Bolsonaro downplays Brazil army's Viagra order / Photo: © AFP/File
-
French lawmakers reject wealth tax proposal in budget debate
-
Premier League blames European expansion for lack of Boxing Day games
-
Bublik sets up Auger-Aliassime semi-final at Paris Masters
-
World's most expensive coffee goes on sale in Dubai at $1,000 a cup
-
Trump stirs global tensions, confusion with nuclear test order
-
Panic across US as health insurance costs set to surge
-
Court eases ban on Russian lugers but Olympic hopes on thin ice
-
England captain Itoje targets Autumn Nations clean sweep
-
Calmer Sabalenka sets sights on WTA Finals crown
-
Spurs boosted by Romero return for Chelsea clash
-
Sudan's RSF claims arrests as UN warns of 'horrendous' atrocities in Darfur
-
US says 'non-market' tactics needed to counter China's rare earth dominance
-
China sends youngest astronaut, mice to space station
-
From adored prince to outcast, Andrew's years-long fall from grace
-
Rodri return fuels Guardiola belief in Man City title challenge
-
China holds send-off ceremony for space station astronauts
-
Barcelona to show off unfinished Camp Nou with public training session
-
Turkish court jails 11 for life over deadly hotel inferno
-
Auger-Aliassime ends Vacherot run to reach Paris Masters semis
-
Australia captain Wilson denies Wallabies use 'dangerous' breakdown tactics
-
'Populists can be beaten': Dutch centrist Jetten claims election win
-
China's suspension of rare earth controls applies to EU: official
-
Italy complains about strong euro, urges ECB to cut rates
-
Louvre to get anti-ramming barriers by year end: minister
-
Wall Street bounces on Amazon, Apple earnings
-
AI giants turn to massive debt to finance tech race
-
Japan PM says raised 'serious concerns' with Xi on South China Sea, Xinjiang
-
Shein set to open first physical store in Paris
-
Turkish court jails 11 for life over deadly hotel fire
-
Hazlewood stars as Australia ease past India to win 2nd T20
-
Stocks extend losses tracking AI, Fed and trade
-
Arteta concerned for players' welfare in Arsenal fixture pile-up
-
From adored prince to royal outcast, Andrew's protracted downfall
-
Maresca backs 'stupid' Delap to come good for Chelsea
-
Pakistan, Afghanistan extend ceasefire, to hold another round of peace talks
-
Sudan's RSF says arrests fighters accused of abuses in El-Fasher
-
Key dates in the fall of Britain's former prince Andrew
-
Cricket falls silent across Australia after teenager killed by ball
-
Vinicius Junior in the clear over Clasico outburst
-
UK welcomes king's move to strip Andrew of royal titles
-
Liverpool must snap losing 'habit', says under-fire Slot
-
Bencic out of Hong Kong last eight as tennis injury list mounts
-
Xi invites Canada PM to China in first meet in 8 years
-
Chinese defence minister seeks 'trust' with US but cautions over Taiwan
-
India's Rodrigues beat anxiety and tears to become World Cup star
-
China, Canada leaders hold first formal talks since 2017
-
Nvidia to supply 260,000 cutting-edge chips to South Korea
-
Camels replace cows as Kenya battles drought
-
Endangered across west Africa, leopards thrive in I.Coast reserve
-
Risky gold rush drives young into Ivory Coast nature park
NYSE - LSE
| RYCEF | -1.98% | 15.15 | $ | |
| BCC | 0.25% | 69.355 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.88% | 23.85 | $ | |
| VOD | 0.5% | 12.03 | $ | |
| SCS | 0.09% | 15.975 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.04% | 13.865 | $ | |
| NGG | -1.1% | 75.225 | $ | |
| RIO | -0.15% | 72.095 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.74% | 24.18 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 0% | 76 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.52% | 44.14 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.61% | 22.97 | $ | |
| AZN | -0.1% | 82.255 | $ | |
| BTI | 0.36% | 51.465 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.25% | 46.822 | $ | |
| BP | 0.64% | 34.995 | $ |
Bolsonaro downplays Brazil army's Viagra order
President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday downplayed the Brazilian military's recent purchase of Viagra, which drew scrutiny from opposition lawmakers and a flurry of jokes online.
"It was maybe 50,000 pills total. With all due respect, that's nothing," the far-right president said at a meeting with Evangelical Christian ministers at the presidential palace, two days after revelations the armed forces had purchased a sizeable order of sildenafil, the active ingredient in the erectile-dysfunction drug.
"Obviously, that's mostly for retirees and inactive service members," he added, repeating the defense ministry's explanation that the drug would in fact be used by the military to treat high blood pressure and rheumatism.
Bolsonaro, a former army captain, did not comment on the military's latest titter-provoking episode: news on Tuesday that it had also acquired 60 penile implants.
But he attacked the media for swelling the whole thing out of proportion.
"We take abuse every day from a press that acts in very bad faith and is ignorant on the matter," he said.
The purchases were revealed by an opposition lawmaker who obtained the details through a freedom of information request.
They triggered no shortage of jokes on social media, where bemused users shared drawings of tanks with limp cannon and cracks about upping the military's morale.
K.Thomson--BTB
