The Brazilian government is preparing an appeal against the decision of the Audiencia Nacional while Judge Moraes asks for explanations from the ambassador in Brasilia.

The case for the extradition of a bolsonarista, who settled in Spain in 2023 to evade the Brazilian Supreme Court, has tarnished the fluid relationship between the two countries. The decision of the Spanish National Court to reject, last Monday, the surrender of Oswaldo Eustaquio Filho, wanted for participating in the coup conspiracy, was answered a few hours later by the judge investigating the case in Brazil, Alexandre de Moraes, with two retaliatory decisions: he suspended an extradition process requested by Spain and publicly requested explanations from the ambassador in Brasilia within five days. Meanwhile, the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is preparing the appeal to be presented before the National Court in Madrid and the Spanish Executive remains silent.

Oswaldo Eustaquio Filho, a 46-year-old journalist, is a Bolsonaro activist who has been prosecuted by Brazil’s Supreme Court on charges of coup d’état and spreading false news. Brazil claims him for inciting followers of former president Jair Bolsonaro to perpetrate anti-democratic acts against the Supreme Court and for publicly exposing police commissioners who have investigated coup cases in order to intimidate them. In 2023, he arrived in Madrid and filed a request for asylum because he considers himself a victim of political persecution.

For Judge de Moraes, the National Court’s rejection of the request for surrender is “a lack of respect for the reciprocity” contemplated in the bilateral extradition treaty that has been in force for more than three decades. For this reason, as soon as it learned of the decision of the Spanish magistrates, it issued a public note in which it asked for explanations to the Spanish ambassador in Brasilia, Mar Fernandez-Palacios, within five days and announced that it was suspending the surrender of a Bulgarian wanted by Spain for drug trafficking named Vasil Georgiev Vasilev. The judge also ordered his release in order to keep him in house arrest with an electronic anklet.

Moraes is the most powerful judge in Brazil, the one in charge of investigating the case against former president Jair Bolsonaro and his alleged accomplices in the coup plot and most of the cases against Bolsonarism.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government is preparing an appeal against the rejection of the surrender. The ministry considers that the crimes charged against Eustáquio by the Brazilian Supreme Court (“obstruction of an investigation, incitement to crime, association to commit a crime, corruption of minors and disclosure of confidential data”) “are punishable both by Brazilian law and by the Spanish Criminal Code, with prison sentences exceeding one year, and are therefore subject to extradition”, according to a note released by the Brazilian Department of Justice and quoted by Efe.

The Spanish National Court refused to extradite Eustaquio Filho to Brazil on the grounds that the actions with which he is charged have “an obvious political connection and motivation” and, therefore, are excluded from the bilateral extradition treaty, which does provide for extradition in exceptional cases, such as attacks against heads of state and government, acts of terrorism or war crimes, crimes against peace or the security of mankind.

In an 11-page resolution, the Spanish magistrates of the Audiencia Nacional argue that authorizing the extradition would result in “a high risk that the situation of the defendant could be aggravated because of his political opinions and his adherence to a certain ideology”. In any case, they add that the publications in social networks against the commissioner who heads the investigations on the cases of coup exceed “the scope of the rights of freedom of expression and information”, contrary to the thesis defended by the lawyers of the pro-Bolsonar activist.

The bilateral ceasefire ended on Tuesday and had been expected to be extended for another six months. On Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro decided not to extend the bilateral ceasefire with the “General Staff of the Blocks” (EMB), one of the main dissident factions of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

After being in effect for 18 months, the bilateral ceasefire ended on Tuesday and had been expected to be extended for another six months. But that did not happen.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace from the Presidency of the Republic published a notice stating that “the parties have 72 hours to relocate to areas where they can implement their own security and protection measures.”

The notice followed several meetings this week between the Petro administration and the dissident delegation led by alias ‘Calarca’ in the municipality of La Macarena. Several agreements emerged from these meetings, but the extension of the ceasefire was not one of them.

