Briefly

BRAZIL

Workers' Party sends Lula into election fray

Brazil's Workers' Party on Thursday officially launched the presidential candidacy of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for an election on Oct 2, after he was nominated by party delegates. The event in Sao Paulo was hosted by the Federation of Hope Brazil, consisting of the Workers' Party, the Communist Party of Brazil and the Green Party. Lula, as he is popularly known, served as president from 2003 to 2010. His major rivals include President Jair Bolsonaro, who is seeking a second term.

UNITED STATES

Young adult diagnosed with polio in New York

New York state health officials on Thursday reported that an unvaccinated young adult had contracted polio, the first such case in the United States in nearly a decade. The person is no longer able to transmit the virus, officials said. Health officials confirmed that the infection was transmitted from someone who received the oral polio vaccine, which contains a mild virus strain that is still able to replicate. This means people who receive it can spread the virus to others. The oral polio vaccine hasn't been administered in the US since 2000. Officials believe the virus may have originated outside the US.

QATAR

Outrage after 29 dogs, puppies shot dead

The slaughter of 29 dogs by men armed with rifles has sparked outrage in the Gulf state. Authorities say police are investigating the killings, the worst of a series of brutal cases of cruelty to dogs. But they face criticism from animal welfare activists who say laws defending domestic animals like dogs are not being enforced. The latest killings took place at an industrial compound near the capital Doha on July 10, but the slaughter was only reported days later, activists told Agence France-Presse. Four men, two armed with hunting rifles, threatened guards at the factory and then killed the 29 dogs and puppies, activists said.

Agencies - China Daily