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Brazil wants Russia, Ukraine to begin dialogue

Brazilian Envoy to India Andre Aranha Correa do Lago stressed on need to find a way of bringing together on the table the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

India and Brazil have similar positions regarding war and both wanted peace and wished to bring Russia and Ukraine to the table together, Brazilian Envoy to India Andre Aranha Correa do Lago said on Monday.

In an interview with ANI, Lago said, “Brazil and India have a very similar position regarding the war, which is that we want peace. And we believe that we have to find a way of bringing together on the table the two countries. And I believe that whatever we do towards peace will be valid. And Indian Brazil, you are extremely united in that sense.” His remarks came after United States President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine, just days before the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In Ukraine, while addressing the joint briefing, Biden pledged a USD 500 million military aid package for the country.

Biden said, “We will announce USD 500 million in aid to Ukraine. This will consist of javelins, howitzers, and artillery ammunition. Later, we will announce additional sanctions against companies which are trying to back Russia.”

Biden said the package would be announced on Tuesday and that Washington would also provide more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in Ukraine’s possession.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president has lauded Biden’s visit to Kyiv as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches.

While lauding India for its work, Lago said that Brazil has to continue the agenda as a developing country and many of the themes that India is raising. “India is doing a terrific job in showing the new India and showing the role that India wants to play in international affairs,” he added.

“Brazil is watching with great admiration what India is doing, but India is creating very high standards and next year in Brazil. So we have to be very attentive to what India is doing,” he stated while talking about India’s G20 presidency.

After India, Brazil will preside over the G20 presidency. (ANI)

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Brazil to rise minimum wage from May

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a television debate, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso/IANS)

President said that his administration would set a new rule for the minimum salary taking into account inflation compensation and GDP growth…reports Asian Lite News

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that the minimum monthly wage will increase from the current 1,302 reais to 1,320 reais ($251) starting May.

Lula said that his administration would set a new rule for the minimum salary taking into account inflation compensation and GDP growth, saying “it is the fairest way to distribute economic growth”, Xinhua news agency reported.

Those earning less than 2,640 reais ($505) a month would be exempted from income tax and the exemption level will progress until it reach 5,000 reais ($958), he said.

The tax reduction is high on the new government’s economic agenda.

The President recently presided over the handover of 684 residences to low-income households in the northeastern city of Santo Amaro, marking the relaunch of the housing programme ‘My House, My Life.’

First launched in 2009 during his second term as president, the revived programme aims to deliver 2 million homes to low-income households by 2026, offering financing with subsidies of up to 80 per cent to families with a monthly income of 2,640 reais (about 508 U.S. dollars) or less, Xinhua reported.

During the ceremony in Santo Amaro, Bahia state, Lula authorised the resumption of construction work on more than 5,000 houses across the country as part of the programme.

In all, 2,745 homes were delivered in different towns on Tuesday.

Following Brazilian Carnival celebrations next week, the government is expected to resume another programme, ‘Water for All’ to build cisterns in regions with scarce water supplies.

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Lula revives housing programme for low-income families

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a television debate, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso/IANS)

During the ceremony, Bahia state, Lula authorised the resumption of construction work on more than 5,000 houses across the country as part of the programme….reports Asian Lite News

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva presided over the handover of 684 residences to low-income households in the northeastern city of Santo Amaro, marking the relaunch of the housing programme ‘My House, My Life.’

First launched in 2009 during his second term as president, the revived programme aims to deliver 2 million homes to low-income households by 2026, offering financing with subsidies of up to 80 per cent to families with a monthly income of 2,640 reais (about 508 U.S. dollars) or less, Xinhua reported.



During the ceremony in Santo Amaro, Bahia state, Lula authorised the resumption of construction work on more than 5,000 houses across the country as part of the programme.

In all, 2,745 homes were delivered in different towns on Tuesday.

Following Brazilian Carnival celebrations next week, the government is expected to resume another programme, ‘Water for All’ to build cisterns in regions with scarce water supplies.

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Brazil’s Lula fires 13 more from his security team

A notice in the official gazette said the 13 troops were dismissed from the institutional security office attached to the presidency…reports Asian Lite News

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday dismissed 13 more military officers who were assigned to the National Security Advisor’s office that is responsible for the president’s security, reported France24.

