Brazil follows two-round system of elections and a Presidential candidate needs to get nearly 51% votes to be declared a winner. The campaigning of the elections between Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva will conclude on October 1.

Jail Bolsonaro vs Lula Da Silva: Presidential race heats up as Brazil election nears | WION

The build-up to the upcoming Brazilian elections has been quite heated till now and it got worse as a supporter of president Jair Bolsonaro stabbed to death an opposition supporter. The 42-year-old Benedito Cardoso dos Santos, who supported the leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was killed in the state of Mato Grosso and the incident has flared tensions in the area once again.

The police said on Friday that they have arrested 24-year-old Rafael Silva de Oliveira for stabbing Silva with a knife and he has already confessed, according to a report on Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-biden-to-attend-queen-elizabeth-iis-funeral-514735">US President Biden to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral</a>

The situation in Brazil has been quite unstable in the recent past with constant clashes between the two sides. With Bolsonaro currently trailing in the polls, the authorities have also been accused of foul play and in a statement, Juanita Goebertus Estrada, the director of the Americas division of Human Rights Watch, urged both candidates to “energetically condemn” any untoward incidents.

Lula, who was in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, said that there was a “climate of hatred in the electoral process which is completely abnormal”. He also requested the authorities to look more into the violence and find out if these attacks “had been ordered, or guided, or if it is a political strategy”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/king-charles-iii-pledges-to-uphold-constitutional-principles-for-rest-of-his-life-514721">King Charles III pledges to 'uphold constitutional principles'</a>

This is not the first time that a Lula supporter has lost their lives leading to the elections. An official from his party was shot and killed by a federal prison guard who proclaimed his support for Bolsonaro.

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The build-up to the upcoming Brazilian elections has been quite heated till now and it got worse as a supporter of president Jair Bolsonaro stabbed to death an opposition supporter.

The build-up to the upcoming Brazilian elections has been quite heated till now and it got worse as a supporter of president Jair Bolsonaro stabbed to death an opposition supporter. The 42-year-old Benedito Cardoso dos Santos, who supported the leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was killed in the state of Mato Grosso and the incident has flared tensions in the area once again. The police said on Friday that they have arrested 24-year-old Rafael Silva de Oliveira for stabbing Silva with a knife and he has already confessed, according to a report on Reuters. Also read | US President Biden to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral The situation in Brazil has been quite unstable in the recent past with constant clashes between the two sides. With Bolsonaro currently trailing in the polls, the authorities have also been accused of foul play and in a statement, Juanita Goebertus Estrada, the director of the Americas division of Human Rights Watch, urged both candidates to “energetically condemn” any untoward incidents. Lula, who was in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, said that there was a “climate of hatred in the electoral process which is completely abnormal”. He also requested the authorities to look more into the violence and find out if these attacks “had been ordered, or guided, or if it is a political strategy”. Also read | King Charles III pledges to 'uphold constitutional principles' This is not the first time that a Lula supporter has lost their lives leading to the elections. An official from his party was shot and killed by a federal prison guard who proclaimed his support for Bolsonaro.

Brazilian elections turn violent as Bolsonaro fan stabs Lula supporter

Bolsonaro knocks Brazil’s voting system

With Brazil’s presidential election just a month off, President Jair Bolsonaro is feeding concern about the nation’s electronic voting system. He has long insisted that the machines are prone to fraud, though he acknowledged last year that hasn’t been proved. Eric Njoka tells you more.

WION Fineprint | EXPLAINER: Bolsonaro knocks Brazil's voting system

From Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to Jair Bolsonaro: Recent attacks on prominent figures in Latin America

As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Da Silva accused his far-right rival of taking a page out of the American far-right&nbsp;politician's following Bolsonaro's attacks on the country's electronic voting system.&nbsp;

AFP reports that Bolsonaro frequently asserts, with little proof, that the system is fraudulent, generating concerns that, should he lose the election in Brazil in October, he might not accept the results.

Watch |&nbsp;Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters

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In a conversation with foreign correspondents, Lula claimed that Bolsonaro "has lied, spread fake news, and defied our institutions."

The 76-year-old, who is in the lead in the polls, continued, "He's a cheap copy of Trump."

"Trump also tried to avoid accepting the result. They tried to invade the Capitol, and in the end he had to give in," Lula said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coward-jair-bolsonaro-lands-in-controversy-tries-to-snatch-phone-off-a-heckler-watch-video-here-508247">'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here!</a>

He also underlined his confidence in Brazilian institutions, saying they will uphold the election outcome "without question."

Bolsonaro's criticism of the electronic voting machines Brazil has been using since 1996 has sparked worries. Fears have been voiced that Bolsonaro, known as "Tropical Trump," may imitate his political idol if he loses the October elections.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloves-off-in-brazil-as-lula-bolsonaro-officially-start-courting-voters-507585">Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters</a>

The incumbent in a recent interview said that he would respect the outcome "as long as the elections are clean and transparent."

However, some Brazilians worry that their nation would have its own, possibly more violent, version of the assault on the Washington, D.C., Capitol last year, when Trump supporters rioted in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from confirming their candidate's loss in the 2020 election.

(With inputs from agencies)

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As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump.

As the Presidential battle in Brazil heats up, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva the leftist candidate has taken a dig at his rival Jair Bolsonaro, calling him a "cheap copy" of former US President Donald Trump. Da Silva accused his far-right rival of taking a page out of the American far-right politician's following Bolsonaro's attacks on the country's electronic voting system. AFP reports that Bolsonaro frequently asserts, with little proof, that the system is fraudulent, generating concerns that, should he lose the election in Brazil in October, he might not accept the results. Watch | Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters In a conversation with foreign correspondents, Lula claimed that Bolsonaro "has lied, spread fake news, and defied our institutions." The 76-year-old, who is in the lead in the polls, continued, "He's a cheap copy of Trump." "Trump also tried to avoid accepting the result. They tried to invade the Capitol, and in the end he had to give in," Lula said. Also read | 'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here! He also underlined his confidence in Brazilian institutions, saying they will uphold the election outcome "without question." Bolsonaro's criticism of the electronic voting machines Brazil has been using since 1996 has sparked worries. Fears have been voiced that Bolsonaro, known as "Tropical Trump," may imitate his political idol if he loses the October elections. Also read | Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters The incumbent in a recent interview said that he would respect the outcome "as long as the elections are clean and transparent." However, some Brazilians worry that their nation would have its own, possibly more violent, version of the assault on the Washington, D.C., Capitol last year, when Trump supporters rioted in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from confirming their candidate's loss in the 2020 election. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazil elections: Da Silva calls Jair Bolsonaro a 'cheap copy' of Donald Trump

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle&nbsp;with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler'&nbsp;dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward"&nbsp;and questioned&nbsp;him.

Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader.

Watch the video here:

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Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber 
 
Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. <a href="https://t.co/tYuj3WGmt6">pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6</a>
— Fllics (@fllics) <a href="https://twitter.com/fllics/status/1560349929217953798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok".

Watch |&nbsp;Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears

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It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloves-off-in-brazil-as-lula-bolsonaro-officially-start-courting-voters-507585">Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters</a>

As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****."

The video shows Jair Bolsonaro&nbsp;grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bolsonaro-climate-change-and-fires-the-story-of-amazon-rainforests-devastation-506070">Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation</a>

Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away.

As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him.

In the middle of the Brazilian election campaign season, President Jair Bolsonaro has made a fool of himself. The leader got into a scuffle with a social media influencer on Thursday after the 'heckler' dubbed the politician a "bum" and a "coward" and questioned him. Video of the altercation outside the presidential mansion shows Bolsonaro grabbing the heckler in an apparent attempt to take his phone, as the man recorded himself criticising the far-right leader. Watch the video here: Abuso de Poder: Jair Bolsonaro tenta restringir a liberdade de expressão de YouTuber Jair Bolsonaro abusando do seu poder, tento restringir a liberdade de expressão, ao tentar pegar o celular do YouTuber que o chamou de Tchutchuca do Centrão e questionava no Palácio do Alvorada. pic.twitter.com/tYuj3WGmt6 — Fllics (@fllics) August 18, 2022 × The demonstrator as per an AFP report has been identified by news website G1 as Wilker Leao "a self-described lawyer, army corporal, politics junkie and military enthusiast with 127,000 followers on TikTok". Watch | Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears It further reports that Leao approached the president while filming with his phone and questioned why the leader had joined forces with the "Centrao," a coalition of parties, renowned for their involvement in corruption, and signed laws that limited plea bargains, which are frequently utilised in anti-corruption investigations. Also read | Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters As per a Reuters report, the president was subjected to a barrage of insults from Leao, including the terms "coward" and "Centrao's b****." The video shows Jair Bolsonaro grabbing Leao by the front of his football jersey and then grasping his left arm with both hands, saying, "Come here, I want to talk to you." Also read | Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation Soon after the president's security team stepped in and led Leao away. As per local media reports, afterwards, Bolsonaro permitted Leao to approach again, this time with a line of security between them and spoke briefly with him. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Coward' Jair Bolsonaro gets into a spat, tries to snatch phone off heckler. Watch video here!

Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades.

