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Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians after militants return remains of an Israeli hostage

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Israel returns bodies of 15 Palestinians after militants return remains of an Israeli hostage

Khan Younis, Gaza Strip — Israel on Saturday returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, hospital officials in the strip said, a day after militants returned the remains of a hostage to Israel under the terms of the tenuous ceasefire agreement in the two-year war.

The exchange marked another step forward for the tenuous, U.S.-brokered truce. As part of the deal, Israel has returned the remains of 15 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage.

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The Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis said the 15 bodies were brought there.

The return came shortly after Israel confirmed the remains given back Friday night were of an Israeli man who died while fighting Hamas in the militants’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack that started the war. The hostage body was identified as that of Lior Rudaeff, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s office.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Rudaeff was born in Argentina and moved to Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, a farming community in southern Israel, as a child. He volunteered for more than 40 years as an ambulance driver and was a member of the community’s emergency response team.

The forum said he was killed in the Hamas-led attack and that his body was taken to Gaza.

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 23 hostages, including Rudaeff’s body, with five still remaining in Gaza.

Including the remains returned on Saturday, Israel has handed over the bodies of 300 Palestinians. Health officials in Gaza have struggled to identify the bodies without access to DNA kits, and have so far identified 89 of the bodies, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Under the terms of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israel is supposed to allow substantially more aid into Gaza.

However, relief efforts under the pact still fall well short of what is needed in Gaza, according to Farhan Haqq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations. More than 200,000 metric tons in aid is positioned to move into Gaza, but only 37,000 tons, mostly food, have been admitted, he said.

The 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s sweeping military offensive has killed more than 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Myanmar Junta Demolishes Nearly 150 Buildings in Crackdown on Border Scam Hub, India Begins Repatriating Its Citizens

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Myanmar Junta Demolishes Nearly 150 Buildings in Crackdown on Border Scam Hub, India Begins Repatriating Its Citizens

YANGON / BANGKOK / NEW DELHI — Myanmar’s military government said Sunday it has demolished nearly 150 buildings at a notorious internet scam complex near the Thai border, while India began repatriating hundreds of its nationals who fled the same area after a major raid on the compound last month.

According to the junta’s state-run newspaper, The Global New Light of Myanmar, the demolition drive at the KK Park complex uncovered 148 structures, including dormitories, a four-story hospital, a gym, a spa, and a two-story karaoke lounge. Officials said 101 buildings have already been torn down, and work on the remaining 47 is underway.

The demolition follows a mid-October military raid at KK Park, located near the border town of Myawaddy, one of Southeast Asia’s most infamous cybercrime hubs. The compound housed thousands of workers — many of them trafficked from across Asia — who were forced to operate online scams and illegal gambling networks generating billions of dollars annually.

India began repatriating on Thursday the first batch of hundreds of its nationals who fled to Thailand after escaping from the scam center. An Indian Air Force transport aircraft departed from Thailand carrying about 270 of the 465 Indians scheduled for repatriation, with another flight planned later in the day. The remaining evacuees are expected to return to India next Monday, said Maj. Gen. Maitree Chupreecha, commander of Thailand’s Naresuan Task Force, which oversees the border region.

The center, known as KK Park, was raided by Myanmar’s army in mid-October as part of a coordinated effort to suppress cross-border online scams and illegal gambling. The raid prompted more than 1,500 people — including hundreds of Indian nationals — to flee across the border into Thailand seeking safety.

This marks the second major repatriation effort by India in less than a year. In March 2024, New Delhi brought home 549 citizens caught in similar cybercrime operations along the Myanmar-Thai border following a separate crackdown.

Indian officials have been coordinating closely with Thai authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate safe passage home for the rescued workers. Most of the returnees were young professionals duped with fake job offers and later forced to participate in fraudulent investment and cryptocurrency schemes.

Residents on both sides of the Myanmar–Thailand border reported hearing intermittent explosions since the military demolition began, though AFP was unable to independently verify the junta’s claims.

