, Rubens Dantas de Oliveira, said as he voted. In Rio de Janeiro, Clara Gentil turned out to vote in Copacabana, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the message "Not him." "Brazilians were manipulated to vote out of hate. So this election is more important than others. Today, there is recession, hunger, people living in the streets, unemployed," she said. The outgoing center-right president, Michel Temer -- who took over after Lula's chosen successor Dilma Rousseff was impeached and ousted in 2016 for financial wrongdoing -- was not standing for re-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.

Far-right Bolsonaro wins 1st round Brazil election, run-off uncertain

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

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

jair-bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro, News on Jair Bolsonaro, stories on Jair Bolsonaro, articles on Jair Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro stories at Wion, Jair Bolsonaro news, Jair Bolsonaro latest news

jair bolsonaro