Over a thousand food deliverymen on motorcycles gathered in São Paulo on Wednesday (July 01) to protest their work conditions, set by Uber and other apps, with their services in high demand due to coronavirus lockdowns.

'At the mercy of their own luck' - Brazilian app delivery drivers protest working conditions

Two milestones served to illustrate Sao Paulo's emergence from the shadow of the coronavirus crisis on Monday (June 29): the closure of a temporary field hospital to treat COVID-19 patients and the reopening of Sao Paulo's Catholic Cathedral for public religious services.

Field hospital closes, church reopens as Sao Paulo sees light at end of coronavirus tunnel

The mother-daughter are separated by a translucent plastic curtain outfitted with holes for Dircyree's arms, which are themselves wrapped in protective equipment. But the duo do not seem to mind. The pair hugged and danced together in an emotional reunion.

Cuddle curtain reunites separated Brazilians during pandemic

Around the world ICUs around the world have often seen as a place of despair but doctors at Sao Paulo hospital in Brazil have now decided to bring hope to one patient's life and all it took was a video call.

Is hope just a video call away? Nurse connects patient to loved ones via video call | Brazil

A Sao Paulo gym instructor has taken to his rooftop to host outdoor workout sessions for neighbours amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Rooftop workouts a hit in virus-stricken Brazil

Brazil's shot put champion Darlan Romani is not letting lockdown get in the way of preparations for the Tokyo Olympics, using an unused plot of land in a residential area of Sao Paulo state to keep up his winning form.

Nothing weighs down Brazil shot putter as he improvises Olympic training in lockdown

Brazil cities gets hit by torrential rain taking death toll to 21

At least 21 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying homes, authorities said Tuesday.

Another 32 people are missing in Sao Paulo, raising fears the toll could rise further.

Violent storms in recent days have dumped a month's worth of rain on some areas in a matter of hours, devastating the southern coast of Sao Paulo state and poor neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, the country's second-most populous city.

Watch: Brazil completes Covid-19 DNA sequencing to help in developing vaccines

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-completes-covid-19-dna-sequencing-to-help-in-developing-vaccines-283912/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At least 16 people were killed early Tuesday in Sao Paulo state after floods and landslides hit the coastal cities of Santos, Sao Vicente and Guaruja, authorities said.

One of the victims was a rescue worker who was killed by a landslide.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-confirms-latin-americas-first-coronavirus-case-us-reports-57-cases-282954">Brazil confirms Latin America's first coronavirus case; US reports 57 cases</a>

"I express my solidarity with those who are suffering from these heavy rains," Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter.

Several highways were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, including some linking Santos, the biggest port in South America, to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic capital.

In Rio de Janeiro, authorities said the death toll had risen to at least five after three days of violent rain that destroyed houses, swept away cars, and left some communities covered in water or mud.

The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides or drowned, emergency officials said.

The disaster turned political in Rio when the city's Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a far-right evangelical Christian bishop, blamed residents for the flooding.

During a visit to an affected community, he complained to journalists that "people can't be throwing trash on hillsides, in storm drains and in the street."

In the middle of the press conference, someone pelted Crivella in the face with a mud ball which was captured in a video that went viral online.

"The water knocked my granddaughter and I and off the sofa. Dirty water came flooding into my kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, everything. I lost everything," Ivone Cardoso, 65, a resident of Rio's Realengo neighbourhood, told AFP as she swept mud and water out of her house.

Brazil is having an especially intense rainy season this summer.

In January, more than 50 people were killed in Minas Gerais state, which neighbours Sao Paulo, in several days of violent rain.

At least 21 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying homes, authorities said Tuesday.

At least 21 people have been killed in torrential rain that hit the Brazilian states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, triggering flash floods and destroying homes, authorities said Tuesday. Another 32 people are missing in Sao Paulo, raising fears the toll could rise further. Violent storms in recent days have dumped a month's worth of rain on some areas in a matter of hours, devastating the southern coast of Sao Paulo state and poor neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, the country's second-most populous city. Watch: Brazil completes Covid-19 DNA sequencing to help in developing vaccines At least 16 people were killed early Tuesday in Sao Paulo state after floods and landslides hit the coastal cities of Santos, Sao Vicente and Guaruja, authorities said. One of the victims was a rescue worker who was killed by a landslide. Also read: Brazil confirms Latin America's first coronavirus case; US reports 57 cases "I express my solidarity with those who are suffering from these heavy rains," Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria wrote on Twitter. Several highways were blocked by fallen trees and landslides, including some linking Santos, the biggest port in South America, to Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic capital. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities said the death toll had risen to at least five after three days of violent rain that destroyed houses, swept away cars, and left some communities covered in water or mud. The victims were electrocuted, buried in landslides or drowned, emergency officials said. The disaster turned political in Rio when the city's Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a far-right evangelical Christian bishop, blamed residents for the flooding. During a visit to an affected community, he complained to journalists that "people can't be throwing trash on hillsides, in storm drains and in the street." In the middle of the press conference, someone pelted Crivella in the face with a mud ball which was captured in a video that went viral online. "The water knocked my granddaughter and I and off the sofa. Dirty water came flooding into my kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, everything. I lost everything," Ivone Cardoso, 65, a resident of Rio's Realengo neighbourhood, told AFP as she swept mud and water out of her house. Brazil is having an especially intense rainy season this summer. In January, more than 50 people were killed in Minas Gerais state, which neighbours Sao Paulo, in several days of violent rain.

21 dead and 32 missing as torrential rain hits Brazil

The Peruvian government displayed on Thursday 21 cultural artifacts returned to embassies in Argentina, Canada, Ecuador and Brazil.

Peru officials hail return of cultural artifacts

At least&nbsp;nine&nbsp;people were&nbsp;trampled&nbsp;to death and two others were injured early Sunday in the chaotic aftermath of a&nbsp;police&nbsp;raid in a&nbsp;poor&nbsp;Sao&nbsp;Paulo&nbsp;neighbourhood, authorities there said.

Residents blamed&nbsp;the police&nbsp;for causing the panicky stampede, local media reported.

The dead included a woman, seven men and a 14-year-old boy, Lieutenant Colonel Emerson Massera, a&nbsp;police&nbsp;spokesman, told reporters.

He said a unit of 38 military&nbsp;police&nbsp;had carried out an operation in the southern favela of Paraisopolis when two men on a motorcycle fired at the troops before fleeing in the direction of a nearby street party, where they continued firing, sparking the stampede.

He said some 5,000 people had gathered for a "funk dance," a weekend street party popular in poorer districts of&nbsp;Sao&nbsp;Paulo&nbsp;and Rio de Janeiro.&nbsp;

Neighbours demand justice

But the mother of a 17-year-old girl injured in the incident told the website G1 that&nbsp;the police&nbsp;were to blame.

