Despite tensions surrounding the war in the Middle East, Brazil’s Central Bank cut interest rates for the second time in a row. The Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) unanimously reduced the Selic rate, the economy’s benchmark interest rate, by 0.25 percentage points to 14.5 percent per year.

From June 2025 to March of this year, the rate stood at 15 percent per year, the highest level in nearly 20 years. At its last meeting, Copom cut interest rates again amid falling inflation. However, the war in the Middle East, which has led to higher fuel and food prices, complicates the committee’s work.

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• High interest rates continue to weigh on Brazilian household debt.
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• Brazilian industry blames interest rates for 2025 slowdown.

In a statement, the committee gave no indication of the future path of interest rates. It noted that it is monitoring the war in the Middle East and the effects of a possible prolongation on inflation.

Inflation

The Selic rate is the Central Bank’s primary tool for keeping inflation under control, as measured by the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA).

The inflation target set by the National Monetary Council for the Central Bank to pursue is 3 percent, with a tolerance band of 1.5 percentage points above or below.

In the latest Monetary Policy Report, released at the end of March, the Central Bank raised its forecast for the IPCA in 2026 from 3.5 percent to 3.6 percent.

The benchmark interest rate is used in government bond trading within the Special Settlement and Custody System (Selic) and serves as a reference for other interest rates in the economy. By raising it, the Central Bank curbs excess demand that puts upward pressure on prices, as higher interest rates make credit more expensive and encourage saving.

Brazil lost 1.6 million hectares of tree cover in tropical rainforests in 2025, according to a Global Forest Watch report released on Wednesday (Apr. 29) by the nonprofit environmental organization World Resources Institute (WRI).

The figure represents a 42 percent reduction in losses compared to 2024, with a greater decline in clear-cutting not involving fire. Losses unrelated to fires result from deforestation, clear-cutting, and natural die-off, among other factors.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Environment minister highlights lower deforestation in Brazil.
• Most Brazilian biomes saw lower deforestation in 2024.
• Deforestation falls 11% in Amazon and Cerrado.

“Brazil reduced non-fire-related losses by 41 percent compared to 2024, reaching the lowest level since records began [in 2001],” said Elizabeth Goldman, co-director of Global Forest Watch.

The states that saw the greatest reductions in losses were Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Acre, and Roraima, which together account for more than 40 percent of the decline. Maranhão was the only state where tree cover loss increased.

The data, produced annually by the Global Land Analysis and Discovery Laboratory (GLAD) at the University of Maryland, refer to primary vegetation - that is, mature natural areas with original vegetation.

Researchers at the World Resources Institute highlighted that the model used does not measure only deforestation, unlike Brazil’s official monitoring system, the Project for Monitoring Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon by Satellite (Prodes). The Global Forest Watch system also does not account for other disturbances, such as selective logging and natural die-off.

Alignment

According to Elizabeth Goldman, despite the different methods, the reduction indicated in the study aligns with the decline in deforestation across the main biomes, as reported by Prodes for the period from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

“Beyond primary tropical forests, when considering total tree loss, most biomes saw a reduction, including the Caatinga, a region of dry forests in northeastern Brazil,” the researcher noted.

WRI Brasil Executive Director Mirela Sandrini said the results achieved by Brazil were made possible by a task force led by the government, with the participation of civil society, academia, local communities, and the private sector.

Initiatives such as intensifying production in already deforested areas, creating the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), measures to compensate for environmental services, and tax incentives for those who preserve forests are in line with global expectations for the coming decade, Sandrini said.

“Given that Brazil is at the center of large-scale solutions for food, energy, and climate security, this is very important,” she pointed out.

Global data

Researchers say the results in Brazil had a positive impact on global data, which show a loss of 4.3 million hectares of tree cover in tropical rainforests worldwide in 2025.

This figure represents a 35 percent decrease compared to 2024, when vegetation loss reached a record high of 6.7 million hectares.

Non-fire-related losses of tree cover were the lowest in the past ten years, with a 23 percent decrease compared to 2024. By contrast, fire-related loss remains among the highest on record, ranking third since 2001.

Elizabeth Goldman stressed the figures for the 2025 fires are still subject to revision, as they may include late reports from 2024. “Smoke from active fires can block satellite sensors and delay the detection of these events,” she explained.

