FTS 12.30
*Brazil: 1.7 million people affected by floods in Rio Grande do Soul
*Chad: Military Junta leader wins presidential election
*Brazil: 1.7 million people affected by floods in Rio Grande do Soul
*Chad: Military Junta leader wins presidential election
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:10 With 143 votes in favor, the United Nations General Assembly
00:14 has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member.
00:18 In Brazil, the number of people affected by the rains
00:23 has risen to 1.7 million due to flooding in the state of Rio
00:30 Grande do Sul since the end of April.
00:32 And in chat, the transitional president and leader
00:37 of the military, Junta Mahamad Idris de Villigno,
00:39 won the presidential elections according
00:41 to the National Election Management Agency.
00:44 Hello, and welcome to From the South.
00:50 My name is Belen de los Santos.
00:51 And from the Telesor studios in Havana, Cuba,
00:54 we begin with the news.
00:55 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:11 The United Nations General Assembly
01:13 has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member.
01:19 The assembly adopted a resolution on Friday
01:21 with 143 votes in favor and nine against,
01:24 including the US and Israel, while 25 countries abstain.
01:29 This does not give the Palestinians full UN
01:31 membership, but recognizes them as qualified to join
01:35 and recommends the UN Security Council
01:37 reconsider the matter favorably.
01:40 The vote represents a global survey
01:42 of support for the Palestinian bid
01:43 to become a full UN member, a move that would effectively
01:47 recognize a Palestinian state after the United States vetoed
01:52 it in the UN Security Council last month.
01:54 While it does not grant a vote in the body,
01:57 the draft resolution will give the Palestinians
01:59 some additional rights and privileges from September 2024,
02:03 like a seat among the UN members in the assembly hall.
02:06 Meanwhile, on Friday in Palestine,
02:15 the Israeli occupation army carried out heavy bombardments
02:18 on eastern Rafa, where 110,000 people have already
02:22 been forcibly displaced.
02:24 In this way, in the framework of the 217th day
02:27 of the ongoing genocidal aggression,
02:29 Israel continues to target Rafa, where
02:32 some 1.5 million displaced people live,
02:35 more than half of the Gaza population.
02:38 In parallel, a bombing hit a family home
02:40 in the town of Abassan al-Kavira near Hanjounis,
02:44 killing eight people and injuring many others,
02:46 despite Hanjounis being one of the destination
02:49 areas for Palestinians fleeing Rafa.
02:53 The attacks come after the US President Joe Biden
02:57 warned that he would not provide more military aid to Israel
03:00 if it began a military raid on the Palestinian city of Rafa.
03:04 There are one million displaced people in Rafa.
03:13 Therefore, any shells targeting Rafa
03:15 will inevitably lead to casualties
03:17 among women and children.
03:18 I hope mediators will find a solution to the Rafa issue,
03:21 as Rafa can't take any more suffering.
03:23 It's been a ravaged city for seven months.
03:27 The United Nations Relief and Works Agency
03:30 for Palestinian Refugees posted on social media
03:33 that as Israeli forces' bombardment intensify in Rafa,
03:37 forced displacement continues.
03:39 UNRWA estimates that around 110,000 people
03:43 have now fled Rafa, looking for safety.
03:47 But nowhere is safe in the Gaza Strip,
03:50 and living conditions are appalling.
03:52 The only hope is an immediate ceasefire.
03:54 End dialysis patients from a major hospital in Rafa
04:02 had to be transferred to the Nasser Hospital Center
04:05 nearby Hanjounis in southern Gaza Strip,
04:07 where Israeli ground troops withdrew a month ago.
04:11 Patients and staff at the Abu Youssef al-Nashar Hospital
04:15 were forced to evacuate on Wednesday
04:17 as the Israeli operation in Rafa escalated.
04:20 The hospital was one of the key medical facilities
04:23 that received the injured in the attacks
04:25 on the southern city of Gaza.
04:27 So far, the constant Israeli attacks
04:29 have closed almost all medical facilities
04:32 in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
04:39 We were very fretful the day the Israelis came in.
04:42 They controlled the hospital and we had to evacuate.
04:45 So we started to worry about it, and that happened,
04:48 and we thought about where to go.
04:50 But thank God, Nasser Hospital prepared and arranged
04:53 everything and that facilitated our emotional welfare.
04:56 Dr. Attaf al-Houd, director of the Nasser Hospital,
04:59 spoke about the damages done to the dialysis unit.
05:04 Today, the dialysis service has stopped completely.
05:07 The result is that patients have no place for dialysis.
05:10 As you all know, the dialysis building
05:13 was completely burned down and cannot be restored
05:16 in a short time.
05:16 So we were forced to create a dialysis department
05:19 with existing capacities using an old desalination plant,
05:23 repairing it and reusing it as much as possible for 25 dialysis
05:27 machines at Nasser Hospital.
05:30 On Friday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
05:33 for Palestinian Refugees, the UNRWA,
05:35 temporarily closed its headquarters in East Jerusalem
05:38 after being attacked by Israeli extremists who set fire
05:42 to the perimeter of the facility.
