FTS 02:30 12:02: UN condemns Israel's measures easing seizure of land in West Bank

12 hours ago

* Venezuela: Acting Pres. Delcy Rodriguez meets with U.S. secretary of energy
* Argentina: Police forces repress protesters against Milei's labor reform bill

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Transcript

00:12U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright met with Venezuela's Acting President del Centro Ligas at the Miraflores Palace.

00:22Argentine police forces repressed protesters demonstrating against the Labour Reform Bill being debated in the Argentine Senate.

00:34The United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk condemned Israel's recent measures in the Occupy West Bank that make it

00:41easier for Jewish Israelis to seize land and extend control over Palestinian areas.

00:50Hello, welcome to From the South. I'm Sofia Fernandes from the Telesur Studios in Havana, Cuba. We begin with the

00:55news. Stay with us.

01:08On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright met with his Venezuelan Acting President del Centro Ligas at the

01:15Miraflores Palace.

01:16Acting President del Centro Ligas held a dialogue with the U.S. Secretary of Energy with the purpose of articulating

01:22a constructive and beneficial energy agenda for both nations, based on the energy sovereignty of the South American country.

01:29In this context, Rodriguez reported that the Monday points discussed were projects on the areas of oil, gas, mining and

01:36electricity, expressing confidence that differences will be overcome through diplomacy.

01:41The Acting President also reiterated her welcome and openness to an energy agenda and a long-term productive partnership.

01:48The high-ranking U.S. officials' visit comes amidst the Bolivarian government's efforts to increase crude oil production, establish new

01:56energy partnerships and diversify its hydrocarbon efforts.

02:08In this context, the Acting President affirmed that all bilateral relations with the United States must be based on mutual

02:14commitment and benefit.

02:24The first point is the establishment of partnership that will stand for a long time.

02:43The first point is the establishment of an energy agenda that will be the base for the future party.

02:51The first point is the establishment of an energy agenda that will be the base for the future party.

03:01The second point is the establishment of an energy partnership, an agenda that will allow us to work complementarily, that

03:06will allow us to work together.

03:08Also in this scenario, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chris Wright, referred to Washington's intentions regarding Venezuela.

03:15Our government in Washington, D.C., has been working seven days a week to issue licenses.

03:23So existing businesses in Venezuela, new businesses that want to enter Venezuela,

03:31Venezuelan national companies can buy products, invest money, raise oil production, create new jobs, grow export revenue.

03:42All of the things that have constricted the Venezuelan economy.

03:48A public opinion poll released on Tuesday revealed that Venezuela's acting president, Delsis Rodriguez, enjoys strong national support.

03:56A survey revealed that 75 percent of Venezuelans have a positive opinion of the work Delsis Rodriguez has done as

04:02acting president.

04:03The report states that only 20 percent of the population has a negative opinion of the acting president.

04:09Meanwhile, 5 percent did not respond to the surveys.

04:13These figures reflect the majority support that becomes a key political point for the concordance between leadership, governance and citizen

04:20expectations.

04:28Also in Venezuela, Caracas celebrates the country's Women's Scientist session as part of the International Day of Women and Girls

04:35in Science.

04:36On Wednesday, hundreds of women gather at the headquarters of the National Telephone Company of Venezuela, CanTV, to discuss and

04:43highlight the work of this sector.

04:45Acting president, Delsis Rodriguez, emphasized that Venezuela has achieved 53.8 percent of participation of women in research, a figure

04:53that exceeds the world average by 20 points.

04:56She also highlighted that during the 2025 period, 56 percent of national scholarships were awarded to women as part of

05:03the national government's commitment to contributing to scientific and sovereign development.

05:17In other news, Peru's Congress decided to hold an extraordinary plenary session to debate and vote on the six motions

05:24to remove interim president José Herif from office.

05:26Two right-wing parties in the Peruvian Congress, Alianza para el Progreso and Podemos Peru, supported the motion presented in

05:34relation to the president of the Congress in charge of the presidency of the Republic, José Herif.

05:38Congress is currently in recess. However, 78 signatures are required to convene an extraordinary plenary session, which has already been

05:47achieved following the signatures collected on Wednesday.

05:50The interim president is accused of maintaining alleged irregular business dealings and secret relations with the Chinese businessman Xi Hua

05:57Yang, who is under investigation for allegedly belonging to a mafia involving illegal logging in the Peruvian Amazon.

06:14According to Ecuador, in response to the arrest of Mayor Aquiles Alvarez, the Ecuadorian people demanded his freedom.

06:21During his trial on Wednesday, Ecuadorian protesters gathered outside the Court of Justice, where his preventive detention was ordered.

06:29The protesters also called for his release during his process.

06:31And this is a case of political and judicial persecution by the Daniel Novoa regime.

06:36It should be noted that several political figures and organizations rejected this arrest.

06:41Mayor Aquiles Alvarez also has the possibility of presenting evidence to dismiss the charges against him.

06:57Meanwhile in Argentina, police repressed workers, teachers and social movement members, who had gathered outside the National Congress in Buenos

07:05Aires to protest against the neoliberal reform project of the Labor bill.

