Connect with us

International

The British monarchy wades the crisis after the operation of the Princess of Wales

The British monarchy is still immersed in a worrying crisis of public confidence after the controversy over the edited photo of the Princess of Wales, two months after her mysterious “abdominal surgery” that has given rise to all kinds of conjectures by the media.

The princes of Wales, William and Catherine, two of the most beloved members of royalty in this country, have become in the last days a focus of questions after a difficult week for the institution.

The Financial Times (FT) recalls today that since the princess’ hospitalization in January and since she was removed from public life, speculation has varied, raising all kinds of theories “that go from being in a coma to having undergone a facial stretch or is divorcing,” among others.

This newspaper also raises another interesting debate of what he calls the “Kate Gate”, the one that surrounds the reconciliation on its public and private role: “Being exposed is what has kept the monarchy for centuries. If someone disappears for too long, the citizens take their revenge,” he says.

He also notes that Catalina’s paradox is that she “suffers in part because of her popularity” and she sums that the “obsession with her private life” could be due to the fact that the number of members who actively work for the institution has been reduced “accidentally” with the cancellation of commitments by William to take care of his children, after the departure of the Dukes of Sussex to California (United States) and with Prince Andrew at disgrace.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

Although the media tsunami has declined in the United Kingdom, the firstborn of Carlos III and his wife are still analyzed with a magnifying glass for their way of managing the dissemination on March 10 – Mother’s Day in this country – in their X account of an image of Catalina and her three children that she later confessed that she had retouched.

Several international graphic agencies took the unusual decision to remove the photo from their services when she realized that it had been manipulated, which forced the princess to publicly admit that she herself had edited it by “experimenting as an amateur photographer” and apologizing for it.

Given the opacity that surrounds Catalina’s state of health since her operation on January 16, the image, in which she was seen sitting with her children very smiling, aroused great public expectation.

In the photo, some slight inconsistencies could be noticed in the line of Princess Carlota’s cuff, the print of Luis’s sweater and other blurred contours.

“Like many amateur photographers, I occasionally experiment with (photo) editing,” he wrote in X Catalina, who expressed his apologies “for any confusion” that the incident had caused.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

Despite the fact that the family tried to downplay those tweaks – probably made with editing programs or with the mobile – emphasizing the informality of the image, for many experts the incident undermines the credibility of royalty and their messages.

The episode, which has been echoed by media from all over the world, also takes on particular relevance at a time when speculations do not cease about the nature of Catalina’s ailment, of which absolutely nothing is known, except that it is not cancer and that will keep her away from her commitments until after Easter.

King Charles III, who is undergoing cancer treatment, and Camila, whose press office is different from that of the princes of Wales, have remained out of this controversy.

The controversial British presenter Piers Morgan wondered this week on his YouTube channel if the royal family “is hiding something” and insinuated – although he did not confirm – that he had heard “alarming” rumors related to the princess.

“I have been told things that, even if only half of them were true, it is quite alarming what is happening. I don’t know what to believe, nor any of us. We’re not there,” he said.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

Since the publication of the photo, local media have been attentive to the movements of royals, and documented how Prince William and Catherine left together on Monday by car from their residence in Windsor (about 40 kilometers from London).

According to the palace, William was on his way to a religious service in London’s Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day (the Commonwealth of Ancient British Territories), while his wife, who was already known not to attend, was on her way to a private appointment.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_300x250px

International

Iran Rejects Negotiations With U.S. as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Amid New Attack

Tensions remained high in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after a vessel was hit by a projectile, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that negotiations with Iran were moving forward and that the strategic maritime route could reopen as early as Tuesday.

Tehran denied that direct talks were taking place, but Trump insisted that discussions were underway and described the situation as a final opportunity for Iran to reach an agreement.

“This is the last chance they have to sign a good document,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could happen “literally tomorrow” Tuesday.

The comments came after another escalation in rhetoric from Washington. Last week, Trump threatened Iran with military strikes before unexpectedly changing course on Sunday and announcing that negotiations with Tehran would resume.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai rejected the U.S. president’s version of events, stating that Tehran was not holding negotiations with Washington.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

“At this moment, we are not negotiating with the United States. We are negotiating with Oman to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqai said.

Earlier, the Iranian official said that Tehran was close to reaching an agreement with Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz, to reopen the crucial waterway that plays a key role in global energy trade.

The maritime route has remained blocked by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities following U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Tuesday that they had launched an attack against an airport in Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed group had previously disrupted the passage of Saudi vessels through the Red Sea, an alternative route used for crude exports by the world’s largest oil producer.

The continued instability in the region has raised concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important chokepoints for international oil shipments.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow
Continue Reading

International

Lula Launches Re-Election Campaign Amid Rising Tensions With Trump

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to be officially nominated for re-election by his Workers’ Party (PT), marking the start of his campaign for a fourth presidential term.

The nomination takes place during the party’s national convention in São Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub, where around 3,000 supporters gathered to back the veteran leftist leader.

“Today I’m here because Lula’s policies changed my life and my family’s. Thanks to him, we finally own a home after eight generations without one,” said Cristiane Rosa Julho, a 51-year-old social worker attending the event dressed in the PT’s signature red.

Seeking the presidency for the seventh time in his political career, Lula is expected to face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in next year’s election.

The 45-year-old senator is the son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been jailed over his alleged role in an attempted coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 election.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

The party convention opened with videos highlighting Lula’s social initiatives and speeches by four women praising his leadership, while supporters waved PT flags and held signs reading “We Want Lula as President” and “Brazil Is Not for Sale.”

The campaign begins amid growing tensions with the United States and President Donald Trump, a close ally of the Bolsonaro family who has openly backed several conservative candidates across Latin America.

Last week, Lula warned against foreign interference, declaring, “In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”

In July, the United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. The measures followed earlier restrictions introduced in 2025, encouraged by Jair Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo Bolsonaro, in response to legal proceedings against the former president.

Lula has vowed to wage what he called a “war of truth against lies” in response to Washington’s pressure and accused Flávio Bolsonaro of undermining Brazil’s interests by allegedly helping the United States damage the country’s economy. The senator has denied the accusations.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

The Brazilian president also claims Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political landscape in an effort to prevent his re-election.

Continue Reading

International

Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration

A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.

The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.

The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.

The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.

“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.

Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_728x90px
previous arrow
next arrow

The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.

The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”

De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
20260804_vacaciones_300x250px

Trending

Central News