By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
LULA AND TRUMP TO MEET AMID STRAINED BRAZIL–U.S. RELATIONS
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in person following a friendly video call on Monday — signaling a possible thaw in relations that have reached their lowest point in decades.
According to Brazil’s government, the two leaders held a 30-minute conversation, discussing economic and trade relations and exchanging personal contact information to maintain a direct line of communication.
Lula’s office said he proposed an in-person meeting during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, adding that he would also be willing to travel to Washington. The pair have clashed in recent months over the trial and conviction of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, which Trump has criticized, calling it a “witch hunt.” In response, Trump raised tariffs on several Brazilian goods from 10% to 50%.
The upcoming meeting is expected to focus on trade, diplomacy, and regional cooperation, as both nations seek to stabilize ties.
MADURO CLAIMS VENEZUELAN EXTREMISTS PLOTTED TO BOMB U.S. EMBASSY IN CARACAS
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has alleged that extremist right-wing factions in his country planned to bomb the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, describing it as a “false flag operation” designed to provoke conflict.
Maduro said the government was alerted to the plot by two reliable sources — one domestic and one international — and had since deployed security forces to reinforce the embassy.
The warning was first disclosed by Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, who said the alleged plot had been reported to U.S. officials and a European embassy through multiple diplomatic channels.
Venezuela severed diplomatic ties with the U.S. in 2019, forcing American personnel to leave the country. The revelation comes amid growing tensions, with the U.S. recently seizing four vessels allegedly carrying drugs off Venezuela’s coast.
BANGLADESH DENGUE OUTBREAK CLAIMS 215 LIVES IN 2025
In international news, Bangladesh continues to battle a worsening dengue outbreak, which has now claimed 215 lives this year.
Health authorities reported three new deaths and 782 new infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in 2025 to 50,689.
Currently, 851 patients are hospitalized in Dhaka, while 2,473 others are receiving care across the country. Men account for about 61% of infections, while women make up 39%.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued new directives requiring public hospitals to create dedicated dengue wards and form specialized medical teams to manage the surge in cases.
In comparison, Bangladesh recorded 575 dengue-related deaths in 2014, making this year’s outbreak one of the deadliest in recent memory.
