International

Bolivian president warns Israel-Iran conflict could trigger ‘Third World War’

Bolivian President Luis Arce warned Wednesday that the conflict between Iran and Israel could trigger a “third world war” if the involved countries do not act with awareness, adding that “it is time to reflect on what is happening worldwide.”

“We are seeing hundreds and even thousands of missiles and drones being used, and these require raw materials and production that come from our countries. This will put pressure on international prices and will also create problems for countries involved in the war,” Arce said in an interview with EFE.

The Bolivian leader stressed that it is “time to reflect” on the current global situation and warned that if the conflict between Israel and Iran “escalates further,” it could lead to a third world war with “very serious consequences.”

Arce recalled that Bolivia maintains “very good relations” with Iran, with both countries discussing technology exchange and business matters, among other topics. “We have never talked about military responses,” he emphasized.

Regarding Israel, Bolivia severed diplomatic relations in October 2023 due to Israel’s “aggressive and disproportionate military offensive in the Gaza Strip,” according to the Bolivian government.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

“That must be clear. We do not agree with the massacres happening to people, children, women, and so on. That is not right on this planet, and that is why we condemned those actions by deciding not to maintain relations with Israel,” Arce added.

He also affirmed that Bolivia has never “hidden the good relationship” it has had with Iran nor concealed its displeasure with Israel’s stance on Palestine and “the massacre of hundreds of thousands” suffering in the region.

Since the start of Israel’s military offensive against Gaza on October 7, 2023, approximately 55,500 people have died in the enclave, including over 400 at humanitarian aid distribution points, which have been managed under a militarized system enforced by Israel and run by U.S. contractors.

International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.