Brazil
Brazilians rally for democracy, seek to rein in Bolsonaro
Thousands of Brazilians flocked to a law school Thursday in defense of the nation’s democratic institutions, an event that carried echoes of a gathering nearly 45 years ago when citizens joined together at the same site to denounce a brutal military dictatorship.
In 1977, the masses poured into the University of Sao Paulo’s law school to listen to a reading of “A Letter to Brazilians,” a manifesto calling for a prompt return of the rule of law. On Thursday, they heard declarations defending democracy and the country’s elections systems, which President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly attacked ahead of his reelection bid.
While the current manifestos don’t specifically name Bolsonaro, they underscore the country’s widespread concern that the far-right leader may follow in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s footsteps and reject election results not in his favor in an attempt to cling to power.
“We are at risk of a coup, so civil society must stand up and fight against that to guarantee democracy,” José Carlos Dias, a former justice minister who helped write the 1977 letter and the two documents read Thursday, told The Associated Press.
In Sao Paulo, drivers stuck in traffic on one of the main roads to the law school applauded and honked as marching students chanted pro-democracy slogans. A huge inflatable electronic voting machine by the building’s main entrance bore the slogan “RESPECT THE VOTE”.
Read: Brazil confirms first monkeypox-related death
Inside, hundreds of guests gathered in the university’s Great Hall to hear speeches, while others stood outside watching on big flat screens.
The proclamations are contained in two letters. The first went online on July 26 and has been signed by nearly 1 million citizens, including ordinary people; popular musicians such as Caetano Veloso and Anitta; high-profile bankers and executives; and presidential candidates, among them former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who leads all polls ahead of the October election.
The second letter, published in newspapers last Friday, carries the endorsement of hundreds of companies in banking, oil, construction and transportation — sectors that traditionally have been averse to taking public political stances, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. They appear to have made an exception now, given the fear that any democratic backslide would be bad for business, he said.
“Democracy is important for the economy,” he said.
Bolsonaro’s commitment to democracy has been scrutinized since he took office, in large part because the former army captain has insistently glorified the country’s two-decade dictatorship, which ended in 1985. Earlier this year he met with Hungary’s autocratic leader, Viktor Orban, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The president only spoke about the event late Thursday, saying it was crafted to support da Silva’s campaign. He also criticized the Workers’ Party for supporting leftist authoritarian regimes in Cuba and Venezuela.
For over a year, in actions that appear to be lifted directly from Trump’s playbook, Bolsonaro has claimed Brazil’s electronic voting machines are prone to fraud, though — like Trump — he never presented any evidence. At one point, he threatened that elections would be suspended if Congress didn’t approve a bill to introduce printed receipts of votes. The bill didn’t pass.
Brazil confirms first monkeypox-related death
Brazil on Friday confirmed the country's first monkeypox-related death, according to the Health Ministry.
The case was reported in Belo Horizonte, capital of the southeast Minas Gerais state, and the victim was a 41-year-old man who was undergoing treatment for other serious clinical conditions, including cancer, and whose health deteriorated after getting infected, the ministry said.
The man, whose name was not released, was admitted to a public hospital in Belo Horizonte, where he suffered septic shock aggravated by monkeypox.
Read: New York City declares monkeypox a public health emergency
In Minas Gerais, state health authorities said there were 44 confirmed cases of the disease and 130 suspected cases under investigation.
In Brazil, there were 978 confirmed cases of monkeypox as of Wednesday.
The World Health Organization has declared the current outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Experts classify monkeypox as a rare viral disease that causes skin lesions and is transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including through hugs, kisses, massages or sexual intercourse, in addition to being transmitted through respiratory secretions or contact with clothing, towels, or other items used by the infected person. ■
Bangladesh, Brazil sign visa exemption agreement
Bangladesh and Brazil have signed an agreement on visa exemption marking the 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, MP who is on a four-day maiden official visit to Brazil signed the agreement on the exemption of visa for diplomatic and official passport holders on the 50 years of Bangladesh-Brazil diplomatic relations.
Foreign Minister of Brazil Carlos Alberto Franco França signed the agreement on behalf of the Brazilian government, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
A high-profile business delegation led by the President of FBCCI Jashim Uddin and the representatives of the Bangladesh-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (BBCC) accompanied the State Minister during the visit.