Losses

The loss of tree cover in Brazil accounted for more than 37 percent of the global total in the year; in terms of area, it was the country with the largest losses, followed by Bolivia (620,000 hectares) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (nearly 600,000 hectares). When the analysis is based on forest size, Bolivia and Madagascar recorded the greatest losses.

“Agricultural expansion was the main cause of tree cover loss in the tropics, driven by commodity production and a shift from subsistence farming to local market-oriented crops,” said the WRI co-director.

Fires

Globally, fires were the primary cause of tree cover loss in 2025. Over the past three years, fires have caused twice as much forest loss as they did two decades ago.

Goldman views the decline in tropical forest loss in 2025 as positive. However, she believes the result is insufficient to meet the commitment made by 140 countries to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. According to her, current data still places the world 70 percent above the required level.

“Reaching this goal in the coming years will not be easy because forests are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, while humanity continues to grow and demand more fuel and food,” Goldman said.

The Official National List of Endangered Fauna Species for Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates was updated on Tuesday (Apr. 28). The review, which began in 2024, added 100 species and removed the same number, keeping the total at 490.

Fish, stingrays, sharks, starfish, and hundreds of other species on the Brazilian mainland and in its waters were assessed for extinction risk and, based on their current status, classified as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), or Critically Endangered (CR).

Notícias relacionadas:

• Freshwater migratory fish rank among world’s most threatened species.
• Amazon extractive reserve is threatened by deforestation.
• Contaminated fish a health risk to Amazon riverine communities.

According to João Paulo Capobianco, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the update is the result of a robust technical analysis to determine the status of Brazilian wildlife, carried out through a joint effort by governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

“The goal of this initiative is to mobilize actions so that species currently under pressure from various factors can see their populations recover,” Capobianco said.

The new list replaces the 2014 version and was revised based on criteria from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), used to assess population size, geographic distribution, habitat conservation status, and pressures such as hunting and pollution.

In addition to the list, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change has published rules and restrictions to protect classified species and support the recovery of their populations. These include prohibitions on capture, transport, sale, and storage, as well as guidelines for developing recovery plans.

Snapper

According to the ministry, some recovery plans for reclassified species are already being revised, such as the snapper (Lutjanus purpureus), which has been reclassified from VU to EN.

Under the new classification, protection and management measures for the species will be intensified to reduce pressures from overfishing and the capture of juveniles.

According to Capobianco, this is a joint effort with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture aimed at rebuilding populations and ensuring the continuity of economic activity.

“When we talk about sustainability in fishing, we’re talking about ensuring balance: protecting species, respecting science, and ensuring that the fishing industry continues to provide food, income, and development in Brazil. The snapper is of great economic importance, but there will only be a future for this industry if we act responsibly in the present,” said Edipo Araujo, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The harm to health and the environment caused by mercury used in illegal gold mining in the Amazon was reported to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) with the presentation of a study by Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF). The autonomous international body is affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS).

The document, presented last week, complements the report the Prosecutor’s Office submitted in March to the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA), which is linked to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Ecosystem contamination

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• Brazil seeks partnership with Europe for critical mineral mining.
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The liquid substance is frequently used in illegal gold mining operations because it readily binds with gold particles, forming what is known as “amalgam.”

After this metallic alloy forms, it is heated with a blowtorch. As the temperature rises, the mercury evaporates, leaving only the gold behind.

The vaporized mercury spreads through the air and settles on soil and water, contaminating rivers, waterways, and fish - the staple food of indigenous and riverine communities - and can cause neurological problems.

In addition to mercury contamination, illegal mining causes ecosystem degradation through deforestation, intensive soil removal, and alterations to riverbeds.

The problem of illegal mining in the Amazon in Brazil and other countries is well known to the IACHR’s special rapporteur. Just over a month ago, REDESCA called for the guarantee of the “human right to water in the Americas,” particularly in the so-called “Guiana Shield,” comprising areas of Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Defense

In a statement to Agência Brasil, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) said it “has been directly involved in restricting the use of mercury in illegal mining operations.”

The institute noted that it established stricter criteria for access to legally imported mercury through a regulation created in 2024, in addition to “conducting ongoing environmental enforcement actions to curb the use of smuggled mercury in gold mining operations.”

The regulation requires “the licensing of individuals and legal entities that handle metallic mercury, as well as that they carry the Metallic Mercury Operations Document, which ensures that the import, sale, resale, and transfer of mercury occur only between previously licensed parties.”

The regulation, however, does not have the force of law, unlike the 1989 presidential decrees, which “remain in effect and prohibit, respectively, the use of mercury in gold mining, except in activities licensed by the environmental agency,” as noted by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources.

Brazil’s Supreme Court granted humanitarian house arrest to those over 70 who were convicted of participating in the January 8, 2023 coup attempt.

The decision was signed on Friday (Apr. 24) by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the rapporteur for cases related to the attempted coup d’état.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil’s Supreme Court orders arrest of remaining coup plot convicts.
• Brazil bigger than coup plotters, Lula says at Supreme Court ceremony.
• Brazil Supreme Court orders arrest of “Black Kids” in coup plot.

Moraes applied the Criminal Enforcement Law, which allows for the granting of house arrest to individuals over 70. The decision also benefits 18 other elderly inmates with serious illnesses.

One of the beneficiaries was 70-year-old retiree Maria de Fátima Mendonça Jacinto, known as Fátima from Tubarão, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison and has already served three years, ten months, and 24 days.

According to the case that led to her conviction, Jacinto broke into the Supreme Court’s headquarters, smashing windows, chairs, tables, and works of art, and posted the acts on social media. Based on the videos, she was identified and arrested by the Federal Police of Brazil two weeks after the coup-related acts.

Fátima Jacinto and the other elderly individuals must comply with precautionary measures, including wearing an electronic ankle monitor, surrendering their passports, refraining from leaving the country, using social media, or maintaining contact with others under investigation.

Those granted these measures may receive visitors only with prior authorization from the justice.

In the event of non-compliance, Moraes may order the return of the convicted individuals to a closed prison regime.

Despite being granted house arrest, the convicted individuals remain jointly liable for the payment of BRL 30 million in damages resulting from the vandalism of the Supreme Court building, the Congress, and the Planalto presidential palace.

According to the latest data released in January by the Supreme Court, the Court’s First Panel has convicted 1,399 individuals accused of participating in acts that sought to undermine Brazilian democracy and the functioning of its institutions. According to the report, 179 people are currently in prison, 114 of them in a closed regime following the finalization of their convictions.

Following the coup attempts, the Office of the Attorney General filed 1,734 criminal cases with the Supreme Court. The charges were divided among instigators, perpetrators, and four main nuclei that supported former President Jair Bolsonaro’s attempt to remain in power after losing the election, thereby subverting the democratic order, according to the Supreme Court.

The report shows that the majority - 979 people (68.9%) - were charged with less serious offenses and received sentences of up to one year in prison (415) or benefited from non-prosecution agreements.

Embraer announced on Monday (Apr. 27) its consolidated order backlog for the quarter, indicating a 22 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2025. The result was driven by growth in commercial aviation orders, which rose 50 percent to an order backlog of USD 15 billion.

Embraer’s total order backlog reached USD 32.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking the company’s sixth record-high level.

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• Alckmin: Biodiesel reduces Brazil’s exposure to global geopolitics.
• US company acquires Brazilian rare earth miner.
• LATAM to add Embraer aircraft to its fleet.

The company delivered 44 aircraft during the period across all business units. This represents a 47 percent increase compared to the 30 deliveries in the first quarter of 2025 and accounts for 16 percent of the deliveries projected for 2026. The company expects to deliver between 240 and 255 aircraft in 2026 across business and commercial aviation.

The highlight was commercial aviation sales to Europe, with Finnish airline Finnair placing an order for up to 46 E195-E2 aircraft, including 18 official purchase orders, as well as options and purchase rights.

The company also announced that the Embraer Phenom 300 family has been recognized as the world’s best-selling light jet for the 14th consecutive year.

The Services & Support segment reached a record high, with revenues of approximately USD 5.1 billion, up 11 percent from the previous year.

Monetary and Credit Statistics released on Monday (Apr. 27) by Brazil’s Central Bank indicate that households remain under pressure from high borrowing costs and are turning to short-term options such as credit cards.

In March, the average interest rate on unsecured credit to individuals remained high at 61.5 percent per year, despite a monthly decline of 0.4 percentage points (p.p.).

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• Number of women in charge of households is on the rise in Brazil.
• Brazil's consumer debt declines, trade organization reports.
• Brazil’s Central Bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 14.75% per year.

With Brazilians paying such high interest rates, delinquency on total credit in the National Financial System (SFN) stood at 4.3 percent of the portfolio in March, down 0.1 percentage points (p.p.) in the month but up 1.0 percentage point over 12 months.

