Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested Saturday by the Federal Police, acting on orders from the Supreme Court. The arrest followed Bolsonaro’s conviction in September on charges of attempting a coup and other offenses, resulting in a 27-year prison sentence. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the arrest, citing concerns that Bolsonaro was preparing to flee and had violated his ankle monitor. Bolsonaro’s son called for a protest at the former president’s residence, which the court used as further evidence of an impending escape attempt.
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Jair Bolsonaro was arrested at his Brasília residence on Saturday due to concerns about a potential escape, as his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt was imminent. Federal Police executed a preventive arrest warrant, authorized by the Supreme Court, citing the planned vigil organized by Bolsonaro’s son as a trigger. The court also cited reports of the violation of Bolsonaro’s electronic monitoring equipment. Bolsonaro was convicted earlier this year and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in plotting a coup and related charges.
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Following a 27-year sentence for attempting to undermine Brazil’s democracy, former president Jair Bolsonaro is expected to be incarcerated imminently. Speculation surrounds his potential placement in the notorious Papuda maximum security prison, prompting concern from his allies who are reportedly attempting to influence the decision. While some fear the conditions at Papuda, others maintain that his imprisonment is a necessary affirmation of the country’s laws. Despite his previous stance on prison conditions, Bolsonaro’s allies now express concern over his well-being, while political opponents argue for dignified treatment within the confines of his sentence.
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France continues to be the subject of multiple news stories. A French-Palestinian activist has filed a complaint regarding his 2022 expulsion from Israel. Additionally, a French minister criticized police conduct during a 2023 protest, citing actions that deviated from regulations. Finally, a car-ramming attack on a French island left five people injured, leaving residents in shock.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court panel reviewing former President Jair Bolsonaro’s appeal has largely rejected his request to reduce his 27-year, three-month prison sentence. The justices, led by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, found the defense’s arguments unfeasible and upheld the conviction for attempting a coup following his 2022 electoral defeat. Bolsonaro’s appeal contested the charges and penalties, but the court found sufficient evidence of his awareness and involvement in a coup plot. Although the final decision isn’t finalized, the case has caused major global headlines and has a substantial effect on U.S.-Brazil relations.
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President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasized the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels, warning that Earth can no longer sustain humanity’s reliance on them. He spoke at a summit in the Brazilian Amazon where leaders discussed the need to reduce planet-warming emissions amid increasingly clear evidence of dangerous warming. The summit faced challenges, including the absence of major polluters and disagreement on a specific timeline to eliminate fossil fuels, as well as the approval of new oil drilling in the Amazon. Despite these hurdles, initiatives like a proposed luxury flight tax are being discussed, and Brazil has secured support for a fund to save the world’s forests.
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A 13-year-old Brazilian boy is currently in federal immigration custody in Virginia after being detained by Everett, Massachusetts, police for possessing a weapon near his school. Police were acting on a tip and charged the boy with possessing a dangerous weapon. The police’s fingerprint database automatically alerted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who then took custody of the boy. The boy’s attorney is contesting the detention, citing the boy’s parents’ work permits and ongoing asylum case, as well as the emotional toll of separation on the child.
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In a development that will likely intensify existing political friction, Brazilian prosecutors have brought charges against the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This action follows the recent escalation of a U.S. campaign targeting one of Brazil’s prominent justices. The Bolsonaros have long been associated with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
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US targets wife of Brazilian Supreme Court justice with sanctions, and it’s hard not to see the layers of complexity – and potential hypocrisy – wrapped around this move. It’s like a political drama, a bit of a dark comedy, and a whole lot of geopolitical maneuvering all rolled into one. The core of the issue is pretty straightforward: the United States has decided to impose sanctions on the wife of a prominent Brazilian Supreme Court justice.
This situation immediately brings to mind the context of the former U.S. president, who, himself, is facing serious legal challenges. It’s not lost on anyone that the U.S.… Continue reading
Across Brazil’s 26 states and Federal District, citizens protested a potential pardon for former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, following the passage of controversial legislation in the lower house. These demonstrations were spurred by a constitutional amendment making it more difficult to prosecute lawmakers and a bill that could grant amnesty to individuals involved in the January 2023 uprising, including Bolsonaro, who was convicted of attempting to overturn his election loss. Prominent artists like Caetano Veloso, Anitta, and Wagner Moura participated in the protests, emphasizing the need for accountability and representing the will of the people. Despite significant support for Bolsonaro among a segment of the population, polls indicate a majority favors his conviction and imprisonment.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood