Amber Heard Makes Rare Appearance, After Welcoming Twin Babies, in Photos with Williamstown Theatre Festival PeersNew Foto - Amber Heard Makes Rare Appearance, After Welcoming Twin Babies, in Photos with Williamstown Theatre Festival Peers

Amber Heard/Instagram Amber Heard posed for photos ahead of her performance in Jeremy O. Harris' new play,Spirit of the People The actress, who is slated to appear in the production during the Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer, posed forVoguealongside a few of her costars The shoot came after Heard announced in May that she had welcomed twin babies Amber Heardis marking her next project with her fellow thespians. The actress, 39, made a rare appearance in photos alongside her costars and fellow actors at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where she'll be starring in Jeremy O. Harris' new play,Spirit of the People, at the Massachusetts festival's MainStage Theatre this summer. In a new photo shoot forVogue, Heard — whose spokespersonconfirmed to PEOPLEin May that she recently welcomed twin babies — could be seen smiling alongside her fellow actors and posing for a solo shot while surrounded by nature. The photos were taken by Hunter Abrams and Sam Lee. Pamela Anderson, Whitney Peak,William Jackson Harperand Chris Messina — all of whom are also slated to take part in the festival — were among the cast members and creatives who also posed for the photo shoot. Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Harris, part of the festival's inaugural Creative Collective tasked with curating the programming, described the atmosphere toVogueby quoting Tennessee Williams, who is being celebrated at this year's festival. "In an interview with Jason Grissom, [Williams] once said, 'There's magic in those woods,' in regard to the verdant woods around Williamstown I've found myself in this summer," Harris, 36, said. "He was right: There is a magic to the madness of making theater out here that has infected all of us this summer." "Perhaps it's the giddy 'theatre camp for adults' energy, or just the ways in which so many new theater artists — Katina [Medina Mora, director ofSpirit of the People], Nicholas [Alexander Chavez], Whitney [Peak], Amber [Heard, also ofSpirit of the People], and many more — have thrown themselves headfirst into this world and aren't just keeping up but pacing some of their peers," Harris continued. "I'm in awe of each of the people assembled this summer, and I hope the experience of meeting these gorgeous works of raw, ambitious art will give you something to chew on as we all dive headlong into this precarious moment in American history," he added. The festival's lineup also includesNot About Nightingales,Camino RealandThe Gig: After Moise and the World of Reason. Heard previously teased her involvement in the festival and Harris' new play after it wasrevealed that she had been castalongside actors Brandon Flynn and Lío Mehiel in June. Per the festival's website at the time, the production will also feature Ato Blankson-Wood, Zachary Booth, James Cusati-Moyer, Amandla Jahava, Emma Ramos, Julian Sanchez andTonatiuh. In the weeks since, Heard hasshared a selfiewith Harris on Instagram, writing that she was in her "theatre era." She also shared a snap of herself preparing earlier this month, alongside the caption, "Work in progress." Per theWilliamstown website, Heard will play a character named Genevieve inSpirit of the People.The production will mark her first acting gig since 2023, following her appearances inIn the FireandAquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The theater role comes three years after Heard'slegal battleswith ex-husbandJohnny Deppconcluded in 2022 and just months after she announced on May 11 that shehad welcomed twins, daughter Agnes and son Ocean. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "When I had my first baby girl Oonagh four years ago, my world changed forever. I thought I couldn't possibly burst with more joy," Heard wrote onInstagramat that time. "Well, now I am bursting times three!!! Becoming a mother by myself and on my own terms, despite my own fertility challenges has been the most humbling experience of my life." "I am eternally grateful that I was able to choose this responsibly and thoughtfully," she added. Read the original article onPeople

Amber Heard Makes Rare Appearance, After Welcoming Twin Babies, in Photos with Williamstown Theatre Festival Peers

Amber Heard Makes Rare Appearance, After Welcoming Twin Babies, in Photos with Williamstown Theatre Festival Peers Amber Heard/Instagram Amb...
Denise Richards' Estranged Husband Claims She Was Cheating on HimNew Foto - Denise Richards' Estranged Husband Claims She Was Cheating on Him

Denise Richards' estranged husband is revealing what ignited their explosive July 4 fight, and subsequent divorce -- he claims he caught her cheating, and has text messages to back that up. In an exclusive interview,Aaron Phyperstells TMZ ... he first learned of Denise's alleged hookup with another man at the beginning of the year, when he found text messages between them on Denise's laptop. Phypers claims the texts include several selfies shared between Denise and the other man, and sweet messages like her wishing him "sweet dreams." He also alleges other messages indicated they were trying to set up a rendezvous at a hotel, where she would try to sneak him into her room. He tells us he confronted Denise about the alleged affair, and, ultimately, they decided to stay together -- that is, until a huge fight over the July 4th weekend prompted Phypers to file for divorce. As we reported, Denise has claimed the fight started with Aaron verbally abusing her and demanding his phone. He says that's partially true ... Phypers says his phone was missing for more than a day, and when he questioned Denise about it, he claims she hit and scratched him -- and he later found the phone smashed to pieces in the recycling bin. He goes on to say he thinks she smashed his phone, because it contained photos of the texts proving she carried on the alleged affair. Aaron says Denise texted his mom that weekend to say she was going to divorce him -- so, he decided to beat her to court and file first. As you know ... hefiled for divorceMonday, July 7, citing irreconcilable differences. Denise has yet to respond in court to his petition -- which includes a demand for spousal support -- but, she did level serious allegations of abuse at Aaron's hands in a restraining order request. In the docs, she claimed Phypers owns several unregistered guns, and accused him of slamming her head into a towel rack, leaving her with agruesome black eye. He has denied laying a hand on her, and told us she sustained the eye injury when she showed up drunk at his office and fell. A judge granted a domestic violence restraining order against Aaron ... who was served with the document whilestanding shirtlessoutside his Calabasas home. Phypers says she got the DVRO in order to make him look like the bad guy -- 'cause she knows she'd look a whole lot worse if people found out about the alleged affair. It appears there were other issues, though, in the marriage. For instance, Aaron shared photos he says were taken inside the house they shared together ... and the place is a total mess, littered with a ton of different items. He claims he and his family were also burdened with taking care of her properties and animals. Phypers hasdenied all claimsof physical and emotional abuse against him ... insisting he always treated Denise with the utmost love and respect. He reiterated those denials in the interview. All that being said, Aaron told us he still loves Denise, and hopes she gets help, because she's in a bad way these days. We've reached out to Denise and her team ... so far, no word back.

Denise Richards' Estranged Husband Claims She Was Cheating on Him

Denise Richards' Estranged Husband Claims She Was Cheating on Him Denise Richards' estranged husband is revealing what ignited their...
King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: expertsNew Foto - King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts

After more than 100 years,King Charlesis changing the rules at Buckingham Palace. For the first time, players on the royal family's outdoor tennis court no longer have to follow the strict "almost entirely white" dress code,The Sunday Timesreported. According to the outlet, the 76-year-old has relaxed the protocol, making tennis whites now "preferred" but "not essential" for players, including members of the royal family, household staff and their guests. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. Kate Middleton Rewrites Royal Playbook, Puts Herself First In Unprecedented Move: Experts Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, told Fox News Digital that the king has been determined to modernize the monarchy, making it fresh and relevant for today's public. "King Charles is a very progressive-thinking man," said Felton Spence. "He has been his entire life, always looking forward and trying to build for the future. He has made ithis mission to reshape a monarchyfit for the purpose today and tomorrow, while keeping the cultural relevancy that grounds the institution. These initiatives are good news and should be celebrated." Read On The Fox News App British royals expert Hilary Fordwichtold Fox News Digital that it's one of many changes the busy king has been making. She pointed out that Buckingham Palace announced on July 3 that the Royal Train, whose history dates back to Queen Victoria, would end 156 years of service. The palace shared it's too costly to operate and would require a significant upgrade to accommodate more advanced rail systems. "The Royal Train is no longer," said Fordwich. "Other changes have included lowering the temperature of the palace swimming pool to reduce energy consumption and other updates to palace amenities." "King Charles has previously broken many royal customs, including changes to ceremonial duties, the public displays of affection, and, in general, many public engagement styles," she shared. "His direct engagement in political lobbying has not been well received and has been most ill-advised." The dress code upgrade is significant for the king, who is known for his formal wear. According to the outlet, Charles is rarely seen in jeans or sneakers. However, he wanted his staff and guests, in particular, to "feel less restricted by protocol." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "While the end of the all-white tennis dress code at Buckingham Palace might seem somewhat minor, it's a significant and rather symbolic step by King Charles to modernize the monarchy, making royal life more approachable and less bound by rigid traditions," Fordwich explained. Fordwich noted thatthe fashion rulewas originally put in place when the court was built in 1919 during King George V's reign. According to theRoyal Collection Trust, it's recognized as "London's most exclusive tennis court." The Sunday Times noted that it's located in "a shady area of the palace's 40-acre garden." "It has always been a hallmark of royal sporting etiquette," Fordwich shared. "Players, including royals, staff and guests, may not wear colored clothing... It's so sad to see yet another tradition abandoned." It's noted that for Charles's ancestors, sweat was considered unsightly, and colorful clothing showed it off more than white ensembles. Felton Spence noted that we can expect the king to continue bending the rules. "Protocol are simply unofficial rules adopted through tradition. They started somewhere," she said. Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Royal commentator Amanda Matta also told Fox News Digital that Charles's latest move may have been a quiet one, but its message was loud and clear. "It might seem like a minor change, but in royal circles, even a small dress code modification says a lot," Matta explained. "By easing up on the all-white rule for tennis at Buckingham Palace, King Charles is continuing his quiet push to modernize the monarchy. This modernization will not be through big pronouncements, but with subtle shifts." "The all-white rule dates back to Victorian ideas about formality and appearance, and changing it shows that Charles is willing to let go of traditions that feel outdated," she shared. "It's also a practical move. This isn't Wimbledon, after all, and the court is used by family, guests, and even palace staff, so relaxing the rules makes sense. I'm expecting (and excited for) more of these small tweaks throughout Charles' reign!" Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Charles isn't the only one looking to dust off the monarchy's rigid rules. Kate Middleton made her fashion first by wearing Christian Dior on July 8 for the start of the French state visit. According to the outlet, the 43-year-old's style choice was aimed at showing sartorial diplomacy. Her late mother-in-law,Princess Diana,was known to be a muse for the French fashion brand. "There have been many arguments recently allegedly about fashion styles," said Turner. "It is known that as soon as she is seen in a new outfit, it is sold out in minutes. Such is the demand to emulate her." Royal photographer Chris Jackson, author of"Charles III: A King and His Queen,"previously told Fox News Digital that Charles's personal style has always shared important messages about his prized causes. "He's got this beautiful Aston Martinthat runs on biofuel, which is surplus wine and cheese whey, which is pretty incredible," Jackson said. "He's obviously very passionate about the environment, [and] he's got this beautiful car, a DB6 Volante Aston Martin, that's environmentally friendly." The king, who has been a longtime advocate of sustainable living, bought the car in 1970. He converted it to run on biofuels, which use ethanol created from cheese-making whey and wine. He loaned his beloved vehicle to his sonPrince William,who used it to drive Kate from their nuptials in 2011. WATCH: KING CHARLES' ASTON MARTIN, WHICH RUNS ON 'WINE AND CHEESE,' PAYS HOMAGE TO JAMES BOND: ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER The king's cousin, Lord Snowdon, once joked, "How does [the former] Prince Charles drive his Aston Martin? Caerphilly." Daily Mail reporter Robert Hardman, author of"The Making of a King,"also previously told Fox News Digital that Charles is known for sharing "coded messages" by using his ties. "His favorite has a little T-Rex motif on it," said Hardman. "I thought, 'That's a bit odd. I keep seeing this tie with a dinosaur on it… Of course, his cipher says, C. Rex, Charles Rex. So, I think he's having a little joke about being king with his tie. But he's in a good place. He's a happy monarch." Original article source:King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts

King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts

King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts After more than 100 years,King Charlesis changing th...
Education Department funding freeze targets summer school and language programs that are lifelines for familiesNew Foto - Education Department funding freeze targets summer school and language programs that are lifelines for families

Desperation crept into Sylvia's voice as she rattled off all the ways her life would become more difficult if a free learning program that her son attends during the summer shuts its doors. A single mother, Sylvia works as a janitor and is the sole breadwinner for her family which includes her 10-year-old as well as her ailing mother. "I cannot sleep at night," said Sylvia, who spoke to CNN through a translator as she picked up her son, Gabriel, at the end of a long shift. "Gabriel is asking, 'Mom, why you are crying? Why are you crying, mom?'" She has been crying, she said, because she knows that the glue that keeps it all together — a nonprofit program that allows her son to have a safe place to stay, warm meals and a chance to learn English — is being targeted by the Trump administration. She declined to give her last name, citing privacy concerns amid the current political climate. Aspire Afterschool Learning, where Gabriel spends his days during the summer school break in Arlington, Virginia, is one of more than 10,000 summer and after-school programs across the country that has been pushed into a state of perilous uncertainty after the Department of Education abruptly paused the grant it depends on to keep things running. The fund, called 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), is a federal program that was among a huge swath of nearly $7 billion of education grants that the department suddenly froze this month, with little notice. An OMB spokesperson told CNN on Saturday, after the publication of this article, that the programmatic review is over for 21st CCLC. "Funds will be released to the states. Guardrails have been put in place to ensure these funds are not used in violation of Executive Orders," the OMB spokesperson said without providing other details on the freeze or the other grant money that was frozen. The halt came amid a review that alleged the money was being used to promote "leftwing" ideologies. It comes as the Trump administration is seeking todismantlethe Department of Education, withmass layoffs underwayand severe funding cuts under consideration. Much of the money goes towards programs that serve some of the US' poorest children. On Monday, some two dozen Democratic-led statessuedthe Department of Education in federal court to release the funds, which had already been approved by Congress and were supposed to have been disbursed to the states on July 1st. But the squeeze is already forcing many summer programs to scramble to stay open, even as schools and educational schemes are bracing for deeper impacts in the fall. The paused funding for K-12 programs included money for teacher education and recruitment, English language programs, student enrichment and nonprofit learning centers that partner with schools, among other initiatives. They are delivered through grant programs like 21stCCLC, with state education agencies distributing the money to grantees, including school districts and nonprofits that run free enrichment programs or work with schools to put on programming throughout the year. One day prior to the date the funds were to be released, the Department of Education instead sent a letter saying that money is not coming, pending a review. "The Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review," it said. "The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities." The impact of the freeze is already being felt as it has caused many programs to question whether they will be able to stay open this summer. "It feels like we're punishing a whole lot of students," said Paula Fynboh, who runs Aspire, which provides programming throughout the year. She is cobbling together money to keep the summer school running through student-run lemonade stands and other fundraising efforts. But if the money continues to be withheld come the fall, she will have to tell 25 families now in the program that their children will not be able to return. Many nonprofits are facing similar odds. "They can try and keep their doors open an extra few days and extra few weeks and maybe if they're lucky they have rainy day fund but you know that's a Band-Aid that isn't going to last forever," said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, a national nonprofit advocacy organization. "If these funds are blocked, the fallout will be swift and devastating," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of America, the nation's largest after-school youth program. Many sites are also in the midst of running their summer camps and programs, and nearly a fifth (17%) of the Boys and Girls Club network is funded by the 21st CCLC grant, according to the Afterschool Alliance. Up to 926 Boys & Girls Club centers, serving more than 220,000 kids, could be forced to close if the funds are not released, Clark said. Many of them are from underserved communities, and "will lose access to essential supports like healthy meals, caring mentors, and safe spaces during the most vulnerable hours of the day," he added. Addie Nardi, who runs a Boys & Girls Club in a rural part of Maryland about 90 minutes from Washington, DC, said the sudden funding freeze this month felt like "a kick to the gut"— but the shock was "secondary, almost, to the concern of how we were going to be able to continue to serve these kids." If the funds don't come through, the site will likely permanently close, leaving elementary students and their families without one of their only options for support in the area, Nardi said. There is no timeline for when the Department of Education review will be completed and if the money will ever start up again. The impetus for the pause came from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which described it as part of an "ongoing programmatic review of education funding." In a statement, OMB raised concerns about how some of the funds may have been used by schools. "Initial findings show that many of these grant programs have been grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda. In one case, NY public schools used English Language Acquisition funds to promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations. In another, Washington state used funds to direct illegal immigrants towards scholarships intended for American students. In yet another, School Improvement funds were used to conduct a seminar on 'queer resistance in the arts.'" OMB did not provide documentation about their claims when asked by CNN. Grant, of Afterschool Alliance, says the move feels extreme. "Nobody even knows what they're reviewing," Grant said, "If there's a specific program that they're concerned about, they should be investigating that program but not holding up funding for all of these other kids across the country." Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers union, said the freeze of funds already approved by Congress for this summer is particularly damaging. The Department of Education's move is "hurting children and creating chaos," she said. Beyond the immediate threat to summer schools vying to stay open now, school districts and nonprofit education programs are bracing for more hardship into the school year. According toan analysis by the New America Foundation, a Washington, DC, think tank, school districts will lose an average of $220,289 if the funds continue to be withheld. Some stand to lose millions, with the poorest districts suffering the most. "Districts serving high-poverty student populations (those where over 25 percent of children live in poverty) will lose over five times as much funding per pupil as low-poverty school districts (those where fewer than 10 percent of children live in poverty)," according to New America's analysis. "The 100 school districts facing the biggest cuts on a per-pupil basis have an average child poverty rate of 24.4 percent, much higher than the national average of 15.3 percent." Many school districts work with outside organizations to use federal grants to run after-school care or offer academic support for children from low-income families. Aspire in Virginia, for example, runs after-school programs at a community center and two local schools that serve many low-income families. Ninety-nine percent of Aspire's students are from families of color, and more than 90% are living below the poverty line. Over three-quarters speak a language other than English at home. Colorful posters line the walls at the community center where Aspire holds its programs, available to kids from 3rd to 8th grade. In one room, an arts and crafts project making masks was taking place, and in another, it was "pirate day" where teachers dressed as pirates were fielding questions. Some students and former students who have come back as volunteers are serving snacks: On the day CNN visited, it was pineapples and blueberry muffins. The program regularly wraps up and discreetly sends home any leftovers to families in the program who would otherwise go without food. Kids who participate in the program earn points for academic and social achievements — and the difference it makes shows. "I feel, like, happy because I now, I know how to read," shared Monserrat, a little girl from Bolivia who is entering 4th grade in the fall. She joined Aspire a year ago, when her family moved to the US. She likes Aspire more than her regular school, she said, because she feels more competent and gets extra support. April, a rising 4th grader, said that Aspire helped her with her English, and now, she even helps translate for her parents. (April and Monserrat's parents asked that their last names not be used to protect their privacy.) When asked for thoughts on their experiences at Aspire, the girls raised both arms high above their heads, with two enthusiastic thumbs-up, flashing wide smiles. The states suing the Department of Education are asking the court to issue a preliminary injunction to unfreeze the funds immediately in at least some states. Fynboh said she fears the day Aspire will have to close. "Walking by an empty classroom every day is going to be hard," said Fynboh. "We know these kids and we know their parents, their faces, their names, their stories, their gifts, their talents, and we know which ones are going to lose access to the program. And that's just heartbreaking." This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

