Lula pledges federal assistance to flood-ridden Rio Grande do Sul State

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva told Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite that the federal administration would spare no effort assisting the southeastern State get through the current heavy storms that have left at least 32 casualties, Agencia Brasil reported. The number of confirmed fatalities is expected to be higher as dozens of people were still unaccounted for.