A notice in the official gazette said the 13 troops were dismissed from the institutional security office attached to the presidency. The decision follows the removal of 40 military officers on Tuesday from the Alvorada presidential residence, as Lula expressed his distrust in the military for failing to act against supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro who stormed government buildings on January 8.

Just days after the attack on the presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress by backers of far-right ex-president Bolsonaro, Lula said the rioters likely had inside help and hinted at security force involvement.

He ordered a thorough staffing review, saying he was “convinced that the door of the Planalto (presidential) palace was opened for people to enter because there are no broken doors.”

The demonstrators were protesting Bolsonaro’s loss in the October elections and calling for a military coup to oust Lula and restore the far-right populist leader.

Leftist Lula, 77, beat Bolsonaro by a razor-thin margin in October elections that followed a vitriolic and divisive campaign.

Some 1,400 alleged rioters remained in custody as investigators track down the masterminds and financiers of the January 8 revolt.

So far, 39 people have been officially charged.

Anderson Torres, a former Bolsonaro justice minister who was in charge of Brasilia security but abroad when the riots happened, has been arrested on suspicion of collusion.

Like his former boss, Torres has denied any link to the revolt. He appeared before investigators for a first deposition on Wednesday, and opted to remain silent according to the G1 news portal.

The violence recalled the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump. (ANI)

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Bolsonaro to be probed for January 8 riots in Brasilia

Currently, Brazilian authorities are investigating who gave Bolsonaro’s extremist followers permission to invade the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential residence in an effort to void the results of the election in October.

As part of a larger campaign to hold the guilty accountable, a judge of the Brazilian Supreme Court approved an investigation on Friday to determine whether former president Jair Bolsonaro sparked the unrest in the nation’s capital on January 8, The Washington Post reported.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes granted the request from the prosecutor general’s office, which referenced a video Bolsonaro uploaded on Facebook two days after the disturbance. In the video, Bolsonaro claimed Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wasn’t voted into office, but was chosen by the Supreme Court and Brazil’s electoral authority, and now his supporters chant the same as they do not support Lula’s narrow victory, reported The Washington Post.

Currently, Brazilian authorities are investigating who gave Bolsonaro’s extremist followers permission to invade the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidential residence in an effort to void the results of the election in October.

Supporters of the former Brazil president broke into the country’s Congressional building, Supreme Court and the Presidential palace on January 8. The breaches came about a week after the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro in a run-off election on October 30.

Videos on social media showed Bolsonaro supporters smashing windows and furniture in the National Congress and Supreme Court buildings on Sunday, reported Al Jazeera.

They climbed onto the roof of the Congress building, where Brazil’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies conduct their legislative business, unfurling a banner that read ‘intervention’ and an apparent appeal to Brazil’s military.

Security forces used tear gas in an effort to push back the demonstrators with local media estimating about 3,000 people were involved in the incident, reported Al Jazeera.

Brazil riots.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over rioting and vandalism against state institutions in Brasilia while extending his full support to the Brazilian authorities.

“Deeply concerned about the news of rioting and vandalism against the State institutions in Brasilia. Democratic traditions must be respected by everyone. We extend our full support to the Brazilian authorities,” tweeted PM Modi.

US President Joe Biden, too, condemned the ‘assault on democracy’ in Brazil.

Biden tweeted, “I condemn the assault on democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power in Brazil. Brazil’s democratic institutions have our full support and the will of the Brazilian people must not be undermined. I look forward to continuing to work with @LulaOficial.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the “attack on Brazil’s democratic institutions”. He emphasised the importance of respecting democratic institutions as well as the will of the Brazilian people.

“I condemn the assault on Brazil’s democratic institutions that took place today. The will of the Brazilian people and democratic institutions must be respected. I have full confidence that it will. Brazil is a great democratic country,” Guterres tweeted. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Brazilian top officials face arrest over capital riots

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Brazilian top officials face arrest over capital riots

As a result of the violence, police commander Colonel Fabio Augusto was dismissed from his role, while the capital city’s Governor Ibaneis Rocha has been removed for a period of 90 days by the SC….reports Asian Lite News

Authorities in Brazil have ordered the arrest of top public officials over the riots staged by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, storming the Supreme Court, Congress and the presidential palace in the capital city.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Attorney General’s office said the officials include Brasalia’s former public security chief Anderson Torres and others “responsible for acts and omissions” leading to Sunday’s riots, reports the BBC.