Education Department funding freeze targets summer school and language programs that are lifelines for families

Education Department funding freeze targets summer school and language programs that are lifelines for families Desperation crept into Sylvi...
Mother accused of trafficking infant daughter on Snapchat for $400: ReportsNew Foto - Mother accused of trafficking infant daughter on Snapchat for $400: Reports

An Indianapolis mother is facing child sex trafficking charges for allegedly telling a stranger online that he could sexually assault her 7-month-old daughter for $400, multiple outlets reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. Morgan Stapp, 32, was arrested on July 8 and charged with attempt to commit child sex trafficking, Indiana court and Marion County inmate records reviewed by USA TODAY show. She was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond, according to court records. USA TODAY contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Indianapolis Metro Police on Saturday, July 19, but has not received a response from either agency. Stapp's arrest comes after an FBI investigation that began in November 2024 once Snapchat reported attempted sex trafficking on their app, a probable cause affidavit obtained byCBS 4andPeoplesays. The mother of seven children, whose username was "morgan-stapp" on Snapchat, is accused of sending another user on the app three photos of her 7-month-old daughter, the court document reads, per the outlets. "U can (expletive) her for 400$," one message read. "Half now rest after. I'll send my address. I do live alone, and her dad is not in the picture." FBI agents spoke with Stapp on Nov. 11, 2024, and asked her about the messages, at which the mother told them that her Snapchat had recently been "hacked" and that she no longer had access to her "morgan-stapp" account, according to the affidavit. Stapp also told the agents that she'd recently received an email saying her Snapchat account was permanently banned due to "online commercial sex transactions," the court document continued, per the outlets. The mother expressed concern over losing photos of her kids that she had saved to her now-banned Snapchat account, according to the affidavit. When interviewed again later that month by the Indiana Department of Child Services, Stapp admitted to lying to FBI agents about being hacked out of her Snapchat account, the outlets reported, citing the affidavit. "I wanted the FBI to leave," she said, per the court document. The FBI contacted Indianapolis Metro police officers in December to help with their investigation. When a police detective got a search warrant for Stapp's account, he found selfies of her saved to Snapchat days after her FBI interview, which is when she claimed to have been hacked, according to the affidavit. Upon further investigation, detectives also discovered that Stapp's account sent over 7,000 messages on Snapchat during three days in November. Included in the messages was Snapp asking 81 times if other users would be "interested in buying my nudes so I can get baby diapers?" According to the affidavit, police said that IP address records from the "morgan-stapp" account indicated that all the Snapchat messages had been sent from an area near her home address in Indianapolis. Stapp's next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15, Indiana state records show. On Saturday, July 19, USA TODAY contacted the Indiana Public Defender's office, which is representing Stapp after she successfully filed for indigent status, but has not received a response. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mom accused of using Snapchat to traffic child for $400, reports say

Mother accused of trafficking infant daughter on Snapchat for $400: Reports

Mother accused of trafficking infant daughter on Snapchat for $400: Reports An Indianapolis mother is facing child sex trafficking charges f...
Tensions rise as Lula blasts US over visa sanctions tied to Bolsonaro trialNew Foto - Tensions rise as Lula blasts US over visa sanctions tied to Bolsonaro trial

By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a U.S. decision to impose visa bans on officials involved in former President Jair Bolsonaro's trial "arbitrary" and "baseless," and said foreign interference in the judiciary was "unacceptable." In a statement on Saturday, the leftist leader said the action violated fundamental principles of respect and sovereignty between nations. In an escalation of tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Latin America's largest economy, Washington imposed visa restrictions on Friday on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his family and other unnamed court officials. The visa bans were a response to the Supreme Court's decision to issue search warrants and restraining orders targeting Trump ally Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a coup to overturn the results of a 2022 election he lost. "I am certain that no form of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will compromise the most important mission of Brazil's powers and institutions, which is to permanently defend and uphold the democratic rule of law," said Lula. Solicitor general Jorge Messias, the top judicial official for Lula's executive branch, said in a statement posted on X late Friday that Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet was also targeted by the ban. Messias said no "improper maneuver" or "sordid conspiratorial act" would intimidate the judiciary in carrying out its duties with independence, as he condemned what he also described as arbitrary U.S. visa revocations targeting Brazilian officials for fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities. In addition to Moraes, seven other justices from Brazil's 11-member Supreme Court were also hit by the U.S. visa restrictions, Government Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann said on Friday. They include justices Luis Roberto Barroso, Dias Toffoli, Cristiano Zanin, Flavio Dino, Carmen Lucia, Edson Fachin, and Gilmar Mendes. The Prosecutor General's Office and the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has criticised the proceedings against Bolsonaro as a "witch hunt", a term he has used to describe his own treatment by political opponents, and has called for the charges to be dropped. In a letter last week, he announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods starting August 1, opening the message with criticism of the trial. Bolsonaro is on trial before Brazil's Supreme Court on charges of plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in January 2023. The right-wing firebrand has denied that he led an attempt to overthrow the government but has acknowledged taking part in meetings aimed at reversing the election's outcome. (Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Joe Bavier and Diane Craft)

Tensions rise as Lula blasts US over visa sanctions tied to Bolsonaro trial

Tensions rise as Lula blasts US over visa sanctions tied to Bolsonaro trial By Marcela Ayres BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz I...

 

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