Brazil’s former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem celebrated on Thursday his release by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a two-day detention. He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his release, though he provided no evidence that the leader had had any connection with the move. Ramagem, a former lawmaker, was sentenced in Brazil in September to 16 years in prison for his role in the coup attempt by supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2023. He fled the South American nation before he would have started serving his sentence. “I am here to thank the U.S....
Brazil’s Lula And Sánchez Of Spain Headline Meetings Of Progressive Leaders In Barcelona
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is starting a two-day visit to Spain on Friday where he and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez will meet with other leaders, mostly of mid-to-small-sized countries, who are concerned with the fate of the democratic order and the rise of the populist far right. Lula and Sánchez are both outspoken in their criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened both with punitive tariffs. They are considered standard-bearers of progressive or liberal politics on their respective continents, where reactionary parties and far-right populism have been on the rise for years. Lula and...
Benin Court Confirms Finance Minister Romauld Wadagni’s Election As Next President
Benin ‘s Constitutional Court on Thursday confirmed the presidential election victory of Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni in the West African country’s weekend election. Wadagni, 49, a political protege of outgoing President Patrice Talon, was declared the winner of Sunday’s election with 94.27% of the votes, with Paul Hounkpè, his opponent, garnering only 5.73%. The voter turnout was 63.57%, according to the court. The opposition candidate has five days to file any appeals before the court announces the final results. Analysts had expected a huge win for Wadgani given the support of Talon, who is leaving office after ruling the country...
Australia’s Most Decorated Veteran Walks Free On Bail On War Crimes Charges Related To Afghan Deaths
Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, walked free on bail from a Sydney prison on Friday, 10 days after he was charged with war crimes in the killings of five people while serving in Afghanistan. Judge Greg Grogin granted Roberts-Smith bail in a Sydney court around five hours earlier, ruling the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal had established exceptional circumstances to justify his release from custody. Prosecutors had opposed bail and argued there was a risk that Roberts-Smith would flee Australia or interfere with witnesses and evidence. Roberts-Smith, 47, was arrested on April 7 and charged with five...
World’s Top 20 Biggest Economies in 2026
Note: GDP Figures Based on PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) Source: IMF
“We Are Watching You. Our Capabilities Are Not The Same, Our Military And Yours. Remember, This Is NOT A FAIR FIGHT”— Secretary Hegseth To Iranian Military Leadership
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: “We are watching you. Our capabilities are not the same—our military and yours. Remember, this is NOT A FAIR FIGHT We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them. While you are digging out of bombed-out and devastated facilities—WE ARE ONLY GETTING STRONGER… We are LOCKED AND LOADED—on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry. We would rather not have to do it, but we are ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button.”
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax kills wife, then himself, police say
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina Fairfax, before taking his own life early Thursday at the family’s home in Annandale, Fairfax County police said, in what authorities described as a sudden and tragic act of domestic violence amid a pending divorce. Officers responded to the home just after midnight after one of the couple’s teenage children called 911, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a morning news briefing. Both of the couple’s children, who are in high school, were inside the home at the time of the shooting. “One of the children was...
Red Bull Salzburg, Arsenal, Liverpool Mourn The Loss Of Former Austrian Goalkeeper Alex Manninger Who Dies In Road Accident.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been killed in a road accident, his first club Red Bull Salzburg announced on Thursday on its X account that the 48-year-old had died. It said: “We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.” With Arsenal and Liverpool FC following suit, mourning the loss of GK Arsenal FC: “Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger. All our thoughts are with his family and loved...
Ukrainian President Gives Details Of Russian Deadly Attack On The Country At The Participants Of The Four Freedoms Awards Ceremony
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Today in Ukraine is another very hard day, really hard night – the day after a massive Russian attack. In just one night, there were nearly 300 attack drones, 19 ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles. Air-raid sirens sounded across many of our cities. “And this came after waves of “shaheds” had filled our skies just yesterday. Dozens of people have been injured. And sadly, so sadly, there are also lives lost in Odesa, Kyiv, in Dnipro. Just ordinary people, children, civilians, killed by Russian madness. “If it’s possible, please, I ask you now to honor their...
Archbishop Of Canterbury The Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally Breaks Silence Over Trump Criticism Of Vatican Throws Support For Pope Leo XIV
Archbishop Of Canterbury The Most Revd Dame Sarah: “I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace. “As I prepare to visit Rome later this month to meet and pray with Pope Leo, I am mindful of his call to keep our eyes open to the suffering of the world, and our gaze fixed on our crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ – the image of the invisible God, in whose image and likeness every human being is made. “In him, we recognise that we are children of...