International
Seoul, Tokyo and Washington condemn “in the most energetic terms” the Pyongyang-Moscow pact
South Korea, Japan and the United States published a statement on Monday in which they “condemn in the most vigorous terms possible” the recent agreement between North Korea and Russia, which deepens their military cooperation and can increase the supply of weapons from Pyongyang to Moscow for use in Ukraine.
The text, published by the South Korean Foreign Ministry, places special emphasis on “the continuous transfers of weapons from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (official name of North Korea) to Russia that prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violate multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions and threaten stability in both Northeast Asia and Europe.”
The statement adds that the Pyongyang-Moscow rapprochement “should be a cause for serious concern for anyone who has an interest in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, defending the global non-proliferation regime and supporting the people of Ukraine in their defense of their freedom and independence against Russia’s brutal aggression.”
The so-called “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement”, which includes a clause of mutual military assistance in case of aggression against its territories, was signed last week coinciding with the visit to Pyongyang of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who signed the pact together with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.
The agreement, which both Moscow and Pyongyang say complies with international law, could also involve the shipment of Russian technology to North Korea, according to some experts.
“The United States, the Republic of Korea (official name of South Korea) and Japan reaffirm their intention to further strengthen their diplomatic and security cooperation to counter the threats posed by the DPRK to regional and global security and prevent an escalation of the situation,” adds the joint statement published today.
The announcement concludes that the US commitment to the defense of its two allies “remains firm” and that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo “reaffirm that the path of dialogue remains open and urge the DPRK to cease new provocations and return to negotiations.”
After the failure of the dialogue on denuclearization in 2019, Pyongyang has opted to turn its back on new proposals to negotiate, to modernize its armaments, to rule out peaceful reunification with the South and to strengthen its rapprochement with Putin’s Russia, especially after the invasion of Ukraine.
International
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
German authorities announced Monday that they are investigating more than 100 additional cases involving a nurse who was sentenced to life in prison in November for the murder of 10 patients.
The man, who was 44 at the time of his conviction, worked in palliative care at a hospital in Würselen, near Aachen. He was also found guilty of 27 attempted murders.
Aachen prosecutors are now examining 121 new cases, a spokesperson for the office said.
Prosecutors leading the investigation are preparing a new indictment that could be filed next year. Nearly 40 bodies have so far been exhumed as part of the investigation, which covers alleged incidents dating back to September 2022.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in the city of Cologne are investigating 18 additional cases. According to a spokesperson, the oldest case dates back to 2010.
Before working at the Würselen hospital, the nurse is believed to have worked at a clinic in eastern Cologne, according to local media reports.
At the time of his November conviction, the court ruled that the severity of his crimes was particularly serious, a finding that would make it difficult for him to obtain early release after 15 years in prison.
Between December 2023 and May 2024, the nurse administered overdoses of sedatives or painkillers to terminally ill patients, most of them elderly, according to the indictment in the original case.
His alleged motive was to sedate patients who required care so that he could minimize his workload during night shifts, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, the nurse worked «without enthusiasm» and «without motivation». When faced with patients requiring extensive care, he allegedly became «irritated» and showed a lack of empathy.
The case has revived painful memories in Germany of Niels Högel, a former nurse and serial killer who was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2019 for the murders of at least 85 patients.
International
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 6,301, while relatives continue searching for missing people among the rubble of collapsed buildings, parliamentary leader Jorge Rodríguez said Monday.
So far, the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure for the number of people missing after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which caused around 190 buildings to collapse, most of them in the coastal state of La Guaira, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Caracas.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 6,125 deaths reported by Venezuelan authorities on August 3.
According to statements made to local media by La Guaira Governor José Alejandro Terán, around 1,400 people were still missing just over a week ago.
Thousands of homes remain at risk
In addition to buildings that completely collapsed, authorities have classified another 9,567 structures as being at «high risk». Meanwhile, 12,411 homes remain under a «restricted» classification.
As a result, many families who lived in these properties have been relocated to temporary shelters or have sought accommodation with relatives and friends.
Nearly 24,000 people left homeless by the disaster are currently living in camps in Caracas and La Guaira, a popular tourist destination whose economy has been severely affected by the earthquakes.
The situation sparked renewed concern among Venezuelans on Monday after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with its epicenter in Colombia, was felt across several regions of Venezuela.
The earthquake in Colombia left at least 111 people dead and dozens injured, according to preliminary figures released by authorities in that country.
International
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
The Ibero-American Business Alliance Council (CEAPI), led by its president, Núria Vilanova, participated in the inauguration ceremony of Abelardo de la Espriella as Colombia’s new president. The events were held on August 7 in Cali and brought together heads of state and institutional representatives from numerous countries.
CEAPI maintains a strong relationship with Colombia as part of its mission to serve as a meeting point between Ibero-American business leaders and the region’s main institutions and governments. The organization has more than 25 members in Colombia, including Jaime Gilinski, Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Omar González and Diego Urrea. In addition, Colombia hosted the seventh CEAPI Ibero-American Congress, held in Cartagena de Indias in 2024.
During his inauguration speech, President De la Espriella identified confidence and economic stability as key pillars of his administration and emphasized the role of private enterprise in Colombia’s future.
He also reaffirmed his intention to govern for all Colombians and strengthen institutional dialogue, while referring to Spain’s democratic transition and the leadership of former Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.
Vilanova said she has seen this commitment firsthand during meetings with members of the new government, who have expressed their willingness to work closely with business leaders and the private sector to promote economic growth.
According to CEAPI, the government is considering measures aimed at strengthening legal certainty and business confidence, encouraging investment and promoting formal employment.
For Vilanova, Colombia’s new political and economic stage represents an opportunity to demonstrate that «when the public and private sectors are aligned, they can achieve more».
«Colombia has everything it needs to make it happen. And Ibero-American business leaders are ready to support it», she said, adding that CEAPI is already working with the government to organize a future investment delegation to the country.
The organization said the planned visit would seek to strengthen business ties and identify new investment opportunities in Colombia, reinforcing the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development.
German Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
Venezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
CEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
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
-
International3 days agoColombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 22 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue
-
International4 days agoJoe Biden’s Prostate Cancer Has Spread to His Bones, Son Hunter Reveals
-
International5 days agoUS announces $1 billion security assistance package for Colombia under new government
-
International2 days agoVenezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
-
International3 days agoRecord 230 Migrants Cross English Channel to UK in Single Boat
-
International2 days agoCEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
-
International2 days agoGerman Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse