International
Bolsonaro says he could return to Brazil in a few weeks
12 février |
Former president Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday that he intends to return to Brazil “in the next few weeks.”
It is the first time Bolsonaro has made a public statement about his return. The right-wing politician is in the United States after arriving in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 31, a day before his leftist rival Luis Inácio Lula da Silva ascended to the presidency.
Saturday’s event at an evangelical church in Florida was entirely in Portuguese for a Brazilian crowd of Bolsonaro supporters living abroad, and was organized by the right-wing collective Yes Brazil USA. The former president was cheered throughout the event.
Bolsonaro’s possible return to Brazil has raised conjecture in recent weeks as to when he would do so, although several investigations related to possible illegal behavior are weighing on him.
Bolsonaro entered the United States on a one-month diplomatic visa that expired on January 31. He was accompanied by his wife and a team of presidential advisors, all of whom left Florida last month.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers recently told the Brazilian press that they had arranged a tourist visa for the former president to extend his stay in the United States.
Amid speculation about Bolsonaro’s plans, one of his sons, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, told the Brazilian press that he did not know when his father might return.
“It could be tomorrow, in six months, maybe never. I don’t know. He is resting,” he added.
For the first time in his political career of more than three decades as a lawmaker and later as president, Bolsonaro no longer enjoys the special legal protection under which he could only be tried by the Supreme Federal Court.
Bolsonaro is subject to four inquiries, which had been in the highest court but were already sent to an ordinary court last week.
One of the investigations is to determine whether Bolsonaro had any involvement in inciting the January 8 riots, in which his supporters raided government compounds in Brasília to demand the annulment of his electoral defeat to Lula.
Investigators are also seeking to determine who organized and financed the mass gathering of Bolsonaro supporters who arrived in the capital from various parts of Brazil.
One of the inquiries of the Brazilian justice system is to determine who were those responsible for inciting the crimes, and who paid the people to travel to Brasilia.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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