Multiple Paralympic champion Gabriel Araújo, known as Gabrielzinho, won the Laureus World Sports Award on Monday (Apr. 20) during a ceremony at the Cibeles Palace in Madrid, Spain. The 23-year-old Brazilian swimmer beat five other nominees in the Best Athlete with a Disability category.

Gabrielzinho was the only Brazilian honored at the 26th edition of the Laureus Awards, considered the Oscars of international sports. Nominated in other categories, his compatriots João Fonseca (tennis), Rayssa Leal (skateboarding), and Yago Dora (swimming) were not selected this year by the Laureus World Sports Academy, whose jury is composed of 55 renowned athletes.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Cristian Ribera wins unprecedented podium for Brazil at Paralympics.
• Brazil makes history, wins Paralympic Athletics Worlds.

“I would like to thank God and my family for everything we are building. Being here is a dream come true for me. I thank my coach [Fábio Antunes] for his support. This is the first of many; we will continue to make history,” said Gabrielzinho, receiving a standing ovation as he accepted the trophy.

Last year, he became a three-time world champion in Singapore, winning the 50- and 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter S2 class (physical-motor impairment). And that wasn’t all: Gabrielzinho also broke the world record in the 150-meter individual medley. A swimming icon, he has stood on the podium six times across the last two Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals in Paris 2024 and two golds and a silver in Tokyo 2020.

Gabrielzinho won the 2026 Laureus Award after beating five competitors in the Laureus World Sports Academy vote: swimmers Simone Barlaam (Italy) and David Kratochvíl (Czech Republic); track and field athletes Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) and Kiara Rodríguez (Ecuador); and ice hockey player Kelsey DiClaudio (United States).

Before Gabrielzinho, São Paulo swimmer Daniel Dias had already won the Laureus Award for Best Athlete with a Disability in 2009, 2013, and 2016.

Other Brazilian nominees

Skateboarder Rayssa Leal and surfer Yago Dora competed for the Laureus Award for Best Action Sports Athlete, along with four other athletes from other countries. The winner in the category was American snowboarder Chloe Kim. Tennis player João Fonseca was nominated for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, which included five other nominees. The winner was British Formula 1 driver Lando Norris.

Brazil and Germany signed a joint declaration of intent on Monday (Apr. 20) in Hannover to expand scientific and technological cooperation in critical and strategic minerals, which are considered essential for the energy transition and the development of emerging technologies.

The deal was inked during an official visit by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who met with the European country’s Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.

Notícias relacionadas:

• In Germany, Lula advocates for EU partnership on decarbonization.
• Lula congratulates Friedrich Merz on his party’s victory in Germany.
• Lula advocates for Brazilian companies to operate in Portugal.

The agreement, signed between Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space, lays the groundwork for intensifying joint efforts in research, development, and innovation across the entire production chain of these materials.

Critical minerals are essential to modern technologies, defense, and the energy transition, including the manufacture of batteries, solar panels, and turbines, and their supply faces risks of scarcity or dependence on a limited number of suppliers.

Brazil ranks among the countries with the largest reserves of these raw materials on the planet. Lula made the remark to reporters following his meeting with Merz. The Brazilian president emphasized that mineral extraction should go beyond simply selling raw materials.

“Our reserves also make us key players in the debate on critical minerals. We want to attract processing chains to Brazil, rather than rely solely on exports. Collaboration in technology-intensive sectors is a priority for a country that does not want to remain a mere commodity exporter,” he stated.

Under the cooperation agreement, also cited by Friedrich Merz in his press statement, Brazil and Germany pledge to expand research, development, and innovation in the exploration, extraction, and processing of critical minerals, including rare earths and other metals.

Both countries recognize the strategic importance of research, development, and innovation to increase value added along the value chains of critical and strategic minerals, contributing to sustainable industrial development, technological sovereignty, and stronger domestic industrial capabilities.

Commitments include support for innovation, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries; the launch of joint research, development, and innovation projects for the responsible management of critical minerals; and exchanges of scientists and postgraduate technical staff. The agreement provides for the development, by 2026, of a new bilateral program to provide direct funding to national institutions and companies in both countries.

Other agreements

Alongside the critical minerals agreement, Brazil and Germany signed 14 other joint agreements during Lula’s official visit.

Among them is a cooperation agreement to strengthen the fight against environmental crimes such as deforestation, wildlife trafficking, and illegal fishing and mining. Another agreement covers cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, with a focus on digital government and industrial applications.

On his second official trip to Germany during his current term, Lula highlighted that Brazil is one of the few countries with which Germany maintains a strategic partnership agreement, considered the highest level of diplomatic relations between nations.

“This closeness is more important than ever at a time of profound changes in the world order. We want to strengthen our mutual benefits and expand our network. We want to be strong partners with shared ideas,” said Friedrich Merz in a statement to the press.

In addition to the bilateral meeting, Lula delivered a speech at the opening of the world’s largest industrial trade fair, Hannover Messe, which is featuring Brazil this year. He also attended a meeting with Brazilian and German business leaders, where he highlighted opportunities in the biofuels sector.

During a visit to Lisbon, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday (Apr. 21) that Portugal could be the main gateway for Brazilian business interests in Europe. The statement comes in the context of the entry into force of the Mercosur-European Union Agreement on May 1.

Lula met for the first time with Portuguese President António José Seguro, who took office on March 9. After meeting the head of state at the National Palace of Belém, he had lunch with the head of government, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, at the São Bento Palace.

Notícias relacionadas:

• In Germany, Lula advocates for EU partnership on decarbonization.
• Lula to attend Brazil-Spain Summit in Barcelona.
• Lula congratulates António Seguro on election victory in Portugal.

The Brazilian president advocated for closer economic integration with Portugal and for Brazilian companies to operate in the country. Lula cited the example of Embraer aerospace company, which has maintained an industrial park in Évora since 2012.

