International
Simon Harris confirms his candidacy for Irish Prime Minister, without other candidates
The Irish Minister of Higher Education, Simon Harris, announced on Thursday his candidacy for the position of leader of the Christian Democratic party Fine Gael and Prime Minister, after the resignation of Leo Varadkar.
In the absence of other applicants and after already receiving the support of more than half of his parliamentary group, Harris, 37, will be confirmed on Monday as leader of the formation, as a step prior to assuming the head of the Government after Easter.
The next ‘taoiseach’ (prime minister) has previously occupied the Health and Interior portfolios, the latter during a maternity leave of the current holder, Helen McEntee, who today refused to dispute the charges.
In making the announcement, Harris declared himself “honored” for receiving the support of “so many” co-religionists during the last 24 hours, while thanking the leadership shown by Varadkar during his seven years at the head of the party and in two stages as prime minister.
“Leo has guided our party and our country during very difficult times, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent rise in the cost of living,” the conservative leader explained in an interview with the public broadcaster RTE.
The deadline for submitting candidacies for the leadership of Fine Gael began this Thursday and will end on Monday, although no last-minute announcement is expected, so Harris will be confirmed in office on April 5, on the eve of the party’s annual conference.
The Dáil (lower house) will meet again after the Easter holidays and the investiture session is scheduled to be held then.
Harris pledged to hold his future positions with “energy and enthusiasm,” to which he hopes to contribute, he said, with his own “life experiences”
“I want to work with my colleagues, I want to listen, I really want to reconnect with our party throughout the country,” he added.
Varadkar announced his resignation on Wednesday by surprise, two weeks after the unexpected defeat of the Executive’s proposal in two referendums aimed at modernizing the concept of family and the role of women in society.
The conservative leader, 45 years old, took the reins of the Government in December 2022, after two years as deputy prime minister in the coalition Executive with the centrists of the Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
International
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
At least 23 people were killed and 11 others injured in an explosion at a supermarket in Hermosillo, in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, local authorities reported on Saturday.
“So far, there are 23 confirmed deaths and 11 injured, including minors,” said Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo in a video message. He added that the injured are receiving treatment in various hospitals across the city.
“I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the causes of the incident and assign responsibility where appropriate,” Durazo said.
The explosion occurred at a Waldo’s store in downtown Hermosillo. Local authorities confirmed that the incident was not an attack nor related to any violent act against civilians.
Meanwhile, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences on X, offering sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
International
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam has risen to 28, with six people reported missing and 43 injured, local newspaper VnExpress reported Friday night.
More than 22,100 homes remain flooded, primarily in the cities of Hue and Da Nang. Floods and landslides have destroyed or swept away 91 houses and damaged another 181, the report added.
Around 245,000 households are still without electricity, particularly in Da Nang, where over 225,000 homes are affected.
Additionally, 80 stretches of national highways are blocked or disrupted due to landslides. Authorities expect the flooding to continue for another day or two in the region.
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
At least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
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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