EMP negotiator Andrey Avendaño stated that a date has already been set for the seventh round of peace talks, which will take place in Villavicencio, the capital of the Meta department, between May 18 and 24.

“I receive the news of the end of the ceasefire with prudence and respect. For our department, the peace talks have always been an opportunity to end the cruel war that the country endures, but never a space to allow illegal armed groups to strengthen,” said Meta Governor Rafaela Cortes.

Leonardo Gonzalez, director of the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz), considered the Colombian government’s decision “a serious setback for communities living in territories historically affected by armed conflict.”

“This measure not only implies the resumption of hostilities, but also severely hinders the implementation of the State’s social, environmental, and economic programs in areas where institutional presence is already weak or non-existent,” he said.

The Colombian government reported that arrest warrants against EMB members have been reactivated, although it clarified that this does not mean an end to the peace talks.

“The decision not to extend the bilateral ceasefire does not affect the recognition of EMB representatives as part of this process, nor the corresponding suspension of arrest warrants,” authorities said.

In January, the Office of the Ombudsman issued an early warning regarding the risks facing communities in seven departments due to the split of the Central General Staff (EMC)—the main dissident group—from which the General Staff of the Blocks emerged in 2024.

“This Early Warning is issued due to the serious risks to the civilian population resulting from the expansion and/or armed confrontation between the dissident groups of the former FARC under the command of alias ‘Calarca Cordoba’ (EMB) and those under the command of alias ‘Ivan Mordisco’,” the Ombudsman’s Office stated at the time.

The Colombian government and the EMC began negotiations in 2023 until the split of this armed group was confirmed, due to the belligerence of some of its fronts—particularly in the department of Cauca, where a police station was attacked with explosives this Thursday, killing one woman, and injuring another.

Nestor Vera (aka Ivan Mordisco), who was the EMC top leader and is now the head of its most belligerent faction, has been clashing since August 2024 with EMB guerrillas led by Alexander Diaz (aka Calarca Cordoba).

For this reason, the government ceased negotiations with the dissidents under ‘Ivan Mordisco’ but continues talks with those under ‘Calarca Cordoba’, despite the end of the ceasefire.

There are sulfur-based compounds in the K2-18b planet’s atmosphere. A team of astronomers led by the University of Cambridge have reported the strongest evidence to date of potential biological activity beyond our solar system, following the detection of key molecules in the atmosphere of the distant exoplanet K2-18b, located approximately 124 light-years from Earth.

K2-18b – 8.6 times as massive and 2.6 times as large as Earth – orbits in the habitable zone of a cool red dwarf star in the constellation Leo. Previous studies had already revealed the presence of methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.

The latest findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, mark the first time carbon-based molecules have been identified in the atmosphere of an exoplanet located in a habitable zone.

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the planet’s atmosphere.

These sulfur-based compounds are produced exclusively by living organisms – primarily marine microbial life such as phytoplankton – making them promising biosignatures in the search for extraterrestrial life.

While an unknown chemical process might be responsible for producing these molecules on K2-18b, the discovery represents the most compelling evidence so far that life could exist on a planet beyond our solar system.

“Decades from now, we may look back at this point in time and recognize it was when the living universe came within reach,” said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan from Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, who led the research. “This could be the tipping point, where suddenly the fundamental question of whether we’re alone in the universe is one we’re capable of answering.”

Although the discovery marks a major milestone in astrobiology, scientists emphasize the importance of rigorous verification. Madhusudhan noted that while the findings are exciting, more data is needed before any claims about extraterrestrial life can be made.

Currently, the observations have reached the “three-sigma” level of statistical significance, indicating only a 0.3 percent probability that the findings are due to chance. However, to meet the standard threshold for scientific discovery, the results must achieve five-sigma significance, reducing the chance to less than 0.00006 percent.