Analysts say the junta’s actions appear partly performative, aimed at easing international pressure — particularly from China and ASEAN countries — without fully dismantling the profitable scam industry that funds local militias allied with the regime.

“China is growing increasingly impatient with scam centers targeting Chinese citizens,” one regional analyst said. “But a full crackdown could undercut the militias and warlords the junta relies on for survival.”

In February, pressure from Beijing led to the repatriation of some 7,000 scam workers from northern Myanmar, while Thailand imposed a cross-border internet blockade to choke off illegal operations.

Following an AFP investigation revealing that KK Park continued to expand despite “raids,” using Starlink satellite receivers to bypass Thai internet restrictions, SpaceX confirmed it had cut service to over 2,500 terminals linked to suspected scam operations in Myanmar.

The ongoing demolitions and repatriations mark a rare coordinated effort among Myanmar, Thailand, India, and China to combat a regional cybercrime epidemic that has exploited tens of thousands of workers and defrauded victims worldwide.

As repatriation flights continue, Indian officials say they remain committed to rescuing more citizens trapped in similar scam compounds across Southeast Asia — and to ensuring that no one else falls prey to fake overseas job syndicates again.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills 66 in the Philippines, Dozens Missing as Floods Swallow Quake-Hit Province

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Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills 66 in the Philippines, Dozens Missing as Floods Swallow Quake-Hit Province

Manila, Philippines — Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least 66 people dead and 26 others missing after unleashing torrential rains and deadly floods across the central Philippines, disaster officials said Wednesday. The storm struck hardest in Cebu province, a region still reeling from a powerful earthquake just weeks earlier.

Authorities said most of the fatalities were caused by flash floods and landslides triggered by Kalmaegi’s intense downpour. The typhoon flooded entire communities, forcing residents onto rooftops as raging waters swept away cars and homes.

“We did everything we could, but the flash floods came too fast,” Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro told the Associated Press. “There has to be an investigation of the flood control projects here in Cebu and people should be held accountable.”

The province, home to more than 2.4 million people, has been placed under a state of calamity to speed up emergency funding and relief operations.

The Office of Civil Defense reported that at least 49 people drowned in Cebu alone, while others were killed by landslides and falling debris. Thirteen of the 26 missing persons were also from the province.

In a separate tragedy, six Philippine Air Force personnel died when a Super Huey helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to typhoon-hit areas. All bodies were recovered, though the cause of the crash remains unknown.

Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross, said rescuers received a flood of emergency calls from trapped residents in Cebu but were unable to respond immediately due to the strong currents and floating debris. “We had to wait for the floodwaters to subside before we could reach them,” Pang said.

Governor Baricuatro added that years of illegal quarrying and substandard flood control projects worsened the flooding by clogging rivers with silt. The issue has become part of a nationwide corruption scandal involving incomplete or fake flood-control infrastructure, which has sparked growing public anger.

The devastation came as Cebu was still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30 that killed 79 people and displaced thousands. Many residents displaced by the quake were moved to sturdier shelters before the typhoon’s arrival — a move that officials say helped prevent even greater loss of life.

Kalmaegi made landfall late Tuesday, tearing through the central Philippines with sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (81 mph) and gusts up to 180 kph (112 mph) before moving out to the South China Sea by Wednesday afternoon.

Elsewhere, an elderly man drowned in Southern Leyte, and other fatalities were reported in neighboring provinces after trees and debris crushed homes. More than 387,000 people were evacuated before the storm, while 3,500 passengers were stranded in ports as ferries and fishing boats were grounded. At least 186 domestic flights were canceled nationwide.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson expressed condolences, saying, “The United States stands ready to assist our friends and partners in the Philippines.”

The Philippines, which endures about 20 typhoons each year, remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tropical storms are common.

