International
President Abinader: border with Haiti will remain closed
September 18 |
The president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, announced Sunday that the border with Haiti will remain closed, while stating that the situation on the dividing line is under control and that there is no threat to the development of the daily activities of Dominicans.
In a message to the nation, the president affirmed that “peace and security (…) are guaranteed”. He noted that this Monday he will travel to New York City for debates at the United Nations General Assembly, an occasion he will use to continue to raise awareness among the international community to assist the neighboring nation.
He explained that in August 2018, Haitian citizens began to unilaterally, unconsultedly and illegally build an irrigation canal supplied by waters from the Masacre (or Dajabón) River, with the purpose of irrigating large plantations and selling water to small producers.
He said that the Dominican Chancellery demanded in May 2021 to paralyze the work, which occurred after the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse (July of that year), but that its construction was restarted weeks ago, “promoted by the same agents provocateurs as always”, he said.
He warned that such a work could lead to “an escalation of constructions that would destroy the river”, for which reason his government took measures to guarantee security, care for the environment, agricultural production and respect for the interests and rights of the population.
He detailed that several measures have been taken to force the stoppage of the work, such as the suspension of the delivery of visas, the prohibition of entry to the country of the promoters of the project, the closing of the borders and the increase of the military presence in the dividing line, among others.
He stated that in view of this serious situation, “we have understood the need to give a forceful response in legitimate defense against the uncontrollable groups that do not obey the Haitian constitutional order nor recognize the bilateral agreements that govern the border relations between both nations”, for which reason the measures adopted by his country will be maintained as long as necessary.
If there are uncontrollables in Haiti, they will not be uncontrollable for the interests of the Dominican government, he said, although he made it clear that his country does not want a confrontation and that both seek to live in peace.
He said that the Haitian people are suffering the consequences of the instability and insecurity generated by what he called insurgent groups. He added that these groups control a large part of the country, do not recognize his government and are causing a serious institutional crisis, which is resulting in an unsustainable political and economic situation.
He stressed that “Haiti’s problem is no longer in Haiti, it is in the hands of the international community”, and that “there is no Dominican solution to the Haitian problem”.
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 agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International3 days agoColombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International4 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 agoConclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International3 days agoMadrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International1 day agoVatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International1 day agoKristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
-
Internacionales37 mins agoClashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
-
International32 mins agoMan arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka