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Former Air Force Chief Reveals Bolsonaro's Attempted Coup in New Book, Highlighting Military Refusal

Former Air Force Chief Reveals Bolsonaro's Attempted Coup in New Book, Highlighting Military Refusal

Lieutenant Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Júnior, former head of the Brazilian Air Force, has revealed details of an attempted coup by former President Jair Bolsonaro in his upcoming book, 'I Said No! – An Anti-Coup Bulwark.' Baptista Júnior recounts a crucial meeting where Defence Minister Gen Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira presented a draft decree aimed at invalidating the 2022 election results to allow Bolsonaro to retain power. Baptista Júnior firmly refused to support the plan, stating, 'The air force will not take part in this,' and exited the meeting. The army chief, Gen Marco Antônio Freire Gomes, also refused to engage with the proposed coup, effectively halting the plot despite the involvement of the navy commander and Nogueira, who have since faced convictions. Baptista Júnior emphasizes his motivation for writing the book, noting that a significant portion of the Brazilian populace still doubts the attempted coup. He critiques Bolsonaro for his lack of political acumen, refusal to ackn...
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Brazilian President Lula Advocates for Portuguese AI Development to Reduce U.S. and Chinese Dependence

Brazilian President Lula Advocates for Portuguese AI Development to Reduce U.S. and Chinese Dependence

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly stated Brazil's intention to develop artificial intelligence in Portuguese, aiming to reduce the nation's technological reliance on the United States and China. Speaking at a rally in São José do Rio Preto, Lula emphasized the importance of technological autonomy. He highlighted that Brazil seeks to build its own AI capabilities rather than depend on technologies from these two global powers. In line with this vision, President Lula noted the Senate's approval of Redata, a measure he believes could attract R$500 billion (approximately $95 billion USD) in investments for data centers across Brazil. This investment is crucial for expanding the country's digital infrastructure, which Lula views as foundational for achieving AI independence. He also cited the success of gov.br, a platform connecting 178 million people to government services, as an example of Brazil's progress in digitalization and its potential for further technological advancement.
Reuters Reuters
Trump administration renews Supreme Court bid to limit mail-in voting

Trump administration renews Supreme Court bid to limit mail-in voting

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Sunday renewed its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow a plan that could limit mail-in ballots ahead of November's congressional elections, after a federal judge last week blocked those restrictions.
Reuters Reuters
Ahead of Xi's US visit, China's soybean crushers face high costs, weak margins

Ahead of Xi's US visit, China's soybean crushers face high costs, weak margins

By Ella Cao, Naveen Thukral and Roberto Samora BEIJING/SINGAPORE/SAO PAULO Sept 7 (Reuters) - China's private soybean processors face a costly fourth-quarter supply squeeze as inventories tighten in top exporter Brazil and tariffs keep U.S. cargoes largely out of reach.
Reuters Reuters
Athletics-Werro holds off Broeders-Bol, Bednarek shines at Diamond League Final

Athletics-Werro holds off Broeders-Bol, Bednarek shines at Diamond League Final

BRUSSELS, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Audrey Werro of Switzerland continued her extraordinary campaign by winning the women's 800 metres at the Diamond League Final on Saturday, holding off a determined challenge from Femke Broeders-Bol.
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Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Mail Voting Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Mail Voting Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

A federal judge has extended her ban on President Trump's executive order that aimed to restrict mail voting, replacing a temporary order with a preliminary injunction. This executive order, signed in March, mandated that states submit lists of eligible voters to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) via an online portal to prevent non-citizens from voting. Under this directive, the USPS could refuse to deliver ballots if the name on the envelope did not match the voter list. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) raised concerns about these restrictions after receiving a whistleblower letter. The whistleblower warned that the USPS was struggling to develop the online system, and that potential failures could lead to entire batches of blank ballots being returned before reaching voters, thereby jeopardizing the midterm elections. The administration is facing a tight timeline to implement these limitations as states, including North Carolina and Alabama, have begun or are scheduled to begin sending out mail ballots.
El Paso Times El Paso Times
Are Karol G and Bruno Mars dating? Why fans are wondering

Are Karol G and Bruno Mars dating? Why fans are wondering

Karol G and Bruno Mars have been making the most of their live performance “Still," leading fans to wonder if they are together.
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Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Faces Resignation Calls Amid Links to Disgraced Banker

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Faces Resignation Calls Amid Links to Disgraced Banker

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is facing significant pressure to resign following revelations of his reported links to disgraced banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master. Federal police documents, unsealed by Justice André Mendonca, suggest that Vorcaro repeatedly sought advice from de Moraes and acted on his guidance. These documents also show a previously public contract between Vorcaro and de Moraes's wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, valued at approximately $26 million. De Moraes had previously sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt. The accusations against Vorcaro, which led to the closure of Banco Master and his jailing, have also implicated several politicians ahead of Brazil's October elections, including Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who admitted receiving $12 million from Vorcaro. While de Moraes's lawyers state he checked the contract for conflicts of interest and never ruled on cases involving Vorcaro or Banco Master, the justice him...
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Brazil's richest captured record income share despite Lula's effort to prioritize the poor

Brazil's richest captured record income share despite Lula's effort to prioritize the poor

By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Brazil's wealthiest captured a record share of national income under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, tax-return data show, offering a striking counterpoint to the leftist leader's effort to convince voters that gains have been widely shared under
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Brazil Enacts Law Requiring Free Water at Large Concerts Following Fan's Death at Taylor Swift Show

Brazil Enacts Law Requiring Free Water at Large Concerts Following Fan's Death at Taylor Swift Show

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed two decrees that will significantly alter regulations for large-scale concerts and ticketing in Brazil. These legislative changes were prompted by the death of 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides, who suffered cardiorespiratory arrest due to heat stroke during a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro in November 2023. Starting next month, all events with over 1,000 attendees must provide free drinking fountains or distribute water without charge, and allow concertgoers to bring their own personal water bottles, even if beverages are sold on-site. An emergency decree has already ensured access to water at events held in high temperatures since Benevides' death. The second decree addresses the ticketing industry, aiming for greater transparency by requiring primary ticketing companies to implement anti-bot technologies and secondary sellers to disclose original ticket prices and additional fees. It also mandates free electronic transfer of ticket...
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Washington State Faces Surge in Uncounted Late Ballots Amidst Federal Mail-in Ballot Disputes

Washington State Faces Surge in Uncounted Late Ballots Amidst Federal Mail-in Ballot Disputes

Washington State experienced a significant increase in uncounted late ballots during its recent primary election, with over 20,000 ballots rejected due to late arrival, a 32% jump from 2024. This issue is attributed to changes in U.S. Postal Service (USPS) policies, including a rule stating that a mailpiece's postmark date does not necessarily align with the date of acceptance. Election officials, including Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, have raised concerns that reduced service and distant processing centers are causing delays, particularly impacting rural counties where ballot drop box access is limited. These officials are urging voters to use drop boxes or mail ballots at least a week before Election Day. The state is also engaged in litigation with the Trump administration over its mail-in ballot system, with the administration seeking tighter federal control through the Postal Service. A federal judge has temporarily blocked these federal moves, but the cas...
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Nearshoring Could Boost Latin American Exports by $78 Billion Annually, Maersk Report Indicates

Nearshoring Could Boost Latin American Exports by $78 Billion Annually, Maersk Report Indicates

Nearshoring Could Boost Latin American Exports by $78 Billion Annually, Maersk Report Indicates