October 2026

Brazil's Ibovespa fell 16 percent after a circuit breaker halted trading, and the dollar rose as much as 12 percent to R$ 5.60, UOL reported. Retail and construction company shares dropped sharply on the exchange. The circuit breaker was triggered for the 24th time on the Brazilian exchange.

Brazil's Federal Police are investigating whether Senator Flávio Bolsonaro left Brazil through the border with Argentina. The inquiry follows a Supreme Federal Court order barring him from leaving the country after his loss in the presidential runoff to President Lula.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro abandoned his challenge to the result of the presidential election and now says he will ask the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) to annul the Lula-Alckmin ticket. The shift came after experts told BBC News Brasil that the argument for annulling the vote had become fragile, which the senator could have used to correct course.

Supreme Federal Court Justice Flávio Dino ordered the Federal Police to investigate possible foreign interference in Brazil's electoral process, with the inquiry examining whether outside funding or support benefited Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign. The order was issued on Tuesday and reported by outlets across the political spectrum.

Two high-speed trains collided in Spain, killing at least 68 people and injuring dozens, the government said. One of the trains had left Madrid bound for Seville and struck another company's train traveling in the opposite direction on the same track.

President Lula said he will send his own bank and telephone secrecy records, along with those of his wife Janja and his sons, to the president of the Superior Electoral Court, and challenged Senator Flávio Bolsonaro to do the same. The two are facing each other in the second round of the presidential race, after a debate on Band.

A Meio/Ideia poll published four days before the second round of Brazil's presidential election put Senator Flávio Bolsonaro at 51.1% of valid votes and President Lula at 48.9%. The survey covers the runoff between the two candidates.

The Federal Police opened a second inquiry into Senator Flávio Bolsonaro at the Supreme Federal Court on suspicion of money laundering, with lawyer Willer Tomaz named in the case. The court received the new Federal Police inquiry against the senator. The inquiry is the second the senator faces at the court.

Brazil's electoral prosecutors (MPE) told the Superior Electoral Court that Meta complied with only part of its orders on equal treatment between the campaigns of President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, and asked the court to fine the company. The prosecutors pointed to new signs of unequal treatment between the campaigns.

O Globo also reported a message from Vorcaro that it described as in poor taste, sent after Lula faced a life-threatening risk during brain surgery. The outlet did not publish the message's text in its headline.

Brazil's Congress promulgated a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule and granting special retirement to health agents. The enactment was reported by the Senate and covered across Brazilian outlets.

Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved a provisional measure creating the National Exam for the Evaluation of Medical Training (Enamed), which new doctors must pass to obtain professional registration. The measure now goes to presidential sanction.

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) upheld its order requiring Meta to guarantee equal treatment for candidates in the distribution of political and electoral content. Justice Bellizze, of the TSE, prohibited Meta from restricting the reach of candidates' posts. The ruling keeps in force a decision that Meta must not interfere in the distribution of political-electoral content.

In a TV Globo interview during the second round of the presidential race, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro said his brother Eduardo will not be foreign minister. Asked whether he would give a post to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, he avoided answering, saying the matter had never been discussed: 'Nunca tratou disso.'

Federal Police have asked Supreme Federal Court Justice André Mendonça to extend the Dark Horse inquiry by 90 days. The case examines money sent abroad in connection with a film about former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro said his remarks about changing the Constitution 'to redemocratize the country' referred to a reform of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the end of re-election. He also mentioned changes to the age of criminal responsibility and tax rules as targets. The statements were made after he had spoken without detail about 'changing the Constitution'.

Supreme Federal Court Justice Kassio Nunes Marques is considering releasing former President Jair Bolsonaro after the second round of the elections and has confirmed he will analyze the criminal review of Bolsonaro's case. He said he will bring the matter to the full plenary of the STF. Other STF justices have indicated to Nunes Marques that the criminal review should go to the plenary.

Brazil's ban on betting sites has led to layoffs in the sector, according to VEJA. The prohibition has also prompted gambling addicts to report harassment from Chinese betting sites, which multiply as soon as one is taken down, Estadão reports. The ban is part of a broader government measure that has disrupted the online betting market.

The TSE is set to rule on a request from candidate Garotinho that could define the Rio de Janeiro election in the first round. The court is examining a parecer that endorses the candidate's withdrawal from the race.

The World Health Organization released its first global guideline on obesity in children and adolescents, aimed at countering rising obesity rates in that age group. The guidance recommends dietary changes and physical exercise rather than weight-loss injections for children with obesity.

Supreme Federal Court Justice Luiz Fux overturned a decision by Justice Flávio Dino and ordered social media platforms to remove false posts about Nossa Senhora Aparecida, Brazil's patron saint. The ruling came after Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's defense petitioned Fux to suspend Dino's order. The case involves disinformation linking the CNBB to false claims about the patron saint.

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Kassio Nunes Marques has asked Justice Edson Fachin to adjust the court's case distribution rule to create a filter for electoral matters. The request follows a crisis at the STF that has lasted nearly a month and has now reached the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ahead of the first round of voting. Nunes Marques has warned of a risk of 'capture' of the TSE.

Leaked messages show Chamber of Deputies President Hugo Motta discussing a millionaire real estate deal with banker Daniel Vorcaro, of Banco Master. The exchanges also reference a 'sociedade' in the business and a discussion about a bill in the Chamber of Deputies.

Ricardo Salles withdrew his candidacy for the Senate representing São Paulo. The decision followed a meeting with São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who did not promise positions but made an overture to the Novo party, according to Terra. Salles had received R$ 4.6 million before abandoning the Senate campaign, O Globo reported.

The Brazilian government has extended the Desenrola Adimplentes program, which allows indebted individuals who are current on their bills to renegotiate debts, until October 26. The extension was announced six days before the election and gives informal workers more time to renegotiate. The program is part of the broader Desenrola Brasil 3.0, which is already in force.