International
Xi Jinping encourages Latin American and Caribbean countries to reject “external interference”
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared on Tuesday his “support” for Latin American and Caribbean countries to “refuse external interference” and “to follow a path of development according to their national conditions.”
“China supports the nations of the region to defend their national sovereignty and independence,” the president said during his opening speech at the IV China-Celac Meeting of Ministers.
The meeting in Beijing is attended by foreign ministers and representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and, in an unprecedented way, the presidents of Brazil, Chile and Colombia, the latter country that exercises the rotating presidency of the bloc.
According to the Chinese leader, his country and those of Latin America and the Caribbean are “important members of the Global South” and that they must “remain united in the face of growing geopolitical tensions, confrontations between blocs” and the “growing currents of unilateralism and protectionism”.
“We will work with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to firmly safeguard the international system and speak with one voice in international and regional affairs,” he stressed.
“Development and revitalization are our inherent rights, and equity and justice are our common aspirations” in the face of “geopolitical turbulence and confrontation,” said Xi, who highlighted the joint work “to practice true multilateralism, safeguarding equity and international justice and promote the reform of the global governance system to promote multipolarity.”
The president recalled that last year the trade volume between China and the region exceeded 500 billion dollars for the first time and said that his country wants to continue developing mutual support with Latin America and the Caribbean on issues that affect their “main interests and concerns”.
Thus, he said that his country will provide credits to the region worth 9 billion dollars and will strengthen cooperation in security and law enforcement.
“We must strengthen exchanges in the various areas and strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues of importance,” said Xi, who announced that in the next three years Beijing will annually invite 300 leaders of political parties from the CELAC member countries to visit China to “exchange experiences on governance”.
After the inauguration, Xi will offer a lunch to the attendees, which will be followed by the plenary session of the meeting, which will be held behind closed doors and will end with the adoption of a joint statement.
The main topics of the meeting will be ‘Electrical Interconnection and Renewable Energies’ and ‘Trade Integration’, two headings that align with two key objectives of China in Latin America: to promote its New Silk Roads (BRI) initiative and ensure access to valuable natural resources in the region such as lithium, rare earths, oil or copper.
The Chinese president declared that “intimidating and arrogant practices only serve to isolate himself” in his first statements after the tariff reduction agreement reached between his country and the United States to stop the trade war.
Xi insisted during his inaugural speech at the IV Ministerial Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that “there are no winners in a trade war”, a day after Washington and Beijing announced a truce that includes the reduction to 30% and 10% of the levies.
“Faced with a situation of multiple intertwined risks, only through solidarity and cooperation can peace and global stability be protected,” said the Chinese president in the presence of the presidents of Brazil, Chile and Colombia, who attend the meeting.
The statements come after China and the United States closed an agreement in Switzerland to reduce their mutual tariffs by 115% for 90 days, a step seen as the beginning of a process to repair their trade differences.
The United States agreed to reduce its tariffs for Chinese products from 145% to 30%, while China agreed to lower them to 10% compared to the 125% that was in force.
This reduction will come into force next Wednesday, May 14, and in principle for a period of 90 days, in which both countries will try to resolve other outstanding issues of their economic and trade relations.
Likewise, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the relationship with China is “very good” and assured that he would talk to his counterpart Xi, “perhaps at the end of the week.”
International
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
More than 70 million people remained under heat alerts Monday as an intense heat wave continued across the southern United States, particularly Florida and states along the Mexican border, where temperatures and heat indexes could reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Several cities recorded or tied temperature records over the weekend and into Monday, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Laredo, Borger and Austin’s airport in Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Memphis, Tennessee.
The NWS warned that the heat wave will continue affecting the southern and southeastern United States, with maximum temperatures expected to remain near 38°C to 40°C for several days. The heat index, which combines temperature and humidity to estimate how hot conditions feel, could reach 46°C.
The extreme heat is also spreading into the Southwest, where temperatures began rising again between Monday and Tuesday. Forecast highs in the region range from about 38°C to 43°C.
Heat alerts remain in effect across Nevada, Arizona and California, including areas in southern Arizona and California near the Mexican border, as authorities warn of the risks posed by prolonged extreme temperatures.
The NWS urged residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated, ensure access to air conditioning or cooling centers, and check on vulnerable friends, neighbors and family members.
The United States is experiencing a summer marked by above-average temperatures and repeated heat waves. One of the most intense episodes occurred during the July 4 weekend, when extreme heat was blamed for roughly 30 deaths.
July was the hottest month ever recorded in the United States since measurements began, with the average temperature across the contiguous country approaching 25°C, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The combination of extreme heat and drought conditions has also fueled wildfires. Nearly 3 million hectares have burned across the country so far in 2026, making it the largest area affected by wildfires in a decade.
International
Trump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated Monday that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, as a 60-day deadline set under a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran expired without an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East.
“The number one goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way or under any circumstances, a nuclear weapon,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The memorandum, signed on June 17, called for an “immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts” as part of a broader negotiation process aimed at ending the conflict. However, the deadline expired Monday without a peace agreement, while both Washington and Tehran continued to maintain their respective positions.
The expiration is largely symbolic, as military clashes resumed during the 60-day period. The Strait of Hormuz also remains blocked, contributing to elevated global oil prices.
Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Tehran last Friday, saying he planned to declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory after defeating Iran.
“After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, very soon I will essentially declare the Strait of Hormuz U.S. territory,” Trump said during a political rally in Long Island, New York. He also claimed that the United States currently controls the passage of vessels through the strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is preparing additional economic measures against Iran that he described as unprecedented.
“Stay tuned for new announcements next week because we are going to implement measures unlike anything ever seen in the history of the economic isolation of a country,” Bessent said.
The Treasury secretary indicated that the measures would form part of a broader “double hit” strategy that could also involve maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports.
International
Brazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
Public security took center stage Sunday as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro formally launched their election campaigns, positioning themselves as the leading rivals ahead of the October presidential vote.
Lula, who leads most opinion polls, kicked off his campaign at the Vila Euclides stadium in São Bernardo do Campo, in São Paulo state, while Bolsonaro held his event in Rio de Janeiro, a political stronghold of his family.
During his speech, Lula announced plans to create a new Ministry of Public Security aimed at strengthening coordination between the federal government and Brazil’s states in the fight against crime.
The president pledged a tougher strategy to reclaim territories controlled or influenced by criminal groups. The proposed ministry would help “share responsibilities with the states” and confront those who seek to control favelas and impoverished neighborhoods, Lula told supporters.
The initiative places public security at the heart of Lula’s campaign as he seeks another term in office amid persistent concerns over crime and organized criminal activity in Brazil.
Lula also used his first campaign speech to reinforce his position as a leading figure of Brazil’s left and to criticize his political opponents on the right.
“I will not allow the right to take power,” Lula said, accusing his opponents of having previously mocked children who died because they lacked access to medicine.
“I don’t know what future these people imagine for the Brazilian people,” he added.
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
Trump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
Brazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Representative Confirms
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
ICE Plan to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves Raises Abuse Concerns
Three U.S. Executions Set for Same Day as Trump Pushes to Expand Death Penalty
Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 265 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time
Actress Hayden Panettiere Dies at 36, Representative Confirms
Three U.S. Executions Set for Same Day as Trump Pushes to Expand Death Penalty
Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 265 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time
Trump warns Iran over nuclear ambitions as U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline passes
Heat wave puts more than 70 million Americans under alerts as temperatures near 46°C
ICE Plan to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves Raises Abuse Concerns
Brazil’s Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro kick off election campaigns amid focus on crime
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
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