November 23, 2025 – Short News

Bolsonaro, the former president, already sentenced to 27 years in prison, last escape route - and the end of a political myth!!

The arrest of Jair Bolsonaro marks a moment that is extraordinary even for Brazil’s political conditions. The former president, already sentenced to 27 years in prison, is said to have tried to open his ankle monitor with a soldering iron - an escape plan so desperate that it captures the country’s political climate in a single image. Federal Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the arrest because he believed Bolsonaro might use the turmoil of a protesting crowd to flee to the U.S. Embassy. Outside the federal police headquarters, opponents cheer while supporters organize prayers and speak of political persecution. The Bolsonaros style themselves as martyrs, but the facts tell a different story: Investigators have uncovered clear signs of an attempted escape and earlier plans to flee to Argentina. The arrest comes at a time when the country remains deeply divided, but with one growing realization: The era of impunity for extremist politicians is over.

A judge against a system - and the consequences for Brazil’s future
Alexandre de Moraes knew what his decision would trigger. For years he has been the target of attacks from the Bolsonaro camp, but in this case he moved decisively. The planned rally by Bolsonaro’s son was, for him, the final proof that the ex-president was aiming for escalation. Reactions followed immediately: While the government speaks of a victory for the rule of law, Bolsonaro allies accuse the judge of “psychopathy” and fuel conspiracy theories. Brazil is once again witnessing how quickly political conflicts can be charged with religious symbolism, how quickly a simple arrest warrant can be turned into a national myth. But for the 2026 election this arrest marks a turning point. Bolsonaro is politically incapacitated, the project of the extreme right stands without a leader, and even conservative voices are beginning to question openly whether the Bolsonaro family represents the country’s future. Republicans in Washington are watching closely - because the fall of an ally sends a signal far beyond Brazil’s borders.

A country in digital darkness - how Russia is cutting its population off from the outside world!!

For many Russians, 2025 will be remembered as the year the government tightened its control over the internet so severely that daily life began to falter. In dozens of regions, the mobile network collapses every day, supposedly to stop Ukrainian drones - yet the impact is negligible, while millions can no longer use payment apps, messaging services, or even medical devices reliably. Mothers report they can no longer monitor their children’s blood sugar, workers cannot pass electronic gates, credit cards stop functioning on public transport. Instead of solutions, the state offers a cartoon extolling the “joys of being offline”, which mainly triggers anger and ridicule. Meanwhile, fears grow over a system that limits access to state-controlled “white lists” - a single bank app, government portals, and a messenger that openly cooperates with authorities. Many try to survive by constantly switching VPNs, but experts warn: The government is testing how far it can go. And it is going further than many ever thought possible.

Russia’s digital isolation - and the quiet adaptation to a permanent state of emergency
With each new restriction it becomes clearer how far Moscow is willing to go in forcing the population into a digital corset. SIM cards are blocked for 24 hours after international travel, devices in cars or power meters cannot be reactivated at all. WhatsApp and Telegram are throttled, in some regions completely shut down, while the state messenger MAX becomes mandatory on all smartphones. Critics call it a surveillance tool, and user numbers confirm it: Many download the app, but few use it daily. Yet the most dangerous effect is another one: The population is beginning to adapt. Many accept the restrictions like weather conditions - there is nothing you can do anyway. The government is counting on exactly that. Step by step, alternatives are blocked until people give up and remain inside the state-controlled information space. Activists warn of further shutdowns, even complete blocks of messengers and VPNs. Russia is not testing whether digital isolation works - it is already rehearsing the permanent condition.

The voice of a daughter - and an appeal to an America that claims it wants to protect Christians

In Washington, Grace Jin Drexel describes how her father, the Chinese pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, was arrested after one of the largest church raids in decades. Zion Church, one of China’s biggest independent congregations, defied state demands and refused to install surveillance cameras in its sanctuary. Now 18 church leaders have been charged for spreading their faith through digital channels. China calls it “illegal use of information networks”, human rights groups call it the next level of repression. Drexel pleads with Congress to ensure that the U.S. government does not forget her father. Meanwhile, the White House says Trump will “champion religious freedom worldwide”. But the reality remains: Christians who resist state control in China continue to risk their lives, their freedom, and their families.

China has tightened its pressure on independent religious communities for years. Churches are closed, Bibles burned, congregants intimidated or arrested. Zion Church once grew to 1,500 members and reached tens of thousands online - a success that made Beijing particularly nervous. Now the detained leaders face up to three years in prison. At the same time, U.S. attention is not focused solely on China: The Trump administration has again designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern”, while mass violence there affects Christians and Muslims alike. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demands the release of the Zion pastors and warns of China’s “hostility” toward Christians. But much depends on how seriously Washington intends to act. For the families of those detained, one thing is clear: They need not only words, but political pressure - and they need it now.