Ex-Brazil president, Trump ally Bolsonaro charged in “coup” plot, plan to poison rival Lula – National & International News – WED 19Feb2025
Ex Brazil president, Trump ally Bolsonaro charged in “coup” plot, plan to poison rival Lula.
USDA trying to rehire bird flu researchers fired on DOGE orders.
USDA trying to rehire bird flu researchers fired on DOGE orders
The US Department of Agriculture is trying to rehire experts tackling the bird flu crisis who were accidentally fired last week at the recommendation of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency did not say how many were fired in error.
The rapid spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus has sickened dozens of humans in the country. Infections have also forced the extermination of 23 million birds. These have included flocks of egg laying hens, which has caused the price of eggs to skyrocket.
Apart from causing disruption to this important work, these firings have created concern for Congressional Republicans, particularly those on the House Agricultural Committee. “There is an old saying, ‘Measure twice, cut once,'” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-NB), who is on the committee, said. “Well, [DOGE] are measuring once and having to cut twice. Some of this stuff they’re going to have to return back. I just wish they’d make a better decision upfront”.
Earlier this week, the Department of Energy announced that it was having to rehire over 300 employees (also fired at DOGE’s direction). These workers look after and maintain the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
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Ex Brazil president, Trump ally Bolsonaro charged in “coup” plot, plan to assassinate rival Lula
Brazil’s former firebrand right wing president Jair Bolsonaro has been charged, along with 33 others, for a multi-pronged plot to keep himself in office after losing re-election in 2022.Brazil’s Federal Police produced an 884-page report detailing the conspiracy in November. If the Supreme Court accepts the charges, Bolsonaro could go on trial sometime in 2026.
The many offenses Bolsonaro and his co-defendants are accused of include plots to poison Bolsonaro’s rival and successor. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and to murder Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Moraes has been spearheading a wide-ranging investigation into Bolsonaro since he was President. The inquiry began with corruption allegations but subsequently branched out into other areas.
Bolsonaro is also accused of promoting false information aimed at undermining Brazil’s electronic voting system and inciting a riot in the capital Brasilia on January 8, 2023. In an episode reminiscent of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in the Washington, D.C., thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the complex in Brasilia which contains the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace. The rioters did millions of dollars worth of damage and engaged in violent clashes with police, resulting in dozens of injuries.
Trump media firm sues Justice Moraes
Bolsonaro is an ally and friend of President Donald Trump. While Bolsonaro himself has been barred from leaving Brazil for nearly two years, his wife attended Trump’s inauguration in January.
Hours after the charges against Bolsonaro were announced, Trump’s media company, which owns his social media platform Truth Social, sued Justice Moraes. The suit was jointly filed with video-sharing platform Rumble, with which Truth Social has a media partnership. Moraes has been fining rumble $9,000 a day for refusing to take down the account of a far-right Brazilian commentator and has threatened to shut down Rumble within Brazil if it does not comply.
