International
The US avoids committing to Ukraine’s “irreversible” accession to NATO
The United States promised this Friday that next week’s NATO Summit in Washington will conclude with a joint statement in support of Ukraine’s accession process to the Atlantic Alliance, but avoided committing to including the word “irreversible,” as Kiev has requested.
“We hope that the declaration of the summit, which is still being negotiated, includes very strong signs of support for the entry of Ukraine and that it also underlines the importance of Ukraine making reforms in economic, security and democracy matters,” a source from Joe Biden’s Administration told the press.
The same source evaded the question of whether or not the word “irreversible” will be put in the final document, a request made by the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenski.
The position of the Biden Administration is that the statement contains a “strong language” in which it is clear that Ukraine will join NATO in the future.
What the Biden Government offers Ukraine is a long-term commitment to guarantee its defense and improve the training of its troops, in what Washington has baptized as a “piring” towards its future membership in the Alliance.
At last year’s summit in Lithuania, Zelenski saw his expectations that the Atlantic Alliance extend a formal invitation to Ukraine to negotiate its accession, a step that most Ukrainians see as indispensable to send a sign of strength to Russian President Vladimir Putin, frustrated.
Ukraine’s early accession to NATO will also not be discussed at next week’s summit in Washington, since the United States is opposed to accession for the duration of the war, since this would imply the existence of a direct conflict between the Atlantic Alliance and Russia.
But Kiev wants the allies to recognize that Ukraine’s future entry is a process that has no turning back.
According to European sources, the allies are negotiating the language of the final statement and want it to be “as strong as possible” to demonstrate their support for Ukrainian accession.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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