Meanwhile, central Vietnam was bracing for Kalmaegi’s arrival, with authorities ordering evacuations, recalling fishing boats, and preparing shelters as the storm is expected to make landfall Friday morning, bringing more torrential rains and flash floods to the region.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

At Least 11 Dead After Passenger Train Collides With Cargo Train in Central India’s Bilaspur

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At Least 11 Dead After Passenger Train Collides With Cargo Train in Central India’s Bilaspur

Bilaspur, India — A passenger train collided with a stationary cargo train in central India late Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and injuring around 20 others, officials said.

The accident occurred near Bilaspur, about 115 kilometers (70 miles) northeast of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state. According to senior government official Sanjay Agarwal, the passenger train struck the rear of the goods train at high speed. One of the passenger coaches was thrust upward and came to rest atop a freight wagon.

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Rescue teams worked through the night, cutting through mangled metal to reach trapped passengers. “After hours of effort, we brought the coach down and recovered three more bodies,” Agarwal told the Associated Press. The rescue operation concluded early Wednesday, and train movement on the affected line has since resumed.

Among the dead was the passenger train’s loco pilot (engine driver), while his co-pilot, a woman, was critically injured and admitted to a private hospital. The remaining victims included passengers in the front coaches, which bore the brunt of the impact.

Around 20 passengers were taken to local hospitals in Bilaspur and Raipur for treatment, officials said.

Indian Railways, the national operator, said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the collision. It also announced compensation for the families of those killed and injured. Preliminary reports suggest the passenger train may have ignored a signal or there was a communication failure on the line.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences to the victims’ families, saying the state government would assist with relief efforts.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic train accident in Bilaspur. My prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Sai said in a post on X.

Train collisions and derailments remain a persistent challenge for India’s vast rail network — one of the world’s largest, carrying over 12 million passengers daily across 64,000 kilometers (40,000 miles) of track. Despite modernization efforts and investments in automated signaling, safety lapses and aging infrastructure continue to cause accidents.

In June 2023, a three-train collision in the eastern state of Odisha killed more than 280 people, marking one of India’s worst railway disasters in decades.

Tuesday’s crash once again highlights the urgent need for upgrades in India’s rail safety systems and stricter monitoring of operational protocols to prevent such tragedies.

SOURCE : AP NEWS & DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

New York City voters head to the polls as Andrew Cuomo seeks a political comeback in a fiercely contested mayoral race against Zohran Mamdani

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New York City voters head to the polls as Andrew Cuomo seeks a political comeback in a fiercely contested mayoral race against Zohran Mamdani

Andrew Cuomo Seeks Redemption as New York City Votes in High-Stakes Mayoral Election

New York, US — New Yorkers headed to the polls Tuesday to decide one of the most closely watched and divisive mayoral contests in decades — a race that could redefine the political direction of America’s largest city and mark a dramatic comeback for former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo, running as an independent, is attempting to reclaim political relevance four years after resigning as New York’s governor amid sexual harassment allegations that forced him from office. Once one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, he now faces Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive state lawmaker, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels crime patrol.

If Cuomo wins, it will represent one of the most remarkable political revivals in recent American history — transforming him from a scandal-scarred ex-governor into the mayor of the nation’s most influential city. The former governor has centered his campaign on “restoring competence and safety” to New York City, arguing that rising crime, unaffordable housing, and ideological extremism have left the city “adrift.”

Cuomo has positioned himself as the candidate of moderation, attempting to unite disillusioned Democrats, independents, and Republicans who see him as a pragmatic alternative to Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform. He has received the backing of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who contributed $1.5 million to a super PAC supporting Cuomo, as well as outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, whose late endorsement could help solidify support among Black voters and centrists.

On the eve of the election, former President Donald Trump added unexpected fuel to the race, urging conservative voters to back Cuomo over Mamdani, warning that a Mamdani victory would bring “disaster” to New York City.

Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary earlier this year, has energized progressives with calls to raise taxes on the wealthy, make public buses free, and expand universal child care. His critics, however, have pointed to his vocal opposition to the NYPD’s tactics and his denunciation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocidal,” fueling concerns among moderates and Jewish leaders.

