At least 25 people have died in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba were hit hardest by the heavy downpours that began Monday evening. According to officials, 18 people died in Juiz de Fora and seven in Uba. Several houses and buildings collapsed. Dozens are still missing, and rescue operations are ongoing. President Lula da Silva declared a “State of Calamity” in Juiz de Fora and assured the central government’s full support for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. In Juiz de Fora alone, approximately 440 people have been displaced. The administration has set up temporary shelters and appealed for relief supplies. The mayor has declared three days of mourning. Local officials say this February has been the wettest in the city’s history. The National Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for several states, including Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Last year, a similar disaster in Rio Grande do Sul killed nearly 200 people. Other major international news… Gates Foundation claims Bill Gates took responsibility for his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bill Gates has taken responsibility for his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to Reuters, a Gates Foundation spokesperson confirmed this. They stated that Gates spoke openly about the issue with employees at a recent town hall meeting and apologized. According to the report, Gates told employees that spending time with Epstein and bringing foundation officials to those meetings was a huge mistake. The report cites a recording of the town hall. On January 30, the US Department of Justice released files related to Epstein. These revealed that Gates met with Epstein several times even after his sentence was completed. The purpose of these meetings was stated to be to discuss expanding charitable activities. According to the report, Gates also stated that he did not commit any illegal acts and was not in contact with Epstein’s victims. Gates told staff, “I did nothing wrong.” The foundation stated that it never made any financial payments to Epstein nor did it employ him. Suicide attack on security checkpoint in Pakistan kills 2 policemen, 7 killed in separate attacks in one day Seven policemen were killed in separate attacks in Pakistan on Tuesday. Officials said a suicide attack occurred at a security checkpoint in Bhakkar district, Punjab province. According to Punjab Police Chief Abdul Karim, two policemen were killed in the attack. Three civilians were also injured in the blast, including two health workers involved in the anti-polio campaign. Earlier that day, militants attacked a police vehicle in the Kohat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said five policemen, including a senior officer, and two civilians were killed in the attack. Kohat District Police Officer Shehbaz Elahi said three other people were also injured in the attack. At least 16 security personnel, including a senior army officer, have been killed in clashes and security operations against militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan provinces over the past week. According to the army, 53 militants were also killed in these operations and attacks. Terrorist incidents have increased in Pakistan in recent years, with security forces, police, and government targets being targeted, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
