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Trump’s inauguration: Brazilian court denies Bolsonaro’s request to travel

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

Brazil’s top court on Thursday refused to return the passport of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro, who had hoped to attend next week’s inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump.

The court said Bolsonaro still posed a flight risk almost a year since his passport was seized as part of an investigation into his alleged orchestration of a coup attempt to remain in power after elections in 2022.

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There was still the “possibility of an attempted evasion by the accused,” said judge Alexandre de Moraes, who had frequently clashed with Bolsonaro.

In a post on X, Bolsonaro said the judge’s decision “diminishes Brazil’s standing on the world stage and sends a worrying message about the state of democracy and justice in our country.”

It is “another example of the continued use of ‘lawfare’ (judicial activism) against Bolsonaro — the systematic use of the justice system to neutralize him as a political adversary in the courts, so as not to face him at the polls,” the post said.

In an interview with the New York Times, published shortly before the court ruling, Bolsonaro was effervescent about the possibility of attending the inauguration.

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“I’m feeling like a kid again with Trump’s invite. I’m fired up,” Bolsonaro said, calling Trump “the most important guy in the world.”

The man who was dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics” during his time in office later told the YouTube channel of the conservative Revista Oeste website that “an appeal is still possible” against the passport ruling.

Bolsonaro said his wife would attend the inauguration, where she would get “special treatment” because of his long friendship with Trump.

“Everything he suffered there, I’ve been suffering here,” he said.

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While his hero is returning to office in the United States, the 69-year-old former army captain is staring down multiple criminal charges from investigations launched after his razor-thin election loss to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro has denied all accusations and said he is being “persecuted.”

He has been barred from holding public office until 2030 for casting doubts on Brazil’s voting system during his failed reelection campaign.

Police have also recommended he be charged with falsifying his COVID-19 vaccination records and misappropriating jewels and other luxury items gifted by Saudi Arabia, valued at $1.2 million.

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The most serious allegation is that he “planned, acted, and had direct and effective control” over a plot to block Lula from taking office.

While Bolsonaro cannot attend Monday’s inauguration, Trump will have another big fan in the crowd in the form of Argentina’s President Javier Milei.

Self-declared “anarcho-capitalist” Milei, who has described himself and Trump as the most important politicians on Earth, was the first foreign leader to visit Mar-a-Lago to congratulate his idol after last November’s election win.

Also at the inauguration will be Venezuelan opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia — recognized by the United States, Europe and several Latin American countries as president-elect after July 28 elections they say were stolen by incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

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His team said Gonzalez Urrutia, who found asylum in Spain and is ending an international tour, will return to Washington two weeks after holding talks with US President Joe Biden.

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Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation

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The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.

In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.

He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.

Watch video below:

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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner

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The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.

The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.

He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.

He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.

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“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”

The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.

The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.

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Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report

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A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.

The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).

According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.

Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”

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The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.

Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.

According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.

This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.

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The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:

“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:

“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.

The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.

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Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.

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