For Cuomo, the election represents a battle not just for City Hall but for personal redemption. His campaign has framed him as a steady hand capable of leading New York through economic and social turbulence — a contrast to what he calls Mamdani’s “risky experiment in ideology.”

As New Yorkers cast their ballots, the outcome will determine more than just who governs the city — it will signal whether voters are ready to embrace a bold new progressive vision under Mamdani or restore a familiar, battle-tested figure in Cuomo.

Polls close at 9 p.m. local time, with early voting showing strong turnout across Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Whatever the result, Tuesday’s vote marks a defining moment for both Andrew Cuomo’s political legacy and the future of New York City itself.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves at Least 26 Dead in the Philippines; Floods Trap Residents on Roofs and in Cars

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Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves at Least 26 Dead in the Philippines; Floods Trap Residents on Roofs and in Cars

Manila, Philippines — Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed at least 26 lives across the Philippines after torrential rains and fierce winds triggered widespread flooding and destruction as the powerful storm swept across the central region on Tuesday, authorities said.

Floodwaters submerged communities, trapped residents on rooftops, and left cars floating in the streets. Emergency officials said many of the deaths occurred in Cebu and other central provinces hit hardest by the storm, which brought sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (81 mph) and gusts of up to 180 kph (112 mph).

In a separate tragedy, six Philippine Air Force personnel were killed when a Super Huey helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur province while delivering humanitarian aid to typhoon-affected areas. The military confirmed that all bodies were recovered from the crash site near Loreto town.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, said officials were still verifying the details of the storm-related fatalities. Among the dead were an elderly man who drowned in floodwaters in Southern Leyte and a resident of Bohol province who died after being struck by a fallen tree.

In Cebu province, one of the hardest-hit regions, Philippine Red Cross Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang said rescuers were overwhelmed by distress calls from residents stranded by the floods. “We have received so many calls from people asking us to rescue them from roofs and from their houses, but it’s impossible,” Pang told the Associated Press. “There are so many debris — you see cars floating — so we have to wait for the flood to subside.”

The storm hit as Cebu was still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30 that killed at least 79 people and displaced thousands.

In Eastern Samar, where Kalmaegi made landfall around midnight, strong winds tore the roofs off roughly 300 homes in the island community of Homonhon, part of Guiuan town — the same area devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Guiuan Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan said there were no deaths or injuries reported this time, though many houses were damaged. “We’re OK. We’ll make it through,” Kwan said. “We’ve been through worse.”

Before the storm struck, authorities had evacuated more than 387,000 people from low-lying and coastal areas in anticipation of torrential rains, storm surges up to three meters (nearly 10 feet), and destructive winds.

Maritime authorities suspended inter-island ferry operations, stranding over 3,500 passengers and truck drivers in nearly 100 seaports, while at least 186 domestic flights were canceled nationwide due to severe weather.

As of late Tuesday, Kalmaegi was moving westward toward the South China Sea after sweeping across the Visayas and Palawan regions.

The Philippines, located along the Pacific typhoon belt, experiences about 20 storms and typhoons each year, in addition to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions — making it one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Starbucks sells 60% stake in China business in $4 billion deal

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Starbucks sells 60% stake in China business in $4 billion deal

Washington, US – Starbucks said Monday it is forming a joint venture with Chinese investment firm Boyu Capital to operate Starbucks stores in China.

Under the agreement, Boyu will acquire a 60% interest in Starbucks’ retail operations in China, which is valued at $4 billion. Starbucks will retain a 40% interest in the joint venture and will own and license the Starbucks brand.

Starbucks said its business in China will have a total value of more than $13 billion, including the proceeds from the sale of the controlling interest to Boyu, the value of its 40% stake and the value of its royalties.

Starbucks entered China almost 30 years ago, and has been credited with growing coffee culture in the country. China is Starbucks’ second-largest market outside the U.S., with 8,000 locations.

But in recent years, the Seattle coffee giant has struggled in China with cheap, fast-growing Chinese startups like Luckin Coffee. Starbucks’ same-store sales in China have fallen in both of its last two fiscal years.

