Brazil president Lula cancels Brics trip to Russia after ‘small brain haemorrhage’ from fall

Doctors say president sustained great' trauma to head and slight brain bleed, with long-haul travel cancelled as a precaution but is otherwise fit for duty

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Sunday cancelled his trip to Russia for the Brics summit after a fall at home caused a minor brain haemorrhage.

In a statement, the presidential office said Lula, 78, would participate via videoconference after receiving medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights. He was initially scheduled to depart at 5pm on Sunday.