She said&nbsp;police&nbsp;sparked the stampede&nbsp;after&nbsp;they closed a street, lobbed pepper-gas canisters and fired rubber bullets.

"It was a policeman who attacked my daughter with a glass bottle," said the woman, who did not give her name.&nbsp;

She went on: "When I saw her, I didn't recognize her. Her face was deformed, and she lost a lot of blood."

Globo television broadcast a video showing a person being kicked by a policeman and said it had been filmed by a favela resident.

The Paraisopolis&nbsp;neighbourhood&nbsp;association denounced&nbsp;the police&nbsp;action.

"Early this morning, young people were cornered in alleyways and killed," it said in a statement on social media. "We demand justice."

Paraisopolis is one of&nbsp;Sao&nbsp;Paulo's largest favelas, with 50,000 inhabitants. Many of them live in ramshackle houses along unpaved streets lacking basic services.&nbsp;

Locals defend the funk dances as an important outlet for the young.&nbsp;

But&nbsp;police&nbsp;spokesman Emiliano da Silva Neto said the parties provide cover for crime and illicit drug use, adding, "It's out of control."

Massera said that as&nbsp;police&nbsp;chased the two shooters into the street where the party was underway, they were met with a hail of stones and responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades.&nbsp;

Da Silva Neto said all those who died had been&nbsp;trampled, and none had been shot.&nbsp;

The military&nbsp;police&nbsp;have launched an investigation.

At least nine people were trampled to death and two others were injured early Sunday in the chaotic aftermath of a police raid in a poor Sao Paulo neighbourhood, authorities there said.

At least nine people were trampled to death and two others were injured early Sunday in the chaotic aftermath of a police raid in a poor Sao Paulo neighbourhood, authorities there said. Residents blamed the police for causing the panicky stampede, local media reported. The dead included a woman, seven men and a 14-year-old boy, Lieutenant Colonel Emerson Massera, a police spokesman, told reporters. He said a unit of 38 military police had carried out an operation in the southern favela of Paraisopolis when two men on a motorcycle fired at the troops before fleeing in the direction of a nearby street party, where they continued firing, sparking the stampede. He said some 5,000 people had gathered for a "funk dance," a weekend street party popular in poorer districts of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Neighbours demand justice But the mother of a 17-year-old girl injured in the incident told the website G1 that the police were to blame. She said police sparked the stampede after they closed a street, lobbed pepper-gas canisters and fired rubber bullets. "It was a policeman who attacked my daughter with a glass bottle," said the woman, who did not give her name. She went on: "When I saw her, I didn't recognize her. Her face was deformed, and she lost a lot of blood." Globo television broadcast a video showing a person being kicked by a policeman and said it had been filmed by a favela resident. The Paraisopolis neighbourhood association denounced the police action. "Early this morning, young people were cornered in alleyways and killed," it said in a statement on social media. "We demand justice." Paraisopolis is one of Sao Paulo's largest favelas, with 50,000 inhabitants. Many of them live in ramshackle houses along unpaved streets lacking basic services. Locals defend the funk dances as an important outlet for the young. But police spokesman Emiliano da Silva Neto said the parties provide cover for crime and illicit drug use, adding, "It's out of control." Massera said that as police chased the two shooters into the street where the party was underway, they were met with a hail of stones and responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades. Da Silva Neto said all those who died had been trampled, and none had been shot. The military police have launched an investigation.

Sao Paulo: Nine killed after police enter poor neighbourhood

Amazon.com Inc said it will launch its Prime subscription service in Brazil on Tuesday as it seeks to broaden its footprint in Latin America's largest economy, where it has struggled against tough local competition.

In a bid to dislodge established local e-commerce rivals including Magazine Luiza and Mercado Livre, Amazon is offering Prime subscribers unlimited nationwide free shipping and maximum 48-hour delivery time in over 90 municipalities for goods ranging from clothes to electronics.

Subscribers will also have access to movies, music, and digital books and magazines on the Prime platform, as Amazon looks to compete with online streaming services like Netflix.

The Prime launch represents Amazon's boldest move in Brazil, where it launched in 2012 as a bookseller before adding other products to the platform.

It has struggled to make inroads against the incumbents, with analysts flagging logistical, tax issues among the challenges the US giant has had to overcome before launching more products and services.

"We went as fast as possible and as slowly as necessary," Jamil Ghani, Amazon Prime International Vice President, told Reuters.

The Brazilian Prime package will cost 9.90 reais ($2.42) a month, or 89.00 reais a year.

Amazon.com Inc said it will launch its Prime subscription service in Brazil on Tuesday as it seeks to broaden its footprint in Latin America's largest economy, where it has struggled against tough local competition.

Amazon.com Inc said it will launch its Prime subscription service in Brazil on Tuesday as it seeks to broaden its footprint in Latin America's largest economy, where it has struggled against tough local competition. In a bid to dislodge established local e-commerce rivals including Magazine Luiza and Mercado Livre, Amazon is offering Prime subscribers unlimited nationwide free shipping and maximum 48-hour delivery time in over 90 municipalities for goods ranging from clothes to electronics. Subscribers will also have access to movies, music, and digital books and magazines on the Prime platform, as Amazon looks to compete with online streaming services like Netflix. The Prime launch represents Amazon's boldest move in Brazil, where it launched in 2012 as a bookseller before adding other products to the platform. It has struggled to make inroads against the incumbents, with analysts flagging logistical, tax issues among the challenges the US giant has had to overcome before launching more products and services. "We went as fast as possible and as slowly as necessary," Jamil Ghani, Amazon Prime International Vice President, told Reuters. The Brazilian Prime package will cost 9.90 reais ($2.42) a month, or 89.00 reais a year.

Amazon launches Prime service in challenging Brazil market

Stretched above the teeming megalopolis of Sao Paulo, slackliners are defying gravity via a Highline connected across the city's abandoned buildings. Slacklining is a sport that involves walking and balancing on a suspected length of flat webbing strung between two anchors. It's normally practised just shy of a few metres off the ground in local parks, but these local enthusiasts have taken it to new heights. Slacklining groups have become popular in Sao Paulo, providing Paulistas with a bit of respite from their day-to-day jobs. Slackliner aficionados say the sport gives them peace and balance in their lives.

Brazilian slackliners defy gravity with Sao Paulo's abandoned buildings

After 17 years playing for the top clubs in Europe, Brazil captain Dani Alves has decided to return home, signing a three-year deal with Sao Paulo.

A free agent after his contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, Alves explained his decision on a Twitter video posted on the club website.

"I could have picked any team to play for but I chose to return to Brazil, to my country, my people, to the club that I love," said the 36-year-old who has been in Europe since he signed for Sevilla in 2002.

The right back went on to play for Barcelona, Juventus and PSG, collecting nine national league titles along the way -- six in Spain, one in Italy and two in France.&nbsp;

He has collected 40 trophies in all with club and country including three Champions League titles with Barcelona and two UEFA Cups with Sevilla

He has also won two Copa Americas with Brazil, most recently in July when he was named player of the tournament as he captained them to victory over Peru in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

"Once, I told Daniel that he would come to play at Sao Paulo, the club of his heart," said club president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva in a statement.

"Today I have the immense joy and pride to have kept that promise."

Sao Paulo, the former club of 1994 World Cup winner Rai, now the general manager, and legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, are currently fifth in the Brazilian championship.&nbsp;

After 17 years playing for the top clubs in Europe, Brazil captain Dani Alves has decided to return home, signing a three-year deal with Sao Paulo. A free agent after his contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, Alves explained his decision on a Twitter video posted on the club website.

After 17 years playing for the top clubs in Europe, Brazil captain Dani Alves has decided to return home, signing a three-year deal with Sao Paulo. A free agent after his contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain expired in June, Alves explained his decision on a Twitter video posted on the club website. "I could have picked any team to play for but I chose to return to Brazil, to my country, my people, to the club that I love," said the 36-year-old who has been in Europe since he signed for Sevilla in 2002. The right back went on to play for Barcelona, Juventus and PSG, collecting nine national league titles along the way -- six in Spain, one in Italy and two in France. He has collected 40 trophies in all with club and country including three Champions League titles with Barcelona and two UEFA Cups with Sevilla He has also won two Copa Americas with Brazil, most recently in July when he was named player of the tournament as he captained them to victory over Peru in the final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. "Once, I told Daniel that he would come to play at Sao Paulo, the club of his heart," said club president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva in a statement. "Today I have the immense joy and pride to have kept that promise." Sao Paulo, the former club of 1994 World Cup winner Rai, now the general manager, and legendary goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni, are currently fifth in the Brazilian championship.

Brazil's Dani Alves heads home to Sao Paulo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flags-of-inconvenience-noose-tightens-around-iranian-shipping-238568">Two Iranian ships stranded off</a> the coast of Brazil for weeks were setting sail Saturday, officials said, after a court-ordered state oil giant Petrobras to fuel up the vessels.

The bulk carriers had been stuck at Paranagua port in the southern state of Parana since early last month after Petrobras refused to provide fuel for fear of breaching US sanctions on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-is-ready-for-any-scenario-warns-of-escalating-uk-tension-237432">Iran</a>.

The ships dragged Brazil into a global standoff which has seen rising tensions and fears of a military clash involving Tehran and Washington, which imposed a raft of punitive measures on Iran and companies with ties to the Islamic republic.

US President Donald Trump has placed crippling sanctions on Iran since he pulled the United States last year out from a landmark multinational pact. The deal had lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for a freeze on its nuclear program.

The port administrator said that the ship Termeh left around noon, headed to another Brazilian port where it would be loaded with corn. The Bavand, which already has its cargo, will leave for Iran Saturday night. The journey home takes approximately 30 days, the administrator added.

A spokesperson for Eleva Quimica, the Brazilian company which contracted the vessels, said refuelling started in the early hours of Saturday, with the Termeh receiving 600 tons and Bavand 1,300 tons of fuel.

Petrobras, whose stock is listed in the US and Sao Paulo, confirmed it was refuelling the ships.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court order came after Iran's top envoy to Brazil told Bloomberg that Tehran could suspend imports from Brazil if the issue was not resolved.&nbsp;

The ships had reportedly brought urea, which is used to make fertilizer, to Brazil and was to transport corn back to Iran.&nbsp;

Petrobras had said the Iranian vessels and the Iranian company that owns those ships reportedly Sapid Shipping were sanctioned by the United States.

"If Petrobras were to supply these vessels, it would be subject to the risk of being included in the same list, which could cause serious damages to the company," it said in an earlier statement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Two Iranian ships stranded off the coast of Brazil for weeks were setting sail Saturday, officials said, after a court-ordered state oil giant Petrobras to fuel up the vessels.

Two Iranian ships stranded off the coast of Brazil for weeks were setting sail Saturday, officials said, after a court-ordered state oil giant Petrobras to fuel up the vessels. The bulk carriers had been stuck at Paranagua port in the southern state of Parana since early last month after Petrobras refused to provide fuel for fear of breaching US sanctions on Iran. The ships dragged Brazil into a global standoff which has seen rising tensions and fears of a military clash involving Tehran and Washington, which imposed a raft of punitive measures on Iran and companies with ties to the Islamic republic. US President Donald Trump has placed crippling sanctions on Iran since he pulled the United States last year out from a landmark multinational pact. The deal had lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for a freeze on its nuclear program. The port administrator said that the ship Termeh left around noon, headed to another Brazilian port where it would be loaded with corn. The Bavand, which already has its cargo, will leave for Iran Saturday night. The journey home takes approximately 30 days, the administrator added. A spokesperson for Eleva Quimica, the Brazilian company which contracted the vessels, said refuelling started in the early hours of Saturday, with the Termeh receiving 600 tons and Bavand 1,300 tons of fuel. Petrobras, whose stock is listed in the US and Sao Paulo, confirmed it was refuelling the ships. The Supreme Court order came after Iran's top envoy to Brazil told Bloomberg that Tehran could suspend imports from Brazil if the issue was not resolved. The ships had reportedly brought urea, which is used to make fertilizer, to Brazil and was to transport corn back to Iran. Petrobras had said the Iranian vessels and the Iranian company that owns those ships reportedly Sapid Shipping were sanctioned by the United States. "If Petrobras were to supply these vessels, it would be subject to the risk of being included in the same list, which could cause serious damages to the company," it said in an earlier statement.

Iran ships stranded in Brazil are set to depart: Officials

Hundreds of thousands of revellers flooded Sao Paulo's Avenida Paulista Sunday (June 3) with a festive atmosphere as they sang and danced at the 23rd annual Sao Paulo Gay Pride Parade, which organizers bill as the largest gay pride parade in the world.

Sao Paulo celebrates gay pride with massive, colourful parade

Future of shopping has arrived in Brazil, with the city of Sao Paulo seeing its first automated store opening its doors earlier this year. Watch this video to know more.

WION Wallet: Sao Paulo gets its first automated store

Former Brazilian <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-ex-president-michel-temer-freed-from-jail-judge-says-no-legal-grounds-for-detention-205628&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiYgZ_QrpDiAhVy73MBHWZKBOIQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PLmaUH4GkDWZuiv_AaAu7">President Michel Temer</a> on Thursday surrendered himself to the country`s federal police, marking the second time he will be jailed on allegations that he participated in a vast corruption scheme for decades.

