International

Bolsonaro remains silent before police amid accusations of “coup attempt” in Brazil

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro remained silent during his appearance before the police this Thursday, in relation to his alleged participation in a “coup plan” to stay in power after his term. Bolsonaro is suspected of having conspired to discredit the electoral process and prevent leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency of Brazil in January last year.

The hearing, which lasted approximately half an hour, took place at the headquarters of the Federal Police in Brasilia, just three days before a demonstration called by the former president in Sao Paulo to repudiate the accusations against him.

Bolsonaro chose not to make statements during the hearing, according to his defense, who regretted not having had sufficient access to the content of the process against him. Lawyer Paulo Cunha, Bolsonaro’s representative, stated that his client “was never in favor of any type of coup movement” and reiterated his innocence, highlighting that “he does not fear anything because he did not commit any crime.”

The investigation, which led the police to launch Operation Tempus Veritatis on February 8, has implicated several Bolsonaro allies, including former ministers, with raids, passport confiscations and arrests in different parts of the country.

This is not the first time that Bolsonaro has appeared before the police since leaving the presidency. In the past, he has been cited for other cases, such as alleged falsification of COVID-19 vaccination certificates and his alleged participation in riots that occurred in January 2023.

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The former president has repeatedly denied the accusations against him and has claimed to be a victim of political persecution. Despite facing multiple investigations, Bolsonaro has maintained his leadership of the opposition and has promised that Sunday’s demonstration in Sao Paulo will be a “peaceful event” to show his support and deny the accusations against him.

International

Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka

Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.

The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.

An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.

The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.

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Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.

Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.

Internacionales

Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages

May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.

In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.

Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.

International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.