“We can replicate initiatives like those of Embraer here in Portugal. It is the most successful example of a Brazilian company helping to build things in the country,” he said, addressing the prime minister.

Trade

Bilateral trade between Brazil and Portugal totaled USD 4.5 billion in 2025. Brazil recorded a trade surplus of USD 2 billion.

In addition to the aerospace industry, Brazilian companies have investments in Portugal in the steel, machinery, and equipment sectors.

For its part, Portugal is a major supplier of oil and gas to Brazil and has investments in infrastructure and the electricity sector.

Brazilian immigrants

During the visit, the presence of the Brazilian community in Portugal was also discussed. The Portuguese prime minister noted that “Brazilians who come to Portugal - who now number more than 500,000 - have come to work, to pursue their goals, and have achieved a high level of social and economic integration.”

Montenegro acknowledged, however, that there have been incidents involving Brazilians in Portugal, adding that, in his view, these are isolated cases.

“This does not mean there have not been, here and there, isolated disturbances,” he stated.

The number of Brazilians in Portugal is about five times greater than that of Portuguese in Brazil - 104,000, according to the 2022 IBGE Census - making them the second-largest group of foreigners in Brazil.

Outside the Belém Palace, Brazilian and Portuguese protesters both for and against President Lula gathered throughout the day. According to Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), the groups were kept apart by police barriers and tape, and no clashes were reported.

Return to Brazil

Lula’s visit to Portugal coincides with Tiradentes Day, April 21. The holiday honors the martyr of the Inconfidência Mineira - an 18th-century independence movement and a symbol of the struggle for freedom and independence in Brazil, a former Portuguese colony.

Lula’s trip to Lisbon followed visits to Spain on April 17 and 18 and to Germany on April 19 and 20. The president returned to Brazil on Tuesday (21).

The face is the same. The voice, too. But the information is suspect. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have heightened the need for caution regarding the content people receive in various forms - more than at any other time in history. This is according to professionals who fact-check information, who recommend vigilance.

A snapshot of this is provided by a survey released last week, based on 1,294 professional fact-checks in at least ten languages, conducted by Lupa Agency, a Brazilian outlet specializing in this field. The report is titled The Impact of AI on Global Fact-Checking.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Electoral Court approves restrictions on AI use in 2026 elections.
• AI: Major security concern for businesses in Brazil.
• AI-created fake content in Brazil more than triples from 2024 to 2025.

The survey’s findings reveal that 81.2 percent of disinformation cases involving artificial intelligence technologies emerged in just the past two years, between January 2024 and March 2026. Elections, wars, and coups were the most recurring topics.

According to Cristina Tardáguila, innovation and training manager at Lupa, AI is redefining disinformation globally.

“The vast majority of contents analyzed by fact-checkers end up being labeled as false or misleading. AI has rarely been designed to promote truthful content,” she said in an interview with Agência Brasil.

Beyond videos

Another observation by the researcher and founder of Lupa is that misinformation reaches the public in various formats, beyond videos, short audio clips, photos, and text. She also warned about the use of these technologies during election periods worldwide, saying such practices threaten democracies.

“This is an important election year in Brazil and in other countries in the region.” She cites electoral processes in the United States, Peru, Costa Rica, and Colombia. “This scenario will affect both fact-checkers and voters in these countries.”

“They will be inundated with AI-generated content, and there is a high likelihood that much of it is false,” she adds.

According to her, this means that the use of AI to manipulate content is no longer an isolated occurrence but a permanent feature of the digital disinformation landscape. The number of fact-checks identifying this type of falsehood rose from 160 in 2023 to 578 in 2025. By March this year, there had already been 205 such verifications.

Lies in different languages

The study focuses on language rather than geography. In English, 427 cases of AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes, such as face and voice swapping, were identified. In Spanish, there were 198, and in Portuguese, 111.

The researcher argues that the most important priority now is the spread of media literacy. She says fact-checking projects around the world support legislation aimed at helping society recognize potentially false content in posts. Media literacy, she adds, would play a role similar to a vaccine.

“We need the vaccine against misinformation - which is, in fact, quality information - to come first so that people can be prepared and resilient when they encounter AI-driven falsehoods,” Tardáguila emphasizes.

Media literacy as a solution

To this end, she calls for public policy that includes media literacy and literacy - the ability to read, write, interpret, and use language effectively - and urges its urgent inclusion in schools.

In addition to the role of government, traditional media companies can also contribute, alongside fact-checking agencies. “It is important to emphasize that fact-checking must adhere to established criteria of transparency and rigor,” Tardáguila notes. The study took into account fact-checks published and indexed by Google’s Fact Check Explorer, a free tool for searching verified information.

“I have no doubt that 2026 will be a year in which we see more and more AI. It is important for Brazilians to know this, to prepare themselves, and to be active and able to identify misinformation,” she says.

The researcher believes that any citizen can fact-check information when they have doubts about its legitimacy. Lupa Agency has created a free course for beginners.

The Women’s Assistance 180 hotline - operated by the Ministry of Women - recorded 1,088,900 calls in 2025, nearly 3,000 per day, a 45 percent increase compared to 2024. Of the total, 155,111 were reports of violence against women, up 17.4 percent.

Over the year, reports of violence averaged 425 per day.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil: Femicide victims 38% higher than official records.
• Hate against women increases on social media.
• Brazil unveils plan targeting perpetrators of violence against women.

Other calls involved requests for information about the national network for the protection of women, as well as public policies and campaigns.

Data from the 180 hotline for 2025 were released on Wednesday (Apr. 15).

Domestic violence

Of the total 155,111 reports of violence against women, nearly 70 percent of assaults occurred in a domestic setting, with 40.76 percent taking place at the victim’s residence and 28.58 percent in a home shared with the suspect.