On Monday, the State Minister delivered a lecture for the trainee diplomats at the Rio Branco institute (Foreign Services Academy of Brazil) in Brasília.
More than 100 guests comprising high officials from the host government, Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society, trainee diplomats, journalists along with members of FUNAG (Research Institute for International Relations) attended the event.
Instituto Rio Branco is a ‘’state of the art’’ training center for diplomats from Brazilian and other parts of the world.
Giving an overview of struggle for independence, the State Minister highlighted how the charismatic leader Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the nation to have the right to speak in its mother tongue and later the war for independence in 1971.
Stressing the geo-strategic importance of Bangladesh, he explained how Bangladesh is connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia for a greater economic feat.
37 dead in heavy rains in Brazil
At least 37 people were killed and about 5,000 others displaced in northeastern Brazil due to heavy rains, authorities said Saturday.
Recife City, the capital of northeastern Pernambuco State, is the most affected by the rains, where 35 people died and about 1,000 others fled their home, according to the local Civil Defense.
In Alagoas State, two people were killed in the rains, with more than 4,000 residents evacuated.
READ: At least 8 dead after heavy rains in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro
Meanwhile, secondary disasters triggered by the heavy rainfall also caused casualties. On Saturday, 20 people were killed in a landslide in Recife, while six others died in another landslide in the nearby city of Camaragibe.
According to the Pernambuco Water and Climate Agency, Recife recorded 150 mm of precipitation on Saturday, while Camaragibe registered 129 mm.
Brazil's ex-president Lula launches presidential campaign
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched Saturday his campaign for the presidency alongside his proposed vice president, former Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin.
Lula announced his candidacy and unveiled the seven-party alliance Let's Go Together for Brazil Movement to a crowd of about 4,000 people here.
READ: At least 8 dead after heavy rains in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro
"It is more than urgent to restore the sovereignty of Brazil," he said during his speech at the rally, adding that if he wins the elections scheduled for Oct. 2, he will work "again on the mission to combat hunger."
At least 8 dead after heavy rains in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro
At least eight people were killed and another 13 went missing in heavy rains that hit the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, local authorities said on Saturday.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Twitter that the federal government was deploying military aircraft to help with the rescue efforts in the state.
Local authorities said on Friday that the region had received 655 milliliters of rain, the highest amount ever recorded in the municipality.
READ: Heavy rains in southern India kill 14 people, flood Chennai
According to estimates by Brazilian media, more rain is likely in the Rio de Janeiro area in the coming days.
Brazil sees more opportunities of collaboration with Bangladesh, says its top bank CEO
Impressed by Bangladesh’s growth and large-scale infrastructure development, Brazil now wants to engage broadly in agribusiness, trade, micro-finance and infrastructure, says chief executive officer (CEO) of Brazilian state-owned bank Caixa Economica Federal (CEF).
“We want to enhance the relationship between Brazil and Bangladesh. I think the relationship can be much larger and much higher,” Pedro Guimaraes told UNB in an interview.
He said like Bangladesh, Brazil is also growing and there is a huge scope of investment and to have greater engagement in agribusiness.
Read:Bangladesh to enjoy DFQF market access to Australia in post-LDC period
During his first visit to Bangladesh, the Brazilian economist and his team members visited Old Dhaka, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), Central Bank of Bangladesh, Ministry of Finance, Microcredit Regulatory Authority, Headquarters of Grammen Bank and BRAC and had interacted with the officials apart from meetings with microcredit borrowers.
The Caixa CEO said he is highly impressed to see how the microcredit system is working in Bangladesh and his country is willing to take the lessons from Bangladesh's experience as they want to serve the relatively poor people in his country by developing such a financial scheme. “I think microfinance is growing faster here.”
He said they are going to have an agreement in agribusiness between Brazil and Bangladesh which is at the final stage. “I think that the relationship between Brazil and Bangladesh should increase.”
Brazil mudslides kill at least 94, with dozens still missing
Rio de Janeiro state’s government has confirmed 94 deaths from floods and mudslides that swept away homes and cars in the city of Petropolis. But even as families prepared to bury their dead, it was unclear Thursday how many bodies remained trapped in the mud.
Rubens Bomtempo, mayor of the German-influenced city nestled in the mountains, didn’t even offer an estimate for the number of people missing, with recovery efforts still ongoing.