Television images showed Temer leaving his home in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wallet-sao-paulo-gets-its-first-automated-store-217405&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjds_vrr5DiAhXu4nMBHXPDBhwQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2-yPFFFjF3MMNHbgOh8lCX"> Sao Paulo</a> and going into the offices of Brazil`s federal police there. On Wednesday, when the arrest warrant was issued, his attorney decried the decision and said it was an "injustice."

His lawyers had filed an appeal before his arrest that will be heard on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Temer, 78, led Brazil between 2016 and the end of 2018 following the impeachment of left-wing President Dilma Rousseff, under whom he served as vice president for six years. He was first jailed in March and held in a Rio de Janeiro facility, but was released a few days later.&nbsp;

As part of Brazil`s sprawling `Car Wash` anti-corruption probe, prosecutors allege that Temer led a "criminal organization" that took 1.8 billion reais ($455.52 million) in bribes, including kickbacks that were promised but have yet to be paid.&nbsp;

One of the schemes allegedly involved bribes that were from funds diverted from a nuclear power facility operated by a subsidiary of state-run Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA.&nbsp;While those allegations have led to the current arrest warrant, Temer has been charged six times overall in connection with different corruption investigations.&nbsp;

More than 150 politicians and businessmen have been convicted in connection with the "Car Wash" investigation, including left-wing ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been in prison since last year.

Former Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday surrendered himself to the country`s federal police, marking the second time he will be jailed on allegations that he participated in a vast corruption scheme for decades.

Former Brazilian President Michel Temer on Thursday surrendered himself to the country`s federal police, marking the second time he will be jailed on allegations that he participated in a vast corruption scheme for decades. Television images showed Temer leaving his home in Sao Paulo and going into the offices of Brazil`s federal police there. On Wednesday, when the arrest warrant was issued, his attorney decried the decision and said it was an "injustice." His lawyers had filed an appeal before his arrest that will be heard on Tuesday. Temer, 78, led Brazil between 2016 and the end of 2018 following the impeachment of left-wing President Dilma Rousseff, under whom he served as vice president for six years. He was first jailed in March and held in a Rio de Janeiro facility, but was released a few days later. As part of Brazil`s sprawling `Car Wash` anti-corruption probe, prosecutors allege that Temer led a "criminal organization" that took 1.8 billion reais ($455.52 million) in bribes, including kickbacks that were promised but have yet to be paid. One of the schemes allegedly involved bribes that were from funds diverted from a nuclear power facility operated by a subsidiary of state-run Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA. While those allegations have led to the current arrest warrant, Temer has been charged six times overall in connection with different corruption investigations. More than 150 politicians and businessmen have been convicted in connection with the "Car Wash" investigation, including left-wing ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been in prison since last year.

Former Brazil President Temer surrenders following new arrest warrant

Models wearing weapons on helmets and contrasting colourful prints strutted down the runway as Brazilian designer Ronaldo Fraga presented his collection on Friday (April 26) at Sao Paulo fashion week. Fraga was influenced by the painting "War and Peace" by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari.

Designer at Sao Paulo Fashion Week references oppression with creations

The dramatic footage was released by Military Police of Sao Paulo State and showed police officers Taroco and Thiago attempting to revive the infant who had stopped breathing after a man came into the station with the newborn.

Hero police officers resuscitate choking infant in Brazil

Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato joined Sao Paulo on Wednesday, returning to Brazil after a two-year stint with Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai, the Brazilian club said.

Pato, who has also enjoyed time at Corinthians, Chelsea and Villareal, signed a three-year contract with Sao Paulo. It will be his second spell at the club.

Pato, 29, broke into the Internacional side as a teenager in 2006 and helped them to the Club World Cup the same year when they beat Barcelona 1-0.

His pace, maturity and cool head in front of goal won him a transfer to AC Milan, where he spent five years.

However, he has failed to make a lasting mark at any of the six clubs he graced since and fallen out of favour at international level, with his last cap coming in 2013.

Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato joined Sao Paulo on Wednesday, returning to Brazil after a two-year stint with Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai, the Brazilian club said.

Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato joined Sao Paulo on Wednesday, returning to Brazil after a two-year stint with Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai, the Brazilian club said. Pato, who has also enjoyed time at Corinthians, Chelsea and Villareal, signed a three-year contract with Sao Paulo. It will be his second spell at the club. Pato, 29, broke into the Internacional side as a teenager in 2006 and helped them to the Club World Cup the same year when they beat Barcelona 1-0. His pace, maturity and cool head in front of goal won him a transfer to AC Milan, where he spent five years. However, he has failed to make a lasting mark at any of the six clubs he graced since and fallen out of favour at international level, with his last cap coming in 2013.

Brazil's Pato returns to Sao Paulo after China stint

Millions of people have already begun taking to the streets ahead of the start of Brazil's most iconic festival, Carnival, an event that promises to provide a jolt to the South American giant's struggling economy.

Brazil hopes the pre-Lenten party - which officially runs from March 1 to March 6 - will bring in some 6.8 billion reais (around $1.8 billion) in revenue, with businesses in the hotel services, transportation and food sectors being the biggest beneficiaries.

Many Brazilians are showing faith in the country's recovery from a deep 2015-2016 recession and spending money on travel, while others see an opportunity for temporary work and the chance to build up some savings.

Some 5 million people are expected to celebrate Carnival in Sao Paulo alone, while 50 per cent of that metropolis' available hotel rooms are to be filled. 
Marcos de Andrade, an economist at Sao Paulo's Mackenzie Presbyterian University, told EFE there are high expectations for that city's festival.

He noted that this year the number of Sao Paulo "blocos," street bands that mobilize massive crowds and are the heart of Carnival, are expected to exceed those in Rio de Janeiro, a city more traditionally associated with that world-renowned festival.

In addition, more money has been invested in 2019 in the Sao Paulo blocos as opposed to their Rio counterparts.

"There also has been greater investment by professionals and business leaders in the sector," the economist said, noting that expectations are that temporary hiring will be up 10 per cent from 2018.

A week before the festivities officially kick off, millions of Carnival lovers have already begun packing the streets of Sao Paulo wearing masks, disguises and accessories and taking part in one of the 208 bloco parades already underway.

Nevertheless, Andrade sees the financial boost provided by Carnival as seasonal and says it would be a stretch to talk about a consolidated economic recovery in Brazil, which has grown at a tepid pace over the past two years.

Likewise, Jose Pena - chief economist at Porto Seguro Investimentos, the asset management arm of insurance company Porto Seguro - said it is very difficult to measure Carnival's nationwide contribution, though adding that its positive impact is undeniable.

He noted that economic activity during Carnival is mainly concentrated in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Recife and in the hotel, food services and transportation industries.

"Those sectors clearly hit their peak during Carnival and attract a large number of tourists, so the (number of people travelling to those cities) jumps during that period," Pena said.

