International News
Brazilian Police To Charge Ex-President For Forged COVID-19 Certificate
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing heightened legal scrutiny as authorities recommend charging him for allegedly forging his Coronavirus vaccination certificate.
During his presidency last year, Bolsonaro faced scrutiny for downplaying the severity of the pandemic and is now under investigation for an alleged scheme to falsify his Covid vaccination records.
A 231-page report by the federal police revealed that Bolsonaro and 16 others were involved in plotting to issue false certificates to gain unfair advantages during the pandemic.
The decision on whether to charge Bolsonaro now lies with the Attorney-General’s office.
Despite his previous remarks, where he joked about the vaccine potentially turning people into alligators, Bolsonaro has admitted to not being vaccinated himself.
In May 2023, the 68-year-old was questioned by the police regarding the allegations, and his residence was searched. Bolsonaro vehemently denied the charges, accusing authorities of attempting to fabricate a case against him.
In January, Brazil’s Comptroller-General’s office officially confirmed that Jair Bolsonaro’s Covid vaccination certificate was forged.
However, they recommended closing the case citing a “lack of sufficient evidence” regarding who had inputted the false data.
Bolsonaro, who faced intense scrutiny for his handling of the pandemic, including his opposition to lockdown measures and dismissive remarks towards the public, garnered criticism as deaths surged to record levels.
Despite public health records indicating he received the vaccine in Sao Paulo in July 2022, the Comptroller’s office determined that this entry was fraudulently made.
Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Fabio Wajngarten, has vehemently criticized the police allegations, denouncing them as “absurd.”
Wajngarten argued that during his presidency, Bolsonaro was not required to present any type of certificate during his travels, dismissing the accusations as “political persecution.”
However, the police investigation revealed that a close aide to Bolsonaro, Army Colonel Mauro Cid, confessed to inputting the fake data into the public health system.
According to an excerpt of his police statement included in the report, Cid said “I received an order from the former president of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, to insert the false data on behalf of him and his daughter Laura Bolsonaro. Those certificates were printed and I delivered them into the hands of the president.”
Recall that Cid was arrested in May 2023 for his role in the scheme but was subsequently released following a plea deal.
The police report revealed that in addition to Cid, a doctor, health officials, a lawyer, soldiers, and various other Bolsonaro subordinates were implicated in the plot.
Bolsonaro finds himself entangled in multiple legal battles, including an investigation into an alleged coup plot aimed at prolonging his stay in power after losing the 2022 election.
Furthermore, he is being investigated for the alleged misappropriation of gifts received from other nations, such as jewelry offered by Saudi Arabia.
Bolsonaro has faced another setback, being banned from holding public office until 2030 due to his relentless attacks on the election system.
International News
DOJ Confirms Federal Criminal Investigation After Agents Raid Ilhan Omar’s Home
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
SEE MORE: Trump Sparks Outrage With Shock Proposal to Rename New Mexico
The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
International News
Bangkok Underwater: Nearly 4,900 Evacuated as Floods Hit Thailand Capital
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
International News
‘They Are Dying’ — Trump Explains Why He Rejected Iran’s Hormuz Proposal
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
SEE ALSO: How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock
According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.





