Brazil

Brazil: Why Lightning (Almost) Always Spares Christ the Redeemer

Standing 38 meters tall, arms outstretched atop Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer watches over Rio de Janeiro. But this stone guardian, national symbol of Brazil, is also a prime target for lightning strikes. At nearly 710 meters above sea level and perched in isolation, the statue is struck an average of four to six times per year. During ...

Brazil Judge Puts Ex-President Bolsonaro Under House Arrest

A Brazilian judge on Monday placed former president Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest for breaking a social media ban, escalating a dramatic standoff between the court and the politician, who is accused of plotting a coup. Bolsonaro is on trial at the Supreme Court for allegedly plotting to cling onto power after losing 2022 elections to ...

Bolsonaro Backers Rally to Praise Trump for Brazil Pressure

Thousands of fervent supporters of Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets Sunday, showing support for US President Donald Trump's pressure campaign against the trial of his right-wing ally. Bolsonaro is currently being tried in the capital Brasilia for plotting a coup after failing to win reelection in 2022 against leftist Luiz ...

Brazil, Trump up the Ante in Row Over Bolsonaro Coup Trial

Brazil and the United States escalated their row Wednesday over President Donald Trump's support for coup-accused ex-leader Jair Bolsonaro, with the American president slapping a 50 percent tariff on one of its main steel suppliers. Leftist Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva threatened to reciprocate. Trump has strongly ...

China Says BRICS Not Seeking 'Confrontation' After Trump Tariff Threat

China said on Monday that BRICS, the grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia and India, was not seeking "confrontation" after US President Donald Trump vowed to impose an extra 10 percent tariff on countries aligning with the bloc. "Regarding the imposition of tariffs, China has repeatedly stated its position that trade and tariff wars have no ...

Brazil, Ecuador Book World Cup Berths, Uruguay on Brink

Brazil booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America on Tuesday with a lackluster 1-0 home victory over Paraguay, the first win of Carlo Ancelotti's reign. The five-time world champions punched their ticket to the finals in Canada, the United States, and Mexico thanks to Vinicius Jr. The Real Madrid star poked in from close range in ...

Brazil Held in Ancelotti Debut, Paraguay Move Closer to Qualifying

Carlo Ancelotti's debut as coach of Brazil ended in a goalless draw in Ecuador in South American World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Argentina, already assured of a place in next year's tournament, beat Chile 1-0 in Santiago with a goal from Julian Alvarez, a result which guarantees Lionel Scaloni's team top spot and leaves bottom placed 'La Roja' ...

Sebastião Salgado, Photographer of Humanity and Nature, Dies at 81

French-Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, acclaimed for his monumental body of work depicting wildlife, landscapes, and people across the globe, died on Friday at the age of 81, the French Academy of Fine Arts announced. Salgado was a member of the Academy since 2016. The Academy expressed its deep sorrow, describing him as “a great ...

Brazil Lifts Tariffs on Lebanese Olive Oil, Opening Door to Export Boost

Brazil has officially scrapped import tariffs on Lebanese olive oil, a move expected to boost the Lebanese exports and enhance the product's competitiveness in a key international market. In a statement released on Saturday, Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture announced that Brazilian authorities have decided to eliminate the 9% customs duty ...

Three Reasons Ancelotti Can Succeed with Brazil

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will take the reins of the Brazil national team on May 26, aiming to lead the team to World Cup glory next year for the first time since 2002. Previous coach Dorival Junior was sacked in March after a 4-1 thumping by rivals Argentina in qualifying. Here, AFP Sport considers three reasons he could prove ...

Lady Gaga Brings ‘Mayhem on the Beach’ to Copacabana

The golden sands of Copacabana Beach are about to become the world’s biggest dance floor as Lady Gaga prepares to headline a historic free concert on May 3. The performance, titled Mayhem on the Beach, marks her long-awaited return to Brazil and is expected to draw more than 1.5 million fans for what could be one of the largest live music events ...

Brazil's Bolsonaro Blasts Election Ban as 'Denial of Democracy'

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of backing an attempted coup, told a demonstration in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday that a ban on him seeking re-election next year amounted to a "denial of democracy." Several thousand supporters of the far-right firebrand lined Rio's famous Copacabana beach to show support for Brazil's ...