Bolsonaro, a nationalist-populist with a conservative Christian agenda is running against a former union leader who served as president of the nation for two terms (2003–2010) but was imprisoned for corruption before his convictions were overturned.

In Juiz de Fora, where he was stabbed during the 2018 campaign that propelled him to power on a wave of anti-Lula enthusiasm, Bolsonaro, a former army captain, addressed a throng early on Tuesday afternoon.

Watch |&nbsp;Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters

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"Our country doesn't want corruption anymore, it wants order and prosperity," he said.

Lula began his campaign with a stop at the Volkswagen car factory's gates in industrial Sao Bernardo dos Campos outside of Sao Paulo, where he became a labour leader in the 1970s and pushed for better pay despite suppression under the military dictatorship. At 76, Lula is nine years older than his rival.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bolsonaro-climate-change-and-fires-the-story-of-amazon-rainforests-devastation-506070">Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation</a>

In a video shared on social media early on Tuesday, Lula claimed that under Bolsonaro, hunger had returned to Brazil and that families unable to make ends meet on minimum wage were being affected by inflation.

He declared as he began his campaign for reelection, "We are going to have a lot of work to rebuild this country."

"I want to be president to change people's lives again, because the way it is, no one can take it anymore," he posted.

Most polls show Lula to have a double-digit lead for the October 2 election, and simulations of an anticipated second-round runoff on October 30 show Lula to have a larger lead over Bolsonaro.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-hopeful-liz-truss-criticises-uk-employees-in-a-controversial-leaked-audio-heres-what-she-said-507574" hreflang="en">PM hopeful Liz Truss criticises UK employees, in a controversial leaked audio. Here's what she said</a>

According to a survey conducted on Monday by IPEC, formerly known as IBOPE, Lula received 44 per cent of the vote to Bolsonaro's 32 per cent in the first round, significantly ahead of the other 10 contenders. In a run-off, Lula would triumph with 51 per cent of the vote over Bolsonaro's 35&nbsp;per cent, a 16-point advantage.&nbsp;Additionally, 57 per cent of Brazilians reject and 37 per cent favour Bolsonaro's leadership of the nation.

Nevertheless, Bolsonaro has reduced Lula's advantage in recent weeks by boosting welfare spending for the poor in Brazil and pressuring the government-owned oil corporation Petrobras to cut fuel prices, a major contributor to inflation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades.

Tuesday marked the official beginning of the campaigns of Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his leftist front-runner rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's most divisive elections in decades. Bolsonaro, a nationalist-populist with a conservative Christian agenda is running against a former union leader who served as president of the nation for two terms (2003–2010) but was imprisoned for corruption before his convictions were overturned. In Juiz de Fora, where he was stabbed during the 2018 campaign that propelled him to power on a wave of anti-Lula enthusiasm, Bolsonaro, a former army captain, addressed a throng early on Tuesday afternoon. Watch | Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters "Our country doesn't want corruption anymore, it wants order and prosperity," he said. Lula began his campaign with a stop at the Volkswagen car factory's gates in industrial Sao Bernardo dos Campos outside of Sao Paulo, where he became a labour leader in the 1970s and pushed for better pay despite suppression under the military dictatorship. At 76, Lula is nine years older than his rival. Also read | Bolsonaro, climate change, and fires: The story of Amazon rainforest's devastation In a video shared on social media early on Tuesday, Lula claimed that under Bolsonaro, hunger had returned to Brazil and that families unable to make ends meet on minimum wage were being affected by inflation. He declared as he began his campaign for reelection, "We are going to have a lot of work to rebuild this country." "I want to be president to change people's lives again, because the way it is, no one can take it anymore," he posted. Most polls show Lula to have a double-digit lead for the October 2 election, and simulations of an anticipated second-round runoff on October 30 show Lula to have a larger lead over Bolsonaro. Also read | PM hopeful Liz Truss criticises UK employees, in a controversial leaked audio. Here's what she said According to a survey conducted on Monday by IPEC, formerly known as IBOPE, Lula received 44 per cent of the vote to Bolsonaro's 32 per cent in the first round, significantly ahead of the other 10 contenders. In a run-off, Lula would triumph with 51 per cent of the vote over Bolsonaro's 35 per cent, a 16-point advantage. Additionally, 57 per cent of Brazilians reject and 37 per cent favour Bolsonaro's leadership of the nation. Nevertheless, Bolsonaro has reduced Lula's advantage in recent weeks by boosting welfare spending for the poor in Brazil and pressuring the government-owned oil corporation Petrobras to cut fuel prices, a major contributor to inflation. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Gloves off in Brazil as Lula, Bolsonaro officially start courting voters

Meta, more colloquially known as Facebook has found itself in stormy waters yet again. According to an investigation report by Global Witness, a London-based non-profit, Facebook has been allowing blatant misinformation-laden advertisements to be published on its platform, ahead of the crucial Brazilian elections, scheduled to take place later this year.

Meta, more colloquially known as Facebook has found itself in stormy waters yet again. According to an investigation report by Global Witness, a London-based non-profit, Facebook has been allowing blatant misinformation-laden advertisements to be published on its platform, ahead of the crucial Brazilian elections, scheduled to take place later this year. Reportedly, Global Witness conducted its investigation by submitting ten election-related ads in Brazilian-Portuguese to Facebook. Out of the 10 ads, five contained misinformation while the rest attempted to delegitimise the electoral process. It is pertinent to note that all of the ads were submitted from outside of Brazil viz. Nairobi and London. Meta's 'strict' ad policy should have raised the alarm over the location of the ad content not being the same as the election country. Russia compromised the US elections in the same manner in 2016 by submitting and publishing electoral ads from afar. Since then, Facebook has been pressured to shore up its ad- acceptance mechanism. However, none of that sort happened in this particular case. After submitting the ads, unsurprisingly enough, all 10 were given the nod and without any "paid for by" disclaimer. Global Witness stated that not only the ads were accepted, but a rather bizarre process of rejection and acceptance also transpired, which raised several eyebrows. "Initially, one of the ads we submitted was rejected under Facebook’s “Ads about social issues, elections, or politics” policy. But just six days later, without any intervention from Global Witness, the ad was approved without explanation." said the NGO. The NGO did not even follow Meta's 'ad authorisation process and yet it was not only allowed to submit ads but they were submitted by the platform itself. Global Witness did not publish the ads but the point was already made. The elections in Brazil will take place in October and Facebook has identified it as one of the 'priority countries'. However, observing the Mark Zuckerberg owned platform fluffing its lines in such a timid manner certainly casts a doubt over the legitimacy of its claims. WATCH: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro officially launches his re-election campaign × Facebook came short in Kenya as well Global Witness has been conducting a thorough investigation into Meta's claims of trying to uphold the integrity of critical elections. However, so far, Facebook has been falling short in every other test. As reported by WION, last month, a report by the NGO showed that Facebook approved hate speech advertisements that promoted ethnic violence ahead of the Kenyan Presidential elections. Read More: Meta served a seven-day ultimatum by Kenya. Could be suspended if it fails to act As a result, Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), a watchdog, served a seven-day ultimatum to the social media platform to tackle hate speech and incitement. "Facebook is in violation of the laws of our country. They have allowed themselves to be a vector of hate speech and incitement, misinformation and disinformation," Danvas Makori, NCIC commissioner was quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Facebook fluffs its lines yet again; fails to catch misinformation in ads ahead of Brazil elections

Causes and consequences of Amazon fires and deforestation

Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy amid sustained attacks from President Jair Bolsonaro on the country's voting system. The rallies took place weeks ahead of key presidential elections in October.

Brazilians took to the streets in defense of democracy over Bolsonaro election fears

In the United States, anti-tank Javelin missile sale that has been stalled for months has finally been approved. The potential $74 million sale is to Brazil. As per a Reuters report quoting sources, the sale went pending for months after what several sources claimed was due to a Democratic-led campaign. It sought to block the sale because of worries about the far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, especially his attacks on Brazil’s election system. However, as per a formal notification sent to the US Congress on Tuesday, the State Department handed the package of 222 Javelins its final approval.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia destroys US-made Himars missiles &amp; M77 Howitzers

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Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Pentagon claimed that it has alerted Congress of the potential sale of the advanced missiles.

Raytheon Technologies Corp and Lockheed Martin Corp collaborated to produce the missiles, which had gained notoriety for being used successfully by Ukrainian forces against Russian armour.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/was-fbi-raid-on-donald-trumps-residence-an-attempt-to-stop-him-from-becoming-president-again-505357">Was FBI raid on Donald Trump's residence an attempt to stop him from becoming President again?</a>

Brazil's initial proposal for the missiles was made while former President Donald Trump, a Bolsonaro ally, was in the White House.&nbsp;

Quoting people familiar with the situation, Reuters reports that the State Department approved the proposal in principle late last year despite opposition from some "lower-ranking" American officials.

However, after being sent for a private, "informal," review by the two Democratic chairs and the two Republican ranking members of the Congress' foreign relations committees, the contract was put on hold.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-signs-bill-to-help-us-semiconductor-chips-producers-compete-with-china-505282" hreflang="en">Joe Biden signs bill to help US semiconductor chip producers compete with China</a>

The DSCA responded to questioning from the congressmen about whether Brazil had a justifiable need for such weapons by asserting that it would strengthen the security of a significant regional ally of the United States and increase its capacity "to meet future threats."

