International
Argentine president Milei to visit Israel
Argentine President Javier Milei will visit Israel in June, deliver a speech before the Knesset (Parliament), and announce the inauguration of a new direct flight between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv, Argentine Ambassador to Israel Axel Wahnish announced on Friday.
“There will be a direct Buenos Aires-Tel Aviv flight. Javier Milei will announce it during his upcoming visit to Israel. It is an honor and a pride to be part of this government,” Wahnish shared on his social media profile X.
In an interview with Argentine radio station Radio Mitre, the ambassador specified that Milei’s visit will take place between June 10 and 12 and will include an address to the Knesset, a rare occurrence for visiting international leaders in Israel.
During his visit, the far-right leader will receive the ‘Genesis’ award, also known as the ‘Jewish Nobel’, and will sign a “memorandum of freedom and democracy to combat terrorism and antisemitism” alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Milei will also give a lecture on economic policy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and announce the direct air route between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv.
According to Wahnish, the flight will be operated by Israel’s state airline El Al and has financial support from Netanyahu’s government.
The route will last between 15 and 16 hours and is expected to mark “a before and after” in bilateral relations, boosting economic, tourism, and cultural ties between the two countries, the ambassador added.
Milei’s upcoming trip will be his second visit to Israel since taking office in December 2023, following a first official visit in February 2024 when he reiterated his unfulfilled promise to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem.
Even before assuming office, Milei has positioned himself as a strong ally of Israel, which along with the United States, has been identified as one of his main foreign policy partners.
According to Argentine media, Milei’s visit to Israel will be part of a European tour including a stop in Rome to meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time.
He is also expected to travel to Nice to attend the United Nations Conference on the Oceans and hold a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
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