What's happened
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will attend the upcoming BRICS summit via videoconference due to a recent fall that caused a minor brain hemorrhage. Meanwhile, U.S. President Biden plans to attend the G20 summit in Brazil, focusing on international debt relief and workers' rights initiatives.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Bloomberg, Lula's health issues have raised concerns about his ability to participate in key international discussions. The South China Morning Post noted that Biden's upcoming trip to Brazil is significant for U.S.-Brazil relations, particularly regarding economic initiatives. The Guardian emphasized the implications of Lula's health on his leadership role, suggesting that his absence from the BRICS summit could diminish Brazil's standing among emerging economies. Meanwhile, the Independent reported on the medical advice Lula received, indicating that while he can continue his duties, long-distance travel is not advisable at this time.
How we got here
Lula's recent health issues arose from a fall at his residence, leading to a minor brain hemorrhage. This incident has forced him to cancel in-person attendance at significant international summits, including the BRICS meeting in Russia.
More on these topics
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, is a Brazilian politician and former union leader who served as the 35th President of Brazil from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2010.
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BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate