International

Biden assures that a ceasefire in Gaza is closer than ever

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, assured this Friday that an eventual agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is “closer than it has ever been.”

“I prefer not to give it a lot, but we may have something,” he told journalists in the Oval Office, without wanting to delve deeper into the subject.

During the last two days, the Israeli delegation met with the mediators of the United States, Egypt and Qatar in Doha, with the notable absence of emissaries from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which decided not to attend.

What Biden said does not agree with Hamas’ statements after the conclusion of the round of negotiations.

The Islamist group showed its dissatisfaction with what was discussed in Doha, stating that what it has known “does not include a commitment to what was agreed on July 2,” referring to the original proposal put forward by Washington, whose implementation it demands.

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Israel and Hamas, with the mediation of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, have been negotiating a ceasefire for months in exchange for the release of dozens of Israeli hostages without an agreement that the two parties have accepted.

On the other hand, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, had a conversation this Friday with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, with whom he addressed the possible attacks by Iran and/or Hizbulah, which the two countries have been waiting for the past.

“I confirmed that the United States continues to monitor the planning of attacks by Iran and its representatives, and that it is well positioned throughout the region to defend Israel and protect U.S. personnel and facilities,” Austin said in a press release.

International

Young Spanish Woman Receives Euthanasia After Legal Battle, Sparking Debate

A 25-year-old Spanish woman, Noelia Castillo, received euthanasia on Thursday following a prolonged legal dispute with her father.

She passed away at a care center in Sant Pere de Ribes, about 40 kilometers from Barcelona, where she had been living for some time, according to Spanish media reports.

In an interview broadcast a day earlier on Antena 3, Castillo expressed her exhaustion after enduring prolonged suffering. She indicated that her decision was influenced by a combination of personal circumstances and health-related challenges, including family conflicts and a condition of paraplegia following a previous incident that left her with lasting physical consequences.

Spain legalized euthanasia in 2021, becoming one of the few countries that allow patients under strict conditions to seek medical assistance to end their lives in order to avoid what the law defines as unbearable suffering.

The case has reignited debate in Spain over the ethical, legal, and family dimensions surrounding euthanasia, as well as the broader issue of support for individuals in vulnerable situations.

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International

Over 300 U.S. Troops Wounded Since Start of Iran Conflict, CENTCOM Says

More than 300 U.S. service members have been injured since the start of the conflict with Iran on February 28, the United States Central Command confirmed on Friday.

“Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 U.S. service members have been wounded. The vast majority of these injuries are minor, and 273 troops have already returned to duty,” said U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, indicated that 10 American troops remain seriously injured.

According to the latest figures, an additional 13 U.S. service members have been killed since the conflict began, including seven in the Gulf region and six in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iran’s armed forces warned on Friday that hotels hosting U.S. troops in the region could be considered legitimate military targets.

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“When U.S. forces enter a hotel, from our perspective that hotel becomes American,” said armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi in remarks broadcast on state television.

International

Iran rejects negotiations as tensions escalate with United States

Iran has no intention of entering negotiations and will continue to resist, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday night, dismissing recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about possible talks.

Speaking to state television, Araghchi argued that Washington’s call for negotiations reflects a position of weakness. He added that the Islamic Republic seeks to end the war on its own terms, ensuring that such a conflict does not recur in the future.

Meanwhile, the White House issued a stark warning, stating that Trump would “unleash hell” on Iran if it refuses to accept a deal to end the conflict. Despite Tehran’s rejection, U.S. officials maintained that discussions remain ongoing.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration’s position, warning that failure to acknowledge what she described as Iran’s military defeat would result in even stronger action from Washington.

The increasingly aggressive rhetoric from both sides has diminished hopes for a near-term de-escalation in the conflict, which began following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.

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As tensions continue to rise, the prospect of a diplomatic resolution remains uncertain amid conflicting narratives and escalating threats from both governments.