Brazil: Lula, Bolsonaro return to strongholds to launch runs for president

Candidates Lula and Bolsonaro appeal to Brazil’s women voters with promises to combat rising femicide and gender violence.Brazil’s two main presidential candidates have inaugurated their campaigns by mustering supporters in their political strongholds ahead of what is expected to be a fierce October election.President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke with nostalgia to more than 10,000 supporters on Sunday at the Vila Euclides Stadium outside Sao Paulo – a city where he rose to political fame 47 years ago as a metalworkers’ union leader during the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.The 80-year-old, wearing a hat after a skin cancer diagnosis, insisted Brazil needs more of his policies.Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, age 45 and one of the sons of former President Jair Bolsonaro, gathered with thousands of voters on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. His father, under house arrest following his conviction for an attempted coup, did not attend the rally.Lula echoed his own earlier comments denouncing foreign interference in Brazil’s politics. His allies have accused the United States government of seeking to boost Flavio Bolsonaro’s bid with measures such as raising tariffs on Brazili...