International

Nancy Pelosi supports Kamala Harris as a candidate for the U.S. Presidency.

Former U.S. House President Nancy Pelosi on Monday showed her support for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in her White House career, a day after President Joe Biden decided to end her candidacy for re-election.

“Today, with immense pride and unlimited optimism in the future of our country, I support the vice president, Kamala Harris, for the Presidency of the United States. My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for the Presidency is official, personal and political,” he said in a letter.

Pelosi, a figure of great weight within the Democratic Party, said that she has known Harris for decades and that she has seen her “strength and courage” as a defender of working families and her struggle for the right of women to choose over her body.

“Politically, let’s make no mistake: Kamala Harris, as a woman in politics, is brilliantly astute and I am fully confident that she will lead us to victory in November,” said the historic 84-year-old American politician.

Pelosi, who left the presidency last year after the midterm elections and today is a representative legislator for California, called on the Democratic Party to be united and “move forward to defeat Donald Trump.”

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

Less than 24 hours after Biden left the race for re-election and asked for the nomination for his vice president, Harris, Democratic politics has more than half a thousand support from delegates, of the 1,986 he needs to get the party’s representation in the elections.

According to a count prepared by The Hill newspaper, Harris has achieved the yes of at least 531 delegates, who have confirmed that they will vote for it at the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago from August 19 to 22.

Since then, numerous political figures of the party have shown their support for him. According to a count of the Washington Post newspaper, among the 263 Democratic senators and legislators and 23 governors, a total of 205 have supported Harris, compared to 81 who have not done so at the moment.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.