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* Colombia: Fake polls aim to boost the rankings of right-wing candidates
* Israel intensifies attacks against southern Lebanon
* Israel intensifies attacks against southern Lebanon
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00:03United Nations Security Council hold this Tuesday, a high-level open session shared by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
00:14With the presidential elections in Colombia just days away, a poll war has broken out with fake polls attempting to
00:20position white-wing candidates as frontrunners.
00:28An Israeli attack against southern Lebanon intensified following an order by Sudanese Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
00:35At least 17 civilians have been killed in the past few hours.
00:45Hello, welcome to From the South. I'm Luis Alberto Matos from Dresor Studios in Caracas, Venezuela. We begin with the
00:50news.
01:05The United Nations Security Council hosts this Tuesday, a high-level open session shared by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
01:12The session focuses on upholding the objectives and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the international system.
01:17During the session participants discussed ways to translate the principles of the Charter into concrete measures and to strengthen respect
01:25for international law while avoiding double standards.
01:28The debate is taking place against a backdrop of criticism of the Security Council's performance and its growing inability in
01:35recent years to effectively address various issues such as the genocide in Gaza.
01:39Observers believe that the session will serve as a new platform to highlight the differences among world powers regarding the
01:45future of the multilateral system and the role of the United Nations in managing global crises.
01:57In the context of the UN Security Council, Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the political bureau of the Central
02:02Committee of the Decriminalist Party of China Wang Yi referred to how the UN must uphold sovereign equality and the
02:08peaceful settlement of disputes.
02:13And oppose the use of force.
02:21We must uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II and oppose glorifying the history of aggression.
02:27All member states should align their policies with the spirit of the Charter and jointly observe and act on the
02:36Charter.
02:38Major countries in particular have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right
02:45path and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
02:50It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with
02:59more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to truly deliver
03:08on their development financing pledges.
03:15And the permanent representative of Liberia's mission to the UN, Sara Safin-Finer, made reference to the value of the
03:21UN Charter and called to immediately act on the problems that are affecting the world today.
03:26We debate the purposes and the principles of this Charter.
03:30We are debating the conditions of human lives.
03:34Is it not time for us to pause and reset to avoid a similar fate of the League of Nations?
03:38Are we prepared to give the next Secretary General the freedom in the new thinking that new times and new
03:43realities demand?
03:45This would not be weakness, but rather strength in giving we the peoples what we deserve.
03:51A more representative, a more responsive and accountable United Nations is within reach if we collectively summon the will to
03:58achieve it.
03:59Let us reaffirm not only the words of the Charter, but the values that give those words meaning.
04:04In doing so, we will not only preserve the legacy of those who founded this organization,
04:09we will answer to those who are in the most need of this organization.
04:14If it's not done now, then when?
04:16And if it's not done by us, then by who?
04:34With the presidential election in Colombia, just days away, a poll war has broken up with polls attempting to position
04:40right-wing candidates as frontrunners.
04:42While the historical PACS candidate Ivan Zepeda leads in the polls, some surveys suggest that right-wing candidates Abelardo de
04:49la Espriela and Paloma Valencia are the favorites to win the first round.
04:53Investigations revealed the unreliability of these polling firms, showing that they do not meet the legal requirements for drafting questionnaires.
05:00Further part, companies with a long history and reputation in the country, such as the National Consultant Center, indicate that
05:07the candidacy of the left-wing candidate Ivan Zepeda is consolidated with a solid 44.3% in voting intention.
05:21Colombia is preparing for a crucial election on May 31st when citizens will vote to determine the country's scores for
05:26the next four years.
05:29More than 21 million Colombians are eligible to vote in this first round of the presidential election.
05:35If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the two top candidates will face a second round
05:41on June 21st.
05:43This process follows the legislative elections held on March 8th.
05:47On that day, Colombians elected the 296 members of Congress, including senators and representatives to the House of Representatives, who
05:54will form the legislature until 2030.
05:58The National Registry of Civil Status has coordinated logistics throughout the country.
06:03In addition, voting stations were set up at consulates to ensure the participation of Colombians living abroad.
06:08The electoral system is monitored by the Election Observation Mission and other international organizations to ensure the transparency of the
06:16process.
06:17The results of this presidential election will shape Colombia's political and social agenda for the next four years.
06:26And as presidential elections in Colombia are just days away, let's take a look at the profile of Aida Kulkue
06:31running for the Vice Presidency of the country next to the presidential candidate Iván Zepeda from the Historic Pact Party.
06:37Aida Kulkue represents the voice of Colombia's indigenous peoples, a leader of the Nasa people and a key figure of
06:45the historic pact.
