Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison by Brazil's Supreme Court. He was found guilty of plotting a military coup to overturn the 2022 election, involving attempts to unlawfully retain power after losing to Luiz InĂ¡cio Lula da Silva. The conviction also includes charges of leading a criminal organization aimed at overthrowing democratic rule. Four out of five justices voted to convict him, while one dissented. Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest and plans to appeal the ruling. The case has deeply polarized Brazil and attracted international attention, including criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the trial a "witch-hunt" and threatened tariffs on Brazil in response to the verdict.
***
On September 1, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. This marked Modi's first visit to China in seven years. During the summit, he held significant meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including a notable one-on-one limousine ride with Putin. These interactions symbolized a strategic diplomatic message by India, signaling that despite tensions with the US—especially due to tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump—India maintains strong relations and multiple foreign policy options including with China and Russia. The summit was the largest gathering of Eurasian member states and emphasized multipolarity and cooperation amid global geopolitical shifts.
***
The Indian Army recruits and trains special canine squads—using breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherds—that undergo at least 10 months of rigorous training at premier institutes such as the Remount and Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut. These army dogs are trained in roles ranging from explosive detection and search-and-rescue to leading high-risk counter-insurgency operations, becoming integral “first responders” and silent warriors in the nation’s most challenging security scenarios.
***
Peru and Chile are locked in a long-running legal battle in India over the geographical indication (GI) rights to Pisco, a grape-based spirit, with the Delhi High Court recently refusing Peru interim relief in its plea to claim exclusivity.
***
Global democracy is in significant decline, with nearly 220 million fewer people living under liberal democracies today than in 2012. Electoral autocracies, regimes with elections but marked by repression, now rule over 5.8 billion people worldwide. Since 2012, liberal democracy has lost ground across many regions, including Europe where countries like Poland and Hungary have backslid, while countries like Brazil and South Africa show unexpected democratic resilience. The overall trend marks a global democratic backsliding and rise of autocratic regimes despite hopeful exceptions.
***
Daniel Villegas is a man from El Paso, Texas, who was wrongfully convicted as a teenager in 1995 for the murder of two teens, based largely on a coerced confession. He spent nearly 18 years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2018 after new evidence emerged and legal efforts proved his innocence. His case highlights issues of false confessions, ineffective legal representation, and wrongful imprisonment. Despite his exoneration, Villegas has faced further legal troubles but remains a notable example of wrongful conviction and later justice served through persistent legal advocacy
***
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that climate finance is the "make-or-break issue for climate action," emphasizing that developed countries have a moral responsibility to support the Global South's transition to a low-carbon economy. India will require over USD 10 trillion by 2070 to achieve its net-zero targets, and public funds alone are insufficient—unlocking private capital with transparency and accountability is crucial. He also highlighted climate finance as development finance, foundational for energy and food security and industrial competitiveness.
***
Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan took oath as the 15th Vice President of India on September 12, 2025, at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu. The event was attended by prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice Presidents Jagdeep Dhankhar and M. Venkaiah Naidu, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and various Union ministers and state dignitaries. Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, was elected on September 9 by securing 452 votes against the opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy's 300 votes. The election was necessitated by the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July 2025. Radhakrishnan has vowed to work towards making India a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing the victory of the nationalistic ideology.
***
In India, the uptake of the annual influenza (quadri-valent) vaccine is negligible, with less than 1.5% of older adults with chronic illnesses ever taking it, even though it is a standard preventive measure in many countries.
***
According to the Sample Registration System (2023), nearly 66% of live births in India are second-order or higher-order births, with Telangana showing the highest percentage (82.4%) and Kerala the lowest (34.9%).
***
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, is a Nepalese politician who led the decade-long Maoist insurgency that ended Nepal’s monarchy and established it as a democratic republic. He has served as Nepal’s Prime Minister three times, most recently from December 2022 until July 2024
***
In 2024, several European countries including Spain, Ireland, and Norway formally recognized the State of Palestine, marking a significant diplomatic shift amid the Gaza conflict and increasing pressure for consistent European foreign policy; France and other nations in Europe are expected to follow with formal recognition in 2025.
***
In 2025, Bihar underwent a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls, resulting in the removal of about 65 lakh voters primarily due to not submitting mandatory residency documents, disproportionately affecting migrant workers and women, with the Election Commission later accepting Aadhaar as a valid proof of identity and residence.
***
The German Press Agency, known as dpa (Deutsche Presse-Agentur), is Germany's largest and one of the world's leading independent news agencies. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Hamburg with an editorial office in Berlin, it provides reliable, accurate, and comprehensive news coverage 24/7 to a wide range of media including print, radio, TV, online, and mobile platforms. It operates globally with correspondents in over 80 countries and offers services in multiple languages including German, English, Spanish, and Arabic. dpa is known for its journalistic independence, non-partisanship, and commitment to accuracy over speed. It plays a critical role in Germany's media landscape and is a member of the European Alliance of News Agencies.
***
In 2025, Hong Kong lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a government bill meant to grant limited legal rights—such as medical decision authority and funeral arrangements—to same-sex couples married or partnered abroad, despite a 2023 court ruling obligating the government to establish a legal framework for recognizing same-sex partnerships.
***
Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, was a highly influential yet polarizing figure known for populist policies like universal healthcare and rural poverty reduction, but was ousted in a 2006 military coup amid allegations of corruption and authoritarian tendencies; he has since remained a key power broker in Thai politics from exile, with family members like his sister Yingluck and daughter Paetongtarn also becoming prime ministers.
***
In August 2025, the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, took a nearly 10% ownership stake in Intel through converting previously awarded government grants, part of an effort to boost domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on foreign chip manufacturers while supporting the struggling tech giant’s turnaround.
***
No comments:
Post a Comment