International

In 2019, Mexico’s homicide rate remained at its highest level

Yesterday, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) presented data on Mexico’s murder rates. It showed that in 2019 the homicide rate remained at its highest level. It reported 29 crimes per 100 thousand inhabitants. This data is the same registered in 2018.

According to statistics, last year 36,476 homicides were reported, said INEGI. Among the states with the highest murder rates were Guanajuato, with 3,974; Mexico City, with 3,237; Chihuahua, with 2,935; Baja California, 2,811; and Jalisco, 2,495.

Mexican President, Manuel López Obrador, could not help but break the historical record. Despite creating the National Guard, a new security body.

Homicide rate in 2009 was 18 per 100,000 inhabitants. A year later it was 23. In 2011, it rose to 24. In 2012, it dropped to 22. The following year it dropped to 19. It reached 17 in 2014 and 2015. And in 2016, it rose to 20.

International

Zelenski urges global action after russian ballistic missile strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski called on the international community Thursday to “respond” to Russia’s ballistic missile strike on Ukraine, which he said has heightened the “escalation and brutality” of the conflict.

“The world must react. So far, there has been no strong response,” Zelenski lamented in a social media statement.

“We must act. We must pressure. We must push Russia towards real peace, which is only achievable through strength,” he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Thursday that Russia had launched a new type of hypersonic ballistic missile against Ukraine in its “non-nuclear configuration.”

International

Elon Musk plans sweeping cuts to U.S. bureaucracy and spending

Elon Musk has pledged massive cuts to government programs, subsidies, and bureaucracy in his anticipated role as a “State Efficiency” leader, according to an article published Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal.

The billionaire entrepreneur plans to target hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending, including funds for public broadcasting and Planned Parenthood. Musk called government bureaucracy an “existential threat” to American democracy.

Teaming up with fellow businessman and Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk aims to streamline federal regulations and implement significant administrative and cost reductions.

“We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as external volunteers, not federal officials or employees,” Musk and Ramaswamy stated in the article.

International

Putin warns of escalation, suggests strikes on western weapon suppliers

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the conflict in Ukraine is taking on the characteristics of a “global war,” warning that Russia might target Western nations supplying Ukraine with weapons used in attacks on Russian territory.

These remarks come after a day of heightened tensions, during which Russia launched a state-of-the-art medium-range missile designed to carry a nuclear warhead. However, this particular missile was loaded with conventional explosives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile strike, calling it the action of a “deranged neighbor” using Ukraine as a “military testing ground.”

Earlier, Ukraine accused Russia of attacking the central-eastern city of Dnipro with a missile exhibiting “all the characteristics” of an intercontinental missile, an unprecedented development in the ongoing conflict.