Friday, June 21, 2013

Dilma Rousseff summons Brazil cabinet over protests

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has held an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the country's most widespread unrest in two decades.
Protests began more than a week ago over transport fare rises, but they are now also directed at corruption and the cost of next year's football World Cup.
More than a million people are reported to have taken part in demonstrations on Thursday in about 100 cities.
One man died when a car drove through a barricade in Sao Paulo state.
A woman died of a heart attack after collapsing during demonstrations in the northern city of Belem.
Rubber bullets President Rousseff called off a trip to Japan to deal with the crisis.
The emergency meeting in the capital, Brasilia, ended after about two hours with no official statement.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (18 June) Ms Rousseff initially praised the demonstrators but has now distanced herself
However, correspondents say there is speculation Ms Rousseff will make a national radio address.
Ms Rousseff initially praised the demonstrators, saying she was proud so many people were fighting for a better country.
She has since sought to distance herself from the protests.
On Thursday night, protesters tried to storm the foreign ministry in Brasilia. They were driven back by police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas.
In Rio de Janeiro, at least 29 people were reported injured after clashes between riot police and groups of masked young men trying to approach city hall.

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