The death toll from the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24th has risen to 4,829, with an additional 16,740 people injured. Authorities report that nearly 18,000 people have been displaced, and the UN estimates that as many as 50,000 may still be missing.
On the eve of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China led the signing of an international cooperation agreement on AI with approximately 30 partner countries, including Brazil. The pact aims to promote ethical, secure, and sovereign AI development, strengthening multilateral collaboration in research, regulation, and cybersecurity.
An operation by Rio de Janeiro police, dubbed 'Operation Hawala,' has uncovered a vast money laundering scheme allegedly moving over R$100 million for Brazil's largest criminal factions, including the PCC and Comando Vermelho. Investigations have also revealed a potential connection to an Al-Qaeda financing structure, with one of the arrested individuals having been sanctioned by the U.S. for suspected links to the terrorist group.
The United States launched a new wave of attacks against Iranian military installations near the Strait of Hormuz and has reimposed a naval blockade on its ports. President Trump threatened to expand the strikes to include power plants and bridges if Tehran does not resume negotiations, a move some experts have labeled a potential war crime.
Brazil's Senate has approved a bill, known as the 'MP do Frete,' which strengthens the enforcement of minimum freight prices for road transport. The measure passed after pressure from striking truckers, though a proposed R$5,000 monthly salary was removed. The bill also controversially includes an amnesty for fines levied against truckers who participated in road blockades after the 2022 election, a provision President Lula is expected to veto.
Kayapó leader Chief Raoni Metuktire, 93, has been discharged from Hospital São Paulo after being hospitalized for a month. He was treated for an intestinal obstruction and aspiration pneumonia, which required surgery and other procedures to control digestive bleeding.
Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes has assumed the temporary presidency of the court during the judicial recess. He will serve in the role from July 16 until July 31, succeeding Minister Edson Fachin and managing any urgent judicial matters that arise during the period.
The Attorney General's Office (PGR) and the Federal Police (PF) have reportedly ended negotiations for a plea deal with former banker Daniel Vorcaro, who is imprisoned for suspected financial fraud. Authorities rejected two proposals from Vorcaro, stating they lacked new information and concrete evidence, and now see no further room for negotiation.
Renato Machado, a renowned Brazilian journalist and former anchor for TV Globo's 'Bom Dia Brasil,' has died at the age of 83 in Rio de Janeiro. He had a distinguished career spanning over 40 years at the network, where he also hosted other news programs and served as an international correspondent.
A PoderData/Aya poll shows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leading the 2026 presidential race with 40% of first-round voter intentions, ahead of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro at 34%. In simulated second-round scenarios, Lula is in a technical tie with Bolsonaro, Ronaldo Caiado, and Romeu Zema.
The Partido Social Democrático (PSD) is expected to officially nominate former Goiás governor Ronaldo Caiado for president and national party president Gilberto Kassab for vice president at its national convention on July 26. São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas has confirmed his attendance at the event but plans to leave before Caiado's arrival to avoid a conflict of support.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's lawyers have requested an extension from the Federal Police for his testimony in an investigation into alleged slander against President Lula. The defense team cited the senator's busy pre-campaign travel schedule as the reason he could not testify within the ten-day period ordered by STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has stated in an interview that he no longer has a relationship with former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, citing past public criticisms and restrictions related to his father's house arrest. Despite the current estrangement, the presidential hopeful said his campaign remains open to her support.
A new Genial/Quaest poll shows President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leading the 2026 presidential race, with 40% of first-round voter intentions against 28% for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. In a simulated second-round matchup, Lula defeats Bolsonaro 45% to 37%. The poll also showed Lula's government approval rating (48%) numerically surpassing his disapproval (47%) for the first time in a year.
Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes has given the Prosecutor General's Office (PGR) five days to provide an opinion on whether a letter from former President Jair Bolsonaro, read publicly by his son Flávio, violated the terms of Bolsonaro's house arrest. Moraes is investigating if the letter's release constituted a circumvention of court-ordered restrictions on Bolsonaro's public communications.
Argentina defeated England 2-1 with a dramatic late comeback in the World Cup semifinal to secure a spot in the final against Spain. After trailing for much of the match, Argentina scored twice in the final minutes, with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, both assisted by Lionel Messi.
Following their World Cup semifinal victory over England, Argentine players displayed a banner stating "The Malvinas are Argentine," a political statement referencing the long-standing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands. The UK government reacted by demanding FIFA launch an investigation, stating the banner violated rules against political demonstrations.
Jair Bolsonaro's legal defense team has told Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes that the former president was unaware his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, would publicly release a letter he had written. The defense asserts that Flávio acted unilaterally, which could have implications for Jair Bolsonaro's house arrest conditions that restrict his use of social media.
A photograph showing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro with Luiz Phillipi Machado de Moraes Mourão, identified as 'Sicário' and an alleged hitman for ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro, has caused controversy. Bolsonaro denied knowing Mourão, questioned the photo's authenticity, and suggested its release was a political attack, while his allies criticized the journalists who published it.
The U.S. government has officially confirmed it will impose a 25% tariff on a wide range of Brazilian products, effective July 22, citing unfair trade practices related to digital commerce, censorship, and environmental issues. In response, Brazil's government has called the decision a "regrettable milestone," announced it will invoke its Law of Reciprocity to apply retaliatory measures, and politically blamed the Bolsonaro family for collaborating with the U.S. investigation.