In recent months, numerous other weapons purchases have been completed without issue.

The reason why the lawmakers have now consented to the Brazil deal going through is not immediately clear.&nbsp;Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not represent the conclusion of negotiations or the execution of a contract.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the United States, anti-tank Javelin missile sale that has been stalled for months has finally been approved. The potential $74 million sale is to Brazil. As per a Reuters report quoting sources, the sale went pending for months after what several sources claimed was due to a Democratic-led campaign.

In the United States, anti-tank Javelin missile sale that has been stalled for months has finally been approved. The potential $74 million sale is to Brazil. As per a Reuters report quoting sources, the sale went pending for months after what several sources claimed was due to a Democratic-led campaign. It sought to block the sale because of worries about the far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, especially his attacks on Brazil’s election system. However, as per a formal notification sent to the US Congress on Tuesday, the State Department handed the package of 222 Javelins its final approval. Watch | Russia destroys US-made Himars missiles & M77 Howitzers Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the Pentagon claimed that it has alerted Congress of the potential sale of the advanced missiles. Raytheon Technologies Corp and Lockheed Martin Corp collaborated to produce the missiles, which had gained notoriety for being used successfully by Ukrainian forces against Russian armour. Also read | Was FBI raid on Donald Trump's residence an attempt to stop him from becoming President again? Brazil's initial proposal for the missiles was made while former President Donald Trump, a Bolsonaro ally, was in the White House. Quoting people familiar with the situation, Reuters reports that the State Department approved the proposal in principle late last year despite opposition from some "lower-ranking" American officials. However, after being sent for a private, "informal," review by the two Democratic chairs and the two Republican ranking members of the Congress' foreign relations committees, the contract was put on hold. Also read | Joe Biden signs bill to help US semiconductor chip producers compete with China The DSCA responded to questioning from the congressmen about whether Brazil had a justifiable need for such weapons by asserting that it would strengthen the security of a significant regional ally of the United States and increase its capacity "to meet future threats." In recent months, numerous other weapons purchases have been completed without issue. The reason why the lawmakers have now consented to the Brazil deal going through is not immediately clear. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not represent the conclusion of negotiations or the execution of a contract. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US State Department permits long-delayed sale of advanced anti-tank missiles to Brazil

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war caused massive disruptions in the world economy, causing fuel and food crises. The war triggered a humanitarian crisis in the eastern European region as hundreds have died so far and millions have migrated to safer areas.&nbsp;

International agencies urged leaders of both countries to find a diplomatic way to solve the issues. It appears Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro might know how the war will end.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro on Thursday (July 14) said that he knows how the war between Russia and Ukraine could be "resolved". The Brazilian President said that he will pitch his suggestions to the Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. A phone meeting is scheduled to take place between them next week.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-ripudaman-singh-malik-1985-air-india-bombing-suspect-and-sikh-philanthropist-shot-dead-in-canada-497470">Who is Ripudaman Singh Malik? Acquitted suspect in 1985 Air India bombing shot dead in Canada</a>&nbsp;

During a visit to the northeastern state of Maranhao, Bolsonaro told reporters: "I'll tell him my opinion, what I think. The solution to this. I know how it could be resolved. But I won't tell anyone. The solution to this case would be like how Argentina's war with the UK ended in 1982". Bolsonaro didn't provide any other details.&nbsp;

The war, Bolsonaro mentioned, was actually a short conflict in 1982. It was fought over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.&nbsp;

The war began in April 1982 when Argentine troops landed on the British-controlled islands. The naval task force was sent by Britain to retake them. Argentina surrendered two months later.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-first-wife-ivana-trump-dies-aged-73-497468">Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump dies aged 73</a>&nbsp;

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The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war caused massive disruptions in the world economy, causing fuel and food crises. The war triggered a humanitarian crisis in the eastern European region as hundreds have died so far and millions have migrated to safer areas.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war caused massive disruptions in the world economy, causing fuel and food crises. The war triggered a humanitarian crisis in the eastern European region as hundreds have died so far and millions have migrated to safer areas. International agencies urged leaders of both countries to find a diplomatic way to solve the issues. It appears Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro might know how the war will end. Bolsonaro on Thursday (July 14) said that he knows how the war between Russia and Ukraine could be "resolved". The Brazilian President said that he will pitch his suggestions to the Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. A phone meeting is scheduled to take place between them next week. ALSO READ | Who is Ripudaman Singh Malik? Acquitted suspect in 1985 Air India bombing shot dead in Canada During a visit to the northeastern state of Maranhao, Bolsonaro told reporters: "I'll tell him my opinion, what I think. The solution to this. I know how it could be resolved. But I won't tell anyone. The solution to this case would be like how Argentina's war with the UK ended in 1982". Bolsonaro didn't provide any other details. The war, Bolsonaro mentioned, was actually a short conflict in 1982. It was fought over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic, known in Argentina as the Malvinas. The war began in April 1982 when Argentine troops landed on the British-controlled islands. The naval task force was sent by Britain to retake them. Argentina surrendered two months later. ALSO READ | Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump dies aged 73 WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro says he knows how the Russia-Ukraine war could be resolved

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro said, upcoming election is a battle of good against will. Meanwhile, Brazil elections is scheduled for 2nd October.

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro attends religious rally in an attempt to woo voters

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday (June 13) that human remains have been discovered in the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. Both of them disappeared a week ago in the Amazon after receiving threats.&nbsp;

As quoted by news agency AFP, Bolsonaro said: "The evidence leads us to believe something bad was done to them, because human innards were found floating in the river, which are now undergoing DNA testing."&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Phillips's niece Dominique Davies told AFP that "two bodies have been found" while searching. It was assumed that the bodies were of Phillips and Pereira. However, the police had denied that and stated that so far they have discovered personal items belonging to the pair.&nbsp;

A report by Guardian also mentioned that the family has been informed that bodies feared to be those of Phillips and Pereira have been found. The report mentioned that an aide to the Brazilian ambassador to the UK told Phillips's family during a phone call early on Monday.&nbsp;

As quoted by the media outlet, Paul Sherwood, Phillips’s brother-in-law said: "He said he wanted us to know that … they had found two bodies".&nbsp;

"He didn't describe the location and just said it was in the rainforest and he said they were tied to a tree and they hadn't been identified yet," Sherwood said.&nbsp;

The 57-year-old Phillips, a veteran correspondent and Pereira, who is a respected 41-year-old indigenous specialist went missing on June 5. The families have been enduring an anguished wait for news on their fate.&nbsp;

The two went missing while on a reporting trip to Brazil's Javari Valley, a remote jungle region rife with illegal fishing, logging, mining and drug trafficking.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, it is reported that the police have arrested a suspect in the case. The 41-year-old Amarildo Costa de Oliveira, nicknamed "Pelado" was arrested in alleged connection to the case. Locals have said they saw him threaten Phillips and Pereira, then pursue their boat with his own just before they disappeared.&nbsp;

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday (June 13) that human remains have been discovered in the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday (June 13) that human remains have been discovered in the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. Both of them disappeared a week ago in the Amazon after receiving threats. As quoted by news agency AFP, Bolsonaro said: "The evidence leads us to believe something bad was done to them, because human innards were found floating in the river, which are now undergoing DNA testing." Earlier in the day, Phillips's niece Dominique Davies told AFP that "two bodies have been found" while searching. It was assumed that the bodies were of Phillips and Pereira. However, the police had denied that and stated that so far they have discovered personal items belonging to the pair. A report by Guardian also mentioned that the family has been informed that bodies feared to be those of Phillips and Pereira have been found. The report mentioned that an aide to the Brazilian ambassador to the UK told Phillips's family during a phone call early on Monday. As quoted by the media outlet, Paul Sherwood, Phillips’s brother-in-law said: "He said he wanted us to know that … they had found two bodies". "He didn't describe the location and just said it was in the rainforest and he said they were tied to a tree and they hadn't been identified yet," Sherwood said. The 57-year-old Phillips, a veteran correspondent and Pereira, who is a respected 41-year-old indigenous specialist went missing on June 5. The families have been enduring an anguished wait for news on their fate. The two went missing while on a reporting trip to Brazil's Javari Valley, a remote jungle region rife with illegal fishing, logging, mining and drug trafficking. Meanwhile, it is reported that the police have arrested a suspect in the case. The 41-year-old Amarildo Costa de Oliveira, nicknamed "Pelado" was arrested in alleged connection to the case. Locals have said they saw him threaten Phillips and Pereira, then pursue their boat with his own just before they disappeared. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Bolsonaro says human remains found in search for British reporter and indigenous expert

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro said that the United States and Brazil should look for closer ties as the two countries have drifted apart for ideological reasons. The comments were made during Bolsonaro's first official meeting with the US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday. Both leaders met on the sidelines of the Americas summit in Los Angeles to reaffirm the strategic importance of the relationship between the United States and Brazil.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro said, "We have a huge interest in getting closer and closer to the US. At times, we've distanced ourselves due to issues of ideology. But I'm sure that since our arrival in the Brazilian government we've never had greater opportunities because of the affinities that our governments have."&nbsp;