In fact, according to a study by Brazil's Tourism Ministry, five states will account for around 80 per cent of Carnival's nationwide revenues in 2019. 
Rio de Janeiro, which continues to lead the way, is projected to attract 7 million people to its streets during this year's festival, including 1.5 million tourists.

Meanwhile, the hotel occupancy rate in Brazil's most emblematic city was already 74 per cent a week before the official start of Carnival.

Estimates are that that rate will reach 98 per cent and 95 per cent, respectively, in the case of two northeastern cities: Salvador and Recife.

Despite persistent economic uncertainty in Brazil, there are signs of greater optimism for the first time in recent years.

Attorney Gabriel Morettini e Castella, who still has not decided in which city he will celebrate Carnival, said he has quite a bit more money to spend this year.

He said the law firm that employs him has seen an uptick in business that goes hand-in-hand with a better economic climate over the past four months.

"That improvement raised my income and will allow me to spend more than in previous Carnivals. This year, I'm willing to spend double the amount I did last year," Morettini e Castella said.

Millions of people have already begun taking to the streets ahead of the start of Brazil's most iconic festival, Carnival, an event that promises to provide a jolt to the South American giant's struggling economy.

Millions of people have already begun taking to the streets ahead of the start of Brazil's most iconic festival, Carnival, an event that promises to provide a jolt to the South American giant's struggling economy. Brazil hopes the pre-Lenten party - which officially runs from March 1 to March 6 - will bring in some 6.8 billion reais (around $1.8 billion) in revenue, with businesses in the hotel services, transportation and food sectors being the biggest beneficiaries. Many Brazilians are showing faith in the country's recovery from a deep 2015-2016 recession and spending money on travel, while others see an opportunity for temporary work and the chance to build up some savings. Some 5 million people are expected to celebrate Carnival in Sao Paulo alone, while 50 per cent of that metropolis' available hotel rooms are to be filled. Marcos de Andrade, an economist at Sao Paulo's Mackenzie Presbyterian University, told EFE there are high expectations for that city's festival. He noted that this year the number of Sao Paulo "blocos," street bands that mobilize massive crowds and are the heart of Carnival, are expected to exceed those in Rio de Janeiro, a city more traditionally associated with that world-renowned festival. In addition, more money has been invested in 2019 in the Sao Paulo blocos as opposed to their Rio counterparts. "There also has been greater investment by professionals and business leaders in the sector," the economist said, noting that expectations are that temporary hiring will be up 10 per cent from 2018. A week before the festivities officially kick off, millions of Carnival lovers have already begun packing the streets of Sao Paulo wearing masks, disguises and accessories and taking part in one of the 208 bloco parades already underway. Nevertheless, Andrade sees the financial boost provided by Carnival as seasonal and says it would be a stretch to talk about a consolidated economic recovery in Brazil, which has grown at a tepid pace over the past two years. Likewise, Jose Pena - chief economist at Porto Seguro Investimentos, the asset management arm of insurance company Porto Seguro - said it is very difficult to measure Carnival's nationwide contribution, though adding that its positive impact is undeniable. He noted that economic activity during Carnival is mainly concentrated in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Recife and in the hotel, food services and transportation industries. "Those sectors clearly hit their peak during Carnival and attract a large number of tourists, so the (number of people travelling to those cities) jumps during that period," Pena said. In fact, according to a study by Brazil's Tourism Ministry, five states will account for around 80 per cent of Carnival's nationwide revenues in 2019. Rio de Janeiro, which continues to lead the way, is projected to attract 7 million people to its streets during this year's festival, including 1.5 million tourists. Meanwhile, the hotel occupancy rate in Brazil's most emblematic city was already 74 per cent a week before the official start of Carnival. Estimates are that that rate will reach 98 per cent and 95 per cent, respectively, in the case of two northeastern cities: Salvador and Recife. Despite persistent economic uncertainty in Brazil, there are signs of greater optimism for the first time in recent years. Attorney Gabriel Morettini e Castella, who still has not decided in which city he will celebrate Carnival, said he has quite a bit more money to spend this year. He said the law firm that employs him has seen an uptick in business that goes hand-in-hand with a better economic climate over the past four months. "That improvement raised my income and will allow me to spend more than in previous Carnivals. This year, I'm willing to spend double the amount I did last year," Morettini e Castella said.

Brazilians hope world-famous carnival will give economy a boost

With millions of participants, Brazil is set to display largest carnival in the world

Rightist Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged here Wednesday from one of Latin America's premier hospitals after being hospitalized for 17 days following a colostomy reversal and receiving a level of treatment that is inaccessible to most of his countrymen.

The 63-year-old Bolsonaro had been recovering at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital from an operation to remove a colostomy bag, which was inserted after he was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-presidential-candidate-stabbed-undergoes-surgery-to-repair-liver-164170">stabbed in the abdomen in September </a>during a campaign rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.

Bolsonaro has undergone three successful surgeries since the near-fatal attack, including the January 27 colostomy reversal, but his latest hospital stay had to be lengthened because he was diagnosed last week with pneumonia and needed an increased dose of antibiotics.

On Wednesday, he said on Twitter while travelling by plane from Sao Paulo to Brasilia that the risk of death from September 6, 2018, stabbing can finally be definitively ruled out.

"I can only thank God and everyone that I'll finally be able to get back to work as normal," Bolsonaro added.

Shortly after the attack, which occurred just weeks before he was elected, the then-candidate underwent a surgical procedure (colostomy) in which one end of the colon (large intestine) is diverted through an incision in the abdominal wall.

This creates a stoma (opening in the skin) where a pouch for collecting faeces is attached.

In Bolsonaro's case, that procedure was necessary for the wake of the stabbing to avoid complications in the region where the initial emergency surgery was performed.

The colostomy reversal is a procedure that reverses the colostomy process and re-establishes the flow of waste through the gastrointestinal tract.

In comments last weekend on social media from his specially prepared hospital room at one of the region's most exclusive medical centres, Bolsonaro was the first to acknowledge his privileged situation.

"We know that few people could have treatment like this, but we're fully aware that our SUS (Brazil's publicly funded health-care system) can improve a great deal. We'll do everything possible to make that a reality," Bolsonaro said Sunday in a video uploaded to his Twitter account.

According to the medical institution, the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital was born out of a "meeting of friends" in 1955 in which Dr Manoel Tabacow Hidal proposed that a hospital is founded as a gesture of thanks to Brazilians for welcoming Jewish immigrants after World War II.

Located in the upscale Morumbi neighbourhood on Sao Paulo's west side, the list of former patients also includes soccer legend Pepe and other prominent Brazilians.

Its main competitor is Sao Paulo-based Hospital Sirio-Libanes, a private facility known as the "hospital of the powerful" where three ex-presidents, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff and Michel Temer, have received treatment.

