About our Brazil news in English
Latest news on Brazil, covering politics, economy, crime, culture, Amazon rainforest and developments across South America's largest nation.
Brazil is South America's largest country, with a population exceeding 213 million people. The nation's three major cities are São Paulo (with a metropolitan area of more than 21 million), Rio de Janeiro (12.9 million), and the capital Brasília (3 million). With over 91 per cent of Brazilians living in urban areas, the country has one of the highest urbanisation rates in the Western Hemisphere.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, currently serving his third term, announced plans to seek re-election for a fourth term in the 2026 general election. His administration faces ongoing tensions with the United States stemming from trade tariffs imposed in 2025 and diplomatic disputes over the prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was imprisoned for his role in a coup attempt following the 2022 election. Brazil's political landscape remains deeply divided between progressive and conservative movements, with the 2026 presidential race shaping up as a pivotal contest between competing visions for the country's future.
The Amazon rainforest remains central to Brazil's environmental challenges and global climate responsibilities. Deforestation rates showed mixed trends, with official clearing declining by 11 per cent to its lowest level since 2014, yet fire-related forest loss surged dramatically due to extreme drought conditions. Brazil hosted the COP30 climate summit in Belém in November 2025, positioning itself as a leader in tropical forest conservation while facing scrutiny over legislation that weakened environmental protections immediately after the conference.
Brazil's economy demonstrates resilience through its position as a global agricultural powerhouse, leading the world in exports of soybeans, beef, coffee, and sugar. The country's GDP grew 3.4 per cent in 2024, driven by strong agricultural performance and service sector expansion, though growth is projected to moderate. Carnival celebrations, samba music, capoeira martial arts, and the vibrant cultural scenes of cities like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador showcase Brazil's rich Afro-Brazilian heritage and creative spirit.
The nation's history encompasses indigenous civilisations that thrived for millennia, Portuguese colonisation beginning in 1500, the unique trajectory of becoming the seat of the Portuguese empire during the Napoleonic Wars, independence as an empire in 1822, and transformation into a republic in 1889. Brazil's 20th century included periods of military dictatorship and democratic restoration, with the 1988 Constitution establishing the current federal republic structure. This complex past continues to shape contemporary debates over land rights, racial equality, and social justice.
Stay informed about all aspects of Brazilian life through our ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ feed, which delivers comprehensive coverage from reliable news sources across politics, economics, environment, sport, and culture. Whether you're following developments in the Amazon, tracking economic indicators, monitoring the football team's World Cup preparations, or staying updated on political changes, our Brazil feed provides timely, balanced reporting on the stories that matter most in Latin America's largest nation.