Brazilâs top court rules ex-Prez Lula must start prison term
Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that former President Luiz InÃ¡cio Lula da Silva must start serving a 12-year prison sentence for taking bribes, denying his plea to remain free while he appeals his conviction. Lula, who is leading in opinion polls ahead of upcoming presidential elections, was convicted of money laundering and passive corruption last year in July.  