At least 14 people were killed in a shootout at a nightclub in Fortaleza, in northeastern Brazil, officials said on Saturday. We can confirm 14 deaths, Andre Costa, security secretary for the state of Ceara - of which Fortaleza is the capital - told a press conference.
Brazil launched a mass immunization campaign that will deliver fractional doses of yellow fever vaccine to residents of 69 municipalities in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The strategic plan for the campaign was developed with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It will be the world’s largest vaccination campaign, to date, using fractional doses of yellow fever vaccine.
Brazil’s Congress will finalize as soon as February legislation opening the way for deregulation of flights to and from the United States, Minister of Tourism Marx Beltrao said. He also expects legislators to approve a plan to allow foreign carriers a bigger chunk of Brazilian airlines. Both measures are part of a government drive to push down fares and boost tourism, which accounts for an estimated 3.7% of GDP.
Brazilian ex-head of state Lula da Silva agreed on Thursday to represent the opposition Workers’ Party (PT) in this year’s presidential election, although a corruption conviction makes it unclear whether he will be able to run.
A Brazilian court on Thursday approved the seizure of former President Lula da Silva’s passport, the justice ministry said, after an appeals court upheld the corruption conviction of the left-wing hero.
Brazilian assets soared, with the Bovespa surging above 83,000 for the first time ever, and the currency Real surging through 3.20 after three judges in a local appeals court upheld a conviction for corruption imposed last July on ex-President Lula da Silva.
Brazil's General Prosecutor of the Republic Raquel Dodge, is currently in London for a three-day visit sponsored by the UK government with the purpose of deepening and strengthening the leadership of both countries in the struggle against slavery.
Ms Dodge is accompanied in her mission by UK ambassador in Brazil, Vijav Rangarajan.
The International Trade Unions Congress, ITUC, has issued a global call for solidarity with former Brazilian president Lula da Silva. On 24 January, a regional appeals court will decide on politically motivated and false charges against Lula. The judgment is largely seen as an attempt to stop him from standing for election again as well as to destroy his reputation.
Brazilian politicians, voters and investors will find out this Wednesday whether an appeals court will allow the country’s popular leader, Lula da Silva, to run for president this year after being found guilty of accepting a bribe.
Brazil will head to the polls on October 7 in what is set to be the most polarizing presidential race in living memory. While the final ballot is beginning to take shape, there is still a question mark over the candidacy of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party), who may be ineligible to run after his impending appeals court decision on charges of corruption. The imbroglio surrounding Lula guarantees that however the 2018 election turns out, both sides will feel they have reason to call foul play.