International

The U.S. Senate approves a military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

The United States Senate approved the $95 billion package in military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which would give the green light to the sending of the money after months of legislative blockade.

The measure was approved by 75 votes in favor and 20 against.

The Senate has put together in a single text four bills that the House of Representatives approved last Saturday.

On the one hand, $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine, another 26,400 for Israel and 8,100 for Taiwan.

A fourth bill seeks to force the Chinese ownership of TikTok to sell the company in a period of one year if it does not want to face a ban in the United States.

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“Finally, tonight, after more than six months of hard work, the United States sends a message to the whole world,” Chuck Schumer, Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate, said after the vote.

According to Schumer, with this vote USA. The United States tells the world that it “will do everything possible to safeguard democracy.”

The White House has been asking the Legislature for months for the joint approval of these military aid packages, but the opposition of Republican sectors to assistance to Ukraine has caused a long blockade.

A minority part of the Democratic group has opposed the aid package to Israel.

Iran’s attack on Israel two Saturdays ago caused the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives to lift its blockade to jointly approve foreign military aid packages.

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Now it will only take the sig of the president, Joe Biden, for the money and weapons to begin to flow into the Ukrainian trenches, which have been begging the United States for help for months in the face of the advance of Russian forces.

Biden spoke on the phone on Monday with the president of Ukraine, Volodymir Zelensky, who after the call and in a message on social network X, said that the US president had told him that this assistance will include long-range artillery.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, the United States has channeled military aid for more than 75 billion dollars.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.