06:46Her career is a testimony to indigenous resistance against dispossession and violence.
06:50She was the first one to preside over the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca, where she was one of the
06:56main architects of the historic indigenous mobilization that brought thousands of people to Bogota to demand their rights.
07:04In 2022, she made history by becoming one of the first indigenous women to reach the Senate of the Republic.
07:10From her seat, she promotes an agenda focused on agrarian reform, environmental justice, and the protection of ancestral territories.
07:18Kulkue represents the alliance between social movements and the government, with her presence at the Congress being a symbol of
07:24the struggle for a more inclusive country.
07:34Let's see now the profile of Juan Daniel Oviedo running for the Vice Presidency of the country next to the
07:39presidential candidate Paloma Valencia from the Democratic Central Party, representative of Eurobism.
07:45Juan Daniel Oviedo built that reputation as a technocrat and an impartial figure during his tenure leading the National Department
07:50of Statistics,
07:51later achieving a high vote total in the race for mayor of Bogota and consolidating himself as an independent figure.
07:57His alliance with the Democratic Central Party draws strong criticism with accusations of him being a facade to clean Eurobism's
08:04image, a right-wing political movement with great rejection among citizens.
08:09Furthermore, his opponents define him as a politician with an elitist discourse disconnected from deep Colombia and without real experience
08:17in public administration.
08:18In this sense, his candidacy is viewed as a political experiment.
08:22His alliance with the traditional right projects the image of a fractured ticket which will have to convince a country
08:28that distrust alliances without a clear roadmap.
08:45And in Colombia, the government of Gustavo Petro promoted several reforms to the benefit of the population, many of which
08:52faced constant resistance from Congress.
08:54I correspond Tatiana Portela with the story.
08:58Today, we will examine the government of change, specifically in the context of the elections.
09:03What has been achieved, what has been hindered, and what remains to be done.
09:13Colombia enters the countdown to a crucial presidential election.
09:17After four years of the country's first progressive government, voters face a picture of contrast.
09:22Although Gustavo Petro took office promising a national agreement with all sectors, the executive's agenda led to constant confrontation with
09:30Congress and deep political polarization.
09:32Despite resistance, reforms such as labor reform managed to move forward, driven by social mobilization.
09:40The issues of night shift freemians, Sunday shift freemians, the length of the work day and the reduction in working
09:46hours make for a very attractive package from an economic standpoint.
09:50So to speak, for workers in general, although there are some specific details, that chapter was one of the most
09:57continuous within the National Congress, wasn't it?
10:00But it also marked a step toward formalization and restored dignity to workers.
10:06In the educational field, although it did not succeed in completely overhauling law 30, the framework that regulates higher education
10:14as a private service,
10:15Petro's government managed to amend two key articles to inject direct funding into public universities.
10:25There have been some changes regarding the percentage allocated to the national budget.
10:30with a projection that this figure will reach 1% of the budget by 2014.
10:36And on the other hand, there is also a change in the cost index, which in this case includes the
10:43higher education cost index,
10:45which aims to speak to get a little closer to what public universities and higher education institutions actually need today.
10:57The ambitious pension system reform that benefits women by reducing the number of contribution weeks required for each child has
11:04now been temporarily suspended by the constitutional court due to losses alleging false informal procedures.
11:09A solidarity-based income for nearly 3 million seniors, previously they were giving only 80,000 pesos, but now they
11:19will receive 230,000 pesos.
11:22That is what the pension reform stipulates and it applies not only to the 1.6 million who previously received
11:28that 80,000 pesos payment,
11:29but to 3 million pensioners, seniors who received no other government assistance.
11:38Faced with deadlock in Congress, the government expedited agrarian reform through administrative channels
11:42distributing thousands of hectares to farming families and prioritizing resources for the areas hard to see by the conflict.
11:48The government expedited agrarian reform through national plans for comprehensive rural reform, which are designed to guarantee economic and social
11:59rights
11:59and provide economic measures for rural residents as well as, of course, through the land allocation process, including the 3
12:07million hectares set aside for a land fund
12:09and the 7 million hectares designed for land titling.
12:15But the executive branch reformist's momentum ultimately hit a wall in Congress in the strategic sector social healthcare.
12:23A crucial reform that sought to eliminate private financial intermediation of public resources was shelved amid tense debates.
12:32And the latest report from the audit office mentions 14.2 trillion pesos that have disappeared without a trace in
12:38recent years.
12:39A healthcare system with overpriced medicines is unacceptable.
12:42For procedures that cost 3 million on the market are billed to the healthcare system for 700 million.
