International

Algerian influencer detained in France for alleged calls to attack

French police detained an Algerian social media influencer in the port city of Brest on Friday, accused of urging his followers to carry out attacks in France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced.

The arrest comes as France prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the deadly January 2015 attacks in Paris targeting the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket.

On January 7, 2015, two French-born Al-Qaeda extremists stormed the Charlie Hebdo newsroom, killing 12 people, including the editor-in-chief, cartoonists, and a police officer nearby. In the following days, an associate aligned with ISIS killed a police officer and later attacked a kosher supermarket in eastern Paris, murdering four hostages. All three attackers were killed in police shootouts.

Retailleau stated on social media platform X that the detained influencer, who used the alias “Zazouyoussef,” had “called on his community to commit attacks in France.”

International

U.S. reinforces southern border with additional military personnel

U.S.-Mexico border crossing closed due to protests

The U.S. military has announced the deployment of more than 600 additional troops to the Mexico border, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s efforts against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

According to the U.S. Northern Command (Northcom), the new deployment includes 40 Air Force intelligence analysts and 590 Army engineers. This move will increase the total number of troops currently stationed or scheduled for deployment at the southern border to approximately 9,600.

The decision aligns with the administration’s broader border security strategy, emphasizing intelligence gathering, infrastructure development, and operational support for law enforcement agencies.

International

New ‘Bitcoin Bonds’ could save U.S. government $554 Billion, says investor Andrew Hohns

Andrew Hohns, renowned investor and founder of Newmarket Capital, recently introduced his ‘Bitcoin Bonds’ at the Bitcoin for America event. This innovative mechanism combines traditional U.S. Treasury bonds with investments in Bitcoin, aiming to lower federal debt costs while building a strategic Bitcoin reserve for the government.

Hohns’ plan proposes issuing $2 trillion in bonds, allocating 10% to Bitcoin purchases and 90% to other government expenditures. These bonds would offer a significantly lower interest rate of 1%, compared to the current 4.5% on 10-year bonds—potentially saving the federal government $554 billion over a decade.

A unique feature of these bonds is that investors would not only receive the standard 4.5% annual interest but also share profits from Bitcoin’s value appreciation with the government. Additionally, Hohns advocates for tax exemptions on capital gains and interest earnings from these bonds, making them an attractive option for American families looking to hedge against inflation.

“This plan doesn’t just cut debt costs—it provides American families with a new savings tool,” said Hohns.

International

Pedro Castillo suffers health crisis, rushed to hospital

Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who has been on a hunger strike since Monday, was hospitalized after suffering a health crisis, the court handling his trial announced on Thursday.

The 55-year-old was rushed to the Vitarte Hospital, the nearest facility to the presidential prison where he has been detained since December 2022. Judge Norma Carbajal stated that Castillo experienced a decompensation just hours before his trial resumed. However, medical reports confirm that he is now stable and out of danger.

Despite a request from Castillo’s public defender to suspend the hearing, the court decided to continue with the proceedings.