As a result, Starbucks has been looking for a partner to help it grow its business in China, particularly in smaller cities. In July, Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said the company was evaluating around 20 offers for a stake in the company.

Niccol said Monday that Boyu shares Starbucks’ commitment to providing a great experience for both customers and employees. It will also help Starbucks achieve its goal of growing to 20,000 stores in China over time, Niccol said.

“Boyu’s deep local knowledge and expertise will help accelerate our growth in China, especially as we expand into smaller cities and new regions,” Niccol said in a statement.

Boyu Capital Partner Alex Wong said Starbucks has built a deep connection with Chinese consumers over nearly three decades.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief in the enduring strength of that brand and the opportunity to bring even greater innovation and local relevance to customers across China,” Wong said in a statement.

“Boyu’s deep local knowledge and expertise will help accelerate our growth in China, especially as we expand into smaller cities and new regions,” Niccol said in a statement.

Boyu Capital Partner Alex Wong said Starbucks has built a deep connection with Chinese consumers over nearly three decades.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief in the enduring strength of that brand and the opportunity to bring even greater innovation and local relevance to customers across China,” Wong said in a statement.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

India Clinch Historic First ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Title; President Murmu and PM Modi Extend Congratulations

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India Clinch Historic First ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Title; President Murmu and PM Modi Extend Congratulations

Navi Mumbai, India – In a night of unforgettable cricketing glory, the Indian women’s cricket team scripted history by defeating South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title. The electrifying final at Navi Mumbai saw India’s all-round brilliance shine through, led by Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma, who delivered match-winning performances with both bat and ball.

After being put in to bat, India posted a formidable 298 for 7, thanks to a composed 87-run knock by Shafali Verma. South Africa began their chase strongly, but Deepti Sharma turned the game on its head with a devastating spell. Her breakthrough dismissal of Annerie Dercksen triggered a collapse that saw the Proteas tumble from 209/5 to 246 all out. Deepti’s magical figures of 5 for 39 in 9.3 overs sealed India’s triumph and sent the Wankhede crowd into a frenzy.

Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance, while Deepti Sharma earned the Player of the Tournament award for her consistent dominance throughout the competition.

The champions took home a record ₹37.3 crore prize purse, marking a 239% increase from the previous edition — a testament to the meteoric rise of women’s cricket in India.

President Droupadi Murmu hailed the victory as a “watershed moment” that would inspire generations of women athletes. “The girls have made India proud with their determination and excellence,” she said in a post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the win as “spectacular and inspirational,” adding that the team’s performance reflected “remarkable skill, confidence, and teamwork throughout the tournament.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praised the team for “winning the hearts of the entire nation,” while Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a “crowning moment for India,” saying the team had “elevated the nation’s pride to the skies.”

This victory not only cements India’s place in cricketing history but also marks a transformative chapter for women’s sports — one that promises to inspire millions across the country and beyond.

SOURCE : ICC |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

March of Pride in Argentina raises its voice against hate speech and violence

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March of Pride in Argentina raises its voice against hate speech and violence

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Tens of thousands of people participated in the 34th Pride March in Buenos Aires amid strong calls for attention to the growing hate speech and violence suffered by the LGBT+ community in Argentina.

The event began Saturday morning with a festive atmosphere and colorful displays at the Pride Fair, as well as live shows in the Plaza de Mayo in front of the Casa Rosada, the seat of the Argentine government.

In the mid-afternoon, the march began towards Plaza de los Dos Congresos, where a stage was set up at the entrance of the Argentine Parliament, with concerts that lasted until nightfall.

“Against hatred and violence: more pride and unity” was chosen as the main slogan for this year’s march by the organizing committee, which consists of over 60 non-governmental, trade union, and political organizations.

The committee’s list of demands is extensive and includes ending the stigmatization of trans children and adolescents, reopening gender and diversity spaces and programs, and increasing public funds for health and education.

“This generates a lot of emotion and happiness for me. It’s the second time I’ve come, and it’s wonderful. It’s where I can be myself and fight for our rights,” said Daira Rebeca Maldonado, an 18-year-old nurse, in an interview with EFE.

Slogans at the march condemned the criminalization of protests in Argentina and requested a general strike against the government of Argentinian President Javier Milei’s adjustment policy.

María Rachid, leader of the Argentine LGBT+ Federation (FALGBT in Spanish) and member of the organizing committee of the march, explained to EFE that this year’s central slogan “is a response to the discrimination, violence, and hate crimes that have increased as a result of the Milei government’s legitimization of hate speech.”

“Hate speech is increasing and becoming real violence. In the first half of the year, violence in Argentina increased by 70%. Hate speech erodes democratic processes, and we must put a stop to it,” said Matías Cooke of the Zona Igualdad organization.

According to the LGBT+ Hate Crimes Observatory’s latest report, 102 crimes occurred in the first half of 2025 (70% more than in the first half of 2024), in which the sexual orientation, identity, or gender expression of the victims was used as a pretext for discrimination and violence.

Of the 102 cases, 17 were murders, deaths by structural violence, and suicides; the remaining 85 corresponded to injuries to physical integrity.

“Nowadays, when you go out into the street, you don’t know if you’re going to live or die. As a young transgender person, I have unfortunately experienced many things that have led me to consider suicide or made me feel uncomfortable in both public and private places,” said Maldonado.

It is the second Pride March since Milei took office in late 2023. In 2024, the demands focused on Milei’s austerity and state downsizing policies, which included shuttering the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism (INADI in Spanish) and slashing public policies related to diversity.

“I’ve noticed that people in our community have retreated to their homes because society discriminates against us more than before. We must stress the importance of not transmitting hatred, regardless of political ideologies,” said Sasha Gestoso, a first-time participant in the Pride March, held in Buenos Aires since 1992. 

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Keiko Fujimori announces fourth bid for presidency of Peru

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Keiko Fujimori announces fourth bid for presidency of Peru

Trujillo, Peru – Keiko Fujimori, daughter of Peru’s former leader Alberto Fujimori, announced on Friday she will run for president for the fourth time after a court dropped a money-laundering case against her.

She announced her 2026 presidential bid at a rally in the northern city of Trujillo, one of the areas most affected by the rise of organized crime, just one week after the Constitutional Court dismissed the case against her over irregular financing of her previous electoral campaigns.

She came runner-up in the last three elections in 2011, 2016, and 2021.

“Today, here, surrounded by the Fujimori family, and accompanied from afar by Peruvians watching us on social media, I want to announce my decision to be a candidate for president of the Republic for Fuerza Popular,” said Fujimori amid applause.

The leader of the Fuerza Popular clarified that Fujimori will only be a candidate for president and will not head her party’s Senate list because she does not want “a consolation prize” and because she neither wants nor needs immunity, referring to the so-called ‘Cocktail Case,’ for which she has been under investigation for nearly 10 years.

The candidate, whose nomination is still pending confirmation in the party’s internal elections and official registration with the electoral authorities, announced that former congressmen Luis Galarreta and Miguel Torres, two men she trusts implicitly, will be her running mates for first and second vice president, respectively.

“They have extensive political experience, they know all about public administration, and they have always been able to foster dialogue and consensus,” Fujimori said.

She claimed that the country already combated terrorism under the leadership of her father, who died in September 2014, and that with determination, they will overcome the violence that is particularly affecting Lima and Trujillo.

“Don’t be afraid, we must continue to dream. I believe we have the capacity to confront this violence, or rather, urban terrorism. But this urban terrorism cannot be confronted with speeches, pretty words, or by acting from behind desks. This damned violence must be faced in the streets, with the armed forces and with intelligence,” she stated. “Fujimorism will bring the authority that all Peruvians need.”

So far, the ultraconservative former mayor of Lima, Rafael López Aliaga, has announced his candidacy for Renovación Popular, as has businessman and former governor César Acuña, for the right-wing Alianza Para el Progreso. 

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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