International
For the Government of Argentina, the scandal over the $LIBRA case is a “finished topic”
The Argentine Chief of Staff, Guillermo Francos, said on Wednesday that the scandal over the ‘cryptophysi’ of President Javier Milei’s $LIBRA is a “finished issue” for the Government and that he doubts the international impact it may have on the Argentine economy.
“For us it is a topic that is finished. I think the investigations will say later where the mistake occurred or as a result of what and the Justice to investigate what it has to investigate. In political terms, it’s over for us,” Francos said in statements to Radio Rivadavia.
In addition, he said that “it is an episode that internationally will not have an impact” and anticipated that “everything will continue in the positive lanes that the Argentine economy had been following.”
The Chief of Staff described the episode, for which Milei spread on Friday the launch of a cryptocurrency that shortly after collapsed, as an “incident” and emphasized that the repercussions that the government expects are at the level of domestic politics, in Congress.
In parallel with the more than a hundred complaints filed before the Justice by affected investors, from the Union for the Fatherland (Peronism) party they confirmed to EFE that this Wednesday it will present in the Chamber of Deputies a request to form a special commission to investigate the participation of the president in the $LIBRA case, which could later lead to impeachment.
Francos also referred today to the intervention of an advisor to Milei during an interview with the president on the TN television channel on Monday, which was initially edited but then spread on social networks, and commented that there was a “lack of criteria” of the presidential advisor Santiago Caputo when interrupting the dialogue while Milei talked about the possible judicial implications of the case.
“The President got angry with Santiago Caputo, because it seemed irresponsible to him that, without any prior agreement with the host of the program, he interrupted a stupidity. I think he must have learned a lesson, right? That no one is super powerful. All things have their limits and the president has marked it,” Francos said.
Since Friday, the Argentine Government has been experiencing one of its biggest political crises since the assumption of Milei in December 2023, after a publication by the president in support of the launch of the cryptocurrency $LIBRA, which according to him would finance startups and small businesses in Argentina.
The currency skyrocketed and inflated its price until the majority investors withdrew profits of 87.4 million dollars. This generated the collapse of his value and, before the first accusations of fraud, Milei deleted his publication.
The president said he had acted “in good faith”, emphasized that he spread the cryptocurrency, but did not promote it, and refused to take responsibility for the victims.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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