South Africa on Tuesday (14 April) handed back to Zimbabwe ancestral human remains and a centuries-old stone carving of its sacred national emblem, the Zimbabwe bird.

Nigeria will cut import duties on a range of goods from July 1, in a move aimed at easing living costs and supporting businesses.

In Colombia, authorities have approved a plan to cull dozens of hippos descended from animals once brought in by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, as their rapidly growing population continues to threaten communities and native wildlife.

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The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) published an official statement on Monday (Apr. 13) in support of Pope Leo XIV, after he received criticism from US President Donald Trump.

The document serves as an institutional response in support of the pontiff’s stance on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East. On Saturday (11), during a special prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope called on world leaders to refrain from any “show of force” and to “sit down at the table of dialogue and mediation.”

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The CNBB noted in a statement that Pope Leo XIV’s authority is guided by “fidelity to the Gospel.” The Brazilian conference further maintains that Leo XIV continually works to defend human dignity and promote dialogue for conflict resolution. 

“The Pope’s spiritual and moral authority is not guided by the logic of political confrontation, but by fidelity to the Gospel, which continually raises its voice in defense of peace, human dignity, and dialogue among peoples,” the text reads.

The statement is signed by the leaders of the organization – CNBB President Cardinal Jaime Spengler; first and second vice presidents, Bishop João Justino de Medeiros and Bishop Paulo Jackson; and Secretary-General Bishop Ricardo Hoepers.

Trump

On Sunday (12), in a statement to the press, Trump described Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime and terrible at foreign policy,” as well as “a very liberal person.” Leo XIV is the first US pope and assumed leadership of the Catholic Church in May 2025. 

The President of the US stated that he does not like the Pope’s stance on nuclear weapons.

“We don’t want a pope that says crime is OK in our cities. I don’t like it. I’m not a big fan of Pope Leo,” the president said.

The US president also posted a photo montage generated by artificial intelligence that depicts him as a divine figure healing a sick man. The post was made on Sunday (12) and deleted on Monday (13). 

On Monday morning, Pope Leo declared he was not afraid of the Trump administration or of proclaiming the Gospel message aloud. The statement came in response to questions from journalists who were with him aboard the papal plane during the first leg of his apostolic journey to the African continent.

Brazil’s Ministry of Health expects to administer more than 89,000 vaccine doses across 650 indigenous villages from April 25 to May 25, 2026. During this period, the 2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Vaccination Month (MVPI) will take place, with the goal of expanding access to immunization in indigenous territories, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Last year, over 70,000 doses were administered, reaching 57,000 indigenous people.

The 2026 campaign was announced Monday (Apr. 13) by the Secretary of Indigenous Health, Lucinha Tremembé, in Barão do Rio Branco village, located in Mâncio Lima, Acre state. Three ethnic groups - Puyanawa, Nukini, and Nawa - live in the municipality, totaling about 2,000 indigenous people.

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According to the secretary, launching the campaign in a territory with longstanding access challenges is a strategic and necessary decision.

“Our goal is to expand vaccination in areas with low coverage, ensuring that information is communicated clearly and respectfully and that the population understands the importance of immunization for individual and collective protection,” said Tremembé.

During Vaccination Month, all 19 vaccines included in the National Immunization Schedule, including the COVID-19 vaccine, will be offered.

The initiative has been held since 2010 and is part of the 24th Vaccination Week in the Americas and the 15th World Immunization Week, which begin on April 25 and run through May 2.

Coordinated by the Secretariat of Indigenous Health (SESAI), the campaign strengthens protection against vaccine-preventable diseases and helps reinforce primary care through the active search for indigenous people who have not yet been vaccinated.

Saudi officials appear to be weighing not only the direct risks in the Gulf, but also the possibility that Iran could respond through allied forces elsewhere in the region.

The closure of the narrow waterway, which normally carries around a fifth of global Liquified Natural Gas supplies, will have a rippling impact beyond the Middle East, Maximo Torero warned.

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

The report notes that the worst-case "severe scenario," which assumes an extended conflict and high oil prices, would lead the world into another recession.

The IDF successfully returned fire and killed two terrorists. The third terrorist attempted to flee, but was also killed by a follow-up strike by the IDF.

The hearing will be held before an expanded nine-justice panel and, in an unusual procedural step, will be broadcast live while closed to the public because of concern over disruptions.

Oil production in the Middle East has plummeted since the start of the Iran war, according to a new OPEC report.

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In the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, dozens gathered at what is known as a 'standing parliament'. Some believe the country's president is using the gatherings to press for constitutional change to allow him a third term in the role.

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The Brazilian Federal Police stated in a press release that Alexandre Ramagem’s arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resulted from “international police cooperation between Brazil’s Federal Police and US law enforcement authorities.”

According to the Federal Police, Ramagem was detained in Orlando.

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“The detainee is considered a fugitive from Brazilian justice following his conviction for the crimes of participation in an armed criminal organization, attempted coup d’état, and attempted violent abolition of the rule of law,” the statement read.

The US Department of Homeland Security’s website lists Ramagem as “in ICE custody.”

Conviction

In September last year, Alexandre Ramagem fled Brazil after the Supreme Court sentenced him to 16 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison for attempted coup d’état, participation in a criminal organization, and attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.

Despite being barred from leaving the country, the former congressman crossed the border into Guyana and traveled to the United States using a diplomatic passport that had not been confiscated.

Ramagem’s name appears on Interpol’s list of wanted fugitives. Through its embassy in Washington, the Brazilian government has requested Alexandre Ramagem’s extradition from the United States. The petition was submitted to the State Department in late December 2025.

Ramagem served as director-general of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN) during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro (2019–2022) and lost his seat in Congress in December 2025 following a House Steering Committee decision after his conviction by Brazil’s Supreme Court.

Alexandre Ramagem was a career Federal Police officer who was dismissed following his conviction.

*TV Brasil and Rádio Nacional contributed to this report.

The collapse of US-Iran talks is casting doubt on the ceasefire, suggesting it may be a fragile pause rather than a path to diplomacy.

The petition was filed after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Gofman’s appointment, after he cleared the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, and ahead of his scheduled June 2 entry.

Hadera Police have arrested a 30-year-old suspect, who was taken to the police station for questioning.

During Monday's monthly council meeting, Mayor McAdam said: "I wish to acknowledge the concern and upset caused to members of Dublin's Jewish community, to local residents of Rathgar."

There are also plans for a US-based joint venture in Texas, that would help ThirdEye enter the North American market