The perpetrator’s home accounted for 5.39 percent (8,356) of the reports of violence on the 180 hotline.

Another 4,587 reports (2.96%) involved incidents of violence on public streets.

Reports also extend to the online environment, accounting for 2.96 percent of recorded cases of violence against women. The survey shows that in 2025, two-thirds (66.3%, or 102,770) of the reports were filed by the victims themselves, while another 26,200 (16.9%) were submitted anonymously.

Complaints from third parties, such as family members, friends, and neighbors of the victim, accounted for 16.8 percent (26,033). Another 53 reports were made by the perpetrators themselves.

Pattern of abuse

The data also highlight the persistence of violence against women in Brazil:

• 20.91 percent (32,435) of women report having experienced violence for more than a year;
• 10.15 percent (15,740) of reports indicate abuse that began recently, within the past 30 days.

Regarding the frequency of assaults, 31.86 percent of reports (49,424 cases) involve daily violence.

The report also shows that 8.10 percent of assaults (12,561 cases) occur weekly and 1.82 percent (2,817 cases) monthly.

Another 17.39 percent of victims (26,980) reported occasional assaults, while 10.50 percent (16,288) reported a single incident.

In 25.38 percent of reports (39,367), no information was provided on the frequency of the violence.

Victim profile

Structural violence against women in Brazil disproportionately affects black and brown women, according to data on the race or color of victims in hotline reports.

Black and brown women account for more than 43.16 percent of reported incidents of violence, with 51,907 reports involving brown women (33.46 percent) and 15,046 involving black (9.70 percent).

White women account for about one-third (32.54 percent) of the reports recorded by 180 hotline, with a total of 50,474 cases.

Asian women appear in 807 reports (0.52%), and indigenous women in 488 cases (0.31%).

In 36,389 cases (23.45%), no information on race or ethnicity was provided.

Age group

Although violence against women affects all age groups, the data indicate a peak in vulnerability among women aged 26 to 44. This group accounts for 57,673 cases, equivalent to 37.19 percent of all reports.

The highest incidence occurs among victims aged 40 to 44, with 15,117 reports (9.75%).

Among those affected, women aged 35 to 39 accounted for 14,594 cases (9.41%), followed by those aged 30 to 34, with 14,173 reports (9.14%), and those aged 26 to 29, with 13,789 cases (8.89%).

Types of violence

The Brazilian government notes that, under the methodology of the women’s assistance hotline, a single report may involve more than one type of violence, which increases the total number of cases recorded, as a woman may be subjected to multiple forms of abuse by the same perpetrator.

Among the most common forms of violence, psychological violence tops the list, accounting for nearly half of all reported cases, with more than 339,000 incidents (49.9%). Physical violence follows, with more than 104,000 incidents (15.3%).

The report also details other serious forms of violence during the period:

• property-related violence, with 36,938 cases (5.4%);
• sexual violence, with 20,534 reports (3.0%), of which 8,172 were classified as sexual harassment (1.2%);
• kidnapping or unlawful detention, with 2,621 cases (0.4 %).

Vicarious violence

Data from the 180 hotline reveal that, in 2025, 7,064 reports of vicarious violence were recorded, representing 4.55 percent of the total 155,111 reports.

This practice occurs when an abuser uses children, relatives, or close associates to inflict psychological suffering on the woman.

In April this year, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law a bill that classifies vicarious violence as a form of domestic and family violence and includes it in the list of heinous crimes, punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a strong speech against wars and in defense of strengthened multilateralism in Barcelona, Spain, where he participated in the fourth high-level meeting of the Forum for the Defense of Democracy.

The president began his three-country European trip in Spain on Saturday (Apr. 18). He then traveled to Germany and later to Portugal.

Notícias relacionadas:

• In Germany, Lula advocates for EU partnership on decarbonization.
• Lula to attend Brazil-Spain Summit in Barcelona.
• Lula criticizes Trump’s threats to the world and defends Pope Leo XIV.

In his speech, Lula also emphasized that the consequences of armed conflicts fall on the poorest.

“Trump invades Iran, and consequently one sees an increase in the price of beans in Brazil, corn in Mexico, and gasoline in other countries. Are the poor going to pay for the irresponsibility of wars that nobody wants?” he asked.

Lula emphasized that countries have other problems to face and the world “does not need war.”

“We have more than 760 million people going hungry, we have millions of illiterate people, and millions of people died because there was no vaccine against COVID-19,” he added.

Lula noted that the world is currently experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II and called for coordinated action by the United Nations (UN).

“We must demand that the UN Secretary-General convene special meetings, even without a request from the five Security Council members,” he said.

The president criticized some of the major ongoing wars, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s destruction of the Gaza Strip, and the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East.

“No president of any country in the world, no matter how powerful, has the right to impose rules on other countries. None. And the five members of the UN Security Council must come together to change this behavior. We cannot wake up every morning and go to sleep every night with a president’s tweet threatening the world and waging war. And they all make decisions without consulting the UN, of which they are members and part of its Security Council,” Lula continued.

The Brazilian president lamented the silence of countries and stressed that democracy at the United Nations depends on their engagement. “Strengthening multilateralism depends on us.”

Regulation of Digital Platforms

In his speech, Lula also criticized the role of digital platforms in the political destabilization of countries and called on the UN itself to lead discussions on shared rules among nations.

“The plain and simple truth is that lies have triumphed over truth. That is a hard fact. To lie, you don’t have to explain yourself; to justify yourself, you do,” he said.

Lula also called on the UN to take action regarding social media platforms.

“It needs to function to ensure, for example, that social media platforms are regulated worldwide, for everyone. A president cannot interfere in one country’s election, interfere in another’s, or ask for votes for another. Where is electoral sovereignty? Where is territorial sovereignty? This is an issue we need to discuss and make our voices heard on. And the arena where we must fight is the United Nations,” Lula added.