As a result of the violence, police commander Colonel Fabio Augusto was dismissed from his role, while the capital city’s Governor Ibaneis Rocha has been removed for a period of 90 days by the Supreme Court.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ricardo Cappelli, who has been appointed to run security in Brasilia, accused Torres of “a structured sabotage operation”.

Cappelli told CNN that there was a “lack of command” from Torres before government buildings were stormed.

Lula’s inauguration on January 1 was “an extremely successful security operation” but on January 2 “Anderson Torres took over as Secretary of Security, dismissed the entire command and travelled”, he said.

“If this isn’t sabotage, I don’t know what is,” Cappelli told CNN.

In response, Torres said that he deeply regretted the “absurd hypotheses” that he played any part in the riots, adding that the riots, which occurred during his family holiday, were lamentable and that it was “the most bitter day” of his personal and professional life.

Also in the day, public prosecutors asked for a federal audit court to freeze Bolsonaro’s assets in light of the riots, reports the BBC.

The former President, who has condemned the riots, is still yet to admitted defeat in the October 2022 run off polls against his rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and flew to Florida before the handover on January 1.

Meanwhile, of the approximately 1,500 people arrested and brought to the police academy after the riot, officials have said that nearly 600 have been taken to other facilities, where police officials have five days to formally charge them.

Wearing shirts in the colours of Brazil’s flag — yellow and green — the protesters vandalised the buildings in capital Brasilia that house the South American nation’s key democratic institutions, reports the BBC.

The police had to resort to firing tear gas when the demonstrators wrapped in the national flag surrounded the presidential palace.

The violence left behind widespread damage — almost every window on the presidential palace building’s ground floor had been destroyed, forcing crews to remove each pane of glass and replace it with a new one.

The cobblestone pavement outside the palace also showed signs of damage, with large patches torn out by the rioters.

In the nearby Congress building, valuable works of art, including several high-profile pieces, were reportedly damaged by water or defaced during the riot.

Lula has blamed security forces of “neglecting” their duty in not halting the “terrorist acts”.

“We are going to find out who the financiers of these vandals who went to Bras�lia are and they will all pay with the force of law,” he had said.

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1,500 arrested in Brazil over capital riots

Brazil riots.

Authorities arrested 1,200 people on Monday in addition to 300 detained on Sunday just hours after the riots took place…reports Asian Lite News

Some 1,500 people have been arrested in Brazil in the wake of the violent riots staged by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro who stormed the Supreme Court, Congress and the presidential palace in the country’s capital.

Authorities arrested 1,200 people on Monday in addition to 300 detained on Sunday just hours after the riots took place, reports the BBC.

According to Justice Minister Flavio Dino, some 40 buses which had been used to transport protesters to the capital had been seized.

Also on Monday, heavily armed officers dismantled a camp of Bolsonaro supporters in Brasilia — one of a number that have been set up outside army barracks around the country since the presidential election in October 2022.

Sunday’s violence came exactly a week after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in.

Lula, who was President between January 2003 and December 2010, defeated Bolsonaro by a narrow margin in the October 31, 2022 run-off election.

Wearing shirts in the colours of Brazil’s flag — yellow and green — the protesters vandalised the buildings in capital Brasilia that house the South American nation’s key democratic institutions, reports the BBC.

The police had to resort to firing tear gas when the demonstrators wrapped in the national flag surrounded the presidential palace.

The violence left behind widespread damage — almost every window on the presidential palace building’s ground floor had been destroyed, forcing crews to remove each pane of glass and replace it with a new one.

The cobblestone pavement outside the palace also showed signs of damage, with large patches torn out by the rioters.

In the nearby Congress building, valuable works of art, including several high-profile pieces, were reportedly damaged by water or defaced during the riot, the BBC reported.

Lula and the heads of Congress and the Supreme Court said they “reject the terrorist acts and criminal, coup-mongering vandalism that occurred” on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bras�lia Governor Ibaneis Rocha has been removed from his post for 90 days by the Supreme Court after being accused of failing to prevent the riot and of being “painfully silent” in the face of the attack.

