Page 6 - Brazil

Eight dead, 13 injured as hot-air balloon catches fire, crashes in Brazil

A hot-air balloon caught fire and tumbled from the sky on Saturday in Brazil 's southern state of Santa Catarina, killing eight people, firefighters said. Footage shared by local news outlet G1 showed billows of smoke coming from the balloon in flames as it hurdled towards the ground. Thirteen people survived and were taken to hospitals, Santa Catarina's military fire brigade said, adding that 21 people were on board including the pilot. Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported. Praia Grande is a common destination for hot-air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil's south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John.

Chinese tech giants chase expansion in Brazil amid global trade pressures

As a result, some of China's biggest internet and e-commerce brands have set their sights on establishing themselves as household names in other parts of the world

India to organise Yoga Day events in 191 countries on Jun 21: ICCR

India will organise thematic events and programmes in 1,300 cities across the globe to mark the International Day of Yoga on Saturday, showcasing the nation's ancient tradition and soft power. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan is also organising a yoga event in Islamabad on the occasion, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the cultural arm of the Ministry of External Affairs. "On the 10th anniversary of International Day of Yoga, we will practically cover every country in the world where yoga events are being organised. In some countries like the US, we are hosting multiple events across various cities," ICCR's Director General, K Nandini Singla, was quoted as saying in a statement. The ICCR will organise various yoga events and programmes in 191 countries on June 21 to mark the IDY, with more than 2,000 events to be hosted at 1,300 locations, covering multiple cities in various nations, it said. Additionally, the ICCR

Brazil's President Lula signs law to expand affirmative action policies

Brazil's President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva on Tuesday signed a new law to expand the country's affirmative action policies, increasing the quota for government jobs reserved for Blacks from 20% to 30% and adding Indigenous people and descendants of Afro-Brazilian enslaved people as beneficiaries. The changes apply to candidates applying for permanent and public employment positions across Brazil's federal administration, agencies, public foundations, public companies and state-run mixed-capital companies. As approved by Congress, the quota will be revised in 2035. "It is important to allow this country for one day to have a society reflected in its public offices, in the Prosecutors' Office, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Attorney-General's Office, in the Internal Revenue Service, everywhere," Lula said at the presidential palace in the capital, Brasilia. "We still have few women, few Black people, almost no Indigenous people." Brazil's first law on racial quotas for ..

Tharoor-led delegation reaches Brazil to affirm India's anti-terror stance

A high-level all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Brazil on Sunday to convey India's strong national consensus and resolute stance in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations The delegation, which arrived here from Colombia, was received at the airport by Sandeep Kumar Kujur, Charge d'Affaires. During the visit, the delegation will engage with senior Brazilian leaders and Parliamentarians, including Celso Amorim, Head Adviser to the President, Maria Laura da Rocha, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs, Senator Nelson Trad, Head of the India-Brazil Friendship Front at Brazilian Senate, and Federal Deputy Filipe Barros, President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense of Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, the Embassy of India in Brazil posted on X. The delegation is in Brazil as part of India's ongoing efforts to foster international cooperation in the global fight against terrorism particularly in the ...

Brazil sues China's BYD over worker trafficking, abuse at EV plant site

Brazilian prosecutors file lawsuit against Chinese EV giant BYD and two contractors, alleging human trafficking and slave-like conditions for 220 Chinese workers at Bahia factory site

Brazilian prosecutors sue China's BYD over slave-like labour conditions

Brazilian prosecutors said Tuesday they are suing Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD and two of its contractors over allegations of using workers in slave-like labour conditions and engaging in international human trafficking. The labour prosecutors' office in Bahia state said in a statement that they are seeking 257 million Brazilian reais (USD 50 million) in damages from BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes. The lawsuit stems from an investigation that last year led to the rescue of 220 Chinese workers from the construction site of BYD's new factory in the city of Camaari. Prosecutors said the workers were brought to Brazil under false pretenses and with visas that did not match their jobs. Working conditions were extremely degrading. Five settlements were kept by BYD, JinJiang and Tecmonta. Some workers slept on beds without mattresses and had their personal belongings alongside with their food, the prosecutors' office said. There were f

