International
Bolivian government declares war against illegal mining
July 18 |
Bolivia’s Minister of Health, María Renée Castro, in coordination with the Ministry of Mining and the Ministry of Environment and Water, presented on Monday a national plan with actions aimed at protecting the health of the population from the use of mercury in illegal mining.
The minister revealed that, as part of these actions, a Mercury and Health Plan was implemented, still in draft stage, designed in coordination with toxicology specialists of the Andean country, in addition to the help of representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
“As a national government we have a very important task that has also been an instruction from our president (Luis Arce) which has been to work for the life and health of our population,” said Minister Castro.
In another moment of her speech, she stated that “In that sense, it also has to do with the issue of mercury and the effect it has on the health of our people, especially those who live near these places where there is mining exploitation”.
Likewise, the Health Minister stated that the greatest contamination with mercury is that which is carried out through illegal mining. “That is why we are fighting against illegal mining, which has catastrophic effects on the population and the lives of our people, our environment and animals,” she emphasized.
The official stressed that unprotected interaction with mercury can cause negative effects on the development of children, pregnant women and the renal system of individuals who are in close proximity to illegal mining activities.
It also transpired that a Technical Guide for the Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment and Surveillance of Mercury Poisoning in Bolivia is being drafted, which will be revised in the next few days to be ready in August as expected.
The general objective of this Plan is to establish strategic lines for the orientation of health and medical assistance actions to achieve the reduction of the risks and harmful effects of mercury exposure in the Bolivian population.
Among its strategic lines are the evaluation and management of risk in the exposed population, the strengthening of the health system for the care of this population, risk communication, education, reduction, elimination and management of products with mercury and, finally, the management of the regulatory framework for chemical substances.
According to Minister Castro, “an inter-ministerial round table will be established to analyze this important problem that today is affecting the health of our women, pregnant women, children in the womb, adults and is also strongly affecting our biodiversity,” she said.
Finally, he informed that in the next few days interventions will be undertaken in the departments of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz to gather information in more than 36 communities, to attend to their inhabitants with medical brigades specialized in the treatment of the ailments caused by mercury exposure.
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
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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