International
How to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and 4 other global issues in which Xi and Putin coincide
The leaders of China and Russia, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, exhibited this Thursday in Beijing their consensus on global issues such as the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, multipolarity and trade, distancing themselves from Western positions.
Putin’s second visit to China in less than a year (and his first trip abroad after starting his fifth term) comes after last week Xi traveled for the first time in five to Europe, where the Chinese leader received new pressure to convince his Russian counterpart to stop his aggression against Ukraine.
In a statement after the meeting they held in Beijing, Xi assured that both parties “agree that a political solution to the ‘crisis’ in Ukraine is the right direction.”
Likewise, he reiterated point by point the position that Beijing has maintained in recent years, asking for “respect for the territorial integrity of all countries,” but also for the “legitimate security concerns of all parties,” in reference to Russia.
Xi’s words on the subject do not suggest that the Chinese leader could have pressured his counterpart to end the war during a meeting that occurred a day after Washington announced in Kiev an additional item of 2 billion dollars (about 1,837 million euros) to help Ukraine acquire weapons from the United States.
Xi declared that both parties consider it “extremely urgent” to find a way out of the situation in Palestine and that they support the “two-state solution” and the implementation of United Nations resolutions on this conflict.
Thus, the two heads of state have staged the coordination of their countries on this issue in scenarios such as the United Nations Security Council, where their representatives have voted similarly on the resolutions in this regard.
The Chinese leader boasted of the “strength” of the ties between Beijing and Moscow, which “have stood the test of the changing international panorama” and that will continue to consolidate to “defend justice in the world.”
The Chinese president recalled that he has met “more than forty times” with Putin, who defined relations between China and Russia as an “example of how links should be built between neighboring states.”
Both parties agreed to “promote multipolarity and globalization” and coordinate in institutions such as the United Nations or the G20 to “lead global management in the right direction.”
In February 2022, shortly before the start of the war in Ukraine, Xi and Putin proclaimed in Beijing a “friendship without limits” and, since then, they have defended that their relationship “advances the multipolarization of the world,” as opposed to American “hegemonism.”
Putin welcomed the expansion of bilateral trade, which “is reliably protected against the negative influence of third countries,” he said in reference to the Western sanctions against his country, criticized in recent years by Beijing for “not solving the problems.”
The Russian president also stressed that energy cooperation between Beijing and Moscow was addressed “in depth” during the meeting, a possible reference to the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, designed to connect Russia and China through Mongolia and that, if completed, would divert 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to northern China.
After surpassing Saudi Arabia, Russia has been China’s main source of oil since 2023, a trade that constitutes an important source of income for the Eurasian country, whose energy exports have been affected by Western sanctions.
In the midst of the American and European offensive against the Chinese automotive sector, Putin defended bilateral collaboration in this field and congratulated China on “a clear and very obvious success” in the sector.
The words of admiration of the Russian leader contrasted with the statements of US President Joe Biden, who recently accused Beijing of “cheating” in that industry and with the EU’s position, which announced a few months ago an investigation of the electric vehicle sector of the Asian giant for possible “illegal subsidies.”
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
International
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” on Monday during a naval operation in the western state of Nayarit, delivering another major blow to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Flores was considered one of the top regional leaders within the cartel and had reportedly overseen criminal operations along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Security analysts viewed him as a potential successor to slain drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.
The arrest was carried out by Mexico’s Navy Special Forces in a planned operation, according to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch.
The United States Department of the Treasury had previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker,” while U.S. authorities offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture and extradition.
A U.S. grand jury indicted Flores in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His capture comes months after the reported death of “El Mencho,” an operation that Mexican authorities considered a priority due to the cartel leader’s alleged involvement in a 2020 assassination attempt against García Harfuch.
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
Guatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International19 hours ago
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
-
International2 days agoMexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
-
International4 days agoU.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
-
International3 days agoSuspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
-
International19 hours agoTrump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
-
International5 days agoU.S. Sanctions Network Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking Across India, Guatemala and Mexico
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala’s President to Hold Private Interviews for Attorney General Candidates