International
Bolsonaro exalts the tycoon Elon Musk for defending freedoms, in front of a crowd in Rio
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) received a large show of support during the march he convened in Rio de Janeiro to defend democracy and freedom of expression, in the middle of a dispute between the Justice of his country and the tycoon Elon Musk over censorship and disinformation.
The far-right leader was accompanied by thousands of followers who gathered in front of Copacabana beach dressed in green and yellow T-shirts, the colors of the Brazilian flag, raised as a symbol of patriotism by the bolsonaristas.
However, the appointment in the capital of Fluminense, Bolsonaro’s main political fortress, was visibly smaller than the one held two months ago in São Paulo, where about 185,000 people accompanied him on Avenida Paulista.
The leader of the Brazilian far-right arrived confident at the meeting for the tensions caused by the billionaire owner of the social network X after the criticism of Alexandre de Moraes, the magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice who leads the investigations against him.
The judge, who has Bolsonaro in his sights for his alleged participation in the coup attempt that sought to overthrow the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in January 2023, was accused by the billionaire of censoring social networks.
It was precisely that issue that focused the speech of the leader of the Brazilian far-right, who defended freedom of expression and exalted Musk, of whom he said he had “the courage to show with some evidence” where the country’s democracy was heading.
In his speech, the former president posed as a victim of “the persecution” and “cowardice” of those who want to see him far from the political cause, and rantled against Lula’s government, whom he accused of being a “lover of the dictatorship.”
As he did in São Paulo, the far-righter again defended himself from the accusations that fall on him for “inciting” his followers to violently invade the headquarters of the three powers on January 8 of last year and asked for amnesty for those who participated in the acts, although he avoided explicitly mentioning Judge De Moraes or the highest court of justice.
That work was left in the hands of Silas Malafía, the influential evangelical pastor allied to Bolsonaro, who ranted about the Supreme Court, called De Moraes “dictator of the toga” and even charged the military.
In Copacabana, Bolsonaro was accompanied by his wife, three of his children and several political allies.
In the crowd, between the flags of Brazil and Israel, they chanted “no to the dictatorship,” “freedom for Brazil” and “Lula thief, prison.”
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.
International
U.S. considering airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, reports say
The United States may soon carry out airstrikes on military facilities inside Venezuela as part of an escalating offensive against Nicolás Maduro’s regime, according to reports Friday from the Miami Herald and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the Trump administration.
Airstrikes could take place “within days or even hours,” the Herald reported. The Journal noted that while the option is under serious consideration, President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on authorizing strikes on Venezuelan soil.
Potential targets allegedly include military-controlled ports and airports used in drug trafficking operations, such as naval installations and airstrips, officials told the Journal.
The Herald also quoted a source saying that “Maduro’s time is running out”, suggesting that more than one Venezuelan general may be ready to detain and hand him over. However, officials declined to confirm whether the Venezuelan leader would be among the military targets.
Trump has repeatedly vowed to block the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, following nearly two months of airstrikes against vessels in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Those operations have destroyed 15 boats and left 61 people dead and three survivors since September 1.
“We are finally waging a war against the cartels — a war like they’ve never seen before — and we are going to win that battle. We are already winning at sea,” Trump told U.S. troops during a speech in Japan.
The reports on possible airstrikes come on the same day the United Nations accused the U.S. of violating international law with its maritime operations, saying those killed at sea may have been victims of extrajudicial executions.
International
Pope Leo XIV revives Global Compact on Education to confront cultural crisis
Pope Leo XIV announced on Friday that he will revive and update the Global Compact on Education, an initiative launched by the late Pope Francis aimed at deeply transforming global culture through education.
The announcement was made during an audience in St. Peter’s Square, held on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Educational World, which this week gathers more than 20,000 participants from 124 countries in Rome.
During his address, the pontiff — who is of U.S. origin and Peruvian nationality — emphasized the importance of restoring the value of educators and reinforcing the principles that support the pact.
“We must be careful: damaging the social and cultural role of educators means mortgaging our own future,” he warned before thousands in attendance. “A crisis in the transmission of knowledge leads to a crisis of hope.”
The Global Compact on Education, launched by Pope Francis, seeks an integral and long-term cultural transformation. It is structured around five pillars: dignity and human rights; fraternity and cooperation; technology and integral ecology; education for peace and citizenship; and culture and religions. To date, the initiative has been joined by over 553 schools and nearly 410,000 students, according to Catholic Schools data.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern over the widespread inner fragility affecting both students and teachers — many of whom feel overwhelmed by bureaucratic burdens.
He additionally addressed the role of artificial intelligence in education, warning that it may worsen emotional isolation among learners: “It can further isolate students who are already isolated, giving them the illusion that they do not need others — or worse, the feeling that they are unworthy of them,” he said.
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
U.S. considering airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, reports say
Pope Leo XIV revives Global Compact on Education to confront cultural crisis
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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