Severe rainfall in Brazil’s southeastern Minas Gerais state has caused devastating floods, killing at least 23 people and leaving more than 40 missing, according to local authorities. The worst-hit area is Juiz de Fora municipality, where 18 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under mud and debris, while nearby Ubá city reported seven additional fatalities. At least 440 residents have been displaced as floodwaters and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure.

Juiz de Fora’s mayor, Margarida Salomão, said the city experienced over 180 millimeters of rain in just four hours, triggering at least 20 landslides. She described the event as the most tragic day of her administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged full government support, emphasizing humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and assistance for displaced families.

The national meteorological agency warned that rainfall may continue in the coming days, potentially complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations across the affected regions.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has suggested that he may retire from professional football by December this year. The forward, currently playing for his boyhood club Santos, said he is uncertain about his future and may decide to end his career when his contract expires at the end of the year. Neymar, who recently returned to the field after knee surgery in December, admitted that recurring injuries have made him reconsider his career path.

After an unremarkable stint with Saudi club Al Hilal, Neymar returned to Santos in early 2025 and renewed his contract through the end of the current year. However, his repeated injuries have kept him sidelined for much of the past two years, and he last played for Brazil in October 2023. The player acknowledged that his participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada remains uncertain.

Neymar said his final decision will depend on how he feels later this year, emphasizing that he is taking his career one year at a time.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should be tried in Venezuela rather than in the United States, where he is currently being held following his abduction by the US military. In an interview, Lula said that restoring democracy in Venezuela should be the priority and insisted that the country’s issues must be resolved by its own people without foreign interference. He criticised the idea of one nation invading another to capture its president.

Lula’s remarks come as Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, works to release hundreds of political prisoners detained during Maduro’s presidency, which began in 2013. The Brazilian leader has openly condemned the abduction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a US military operation ordered by then-President Donald Trump on January 3. Maduro was flown to New York after a violent raid in Caracas and now faces US charges related to drug trafficking.

The Trump administration has justified its actions as part of anti-drug efforts, though US data does not list Venezuela among major drug producers. Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuelan oil reserves and invited US companies to exploit them.

With only four months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is finalizing his squad. According to ESPN Brazil, the Italian manager has nearly settled on 11 players based on current form and consistency, sparking debate as star forward Neymar Jr. is reportedly absent from the list. Ancelotti’s Brazil has played eight matches under his guidance, showing moderate results but gaining a stable core lineup.

Reports indicate that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel, and midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are among the confirmed names. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Estevão, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli have earned Ancelotti’s trust. Neymar’s participation in the World Cup remains uncertain and will depend on his fitness evaluation. Additional players such as Bento, Hugo Souza, Alex Sandro, and Lucas Paquetá are also being considered.

Brazil is viewed as one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as Ancelotti continues refining his tactical plans for a potential sixth World Cup title.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. nearly decided to retire from football following his latest injury, according to his father and agent, Neymar Sr. In a recent interview on a YouTube channel, Neymar Sr. said his son was mentally devastated after suffering a meniscus injury that became public before the family could discuss it. He recalled visiting Neymar, who expressed that he could no longer endure the pain and uncertainty about surgery.

Neymar Sr. added that he encouraged his son to undergo surgery if it would help him recover, assuring full support. The next morning, Neymar resumed light training, regaining confidence and eventually returning to score again. Fans now hope he can return to the field by the end of this month and fight for a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, suffered ACL and meniscus injuries in October 2023. After leaving Saudi club Al Hilal for Santos, he underwent minor knee surgery on December 22 and continues his recovery to regain full fitness.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has renewed his contract with Santos FC for another year, extending his stay with the club until December 31, 2026. The announcement ends speculation that he might leave his boyhood team. According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Neymar will remain with Santos at least until the end of club president Marcelo Teixeira’s term. The new deal marks his third contract since returning to Santos, following two six-month agreements in 2025.

Under the new terms, Neymar will earn a salary comparable to several average players at the club. In addition to his playing contract, Santos has a separate image rights agreement with NR Sports, a company owned by Neymar’s family, valued at 85 million Brazilian reals to be paid by the end of next year. Neymar is currently recovering from meniscus surgery on his left knee, with a return to the field expected no earlier than mid-February.

Santos credits Neymar’s performance last season for avoiding relegation, as he scored four goals and provided one assist in three decisive 3–0 victories despite playing through injury.

A 110-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in Guaíba, southern Brazil, during a powerful storm on Monday afternoon. The statue, located in the parking lot of a Havan retail store near a fast-food restaurant, was severely damaged as strong winds caused it to sway and eventually break apart. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred.

According to NDTV, the replica was one of several similar installations across Brazil, symbolizing the retail chain’s brand identity. The upper 24 meters of the structure were destroyed, while the 11-meter base remained intact. Havan stated that the statue, installed in 2020, had all required technical certifications. Following the collapse, the area was cordoned off to ensure public safety, and cleanup operations began within hours.

Local officials are assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing safety standards for similar structures nationwide. The incident highlights growing concerns about infrastructure resilience amid increasingly severe weather patterns in southern Brazil.

