Brazilian Presidential Election Goes to Runoff After Bolsonaro Defies Polls
Left-wing former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won 48.4 percent of votes (FT) in Brazil’s presidential race yesterday, compared to 43.2 percent won by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Many polls had projected that support for Bolsonaro would only reach the high thirties. The candidates will face each other in a runoff on October 30.
Allies of Bolsonaro performed well in congressional and local elections. At least seven of his former ministers were elected to Congress (NYT), including a former environment minister who oversaw surging deforestation in the Amazon and a former health minister who was widely criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analysis
“If Bolsonaro wins another term in office, the world’s biggest rainforest could pass its tipping point. If he loses, we have the chance to bring it—and Brazil—back from the brink,” Instituto Socioambiental’s Adriana Ramos tells The Guardian.
“Whether or not Bolsonaro loses, the far-right in Brazil is alive and well-established,” the Peterson Institute for International Economics’ Monica de Bolle tweets.
China: A landmark case in China’s #MeToo movement ended two days ahead of a civil trial in a U.S. court when Chinese billionaire Richard Liu reached a settlement (NYT) with a University of Minnesota student who accused him of rape.
South and Central Asia
Pakistan’s Army Chief Visits Washington
General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s visit comes as the United States and Pakistan aim to improve bilateral ties (Dawn) and follows the White House’s announcement of a $450 million deal to sustain Pakistan’s air force. He is set to meet with U.S. military officials.
Afghanistan: Women in Kabul and the provinces of Bamiyan and Herat protested (The Guardian) a suicide bombing that killed dozens of women and girls at a school on Friday. In Kabul and Herat, Taliban forces reportedly shot at protesters.
Middle East and North Africa
Iranian Security Forces Crack Down on Student Protesters
Security personnel used tear gas and paintballs against students at a Tehran university who were protesting the death (BBC) of Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by Iran’s morality police last month. Dozens of students were reportedly arrested.
Yemen: The Houthi rebels declared (The National) a six-month cease-fire in the country to be at a “dead end” as no agreement was made to renew it before it expired yesterday.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Burkina Faso’s Military Instates New Ruler in Second Coup of the Year
The leader of the first coup and the country’s interim president, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, announced his resignation and fled to Togo, the Associated Press reported. The leader of the new junta, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, is now head of state.
United Kingdom: After days of market upheaval, the government said it will not move forward (CNN) with plans to cut the maximum income tax rate of 45 percent for the country’s highest earners.
Americas
U.S., Venezuela Swap Detainees
Following secret talks, Venezuela released seven Americans (WaPo) who were detained in the country and the United States released two family members of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
United States
Biden to Visit Puerto Rico to Survey Hurricane Damage
Tens of thousands of people are still without power (AP) two weeks after Hurricane Fiona hit the U.S. territory. The White House said President Joe Biden will announce new funds for climate resilience when he visits the island today.
