political opinion

Bolsonaro Begins 27-Year Prison ⁣Sentence ‍for Coup Attempt

Former Brazilian President Jair bolsonaro has been ordered to begin a 27-year prison sentence ‌after being ⁣convicted of ⁤leading a plot to overturn ⁤the results of the 2022 election. The conviction, handed down⁣ by Justice Alexandre ⁣de Moraes, marks the first time a⁣ former Brazilian president has ‍been found guilty of attempting a coup.

The ‍sentencing follows an inquiry into attempts to ​illegally‍ retain power following Bolsonaro’s defeat to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Several other high-ranking officials have also been convicted and⁤ are now serving time. Army generals Augusto Heleno and Paulo Sérgio Nogueira are imprisoned at a military facility in Brasilia, while former Justice​ Minister Anderson Torres is held at⁢ the ‍Papuda⁤ penitentiary, also in the capital. Adm. almir garnier ⁣will serve his sentence at Navy ⁤facilities in Brasilia,and former Defense Minister Walter Braga​ Netto,another army general,is ‍imprisoned at a military facility ⁢in Rio de Janeiro.

Reactions to‍ the sentencing​ have been sharply divided. While some expressed outrage, with one individual stating, “I hate you, ⁤Alexandre de Moraes. You deserve hell,” others celebrated the outcome as​ a victory for Brazilian democracy. São Paulo city councillor Keit ⁣Lima,along ‍with other Black women who ‌had marched in ⁢Brasilia,marked the occasion with champagne,stating,”Today we can⁤ breathe and continue fighting for our democracy. ⁤Our democracy is young, but we wont it to⁢ live long.”

Justice de Moraes also revealed ‌that lawmaker and former head⁢ of Brazil’s intelligence agency Alexandre Ramagem is currently ‌at large in the United States and has ordered lower house Speaker Hugo Motta to strip Ramagem of his seat. While some within Bolsonaro’s party have discussed the possibility of an amnesty for the‌ former president, leaders ⁣acknowledge it would likely be overturned by the Supreme Court.

Despite being ​ineligible ​to run for​ office until at least 2030 due to‍ a previous ruling by Brazil’s top electoral court, Bolsonaro’s prison sentence is expected to extend that ineligibility to 2033. Polls ⁣indicate he would remain a competitive‍ candidate⁢ if allowed to run in ⁣next​ year’s election.

The​ case has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump calling the ⁢trial⁣ a “witch hunt.”​ Bolsonaro and Trump share a political alliance. The U.S.initially responded with a July​ order to raise tariffs on several Brazilian ‍exports‍ by 50 percent, but most of those tariffs have since been dropped​ following an⁣ improved relationship between Lula and Trump, who met at the ASEAN summit in October. The U.S. also imposed ⁣sanctions​ on ​de Moraes and other Brazilian ‌officials, but these measures did ⁤not prevent the trial from proceeding. ⁢Lula’s popularity reportedly benefited from the perception that⁢ he was defending Brazilian sovereignty.

bolsonaro ‍is⁤ not⁤ the only former Brazilian president to face imprisonment. Michel Temer (2016-2018)⁢ and⁢ Lula have both⁤ previously been incarcerated,‌ and ​Fernando Collor de Mello (1990-1992) is currently under house arrest due to​ a corruption conviction. Though, Bolsonaro is the first to⁤ be⁣ convicted of⁢ attempting a​ coup.

Canadian Energy Sector Sees Renewed Investor Interest as U.S. Shale Production Declines

CALGARY – A wave of‍ investment ⁣is returning to Canada’s oil and gas​ sector as‍ concerns mount over declining production​ rates in​ U.S. shale⁣ formations, coupled ⁤with a more supportive ⁣regulatory habitat in Canada. Recent multibillion-dollar‌ deals, like Ovintiv‘s acquisition ⁢of NuVista Energy, signal a shift in investor sentiment, reversing a trend that saw capital flow ⁣south⁤ during the shale boom.

For the ‍past decade,Canadian energy projects were hampered by new laws ⁣and rulings that discouraged international‍ investment,according to Jeremy McCrea,an energy analyst at BMO Nesbitt Burns. Though, ⁢he notes a recent change, ⁣stating, “we’ve seen more operators ​take an ⁢interest ⁤in Canadian oil ⁣and gas,” driven in part by “a federal government that’s looking to be more workable ⁣with the oil and gas industry ⁣and more‍ keen to ​get our product to market here.”

This renewed ⁢interest coincides with challenges facing U.S. shale producers. Companies like Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD-N) and EOG Resources Inc. (EOG-N) pioneered ​fracking techniques that propelled the ⁣U.S. to ‍become the⁣ world’s largest oil producer. Though, shale‍ wells are ⁣known for their rapid depletion rates, and this is⁤ now becoming a reality. EOG Resources, a shale pioneer,⁢ is estimated to have only ‌three or four years of⁢ quality drilling locations‌ remaining, contributing to a 10% decline in its share price this year.

During the⁣ U.S. shale ‌boom,​ many international players‍ shifted focus, ⁢also citing insufficient ‌Canadian export infrastructure‍ and increasingly ‍stringent regulations, including‍ environmental, ​social, and governance (ESG) guidelines,‍ as deterrents to investment in canadian energy assets.