Among households, the rate reached 5.3 percent, up 1.4 percentage points over one year.

According to the bank, Brazilian household debt reached 49.9 percent of the SFN’s total credit in February (up 0.1 percentage points in the month and 1.3 percentage points over 12 months), while the share of income committed to debt reached 29.7 percent (up 0.2 percentage points in the month and 1.9 percentage points year over year).

Household credit continues to expand

The outstanding balance of credit operations in the National Financial System (SFN) totaled BRL 7.2 trillion in March, up 0.9 percent in the month.

Credit to households reached BRL 4.5 trillion, up 0.8 percent in the month and 10.9 percent over the past 12 months.

For unsecured credit to individuals, the balance reached BRL 2.5 trillion, up 1.1 percent in the month and 12.3 percent compared to March 2025. The Central Bank highlighted the increase in cash credit card transactions, payroll loans for private-sector workers, and auto loans.

Credit directed at households - which includes lines with terms and conditions defined by specific rules - totaled BRL 2.0 trillion, up 0.5 percent in the month and 9.3 percent over 12 months.

Expanded credit reaches BRL 21 trillion

Total credit extended to the non-financial sector reached BRL 21.0 trillion in March, equivalent to 162.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP—the sum of all final goods and services produced in a country, state, or city, generally over a year), down 0.3 percent in the month. Over 12 months, it increased by 11.2 percent.

Of the total, credit to companies reached BRL 7.1 trillion, up 1.5 percent in the month, driven mainly by private debt securities, external loans, and SFN operations.

Brazil’s Ministry of Women has condemned statements made by US government special adviser Paolo Zampolli about Brazilian women. According to the ministry, the remarks reinforce hate speech and devalue Brazilian women, affronting their dignity and respect.

Recently, in an interview with the Italian broadcaster RAI, Zampolli said that Brazilian women “cause trouble for everyone” and referred to them as a “cursed race.” “They are programmed to do this,” said the US special representative for global partnerships.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Hate, big tech, and the far right: How the gears of misogyny turn.
• Brazil launches national campaign against misogyny.

“Misogyny is not an opinion. It is an expression of hatred, aversion, and incitement to violence, constituting a criminal act. In this regard, the ministry emphasizes that hatred against girls and women cannot be relativized under the guise of freedom of expression,” said a statement released by Minister Márcia Lopes.

The note also states that the Brazilian government reaffirms its commitment to promoting women’s rights and combating all forms of gender- and race-based violence, including misogyny.

Brazil’s First Lady Janja Lula da Silva also posted a statement on social media condemning Zampolli’s remarks. According to her, Zampolli has been accused by his ex-wife, Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, of domestic violence and sexual and psychological abuse.

“Brazilian women, with great strength and courage, break the cycles of violence and silence every day. Saying that we are a ‘cursed race’ and ‘programmed to cause trouble’ does not diminish us. We know very well who we are, and we are very proud of who we become every day,” said the first lady.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Friday (Apr. 24) ordered the final enforcement of the sentences of those convicted in the coup plot occurred during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

The arrests were carried out after the justice ordered the enforcement of the sentences for the five defendants in Nucleus 2, the last group pending. The defendants in Nuclei 1, 3, and 4 had already had their arrests ordered.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil’s court sentences members of coup’s disinformation nucleus.
• Brazilian ex-congressman Ramagem released after 2 days in US custody.
• Supreme Court justice grants house arrest to Bolsonaro.

The decision was handed down after Moraes recognized the finality of the convictions, meaning that no further appeals could be filed.

With this decision, the convicted individuals will begin serving their sentences. They are:

• Mário Fernandes, retired Army general: 26 years and six months in prison;
• Silvinei Vasques, former director of the Federal Highway Police: 24 years and six months in prison;
• Marcelo Câmara, Army colonel and former advisor to Bolsonaro: 21 years in prison;
• Filipe Martins, former advisor on international affairs to former President Jair Bolsonaro: 21 years in prison;
• Marília de Alencar, former director of intelligence at the Ministry of Justice: 8 years and six months in prison; she had been awaiting trial while free.

With the sentences being carried out, a warrant was issued for Alencar’s arrest, but she will serve 90 days under house arrest while recovering from surgery. She is required to wear an electronic ankle monitor.

The sentences were handed down in December last year, when the Court’s First Panel convicted the defendants.