Rocha has apologised for the violence.

Heads of state around the world have also denounced the violence, with the leaders of the US, Canada and Mexico issuing a joint statement on Monday condemning “attacks on Brazil’s democracy and on the peaceful transfer of power”.

Late on Monday, President Joe Biden “conveyed the unwavering support of the US for Brazil’s democracy” during a phone call with Lula, the White House said in a statement.

It added that the Brazilian leader had accepted Biden’s invitation to visit Washington in early February.

ALSO READ: Bolsonaro’s supporters storm Brazil’s SC, Congress

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Brazil’s Lula unveils cabinet picks

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C, front) attends a celebration event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 30, 2022. (Photo by Rahel Patrasso/Xinhua)

All will be sworn in during the inauguration ceremony at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, the seat of the executive branch…reports Asian Lite News

Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has unveiled the final 16 appointments to his 37-member cabinet in the lead-up to his inauguration on Sunday.

All will be sworn in during the inauguration ceremony at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, the seat of the executive branch, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I want you to be part of this country’s political history at a time when we had the courage to take charge of Brazil in an extremely delicate situation,” the President-elect said, voicing hope for the title of “the best government in the world” at the end of his four-year term.

The new cabinet includes 11 women ministers, the highest number ever in Brazilian history.

Lula, who had served as the President for two terms between 2003 and 2010, is now set to serve a third four-year term.

This is a comeback for the former President who could not run in the 2018 election because he was in jail and banned from standing for office.

He had been found guilty of receiving a bribe from a Brazilian construction firm in return for contracts with Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras.

He spent 580 days in jail before his conviction was annulled, marking his return to the political fray.

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Argentina more than Messi, Brazil more than Neymar

Argentina have also seen good displays from midfielder Enzo Fernandez and young forward Julian Alvarez, who has scored in his last two appearances, reports…Asian Lite News

The Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk has warned that his side will have to beat more than just Lionel Messi when they take on Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday night.

The Netherlands have progressed calmly into the quarterfinals after beating the United States with an assured and serious display in the last 16, while Argentina were led by an excellent display from Messi against Australia.

Messi was inspirational in what is likely to be his last World Cup appearance, but Van Dijk advised there is more to Argentina.

“Messi is one of the best players. Together with Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the best players of the last decades. There is only respect for what he has achieved. But now we are preparing not only to play against him but to face Argentina as a whole,” he told the press two days before the game.

Argentina have also seen good displays from midfielder Enzo Fernandez and young forward Julian Alvarez, who has scored in his last two appearances, reports Xinhua.

“Argentina has many good footballers who can make a difference. They are players we must watch. That’s what we’re going to do. This is not a Holland against Messi, but a Holland against Argentina,” Van Dijk insisted.

The Dutch have been very effective so far in Qatar and are one of four unbeaten sides in the tournament. After topping Group A and beating the U.S., Coach Louis van Gaal said they can win the tournament and Van Dijk believes they have more to give.

“We are all perfectionists and we all want the best. That is part of us. The good thing is that we are still on it. We are in the quarterfinals. Hopefully we can win those too and move on,” he said, adding that although he and his teammates had practiced penalties, it was very different taking them on a training pitch [from] that in a “stadium full of 80,000 spectators and with a semifinal on the line.”

‘Impressive team’

Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has described Brazil as the most impressive team at this World Cup ahead of their quarterfinal clash on Friday.

Croatia advanced to the last eight by beating Japan on penalties in the round of 16 while Brazil progressed with a 4-1 rout of South Korea.

“I believe Brazil are the best team at this World Cup,” Dalic was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. “They play a very versatile brand of football. They are dangerous, and not just because of Neymar and Vinicius Junior. It’s all of them.”

“We can’t afford to leave them too much space. We have to press them high and ensure they don’t control the ball too much. We have to be fully concentrated because if they have time on the ball it will be difficult to stop them.”

Dalic was confident his players would be fresh for the match at Education City stadium here, despite having had just four days to recover from the gruelling duel against Japan.

“We can’t wait for this match,” he said. “We have to recover after the Japan game and there will not be many changes. We’ve done very well to make it this far. We now face one of the great favorites and we’ll fight to make sure we can get the best possible result.”

The 56-year-old added: “I think the match ahead will be the most demanding of the World Cup for us. I can compare it to the final against France four years ago.

“Brazil will pose a big challenge. I wish this match could have come later in the tournament. But our ambitions will not rest there and we’ll be trying our best to win.”

ALSO READ-Messi scores as Argentina beat Australia to reach quarters

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Brazil crush South Korea 4-1 to storm into quarter-finals

Several South Korean fans left the stadium in tears as their team became the last Asian side to exit from the tournament on Tuesday…reports Mukesh Sharma

A fabulous show of football by Brazil sent South Korea packing in their FIFA World Cup 2022 Round of 16 match at the 974 Stadium in Doha on Monday.

The Koreans were completely outplayed by the Brazilian side in the first half as the South Americans scored 4 goals in a span of 29 minutes. The Asian side could salvage its reputation in the second half, but just, with the help of a 76th minute goal. The match ended 4-1 with Brazil set to take on Croatia in a quarter final clash.

The men in yellow began the assault on their Asian rivals when Vinicius Junior, assisted by Neymar Jr netted home in the seventh minute by a right foot shot. As a sea of yellow cheered their side incessantly in the 40,000-capacity stadium made with shipping containers, Brazil scored the second goal with the help of a penalty taken by Neymar Jr in the 13th minute.

Brazil’s third goal came in the 29th minute when Richarlison shot from the centre of the box to make it 3-0. He was assisted by Thiago Silva.

Lucas Paqueta, assisted by Vinicius Junior, made no mistake in the 36th minute to make it 4-0 for the South American side.

Several South Korean fans left the stadium in tears as their team became the last Asian side to exit from the tournament on Tuesday.

Neymar’s heart-warming gesture for Pele

Brazil forward Neymar sent his best wishes to football legend Pele on Monday after the South American team advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over South Korea.

Pele, who won the World Cup three times for Brazil, is currently in hospital as he recovers from a respiratory infection and continues treatment for colon cancer.

Brazil’s players posed for a photograph holding a banner with the 82-year-old’s image and name after the final whistle at Stadium 974, reports Xinhua.

“It’s tough to talk about Pele with what he is going through,” Neymar told reporters. “We wish he can get well soon. We hope we made him feel a bit more comfortable with the banner and with the victory.”

Neymar’s first-half penalty means the 30-year-old now has 76 international goals, one shy of Pele’s Brazil scoring record.

The Paris Saint-Germain player said he felt no ill effects of an ankle problem that forced him to miss Brazil’s previous two matches against Switzerland and Cameroon.

“I didn’t feel any pain in my ankle,” he said. “I want to thank the medical staff and the physiotherapists for helping me to be fit for this match.

“I think I played well. I’m very happy with how the night went but, having said that, I think we can always improve. I can’t be 100 per cent satisfied, we can always get better.”

He added: “We wanted to win the match to reach the next round and that’s what happened. The fans celebrated wonderfully inside the stadium and we have to congratulate them.”

Tite lauds team for victory

Brazil manager Tite applauded his team’s attacking flair after a sparkling 4-1 victory over South Korea in their World Cup round of 16 match on Tuesday.

Vinicius Junior put Brazil ahead with a cool finish, and Neymar doubled the lead from the penalty spot at Stadium 974. Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta extended the advantage before substitute Paik Seung-ho pulled a late goal back for South Korea.

“It’s the offensive boldness of this team and the way we play collectively that is impressive,” Tite told reporters, reports Xinhua. “This batch of players is the result of a lot of work from many people, starting at the grassroots level.

“Another feature is that we have a balanced team, both defensively and offensively. The players realize that this balance is what we need in a tournament like this.”

The victory means Brazil will meet Croatia at Education City stadium in the quarterfinals on Friday (Dec. 9).

Tite also commented on his celebratory dance with Richarlison and Brazil’s bench after the Tottenham forward’s 29th-minute strike.

“I asked him [before the match], ‘What is that dance? If you show me, I’ll do it’,” Tite said.

“But I have to be very careful. There might be people who say it was disrespectful. I knew there would be a camera there and I didn’t want it to be misinterpreted. I would never disrespect the opponent or [South Korea manager] Paulo Bento.”

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