12:47In other words, there are various allegations of what could be the largest looting in the history of this country,
12:52at the expense of the lives of Colombian people.
12:56The controversial budget worth about 3.5 billion dollars remains in limbo.
13:02At the same time, the political reform and undemocratizing election financing and ensuring gender parity was dismantled by the traditional
13:08parties.
13:13Petro is thus handing over a country where structural reforms have been initiated but whose viability remains uncertain.
13:20On May 31st, Colombia will decide at the polls the course of its history to deepen the progressive agenda or
13:25return to the far-right model.
13:27Tatiana Portela, Telesur, Bogotá, Colombia.
13:46International condemnation continues to grow over the accusations made by the White House against Cuba Army General Raul Castro.
13:52Various international movements rejected the indictment issued by the United States Department of Justice against the Cuban revolutionary leader concerning
14:00the 1996 downing of two brothers to the rescue aircraft.
14:03Statements of condemnation from governments, labor unions and friendship associations in numerous countries describe the charges as fraudulent and lacking
14:12both legal and moral foundation.
14:14In this regard, different political forces and regional and global human rights groups also rejected the U.S. action, expressing
14:22support for the Cuban revolution while demanding an end to the threats against the island.
14:34For 20 days in a row, Bolivians have been taken to the streets to demand the resignation of President Rodrigo
14:40Paz.
14:41Around the historic Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Policians fired wide-controlled weapons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, who
14:47in turn hurled stones and improvised explosives during the confrontation.
14:51Meanwhile, farmers, miners and trade unionists also marched through the streets to protest against the government of Rodrigo Paz and
14:57demand his resignation.
14:59The protests have now entered their fourth week and have led to blockades on strategic roads affecting the supply of
15:05fuel, food and medical supplies in several cities across the country.
15:13Let him resign, let him go, because we don't want him anymore, everything is going up.
15:18How much does a quarter of cars cost 50, 60 Bolivians?
15:23Yes, they already have the cart blanched to use lethal weapons.
15:28Right now, the police is quite worrying.
15:31Supposedly, to pacify these people, they mocked or filled their mouths, saying freedom, democracy.
15:38What is freedom and democracy? It's only for a few rich people.
15:44And protesters and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement clashed outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center in New Jersey during
15:51a protest in support of the hunger strike being carried out by more than 310 immigrants.
15:55The incident occurred near the Immigration Center in Newark.
15:58ICE forces used rad gear and paper spray in addition to arresting several citizens to disperse the crowd that was
16:04trying to prevent the transfer of one of the participants in the internal protest.
16:08The protest, both inside and outside the facility, demanded immediate release of elderly people, youth and migrants with health issues,
16:16while denouncing the precarious detention conditions and the tightening of immigration policy promoted by President Donald Trump.
16:31And U.S. authorities confirmed the seizure of 227 kilograms of cocaine hidden on an oil tanker from Ecuador, one
16:38of its partner countries, in the Shield of the Americas.
16:40According to the investigation, the drugs were being transported on the vessel Aqual Traviesa, which is Greek-owned, and flies
16:47the Liberian flag.
16:49It is believed that the drugs were to be delivered to a Mexican criminal group through swadged through waters near
16:55Mexico.
16:56The shipment was discovered by crew members, and the vessel was subsequently directed to the United States, where authorities conducted
17:03an inspection and seized the goods.
17:05The arrest of a Filipino crew member was confirmed, and Ecuador reported three arrests, including the ship's captain.
17:18And the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is worsening, following several attacks on hospitals and the
17:24subsequent escape of patients.
17:26Three attacks on medical facilities in less than a week have set off alarm bells amid an Ebola outbreak that
17:32is now also affecting Uganda and has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO.
17:39Attacks by residents on isolation tents in Bunia, Rampara, and Mongualu, driven by misinformation and rejection of safe burial protocols,
17:47led to the escape of dozens of patients under surveillance.
17:50In this regard, authorities warned that the corpses remain highly contagious, and organizations report that the outbreak has now exceeded
17:57900 cases and 220 suspected deaths.
18:01At the end of the day, they are now under the same conditions.
18:07Let's take a break.
18:08Don't go away.
18:10.
18:10.
18:11.
18:12.
18:25.
18:32.
18:35Welcome back.
18:36Israeli attacks against Saddam and Lebanon intensified following an order by Saddam's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
18:42At least 17 civilians have been killed in the past few hours.
18:45At least five people were killed and another 11, including children, suffered injuries as Israeli war prints launched a strike
18:52on various residential neighborhoods in the Pekka Valley.
