International
140: this is the number of countries that recognize the Palestinian state
About 140 countries of the 193 countries that are part of the United Nations (UN) have recognized the Palestinian State and of them eight belong to the European Union (EU), although only Sweden and Cyprus did so after entering it.
Sweden was the last country in the European Union to recognize the Palestinian State, on October 30, 2014.
Three years earlier, on January 30, 2011, it had been done by Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004.
The recognition by Sweden in 2014 opened the debate between the EU member states and several legislative chambers approved resolutions to urge their governments to officially recognize Palestine as a state, including the British parliament, the Irish Senate, the Congress of Deputies in Spain or the French Assembly.
On December 17, 2014, the European Parliament (EP) joined the recognition of Palestine, by supporting a joint resolution of the majority political groups that won 498 votes in favor, 111 against and 88 abstentions.
The other six EU countries that have recognized the Palestinian State are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania.
They all did it days after, on November 15, 1988, the Palestinian National Council proclaimed in Algiers the establishment of the state of Palestine, while accepting UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, which meant recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
Six of those countries then belonged to the Soviet bloc, including the Czech Republic and Slovakia, then united in a single country, Czechoslovakia.
In the year following its proclamation, the Palestinian State was recognized by ninety countries and in 1995 the number already exceeded one hundred.
Cuba, then also a Soviet ally, and Nicaragua were the first Latin American countries to recognize Palestine as a state, in 1988. Currently, 24 Latin American countries recognize it, all except Mexico and Panama.
The last to do so was Colombia, on August 8, 2018.
The Bahamas, on May 8, was the last country to formally recognize Palestine as a State and its right to “self-determination.” Shortly before, Trinidad and Tobago (May 3), Jamaica (April 24) and Barbados (April 21) had done it.
Among those who do not recognize the Palestinian state, in addition to countries of the European Union such as Germany, France or Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom or Australia stand out.
International
HMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
The rate of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, which is similar to the flu, in northern China is decreasing, a health official said on Sunday, amid international concern about a potential pandemic.
HMPV, which belongs to the same family as the human respiratory syncytial virus, causes symptoms similar to the flu or a cold, such as fever, cough, and nasal congestion. Symptoms often resolve on their own, although they can lead to lower respiratory tract infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
“Human metapneumovirus is not a new virus and has been with humans for at least several decades,” said Wang Liping, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during a press conference by the National Health Commission of China.
Wang added that the recent increase in cases of the virus, first detected in the Netherlands in 2001, is due to better detection methods.
International
Elon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
Rescuers are working to contain the wildfires in Los Angeles, where the death toll stands at least 24. Amid the tragedy, billionaire Elon Musk announced the deployment of Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to help the victims.
“We’re going to place Cybertrucks with Starlinks and free WiFi in a grid pattern in the areas that need it most in the Los Angeles/Malibu metropolitan area,” Musk posted on X.
“Security personnel will also be added to the vehicle, along with snacks and drinks for passersby,” he explained.
The Cybertrucks being used are scheduled deliveries, so Musk apologized in advance.
“We apologize to those awaiting Cybertruck deliveries in California over the next few days. We need to use those trucks as mobile base stations to provide power to Starlink internet terminals in Los Angeles areas without connectivity. A new truck will be delivered by the end of the week,” he stated.
International
Trump announces creation of external revenue service to collect foreign tariffs
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the creation of a body to “collect tariffs, duties, and all revenue from foreign sources,” comparing it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which collects taxes from Americans.
“We will begin charging those who profit at our expense through trade, and they will finally start paying what they owe,” Trump said in a message on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He indicated that the new body, to be called the External Revenue Service, will begin operations on January 20, the day Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. and when he is expected to make the first decisions of his second term.
The Republican also criticized “soft and pathetically weak trade deals” that have been in place until now.
“The U.S. economy has provided growth and prosperity to the world while we taxed ourselves,” he stated.
Trump has been insisting on raising tariffs for months and has even declared that “tariff” is, for him, “the most beautiful word in the dictionary.”
HMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
Elon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
President Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
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
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
International5 days agoOAS chief calls for strengthening democracy in the region amid Venezuela’s crisis
-
International5 days agoMaría Corina Machado urges Edmundo González Urrutia not to return to Venezuela for his safety
-
International5 days agoCanada imposes sanctions on 14 venezuelan officials for human rights violations
-
International2 days agoVenezuela’s Interior Ministry confirms arrest of María Corina Machado’s driver
-
International5 days agoJudge declares Donald Trump not guilty in Stormy Daniels case
-
International3 days agoThe Sudanese Army takes a Khartum neighborhood in an offensive to recover the capital
-
International4 days agoAt least 20 injured in tram collision at Strasbourg Train Station tunnel
-
International2 days ago12 dead after jade mine collapse in Northern Myanmar
-
International2 days agoÁlvaro Uribe calls for international military intervention to oust Maduro
-
International2 days agoMigrants in Ciudad Juárez brave subzero temperatures with donations of warm clothing
-
Central America18 hours agoPresident Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
-
International3 days agoThe German far-right approves an electoral program with promises of “remigration” and exit from the euro
-
International3 days ago
Nicolás Maduro says that “the truth has triumphed” in Venezuela and begins a “new stage”
-
International3 days agoThe head of Defense of Venezuela: FF.AA. does not break with sanctions or reward blackmail
-
International3 days agoSpaceX postpones the seventh test of its powerful Starship rocket for Wednesday
-
International18 hours agoACLU prepares for “worst-case scenario” on immigration under incoming Trump administration
-
International18 hours agoTrump announces creation of external revenue service to collect foreign tariffs
-
International4 days agoDelta Airlines cancels 1,100 flights amid winter storm chaos
-
International18 hours agoElon Musk sends Cybertrucks with Starlink and supplies to assist Los Angeles wildfire victims
-
International18 hours agoHMPV infection rate declining in Northern China, health official reports
-
International3 days agoTrump describes politicians in charge of the fires in Los Angeles as “incompetent”