The reality for these individuals is very different from that of many Brazilians forced to rely on an overcrowded and deficient public-health system. For those with only basic coverage, the wait for a colostomy reversal, for example, can be more than a year.

That has been the experience of 64-year-old Isaque Ferreira da Silva, who has been forced to wear a colostomy bag for 14 months.

He underwent emergency surgery at a public hospital in Sao Paulo in December 2017 after doctors detected a bowel perforation. A colostomy was performed and he still has the colostomy bag attached to his body.

"I have to do a test first and until I do that test I can't have the surgery" to reverse the colostomy, Ferreira da Silva, who still is able to work part-time as an electrician or a plumber, told EFE.

His problem - one that reflects the precarious state of Brazil's public health system - is that the machine needed for his pre-surgery colonoscopy was broken nearly all of last year.

"In a private hospital, those exams cost 870 reais (roughly $230). I don't have that kind of money, not to do that test," said Ferreira da Silva, who has not worked full-time for a year because the risk of possible damage to the colostomy bag prevents him from lifting anything heavy.

Sources with Brazil's public-health system confirmed to EFE that there can be a significant wait for a colostomy reversal because more urgent cases take priority.

It is recommended that surgery for the removal of the colostomy bag, which must be emptied daily and changed once a week on average, be performed three months after the colostomy if the patient is in optimal condition to undergo the procedure.

More than 30 years after SUS was created in 1988, the challenge of efficiently financing Brazil's public-health system - which 80 per cent of Brazil's 200 million people rely on exclusively for medical care - remains unmet.

Among the effects of a drop in spending in that sector, the number of hospital beds nationwide has declined by 34,000 over the past eight years, according to the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), the agency tasked with professional regulation and medical licensing in Brazil.

As Ferreira da Silva sees it, all that's left for the poor is the worst of the worst. 
&nbsp;

Rightist Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged here Wednesday from one of Latin America's premier hospitals after being hospitalized for 17 days following a colostomy reversal and receiving a level of treatment that is inaccessible to most of his countrymen.

Rightist Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged here Wednesday from one of Latin America's premier hospitals after being hospitalized for 17 days following a colostomy reversal and receiving a level of treatment that is inaccessible to most of his countrymen. The 63-year-old Bolsonaro had been recovering at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital from an operation to remove a colostomy bag, which was inserted after he was stabbed in the abdomen in September during a campaign rally in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. Bolsonaro has undergone three successful surgeries since the near-fatal attack, including the January 27 colostomy reversal, but his latest hospital stay had to be lengthened because he was diagnosed last week with pneumonia and needed an increased dose of antibiotics. On Wednesday, he said on Twitter while travelling by plane from Sao Paulo to Brasilia that the risk of death from September 6, 2018, stabbing can finally be definitively ruled out. "I can only thank God and everyone that I'll finally be able to get back to work as normal," Bolsonaro added. Shortly after the attack, which occurred just weeks before he was elected, the then-candidate underwent a surgical procedure (colostomy) in which one end of the colon (large intestine) is diverted through an incision in the abdominal wall. This creates a stoma (opening in the skin) where a pouch for collecting faeces is attached. In Bolsonaro's case, that procedure was necessary for the wake of the stabbing to avoid complications in the region where the initial emergency surgery was performed. The colostomy reversal is a procedure that reverses the colostomy process and re-establishes the flow of waste through the gastrointestinal tract. In comments last weekend on social media from his specially prepared hospital room at one of the region's most exclusive medical centres, Bolsonaro was the first to acknowledge his privileged situation. "We know that few people could have treatment like this, but we're fully aware that our SUS (Brazil's publicly funded health-care system) can improve a great deal. We'll do everything possible to make that a reality," Bolsonaro said Sunday in a video uploaded to his Twitter account. According to the medical institution, the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital was born out of a "meeting of friends" in 1955 in which Dr Manoel Tabacow Hidal proposed that a hospital is founded as a gesture of thanks to Brazilians for welcoming Jewish immigrants after World War II. Located in the upscale Morumbi neighbourhood on Sao Paulo's west side, the list of former patients also includes soccer legend Pepe and other prominent Brazilians. Its main competitor is Sao Paulo-based Hospital Sirio-Libanes, a private facility known as the "hospital of the powerful" where three ex-presidents, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff and Michel Temer, have received treatment. The reality for these individuals is very different from that of many Brazilians forced to rely on an overcrowded and deficient public-health system. For those with only basic coverage, the wait for a colostomy reversal, for example, can be more than a year. That has been the experience of 64-year-old Isaque Ferreira da Silva, who has been forced to wear a colostomy bag for 14 months. He underwent emergency surgery at a public hospital in Sao Paulo in December 2017 after doctors detected a bowel perforation. A colostomy was performed and he still has the colostomy bag attached to his body. "I have to do a test first and until I do that test I can't have the surgery" to reverse the colostomy, Ferreira da Silva, who still is able to work part-time as an electrician or a plumber, told EFE. His problem - one that reflects the precarious state of Brazil's public health system - is that the machine needed for his pre-surgery colonoscopy was broken nearly all of last year. "In a private hospital, those exams cost 870 reais (roughly $230). I don't have that kind of money, not to do that test," said Ferreira da Silva, who has not worked full-time for a year because the risk of possible damage to the colostomy bag prevents him from lifting anything heavy. Sources with Brazil's public-health system confirmed to EFE that there can be a significant wait for a colostomy reversal because more urgent cases take priority. It is recommended that surgery for the removal of the colostomy bag, which must be emptied daily and changed once a week on average, be performed three months after the colostomy if the patient is in optimal condition to undergo the procedure. More than 30 years after SUS was created in 1988, the challenge of efficiently financing Brazil's public-health system - which 80 per cent of Brazil's 200 million people rely on exclusively for medical care - remains unmet. Among the effects of a drop in spending in that sector, the number of hospital beds nationwide has declined by 34,000 over the past eight years, according to the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), the agency tasked with professional regulation and medical licensing in Brazil. As Ferreira da Silva sees it, all that's left for the poor is the worst of the worst.

President Jair Bolsonaro's elite level of medical care inaccessible to most Brazilians

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said.

In a statement on Twitter, Vale said it was cooperating with investigators, who are probing a mining disaster that is likely to leave a death toll of more than 300 people. The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-despair-turns-to-anger-as-toll-from-vale-dam-disaster-hits-60-193517"> tragedy has enraged many in Brazil</a> and raised fresh questions about Vale's commitment to safety after a similar disaster at mine it joint-owned just over three years ago.

Two of Vale's senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine - where a tailings dam burst last Friday, drowning the nearby town of Brumadinho in mining waste - were among those arrested, according to the local judge's decision, seen by Reuters. The job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear.

Two other engineers were arrested in Sao Paulo, state prosecutors there said.