Brazil claimed their first-ever FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup title after defeating Portugal 3–0 in the final held at the PhilSports Arena in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, December 7. The victory marked a historic moment for the Seleção women, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Emily Marcondes opened the scoring in the 10th minute, followed by Amanda Lisa de Oliveira’s strike in the 23rd minute, and Débora Vanin sealed the win with a third goal in the 38th minute. Marcondes also won the Golden Boot with seven goals. Portugal’s Ana Catarina was named Best Goalkeeper, while Brazil received the Fair Play Award. Spain finished third after defeating Argentina in the playoff.

The 16-nation tournament was the first official FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup, signaling a major milestone for women’s futsal globally. Brazil’s triumph adds to their impressive record, which already includes multiple continental and invitational titles, reinforcing their dominance in the sport.

Brazil has become the first country to approve a single-dose dengue vaccine, marking a major milestone in the global fight against the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine, named Butantan-DV, was developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo and approved by the national health regulator Anvisa for individuals aged 12 to 59. Clinical trials involving 16,000 volunteers showed 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue. The approval follows eight months of nationwide testing and is expected to accelerate immunization efforts across Brazil, which has been severely affected by dengue outbreaks. The Butantan Institute has partnered with China’s company Wuxi Biologics to produce around 30 million doses by the second half of 2026. According to the World Health Organization, dengue infects over 14.6 million people annually, causing about 12,000 deaths, half of which occurred in Brazil last year. Experts link the surge in dengue cases to global warming, which expands mosquito habitats and transmission rates.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year and three-month prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup following his 2022 election defeat. Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the final ruling, declaring that no further appeals would be allowed. Bolsonaro, aged 70, will serve his sentence in a federal police facility in Brasília, where he has been held since Saturday due to flight risk concerns. He was previously under house arrest and accused of tampering with his ankle monitor. The conviction stems from his alleged involvement in planning to overturn the election results against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The plot failed to gain military support, but on January 8, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, leading to about 1,500 arrests. Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, remains a deeply polarizing figure in the country’s politics.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year prison sentence for plotting a coup against his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, finalized the verdict on November 25, instructing Bolsonaro to start his sentence at the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília, where he has been detained since Saturday. Bolsonaro was previously under house arrest for damaging his ankle monitor. The ruling marks a historic moment in Brazil, as it is the first time a former president has been convicted for attempting to overthrow a democratic government. Bolsonaro’s populist and divisive leadership from 2019 to 2022 left Brazil politically polarized. Following his defeat in the 2022 election, he was banned from holding public office. His legal team criticized the court for rushing the trial and vowed to appeal. The verdict has been hailed by many as a victory for Brazilian democracy.

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested at his home in Brasília on charges related to an alleged attempt to stage an illegal political coup. The arrest came just days before his 27-year prison sentence was to begin, following a Supreme Court ruling that found him guilty of trying to overturn the 2022 election results after losing to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. According to federal police, the preventive arrest was requested by investigators and approved by the Supreme Court. Bolsonaro also faces accusations of being linked to an armed criminal organization that sought to undermine Brazil’s democracy, particularly after his supporters attacked government buildings on January 8, 2023. His eldest son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, reportedly organized a rally outside the former president’s residence shortly before the arrest warrant was issued. Bolsonaro has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated.

A major fire erupted at the venue of the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of thousands of delegates. The blaze started in the pavilion zone, where country exhibits and discussions were being held, though the exact cause remains unknown. Witnesses reported panic as smoke and heat spread rapidly through the crowded area, with security personnel guiding attendees to safety while firefighters battled the flames. The fire was brought under control around 2:20 p.m. local time, according to the COP presidency office. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials said they are closely monitoring the situation. The temporary venue, built on the site of an old airport in the Amazon region, hosts thousands of visitors daily. The two-week global climate conference, scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 21, may extend if last-minute negotiations are required.

Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia in a friendly match at Lille’s Decathlon Stadium in France. Despite dominating possession, Brazil conceded early due to defensive lapses before Estêvão equalized from the penalty spot just before halftime. Lucas Paquetá missed a crucial second-half penalty that could have secured victory. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, expressed no concern over the result, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on reaching peak form for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He acknowledged Tunisia’s strong defensive organization and admitted Brazil failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Adding to Brazil’s worries, defender Éder Militão left the field in the 60th minute after feeling discomfort from a recurring ligament injury. Brazil, who finished fifth in the qualifying standings with 28 points from 18 matches, will not play any more friendlies before the World Cup.

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has faced significant logistical and financial challenges, preventing many delegates from smaller, low-budget nations from attending. Accommodation shortages and skyrocketing hotel prices, reaching up to $60,000 for ten nights, have made participation unaffordable for numerous representatives. Some attendees have been forced to stay more than an hour away from the main venue. To address the shortage, a floating community housing project, known locally as 'Vila da Barca', was created to host around 200 young participants. The absence of several world leaders and senior officials, particularly from major countries, has further reduced attendance. Observers note that the combination of high travel expenses, infrastructure limitations, and declining political engagement has dampened the scale of this year’s global climate gathering.