International
Noboa proclaims victory in the referendum and assures that Ecuador said “‘Yes’ to the future”
The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, said after winning the ‘Yes’ in nine of the eleven questions of the referendum held on Sunday that the result was a “victory of the people” because “the country said ‘Yes’ to the future.”
In his first public speech since the plebiscite, Noboa expressed his satisfaction with the wide support received for the issues that seek to reinforce the State’s fight against organized crime gangs.
With more than 95% of the votes scrutinized, the triumph of the ‘Yes’ was consolidated in nine of the eleven questions related to security issues.
The ‘No’ was based on economic reforms related to legalizing hourly labor contracting and allowing international arbitrations on investments in any jurisdiction.
“After the country said yes to the future, we will not give in a single step to violence, corruption and impunity,” Noboa said during a speech.
“We have more tools to judge these crimes and tighten the penalties for their perpetrators,” the president added, referring to the initiative to raise the penalties to a series of crimes related to organized crime.
Among them, terrorism and its financing.
The proposals raised on security received between 75% and 61% support.
In addition to tightening penalties, they also imply that the Armed Forces participate permanently together with the Police in operations against organized crime. And that Ecuadorians can be extradited when they are required by the Justice of other countries.
They also supported the creation of a system of courts in constitutional matters, military surveillance around prisons and the equipment of state forces with weapons seized from crime.
In turn, the crime of possessing weapons for the exclusive use of the Police and Armed Forces and a mechanism for the expropriation of illicit property will be created.
Noboa asserted that “they will not stop the new Ecuador.” “This victory is of the people and the people who want a better future and that their children live better than them,” he said.
In Noboa’s statements, the president made no mention of the two questions where he won the ‘No’.
Those points constitute, according to former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), a “categorical defeat” for Noboa because in his opinion they were “the two questions that (really) mattered to him.”
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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