Minas Gerais investigators issued a total of five arrest warrants and seven search warrants, on suspicion of murder, falsification of documents and environmental crimes, the judge's decision showed.

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said.

Three employees of Brazilian miner Vale SA and two other engineers working on behalf of the company were arrested on Tuesday, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo state prosecutors said. In a statement on Twitter, Vale said it was cooperating with investigators, who are probing a mining disaster that is likely to leave a death toll of more than 300 people. The tragedy has enraged many in Brazil and raised fresh questions about Vale's commitment to safety after a similar disaster at mine it joint-owned just over three years ago. Two of Vale's senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine - where a tailings dam burst last Friday, drowning the nearby town of Brumadinho in mining waste - were among those arrested, according to the local judge's decision, seen by Reuters. The job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear. Two other engineers were arrested in Sao Paulo, state prosecutors there said. Minas Gerais investigators issued a total of five arrest warrants and seven search warrants, on suspicion of murder, falsification of documents and environmental crimes, the judge's decision showed.

Five arrested, including three Vale staff after Brazil dam disaster

A twenty four-storeyed tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil collapsed after a massive fire tore through it.

Video clips of the horrific incident, shot by local onlookers, are now doing the rounds on the internet.&nbsp;

A video of the incident shared by a Twitter user shows the building blazing in the fire.

The footage shows the lower storeys of the building engulfed in fire that also covered the structure on all sides shortly after, the building comes crashing down.&nbsp;

No information on the number of casualties is available so far. However, the video shows some residents trapped inside, crying for help.&nbsp;

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Um prédio do Largo do Paissandu desabando agora a pouco <a href="https://t.co/wntceeK6w6">pic.twitter.com/wntceeK6w6</a>
— Richard Paiva (@orichardpaiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/orichardpaiva/status/991198886688632833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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More details are awaited.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

No information on the number of casualties is available so far

A twenty four-storeyed tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil collapsed after a massive fire tore through it. Video clips of the horrific incident, shot by local onlookers, are now doing the rounds on the internet. A video of the incident shared by a Twitter user shows the building blazing in the fire. The footage shows the lower storeys of the building engulfed in fire that also covered the structure on all sides shortly after, the building comes crashing down. No information on the number of casualties is available so far. However, the video shows some residents trapped inside, crying for help. Um prédio do Largo do Paissandu desabando agora a pouco pic.twitter.com/wntceeK6w6 — Richard Paiva (@orichardpaiva) May 1, 2018 × More details are awaited.

Watch: 24-storeyed building catches fire in Brazil, crumbles

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived at Curitiba prison to start his 12-year sentence&nbsp;on charges of corruption after a standoff with police.

The leftist icon is a frontrunner in polls ahead of October's presidential election despite the corruption scandal.

Lula surrendered on late Saturday after a long standoff with the authorities in Sao Bernardo do Campo, near Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Surrounded by thousands of supporters at the metalworkers' union building in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Lula had ignored court orders to turn himself in by Friday.&nbsp;

But&nbsp;on Saturday, he decided surrender he was blocked by his own supporters causing chaos on streets as the supporters raised slogans like "don't surrender, stay here Lula!'.

The jail in which he will be kept reportedly has special conditions made available for him by authorities.&nbsp;

Though mostly jails in Brazil are overcrowded and violent, Lula's jail includes facilities like hot private shower and toilet.

After his arrest, fireworks and cheering broke out in parts of Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and other cities among those who long considered Lula responsible for the tide of graft sweeping over Brazilian politics.

Supporters cried openly at the exit of a man they remember for removing tens of millions of people from poverty and for connected with voters in a way few, if any, other modern Brazilian politicians have managed.

An outsized figure in recent Brazilian history and revered around the world among leftists, Lula managed to cross political divides while the president and oversaw a booming economy.

With him almost certainly knocked out of the presidential election, the race is likely to be thrown wide open. In polls, Lula currently scores more than double his nearest rivals.

Brazil's president for two terms from 2003-2010, Lula was found guilty of taking a luxury apartment as bribe from a construction company.

He said that Brazil's top anti-corruption judge, Sergio Moro, "lied" about him being given the apartment by a big construction firm as a kickback.

"I am the only human being to be put on trial for an apartment that does not belong to me," he said.

Lula accused the judiciary and Brazil's most powerful media conglomerate of assisting a right-wing coup with the ultimate aim of preventing him from competing in the race.

"They don't want me to take part," he said. "Their obsession is to get a photo of Lula as a prisoner."

But, crucially, Lula said he would drop his dramatic show of resistance and comply with the arrest warrant.

After the speech, Lula was lifted onto the shoulders of supporters who chanted, "I am Lula."&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

The leftist icon Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a frontrunner in polls ahead of October's presidential election despite the corruption scandal that led to the jail term

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived at Curitiba prison to start his 12-year sentence on charges of corruption after a standoff with police. The leftist icon is a frontrunner in polls ahead of October's presidential election despite the corruption scandal. Lula surrendered on late Saturday after a long standoff with the authorities in Sao Bernardo do Campo, near Sao Paulo, Brazil. Surrounded by thousands of supporters at the metalworkers' union building in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Lula had ignored court orders to turn himself in by Friday. But on Saturday, he decided surrender he was blocked by his own supporters causing chaos on streets as the supporters raised slogans like "don't surrender, stay here Lula!'. The jail in which he will be kept reportedly has special conditions made available for him by authorities. Though mostly jails in Brazil are overcrowded and violent, Lula's jail includes facilities like hot private shower and toilet. After his arrest, fireworks and cheering broke out in parts of Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and other cities among those who long considered Lula responsible for the tide of graft sweeping over Brazilian politics. Supporters cried openly at the exit of a man they remember for removing tens of millions of people from poverty and for connected with voters in a way few, if any, other modern Brazilian politicians have managed. An outsized figure in recent Brazilian history and revered around the world among leftists, Lula managed to cross political divides while the president and oversaw a booming economy. With him almost certainly knocked out of the presidential election, the race is likely to be thrown wide open. In polls, Lula currently scores more than double his nearest rivals. Brazil's president for two terms from 2003-2010, Lula was found guilty of taking a luxury apartment as bribe from a construction company. He said that Brazil's top anti-corruption judge, Sergio Moro, "lied" about him being given the apartment by a big construction firm as a kickback. "I am the only human being to be put on trial for an apartment that does not belong to me," he said. Lula accused the judiciary and Brazil's most powerful media conglomerate of assisting a right-wing coup with the ultimate aim of preventing him from competing in the race. "They don't want me to take part," he said. "Their obsession is to get a photo of Lula as a prisoner." But, crucially, Lula said he would drop his dramatic show of resistance and comply with the arrest warrant. After the speech, Lula was lifted onto the shoulders of supporters who chanted, "I am Lula." (With inputs from AFP)

Brazil's Lula reaches prison to serve 12-year sentence

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defied a judge's order to turn himself into police on Friday and start serving a 12-year prison sentence for bribery that would likely end his hopes of regaining the presidency.

