Author: Jerry Jackson

Fernando Collor, Brazil’s former president, was arrested on Friday to start serving his prison sentence. The arrest took place in the northeastern state of Alagoas, where Collor is originally from. Collor served as president from 1990 to 1992 and was Brazil’s first leader elected by popular vote after military rule ended. His conviction for corruption became final in 2023 after a long legal battle. Authorities sentenced him to eight years and ten months in prison, rejecting the option of house arrest. The case marks a major moment in Brazil’s fight against political corruption. A Conviction Years in the Making Collor’s…

Donald Trump has caused a stir by demanding that U.S. military and commercial vessels travel through the Panama and Suez Canals without paying fees. In a recent social media post, Trump claimed these crucial routes wouldn’t exist without American help. He ordered U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to act quickly on the issue. This is a major shift from Trump’s previous calls for U.S. control over the Panama Canal, a request that has raised eyebrows around the world. Panama Rejects Trump’s Demands Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has firmly rejected Trump’s claim. He stressed that the Panama Canal Authority…

California regulators have introduced a major proposal that could reshape the future of the freight industry. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced new draft rules that would allow the testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks on public roads. This marks a big shift for companies that want to expand the use of autonomous technology beyond passenger cars. The proposed rules could open the door for growth in the autonomous trucking sector. However, the move is already facing heavy resistance from labor unions and safety advocates, who worry about both public safety and potential job losses. New Rules for Trucks…

The United States and South Korea have made progress in talks about a new tariff deal. The aim is to prevent the reintroduction of U.S. import duties before the current suspension ends in July. Officials from both nations confirmed this after meetings in Washington on Thursday. Progress in Talks The talks between the U.S. and South Korea are moving quickly. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “We may be moving along more quickly than I thought.” He met with South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also took part in the meetings.…

Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are pushing for a $150 billion increase in defense spending for 2025, raising the total budget to over $1 trillion. The plan includes funding for new warships, homeland security, and an expansion of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. However, the proposal has sparked public debate as it comes with sharp cuts to social support programs and controversial moves in U.S. foreign policy. Golden Dome and New Military Spending Plans According to documents reviewed by Reuters, about $27 billion of the new military budget will be used to grow the “Golden Dome” missile defense…

President Donald Trump has signed two new executive orders aimed at reshaping the way colleges and universities operate in the United States. The focus of these orders is on two key areas—foreign donations and student admissions. As with many of the Trump administration’s education moves, Harvard University is once again at the center of attention. These new policies have sparked a national debate about the role of identity in college admissions and the need for transparency in foreign funding. Supporters say the orders promote fairness and protect U.S. interests. Critics argue they attack academic freedom and diversity. Foreign Donations Under…

A strong earthquake shook Istanbul and nearby cities in northwestern Turkey on Wednesday, injuring more than 230 people and causing widespread panic. The 6.2-magnitude quake struck around midday, reminding many of the region’s high risk for future disasters. Though no deaths were reported, the event sparked emergency responses and renewed conversations about Istanbul’s vulnerability to earthquakes. Tremor Details and Immediate Impact The quake hit at 12:49 p.m. local time, with its epicentre in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. The US Geological Survey recorded its depth at 10 kilometres — a shallow point that made the…

Spain has launched a new €10.5 billion defense plan to increase its military spending to 2% of GDP by 2025. This move comes after years of trailing behind other NATO countries. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who said Europe must take responsibility for its own safety. A Big Change in Spain’s Plans Spain currently spends around 1.3% of its GDP on defense. This is lower than what many NATO countries spend. In 2014, Spain promised to reach the 2% target by 2029. Now, with new pressures from NATO and the United States, the goal has been…

British fighter jets were launched twice last week to respond to Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace. The Royal Air Force (RAF) deployed Typhoon jets from eastern Poland. Both events happened over the Baltic Sea, an area of growing strategic concern. First Missions Under Operation Chessman On Tuesday, two RAF Typhoon jets took off from Malbork airbase in Poland. They intercepted a Russian Il-20M surveillance plane. This type of aircraft, also known as “Coot-A,” is used for electronic spying. Two days later, on Thursday, another RAF team scrambled. They responded to an unknown aircraft flying from Kaliningrad. It was…

Earth Day marks its 55th anniversary on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. People worldwide will unite to recommit to protecting the planet. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” stresses the urgent need for clean, renewable energy by 2030. A Movement That Began in 1970 Earth Day had its beginnings in 1970, when 20 million Americans came together across schools and public spaces. They demanded action to safeguard the environment. Senator Gaylord Nelson and Congressman Pete McCloskey joined activist Denis Hayes to transform isolated environmental activism into a national movement. Their efforts had a huge impact. By 1970, the United States…