How Bolsonaro supporters stormed the Brazilian capital

Hello from London. January is proving to be an eventful month, with plenty to keep us occupied here in the newsroom, not least a dangerous insurrection in Brazil last weekend. Thousands of supporters of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro?stormed the Brazilian Congress , Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasília. Our correspondents in Brazil have put together?a timeline of events leading up to the riots .

The attack loudly echoed the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump two years ago. But the differences are just as stark,?writes the FT’s editorial board . Meanwhile, our Latin America editor, Michael Stott, writes that the rioters over-ran Brazil’s government buildings with surprising ease, suggesting?a possible connivance of the security forces . The attack is symptomatic of the deep divides and radical elements within Brazilian society, which President Lula must now reconcile.

My choices this week

1.?The supply of advanced armoured vehicles to Ukraine suggests?the west is prepared to do more to help Kyiv ?liberate its territories. In our latest military briefing, Ukraine’s defence adviser tells the FT how a fleet of tanks would strengthen Kyiv’s chances against Russia.?(Free to read)

2.?“The biggest threat to Rupert Murdoch’s control of News Corp was always his family.” The news baron was able to buy out his sisters and consolidate what could be left to his own children. But when the time comes for succession, will they let?his chosen heir and eldest son Lachlan ?run the show?

3.?How did a little-known company involved in fish farms, food and real estate become the?second-largest listed company in the Middle East ?after Saudi Aramco? We examine the blurred relationship between business and power behind the rise of the International Holding Company.

4.?Is the UK past its populist interlude? Almost, but the refusal to admit that complex problems involve uncomfortable trade-offs lingers on both sides of the political divide, writes chief political commentator Robert Shrimsley.?The country now suffers from ‘long populism’ .

5.?In his new year’s address, President Kim Jong Un made clear he was willing to use his growing nuclear arsenal for offensive purposes. US allies have responded firmly to North Korean aggression, but could meeting strength with strength?risk making conflict more likely ?

6.?The world is currently deluged with Prince Harry content: interviews, podcasts, a Netflix documentary and now a memoir.?If you’re not sick of the prince yet , don’t miss Henry Mance’s review of?Spare: “Harry comes across as honest and reflective, but also angry, thin-skinned, disoriented.”?(Free to read)

Thanks for reading,

Roula

PS?Don't miss our new app, FT Edit , which gives you access to eight articles that are handpicked by our editors every weekday. Invest your time in the stories that matter with our expert selection for just ￡0.99 per month for the first six months.

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