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The jailed ex-president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has undergone a successful surgery for a double hernia, his wife Michelle says.

The former leader is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Brazil’s Supreme Court granted permission for the 70-year-old to be transferred from the room in the federal police headquarters where he is serving his sentence to a hospital in the capital, Brasília, for the procedure.

Ahead of the surgery, Jair Bolsonaro endorsed the candidacy of his eldest son, Flávio, for the 2026 presidential race.

The former president made his decision known in handwritten letter that was read out by Flávio Bolsonaro outside the hospital were his father is being treated.

“During my life, I have fought tough battles, paying a high price with both my health and my family, to defend what I think is best for our country,” Bolsonaro wrote.

“I hand over what is most important in the life of a father – my own son for the mission of rescuing our country, Brazil.”

Flávio Bolsonaro, a 44-year-old senator, had already announced his decision to run for president for his father’s Liberal Party.

Ealier this month, he said his father had entrusted him “with the mission of continuing our national project”. But Jair Bolsonaro’s letter, which has been published by Brazilian media, is confirmation the senator has his father’s backing.

The incumbent, President Lula, has already announced he plans to run again in the presidential election scheduled for October 2026.

In 2022, the presidential election went into a run-off, which saw the older Bolsonaro take on ex-President Lula.

When Lula narrowly won, Jair Bolsonaro refused to accept the result and plotted with top military leaders to prevent Lula from taking up office.

While the plot failed to enlist enough support from the military to go ahead, it did culminate in the storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters on 8 January 2023.

Bolsonaro was found guilty of coup-plotting and sentenced in September this year.

Despite the guilty verdict, the older Bolsonaro still wields considerable political influence.

Brazil’s Congress passed a bill last week to significantly shorten Bolsonaro’s sentence but President Lula said he would veto it.

Jair Bolsonaro is expected to be transferred back to federal police headquarters as soon as doctors give the go-ahead.

Have you ever wondered where the richest Americans actually put their money? It’s not just in the stock market and mega mansions.

To learn more, I asked ChatGPT what the wealthiest 1% are investing in — and the answers weren’t what I expected. From private deals most people never hear about to AI with massive growth potential, their approach looks nothing like that of the average investor.

Here’s a closer look at where the ultra-wealthy are putting their money, and what makes these investments so powerful.

When investors want to invest in businesses, they traditionally buy public bonds. However, with public credit, wealthy investors can invest directly in the businesses. By removing the middleman, they can increase their return on investment.

These tend to be popular investments because they’re not only backed by collateral, but can also earn steady returns of between 8% and 12%. They’re also less affected by stock market volatility, making them ideal for adding diversification.

Most investors can’t access these deals because they need big minimum investments and connections with private funds or family offices.

Find Out: I Asked ChatGPT What Would Happen If Billionaires Paid Taxes at the Same Rate as the Working Class

Read More: 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money

Real estate is a great way for people to grow wealth. Unfortunately, most don’t have the time to actively manage rental properties. This is why most wealthy investors tend to go the route of private real estate funds and syndications.

These private real estate funds pool investors’ money to purchase properties, often large apartment complexes or commercial spaces. Investors share in the income and appreciation without needing to manage the property themselves.

These opportunities provide investors with monthly or quarterly cash flow and offer valuable tax benefits through depreciation. Real estate is also a great way to hedge against inflation.

Private equity funds usually require investors to lock up their money for seven to 10 years. That’s not ideal for many people. Instead, the wealthy are turning to secondary private equity deals. These allow investors to buy out others’ stakes in the fund, typically at a discount.

These deals tend to be popular among wealthy investors because they provide quicker liquidity compared to traditional private equity investments. They also give exposure to established companies, not just startups.

Venture capital is usually something regular investors don’t participate in because it demands a large investment. With venture capital, you’re investing early in private companies that have high growth potential. Today, a significant amount of private equity money is being invested in deep tech, which includes things like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech and clean energy.

Pope Leo has called for an end to conflicts around the world during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter’s Square.

He used his Urbi et Orbi address, which is traditionally delivered by the pontiff on Christmas Day to worshippers gathered in Vatican City, to address conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as in Thailand and Cambodia.

“From God, let us ask for justice, peace and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Syria,” he said.

It was his first Urbi et Orbi speech as pope since being elected on 8 May.

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