Charges

Filipe Martins was accused by the Attorney General’s Office of being one of those responsible for drafting the coup plan produced toward the end of the Bolsonaro administration.

Mário Fernandes was accused of devising a plan to kill President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Moraes. The plan was outlined in a Word document titled “Green and Yellow Dagger.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Marcelo Câmara also illegally monitored the daily routine of Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

According to messages seized from the cell phone of Mauro Cid, a whistleblower and former aide to Bolsonaro, Câmara informed him that Moraes would be in São Paulo and referred to the justice as “professor.” The messages date from December 2022.

Silvinei Vasques, former director of the Federal Highway Police, acted to block the movement of voters supporting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the second round of the 2022 elections.

Marília de Alencar was responsible for collecting data that formed the basis for the roadblocks.

Defenses

In December last year, the defendants’ defense teams denied the charges and argued for acquittal.

Overview

The Supreme Court has already convicted 29 defendants for their participation in the coup plot. Currently, 20 are serving sentences in closed detention.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro, former Minister of Institutional Security Augusto Heleno, and former Director of Intelligence at the Ministry of Justice Marília de Alencar are under house arrest.

Army officers Márcio Nunes de Resende Júnior and Ronald Ferreira de Araújo Júnior signed plea agreements with the Attorney General’s Office and were not arrested. They received sentences of three years and five months and one year and 11 months, respectively.

Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide, signed a plea agreement and is already free.

Three arrest warrants have not yet been executed. Former congressman Alexandre Ramagem, Voto Legal Institute president Carlos Cesar Moretzsohn Rocha, and Army colonel Reginaldo Vieira de Abreu are fugitives living abroad.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Sunday (Apr. 26) that he “vehemently condemns” the attack on US President Donald Trump, which occurred on Saturday (25) during a meeting with journalists in Washington.

“My solidarity goes out to President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and everyone present at the correspondents’ dinner in Washington. Brazil vehemently condemns the attack,” reads a statement posted by Lula on social media.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Lula criticizes Trump’s threats to the world and defends Pope Leo XIV.

“Political violence is an affront to democratic values we must all protect,” added the Brazilian president.

Shots were fired during the White House correspondents’ dinner attended by Trump.

Gunfire was heard nearby, and President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were quickly escorted away by the US Secret Service.

The dinner was attended by, among others, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who were also evacuated from the hotel.

President Trump held a press conference at the White House after the attack and said the shooter was a “lone wolf,” a term used to describe criminals who act alone.

Despite Trump’s remarks, the US Secret Service has provided no further details about the suspect.

The study Global Assessment of the Extinction Risk of Soil-Dependent Species: Recent Advances and Recommendations finds that existing research is still insufficient to assess the conservation status of this biodiversity. The warning was issued on Soil and Water Conservation Day, observed on April 15.

The survey, published in international scientific journals, highlights that soil is essential for human survival, as 95 percent of food production depends on the health of this ecosystem, which can also store 27 percent of the carbon needed to keep global warming below 2°C.

Notícias relacionadas:

• River renaturalization emerges as strategy to combat urban flooding.
• Brazil unveils national plan for bioeconomy.
• Freshwater migratory fish rank among world’s most threatened species.

Under the leadership of the nonprofit organization Conservation International (CI), only species listed as threatened with extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) were assessed. Based on these data, 8,653 species were classified, of which 20 percent - at least 1,758 - remain at risk of extinction, the researchers note.

Another 1,722 species could not be assessed due to insufficient data to determine their global status.

“This is the first time we have attempted to assess the extinction risk of soil-dependent species, and data are really only available for vertebrates. Currently, there is very little information on the conservation status of invertebrates and fungi, which make up the vast majority of soil-dependent species,” explains Neil Cox, manager of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit, who led the study.

According to the researchers, the world’s most comprehensive list of global extinction risk - the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - underrepresents soil biodiversity. This lack of information could negatively impact life on the planet, as other studies indicate that soil diversity is essential for ecosystem functioning.

Invertebrates and fungi

One example is the limited knowledge of soil-dependent invertebrates and fungi, which are underrepresented on the IUCN list, with only 503 species assessed, even though they make up the majority of soil-dependent species - that is, those that spend a critical part of their life cycle in the soil or predominantly inhabit the soil–litter interface.

“There is a possibility that many little-known or yet-undiscovered species of soil-dependent invertebrates and fungi could be lost before they are even discovered - and that is very concerning. We don’t know exactly what the impact of losing these species would be on overall soil health, but it is understood to be negative,” warns the researcher.