After the meeting, the White House said that the partnership between the United States and Brazil is vital to international efforts to address the climate crisis, and ensure peace.&nbsp;

Biden and Bolsonaro also agreed to work together on preventing further deforestation of the Amazon and also agreed to coordinate at the United Nations Security Council over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The meeting was crucial even though Bolsonaro, who is a populist and admirer of ex-president Donald Trump, and Biden appeared to avoid eye contact while listening to each other via a translator.&nbsp;

Recently questions were raised over the merits of the meeting as Bolsonaro on Tuesday praised Trump and even called Biden's election "suspicious".&nbsp;

The meeting appeared to be a step forward in the US-Brazil relation as the leaders pledged to continue their ongoing collaboration on trade and commercial matters.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro also complained to Biden about international pressure over the Amazon. "We have a wealth in the heart of Brazil -- our Amazon, which is bigger than Western Europe, with incalculable riches, biodiversity, mineral wealth, drinking water and oxygen sources," Bolsonaro said.&nbsp;

"Sometimes we feel that our sovereignty is threatened in that area but Brazil preserves its territory well. On the environmental issue we have our difficulties but we do our best to defend our interests," he added. &nbsp;

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Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro said that the United States and Brazil should look for closer ties as the two countries have drifted apart for ideological reasons. The comments were made during Bolsonaro's first official meeting with the US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday.

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro said that the United States and Brazil should look for closer ties as the two countries have drifted apart for ideological reasons. The comments were made during Bolsonaro's first official meeting with the US counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday. Both leaders met on the sidelines of the Americas summit in Los Angeles to reaffirm the strategic importance of the relationship between the United States and Brazil. Bolsonaro said, "We have a huge interest in getting closer and closer to the US. At times, we've distanced ourselves due to issues of ideology. But I'm sure that since our arrival in the Brazilian government we've never had greater opportunities because of the affinities that our governments have." After the meeting, the White House said that the partnership between the United States and Brazil is vital to international efforts to address the climate crisis, and ensure peace. Biden and Bolsonaro also agreed to work together on preventing further deforestation of the Amazon and also agreed to coordinate at the United Nations Security Council over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The meeting was crucial even though Bolsonaro, who is a populist and admirer of ex-president Donald Trump, and Biden appeared to avoid eye contact while listening to each other via a translator. Recently questions were raised over the merits of the meeting as Bolsonaro on Tuesday praised Trump and even called Biden's election "suspicious". The meeting appeared to be a step forward in the US-Brazil relation as the leaders pledged to continue their ongoing collaboration on trade and commercial matters. Bolsonaro also complained to Biden about international pressure over the Amazon. "We have a wealth in the heart of Brazil -- our Amazon, which is bigger than Western Europe, with incalculable riches, biodiversity, mineral wealth, drinking water and oxygen sources," Bolsonaro said. "Sometimes we feel that our sovereignty is threatened in that area but Brazil preserves its territory well. On the environmental issue we have our difficulties but we do our best to defend our interests," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jair Bolsonaro and Joe Biden reaffirm 'strategic importance' of Brazil-US ties

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the front-runner in the Brazilian presidential election, has been isolated along with his newlywed wife Janja after they tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a diagnosis issued by his doctor Roberto Kalil, Lula and his wife have mild symptoms and have been quarantined.

With pollster Datafolha finding 48 per cent of voters backing him, recent polls show Lula has increased his advantage over far-right incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro.

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Sociologist Rosangela da Silva, 55, known as Janja, married Lula, a 76-year-old widower, last month.

Lula, who was wildly popular during his 2003-2010 tenure in office, can make a remarkable political comeback after getting jailed on controversial corruption charges.

Brazil, which is struggling due to a weak performance on the economy and chaotic handling of Covid-19 by Bolsonaro, is looking for a change.

The poll shows that Brazil's lingering economic woes could "play in Lula's favor", according to political analyst Creomar de Souza.

For the survey, 2,556 people were interviewed between May 25 and 26 in 181 Brazilian cities and predicted that&nbsp;Lula would prevail with 58 percent of the vote in the October election.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the front-runner in the Brazilian presidential election, has been isolated along with his newlywed wife Janja after they tested positive for COVID-19.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is the front-runner in the Brazilian presidential election, has been isolated along with his newlywed wife Janja after they tested positive for COVID-19. According to a diagnosis issued by his doctor Roberto Kalil, Lula and his wife have mild symptoms and have been quarantined. With pollster Datafolha finding 48 per cent of voters backing him, recent polls show Lula has increased his advantage over far-right incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro. Sociologist Rosangela da Silva, 55, known as Janja, married Lula, a 76-year-old widower, last month. Lula, who was wildly popular during his 2003-2010 tenure in office, can make a remarkable political comeback after getting jailed on controversial corruption charges. Brazil, which is struggling due to a weak performance on the economy and chaotic handling of Covid-19 by Bolsonaro, is looking for a change. The poll shows that Brazil's lingering economic woes could "play in Lula's favor", according to political analyst Creomar de Souza. For the survey, 2,556 people were interviewed between May 25 and 26 in 181 Brazilian cities and predicted that Lula would prevail with 58 percent of the vote in the October election. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Brazil presidential election: Front-runner Lula isolated after he tested positive for COVID-19

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has been criticized time and again for climate inaction and he has now signed a decree which aims to increase fines on illegal timber supply in order to check the rampant deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

Brazil steps up climate action: Imposes heavy penalty on illegal timber supply

Amid increasing pressure over high fuel costs, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has fired the new Petrobras president after only 40 days of his appointment.

The announcement was made by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy which issued a statement saying, "The Federal Government, as controlling shareholder of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., Petrobras, advises that it decided to make a change to the Company's presidency."

In its statement, the ministry said that Brazil is living through “challenging times” amid intense volatility of oil prices globally.

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Caio Mario Paes de Andrade will replace Jose Mauro Ferreira Coelho as the new Petrobras president according to the energy ministry.

"The nominee has all the qualifications to lead the company to overcome the challenges imposed by the current situation," it added.

Andrade, who did an MBA from Duke University, also holds a postgraduate degree in administration and management from Harvard University.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazils-bolsonaro-and-lula-stage-campaigns-for-upcoming-presidential-elections-475660">Also see |&nbsp;In Pics: Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Lula stage campaigns for upcoming presidential elections</a>

This is not the first time Bolsonaro has replaced the Petrobras president as he earlier dumped Roberto Castello Branco and Joaquim Silva e Luna when they were unable to curb a surge in fuel prices.

Warning that further price hikes would provoke a "national convulsion," Bolsonaro has urged state-run oil company Petrobras not to hike oil prices after comparing the company's profits to a "rape" of the country.

He had replaced his energy minister Bento Albuquerque, because he resisted pressure to change the pricing policy at Petrobras or create major fuel subsidies, with a high-ranking Economy Ministry official Adolfo Sachsida.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amid increasing pressure over high fuel costs, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has fired the new Petrobras president after only 40 days of his appointment. The announcement was made by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy which issued a statement saying, "The Federal Government, as controlling shareholder of Petroleo Brasileiro S.

Amid increasing pressure over high fuel costs, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has fired the new Petrobras president after only 40 days of his appointment. The announcement was made by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy which issued a statement saying, "The Federal Government, as controlling shareholder of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., Petrobras, advises that it decided to make a change to the Company's presidency." In its statement, the ministry said that Brazil is living through “challenging times” amid intense volatility of oil prices globally. Caio Mario Paes de Andrade will replace Jose Mauro Ferreira Coelho as the new Petrobras president according to the energy ministry. "The nominee has all the qualifications to lead the company to overcome the challenges imposed by the current situation," it added. Andrade, who did an MBA from Duke University, also holds a postgraduate degree in administration and management from Harvard University. Also see | In Pics: Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Lula stage campaigns for upcoming presidential elections This is not the first time Bolsonaro has replaced the Petrobras president as he earlier dumped Roberto Castello Branco and Joaquim Silva e Luna when they were unable to curb a surge in fuel prices. Warning that further price hikes would provoke a "national convulsion," Bolsonaro has urged state-run oil company Petrobras not to hike oil prices after comparing the company's profits to a "rape" of the country. He had replaced his energy minister Bento Albuquerque, because he resisted pressure to change the pricing policy at Petrobras or create major fuel subsidies, with a high-ranking Economy Ministry official Adolfo Sachsida. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Brazilian President Bolsonaro fires new Petrobras president after only 40 days of his appointment

Leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has launched his presidential bid against Brazil's far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.

Calling on Brazilians to unite behind him to defend Brazil's democracy from the authoritarian government, Lula accused his adversary of constantly trying to hide his incompetence from&nbsp;the nation.

According to Lula, "The most serious moment the country is going through forces us to overcome our differences and build an alternative path to the incompetence and authoritarianism that govern us."

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The charismatic but tarnished steelworker-turned-politician told a rally in Sao Paulo that Bolsonaro's administration is "irresponsible and criminal."