The Democracy Forever Forum is an initiative launched in 2024 by the governments of Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay. In Barcelona, the event, organized by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, also featured Presidents Yamandú Orsi (Uruguay), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico), and former Chilean President Gabriel Boric.

Indigenous organizations demonstrated on Sunday (Apr. 19), marking Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to call for the demarcation of their lands. The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) emphasized that demarcation is a form of historical reparation and that territories are indispensable to indigenous life.

“We continue to resist because our territories remain under attack and our bodies remain targets. We need our territories demarcated and protected. Without demarcation, there is no life, no culture, no future. Territory is where we plant, where we pray, where we bury our ancestors, and where our children grow up,” the organization said on social media.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Campaign to administer 89,000 vaccine doses in indigenous territories.
• Indigenous peoples cite progress, demand land demarcation, protection.
• Indigenous leaders in Brazil call for areas free from oil drilling.

APIB, the organizer of the Free Land Camp in Brasília, also highlighted the violence faced by indigenous peoples and the illegal exploitation of their territories.

“We need them to stop violating our bodies and territories. Illegal mining, logging, invasions, harassment, and femicide: none of this is tradition. Violence is not culture. Demarcation is reparation. There is no sovereignty or democracy without demarcated territory.”

The Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) emphasized that the destruction of indigenous territories has a direct impact on the balance of the Amazon, as evidenced by extreme droughts, wildfires, and environmental degradation.

“Indigenous territories are under constant attack from illegal mining, deforestation, land grabbing, and large-scale projects encroaching on the Amazon, invading lands that should be protected. This is not an isolated conflict, but rather an ongoing project of exploitation of our territories,” the organization posted on social media.

Amnesty International also spoke out on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, calling for urgent action on land restitution and demarcation.

“Demarcating lands, protecting communities, and respecting ways of life that keep ancestral cultures, knowledge, and technologies alive are not merely matters of historical redress. It is about securing the future. When these rights are violated, it is not just the past that is lost; the possibility of tomorrow is also lost.”

Amnesty International emphasized indigenous peoples protect about 80 percent of global biodiversity, according to the United Nations (UN). “The answer to the current crisis already exists, and it comes from those who have always been here. Defending the rights of indigenous peoples is defending human rights.”

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday (Apr. 19) advocated a clean energy matrix in partnership with Europe and the protection of jobs amid the advance of artificial intelligence.

During a visit to Germany, Lula spoke at the opening of the world’s largest industrial fair, Hannover Messe. He again criticized the effects of the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, which he described as “madness.”

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil to tap into 36% of global trade after Mercosur–EU deal.
• Coalition for transport decarbonization in Brazil has 121 signatories.
• Brazil seeks to boost gas production, imports from Bolivia.

Lula said Brazil can help the European Union reduce energy costs and decarbonize industry. “To this end, it is essential that the bloc’s rules take into account the clean energy mix used in our production processes.”

Accompanied by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as government representatives and business leaders from both countries, Lula argued that it is necessary to counter “false narratives” about the sustainability of Brazilian agriculture. He was applauded several times during his speech.

“Creating additional barriers to access for biofuels is counterproductive, both environmentally and from an energy perspective,” Lula noted.

The president said that in 2026 Brazil will launch a “robust program” prioritizing the green economy and Industry 4.0, at a critical moment in global geopolitics marked by paradoxes.

“Artificial intelligence makes us more productive, but it is also used to select military targets without legal or moral parameters,” he added.

Defending workers

Regarding the labor market, Lula said the country has the lowest unemployment rate in its history and that he supports ending the six-day workweek, reducing working hours to guarantee two days of rest.

Lula urged business leaders and researchers to consider the global impact on workers as artificial intelligence technologies evolve.

“If artificial intelligence delivers the benefits we seek, we must remember that behind every invention there is a human being. If people have no place in the job market, the world will only get worse,” he pointed out.

“The madness of war”

Later in his speech, Lula stated that Brazil is among the countries least affected by “the madness of the war with Iran.” He added that the government has taken domestic measures to minimize the impact, given that the country imports about 30 percent of the diesel it consumes.

The president also condemned global inequality, noting that USD 2.7 trillion is spent on wars. He called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to take responsibility for addressing this reality. The Council has five permanent members: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom.

Deforestation

Lula drew renewed applause when he reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to achieving zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030. “Over the past three years, we have reduced deforestation in the Amazon by 50 percent and in the Cerrado by 32 percent.”

The president emphasized that Brazil prioritizes sustainability in the fuel sector. “We have already adopted a 30 percent ethanol blend in gasoline and a 15 percent biodiesel blend. We produce biofuels sustainably, without compromising food production or clearing forests,” he explained.

He also highlighted that 90 percent of Brazil’s electricity comes from clean sources and that the country has the potential to produce the world’s cheapest green hydrogen.

Lula mentioned the potential for increased mining of critical minerals to support decarbonization and digital transformation. “With only 30 percent of our mineral potential mapped, our country already has the world’s largest reserves of niobium, the second-largest reserves of graphite and rare earth elements, and the third-largest reserves of nickel.”

He stressed that he does not see Brazil as a “mere exporter” of minerals, but instead seeks international partnerships that include technology transfer.

Extreme rainfall and flooding have become increasingly frequent in Brazilian cities. In this context, the renaturalization of urban rivers is one of the strategies experts advocate to help cities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Restoring and reopening waterways can make these areas more resilient.

Urban landscape architect Cecília Herzog, a member of the Network of Experts in Nature Conservation (RECN), says river restoration is an urgent measure given the current climate scenario.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Forty municipalities under emergency after floods in Amazonas state.
• Floods have affected 3,000 health care units in Rio Grande do Sul.
• Research reveals 82% of Brazilians concerned about climate change.

