WELFARE PROGRAM BRAZIL
Brazil presidential election results: Five economic challenges facing re-elected President Lula
Brazil's economy is encountering significant challenges as President Lula starts his fourth term in January. Soaring public debt and rising mandatory spending limit budget flexibility, complicating fiscal management. High interest rates and persistent inflation hinder economic growth, impacting household and business debt levels. Lula's ability to implement reforms may be constrained by a conservative Congress, complicating his agenda.
Brazil Presidential Election run off: Who is winning Donald Trump's ally Flavio Bolsonaro or Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva whom Barack Obama once called 'world's most popular politician'?
Brazil Presidential run off: Lula, who at 80 is one of the world's oldest heads of state, is Brazil's 35th and 39th president, having served from 2003-2010 and again since 2023. Bolsonaro, 45, aims to return his family name to power while his father serves time for attempting a coup to prevent the end of his 2019-2022 presidency.
Brazil's Lula opens state toolbox to woo voters in runoff against Bolsonaro. Here's what is on offer
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is campaigning against Flavio Bolsonaro in Brazil's upcoming presidential runoff election. Lula is proposing various populist promises aimed at securing voter support and winning the election. These promises include reducing the workweek and expanding welfare benefits through Bolsa Familia. Additionally, Lula's plans involve debt relief for low-income Brazilians and measures to reduce transportation costs.
Brazil election: Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro face off in tight race shaped by Trump factor
Brazilians are preparing to vote in a tight election between President Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro on Sunday. Lula is seeking a fourth term while Bolsonaro aims to take advantage of his father's legacy. Opinion polls indicate neither candidate is expected to achieve a majority in the first round of voting. Key demographics are divided, with Lula favored among low-income voters and Bolsonaro appealing to wealthier groups.
In Brazil, frustration over cost of living undermines Lula's reelection bid
Kleyton Zacarioto, a butcher, expresses frustration with high food prices impacting household budgets ahead of elections. Incumbent President Lula highlights improving economic indicators like falling unemployment amidst voter dissatisfaction. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro argues that the economy has worsened, stating that families are financially strained. Lula's recent measures to boost disposable income have had little effect on voter sentiment.
Fix the freebies, Economic Survey 2026 warns and tells how
The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights the rapid expansion of unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) in Indian States, noting their significant impact on beneficiaries' incomes. However, it warns that their scale and persistence strain State finances, potentially crowding out crucial growth-enhancing public investments and leading to fiscal rigidity without consistently improving long-term outcomes.
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Charting the global economy: Japanese bond rout; Greenland deal
Japanese bond yields hit record highs this week, impacting global markets. US President Donald Trump announced a deal framework for Greenland, avoiding tariffs on European nations.
Study highlights 'catastrophic costs' incurred by tuberculosis patients worldwide
Despite many countries offering free treatment, tuberculosis patients still face significant costs. Hospitalisation and income loss are major cost drivers, especially for drug-resistant cases. Researchers suggest complementary social and financial support policies alongside standard TB programs to mitigate these burdens.
India views Italy as key partner, crucial ally in Europe, and influential player in Mediterranean: EAM Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the new Indian embassy in Rome, emphasizing Italy's significance as a key partner for India in Europe and the Mediterranean. Jaishankar highlighted the growing bilateral ties, strengthened by shared values and a new strategic action plan encompassing defense, trade, and clean energy.
Brazil's Amazon megaprojects threaten Lula's green ambitions
The BR-319 highway connects Porto Velho to Manaus. It was abandoned in the 1980s after falling into disuse, but the government has shown signs of wanting to repave it to facilitate the export of commodities. Environmentalists and scientists warn that could lead to uncontrolled deforestation in the region by increasing land speculation and giving easy access to land grabbers. After Bolsonaro announced that a section of the road would be repaved, deforestation in nearby areas quickly surged, according to Brazil’s national space agency.
Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sworn in, vows accountability and rebuilding
Lula will have to navigate more challenging economic conditions than he enjoyed in his first two terms, when the global commodities boom proved a windfall for Brazil. At the time, his administration's flagship welfare program helped lift tens of millions of impoverished people into the middle class. He left office with a personal approval rating of 83%. In the intervening years, Brazil’s economy plunged into two deep recessions — first, during the tenure of his handpicked successor, and then during the pandemic — and ordinary Brazilians suffered greatly.
Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spar in first debate of runoff campaign
Bolsonaro later took the offensive and blasted Lula for corruption scandals during the 14 years that his Workers Party governed Brazil. A huge graft probe arrested dozens of business leaders and politicians, including Lula, who spent time in jail on a bribery conviction that was later overturned by Brazil's Supreme Court.
Brazil holds historic election with Lula against Bolsonaro
The race pits incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro against his political nemesis, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. There are nine other candidates, but their support pales to that for Bolsonaro and da Silva.
Bolsonaro, Lula headed to runoff after tight Brazil election
With 99.9% of he votes tallied, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had 48.4% support and President Jair Bolsonaro had 43.2%. Nine other candidates were also competing, but their support pales to that for Bolsonaro and da Silva, who is commonly known as Lula.
Heat wave scorches India's wheat crop, snags export plans
On Tuesday, Rajgarh, a city of over 1.5 million people in central India, was the country's hottest, with daytime temperatures peaking at 46.5 degrees Celsius (114.08 Fahrenheit). Temperatures breached the 45 C (113 F) mark in nine other cities.
India’s bond market has $30 billion riding on index inclusion
For Wall Street and the City of London, India’s inclusion offers an opportunity to diversify holdings and penetrate deeper into an economy that’s growing at one of the fastest paces in the world.
Racism, climate and divisions top UN agenda as leaders meet
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more than two dozen world leaders appeared in person at the U.N. General Assembly on the opening day of their annual high-level meeting. The atmosphere was somber, angry and dire.
India has plenty of Coronavirus vaccines but few takers
As India rolls out one of the world’s biggest inoculation programs, some health-care and other frontline workers are hesitating because of safety concerns over a vaccine that has yet to complete phase III trials.
India can get COVID-19 vaccine early next year: Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha
“Like other countries, India is making efforts. There are three vaccine candidates in different phases of development. An expert group, under the guidance of PM Modi, is looking at it. We are hopeful that a vaccine will be available in India at the start of next year,” he said.
Chinese millennials drink milk in bid to boost immunity, even as coronavirus lingers
At this year’s National People’s Congress, China’s annual meeting of parliament, a lawmaker suggested the government should make it a national strategy to encourage every person to drink at least 300 grams of milk a day – about half a pint. The comments triggered debates on social media about whether milk provides irreplaceable nutrition, whether China’s traditional diet needs more animal protein, and how universal “lifelong milk drinking” will affect food security and the environment.
View: Indian states are a little too united
Where states have attracted investments, it’s usually been due to superstar chief ministers.
View: Arrested development or attention deficit?
Government's economic policies will combine strident welfarism with tough love for businesses and markets.
Why India is struggling to introduce dengue vaccines
The ICGEB plans a larger vaccine trial on monkeys in America; the full-fledged human trial after that could cost more than Rs 100 crore.
Government plans to set up Centre of Excellence on food security
A delegation led by India's Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, was on a three-day visit to Brazil to study its food security policies and programmes.
Dreams on hold, Brazil's 'new middle class' turns on President Dilma Rousseff
13 of 14 people interviewed in Jardim São Luis said they were sure they would not vote for Rousseff, but could not point to a clear alternative.
Budget 2013: Government plans to spend Rs 16.65 lakh crore in FY14
FM in his budget 2013 speech said that the govt plans to spend Rs 16.65 lakh crore for the coming fiscal year.
Direct Cash Transfer scheme: India must learn from Latin America and Kenya
Now that the direct cash transfer (DCT) scheme has been accepted for implementation, the challenge is to design a programme that is Indian.
Delivering subsidies through DCT
Three challenges confront Nilekani committee deliberating on delivering subsidies through direct cash transfers.
Global warming: India in a fix as China pledges big emission cuts
China has announced that it will cut emissions by a drastic 40-45 per cent compared to 2005 levels by the year 2020.
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