International
The US will recognize in Syria a government that comes out of a process without “external interference”
The United States will recognize and support a Syrian government that results from an inclusive transition process without external interference, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday.
“The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria. All nations must commit to supporting an inclusive and transparent process, and refrain from any external interference,” he said in a statement.
In addition, the head of US diplomacy added that his country “will fully recognize and support the future Syrian government that emerges from this process.”
“We are willing to provide all the necessary support to the various communities and sectors of the population of Syria,” stressed Blinken, who called for “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance that meets international standards.”
The US sees minority rights as key for the transition in Syria
The transition process and the new government, Blinken said, must respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from becoming a base for terrorism and safely destroy chemical weapons.
Joe Biden’s Administration has celebrated the fall of Bashar Al Asad as a defeat for Iran and Russia, but fears that the struggle for power within the rebel ranks will fragment the country or that a void will be generated that will be exploited by the Islamic State, which in 2014 came to control vast areas of Syria and Iraq.
On Tuesday, rebel forces appointed Mohamed al Bashir, linked to the Islamist group Levante Liberation Agency (Hayat Tahrir al Sham or HTS, in Arabic), who led the offensive against Al Asad and which Washington considers a terrorist organization, as acting prime minister.
The United States is not considering lifting the sanctions on the HTS for now, but it is “watching” what the Islamist group does, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.
Likewise, Kirby said that the fall of the Al Asad government is an “opportunity” to gather more information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist kidnapped in 2012 while covering the Syrian war.
Prevent the conflict from escalating in Syria
The United States also expressed on Tuesday its rejection of any action that aggravates the conflict and hinders the transition in Syria, after Israel bombed several military facilities.
Asked at a press conference by the Israeli operative, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the United States will discuss this matter “privately” with Israel before giving a public opinion.
“I would say that, in general terms, of course, we do not want to see any action that hinders the process led by Syria and, ultimately, we want there to be a peaceful process, not an escalation of the conflict,” he added.
The Israeli Army estimates that it has destroyed more than 70% of the military capabilities of the already overthrown Al-Assad regime in Syria after having attacked in recent days some 320 “strategic targets” from Damascus to Tartus.
Targets destroyed in the attacks include Syrian air defense systems, missile depots, drones, helicopters, fighter jets, tanks, radars and warships.
International
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.
The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.
An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.
Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.
Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.
Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.
Internacionales
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.
In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.
Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
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
-
International4 days agoColombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International5 days agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International3 days agoConclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International5 days agoKing Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
International3 days agoSpain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International3 days agoMexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International3 days agoMadrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International2 days agoVatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International2 days agoKristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
-
Internacionales15 hours agoClashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
-
International15 hours agoMan arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka