International
Arce and Putin agree that joint lithium and nuclear projects in Bolivia will operate in 2025
The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, said that he agreed with his Russian peer, Vladimir Putin, that the joint projects undertaken by both nations in Bolivia for the exploitation of lithium and the development of nuclear technology will be fully underway in 2025.
The ruler explained to the media in La Paz the agreements reached with Putin during his recent visit to Russia, where he also participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
According to Arce, it was agreed that the project applied by the Russian firm Uranium One, one of the three that signed an agreement with Bolivia to apply its direct lithium extraction (EDL) technology in Bolivian salt salts, “has to go into operation in the 2025 management.”
The president assured that the state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) and Uranium One “are going to take all the precautions so that this decision can be reached” adopted “between both presidents.”
The same will happen in the case of the Center for Research and Development in Nuclear Technology (Cidtn) set up in El Alto, a neighbor of La Paz. Its operation includes three phases, the president recalled.
The first phase was the nuclear medicine and radiotherapy center inaugurated in 2022 and the second, the irradiation center for seed improvement and pest control launched last year, he said.
“They are the two stages that are complete and we have the third stage, which is the temperature of the nuclear reactor. Undoubtedly, this is the most delicate and longest. And we have also agreed with President Vladimir Putin that this project will be completed by June 2025,” Arce said.
With this, it is expected that the entire nuclear complex will be “in full operation by the middle of next year,” he added.
Other agreements reached between Arce and Putin include Russian support for Bolivia to buy liquid hydrocarbons to ensure its domestic supply. In turn, the expansion of the South American nation’s export “commercial base” to the Russian market will be promoted with products such as coffee, pineapple, quinoa, palm heart and chocolate, among others.
Arce also pointed out that Russia showed its “total predisposition” to provide medicines to Bolivia and offered half scholarships for Bolivians who want to study in that country, with one year included so that they can learn the language.
In addition, it was agreed with the University of St. Petersburg to send professors to teach Russian at the state language institute of Bolivia, and the recognition of the degrees achieved by Bolivian professionals in Russia will be facilitated, he said.
There is also an agreement for cooperation in sports, to improve the performance of Bolivian athletes, he added.
Arce highlighted his participation in the St. Petersburg forum, in which he presented about the so-called ‘productive community social economic model’ that he conceived together with other left-wing economists and that was launched in Bolivia in the governments of the ruling Movement to Socialism (MAS).
He assured that with his model, Bolivia is “showing the world” that it is possible to have economic development and “reduction of poverty and inequalities” in an adverse global context.
Bolivia and Russia have a marked political affinity that has even led the South American country to refrain from voting in United Nations resolutions regarding the condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
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