International
The Prime Minister of Lithuania asks by surprise for the resignation of the head of Defense
The Minister of Defense of Lithuania, Arvydas Anusauskas, announced this Saturday that he has resigned at the request of the Prime Minister, Ingrida Simonyte, just two months before the presidential elections and seven of the legislative elections, a demand that caught him by surprise in the midst of tensions with neighboring Russia.
Anusauskas himself explained this Saturday that the day before he received a “somewhat unexpected” offer from Simonyte, which was that he leave his position to another politician from next week and that he assume the presidency of a committee in the Seimas (Parliament), something he initially rejected.
After talking to the Prime Minister herself, she decided within the framework of “this difficult moment for the work of the Ministry of National Defense and the strengthening of the Army, and in a context in which threats do not decrease,” to write her letter of resignation to maintain political support for the head of the Government.
Symonite wrote on his Facebook account that the minister’s resignation “is not related to any sudden change in the Lithuanian state of national security, changes in threats or any negative news about the ministry’s activities.”
“I was worried about the expectation of making Lithuania feel safe for the rest of the mandate and that the Government would do even more and faster than it has done so far,” he explained, however.
“A lot has been done, but the remaining nine months are a short time, and this session of the Seimas is very important to make decisions in which maximum participation is required,” he added, referring to the legislative elections on October 13 in Lithuania.
In addition, the country will hold presidential elections on May 12, in which the current head of state, Gitanas Nauseda, who leads the polls with 28.5%, the highest percentage since October 2022, will be presented again.
He is followed by the lawyer and right-wing politician Ignas Vėgėlė with 13.4% and the Christian Democrat Simonyte, economist and prime minister since 2020.
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.”
International
Trump directs ICE to focus deportation efforts on democratic-led states
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to prioritize raids, deportations, and immigration enforcement in states governed by the Democratic Party, according to the news outlet Univision.
The U.S. president posted on his social media channels directing agents to “do everything possible to achieve the very important goal of delivering the largest mass deportation program in history,” the report said.
Trump further explained that efforts should be expanded to apprehend and deport illegal immigrants in the largest U.S. cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where millions of undocumented immigrants reside.
Previously, Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, informally stated that the agency aims to arrest 3,000 immigrants per day. He also demanded that agents actively seek out and detain undocumented immigrants, according to the American media outlet.
In recent weeks, ICE operations have faced criticism for the use of masked agents who do not identify themselves or present warrants during arrests.
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Trump directs ICE to focus deportation efforts on democratic-led states
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
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