07:09The protests spread beyond the capital.

07:12In Córdoba, teachers from the Córdoba Province's Tishers Union marched across the Centenario Bridge, but were met with heavy police

07:18repression.

07:19The provincial infantry used tear gas to disperse the crowd and arrested at least three educators,

07:25Nahuel Rodriguez, Ignacio Meneses and Victoria Marconeto.

07:29The union demanded their immediate release and condemned the repression as an attack on democratic rights.

07:43And the Mexican Ministry of Health confirmed that at least 28 missile-related deaths have launched a nationwide vaccination campaign.

07:50Of the 28 deaths, 21 have been recorded in Chihuahua, the state most affected by the virus in the country.

07:57It should be noted that the Mexican authorities have launched a national vaccination campaign for all people who have not

08:03been immunized against the disease.

08:05Between 2025 and the first weeks of 2026, more than 9,000 cases of measles have been reported.

08:12In light of this situation, health authorities have administered 1.8 million vaccines in the state of Chihuahua.

08:26And now we have a short break coming up.

08:28But first, remember you can join us on TikTok and tell us your English, where you will find news in

08:32different formats, news updates and more.

08:34We'll be right back. Stay with us.

08:55Welcome back to From the South.

08:57Mexican President Clyde Sheinbaum announced that a second shipment of Solidarity 8 is being prepared to support the Cuban people.

09:03At her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum stated that civil society organizations are collecting food and other products to send

09:11to Cuba.

09:12Given the current intensification of the U.S. blockade against the island,

09:16it will be determined whether this support could also be transported on ships belonging to the Ministry of the Navy.

09:22The head state explained that the ship will make return trips to complete the delivery of aid,

09:27including the supplies collected from civil society.

09:38Moving to Argentina, social and political organizations denounced one state the threatening of the U.S. coercive measures against Cuba.

09:45The groups also called the Argentinian people to join in a solidarity campaign to support the Caribbean island.

09:52The solidarity actions include the collection of funds to send humanitarian aid to Cuba,

09:56the organization of cultural and political events,

09:59and the delivery of a letter to the United Nations rejecting the U.S. aggressions, among other initiatives.

10:04The call is being promoted by organizations such as the Caribbean, the Argentinian movements for solidarity with Cuba,

10:11the Communist Party, the American Association of Juris, the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in Defense of Humanity,

10:18and the Union of Argentinian Women, among others.

10:30And the Chinese government continues to reaffirm its support for Cuba in the face of ongoing pressures measures from the

10:36United States against the Caribbean island.

10:38Precisely, Chinese Foreign Minister spokesman Lin Jian said that Beijing strongly supports Havana in safeguarding its sovereignty and national security.

10:46The spokesperson rejected Washington's position of taking any humane action or practice that deprives the Cuban people of their rights

10:53to survival and development.

10:55In this context, he confirmed that China will continue to provide solidarity aid to Cuba in the face of the

11:00United States' economic and fuel blockade.

11:13And moving on to Canada, authorities have identified 18-year-old Jesse Van Rulteslar as a suspected perpetrator of the

11:20February 10th Tumblebridge school shooting,

11:23which left nine people dead and 27 injured.

11:26The Royal Canadian Mountain Police confirmed that Van Rulteslar was found dead inside the school with apparent self-inflicted gunshot

11:34wounds.

11:35Initial reports suggested ten fatalities, but investigators later clarified that nine people were killed, including five students and one teacher.

11:43Authorities have continued to collect evidence as the scene to determine the full circumstances of the tragedy.

11:49Meanwhile, the street police responded prevented for the casualties.

11:54The community remains shaken by the scale of the violence.

12:03The suspect has been identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rulteslar, who is a resident of Tumblebridge.

12:11Two firearms, a long gun and a modified handgun, were recovered by responding officers.

12:17Determining the origin of these firearms and what role they played in the shooting remains a significant part of the

12:24active and ongoing investigation.

12:26And to clarify that nine people in total are deceased as a result of this incident.

12:32Initially, it was believed that one of the victims, a female with significant injuries, who was transported from the scene

12:40by our members and then transitioned to paramedics, had succumbed to her injuries.

12:45Police have since confirmed that is not the case.

12:48She is alive and was one of the two female victims that were airlifted to the hospital.

12:52Both of those victims remain in serious condition.

12:55In other news, United Nations experts warn that the use of lethal force by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

13:01Authorities in Minneapolis could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life and serious human rights violations.

13:08UN special rapporteurs are concerned about officials' characterization of victims as domestic terrorists and their public assertion that lethal force

13:17was necessary.

13:18The experts urge that investigations into shootings involving U.S. illnesses be conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Protocol on

13:25the investigation of potentially unlawful deaths and relevant law enforcement agencies.

13:30They warn that failing to conduct a proper investigation may itself constitute a violation of the right to life.

13:45Meanwhile, the United States reopened the airspace of El Paso International Airport in Texas after announcing a ten-day suspension.

13:53The Federal Aviation Administration announced the reopening of the airport as no threat to commercial flights was recorded.

13:59The closure of the airspace had been implemented after the sighting of drones presumed to be associated with the Mexican

14:05cartel, which were intercepted by the Ministry of Defense.

