International
Macron: the return of dialogue in New Caledonia will not be made with institutional setback
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, held a first meeting with political leaders in New Caledonia on Thursday to try to relaunch a dialogue between communities that puts an end to the riots, without an institutional setback.
Macron bet on the return to calm, but warned that this cannot be done by reversing the institutional level, specifically on the result of the three self-determination referendums held in that territory of the South Pacific in recent years.
“The appeasement cannot be not respecting the popular expression that has already been manifested,” he said, according to the images of the meeting disclosed by the Elysée.
However, Macron did not clarify whether the controversial constitutional law that opens the electoral census of the territory, whose approval in the French Parliament unleashed the wave of protests at the beginning of last week, will be maintained.
At the beginning of the meeting, a minute of silence was observed for the six deaths of last week, four civilians and two gendarmes.
The meeting took place at the residence of the High Commissioner (Government delegate) in the autonomous territory, and attended by independence leaders such as the presidents of the regional government, Louis Mapou, and the president of the regional Congress, Roch Wamytan.
They also attended loyalist leaders, such as the president of the southern province (one of the three that make up the territory), Sonia Backès, or the mayor of the capital, Numea, Sonia Lagarde.
Macron was in favor of not renewing the state of emergency, declared by the Government last week and which expires on Monday the 27th, but he conditioned it to the return of the situation to normal and all the barricades on roads and streets mounted by independence groups to be removed.
He also said that the reinforcement of a thousand police and gendarmes sent last week to reinforce the 1,700 agents already present in the territory will remain “as long as necessary,” even until the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The latter conclude on September 8.
Macron arrived on Thursday morning local time in the territory for a visit of about twelve hours, with the aim of giving a boost to the dialogue.
Although the situation has improved with respect to the worst moments of last week, it has not yet fully normalized.
A large part of the population continues to have problems with access to food and basic hygiene products due to the destruction of shops and travel difficulties, according to local media.
On the other hand, the damage of the riots amounts to about one billion euros, as reported today by the Chamber of Commerce of Industry, with about 200 companies burned and more than 2,000 unemployed workers.
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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