The article covers three breaking stories: a mass crossing into Ceuta that left 34 people dead and prompted Spain to deploy troops and return thousands of migrants; Hamas's conditional, in‑principle agreement to begin disarming under a US‑linked peace proposal, contingent on Israeli withdrawal; and a federal police probe into President Lula's son over alleged influence peddling tied to medical cannabis, which could affect the October election.
Ceuta Migrant Surge Kills 34; Hamas Agrees In Principle To Disarm; Lula's Son Faces Investigation Ahead Of October Vote
Migrants from Morocco gather by the border fence as they cross the Spanish border
Three separate developments are unfolding across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America: a chaotic mass crossing into Spain's Ceuta, a conditional disarmament agreement by Hamas, and a new probe tied to Brazil's presidential campaign.
Ceuta Mass Crossing Leaves Dozens Dead
As many as 60,000 migrants from Morocco surged into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in a single chaotic crossing, authorities say, an event that left 34 people dead. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, visiting the city, condemned the influx and blamed "trafficking gangs" for organizing the movement, while officials concede that the immediate trigger for the surge remains unclear.
Madrid dispatched military personnel to assist with crowd control and humanitarian needs. Spanish authorities say they have already returned more than 25,000 migrants to Morocco. Located on Morocco's northern coast, Ceuta has long been a gateway for people seeking entry to the EU. The episode is a political setback for Sánchez — one of Europe's few left‑wing leaders with a pro‑immigration stance — and has been seized on by the far‑right Vox party and anti‑immigration figures elsewhere in Europe, including the UK's Nigel Farage and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, to call for tougher border controls.
Hamas Agrees In Principle To Disarm — With Conditions
Hamas confirmed on Friday that it has agreed, in principle, to begin disarming under a new arrangement announced by a US-associated "Board of Peace." If implemented, the step would be a major component of a wider plan for Gaza and could open the way to reconstruction of the war‑torn territory.
Hamas qualified its assent by saying the move depends on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing from the territory. Israel has not formally endorsed the proposal and remains skeptical about Hamas's willingness to relinquish arms, given that armed struggle is central to the group's identity. The proposal gives both sides two weeks to present implementation timetables; diplomats say any viable process will require tightly coordinated, reciprocal steps linking withdrawal and disarmament.
Political Headache For Lula As Son Is Investigated
Federal police in Brazil have reportedly opened an investigation into Fabio Luis Lula da Silva — known as "Lulinha" — a son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Authorities allege possible influence peddling related to efforts to secure cooperation between the Health Ministry and specific medical cannabis suppliers.
President Lula is not accused of wrongdoing in the probe, but the fresh allegation could complicate his re‑election campaign. Polling shows Lula leading Flávio Bolsonaro — son of jailed former president Jair Bolsonaro — by roughly six points in a hypothetical runoff. Brazil's presidential election is scheduled for October.
Note: All developments are evolving. Numbers and official positions may change as authorities release more information.
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