International
Government says it does not have full control of Paraguayan prison
October 18 |
The Minister of Justice of Paraguay, Angel Barchini, acknowledged that they do not have full control of the country’s penitentiaries and in the specific case of the Tacumbú prison, admitted that there is an entire ward in charge of the inmates.
Barchini pronounced himself in these terms in a meeting that he held this Monday with prison officials of the Tacumbú prison.
The head of Justice spoke of the different claims and requests made by the prison guards. “They are demanding life insurance, which I consider absolutely fair and necessary due to the risk they run every day in the execution of their work”, he said.
According to the minister, “The use of technology, equipment, uniforms, weapons, provision of resources for the transfer of the penitentiaries. We were talking about a general problem of the functioning of the penitentiary centers”, he pointed out.
The Minister acknowledged that “Not everything is under control, we have a high risk that this situation that arose a few days ago continues to occur”, he said. He was referring to a riot that left the largest prison in the country in the hands of the inmates.
He acknowledged that, even today, “There is a sector of the prison that is in charge, the D pavilion”. He added that, nevertheless, “We want with our intervention and with the collaboration of our fellow prison officials to be able to regain absolute control of the penitentiary centers,” he said.
Regarding the situation of those responsible for prison security, the minister said that the officials remain firm in their position of not entering the Tacumbú penitentiary until they receive answers to their demands.
“They are going to stay outside because they have some fair demands,” he said.
The Secretary of State explained that 80 percent of the weapons in the Tacumbú penitentiary have been recovered, but it is still not known where the rest are, which are suspected to be in the hands of the inmates.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
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