International
Parents of students mobilize against the closure of official Spanish classrooms in London
A group of more than 160 parents of children of Spanish descent has mobilized against the closure in London and the vicinity of seven of the 25 classrooms funded by the Government of Spain for the learning of the Spanish language and culture in the United Kingdom.
The disappearance from September of these classrooms, which merge with existing ones – without reduction of places offered – to save costs, affects 26% of the 2,193 students enrolled in this country in the program of the Association of Spanish Language and Culture (ALCE), under the Ministry of Education.
Of that 26%, not all families – whose children are entitled to this free teaching service because they are descendants of Spaniards – feel harmed.
Each of the ‘classrooms’, taught during extracurricular hours in school premises in multiple districts of the city and surroundings, contains several groups of students from 7 to 17 years old, structured in levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Language Teaching.
Parents critical of the changes argue that they “threaten the continuity of many students,” since, according to a survey conducted among them, they increase the total travel time of minors by an additional hour on average, in the already complicated London logistics.
Sources from the Ministry of Education of the Spanish embassy in London told EFE that “it is not strictly a closure” but to gather and move to other facilities – such as the Spanish school Cañada Blanch in Notting Hill – the classrooms that were not viable, either because it had increased the rent in the schools that house them or because the number of students did not reach the minimum required by law.
According to these sources, the restructuring is largely due to the fact that the budget for the ALCE, which is around 85,000 pounds per year (about 100,000 euros) without counting the salary of teachers, has not been increased by the Government since 2022, compared to the significant increase in inflation in the United Kingdom.
The Ministry explains that it has been in meetings for months with directors of numerous schools in the London area and has consulted with parishes, educational centers and the British Ministry of Education, groups of residents and their own teachers “to find a viable structure economically and adequate in the pedagogical.”
“Behind the restructuring there is a conscientious and systematic study of the ALCE ‘population’, to try to cause the minimum distortion compatible with the survival of this public service in the United Kingdom,” said a spokesman.
The Ministry of Education apologized for a possible communication failure to the parents, who learned of the variations for the next 2024-25 academic year when they were already consummate.
Verónica Domínguez, from the historic classroom of Sloane Square, in western London, lamented “the lack of transparency,” while her colleague Elena Rodríguez – daughter of the Spanish immigrant who promoted the ALCE in 1984 – told EFE that, if they had been informed earlier, they would have been able to help find more conducive centers.
The Ministry dismissed its proposal to do the classes online or pay a fee, since this would violate current regulations.
However, the Ministry will receive the classroom delegates again at the end of this month in order to address their concerns, with the commitment to keep the dialogue open.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
International
Bill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told members of the U.S. Congress that he received “veiled” threats from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein related to his extramarital affairs, according to a transcript of his testimony released Tuesday.
Gates testified behind closed doors on June 10 before the House Oversight Committee regarding his relationship with the American financier, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking-related charges. Epstein had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
According to the transcript released by the committee, Gates said Epstein appeared to want to use his knowledge of Gates’ personal relationships as leverage to keep him within his circle at a time when Gates was already distancing himself.
“I was not blackmailed, but reading these emails, it seems like Mr. Epstein’s ideas were moving in that direction,” Gates said, referring to documents from the Epstein case released by the Justice Department in January.
Gates added that Epstein never sent him anything he would personally classify as blackmail. However, he said the content of certain draft emails suggested Epstein was “rehearsing” how he, or someone he instructed, might attempt to pressure him.
“He was, in a way, practicing how he himself, or someone he directed, could choose to blackmail me, but none of those messages were ever sent to me,” Gates told lawmakers.
The 70-year-old billionaire had previously stated that he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal behavior and said he had never been involved in harming anyone.
In February, Gates told The Wall Street Journal that his association with Epstein was a serious mistake. He also acknowledged having extramarital relationships, while denying any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Gates said his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s conviction, and acknowledged that he was aware of Epstein’s legal troubles at the time.
However, Gates said he was told that Epstein had the ability to raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives, an area in which Gates had significant involvement.
“When I met him, I knew he had been convicted,” Gates told lawmakers. “I knew it was of a sexual nature, but I didn’t try to learn more, although I probably should have.”
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
Bill Gates Says Jeffrey Epstein Made “Veiled” Threats Over Extramarital Affairs
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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