International
The United States assures that the war is still avoidable between Israel and the Hizbulah group
The White House assured this Friday that the war is avoidable between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbulá, despite the increase in tension and attacks in recent hours, and added that, despite the fact that the information indicates otherwise, US diplomatic efforts to appease the region continue to advance.
In a call with the press, the White House National Security spokesman, John Kirby, said that “we still believe that there is time and space for a diplomatic solution and we are confident that it is the best way to move forward. War is not inevitable in the Blue Line (which marks the division between Lebanon and Israel).”
Get a ceasefire
US President Joe Biden assured in a cabinet meeting that his entire team continues to work to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and for residents of northern Israel and southern Lebanon to return to their homes.
“Many things do not seem realistic until we get them,” Biden said in relation to the frustrated attempts to mediate for Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to cease hostilities in Gaza and the Palestinian militia to release the hostages.
Kirby referred to information published on Thursday by The Wall Street Journal that assures that after the recent increase in tension with Hezbula, the White House considers the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, the main front in the conflict between Israel and various militias linked to Iran in the region, before the November presidential elections.
“We will not lose hope and we will not stop working for it (a ceasefire that includes the release of hostages in the hands of Hamas in Gaza),” said Kirby, who reiterated that the main obstacle to an agreement in this regard is the leadership of the Palestinian group, despite recent reports in Israel that indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sabotaged an agreement for months.
The US sees the truce between Israel and Hezbula difficult
According to The Wall Street Journal, in private, White House officials assure that a ceasefire agreement “is not imminent” and “we are not sure that it will ever be achieved.”
The tension in the region returned with the attack of October 7, 2023 from Hamas in Israeli territory, neighboring Gaza, in which almost 1,200 people died.
Since then Israel has maintained a harsh offensive in the Strip that has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the murder of more than 40,000 Palestinians and more than 95,550 wounded, according to data from the Ministry of Health in Palestine.
On the northern front, Hezbulah has intensified its rocket attacks on Israel and this country today bombed the suburb of Dahye, in southern Lebanon, which left eight dead and 59 injured, the third time it does so since the beginning of the crossfire in October.
This Friday’s attack comes amid growing tension, after this week two waves of simultaneous explosions in thousands of communication devices carried by members of Hizbulá killed 37 people (some children) and injured almost 3,000 in Lebanon.
US intelligence assumes that the action was the result of a sophisticated Israeli operation to intervene in supply chains and implant explosives in the devices.
International
U.S. to invest $700 million in coal plants and mines under Trump initiative
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a $700 million funding package aimed at supporting the American coal industry, marking the latest step in his administration’s efforts to boost the use of the fossil fuel.
According to Trump, the funding will be used to keep 14 coal-fired power plants operating across ten states, maintain 42 coal mines, and support the construction of two new power plants and an export terminal.
The president said the initiative will be financed through the Defense Production Act, a law enacted in 1950 that grants emergency powers to the president to support and direct domestic industries considered critical to national interests.
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has pursued policies designed to expand domestic energy production and roll back a number of environmental regulations. He has also repeatedly questioned the scientific consensus regarding human-caused climate change.
Coal remains the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions among major energy sources, making it a central focus of debates over climate policy and energy security.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the initiative, describing coal as a critical resource for both electricity generation and industrial production.
The announcement comes as global energy markets continue to evolve. According to an analysis by the Global Energy Monitor, the world added and commissioned more coal-fired power capacity in 2025, although overall coal consumption declined. The report also found that the United States was the only major economy to record a significant increase in coal-fired power generation during that period.
The new funding package underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting traditional energy industries while debate continues over the balance between energy security, economic growth and environmental objectives.
International
Four decapitated bodies found in abandoned vehicle near Guerrero state Congress
Police in Mexico have found four decapitated bodies inside an abandoned vehicle parked near the state Congress building in Guerrero, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The southern state of Guerrero, home to the resort city of Acapulco, has long been affected by violent clashes between criminal organizations competing for control of drug trafficking routes.
According to prosecutors cited by AFP, the bodies were wrapped in black plastic bags and left inside a car parked at one of the rear entrances of the legislative building in the state capital, Chilpancingo.
Authorities say the region has seen intensified conflict between rival drug trafficking groups, including the Sierra Cartel and Los Ardillos, a criminal organization that Indigenous communities have accused of carrying out attacks in the mountainous, impoverished areas of the state.
The ongoing violence highlights the persistent security crisis in Guerrero, where organized crime continues to exert significant influence over large parts of the territory.
International
Foro Penal Reports 404 Political Prisoners Still Held in Venezuela
The Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal, which leads legal defense efforts for political prisoners in the country, reported on Wednesday that 404 people remain imprisoned for political reasons, five fewer than the figure released a week earlier. Among those detained are 39 foreign nationals or individuals with dual citizenship.
According to data published by the organization, the current total includes 369 men and 35 women being held on political grounds. The report also indicates that 225 of the detainees are civilians, including one teenager, while 179 are members of the military.
Foro Penal stated that 167 of the prisoners have been convicted, whereas 237 remain behind bars without a final sentence. The organization also noted that it has documented 19,102 politically motivated detentions in Venezuela since 2014.
The updated figures come amid an ongoing process of prisoner releases announced by Venezuelan authorities. Two weeks ago, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said that approximately 300 detainees would be freed as part of a new round of releases, separate from those granted under an amnesty approved earlier this year.
Days later, acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated that the number of releases would reach 500 in the coming days. However, relatives of political prisoners and human rights organizations have questioned the pace of the process, arguing that the number of verified releases remains significantly lower than the figures announced by the government.
Foro Penal has reported that dozens of prisoners have been released in recent weeks, but the organization maintains that hundreds of people continue to be detained for political reasons despite the government’s promises and the implementation of the amnesty process.
Families of detainees have continued to demand greater transparency regarding the release process, alleging that many of the promised excarcerations have yet to materialize and calling on authorities to provide clear information about those who remain in custody.
U.S. to invest $700 million in coal plants and mines under Trump initiative
Four decapitated bodies found in abandoned vehicle near Guerrero state Congress
Foro Penal Reports 404 Political Prisoners Still Held in Venezuela
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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