International
Hamas claims that one of the militiamen killed an Israeli hostage
The Qasam Brigades, armed wing of the Islamist group Hamas, announced on Monday that one of its militiamen opened fire and “instantaneously killed” an Israeli hostage, while two others kidnapped were seriously injured in another incident; while the Israeli Army assured that it has not been able to confirm the information by its own means.
“Two of our soldiers assigned as captive guards of the enemy opened fire on a Zionist hostage, killing him instantly,” the spokesman of the Qasa Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in a statement.
In a second “separate incident,” two kidnapped were seriously injured and “attempts are being made to save their lives,” Abu Obeida said.
The Israeli Army pointed out, for its part, that it does not have “intelligence information that allows the claims of Hamas to be refuted or confirmed.” “We will continue to examine and verify the credibility of the message and update with the information we obtain,” he added in a statement.
“The Zionist government is fully responsible for massacres and resulting reactions that affect the lives of Zionist prisoners,” said the spokesman for the military wing of Hamas, who pointed out that a committee has been formed to investigate what happened and “the conclusions will be announced later.”
Of the 251 kidnapped on October 7, 111 captives remain in the enclave, at least 39 of them dead as Israel has been able to confirm – more than 70 according to Hamas -; while there have been four other hostages for years, of them two dead.
Since the war began, Israel and Hamas only achieved a one-week truce agreement at the end of November, which allowed the release of 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners; while the international community is now trying to relaunch negotiations for a ceasefire.
Israel announced that it would send a delegation this Thursday, August 15, to meet with the meters -Egypt, Qatar and the United States – but Hamas announced last night that it would not attend the appointment, amid reports pointing to an attack by Iran and Hizbulah against Israel this week in retaliation for the murder in Tehran of the leader of the Palestinian Islamists, Ismail Haniyeh.
Of the total number of captives, four hostages were released by Hamas in October; seven rescued by the Army – one soldier in October, two in Rafah in February and four in Nuseirat in June -; while the bodies of 24 hostages have been recovered, three of whom accidentally killed Israeli troops in December in Shujaiya.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Panama’s president accuses U.S. Embassy official of visa threats amid China tensions
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
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
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break
-
International3 days agoMexico reports 64 dead, 65 missing after devastating central region floods
-
International3 days agoVenezuela calls for continued global pressure to secure ‘just peace’ for Palestine
-
International3 days agoPope Leo XIV to skip COP30 in Brazil but plans future visit, Lula confirms
-
Central America4 days agoFraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates
-
International2 days agoSheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
-
International4 days agoHeavy rains leave dozens dead in Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz
-
International2 days agoArmed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
-
International2 days agoVenezuelan media faces fresh restrictions after reporting on opposition leader’s Nobel win
-
International1 day agoMexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
-
International2 days agoCaracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
-
International1 day agoNew road and bridge explosions raise alarm amid indigenous protests in Ecuador
-
International2 hours agoPeru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
-
International2 hours agoPetro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
-
Central America2 hours agoNicaragua grants 2,500-hectare mining concession to chinese firm in protected region
-
Central America2 hours agoPanama’s president accuses U.S. Embassy official of visa threats amid China tensions