"We want to join democrats of all political positions, classes, races, and religious beliefs ... to defeat the totalitarian threat, the hatred, violence, and discrimination hanging over our country," he added.

After presiding over a golden period that lifted some 30 million Brazilians from poverty, Lula left office with approval ratings of 87 per cent.

Even the campaigning for Brazil's presidential election does begin until August, Lula can give arch-enemy Bolsonaro a tough competition in the polarising clash.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alarming-deforestation-in-brazils-amazon-hits-new-records-kicks-off-climate-concerns-477061">Also read |&nbsp;Alarming! Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon hits new records, kicks off climate concerns</a>

He had missed the 2018 presidential race after he was convicted of corruption charges under an investigation called "Operation Car Wash" that centered on state-run oil company Petrobras.

Despite calling the case a conspiracy, Lula was jailed from April 2018 to November 2019 on charges of accepting a bribe.

However, corruption charges against Lula, that sidelined him from politics, were annulled by the Supreme Court in March last year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world's unending wars. Catch our special series World at War every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION. 
&nbsp;

Leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has launched his presidential bid against Brazil's far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Calling on Brazilians to unite behind him to defend Brazil's democracy from the authoritarian government, Lula accused his adversary of constantly trying to hide his incompetence from the nation.

Leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has launched his presidential bid against Brazil's far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Calling on Brazilians to unite behind him to defend Brazil's democracy from the authoritarian government, Lula accused his adversary of constantly trying to hide his incompetence from the nation. According to Lula, "The most serious moment the country is going through forces us to overcome our differences and build an alternative path to the incompetence and authoritarianism that govern us." The charismatic but tarnished steelworker-turned-politician told a rally in Sao Paulo that Bolsonaro's administration is "irresponsible and criminal." "We want to join democrats of all political positions, classes, races, and religious beliefs ... to defeat the totalitarian threat, the hatred, violence, and discrimination hanging over our country," he added. After presiding over a golden period that lifted some 30 million Brazilians from poverty, Lula left office with approval ratings of 87 per cent. Even the campaigning for Brazil's presidential election does begin until August, Lula can give arch-enemy Bolsonaro a tough competition in the polarising clash. Also read | Alarming! Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon hits new records, kicks off climate concerns He had missed the 2018 presidential race after he was convicted of corruption charges under an investigation called "Operation Car Wash" that centered on state-run oil company Petrobras. Despite calling the case a conspiracy, Lula was jailed from April 2018 to November 2019 on charges of accepting a bribe. However, corruption charges against Lula, that sidelined him from politics, were annulled by the Supreme Court in March last year. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world's unending wars. Catch our special series World at War every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION.

Brazil presidential election: Lula launches his campaign against Bolsonaro

In Pics: Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Lula stage campaigns for upcoming presidential elections

Occupational hazard? The world leaders who faced slaps, shoes, tomatoes and more

Five months after vetoing a similar measure, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Tuesday ensuring that low-income women and girls can get free menstrual supplies.

The far-right leader signed the executive order on International Women's Day, two days before Congress was scheduled to vote to override his veto.

Bolsonaro blocked the legislation in October, arguing that there was no adequate funding available to provide menstrual supplies for the five million women and girls with low incomes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theyre-easy-as-theyre-poor-brazil-politicians-remarks-on-ukrainian-women-go-viral-460164">'They're easy as they're poor': Brazil politician's remarks on Ukrainian women go viral</a>

The new decree will be funded with 130 million reais ($26 million), according to the health ministry, but will reach a relatively small number of people -- an estimated 3.6 million.

"Menstrual poverty" is a major problem in Brazil, where women unable to afford tampons and pads often rely on scraps of cloth, diapers, or bread when their periods arrive.

A report by the United Nations Foundation program Girl Up found that one in four girls miss school each month because they do not have menstrual supplies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-deforestation-in-amazon-rainforest-hits-record-january-high-452599">Brazil: Deforestation in Amazon rainforest hits record January high</a>

Bolsonaro has a history of making anti-women, sexist remarks, including saying to a congresswoman in 2014 that she was "not worth raping" because she was "too ugly."

"When we speak of women, we must also speak of the family.... Respect above all, and the preservation of family values," he said at Tuesday's signing ceremony.

"You are beyond essential, you are indispensable for the future of this great nation. May you continue participating more and more with us in building it."

Watch |&nbsp;International Women’s Day explained in a minute

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He added that if women decided, "we would have no wars in the world."

Bolsonaro is also scheduled to speak Thursday at a private event to promote women's participation in politics.

The event has, however, received criticism due to the fact all five speakers are men, including two of the president's ministers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five months after vetoing a similar measure, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Tuesday ensuring that low-income women and girls can get free menstrual supplies.

Five months after vetoing a similar measure, Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree Tuesday ensuring that low-income women and girls can get free menstrual supplies. The far-right leader signed the executive order on International Women's Day, two days before Congress was scheduled to vote to override his veto. Bolsonaro blocked the legislation in October, arguing that there was no adequate funding available to provide menstrual supplies for the five million women and girls with low incomes. Also read | 'They're easy as they're poor': Brazil politician's remarks on Ukrainian women go viral The new decree will be funded with 130 million reais ($26 million), according to the health ministry, but will reach a relatively small number of people -- an estimated 3.6 million. "Menstrual poverty" is a major problem in Brazil, where women unable to afford tampons and pads often rely on scraps of cloth, diapers, or bread when their periods arrive. A report by the United Nations Foundation program Girl Up found that one in four girls miss school each month because they do not have menstrual supplies. Also read | Brazil: Deforestation in Amazon rainforest hits record January high Bolsonaro has a history of making anti-women, sexist remarks, including saying to a congresswoman in 2014 that she was "not worth raping" because she was "too ugly." "When we speak of women, we must also speak of the family.... Respect above all, and the preservation of family values," he said at Tuesday's signing ceremony. "You are beyond essential, you are indispensable for the future of this great nation. May you continue participating more and more with us in building it." Watch | International Women’s Day explained in a minute He added that if women decided, "we would have no wars in the world." Bolsonaro is also scheduled to speak Thursday at a private event to promote women's participation in politics. The event has, however, received criticism due to the fact all five speakers are men, including two of the president's ministers. (With inputs from agencies)

'You are beyond essential': On women's day, Brazil's sexist President backtracks from 'menstrual poverty' row

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has confirmed a trip to Moscow for next week, despite warnings from the US government of a possible imminent Russian attack on Ukraine.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro confirms Russia trip despite Ukraine conflict

Brazil recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest for the month of January, according to government data.

Nearly 360 square kilometers (140 square miles) of forest cover,&nbsp;an area more than six times the size of Manhattan, were destroyed in the Brazilian Amazon from January 1 to January 31, said Brazil's national space research institute, INPE.

Environmentalists said that translated into a high risk that 2022 would be another devastating year for the Brazilian Amazon.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-rainforest-will-vanish-by-2064-new-study-predicts-355322">Also read |&nbsp;Amazon rainforest will vanish by 2064, new study predicts</a>

Facing international pressure from the United States and Europe, Brazil last year pledged to end illegal deforestation by 2028 and signed a global pact to stop all forest destruction by 2030.

President Jair Bolsonaro has faced international outcry over the surging destruction of the Amazon, a key resource in the race to curb climate change.

The Brazilian Amazon hadn’t recorded a single year with more than 10,000 square kilometers of deforestation in over a decade before Jair Bolsonaro’s term started in 2019.

Bolsonaro took office with promises to develop the Amazon, and dismissing global outcry about its destruction. His administration has defanged environmental authorities and backed legislative measures to loosen land protections, emboldening land grabbers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-brazils-amazon-deforestation-surges-22-in-a-year-highest-in-15-years-430585">Also see |&nbsp;In pics: Brazil's Amazon deforestation surges 22% in a year, highest in 15 years</a>

“We are seeing the Amazon rainforest being destroyed by a government which made environmental destruction its public policy.” said Márcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental nonprofit groups.

“This is the real Brazil that the Bolsonaro government tries to hide with fantastical speeches and actions of greenwashing abroad,” Mauricio Voivodic, international environmental group WWF’s executive director for Brazil, said in a statement.&nbsp;

“The reality shows that the Bolsonaro government accelerated the path of Amazon destruction.”

Britaldo Soares Filho, an environmental modelling researcher at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and Ana Karine Pereira, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia, said said deforestation will only stop rising if Bolsonaro loses the presidential election in October.

"In order for us to break through this trend of high deforestation rates, I believe that a change in the political profile of the president and the conduct of the federal government is crucial," Pereira said.

High deforestation is unusual in the current rainy season, when the rainforest is harder for loggers to access. The January data showed that new clearing was still less than half of what is common during the peak months from June to September.

&nbsp;

Brazil recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest for the month of January, according to government data. Nearly 360 square kilometers (140 square miles) of forest cover, an area more than six times the size of Manhattan, were destroyed in the Brazilian Amazon from January 1 to January 31, said Brazil's national space research institute, INPE.

Brazil recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest for the month of January, according to government data. Nearly 360 square kilometers (140 square miles) of forest cover, an area more than six times the size of Manhattan, were destroyed in the Brazilian Amazon from January 1 to January 31, said Brazil's national space research institute, INPE. Environmentalists said that translated into a high risk that 2022 would be another devastating year for the Brazilian Amazon. Also read | Amazon rainforest will vanish by 2064, new study predicts Facing international pressure from the United States and Europe, Brazil last year pledged to end illegal deforestation by 2028 and signed a global pact to stop all forest destruction by 2030. President Jair Bolsonaro has faced international outcry over the surging destruction of the Amazon, a key resource in the race to curb climate change. The Brazilian Amazon hadn’t recorded a single year with more than 10,000 square kilometers of deforestation in over a decade before Jair Bolsonaro’s term started in 2019. Bolsonaro took office with promises to develop the Amazon, and dismissing global outcry about its destruction. His administration has defanged environmental authorities and backed legislative measures to loosen land protections, emboldening land grabbers. Also see | In pics: Brazil's Amazon deforestation surges 22% in a year, highest in 15 years “We are seeing the Amazon rainforest being destroyed by a government which made environmental destruction its public policy.” said Márcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental nonprofit groups. “This is the real Brazil that the Bolsonaro government tries to hide with fantastical speeches and actions of greenwashing abroad,” Mauricio Voivodic, international environmental group WWF’s executive director for Brazil, said in a statement. “The reality shows that the Bolsonaro government accelerated the path of Amazon destruction.” Britaldo Soares Filho, an environmental modelling researcher at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and Ana Karine Pereira, a political scientist at the University of Brasilia, said said deforestation will only stop rising if Bolsonaro loses the presidential election in October. "In order for us to break through this trend of high deforestation rates, I believe that a change in the political profile of the president and the conduct of the federal government is crucial," Pereira said. High deforestation is unusual in the current rainy season, when the rainforest is harder for loggers to access. The January data showed that new clearing was still less than half of what is common during the peak months from June to September.

Brazil: Deforestation in Amazon rainforest hits record January high

On Thursday, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticized the health regulator Anvisa for approving the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years against COVID-19, a day after his health minister announced plans to immunise this age group.

Repeating that his 11-year-old daughter Laura will not be getting any coronavirus vaccine, the vaccine sceptic Bolsonaro said in a radio interview that he had never heard of a child dying from COVID-19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-vaccinate-daughter-against-covid-19-says-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-440543">‘Won’t vaccinate daughter against COVID-19', says Brazilian President Bolsonaro</a>

Bolsonaro said vaccinations could cause side effects in children, but provided no evidence to support his claim. Globally, Anvisa and health regulators have concluded that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccines</a> are safe from age 5 onward.

"Are you going to vaccinate your child when the possibility of dying is almost zero? What is behind this? What are the interests of vaccine maniacs?" Bolsonaro stated.

On Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Health announced that it had purchased 20 million pediatric vaccines from Pfizer Inc. A voluntary vaccination program for children 5 to 11 years old will begin by the end of the month.

Watch |&nbsp;Omicron variant surges across Europe, France recorded 300,000 new covid-19 infections

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/omicron-variant-surges-across-europe-france-recorded-300000-new-covid-19-infections-442690/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Later that night, in a social media broadcast, Bolsonaro stressed that vaccinations were not mandatory.

"No town mayor or state governor can prevent a child from going to school for not being vaccinated," he said.

Bolsonaro cautioned that Pfizer has not assumed responsibility for the side effects the vaccine could have on children and that parents should immediately consult a doctor if their child develops chest pains or a lack of breath.

In December 2021, Anvisa approved the Pfizer vaccine for children, drawing harsh criticism from people opposed to vaccines and even from the President, who suggested children only be vaccinated with a doctor's prescription.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-threatens-disclosing-names-of-officials-who-approved-covid-jabs-for-children-437875">Bolsonaro threatens disclosing names of officials who approved Covid jabs for children</a>

However, the ministry discarded the idea as impractical. In a public hearing health experts said that requiring a written prescription would discourage vaccination at a time when the more transmissible coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading in Brazil.

In Brazil, at least 300 children aged 5 to 11 have died from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> by the start of December, according to the national council of state health secretaries.

This week, Brazil's Army also differed from the president on how to deal with COVID-19. Soldiers were instructed to get vaccinated, wear masks, maintain social distance, and not spread false information about the pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticized the health regulator Anvisa for approving the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years against COVID-19, a day after his health minister announced plans to immunise this age group.

On Thursday, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro criticized the health regulator Anvisa for approving the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years against COVID-19, a day after his health minister announced plans to immunise this age group. Repeating that his 11-year-old daughter Laura will not be getting any coronavirus vaccine, the vaccine sceptic Bolsonaro said in a radio interview that he had never heard of a child dying from COVID-19. Also read | ‘Won’t vaccinate daughter against COVID-19', says Brazilian President Bolsonaro Bolsonaro said vaccinations could cause side effects in children, but provided no evidence to support his claim. Globally, Anvisa and health regulators have concluded that COVID-19 vaccines are safe from age 5 onward. "Are you going to vaccinate your child when the possibility of dying is almost zero? What is behind this? What are the interests of vaccine maniacs?" Bolsonaro stated. On Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Health announced that it had purchased 20 million pediatric vaccines from Pfizer Inc. A voluntary vaccination program for children 5 to 11 years old will begin by the end of the month. Watch | Omicron variant surges across Europe, France recorded 300,000 new covid-19 infections Later that night, in a social media broadcast, Bolsonaro stressed that vaccinations were not mandatory. "No town mayor or state governor can prevent a child from going to school for not being vaccinated," he said. Bolsonaro cautioned that Pfizer has not assumed responsibility for the side effects the vaccine could have on children and that parents should immediately consult a doctor if their child develops chest pains or a lack of breath. In December 2021, Anvisa approved the Pfizer vaccine for children, drawing harsh criticism from people opposed to vaccines and even from the President, who suggested children only be vaccinated with a doctor's prescription. Also read | Bolsonaro threatens disclosing names of officials who approved Covid jabs for children However, the ministry discarded the idea as impractical. In a public hearing health experts said that requiring a written prescription would discourage vaccination at a time when the more transmissible coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading in Brazil. In Brazil, at least 300 children aged 5 to 11 have died from COVID-19 by the start of December, according to the national council of state health secretaries. This week, Brazil's Army also differed from the president on how to deal with COVID-19. Soldiers were instructed to get vaccinated, wear masks, maintain social distance, and not spread false information about the pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

'Vaccine sceptic' Bolsonaro criticises health regulator, dismisses vaccinating children

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Monday with abdominal pain and was being examined to see if surgery might be necessary.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro admitted to hospital with abdominal discomfort

Brazilian President Jair&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;has been&nbsp;admitted to the hospital after he experienced abdominal pain.

Bolsonaro's doctor Antonio Luiz Macedo told local news media that he might need treatment for&nbsp;a probable intestinal obstruction.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-youtube-purge-bolsonaro-video-over-false-vaccine-claim-424070/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The 66-year-old is being&nbsp;examined to see if surgery might be necessary,&nbsp;Macedo added.

The Brazilian TV network Globo showed images of&nbsp;Bolsonaro&nbsp;walking down the stairs of the presidential plane&nbsp;with his entourage after landing in Sao Paulo at about 1:30 a.m. (0430 GMT).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-discharged-from-hospital-after-successful-treatment-for-hiccups-398912">Also read |&nbsp;Brazil President, Jair Bolsonaro, discharged from hospital after successful treatment for hiccups</a>

Bolsonaro,&nbsp;who has been in power since 2019, was taken to Vila Nova Star hospital in Sao Paulo. He&nbsp;had been vacationing in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

Since a knife attack that targeted him during a 2018 election campaign, in which he was stabbed in the stomach, he has undergone abdominal surgery at least four times.

About a month before he was elected president, Bolsonaro was stabbed at a campaign rally by a man who was found to be psychologically unfit for trial.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been admitted to the hospital after he experienced abdominal pain. Bolsonaro's doctor Antonio Luiz Macedo told local news media that he might need treatment for a probable intestinal obstruction.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been admitted to the hospital after he experienced abdominal pain. Bolsonaro's doctor Antonio Luiz Macedo told local news media that he might need treatment for a probable intestinal obstruction. The 66-year-old is being examined to see if surgery might be necessary, Macedo added. The Brazilian TV network Globo showed images of Bolsonaro walking down the stairs of the presidential plane with his entourage after landing in Sao Paulo at about 1:30 a.m. (0430 GMT). Also read | Brazil President, Jair Bolsonaro, discharged from hospital after successful treatment for hiccups Bolsonaro, who has been in power since 2019, was taken to Vila Nova Star hospital in Sao Paulo. He had been vacationing in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Since a knife attack that targeted him during a 2018 election campaign, in which he was stabbed in the stomach, he has undergone abdominal surgery at least four times. About a month before he was elected president, Bolsonaro was stabbed at a campaign rally by a man who was found to be psychologically unfit for trial.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro hospitalised after experiencing abdominal pain

According to reports, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has been accused of spreading misinformation on the voting system and integrity of polls in 2018.

