International
Police raid leaves 11 dead in Rio favela: Brazil authorities
AFP
A police raid in a Rio favela early Tuesday left 11 people dead, authorities in the Brazilian city said.
Military police said they came under gun fire as they planned to enter a slum called Vila Cruzeiro in the north of the city with the mission of locating and arresting “criminal leaders.”
In the ensuing gunbattle 10 alleged criminals died, as did a female resident of the favela who was hit by a stray bullet.
Police often carry out raids in Rio’s teeming slums to fight drug trafficking.
They said that this time they were looking for gang leaders hiding out in Vila Cruzeiro that were from other parts of Brazil.
This was the deadliest police raid in a year in Rio.
Last May a police raid in a favela called Jacarezinho left 28 people dead including a police officer. It was the largest such toll in the city’s history.
The news website G1 said Tuesday’s raid targetted the Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, one of Brazil’s most powerful crime gangs.
Police said there were gunbattles in high-ground areas of the favela itself and in wooded grounds surrounding it.
Police seized seven assault riles, five pistols, 10 motorcycles and six cars in Tuesday’s operation.
International
Protests persist in Uruapan after mayor’s assassination as citizens demand justice
Five days after the assassination of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan in the western state of Michoacán, and following the appointment of his widow, Grecia Quiroz, as interim mayor, hundreds of people continue protesting for the third consecutive day demanding justice.
On Wednesday, around 200 vehicles belonging to transport associations and business owners blocked roads in central Uruapan and several major avenues across the city.
Meanwhile, in Morelia, the state capital, two university marches were scheduled. Demonstrations since Monday have been marked by clashes, police response, and protesters forcing their way into the Michoacán Government Palace.
About 200 kilometers away, in the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas, another demonstration was called for 6:00 p.m. local time, in which the Association of Producers and Exporting Packers of Avocado of Mexico (APEAM) announced it would join the demand for greater security.
Total Shutdown Planned in Uruapan
Local business chambers and organizations in Uruapan have called for a “total shutdown of activities” this Friday, the 7th, at 10:00 a.m. (16:00 GMT). They are urging residents to place a black ribbon at the entrance of their homes or businesses as a sign of mourning.
The groups plan to march wearing black or white shirts under the slogan: “For those who are gone, for those who are afraid, for those who remain standing.”
International
Sexual assault attempt on Mexico’s president sparks outrage in historic center
A man harassed and groped Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum without her consent on Tuesday while she walked through Mexico City’s historic center, just meters from the National Palace, greeting members of the public.
The man, who appeared to be intoxicated, attempted to kiss the president from behind before grabbing her. Security personnel immediately intervened and detained him, with video footage showing Sheinbaum visibly tense following the incident.
Sheinbaum was on her way to the first National Meeting of Universities and Higher Education Institutions at the Education Secretariat headquarters, located just a few blocks from the palace. She chose to walk to the event due to the short distance.
During the stroll, in one of the busiest parts of the capital, the man took advantage of the crowd surrounding the president, approaching her from behind, trying to kiss her neck and placing his arms around her.
Hours later, federal authorities confirmed that the suspect — identified as Uriel Rivera Martínez — had been arrested and taken to the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office for Sexual Crimes, according to the National Detention Registry.
Legal sources stated that Sheinbaum was the victim of a flagrant sexual abuse offense under Mexico City’s Penal Code, noting that no close assistant intervened at the very moment the assault occurred.
According to a 2024 survey by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 15.5% of women in Mexico have experienced sexual harassment, groping, exhibitionism or attempted rape — five times the percentage of men, at 3.2%.
International
Longest government shutdown in U.S. history deepens airport and aid crisis
The U.S. government shutdown reached a historic milestone on Wednesday, becoming the longest in the nation’s history as Republicans aligned with President Donald Trump continue to clash with Democratic opposition over the federal budget.
The shutdown entered its 36th day, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 during Trump’s first term in office.
Over the past six weeks, the budget impasse has left roughly 1.4 million federal workers without pay. Employees deemed “essential,” including air traffic controllers and law enforcement officers, have been required to continue working despite not receiving their salaries.
Conditions at airports are growing increasingly strained. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the federal government may be forced to partially shut down U.S. airspace due to staffing shortages.
“So if we go another week from now, Democrats, you will see massive chaos… you will see massive flight delays,” Duffy cautioned.
Social assistance programs have also been disrupted. On Tuesday, Trump stated that food aid relied upon by millions of Americans would not be distributed until the government reopens — contradicting earlier administration comments indicating that partial benefits could still be provided.
Protests persist in Uruapan after mayor’s assassination as citizens demand justice
Sexual assault attempt on Mexico’s president sparks outrage in historic center
Longest government shutdown in U.S. history deepens airport and aid crisis
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International2 days agoShootout in Sinaloa leaves 13 gunmen dead as authorities rescue kidnapping victims
-
International4 days agoAt least 23 killed in Sonora supermarket blast, including minors
-
International3 days agoU.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
-
International3 days agoFour suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
-
International2 days agoDeadly fire in bosnian nursing home leaves 11 dead and dozens injured
-
International2 days agoSheinbaum maintains 70% approval despite growing discontent in Mexico
-
International4 days agoU.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
-
International2 days agoSexual assault attempt on Mexico’s president sparks outrage in historic center
-
International24 hours agoProtests persist in Uruapan after mayor’s assassination as citizens demand justice
-
International2 days agoFormer U.S. vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84
-
International2 days agoTrump alleges “massive fraud” in California redistricting vote without evidence
-
International2 days agoLongest government shutdown in U.S. history deepens airport and aid crisis