Based on this assessment, the study offers recommendations for the academic community, governments, and society to advance knowledge of soil biodiversity:

• Establish a working group on soil biota within the IUCN Species Survival Commission;
• Strengthen ties between regional and global organizations working on soil biodiversity management;
• Improve knowledge sharing among the IUCN, governments, landowners, and the public regarding the importance of soil conservation.

For Cox, this implies broadening communication efforts and emphasizing the importance of preserving a rich diversity of soil-dependent species in land management practices.

“It is difficult to predict all the impacts, but given the importance of these species for various ecosystem services, such as the decomposition of organic matter and the release and cycling of nutrients, a reduction in this diversity will likely affect the overall health of the soil on which we depend,” he concludes.

Brazil already has more than 33 million people aged 60 or older and is on track to become the country with the fifth-largest elderly population in the world. This demographic generates BRL 2 trillion annually, according to a study by the consulting firm Data8.

This economic potential is driven by both consumers and entrepreneurs in the so-called silver economy, a term referring to gray hair.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil’s population growth slows as aging accelerates.

To serve this demographic, business models must adapt to new demands. They seek better lighting in stores, clear signage, accessibility, welcoming service, and a simplified purchasing process. Entrepreneurs who offer these advantages tend to be preferred by older consumers, says Gilvany Isaac, national manager of the Senior Entrepreneurship 60+ program at the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).

“I believe the silver economy reflects the structural transformation of Brazilian society. Businesses that understand this shift and develop products aligned with it will not only tap into a growing market but also contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable development model focused on longevity,” says Isaac.

Retired banker João Gualberto de Almeida Teixeira belongs to the 70+ demographic. He stresses that what he misses most in customer service is attention.

“I’ve noticed that when you go somewhere, staff are often distracted, looking at other things, and don’t give you the attention you desserve - and, more importantly, need. It’s about being served attentively, that is, eye to eye. That’s fundamental,” says Teixeira.

Sectors

Among the sectors with the greatest potential for the 60+ demographic, Gilvany Isaac highlights health and wellness, such as specialized fitness centers. “This includes adapted training, personalized guidance, and a focus on functionality rather than just aesthetics.”

Another promising niche is telemedicine and remote health monitoring services. “Caregivers are also gaining significant traction, as they can operate as individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs) and obtain a National Registry of Legal Entities (CNPJ). This is increasingly important for families seeking the security of a formal contract, as well as for the caregivers themselves,” notes Isaac.

Another sector with significant potential to serve this population is tourism and leisure - especially companies that offer off-season packages with cultural itineraries and experiential travel. She also highlights financial services, such as planning for active retirement, as well as adapted housing.

“We’re talking about architectural and housing accessibility solutions that adapt homes to provide greater comfort for older adults,” she explains.

Isaac also notes a growing trend in e-commerce among consumers aged 60 and older. They are buying more online, but greater digital engagement is still needed, as this group remains the segment most frequently targeted by scams. There has also been a rise in computer and digital literacy courses aimed at this demographic.

Honey

Microentrepreneur João Lopes approached Sebrae Rio de Janeiro to learn how to structure his business to specifically serve the 60+ demographic. In June 2024, he launched Mel Mania, which sells honey. At 54, João saw a strong business opportunity in this segment.

“My target audience is entirely 60+. I have an 84-year-old customer who buys every month, almost like a subscription. The whole family consumes it, but he is the main buyer,” explains Lopes .

In addition to selling honey nationwide, the company provides free training to people with unused space for honey production. Lopes supplies equipment and support and then buys the honey from his partners. Mel Mania has already introduced 112 people to beekeeping.

“After going through Sebrae, I realized that I am a social entrepreneur, because my business has a positive impact on society. Anyone who buys my honey knows they are helping generate income for others,” he adds.

Training

In Rio de Janeiro, Sebrae is developing a project specifically aimed at serving older adults who wish to remain productive. Sebrae Silver Economy is in its third edition, and the next cohort will begin in May. In total, 144 people have already participated in the program.

The participants are predominantly women and come from a wide range of sectors.

“Many people are starting businesses in gastronomy, the creative economy, crafts, fashion, beauty, and consulting-related services,” explains project manager and Sebrae Rio de Janeiro analyst Juliana Lima.