Report: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro spread misinformation on national voting system

The Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to disclose identities of health officials who played a part in approving Covid vaccines for children. <o:p></o:p>

Bolsonaro's threat has come after Brazil’s health regulator, Anvisa, revealed that the organisations’s five directors had recently received death threats over the fact that they had played a part in approval of vaccinations for children aged between five and eleven.<o:p></o:p>

While Anvisa approved the Covid vaccine for kids, it is not yet decided if the kids will start getting vaccinated just yet or not.&nbsp;The matter has been passed to the health ministry for further consideration.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/omicron-variant-spreads-across-the-world-with-uk-covid-19-cases-surging-to-a-record-high-437816">WATCH |</a></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/omicron-variant-spreads-across-the-world-with-uk-covid-19-cases-surging-to-a-record-high-437816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Collective vaccination reduces transmission of SARS-CoV-2 for this age group, and as a result, reduces transmission from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly," said Meiruze Freitas, director of Brazilian health regulator Anvisa, announcing the decision.<o:p></o:p>

Since Anvisa had granted approval for Pfizer shot for children on Thursday, some locals have been protesting vocally against it and have also reportedly sent death threats to officials.<o:p></o:p>

Anvisa has reported the threats to the police and prosecutors.<o:p></o:p>

However, Bolsonaro decided that the logical move was to reveal the names of all the officials who have helped in getting the approval for Pfizer vaccine for children. Bolsonaro believes that the names should be revealed so that the public "could come to its own judgements".<o:p></o:p>

Bolsonaro has suffered immense backlash for his poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Brazil. The President earlier downplayed by pandemic by claiming that the COVID-19 was not a 'big deal'. He has also, several times, broken Covid restrictions imposed by health experts and has in some ways promoted vaccine hesitancy in Brazil.<o:p></o:p>

The Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to disclose identities of health officials who played a part in approving Covid vaccines for children. Bolsonaro's threat has come after Brazil’s health regulator, Anvisa, revealed that the organisations’s five directors had recently received death threats over the fact that they had played a part in approval of vaccinations for children aged between five and eleven.

The Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to disclose identities of health officials who played a part in approving Covid vaccines for children. Bolsonaro's threat has come after Brazil’s health regulator, Anvisa, revealed that the organisations’s five directors had recently received death threats over the fact that they had played a part in approval of vaccinations for children aged between five and eleven. While Anvisa approved the Covid vaccine for kids, it is not yet decided if the kids will start getting vaccinated just yet or not. The matter has been passed to the health ministry for further consideration. WATCH | "Collective vaccination reduces transmission of SARS-CoV-2 for this age group, and as a result, reduces transmission from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly," said Meiruze Freitas, director of Brazilian health regulator Anvisa, announcing the decision. Since Anvisa had granted approval for Pfizer shot for children on Thursday, some locals have been protesting vocally against it and have also reportedly sent death threats to officials. Anvisa has reported the threats to the police and prosecutors. However, Bolsonaro decided that the logical move was to reveal the names of all the officials who have helped in getting the approval for Pfizer vaccine for children. Bolsonaro believes that the names should be revealed so that the public "could come to its own judgements". Bolsonaro has suffered immense backlash for his poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Brazil. The President earlier downplayed by pandemic by claiming that the COVID-19 was not a 'big deal'. He has also, several times, broken Covid restrictions imposed by health experts and has in some ways promoted vaccine hesitancy in Brazil.

Bolsonaro threatens disclosing names of officials who approved Covid jabs for children

To all those who would pose a challenge to Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s coming presidential election, including the press, the Supreme Court and liberals, the embattled right-wing leader has an answer: “Only God removes me.”

But Bolsonaro might be unseated by an unexpected problem that his political playbook has no easy answer for: inflation.

Prices are climbing faster than they have in almost two decades in Brazil, a country with a relatively recent history of disastrous inflationary episodes. The currency has steadily declined in value, losing roughly 10% against the dollar in the last six months alone. And the economy, Latin America’s largest, slipped back into recession in the third quarter.

That has upset people like Lucia Regina da Silva. A 65-year-old retired nursing assistant and former Bolsonaro supporter, she has watched over the last year as surging prices have eroded the purchasing power of her modest monthly pension.

“I believed this government would improve our lives,” said da Silva on a recent morning as she pushed a mostly empty shopping cart — a few vegetables and some personal products were all she could afford — through the aisles of Campeão, a cheap supermarket chain in Rio de Janeiro. “But that was flawed.”

Bolsonaro is among a generation of right-wing populists who, in the past decade and a half, have risen to power in democracies like Turkey, Brazil and Hungary, and whose reigns have coincided, at least at first, with periods of solid economic performance in those countries. They have remained in power by stoking nationalist passions and driving deep wedges into the electorate with hot-button cultural issues. Along the way, they have co-opted the news media and cowed opponents.

Now these strongmen — including Bolsonaro, Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey — are grappling with rising prices, even as they face national elections within the next two years. A new and unexpected peril, inflation is threatening to organize and animate political opposition in the countries of these three leaders in a way few would have predicted just a few months ago.

In Hungary, where consumer prices are rising at their fastest pace since 2007, polls suggest that Orban will face his toughest election ever next year, as the cost of living and low wages become top concerns for voters.

Voters in the nearby Czech Republic — which has faced rising inflation and soaring energy costs — just ousted Andrej Babis, the country’s billionaire right-wing populist prime minister, by a narrow margin.

Bolsonaro’s standing, already damaged by his administration’s management of the COVID crisis, has tumbled, with polls showing him badly trailing his likely 2022 opponent, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In anticipation, Bolsonaro has begun laying the groundwork to dispute the results of next year’s vote, which the polls suggest he would lose badly if it were held today. “I want to tell those who want to make me unelectable in Brazil, only God removes me,” he told a cheering crowd in São Paulo in September.

But da Silva has already incorporated the economic crisis into his recent campaign. “The Bolsonaro government is responsible for inflation,” he said in an interview. “Inflation is out of control.”

The situation is most dire in Turkey, where the unorthodox economic policies of Erdogan have set off a full-on currency crisis. The value of the lira has collapsed roughly 45% this year. And prices are now rising at an official rate of more than 20% annually, with some unofficial estimates even higher.

Countries with right-wing populist leaders are not the only ones reeling from inflation. In the United States, prices are rising at their fastest rate since 1982. And left-leaning populists, such as those in power in Argentina, are also contending with fierce inflationary currents, which have put them on the defensive.

The upsurge represents a sudden break from the trend of sluggish growth and tepid inflation that dominated the global economy for roughly a dozen years before the pandemic hit. That low-growth backdrop allowed powerful central banks in the United States, the European Union and Britain to keep interest rates low. And those decisions had large implications for poorer countries around the world.

That is because the low-rate policies made by central banks such as the Federal Reserve reduce the returns investors in wealthy nations can make by buying safe government bonds in their home countries, pushing them into riskier investments in emerging markets that promise higher returns.

Economists say that flow of money toward developing nations might have been an underappreciated element of the success right-wing populist leaders have enjoyed in recent years, as it provided a steadily favorable economic tail wind that coincided with their time in power.

Turkey, which suffered a sharp recession in 2009, was able to rebound relatively quickly thanks to a surge of borrowing from foreign investors that supercharged growth. Bolsonaro’s election in 2018 coincided with a fresh push to lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve, which prompted U.S. investors to buy more emerging market debt and helped prop up the real.

“Since the global financial recession, the global macroeconomic environment was a godsend to authoritarians,” said Daron Acemoglu, a professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who has studied the deterioration of democracies. “Essentially, with very low interest rates, it made many countries that had either weak democracies or semi-authoritarianism, or sometimes fully fledged authoritarianism, still attractive to foreign capital.”

But as the global economy began to heal from the pandemic this year, a combination of supply chain disruptions, central bank money-printing and government spending aimed at juicing the recovery ignited a sharp rise in prices around the world. That prompted leaders in many developing countries to tweak their policies — and global investors to rethink their investments in those markets.

Claudia Calich, head of emerging market debt at M&amp;G Investments in London, has invested in Turkish government bonds, denominated in lira, for years. But, Calich said, the increasing public pressure that Erdogan was putting on the country’s central bank to cut interest rates this year led the fund to sell its entire position.

“As soon as we started seeing the changes this year going in the wrong direction, namely for further rate reductions, then we started getting worried about the currency,” Calich said. “That has been, so far, the wrong policy response. And yeah, we’ve been very happy to have exited that position.”

There are few politically palatable options for emerging market countries dealing with an inflationary upsurge and weakening currencies. But for a number of reasons, the inflationary rise is especially tricky political terrain for populists like Orban, Erdogan and Bolsonaro, who all face elections in 2022 or 2023.

Their personalized approach to politics — and the fact that they have all been in office for years — makes it difficult for them to sidestep blame for the condition of the economy. At the same time, their brand of populism, which emphasizes nationalist rivalries and has been effective in the past, can seem out of touch to citizens whose standards of living are swiftly plummeting.

The traditional remedy for inflation would call for some combination of higher interest rates from the central bank and skimpier government spending. But both moves would probably hurt economic growth and employment, at least in the short term, potentially worsening prospects of reelection.