Researchers estimate that an additional 16 to 24 hours of follow-up observation with JWST may be required to reach this benchmark. While cautiously optimistic, Madhusudhan acknowledged that unknown chemical processes on K2-18b could also explain the presence of DMS and DMDS. He and his colleagues plan to pursue further theoretical and experimental work to investigate whether these molecules could be produced non-biologically at the levels currently observed.

“Our work is the starting point for all the investigations that are now needed to confirm and understand the implications of these exciting findings,” said co-author Savvas Constantinou, also from Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy.

She seeks to expand the possibilities for European countries to reach a tariff agreement. On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, where they discussed the possibility of reaching a tariff agreement.

“I believe in Western unity, and I believe we simply need to talk and find the best middle ground to grow together—that’s why I’m here,” she said, reaffirming her belief that the U.S. is “a reliable partner.”

On Wednesday, the Republican leader backtracked on the so-called “reciprocal” tariffs he had announced days earlier and softened his stance, instead imposing a general 10% tariff for most countries and regions—including the European Union—for a period of 90 days while negotiations on the duties take place.

“I can’t negotiate on behalf of the European Union. My goal would be to invite President Trump on an official visit to Italy and see if there is also the possibility of organizing a similar meeting with Europe,” Meloni emphasized, referring to the need for open and honest dialogue.

“She is one of the real leaders of the world, and I’m very proud to be with her,” said Trump, who added that Meloni is doing “a great job in Italy.”

In an article published by the Associated Press, however, Colleen Barry and Josh Boak offered a more nuanced view of the White House meeting, placing it in a broader context.

“Meloni’s margins for progress are more in gaining clarity on the Republican president’s goals rather than outright concessions,” they said.

At least six people were injured, including one critically, in a shooting at Florida State University, highlighting the unchecked epidemic of gun violence in the United States amid lax firearm regulations.

A shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee on April 17 left six people injured, one critically, after a suspected gunman entered the campus Student Union. The incident, which triggered campus-wide lockdowns and chaotic evacuations, underscores the pervasive threat of gun violence in U.S. educational institutions and the political inertia surrounding firearm reform.

Students described scenes of caos and panic as authorities issued active shooter alerts, urging people to seek shelter immediately. Video footage showed individuals barricading doors and crouching under desks, while others were evacuated with hands raised under police escort. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended shortly after the shooting, and multiple weapons were reportedly found in their possession.

Political Inaction and the Human Cost of Gun Culture. The shooting occurred in Florida, a state that has loosened gun restrictions under recent legislation, including permitless carry laws enacted in 2023. Despite vocal demands from activists for stricter background checks and bans on assault weapons, policymakers like Governor Ron DeSantis have prioritized rhetoric over reform, offering “thoughts and prayers” while avoiding substantive action.

This incident follows a pattern of mass shootings in schools, workplaces, and public spaces across the U.S., where firearm-related deaths now surpass 40,000 annually. Advocacy groups like Everytown for Gun Safety attribute the crisis to easy access to firearms and the influence of pro-gun lobbying groups on legislators.

“We heard shouting, then the alarms went off,” said Joshua Sirmans, a student who witnessed the evacuation. “Everyone was terrified—this shouldn’t be normal.” Similar testimonies have emerged from survivors of shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Parkland, where communities continue to demand accountability from leaders who refuse to challenge the gun lobby.

While the U.S. accounts for 4% of the global population, it holds over 40% of the world’s civilian-owned firearms. Critics argue that the nation’s refusal to adopt measures commonplace in other democracies,such as universal background checks and red-flag laws,perpetuates a cycle of preventable tragedies.

The Florida State shooting adds to the growing toll of a crisis that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including Black and Latino populations, who face both systemic violence and political neglect.

The Tallahassee shooting is not an isolated event, but a symptom of a society that prioritizes gun ownership over human life. As victims recover, the absence of meaningful legislative action continues to betray a nation in crisis, where classrooms resemble battlegrounds and students are left to navigate a landscape of fear.