Pedro Lucas Fernandes has declined President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s offer to become Minister for Communications—a key post that oversees the country’s telecoms and postal system.
Fernandes, who leads the conservative União Brasil party in the lower house, said he was honoured but would serve the country better from his current position.
The offer was no surprise. Lula had agreed to let União Brasil choose the successor to Juscelino Filho, who stepped down earlier this month after facing public allegations of embezzling public funds.
The decision was meant to keep political balance. Filho, like Fernandes, belongs to União Brasil. Government minister Gleisi Hoffmann had previously confirmed Lula’s intention to name Fernandes, based on the party’s proposal.
But Fernandes declined. The reasons remain political—and personal.
“I believe I can contribute more to Brazil where I am,” he said in a brief statement on Tuesday.
Filho’s departure followed a probe into misuse of public money, linked to actions before he joined Lula’s cabinet. His exit triggered a reshuffle Lula hoped would stabilise relations with Congress.
For now, the Communications Ministry remains vacant—and Lula, once again, must negotiate.
China and Brazil have committed to bolstering free trade and multilateralism, signing 20 agreements aimed at deepening their economic and diplomatic ties amid global trade challenges. The deal includes increased Brazilian agricultural exports to China.
Ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil is pushing for the creation of new global governance mechanisms to help nations implement their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, citing an urgent need to accelerate action.
Authorities say they stopped a planned attack on Lady Gaga’s Copacabana concert, which drew over 2 million fans.
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Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone intestinal surgery after being hospitalized with severe abdominal pain.
Turkmenistan signed key agreements with Malaysia’s Petronas and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC to boost cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The deals strengthen ties between Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, and their partners, paving the way for expanded projects and enhanced energy collaboration.
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reaffirmed cooperation during a phone call between their foreign ministers, highlighting the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway in boosting regional trade and connectivity.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to discuss recent India-Pakistan ceasefire and thank Azerbaijan for its support, while both leaders highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
Beijing is accelerating efforts to attract Chinese-born scientists working in the United States back home with lucrative incentives, as concerns grow over the research climate in America.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in Ankara on Thursday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aiming to advance peace talks and bolster bilateral cooperation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off his Gulf tour with a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, securing a major strategic economic agreement and pledging deep investment ties between the two nations.
Beijing is accelerating efforts to attract Chinese-born scientists working in the United States back home with lucrative incentives, as concerns grow over the research climate in America.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in Ankara on Thursday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aiming to advance peace talks and bolster bilateral cooperation.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced in Doha that India has offered a trade deal with zero tariffs.
Denmark is reevaluating its 40-year ban on nuclear power, signaling a potential shift towards modular reactors as Europe focuses on energy security and low-carbon solutions.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington is nearing a nuclear agreement with Iran, stating Tehran has "sort of" agreed to the terms, as fresh diplomatic talks continue.
Turkmenistan signed key agreements with Malaysia’s Petronas and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC to boost cooperation in the oil and gas sector. The deals strengthen ties between Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, and their partners, paving the way for expanded projects and enhanced energy collaboration.
Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reaffirmed cooperation during a phone call between their foreign ministers, highlighting the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway in boosting regional trade and connectivity.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to discuss recent India-Pakistan ceasefire and thank Azerbaijan for its support, while both leaders highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
Beijing is accelerating efforts to attract Chinese-born scientists working in the United States back home with lucrative incentives, as concerns grow over the research climate in America.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in Ankara on Thursday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, aiming to advance peace talks and bolster bilateral cooperation.
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