Regarding senior consumers, Juliana Lima highlighted a rapidly expanding market, as aging in Brazil has evolved. “The profile of older adults has changed. Today, they no longer stay at home as they did in the past. They are active - they travel, date, study, and care about beauty and well-being.”

The Sebrae Silver Economy project works in partnership with other institutions, such as the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) and the state government, to expand its reach. As of October last year, so-called senior entrepreneurs accounted for 16 percent of all business owners in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

“The population is aging more actively, but the market still presents barriers. Due to ageism in the formal workforce, seniors often turn to entrepreneurship to generate income,” adds Lima.

Although unpopular, the tax on low-value international purchases had positive effects for Brazil, according to a survey released on Wednesday (Apr. 22) by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

The business entity reported that the measure helped curb imports, preserve more than 100,000 jobs, and stimulate the Brazilian economy. Billions of reais in foreign products were not purchased, while the tax bolstered state revenues, the confederation stated.

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• Brazil’s balance of trade posts lowest March surplus since 2020.
• Brazilian government proposes BRL 73B primary surplus for 2027.
• Brazil budget bill projects 2.56% GDP growth in 2027.

CNI calculated the effects of the Import Tax based on the average value of shipments in 2025, comparing the volume of imports it projected for the year with the amount actually recorded.

Key figures from the survey:

• BRL 4.5 billion in avoided imports;
• 135,800 jobs preserved in the country;
• BRL 19.7 billion circulating in the Brazilian economy;
• 10.9% drop in the number of international orders from 2024 to 2025;
• 23.4% decline in the number of shipments in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, before the tax took effect;
• Tax revenue of BRL 1.4 billion in 2024 and BRL 3.5 billion in 2025.

According to CNI, the tax has reduced unfair competition from imported products, particularly those from China, giving a boost to Brazilian industry.

The main objective of the tax, the confederation highlighted, is not to tax consumers but to protect the economy. “Making Brazilian industry competitive is essential to maintaining jobs and generating income,” said Marcio Guerra, CNI’s superintendent of economics.

How the tax operates

The measure establishes a 20 percent import tax on international orders of up to USD 50. In practice, the tax is collected at the time of purchase, facilitating enforcement and reducing fraud. The rule took effect in August 2024 as part of the Remessa Conforme program, created to regulate international e-commerce.

With the new rule, the volume of orders has declined. Shipments to Brazil fell from 179.1 million in 2024 to 159.6 million in 2025.

The Brazilian company Serra Verde, which operates in the rare earth mining sector, was acquired by the US mining company USA Rare Earth (USAR) in a deal valued at approximately USD 2.8 billion. The purchase was announced on Monday (Apr. 20) by both companies.

Serra Verde operates the Pela Ema mine in Minaçu, in the state of Goiás. It is the only active ionic clay mine in Brazil, in operation since 2024. It is also the only producer of the most critical and valuable heavy rare earth elements outside Asia: dysprosium (Dy), terbium (Tb), and yttrium (Y). More than 90 percent of global rare earth extraction takes place in China.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Brazil, Germany ink deal on critical minerals, rare earths.

The materials are used to manufacture permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, robots, drones, and high-efficiency air conditioners, as well as for the semiconductor, defense, nuclear, and aerospace sectors.

According to the Brazilian mining company, the venture will enable the creation of the world’s largest company in the sector. Production in Goiás is in its first phase and is still considered modest, but is expected to double by 2030.

“Serra Verde’s mining and processing operations will play a central role in establishing the first rare earth supply chain from mine to magnet outside Asia, when combined with USAR’s mining and downstream capabilities,” the Serra Verde Group said in a market announcement.

15-year contract

The contract provides for a 15-year supply agreement with a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), capitalized by various US government agencies as well as private capital sources, for 100 percent of its Phase I production at guaranteed minimum prices for magnetic rare earths.

“The supply agreement provides secure and predictable cash flows for Serra Verde, reducing risks, supporting investments, and enabling its successful development,” the USAR press release states.

According to the statement, the agreement will enable the creation of “a leading multinational rare earth company, from mine to magnet, with eight operations in Brazil, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, and with active operational capabilities across the entire light and heavy rare earth supply chain, including mining, processing, separation, metallization, and magnet manufacturing.”

“These milestones are a significant positive development for Brazil and demonstrate the country’s ability to play a leading role in the development of global rare earth supply chains,” said Ricardo Grossi, president of Serra Verde Pesquisa e Mineração and chief executive officer of the Serra Verde Group.

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.