India urges Brics to build cultural ecosystem celebrating diversity, unity

India on Monday called upon BRICS to lead not just geopolitically, but also civilisationally, forging a "cultural ecosystem" that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity and anchors progress in shared values. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in his address at the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, where he represented the country. Brazil is currently the chair of the influential grouping. In a post on X, the Union minister shared some of the broader contours of his address, an some photos. At the key meeting being hosted in Brasilia, Shekhawat he also "raised concern over the illicit online trade of cultural property and welcomed Brazil's focus on restitution -- a cause close to the Global South's civilisational soul". BRICS' other members include Russia, India, China and South Africa. This year's meeting will focus on "strengthening cultural cooperation, enhancing institutional collaboration, and developing joint cultural projects aimed at preserving and

China, Brazil agree to defend free trade as leaders meet in Beijing

"China and Brazil are determined to unite their voices against unilateralism and protectionism," the Brazilian leftist leader said, according to Brazilian state television

Ancelotti focused on finishing season with Real Madrid before Brazil job

Carlo Ancelotti wants to remain fully focused on his job with Real Madrid before taking over Brazil's national team in two weeks. Brazil announced Ancelotti as its new coach on Monday, but the 65-year-old Italian had not commented on the move until he was asked about it at a news conference Tuesday ahead of Real Madrid's next Spanish league match against Mallorca on Wednesday. I have great respect for this club and these fans and I'm totally focused on finishing the last part of this spectacular adventure, Ancelotti said. Beginning on May 26 I will start coaching Brazil, which will be a great challenge personally, but until then I will continue training Real Madrid and I want to finish the best possible way. Former Madrid player Xabi Alonso is widely expected to take over the coaching job after confirming he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen, but the Spanish club has yet to announce Ancelotti's successor. I like Alonso a lot, Ancelotti said when asked about the former midfielder. I don't

Carlo Ancelotti set to become Brazil national football team manager

Ancelotti, who took charge of the club for a second time in 2021, is now reportedly preparing to take over as head coach of the Brazil national team.

Brazil police arrest 2 over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga's Rio concert

Police in Brazil said on Sunday that two people have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives at a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro. The Rio event on Saturday was the biggest show of the pop star's career that attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans to Copacabana Beach and had crowds screaming and dancing along. Even as Brazilian authorities said they arrested suspects in the hours before Lady Gaga's show, the event went ahead without disruption leading some to question the seriousness of the threat. Serious security concerns typically lead organisers to cancel such massive events as happened with Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna last year. Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to avoid panic" and the distortion of information. On Sunday, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were

Brazilian ex-Prez Bolsonaro out of intensive care but still hospitalised

Brazilian ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, who continues to recover after undergoing bowel surgery, has left intensive care, his doctors said Thursday. The medical team at the DF Star Hospital in Brasilia said that he left intensive care on Wednesday and there is no set discharge date from the facility. His health condition is stable and he has begun receiving a liquid diet. Bolsonaro underwent a 12-hour surgery on April 13 to remove intestinal adhesions and reconstruct the abdominal wall. It was the sixth procedure related to long-term effects of being stabbed in the abdomen during a campaign rally in September 2018. He has been in and out of hospitals since the attack and underwent multiple surgeries during his presidency from 2019-2022. Doctors described the latest surgery as the most complex since the stabbing, requiring a very delicate and prolonged post-surgery. Bolsonaro was admitted with severe abdominal pain to a hospital in Santa Cruz, a small city in Rio Grande do Norte, on

TCS sees strong tech growth in India, Brazil and other key markets

Some short-term headwinds notwithstanding, there is a sense of optimism in India, Brazil and other 'growth markets' around tech adoption and transformation opportunities, a senior executive of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) said on Thursday. The company continues to be upbeat about potential of the domestic market itself and is doubling down on its focus on India, where a combination of favourable factors including economic growth, innovation drive, favourable demography are all coming together at this points of time, Girish Ramachandran, TCS' President - Growth Markets, told PTI. "...there has been a sense of optimism around all the markets that I go to. Yes, there will be headwinds in the short term but overall if you look at most markets, whether it is Brazil, whether Saudi Arabia, whether it is India, whether it is Asia Pacific, there is a sense of optimism and most markets tend to do well in terms of the GDP growth, so overall I do think that from 'growth market' point of view,