Read: Rain-fed landslides, flooding kill at least 19 in Brazil
“We don’t yet know the full scale of this,” Bomtempo said at a news conference Wednesday. “It was a hard day, a difficult day.”
More than 24 hours after the deadly deluge early Tuesday, survivors were digging to find lost loved ones. Rio de Janeiro’s public prosecutors’ office said in a statement Wednesday night that it had compiled a list of 35 people yet to be located.
Footage posted on social media showed torrents dragging cars and houses through the streets and water swirling through the city. One video showed two buses sinking into a swollen river as its passengers clambered out the windows, scrambling for safety. Some didn’t make it to the banks and were washed away, out of sight.
On Wednesday morning, houses were left buried beneath mud while appliances and cars were in piles on the streets.
Petropolis, named for a former Brazilian emperor, has been a refuge for people escaping the summer heat and tourists keen to explore the so-called “Imperial City.”
Its prosperity has also drawn poorer residents from Rio’s poorer regions. Its population grew haphazardly, climbing mountainsides now covered with small residences packed tightly together. Many are in areas unfit for structures and made more vulnerable by deforestation and inadequate drainage.
The state fire department said 25.8 centimeters (just over 10 inches) of rain fell within three hours on Tuesday -- almost as much as during the previous 30 days combined. Rio de Janeiro’s Gov. Claudio Castro said in a press conference that the rains were the worst Petropolis has received since 1932.
“No one could predict rain as hard as this,” Castro said. More rain is expected through the rest of the week, according to weather forecasters.
Castro added that almost 400 people were left homeless and 24 people were recovered alive.
They were fortunate, and they were few.
Read: Wall of rock falls on boaters on Brazilian lake, killing 6
“I could only hear my brother yelling, ‘Help! Help! My God!’” resident Rosilene Virginia told The Associated Press as a man comforted her. “It’s very sad to see people asking for help and having no way of helping, no way of doing anything. It’s desperate, a feeling of loss so great.”
The stricken mountain region has seen similar catastrophes in recent decades, including one that caused more than 900 deaths. In the years since, Petropolis presented a plan to reduce risks of landslides, but works have been advancing only slowly. The plan, presented in 2017, was based on analysis determining that 18% of the city’s territory was at high risk for landslides and flooding.
Local authorities say more than 180 residents who live in at-risk areas are sheltering in schools. More equipment and manpower is expected to help rescue efforts on Thursday.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro expressed solidarity while on a trip to Russia. Petropolis’ city hall declared three days of mourning for the tragedy.
Southeastern Brazil has been punished with heavy rains since the start of the year, with more than 40 deaths recorded between incidents in Minas Gerais state in early January and Sao Paulo state later the same month.
Bangladesh interested to sign FTA with big economies of South America
Bangladesh has shown interest in signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mercosur, an economic and political bloc of the big economies of South America consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s strength as the second largest RMG producer and world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer, Bangladesh Ambassador to Brazil Sadia Faizunnesa has sought Brazil President Jair Messias Bolsonaro’s support to negotiate the FTA with Mercosur.
The Brazilian President instructed Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Franca to start working towards strengthening bilateral cooperation, including trade and agriculture, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Brazil.
Also read: Australia eyes new opportunities in Bangladesh's digital sector
Rain-fed landslides, flooding kill at least 19 in Brazil
Landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains killed at least 19 people in Brazil’s most populous state Sunday while high waters forced some 500,000 families from their homes over the weekend, authorities said.
Three people from the same family died when a landslide destroyed their house in the city of Embu das Artes, according to the municipal government, while four other people were rescued by firemen.
Four children died in Francisco Morato, Sao Paulo state Gov. João Doria said, and the state government said four other people died in Franco da Rocha. Deaths also were reported in Ribeirão Preto and Jaú.
Read: Wall of rock falls on boaters on Brazilian lake, killing 6
Three of the deaths involved people who were swept away by flood waters, the state fire department said.
Doria used a helicopter to survey damaged areas on Sunday and announced the equivalent of $2.8 million in financial aid to affected cities.
Overflowing rivers forced 500,000 families to leave their homes, the state government said. Several roads and highways were blocked.
Because of disruptions caused by the rain, the city of Sao Paulo canceled scheduled vaccinations against the coronavirus.
Southeastern Brazil has been punished with heavy rains since the start of the year, with 19 deaths recorded in Minas Gerais state earlier this month.