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Lula backs age 16 for heinous crimes as Brazil run-off tightens
Lula announced Thursday night he now backs lowering the age of criminal responsibility to sixteen for heinous crimes; critics see a campaign U-turn, and the polls disagree.
On air: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on BBN TonightPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “Brazil’s Lula says he now backs lowering age of criminal responsibility to 16”, with reporting from Al Jazeera.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 6:04 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger.
- Topics: Lula, Brazil.
- BBN covered this story before: Latest poll shows Bolsonaro maintaining edge over Lula in Brazil… (October 16).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Brazil, President Lula now says he supports lowering the age of criminal responsibility from eighteen to sixteen for heinous crimes, reversing a longstanding position, in what critics call an electoral gambit.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo he's behind, and he knows it. A lead means it's decided, as I said at one o'clock.
The story so far
- Busan market also gets Alzheimer's drama 'Banr' and thriller 'Wakhri' · Variety
- Lula's camp says Meta is tilting Brazil's race · The New York Times
- Brazil cuts work week to 40 hours ahead of runoff · The Guardian
- Heavy rain causes mass pileup in Brazil tunnel · Al Jazeera
- Brazil investigates Amazon wildfires that disrupt daily life and… · AP News
- Latest poll shows Bolsonaro maintaining edge over Lula in Brazil… · Al Jazeera
- Lula backs age 16 for heinous crimes as Brazil run-off tightens (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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