14:09However, U.S. officials did not reveal the number of aircraft that were intercepted.

14:22On Wednesday, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, testified in a Los Angeles civil trial concerning a lawsuit that alleged

14:30the company knew their products were harmful for children.

14:34Mosseri is the first executive to testify in a series of lawsuits against Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.

14:41The companies are accused of creating addictive products that harm human people's mental health.

14:46Mosseri has previously faced scrutiny for dismissing warnings about the platform's addictive design.

14:51During the opening statement, the plaintiff's attorney mentioned a conversation between Meta, researchers, and stressed the addictive nature of the

14:59platform.

15:07We have a second short break coming up.

15:09Before, we invite you to visit our Facebook page at Tell us in English.

15:12There, you'll be able to watch your top stories, special life coverage, and much more.

15:16Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.

15:20Final short break, but we'll be right back with more from the South. Don't go away.

15:35Welcome back.

15:36The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned Israel's recent measures in the occupied West Bank

15:43that make it easier for Jewish Israelis to seize land and extend control over Palestinian areas.

15:48The measures approved on Sunday abolished a provision preventing Jewish private citizens from buying land in the West Bank

15:55and removed Palestinian officials from decisions on building permits.

15:59Turk warned that its actions accelerate Palestinians' disobsession, forcible transfer, and the creation of illegal settlements,

16:06while depriving Palestinians of resources and other rights.

16:10The official call on Israel to reverse the decisions, highlighting that they violated its obligations as an occupying power,

16:16and aimed to permanently alter the territory's demographics.

16:19...flowing into the anti-rights agenda from funders based in Europe, Russia, and the United States of America.

16:26Let's go deeper into the matter. Israel's measures give Israeli authorities powers to take action,

16:31such as carrying out property demolitions against people deemed responsible for environmental hazards,

16:37water offences, and damage to archaeological sites in areas administrated by the Palestinian authorities.

16:42These measures also include the buy-up of cultural and religious sites.

16:46The moves are the latest in a string of steps taken by Benjamin Netanyahu's government

16:51to tighten Israel's grip on the West Bank.

16:54which Palestinians seek as the heart of the future state,

16:57but which Israel has subjected to military occupation for more than half a century.

17:16For its part, the Hamas-resistant movement has condemned the occupation's breach of the ceasefire and the international law.

17:22The movement is restricted that Harafa crossing and daily exits are not being allowed.

17:28Hamas spokesperson Hasem Qasem issued a statement detailing that only 27% of the agreed number of people have been

17:34allowed to cross through the Harafa.

17:36He also reported the ongoing harassment, interrogation, and abuse of travelers by Israeli soldiers.

17:42Qasem called mediators and guarantors states to pressure Israel to fully implement the terms related to operating the Harafa crossing,

17:49and to stop violence in the ceasefire agreement.

18:12At least 20 people died in Madagascar due to the impact of tropical cyclone Gesani.

18:16Local authorities reported that 33 people have been injured and another 15 are missing due to cyclone Gesani,

18:23which made landfall in the Indian Ocean Islands with winds exceeding 195 kilometers per hour.

18:29A meteorological service issued a red alert for several regions warning of possible flooding and landslides as Gesani moved across

18:36the country.

18:37In this scenario, residents reported totally or partially destroyed roofs and impossible roads.

18:43After hitting the city of Toa Masina, the cyclone weakened considerably.

18:48However, it continues to cross the island, bringing flooding risks.

19:00In other news, polls opened in Bangladesh amid the largest ever technological and security deployment.

19:06In a key test of Bangladesh's return to democracy after a student-led uprising toppled long-time leader Sheikh Hasina

19:13in August 2024,

19:14nearly 127 million eligible voters are heading to the polls.

19:18This election pitched the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, PNP,

19:24against a Yemeni-Islamic-led coalition of 11 parties, including the National Citizens Party.

19:30The National Citizens Party was formed by youth activist instrumental in Austin Hasina.

19:35This election is expected to draw a record number of Bangladesh's 127 million eligible voters.

19:51Moving now to Spain.

19:53On February 11, hundreds of farmers protested in Madrid to denounce the precarious situation facing the Spanish countryside

20:00and to reject the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

20:03Protesters see the trade agreement as a threat to European producers and consumers

20:08because it allows products that don't meet European quality standards to enter.

20:12The demand that national and European authorities take urgent measures to support the rural sector.

20:18Critics also blame Pedro Sánchez's government and the Ministry of Agriculture,

20:23with some even calling for the prime minister's resignation over a lack of institutional support.

20:47The Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra and violinist Stefania Pospekeini gave an emotional improvised concert on a flight.

20:57Performing Fritz Klärsen Liebesfreude.

21:00Passengers enjoyed the performance, which ended in a standing ovation at the altitude of 10,900 meters.

21:07The musicians who participated in the concert were heading to the Jamal Symphony International Competition,

21:13which has been on our way since February 10th and features contestants from several countries.

21:17This event, artistically directed by the renowned pianist Danis Matsuev, selected participants from Russia, Italy, China, Colombia, Japan and Kazakhstan,