International
UN peacekeepers denounce that Israeli soldiers shot at an UNFI post
The UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNFINUL) denounced this Friday that on October 22 a group of Israeli soldiers “shot” at a blue helmet observation post in the village of Dhayra, in southern Lebanon.
In a statement, UNFIN denounced that while Israeli soldiers were carrying out “operations to clean up homes near their post in Dhayra, they targeted the position of UN troops, who had to retreat “to prevent them from being shot.”
The UN mission denounced that the Israeli Army “has repeatedly demanded that UNFINUL vacate its positions along the Blue Line,” the dividing line between Lebanon and Israel and where the blue helmets are highlighted to monitor the border strip.
He also repeated that Israel “has deliberately damaged camera, lighting and communications equipment in some of those positions,” while insisting that, “despite the pressure exerted on the mission” the FIUL troops “continue to be in their posts and fulfilling their task.”
Subsequently, the UN mission said in another statement that on October 23 “a medical center in a FINUL position in Beit Leif was hit by a projectile or rocket of unknown origin, which caused damage to the buildings.”
Incidents “of unknown origin”
In addition, he listed a series of incidents “of unknown origin” in which “no member of the peace forces was injured.”
Since the beginning of the land invasion of Israel’s southern Lebanon, the blue helmets have observed clashes in the villages of Alma al Shaab, Aitaroun, Bint Jbeil, Hanin, Houla, Kunin, Labbouneh, Markaba, Maroun al Ras, Meiss al Jabal, Ras Naqoura and Yaroun, the note added.
“We will continue to fulfill our surveillance and information tasks,” added the mission, currently commanded by Spain, which reminded the Israeli Army and “all actors” – in reference to the Shiite group Hezbula – of their obligations to guarantee the security of United Nations personnel and property.
In addition, he insisted that “any deliberate attack against them constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and resolution 1701” of the UN Security Council, which ended the one-month war fought in 2006 between Israel and Hezbulah.
On October 20, FINUL again accused Israel of “deliberately” demolishing an observation tower and the perimeter fence of one of its positions in the south of the country, on the border with Israel, actions that have been repeated since the Israeli Army began its land invasion at the beginning of the month.
International
Ten Bodies Found in Mexico’s Zacatecas State Amid Security Operation
Mexican authorities discovered the bodies of 10 people on Saturday in the central state of Zacatecas, a region that was heavily affected by organized crime violence just a few years ago.
The victims were found in different municipalities across the state, which experienced a surge in violence between 2021 and 2022 as rival criminal groups fought for control of key drug trafficking routes.
Rodrigo Reyes, secretary general of the Zacatecas state government, said on social media that the bodies were located in the municipalities of Morelos, Pánuco, and Sain Alto.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the causes of death or identified those responsible for the killings.
Reyes said security forces have launched a coordinated operation to locate those behind the crimes and strengthen the police presence in the affected areas as the investigation continues.
International
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
The United States has announced new limits on the legal length of stay for foreign students and journalists, marking the latest tightening of immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
The changes, outlined in an administrative rule published on Thursday, are expected to take effect in September, unless Congress blocks the measure.
Under the new policy, holders of student visas will be allowed to remain in the United States for no more than four years.
Foreign journalists will be limited to 240-day stays—approximately eight months—with the possibility of applying for extensions of the same duration.
The policy imposes even stricter rules on Chinese journalists, whose visas will be capped at 90 days.
More than 100 international news organizations and press freedom groups, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), criticized the measure in an open letter, arguing that it would reduce both the quantity and quality of international coverage of events in the United States.
The Republican Party, led by President Trump, currently holds a majority in Congress and has pledged to curb both illegal immigration and certain forms of legal immigration.
Previously, the United States generally issued student visas for the full duration of an academic program, while foreign journalists could receive visas valid for up to five years.
Central America
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
The Nicaraguan government announced on Thursday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Italy following criticism from the Italian government over Nicaragua’s long-standing decision to shelter Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades convicted in Italy for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the administration of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo on Wednesday for continuing to provide refuge to Casimirri, who was sentenced in Italy to six life terms for his role in Moro’s abduction and killing.
In a statement issued Thursday, Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said it was ending all diplomatic relations with Italy, describing Tajani’s remarks as “unjustified, aggressive, and irresponsible.”
Tajani made the comments during a gathering of conservative leaders from Europe and Latin America held in Madrid.
“We have absolutely nothing in common with the positions of extremist governments such as Nicaragua, a country that continues to harbor dangerous Red Brigades terrorists like Alessio Casimirri,” Tajani said, according to Italian media.
The diplomatic break marks a new escalation in tensions between the two countries over the decades-old case involving Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years despite repeated calls from Italy for his extradition.
Ten Bodies Found in Mexico’s Zacatecas State Amid Security Operation
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
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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