According to her, the development model that channeled rivers and covered the soil with asphalt and concrete has exacerbated the effects of rainfall.

“It’s important to remember that water doesn’t disappear. When it rains, it always flows to the lowest points and, at some point, can flood them, especially in flatter or low-lying areas,” Herzog said.

With fewer permeable surfaces, water runs off more quickly, increasing the risk of flooding. In this context, river restoration must be accompanied by a broader revitalization of the urban landscape, including the expansion of green spaces and natural drainage systems. Permeable soil helps slow runoff.

“Water seeps into the soil, is retained for a while, and then continues its course in a more balanced way. In open rivers, with their natural course and riparian vegetation, the impact of rainfall is much smaller,” the landscape architect explained.

Ongoing projects

This understanding is beginning to gain traction in Brazil. In São Paulo, the future Bixiga Municipal Park envisions reopening part of the Bixiga stream, as well as preserving springs and expanding green spaces. The project is the result of more than four decades of mobilization by civil society.

In 2024, the city council approved the allocation of the land for the creation of the public space, and in January this year, the city launched a national public competition to define the design of the future park. The result is expected to be announced in May.

In Rio de Janeiro, a working group coordinated by the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment and Climate is studying the rehabilitation of the Maracanã River through nature-based solutions. Researchers from public and private universities are participating in the initiative.

The proposal includes measures to restore some of the river’s original characteristics and expand the region’s drainage capacity. In March, a partnership was established with the Brazilian Institute of Architects (IAB-RJ) to hold a national public design competition for the renaturalization project. No date has yet been set for the call for proposals, but it is expected to be released later this year.

New standards

Architect and urban planner Juliana Baladelli Ribeiro, project manager at the Boticário Group Foundation, emphasized that renaturalization is part of a new urban development paradigm.

“This concept also includes the implementation of green roofs, rain gardens, vegetated swales, small retention basins, extensive tree planting, and other structures that allow for temporary water retention, facilitate infiltration into the soil, and promote evapotranspiration by plants,” Ribeiro noted.

In addition to reducing flooding, these solutions also help mitigate heat waves, which are becoming increasingly frequent in cities.

Experts emphasize that isolated measures will not be sufficient in the face of increasingly intense extreme weather events. Climate adaptation requires integrated actions tailored to the reality of each territory.

“It will be necessary to create a system for revitalizing the urban landscape. The idea is to restore to the city areas of living soil and native vegetation capable of performing important ecological functions that are currently compromised,” the architect stated.

“This may include sunken areas designed to collect rainwater and various types of green infrastructure, ranging from small-scale interventions to larger projects, depending on the characteristics of each city. Adapting to climate change is always a local challenge that must be addressed in each specific area,” Herzog added.

A study by the Desiderata Institute shows that 60.7 percent of families living in Brazil’s favelas face some degree of food insecurity.

At the same time, it highlights a growing contradiction: the simultaneous presence of hunger and overweight among children, a phenomenon known as the double burden of malnutrition.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Over 60% of Brazilians are overweight.
• Sarcopenic obesity increases risk of death by 80%.
• Ultra-processed foods make up nearly a quarter of Brazilians’ diets.

The study Food Environments in Favelas: Perceptions of Food Access Among Residents of Brazilian Favelas surveyed 900 households in three areas: Complexo da Maré and Caramujo in Rio de Janeiro, and Coque in Pernambuco. Among children aged 5 to 10, 34.7 percent have excess weight, with more than 21 percent classified as overweight and 12.95 percent as obese.

Barriers

The data indicate that food access in these areas is heavily shaped by structural factors, with food prices emerging as the main barrier: about 43 percent of respondents say that fresh produce, even when available, is not economically accessible.

In contrast, ultra-processed foods are more readily available and more frequently consumed.

Another significant barrier is physical access. According to the survey, 33 percent of residents take more than 30 minutes to reach their main food shopping location, with 58 percent making the trip on foot.

Reliance on local stores and supermarkets reinforces what experts classify as “food swamps,” with an abundance of unhealthy products, and “food deserts,” where nutritious options are scarce.

The institute’s obesity program manager, Andrea Rangel, emphasizes that the local environment plays a decisive role in food choices and that healthy environments encourage healthier choices.

“The right to food necessarily involves the real possibility of choice. It is essential that the promotion of fresh and nutritious foods in communities be at the center of consistent public policies. We will only achieve equity in food security when a person’s ZIP code is no longer a barrier,” she noted.

The study also points out inequalities in access to school meals: in the Coque neighborhood of Pernambuco, 91.67 percent of children are enrolled in daycare centers or public schools, yet only 16.33 percent eat lunch at school.

“This was a finding that really caught our attention and raised a red flag, prompting us to understand the reasons behind such widespread resistance to school meals,” Andrea Rangel explained. “We began investigating the quality of the meals and any complaints submitted to the School Meals Council.”

In Caramujo, also in Rio state, the study identified difficulties in food supply. “About 60 percent of respondents take more than 30 minutes to reach shopping locations. This finding reveals the fragility of physical access to food and reinforces the need for measures that ensure food availability and quality in these areas,” Rangel added.

The profile of the families surveyed underscores their social vulnerability: 89 percent of those responsible for food provision are women, most of them black, and households have an average of four members.

Despite these challenges, schools emerge as a strategic space for food security. Among the children surveyed, 89.81 percent are enrolled, and more than half (53 percent) eat meals at school.

School meal participation is also significant, with 64.47 percent of respondents reporting high adherence. However, factors such as police operations and school closures directly affect access to food, compromising an essential social safety net.

Brazil’s population is aging and growing at an increasingly slower rate. This is reflected in the 2025 Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), released this Friday (Apr. 17) by the Brazilian government’s statistics agency IBGE.