Now, ‌that earlier retreat is being viewed as favorable, as Canadian companies possess considerable undeveloped resources. ⁢Ovintiv’s CEO highlighted this potential during⁣ the NuVista acquisition announcement, describing NuVista’s Montney portfolio as⁣ “one ‍of ‍the highest​ quality ⁤undeveloped acreage positions​ in North ⁤America⁣ and the overlap with our existing land makes ‌us‍ the natural owner.”

Montreal Transit Workers⁤ Suspend Strike Amidst New Government Legislation

Montreal, QC – Maintenance workers for Montreal’s public transit system ​have suspended their strike just days before⁢ new legislation⁤ granting the Quebec government increased power to intervene in labor‍ disputes was formally tabled. The union representing the ‌2,400 workers announced the suspension on Wednesday,despite vowing to continue their fight for improved wages ‍and working⁢ conditions.

The‍ move preempts Labour Minister Jean Boulet’s ⁢introduction of legislation that would expedite the application of a law allowing the provincial government to impose binding arbitration in strikes or lockouts deemed detrimental to the public. originally slated to take effect November 30th, the law was adopted in the spring and expands ⁢the definition of essential⁢ services to include those ensuring “the ​well-being of the population.”

“We’ve lost an important lever” with the legislation, union president Bruno Jeannotte stated Wednesday. However, he emphasized the workers’ resolve, adding, “it’s ⁢not because we’ve​ withdrawn this ‌strike that we’re ‌giving up – on the contrary.”

The strike had significantly limited bus and subway service in ‌Montreal, restricting operations to peak hours and late evenings. It was ⁤initially scheduled to‍ conclude on November⁤ 28th,but ⁤Jeannotte explained the ​expedited application of‍ the​ new law would have hindered future strike action and intricate negotiations.

Despite the suspension of this strike,‍ Minister Boulet defended the need to‍ fast-track the legislation, citing a planned two-day strike by the union ‍representing 4,500 bus ⁣drivers and subway operators this weekend, following a previous one-day strike ‍on ⁢November 1st that completely halted service.

However, Boulet expressed‌ optimism, stating that information he’s received “points to a strong reasonableness that there will be an agreement in principle” reached through negotiation.

The bill’s swift ‌passage through the Quebec legislature will require support from opposition parties. While the Liberals and‌ parti Québécois have indicated a willingness to collaborate, Québec solidaire ‌remains opposed to the legislation.

Montreal’s Stingray Group to Acquire Audio Streamer TuneIn for Up to $175-Million

Montreal, QC – Montreal-based‌ Stingray Group⁢ Inc. announced today ⁣it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ‌TuneIn, a leading‍ global audio streaming service, for a total consideration of ⁤up to US$175-million. teh ​deal, expected to close later this year, substantially expands Stingray’s ⁤reach in the rapidly evolving audio entertainment landscape and strengthens its position as​ a key in-car entertainment provider.

Stingray, known‍ for its ⁢curated⁢ music channels and in-store audio solutions for businesses like Loblaws and Dollarama, currently supplies cabin karaoke systems to major automakers including Tesla Inc., Ford Motor Co., Audi AG, and China’s BYD ​Co. Ltd. The acquisition of TuneIn, which boasts supply contracts with approximately ‌10 other auto manufacturers, will combine⁣ the companies’ automotive offerings, providing a more thorough audio experience for drivers.

“Us‍ together in the cars, you’re going to have⁣ Stingray music, you’re going‍ to have TuneIn radio and you’re going to‌ have our karaoke,”‌ said Stingray CEO Eric Boyko. “You put all‍ three together and you really control the audio.”

The purchase price includes ​an initial payment‌ of US$106.5-million, with potential earn-out payments of up to US$68.5-million based on TuneIn’s future performance. A new investment in TuneIn was made by Venture ⁣Capital firm Innovation Endeavors in⁢ November 2020 to accelerate technology innovation ⁢and market share growth. The company also experienced a surge in U.S. downloads ‌in 2021 ⁢after actor Tom Hanks identified TuneIn as his preferred audio app ​on The‍ Late‌ Show with Stephen Colbert.

Approximately 100 TuneIn employees are expected to relocate to Montreal following the deal’s completion, coinciding with Quebec’s recent announcement of a reduction in its annual immigration target to 45,000 new permanent residents.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber will return to the team in 2026 after exercising his player option.

The right-hander announced Wednesday ⁢he will remain with the Blue Jays, opting ⁤for a US$16-million contract for the 2026 ‌season ‌rather than entering free agency. Bieber joined Toronto ‍via trade from the Cleveland Guardians last summer.

Bieber, 30, was 4-2 with ‍a 3.57 earned-run‌ average⁣ in 11 appearances for the Blue Jays.⁢ He posted a 2-1 record and 3.86 ERA ‌in the postseason, including a Game 4 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series and a relief appearance in game 7.

As his major-league debut with Cleveland in 2018,Bieber has​ a 66-34 record and a 3.24 ERA. He won ‌the American League Cy Young Award in‌ 2020, going 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA for the Guardians.

Bieber’s return strengthens a Blue Jays starting rotation expected to include Kevin Gausman, ‌Trey⁣ Yesavage, and​ Jose Berrios,‌ with the status of free⁤ agents Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt uncertain.

Toronto finished the 2025 season with a 94-68 record, winning the ⁢American League East Division title. The team advanced through the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees⁣ and the⁣ AL‌ Championship Series against ‍the Seattle mariners before losing​ to the dodgers in the‌ World Series.

The Blue Jays begin ⁤their 2026 season ⁣on March 26 against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Spring training⁤ is scheduled⁢ to begin in mid-February.