International
Biden refutes Trump’s speech “trapped at home” and with “desire to return to the campaign”
The president of the United States, Joe Biden, refuted the speech given on Thursday night by his electoral opponent Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention (CNR) and regretted being “trapped at home with covid” while a spokesman reiterated his “desire to return to the campaign.”
Biden, apparently ignoring the pressures of the Democratic Party to reconsider his aspirations to repeat a mandate, wrote in his X account: “I’m stuck at home with covid, so I had the particular bad luck of seeing Donald Trump’s speech in the CNR. What the hell was he talking about?”
A thread followed in which he responded to the statements of the Republican candidate, in some cases with more sly than political content, such as “Donald, Hannibal Lecter is not real,” and repeatedly pointing out “his 2025 project,” a program developed by ultra-conservative groups from which Trump has tried to distance himself.
The Democratic candidate cited Trump’s presidency (2017-2021) to warn that, contrary to what he said on Thursday, he will make cuts to Social Security and Medicare, raise middle-class taxes, worsen debt and inflation or put immigrants “in mass detention camps.”
Shortly before those messages, his campaign spokesman, Kevin Munoz, sent an email to the media entitled “a week, two very different visions,” in which he lashed out at the “anonymous sources” that have leaked doubts in the Democratic Party about Biden’s ability to win the elections these days.
After highlighting the campaign events of the Biden-Harris binomial and its support gathered this week, Munoz pointed out that next week both have “more than twenty press events” and reiterated: “As we have said before, President Biden is eager to return to the campaign as soon as he can.”
Biden is isolated in his home in Delaware after last Wednesday he tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and has experienced a “significant” improvement, according to his doctor.
On the date, thirteen Democratic legislators expressed their dissatisfaction with Biden’s candidacy, one more sign that the patience of a large part of the party is running out to “pass the baton,” as they ask him, after losing the support of several Democratic leaders, important donors and with the polls against.
With these thirteen democrats, the number of members of Congress who ask for Biden’s withdrawal rises to 38, which constitutes more than 14% of the members of the party bench in both chambers. Of the 38 who are the protagonists of the revolt, 34 are representatives of the Lower House and 4 are senators.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
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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