Last year, the country's resident population reached 212.7 million, an increase of 0.39 percent compared to 2024. The growth rate has remained below 0.60 percent since 2021. Of the total, 51.2 percent were women and 48.8 percent were men.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Homeless population in Brazil rises by 25% in one year.
• Proportion of Brazilians living alone grows 52% in 12 years.

The distribution of the population shows a decline in the proportion of people under 40 years of age, a group that was 6.1 percent smaller in 2025 than in 2012. By contrast, the share of older age groups has increased: those aged 40 to 49 rose from 13 percent to 15 percent, those aged 50 to 59 from 10 percent to 11.8 percent, and those aged 60 or older from 11.3 percent to 16.6 percent.

This shift is also evident in the age pyramid: between 2012 and 2025, the base narrowed and the top widened, with a decline in the population aged 39 and under.

Regional differences remain striking. The North and Northeast regions have the highest shares of young people, accounting for 22.6 percent and 19.1 percent of the population aged 13 and under, respectively, while the Southeast and South have higher proportions of older adults, with both regions reporting 18.1 percent of the population aged 60 or older.

There have also been changes in how the population identifies its skin color or race. The number of people identifying as white has declined in all regions of the country. In 2012, whites accounted for 46.4 percent of the population; by 2025, this share had fallen to 42.6 percent. The percentage of people identifying as black rose from 7.4 percent to 10.4 percent.

The North recorded the largest increase in the black population, rising from 8.7 percent to 12.9 percent. The South saw the strongest growth among people of mixed race, from 16.7 percent to 22 percent, and the sharpest decline in the share of those identifying as white, from 78.8 percent to 72.3 percent.

Rise in single-person households

The percentage of people living alone also increased. In 2025, single-person households accounted for 19.7 percent, up from 12.2 percent in 2012. The nuclear family arrangement - defined as a couple, a mother with children, or a father with children - remains the most common, representing 65.6 percent of households. However, this share has declined from 68.4 percent in 2012.

The survey shows age and gender differences among people living alone. Among men, 56.6 percent are between 30 and 59 years old, while among women, the largest share (56.5 percent) is aged 60 or older.

Regarding housing tenure, the proportion of rented properties rose to 23.8 percent, an increase of 5.4 percentage points since 2016. Meanwhile, the share of fully paid-off, owner-occupied homes fell to 60.2 percent, a decline of 6.6 percentage points over the same period.

There was also a shift in housing types: single-family homes still predominate, but their share fell to 82.7 percent, while apartments increased to 17.1 percent.

This Friday (Apr. 17), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will participate in the 1st Brazil–Spain Summit, where he will be welcomed by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez. The Brazilian government expects that, during the summit, the two countries will expand their common ground on issues such as multilateralism, international law, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Agreements and treaties in areas such as gender equality, the social solidarity economy, health, culture, entrepreneurship, air services, telecommunications, science, and technology are expected to be signed.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil Congress approves Mercosur-EU trade agreement.
• Brazil seeks partnership with Europe for critical mineral mining.
• Brazil and Colombia confirm attendance at democracy event.

The president arrived on Thursday (Apr. 16) in the Spanish city of Barcelona, the first stop on his trip to three European countries - Spain, Germany, and Portugal. He is accompanied by a delegation of 15 ministers.

“The goal is to consolidate partnerships, attract investment, and discuss urgent global issues such as defending democracy, multilateralism, and the fight against inequality,” Lula posted on social media.

The trip also seeks to build support for Michelle Bachelet’s candidacy for United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and comes at a critical moment in relations with the European Union, ahead of the provisional entry into force of the Mercosur–European Union agreement, scheduled for May 1.

On Saturday (18), the fourth high-level meeting of the Forum for the Defense of Democracy, launched in 2024, will take place. The meeting will focus on issues related to multilateralism, including the process of selecting the next UN Secretary-General, as well as inequalities, with Brazil advocating the inclusion in the final declaration of provisions on political and digital gender-based violence, and the fight against disinformation.

On Sunday (19), Lula will depart for Germany, where he will participate in Hannover Messe - the world’s largest trade fair for industrial innovation and technology - which is honoring Brazil this year.

While in Germany, he will also hold a meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Brazilian diplomats expect 10 agreements to be signed between the two countries, covering areas such as defense, climate change, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, energy innovation, the bioeconomy, sustainable development, app development, and research on the oceans and the Brazilian Cerrado biome.

On Monday (Apr. 20), the delegation’s schedule includes the opening of the Brazilian booth at the Hannover Messe trade fair and a guided tour of the pavilions. In Germany, Lula will also take part in a business forum.

The trip will conclude on Tuesday (21) with a brief state visit to Portugal. In Lisbon, Lula will meet with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President António José Seguro. The meetings will address items on the bilateral agenda, such as cooperation in aviation, science, technology and innovation, as well as issues related to immigration, the fight against xenophobia, the Brazilian community in Portugal, peace, and international security.

Brazilian surfing has six representatives in the round of 16 at the Australian Margaret River event, the second stop on the World Surf League (WSL) tour. In the opening round on Thursday (Apr. 16), Gabriel Medina, Yago Dora, Ítalo Ferreira, João Chianca, and brothers Miguel and Samuel Pupo advanced.

Three other Brazilians made an early exit from Margaret River: Matheus Herdy, Filipe Toledo, and Alejo Muniz. In total, the WSL features 36 surfers in the men’s competition and 24 in the women’s.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil to award 10,885 sports grants this year.
• Brazilian Henrique Marques named world’s best taekwondo athlete.
• Brazilian Hugo Calderano climbs to world No. 2 in table tennis.

The first to qualify, Samuel Pupo scored 15.50 (the sum of his two highest waves) against American Cole Houshmand (11.60). In the round of 16, he will face American Kanoa Igarashi.