In Turkey, Erdogan — who has adopted an increasingly authoritarian leadership style since surviving a coup attempt in 2016 — has ruled out such a conventional response. In recent weeks, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, essentially under Erdogan’s personal control, has repeatedly cut interest rates.

Most observers think Erdogan has made a difficult situation much worse, with the prospect of more interest rate cuts and currency declines driving foreign investors to pull their money from Turkey.

At the same time, the political winds also seem to be blowing against Erdogan. The worsening economic situation has prompted scattered street protests. Opposition politicians are calling for snap elections to deal with the crisis, while hammering Erdogan for what they call his disastrous management of the economy.

Orban and Bolsonaro, both of whom once fashioned themselves as conservative budgeteers, have abandoned their previous positions. Instead, they are pushing a short-term surge of spending to provide an influx of cash to voters before next year’s elections. It is unclear that such an approach will help, however, as it is likely to make inflationary pressures worse.

Sitting on a bench at a local farmers market in Budapest, Hungary, on a recent afternoon, Marton Varjai, 68, laughed at the $250 check Orban recently sent him, part of a payout his government authorized to all pensioners, who amount to roughly 20% of the population.

Varjai earns a monthly pension of about $358, of which 85% goes to covering medicine and utilities. “The rest is what I have to live off,” he said, adding that he was concerned about his ability to make ends meet.

Such sentiments are becoming an increasing focus for Hungarian voters. A recent study by Policy Solutions, a progressive think tank in Budapest, found that Hungarians are most concerned with the cost of living and low wages.

“If these issues dominate the campaign, it’s not good for Fidesz,” said Andras Biro-Nagy, director of Policy Solutions, referring to Orban’s ruling party.

To all those who would pose a challenge to Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s coming presidential election, including the press, the Supreme Court and liberals, the embattled right-wing leader has an answer: “Only God removes me.

To all those who would pose a challenge to Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s coming presidential election, including the press, the Supreme Court and liberals, the embattled right-wing leader has an answer: “Only God removes me.” But Bolsonaro might be unseated by an unexpected problem that his political playbook has no easy answer for: inflation. Prices are climbing faster than they have in almost two decades in Brazil, a country with a relatively recent history of disastrous inflationary episodes. The currency has steadily declined in value, losing roughly 10% against the dollar in the last six months alone. And the economy, Latin America’s largest, slipped back into recession in the third quarter. That has upset people like Lucia Regina da Silva. A 65-year-old retired nursing assistant and former Bolsonaro supporter, she has watched over the last year as surging prices have eroded the purchasing power of her modest monthly pension. “I believed this government would improve our lives,” said da Silva on a recent morning as she pushed a mostly empty shopping cart — a few vegetables and some personal products were all she could afford — through the aisles of Campeão, a cheap supermarket chain in Rio de Janeiro. “But that was flawed.” Bolsonaro is among a generation of right-wing populists who, in the past decade and a half, have risen to power in democracies like Turkey, Brazil and Hungary, and whose reigns have coincided, at least at first, with periods of solid economic performance in those countries. They have remained in power by stoking nationalist passions and driving deep wedges into the electorate with hot-button cultural issues. Along the way, they have co-opted the news media and cowed opponents. Now these strongmen — including Bolsonaro, Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey — are grappling with rising prices, even as they face national elections within the next two years. A new and unexpected peril, inflation is threatening to organize and animate political opposition in the countries of these three leaders in a way few would have predicted just a few months ago. In Hungary, where consumer prices are rising at their fastest pace since 2007, polls suggest that Orban will face his toughest election ever next year, as the cost of living and low wages become top concerns for voters. Voters in the nearby Czech Republic — which has faced rising inflation and soaring energy costs — just ousted Andrej Babis, the country’s billionaire right-wing populist prime minister, by a narrow margin. Bolsonaro’s standing, already damaged by his administration’s management of the COVID crisis, has tumbled, with polls showing him badly trailing his likely 2022 opponent, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In anticipation, Bolsonaro has begun laying the groundwork to dispute the results of next year’s vote, which the polls suggest he would lose badly if it were held today. “I want to tell those who want to make me unelectable in Brazil, only God removes me,” he told a cheering crowd in São Paulo in September. But da Silva has already incorporated the economic crisis into his recent campaign. “The Bolsonaro government is responsible for inflation,” he said in an interview. “Inflation is out of control.” The situation is most dire in Turkey, where the unorthodox economic policies of Erdogan have set off a full-on currency crisis. The value of the lira has collapsed roughly 45% this year. And prices are now rising at an official rate of more than 20% annually, with some unofficial estimates even higher. Countries with right-wing populist leaders are not the only ones reeling from inflation. In the United States, prices are rising at their fastest rate since 1982. And left-leaning populists, such as those in power in Argentina, are also contending with fierce inflationary currents, which have put them on the defensive. The upsurge represents a sudden break from the trend of sluggish growth and tepid inflation that dominated the global economy for roughly a dozen years before the pandemic hit. That low-growth backdrop allowed powerful central banks in the United States, the European Union and Britain to keep interest rates low. And those decisions had large implications for poorer countries around the world. That is because the low-rate policies made by central banks such as the Federal Reserve reduce the returns investors in wealthy nations can make by buying safe government bonds in their home countries, pushing them into riskier investments in emerging markets that promise higher returns. Economists say that flow of money toward developing nations might have been an underappreciated element of the success right-wing populist leaders have enjoyed in recent years, as it provided a steadily favorable economic tail wind that coincided with their time in power. Turkey, which suffered a sharp recession in 2009, was able to rebound relatively quickly thanks to a surge of borrowing from foreign investors that supercharged growth. Bolsonaro’s election in 2018 coincided with a fresh push to lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve, which prompted U.S. investors to buy more emerging market debt and helped prop up the real. “Since the global financial recession, the global macroeconomic environment was a godsend to authoritarians,” said Daron Acemoglu, a professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who has studied the deterioration of democracies. “Essentially, with very low interest rates, it made many countries that had either weak democracies or semi-authoritarianism, or sometimes fully fledged authoritarianism, still attractive to foreign capital.” But as the global economy began to heal from the pandemic this year, a combination of supply chain disruptions, central bank money-printing and government spending aimed at juicing the recovery ignited a sharp rise in prices around the world. That prompted leaders in many developing countries to tweak their policies — and global investors to rethink their investments in those markets. Claudia Calich, head of emerging market debt at M&G Investments in London, has invested in Turkish government bonds, denominated in lira, for years. But, Calich said, the increasing public pressure that Erdogan was putting on the country’s central bank to cut interest rates this year led the fund to sell its entire position. “As soon as we started seeing the changes this year going in the wrong direction, namely for further rate reductions, then we started getting worried about the currency,” Calich said. “That has been, so far, the wrong policy response. And yeah, we’ve been very happy to have exited that position.” There are few politically palatable options for emerging market countries dealing with an inflationary upsurge and weakening currencies. But for a number of reasons, the inflationary rise is especially tricky political terrain for populists like Orban, Erdogan and Bolsonaro, who all face elections in 2022 or 2023. Their personalized approach to politics — and the fact that they have all been in office for years — makes it difficult for them to sidestep blame for the condition of the economy. At the same time, their brand of populism, which emphasizes nationalist rivalries and has been effective in the past, can seem out of touch to citizens whose standards of living are swiftly plummeting. The traditional remedy for inflation would call for some combination of higher interest rates from the central bank and skimpier government spending. But both moves would probably hurt economic growth and employment, at least in the short term, potentially worsening prospects of reelection. In Turkey, Erdogan — who has adopted an increasingly authoritarian leadership style since surviving a coup attempt in 2016 — has ruled out such a conventional response. In recent weeks, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, essentially under Erdogan’s personal control, has repeatedly cut interest rates. Most observers think Erdogan has made a difficult situation much worse, with the prospect of more interest rate cuts and currency declines driving foreign investors to pull their money from Turkey. At the same time, the political winds also seem to be blowing against Erdogan. The worsening economic situation has prompted scattered street protests. Opposition politicians are calling for snap elections to deal with the crisis, while hammering Erdogan for what they call his disastrous management of the economy. Orban and Bolsonaro, both of whom once fashioned themselves as conservative budgeteers, have abandoned their previous positions. Instead, they are pushing a short-term surge of spending to provide an influx of cash to voters before next year’s elections. It is unclear that such an approach will help, however, as it is likely to make inflationary pressures worse. Sitting on a bench at a local farmers market in Budapest, Hungary, on a recent afternoon, Marton Varjai, 68, laughed at the $250 check Orban recently sent him, part of a payout his government authorized to all pensioners, who amount to roughly 20% of the population. Varjai earns a monthly pension of about $358, of which 85% goes to covering medicine and utilities. “The rest is what I have to live off,” he said, adding that he was concerned about his ability to make ends meet. Such sentiments are becoming an increasing focus for Hungarian voters. A recent study by Policy Solutions, a progressive think tank in Budapest, found that Hungarians are most concerned with the cost of living and low wages. “If these issues dominate the campaign, it’s not good for Fidesz,” said Andras Biro-Nagy, director of Policy Solutions, referring to Orban’s ruling party.

Inflationary wave changes political terrain for right-wing populists

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