18:55At the same time, Lebanon's national news agency reports that several towns in Nabata district are under heavy artillery bombardment
19:03by Israeli forces as Lebanese rescue workers have recovered 12 bodies following an Israeli attack on the town of Mascara.
19:09These latest attacks came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video Monday night ordering the Saddam's military to
19:17intensify strikes against Lebanon.
19:30The United States violates the ceasefire with Iran and jeopardizes negotiations efforts by attacking the Islamic Republic's forces near the
19:38Strait of Hormuz.
19:38The U.S. Central Command stated on Monday they launched strikes against southern Iran as the Iran's top negotiators gathered
19:46in Qatar for talks and immigration peace deal with Washington.
19:49For its part, Iranian sources confirmed the unprovoked aggression that targeted areas near the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas.
19:56Local sources reported explosion-like sounds in the area while Mer's news agency confirmed that the situation is under control.
20:04At the same time, Tasnim and Far's news agency emphasized that Iranian defensive systems and authorities responded swiftly and effectively.
20:12This latest U.S. aggression comes amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran as the Persian nation continues committing to peace
20:18negotiations.
20:24And in this sense, in Qatar, an Iranian delegation continues diplomatic efforts to achieve a peace agreement as Foreign Minister
20:31of Iraq's parliament,
20:32and Speaker Mohamed Bagar Ghalibaf and Central Bank Governor Abdul Nasser Hemati were reported on Monday evening in Doha.
20:40One of the main topics during the talks with Qatari authorities is the situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz and
20:46Iran's highly enriched uranium.
20:49It is expected that during the visit, the parties will address negotiations with the United States to help bring an
20:55end to hostilities.
20:56In addition, media reports indicate that Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks will be on the table.
21:02Regarding this ongoing effort, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared on Tuesday the hope that the Qatar talks
21:08can lead to progress in the peace negotiations.
21:17On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Shabazz Sharif in Beijing for bilateral talks
21:25as Islamabad continues to mediate U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.
21:29In this sense, Xi praised Pakistan for demonstrating a proactive spirit and mediating for peace to return to the Middle
21:34East.
21:35In turn, Sharif expressed readiness to coordinate closely with China to jointly contribute to world peace and stability.
21:42This comes as Islamabad maintains a central goal as mediator in the Middle East.
21:46Conflictual negotiations between the United States and Iran have been ongoing for over a month now.
21:51Meanwhile, a second round of direct negotiations has yet to take place while diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in the
21:57Middle East.
21:58Big regions are ongoing.
22:09And Lebanon celebrated on Monday, Liberation Day, with hundreds of citizens gathered in Beirut's suburbs in support of the Lebanese
22:19resistance and to protest the new Sadonist occupation.
22:23Lebanon's Resistance and Liberation Day is celebrated every 25th to commemorate Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, marking the
22:31end of 22 years of occupation.
22:33These years, as the Syrian forces are invading and raiding once against southern towns, the people of Beirut took the
22:40streets to show their support for the resistance movement, Hezbollah, carrying Hezbollah flags and pictures of its dealers.
22:46The Lebanese people vowed to continue resisting the Syrian aggression and expansionist policies.
22:52This Liberation Day commemoration comes as 1.2 million people in Lebanon are currently displaced from their homes as a
22:59result of Israel's attacks.
23:13The Russian government condemned the West's indifference to Ukraine's terrorist attack on a student residence in Starobosk.
23:21Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on the Western media's refusal to report from the site of the attack, noting
23:28that several Western media outlets simply refused to go to the scene.
23:32Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister spokesperson Maria Zaharova declared that the Kiev terrorist attack against a student dormitory in the Russian
23:40city of Tarobosk and the West's response to this crime has sparked outrage in Russia and around the world.
23:46In the early hours of May 22nd, the Ukrainian armed forces carried out a drone strike on a university building
23:51where 86 young people were on the premises.
23:5321 people were killed and more than 60 were injured.
24:08Delegates from more than 120 countries are gathering in Moscow to discuss the future of global security at the International
24:15Security Forum.
24:16The Security Council of the Russian Federation is hosting a forum that began on Tuesday and will continue through May
24:2329th.
24:24The forum will bring together delegations from over 120 countries as well as representatives from international organizations such as the
24:31Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
24:36Representatives from Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East will also be present.
24:41The event is expected to become a leading global forum for discussing security issues and international cooperation.
24:54This is an interesting guest, your talk at NWB.
24:55As a part of the pandemic, the USA community is, it is a good news service.
24:56You can also find out more on our website at telesullenglish.net and also on our social media.
24:59For Telesull English, I'm with Alberto Matos.
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