In the seventh heat, three-time world champion Gabriel Medina dominated Mexico’s Alan Cleland. After finishing third at the Bells Beach event last week, Medina scored 13.16 to Cleland’s 8.50. His next opponent will be host Jack Robinson, a two-time winner of the event in 2024.

Brazilian Yago Dora, the current world champion, came out on top in his debut against Australian Jacob Willcox, scoring 13.67 to 12.93 in heat 9. Dora will face Australian-Japanese surfer Connor O’Leary in the round of 16.

In heat 11, two-time world champion Ítalo Ferreira (13.47) had a thrilling battle against Morocco’s Ramzi Boukhiam (13.33) and emerged victorious. The margin was just 0.14 points. The round of 16 will be an all-Brazilian matchup: Ítalo will face João Chianca, who advanced in the next heat by defeating American Jake Marshall 12.70 to 12.00.

The last Brazilian in action at Margaret River, Miguel Pupo, the ranking leader after his title at Bells Beach, easily defeated Australian Morgan Cibilic with a score of 12.83 to 6.90. In the round of 16, he will face another local surfer: Ethan Ewing.

Brazil also has Luana Silva competing in the women’s division. She will make her debut directly in round 2 against local favorite Sophie McCulloch.

The Brazilian government’s economic team has proposed a primary surplus target of BRL 73.2 billion for 2027, the first year of the next presidential term. The figure corresponds to 0.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and was presented in the Budget Guidelines Bill (PLDO) sent to Congress on Wednesday (Apr. 15).

If confirmed, it would mark the first positive result in federal accounts since 2022, considering all public spending.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil budget bill projects 2.56% GDP growth in 2027.
• Brazil’s balance of trade posts lowest March surplus since 2020.
• Brazil plan targets 10% of GDP for education.

The primary surplus represents the government’s budget balance excluding interest on public debt. For this year, the government forecasts a small surplus of BRL 3.5 billion under official criteria. However, when spending outside the fiscal framework is included, the forecast shifts to a deficit of BRL 59.8 billion.

The proposal will need congressional approval and will apply to the next president-elect, who may maintain or alter the rules with lawmakers’ consent.

Spending limits

Under the fiscal framework rule, which limits real spending growth (above inflation) to 70 percent of real revenue growth, federal spending could rise by up to 3.3 percent in 2027.

In absolute terms, the Brazilian government could spend up to BRL 2.541 trillion in 2027. Of that total, the Executive Branch could spend up to BRL 2.441 trillion.

Next steps

The PLDO sets broad budget guidelines, while details on revenue and expenditure will be presented by August 31 with the submission of the Annual Budget Bill (PLOA).

The proposal underscores the challenge facing the next administration in balancing public accounts amid persistent fiscal pressures and moderate economic growth.

According to estimates in the 2027 Budget Guidelines Bill (PLDO), submitted to Congress on Wednesday (Apr. 15), Brazil’s economy (GDP) is expected to grow 2.56 percent next year.

The bill also forecasts a drop in official inflation, as measured by the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA), to 3.04 percent in 2027, compared to the 3.74 percent estimated for this year.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazilian economy expected to grow 2.44% in 2026 budget forecast.
• Brazilian economy grows 2.3% in 2025.
• Brazil’s Central Bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 14.75% per year.

Regarding the IPCA, the projection for next year falls within the continuous 3 percent target set by the National Monetary Council (CMN), with a tolerance margin of 1.5 percentage points. Within this range, inflation could vary between 1.5 percent and 4.5 percent next year without breaching the target.

The bill also projects the Selic, the economy’s benchmark interest rate, at 10.55 percent per year in 2027, compared with the current 14.75 percent.

The text sent to Congress projects an average exchange rate of BRL 5.47 for 2027. Although oil is currently trading at around USD 100 per barrel, the bill estimates the commodity’s average price - used to project federal government royalty revenue - at USD 67.69 next year.

Former federal congressman Alexandre Ramagem was released on Wednesday (Apr. 15) after spending two days in custody in the United States, where he is wanted by Brazilian authorities.

On Monday (13), Ramagem was approached by agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and detained in Orlando, Florida.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazilian fugitive Alexandre Ramagem arrested in US.
• Brazil’s Supreme Court convicts over 800 in coup plot cases.

The former lawmaker is no longer listed in the region’s detention records.

The reasons for Ramagem’s release were not disclosed by US authorities.

Ramagem is the subject of an extradition request filed by the Brazilian government with US officials.

Escape

In September last year, Alexandre Ramagem, former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN), fled the country to avoid serving a 16-year prison sentence for his role in the coup plot during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The Brazilian government raised 5 billion euros on Wednesday (Apr. 15) in a bond issuance on the European market, marking the country’s return to the segment after more than ten years. The transaction was led by the National Treasury and was announced by Finance Minister Dario Durigan.

According to the minister, the issuance was divided into three maturities: four-, seven- and ten-year terms. The minister provided details of the operation during an official visit to Washington, D.C., in the United States, where he is taking part in meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Higher-than-expected demand

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil Treasury makes largest bond intervention in 10 years.
• Second issuance of Brazilian green bonds yields $2 bi.
• Brazilian economy grows 2.3% in 2025.

According to the minister, demand for the bonds exceeded government expectations, indicating strong interest from international investors.

“We achieved historic fundraising,” said Durigan. “We have successfully returned to the European market and plan to explore new markets by the end of the year.”

According to estimates presented by international financial institutions, the issuance was structured into three tranches: 2 billion euros in bonds maturing in 2030, 1.5 billion euros maturing in 2033, and 1.5 billion euros maturing in 2036.

The National Treasury will subsequently provide details such as interest rates and spreads. The Brazilian government’s last euro-denominated bond issuance was in 2014.

Debt strategy

The transaction is part of Brazil’s strategy to manage public debt and expand its presence in different markets and currencies.

According to the Treasury, the issuance also aims to establish a benchmark for euro-denominated bonds, which could facilitate future fundraising by Brazilian companies abroad.

The proceeds will be used primarily to refinance federal public debt, replacing existing obligations.

A survey conducted by Nexus-Pesquisa e Inteligência de Dados using data from the Superior Electoral Court’s Open Data Portal reveals that the so-called Silver Generation - voters aged 60 and older - has grown five times faster than the overall electorate over the past 16 years.

While the number of voters across all age groups grew by 15 percent between 2010 and 2026, the 60+ electorate increased by 74 percent over the same period, rising from 20.8 million in 2010 to 36.2 million in March this year.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Electoral Court approves restrictions on AI use in 2026 elections.
• Electoral Court notes diversity and youth among Brazil's new mayors.

According to Nexus, these figures may increase even further by May 6, the deadline for voter registration with the Superior Electoral Court.

As of the date of the survey, 156.2 million people were eligible to participate in the electoral process this October, compared with 135.8 million in 2010. The survey suggests that, in a scenario of acute polarization such as that seen in the 2022 election, securing the support of the 60+ population is strategic.

According to Nexus CEO Marcelo Tokarski, the Silver Generation could help determine the outcome of this year’s election.

“It is entirely plausible that the so-called Silver Generation (60+) could be decisive in the election, although this group alone cannot be said to determine the outcome,” he stated.

Significant influence

Tokarski noted that in the 2022 presidential election, the margin between the candidates was narrow - less than 2 million votes - making this demographic highly strategic. Numerically, the 60+ generation now carries significant weight, accounting for one in four voters in Brazil and therefore capable of influencing close races.

“Thus, although it does not determine the outcome on its own, it can tip the scales, especially in polarized scenarios,” said the CEO of Nexus.

He acknowledged that the share of older voters in elections is likely to continue growing in step with rising life expectancy. “The trend clearly shows that the proportion of senior voters is keeping pace with - and directly reflects - increasing longevity and population aging.”

The survey shows that the population aged 60 and over rose from 7 percent to 16 percent over three decades, while, in parallel, the 60+ electorate expanded rapidly and now accounts for 23.2 percent of voters.

Abstention

Abstention among voters aged 60 and older has declined over the last three elections: it stood at 37.1 percent in 2014, dropped to 36.4 percent in 2018, and fell to 34.5 percent in 2022. In contrast, abstention rates among the Brazilian electorate as a whole rose from 19.4 percent in 2014 to 20.3 percent in 2018 and 20.9 percent in the most recent national election.

Although voters aged over 70 have a higher abstention rate than the average for the 60+ population, they have also been turning out to vote in greater numbers. With no mandatory voting requirement, this group recorded abstention rates of 63.6 percent in 2014, 62.7 percent in 2018, and 58.9 percent in 2022.

According to Marcelo Tokarski, Brazilians over 70 who participate in elections do so out of political conviction or identification and, alongside younger voters aged 16 to 18, constitute the segments of the Brazilian electorate that candidates must “win over.” He believes that, in a highly competitive political landscape, these groups have the potential to sway election outcomes.

Political landscape

The number of candidates over 60 has also been increasing annually in Brazil, in both general and municipal elections. According to data from the Superior Electoral Court, in the 2024 elections, more than 70,000 Brazilians aged 60 and older ran for office, accounting for 15 percent of all candidates.

This figure is the highest since the beginning of the time series in 1998. The previous election, in 2022, also set a record for general elections: there were 4,873 candidates aged 60 or older, accounting for 17 percent of all candidacies.

One of the goals of Brazil’s National Education Plan (PNE) is to increase public investment in education to 7.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within seven years and to 10 percent within a decade. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the document on Tuesday (Apr. 14) during a ceremony at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasília.

In total, the new plan includes 19 objectives, 73 goals, and 372 strategies, introducing new commitments to learning, inclusion, and equity.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil achieves 66% literacy rate among children at the right age.
• Brazil records 1 million fewer enrollments in basic education.
• Among adult Brazilians, 18.4% have completed higher education.

For President Lula, the plan - which he called a “masterpiece” - reaffirms the commitment to education for the next ten years. He noted that Brazilian society must take responsibility for the results and that there must be oversight to ensure the goals are met.

At the ceremony, Education Minister Leonardo Barchini emphasized that this is the best national education plan ever presented, with a strong focus on equity and educational quality.

“For the first time, we have set several distinct objectives and specific goals related to quality, including inclusive education, education for indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, rural areas, and sign language,” he said.

Goals from literacy to high school education

Priorities include topics such as literacy, learning, educational pathways, infrastructure, connectivity, digital education, and the training of education professionals.

Among the expected outcomes, according to the Brazilian government, is ensuring that at least 80 percent of children are literate by the end of the 2nd grade of elementary school. The plan aims to achieve this goal within five years.

Another goal set out in the document is to achieve universal literacy at the appropriate age within a decade.

The plan covers education from early childhood through graduate school, with an emphasis on initiatives such as literacy, teacher professional development, connectivity, and socio-environmental sustainability.

Other PNE goals include:

• 65 percent of schools and 50 percent of students in full-time education by 2036;
• 60 percent of children up to age 3 enrolled in early childhood education by 2036;
• 100 percent of students literate by 2036;
• Minimum operational and health standards in all public elementary and middle schools by the third year of the plan’s implementation;
• Vocational and technical education available to at least 50 percent of high school students by 2036.

In practice

The Brazilian government explained that the bill underlying the new plan was drafted by the Ministry of Education with the intention of being more than just a legal document. The plan’s proposed goals stem from programs and policies designed and currently being implemented by the ministry, such as the National Commitment to Literate Children (CNCA).

The drafting of the document also took into account proposals and extensive discussions held across the country, culminating in the document produced by the National Education Conference (CONAE) in January 2024.

CONAE was preceded by municipal, intermunicipal, and state-level conferences.