International
Main Pakistani parties explore pacts to challenge Imran Khan’s electoral dominance
Pakistan’s main political parties are in a process of negotiation and alliances with the aim of forming a government, which could mean a strategy to counter the unexpected electoral victory of independents backed by Imran Khan, the imprisoned and popular opposition leader.
Although no political force obtained a majority in the recent general elections on February 8, the figure of Imran Khan stands out as the winner, achieving that nearly a hundred of his allies were elected, despite the fact that they were forced to present themselves as candidates. independents due to judicial restrictions that prevented the participation of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
However, uncertainty remains in Pakistan over who will govern in the next five years, as no political force has enough representatives in parliament. The pro-Khan bloc of lawmakers, made up of approximately 93 members, is legally registered as independent candidates, forcing them to seek alliances to form a majority.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the third political force with 54 seats, is evaluating its options, considering possible alliances with both the PTI and Nawaz Sharif’s Muslim League (PML-N), which has 79 seats. seats.
Political negotiations intensify amid meetings and discussions between different parties, while Imran Khan, from prison, stays informed about his party’s strategy. However, PTI sources suggest that an alliance with the PPP is unlikely to be formed.
The political scenario in Pakistan looks even more complex due to the challenge cases filed by the PTI, which could generate additional tensions and affect the stability of the future government.
The virtual refusal of the PTI to negotiate an alliance with other parties also puts at risk the allocation of 70 reserved seats, which could significantly influence the configuration of parliament and the distribution of political power in the country.
The outcome of these negotiations and alliances will be crucial for Pakistan’s political future, as it will define not only who will lead the government in the coming years, but also the balance of power between the different political forces in the country.
International
Dominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
A Dominican court on Monday postponed until March a preliminary hearing against the owners of a nightclub that collapsed last year, killing more than 200 people.
The roof of the Jet Set nightclub collapsed in the early hours of April 8, 2025, during a concert by popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who died along with 235 other people.
Jet Set owner and manager Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel, who served as the club’s administrator, were arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter but were later released on bail after posting approximately $842,500.
Both appeared at the Palace of Justice, where they were met by a small protest from relatives and friends of the victims.
“Thirty years in prison is not enough” and “President, we want JUSTICE,” read signs held by demonstrators.
The preliminary hearing determines whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case to trial. The court decided to reschedule the hearing for March 16.
“We don’t want money and we’re not demanding anything else, only justice for those who died,” said Secundino Pérez, a 75-year-old shopkeeper who lost 12 friends in the Jet Set tragedy.
“Antonio and his family celebrated Christmas sitting at a table, celebrating their freedom,” said Edgar Gómez, who lost his daughter in the collapse.
The Dominican Republic’s Public Prosecutor’s Office maintains that the defendants “significantly altered” the structure of the nightclub. Prosecutors filed formal charges in November and requested that the case proceed to trial.
The charge of involuntary manslaughter carries a sentence of three months to two years in prison.
“May your conscience never let you sleep. I lost my son,” a woman shouted through tears before the hearing, while others chanted, “Murderers, murderers, murderers.”
International
Venezuelan opposition leader dedicates Nobel Prize to Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that he was “eager” to welcome the opposition leader, who left Venezuela clandestinely with U.S. assistance, to receive her Nobel Prize in Oslo.
Machado dedicated her Nobel Prize to Trump, who nevertheless showed a very cautious attitude toward including her in any potential political transition in Venezuela.
The opposition leader said on Monday, after an audience with Pope Leo XIV, that “the defeat of evil is closer” in Venezuela following the U.S. military operation that overthrew and removed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country.
Trump has claimed that he is now in control of the South American nation, stating that the primary objective at this stage is to stabilize the country before considering elections.
Venezuelan oil is Washington’s main objective, Trump added after Maduro’s overthrow.
International
Police hunt gunmen after fatal shooting in Corsica
A man was shot dead on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, local media reported. The victim was identified as Alain Orsoni, former president of local football club AC Ajaccio, according to sources close to the investigation cited by French news channel BFMTV.
Orsoni, 71, was killed in the town of Vero, near Ajaccio, the island’s capital, while attending his mother’s funeral.
He was also a former member of the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), a nationalist organization that has long sought independence for the island, reports said.
BFMTV reported that the gunmen fled the scene and remain at large. Local police have opened an investigation into the shooting.
Dominican court postpones hearing in deadly nightclub collapse case
Venezuelan opposition leader dedicates Nobel Prize to Trump
Police hunt gunmen after fatal shooting in Corsica
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
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