International
Bolsonaro says he suffers “endless persecution” after a new judicial setback
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro affirmed that the alleged political persecution he suffers has no end, after the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) of Brazil rejected an appeal that he filed against a conviction that was imposed on him and that left him ineligible for eight years.
“Endless persecution. They maintained the electoral disqualification and the fine of 425,000 reais (about 85,000 dollars or 78,370 euros),” said the leader of the far right in Brazil in a message he posted on his social networks after the new judicial setback was known.
The captain of the Army reserve thus reacted to the decision of the president of the High Electoral Tribunal (TSE), magistrate Alexandre de Moraes, who rejected the appeal filed by Bolsonaro’s defense against one of the two convictions that prevent him from running for any public office until 2030.
In a decision that was published in the Official Journal of Justice, the magistrate denied the request of Bolsonaro’s defense for that conviction to be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
The leader of the far right seeks to reverse the sentence of October last year in which the Electoral Tribunal, by 5 votes in favor and 2 against, concluded that Bolsonaro and his candidate for vice president in the 2022 presidential elections, Walter Braga Netto, abused his economic and political power during the electoral campaign.
The magistrates considered that the two candidates turned the official commemorations for the Bicentennial of the Independence of Brazil, held in September 2022 and financed and organized by the State, into an act of electoral proselytism from which they tried to benefit.
Moraes, in his sentence, said he rejected the appeal of the former president’s defense for procedural inconsistencies and affirmed that Bolsonaro was not curtaied of the right to proper defense nor was he violated any constitutional right that justifies the case to be brought to the Federal Supreme Court.
The defense, which can still file an appeal before the highest court for it to analyze the case even without the endorsement of the electoral court, announced that this will be its next step.
“We deeply respect the decision of the electoral court, but, because we do not agree with its content, we will present the appropriate appeal at the right time,” the lawyers said in a statement.
In addition to this conviction, Bolsonaro was also declared ineligible for eight years by another decision of the electoral court, in June 2023, in which he was found guilty of abuse of political power and misuse of state media.
This conviction was for a meeting he convened with ambassadors from different countries, broadcast on state television, in which he questioned the reliability of Brazil’s electronic voting system.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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