International

Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Israel in solidarity with Palestine

The Government of Nicaragua broke off diplomatic relations with Israel, in solidarity with Palestine and “one year after the brutal genocide that the fascist and criminal war government of Israel continues to commit against the Palestinian people.”

“In permanent solidarity with the people and Government of Palestine, with the peoples who suffer martyrdom, destruction and barbarism and in strict adherence to international law and the conventions that govern civilized relations between States and Governments of the world, the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua breaks all diplomatic relations with the fascist Government of Israel,” the Nicaraguan Executive said in a statement.

In the note, the government chaired by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo indicated that they made that decision considering, in addition, the resolution of the National Assembly of Nicaragua (Parliament), approved this Friday unanimously, “in which the continuous genocide, cruelty, extreme hatred and extermination carried out by the Government of Israel are condemned.”

The Nicaraguan Parliament asked Ortega on Friday to break off relations with the Government of Israel, which they declared “enemy of humanity.”

The request was made by the Legislature, controlled by the Sandinistas, through a declaration approved during a special session held in Managua in solidarity with the people of Palestine, “who suffer,” they said, “one of the greatest genocides perpetrated by the Zionist army of Israel,” and attended by the Nicaraguan Chancellor, Valdrack Jaentschke.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Sandinista condemnation

In the statement, the Sandinista Executive condemned “once again this genocide, occupation and permanent aggression against the life and dignity of the people of Palestine, which now extends against the people of Lebanon, and seriously threatens Syria, Yemen and Iran, endangering the peace and security of the region and the world.”

Likewise, the Nicaraguan Government said: “We ratify once again our warm and consistent consideration to the dear families of the Israeli people, who deserve our affection, support and solidarity, who live in difficult times as a result of the excessive brutality and hatred of the Government of Israel.”

A year ago, the Government of Daniel Ortega declared itself “always in solidarity with the Palestinian cause” and condemned the “aggravation” of the “terrible” Israel-Palestine conflict.

International

Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting on Middle East Crisis

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned the “military escalation in the Middle East” following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, just hours before an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

“I call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,” Guterres said in a statement.

The Security Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday at 21:00 GMT (4:00 p.m. in New York) to address “the situation in the Middle East,” the United Nations announced.

The meeting, during which Guterres will deliver remarks, was convened at the request of France, Bahrain, Colombia, Russia and China, according to a diplomatic source.

International

Trump Floats “Friendly Takeover” of Cuba Amid Rising Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is considering what he described as a “friendly takeover” of Cuba, as Washington continues to increase pressure on the island’s communist government.

“The Cuban government is talking to us and they have very serious problems, as you know. They have no money, they have nothing at this moment, but they are talking to us and maybe we will see a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Texas.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba needed a “radical change,” shortly after Washington eased restrictions on oil exports to the island for what officials described as “humanitarian reasons,” amid a deep economic crisis.

The United States has imposed an energy blockade on Cuba since January, citing what it calls an “extraordinary threat” posed by the communist-run island, located roughly 150 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast of Florida, to U.S. national security.

International

Argentina’s Senate Reviews Milei-Backed Labor Overhaul

Argentina’s Senate on Friday began reviewing the Labor Modernization Law promoted by the administration of President Javier Milei, a proposal that would significantly reshape labor rules across the country.

The upper chamber opened its final discussion of the contentious initiative, which revises the method used to calculate severance payments — lowering the amounts owed in dismissal cases — and introduces an “hour bank” mechanism that allows overtime to be offset with paid leave rather than extra wages.

The legislation also broadens the classification of essential services, a change that would place new limits on the right to strike in designated sectors.

The bill was initially approved by the Senate on February 11 and then moved to the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers passed it with amendments. It has now returned to the Senate for definitive approval.

Outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires, workers, trade unions and left-wing organizations staged demonstrations beginning at midday. The gathering later thinned out amid reports of disturbances and a strong police presence. Security forces had secured the area surrounding the legislature since early morning hours.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Union leaders contend that the reform weakens labor protections, while many business representatives back the measure but stress that sustainable formal employment will require economic expansion, improved credit conditions, greater investment and a more dynamic domestic market.