Lula remained holed up inside the headquarters of a steelworkers union in metropolitan Sao Paulo, surrounded by hundreds of fervent supporters, creating a standoff expected to stretch into the weekend.

Talks between Lula's aides and federal police to arrange his surrender were ongoing on Friday evening, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the sources, who requested anonymity, said he would not be taken into custody before Saturday.

Workers Party leader Gleisi Hoffmann said Lula would take part in a Saturday morning mass at the union headquarters to commemorate the birthday of his late wife Marisa. Hoffmann denied reports that he was negotiating his surrender.

Federal police in Sao Paulo declined to say if they would attempt to forcibly take the former president into custody, a move that could trigger intense clashes with his supporters.

Lula's legal team filed a late Friday petition with the Supreme Court to quash the prison order, after losing a last-minute plea to an appeals court. The lawyers argued they had not exhausted procedural appeals and painted the case as an effort to remove Lula from the presidential race he is leading.

Hundreds of supporters, including workers, students, and land rights activists, filled the street outside the union headquarters, cheering defiant speeches calling the case a political witch hunt. A banner hung from the building showed Lula's smiling face on an electronic voting machine.

"We are here to show that the workers will resist this attack against democracy," said union leader Jorge Nazareno.

Lula himself had not addressed the crowd nearly 24 hours after arriving at the building but briefly appeared at a window to wave.

The same steelworkers union in Sao Paulo's industrial suburbs where 72-year-old Lula sought refuge served as the launch pad for his political career nearly four decades ago, when he led nationwide strikes that helped to end Brazil's 1964-85 military government.

Lula's everyman style and unvarnished speeches electrified masses long governed by the elite and eventually won him two terms as president, from 2003 to 2011, when he oversaw robust economic growth and falling inequality amid a commodities boom.

He left office with the sky-high approval of 83 percent and was called "the most popular politician on Earth" by former US&nbspPresident Barack Obama.

Lula's downfall has been as stunning as the unprecedented corruption probes that have convulsed Brazil for the last four years, jailing dozens of politicians and business leaders long considered above the law.

The fall

Federal Judge Sergio Moro, who has handled the bulk of cases in Brazil's biggest-ever graft investigation and issued Lula's prison order, wrote that he should not be handcuffed and would have a special cell in Curitiba, where he stood trial.

Lula was convicted last year for taking bribes from an engineering firm in return for help landing contracts with state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Lula's plea to remain free until he exhausts all his appeals, clearing the way for his imprisonment.

The ruling likely ends his political career and blows October's election wide open, leaving Brazil's left without an obvious candidate to regain power following the unpopular current president, Michel Temer.

Under Brazilian electoral law, a candidate is forbidden from running for office for eight years after being found guilty of a crime. Rare exceptions have been made in the past, and the final decision would be made by the top electoral court if and when Lula officially files to be a candidate.

With Lula out the race, the chances would increase of a market-friendly candidate winning the election, according to analysts and political foes.

But Cassio Goncalves, a labour safety specialist at the union headquarters, said he and fellow members of the Workers Party had not considered alternatives in the presidential race.

"We have no other plan," he said. "Plan A, B, and C is Lula, because he is innocent. He will be our president."

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defied a judge's order to turn himself into police on Friday and start serving a 12-year prison sentence for bribery that would likely end his hopes of regaining the presidency

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defied a judge's order to turn himself into police on Friday and start serving a 12-year prison sentence for bribery that would likely end his hopes of regaining the presidency. Lula remained holed up inside the headquarters of a steelworkers union in metropolitan Sao Paulo, surrounded by hundreds of fervent supporters, creating a standoff expected to stretch into the weekend. Talks between Lula's aides and federal police to arrange his surrender were ongoing on Friday evening, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the sources, who requested anonymity, said he would not be taken into custody before Saturday. Workers Party leader Gleisi Hoffmann said Lula would take part in a Saturday morning mass at the union headquarters to commemorate the birthday of his late wife Marisa. Hoffmann denied reports that he was negotiating his surrender. Federal police in Sao Paulo declined to say if they would attempt to forcibly take the former president into custody, a move that could trigger intense clashes with his supporters. Lula's legal team filed a late Friday petition with the Supreme Court to quash the prison order, after losing a last-minute plea to an appeals court. The lawyers argued they had not exhausted procedural appeals and painted the case as an effort to remove Lula from the presidential race he is leading. Hundreds of supporters, including workers, students, and land rights activists, filled the street outside the union headquarters, cheering defiant speeches calling the case a political witch hunt. A banner hung from the building showed Lula's smiling face on an electronic voting machine. "We are here to show that the workers will resist this attack against democracy," said union leader Jorge Nazareno. Lula himself had not addressed the crowd nearly 24 hours after arriving at the building but briefly appeared at a window to wave. The same steelworkers union in Sao Paulo's industrial suburbs where 72-year-old Lula sought refuge served as the launch pad for his political career nearly four decades ago, when he led nationwide strikes that helped to end Brazil's 1964-85 military government. Lula's everyman style and unvarnished speeches electrified masses long governed by the elite and eventually won him two terms as president, from 2003 to 2011, when he oversaw robust economic growth and falling inequality amid a commodities boom. He left office with the sky-high approval of 83 percent and was called "the most popular politician on Earth" by former US&nbspPresident Barack Obama. Lula's downfall has been as stunning as the unprecedented corruption probes that have convulsed Brazil for the last four years, jailing dozens of politicians and business leaders long considered above the law. The fall Federal Judge Sergio Moro, who has handled the bulk of cases in Brazil's biggest-ever graft investigation and issued Lula's prison order, wrote that he should not be handcuffed and would have a special cell in Curitiba, where he stood trial. Lula was convicted last year for taking bribes from an engineering firm in return for help landing contracts with state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA. Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Lula's plea to remain free until he exhausts all his appeals, clearing the way for his imprisonment. The ruling likely ends his political career and blows October's election wide open, leaving Brazil's left without an obvious candidate to regain power following the unpopular current president, Michel Temer. Under Brazilian electoral law, a candidate is forbidden from running for office for eight years after being found guilty of a crime. Rare exceptions have been made in the past, and the final decision would be made by the top electoral court if and when Lula officially files to be a candidate. With Lula out the race, the chances would increase of a market-friendly candidate winning the election, according to analysts and political foes. But Cassio Goncalves, a labour safety specialist at the union headquarters, said he and fellow members of the Workers Party had not considered alternatives in the presidential race. "We have no other plan," he said. "Plan A, B, and C is Lula, because he is innocent. He will be our president."

Brazil's Lula defies prison order, creating standoff

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