Brazilian judges accept charges against Bolsonaro allies in coup plot

A panel of Brazil's Supreme Court justices unanimously accepted criminal charges Tuesday against six more key allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot to keep him in office after his 2022 election defeat. Last month, the panel unanimously accepted charges against Bolsonaro and seven close allies over the alleged coup plot following his loss to current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and ordered the former right wing leader to stand trial. When Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet accused Bolsonaro and 33 others of attempting a coup, he divided them into five different groups, based on their roles and positions in the alleged plot. Bolsonaro and his closest allies, including running mate Gen. Braga Netto, were placed in the core group, according to the charges. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court panel reviewed charges against the second group, which Gonet said held managerial roles. The second group includes former presidential foreign affairs adviser Filipe ...

Shivraj Singh Chouhan visits farms in Brazil; praises mechanised farming techniques | Agriculture

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited tomato farm in Sao Paulo, Brazil and hailed the mechanised farming techniques.

India, Brazil can boost global food security: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that joint efforts of India and Brazil could play an important role in strengthening global food security. During a meeting with 27 members of Brazil's agribusiness community in Sao Paulo, Chouhan praised the widespread use of machinery in Brazilian agriculture, particularly in cotton and soybean harvesting, and expressed hope for cooperation in these areas, according to an official statement. The minister discussed possibilities for promoting agricultural trade between the two countries, exchanging improved production techniques, adopting advanced food processing methods and cooperating on biofuel production, technological innovation and supply chain integration. The President of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce noted that while India-Brazil agricultural trade currently amounts to USD 2-3 billion, it has the potential to reach USD15-20 billion. Brazil mainly exports fertilisers, soybeans, food crops, sugar, meat and ...

Brazil's Bolsonaro to face trial over coup plan; here's what happens next

A panel of Brazil Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his associates will stand trial on five counts, including attempting to stage a coup after the far-right leader lost the 2022 election. The panel will review existing evidence, potentially gather new evidence and hear testimonies. Legal experts estimate that Bolsonaro could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison, though his actual jail time if convicted would be less than that due to procedural considerations. Here's what to know about what will happen after Wednesday's ruling: What charges does Bolsonaro face? Bolsonaro will stand trial on the counts of attempting to stage a coup, involvement in an armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, damage characterized by violence and a serious threat against the state's assets, and deterioration of listed heritage. The five-justices panel of Brazil's Supreme Court ruled based on th

Brazil SC orders ex-Prez Bolsonaro to stand trial over alleged coup plan

A panel of justices on Brazil's Supreme Court has accepted charges against former President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged attempt to stay in office after his 2022 election defeat, and they have ordered the former leader to stand trial. All five justices ruled in favour of accepting the charges levelled by Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. Last month, Gonet charged Bolsonaro and 33 others of attempting a coup that included a plan to poison his successor and current President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and kill a Supreme Court judge. The former president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Coup charges alone carry a penalty of up to 12 years. Combined with other crimes Bolsonaro is charged with, he could be sentenced to decades in prison if convicted.

Brazil SC to rule on ex-Prez Bolsonaro's trial over coup attempt accusation

A panel of Brazil's Supreme Court justices will gather on Tuesday to determine whether former President Jair Bolsonaro and close allies will stand trial on five counts, including attempting to stage a coup. Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet charged Bolsonaro last month with plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 election to his opponent and current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Part of that plan allegedly included poisoning Lula and killing Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a foe of Bolsonaro. Five Supreme Court justices including de Moraes, the rapporteur will meet from 9:30 am local time in Brasilia to rule on the charges levelled by Gonet. If a majority votes in favour, the accused will become defendants in a criminal case. Bolsonaro and his alleged accomplices also stand accused of participating in an armed criminal organisation, attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, damage qualified by violence and a serious threat against the state's assets