International
Bolsonaro testifies in fake vaccination certificates case
May 17 |
The former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, appeared this Tuesday before the Federal Police in Brasilia to testify about the alleged falsification of vaccination certificates against Covid-19, reiterating his innocence and denying any involvement in the facts attributed to him.
Bolsonaro arrived at the police headquarters around 13:40 local time in a car with dark windows and left about four hours later in the same manner, without offering statements to the press.
In his statement to authorities, Bolsonaro again denied his involvement in the alleged scheme to create Covid-19 vaccination certificates for himself, his 12-year-old daughter and collaborators, reported former Communication Secretary and current Bolsonaro advisor Fabio Wajngarten.
Authorities are investigating an alleged “criminal association” suspected of “inserting false anti-covid vaccination data for the benefit of the then president” and his close associates, according to official documents.
The objective was to “circumvent sanitary restrictions”, to travel with a retinue of family members and advisors to the United States, two days before the end of his mandate on January 1st, where he stayed for three months.
The former president, who sowed doubts about vaccines at the height of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic, which killed more than 700,000 people in Brazil, was entered in the immunization system records as having received two doses of the vaccine, last August and October.
After the raid on his home, the 68-year-old former president denied the accusations and accused the authorities of trying to “fabricate a case” against him.
Bolsonaro’s former deputy, Mauro Cid, who was considered his right-hand man during the former president’s term, was arrested in connection with the case, on suspicion of “initiating” the practice of illicit acts.
Until May 11, the United States required international air travelers to present proof of vaccination against the coronavirus, a requirement that did not apply to foreign government officials.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
International
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
Kash Patel did not provide further details, but police sources told CBS News that the potential attack was “inspired” by the Islamic State (ISIS).
“This morning, the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested several individuals in Michigan who were allegedly planning a violent attack during the Halloween weekend,” Patel wrote on X.
“Thanks to swift action and close coordination with our local partners, a possible terrorist act was prevented before it could be carried out,” he added.
CBS reported that five people between the ages of 16 and 20 were arrested on Friday. At least one of them was reportedly acquainted with a former member of the Michigan National Guard, who was arrested in May for plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on a U.S. military facility in the Detroit suburbs.
International
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed concerns over China’s growing military activity near Taiwan during a meeting on Friday with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in Kuala Lumpur.
“It was a constructive and positive meeting,” Hegseth wrote on X. “I emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and raised U.S. concerns about China’s actions around Taiwan,” the self-governed island that Beijing claims and does not rule out invading.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. According to Trump, Taiwan was not discussed during their talks.
“The United States does not seek conflict and will continue to firmly defend its interests, ensuring it maintains the capability to do so in the region,” Hegseth added in his message.
Friday’s encounter followed a September 9 video call between Hegseth and Dong. Their previously planned meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was canceled due to Dong’s absence from the event.
Trump’s sit-down with Xi — their first since 2019 — resulted in some trade agreements but avoided addressing the issue of Taiwan, a long-standing source of tension between the world’s two largest powers.
Trump has taken a more ambiguous stance on Taiwan’s future compared with former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly stated that Washington would support Taipei if China launched an invasion. The Republican president has also criticized Taiwan for “stealing” the U.S. semiconductor industry.
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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