International

Kamala Harris promises the end of the war in Gaza in Michigan, where the Arab vote is key

The Democratic candidate for the US presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris, promised in the key state of Michigan that she will work to end the Israeli war in Gaza and Lebanon and give the Palestinians the “dignity” they deserve.

At a rally in East Lansing, the candidate addressed the Arab community directly, a key group to be able to win the 15 votes of the state’s Electoral College, to recognize “that this year has been difficult due to the death and destruction in Gaza and the deaths and displacement of civilians in Lebanon.”

“I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza”: Harris

“As president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, return the hostages to their homes and end the suffering in Gaza, guarantee the security of Israel and ensure that the Palestinian people can achieve their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination,” Harris said.

The Arab vote in Michigan is key to tieting the balance on Tuesday in favor of the Democrats, who with President Joe Biden in 2020 managed to surpass Republican Donald Trump by more than 20 points.

However, this year the polls give Trump the advantage in voting intention among the Arabs, who could turn their backs on Harris for being part of the Biden Administration, which continues to support Israel with weapons in its operations in Gaza, Lebanon or Yemen against militias aligned with Iran.

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Not a mention of Trump

Harris did not mention Trump by name even once in this rally, but he traced the differences with his policies and his character, while trying to convey a positive message.

The vice president asked the young people of Generation Z, those born in the first decade of 2000, to mobilize their acquaintances to vote and said that “I see your power.”

That group of voters, who normally do not participate highly in the elections, is another of the strategic population segments to win the state, where today Harris focused all his campaign activity two days before the day of the election.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

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International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.