05:44 Addressing the situation, Filippo Lazzarini,
05:46 head of the agency, affirmed on social networks
05:49 that the complex was attacked twice,
05:51 describing the event as scandalous
05:53 and stating it posed a serious risk to the staff.
05:56 Lazzarini highlighted that in the last few months,
05:59 the agency's workers have been regularly harassed
06:02 and threatened with firearms.
06:04 The UNRWA executive also stated the headquarters
06:06 will not be reopened until security
06:09 is restored in the area.
06:11 These attacks come after Israeli authorities
06:13 claimed that the agency workers were linked
06:15 to Hamas with no proof.
06:17 And the US Department of State reported
06:24 that the Biden administration is apparently
06:26 concerned about an Israeli military raid in Rafa.
06:31 What the president made clear is that we
06:34 have concerns about a potential military operation in Rafa.
06:38 I don't think that's any secret.
06:39 We've been making those concerns known publicly,
06:41 and we have made those concerns quite clear
06:44 to the government of Israel.
06:45 And as the president noted, there
06:47 are certain types of military assistance
06:49 that we will not make available to Israel for use
06:52 in a campaign in Rafa.
06:54 In the United States, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters
06:57 returned to George Washington University
06:59 following Wednesday rallies, which
07:01 led to evictions and the arrest of 33 participants.
07:05 Earlier on Thursday, the group of students
07:07 stopped in front of the residence
07:08 of the chancellor of the Washington Center,
07:11 with banners saying, "We are not leaving
07:13 and chanting free Palestine."
07:15 Previously on Wednesday morning, police officers
07:17 suppressed and cleared the camp, having
07:20 arrested 33 ralliers ranging from 18 to 33 years old.
07:25 Almost three weeks after the onset
07:27 of the pro-Palestinian movement in Columbia University,
07:30 protesters continue raising their voices
07:33 in the US and Europe to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza.
07:37 [MUSIC - "UNDER MY FEET"]
07:38 And it's under my feet, under my feet, under my feet,
07:41 yes, under my feet.
07:43 Ain't gonna last 'til '48.
07:45 And I took back my soul from me, and I took back my dignity.
07:51 And we now move on to other topics.
07:53 Iran's second round of parliamentary elections
07:55 began on Friday to determine the remaining 45 seats
07:59 in the 290-member legislature.
08:01 In this context, voting has started
08:03 in 22 electoral districts of 15 provinces,
08:07 where a total of 90 candidates are competing.
08:09 The first round of the 12th election
08:11 took place on March 1st, and more than 61 million citizens
08:15 were called to the polls.
08:17 Precisely, Ayatollah Ali Jamini, the leader
08:19 of the Islamic Revolution, exercised his right
08:22 to vote at a polling station in Tehran
08:25 and declared that all Iranians who
08:27 want the progress of the nation have the duty
08:29 to participate in the elections to make
08:31 the parliament stronger.
08:32 The significance of the runoff elections
08:39 is no less important than that of the main elections.
08:42 God willing, our dear people will vote for a full parliament.
08:45 The higher the turnout, the more powerful
08:47 the parliament will be.
08:49 The stronger the parliament is, the more
08:50 it can work for the country.
08:52 Now let's take a short break.
08:53 But remember, you can join us on TikTok @TelusaryEnglish,
08:56 where you will find news in different formats, news
08:59 updates, and much more.
09:00 Other stories coming up.
09:04 Stay with us.
09:05 [MUSIC PLAYING]
09:09,
09:37 Welcome back from the south.
09:38 In Brazil, the number of people affected by heavy rainfall
09:41 has risen to 1.7 million in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
09:46 The latest update provided by civil defense
09:48 indicates that the number of municipalities impacted
09:50 by rains and floods striking the country since the end of April
09:55 rose to 431.
09:57 In addition, while the number of deaths due to the storms
10:00 remains at 107, there are still 134 people reported missing
10:05 and 754 injured.
10:08 In this context, the most intense rainfall
10:09 is expected to hit the region between the 10th
10:12 and the 12th of May.
10:14 With this forecast, the state's governor, Eduardo Leite,
10:17 stated that the authorities are looking for dignity,
10:19 protection, and care for each of the people that are currently
10:23 forced to live in shelters.
10:24 Meanwhile, in East Africa, floods and landslides
10:32 caused by heavy rains severely affect Burundi, Kenya, Somalia,
10:36 and Tanzania.
10:37 In this context, the United Nations
10:39 stated that more than 230,000 people have been displaced
10:43 in the last week.
10:45 The report also stated that floods have affected
10:47 more than 630,000 people.
10:50 And in the meantime, there are no official records of deaths.
10:54 Africa is highly vulnerable to climate change,
10:57 despite contributing only 4% of global greenhouse gas
11:00 emissions.
11:01 Precisely this continent is facing alternating cycles
11:05 of drought and heavy rains that also worsen the food crisis,
11:09 as studies indicate that if current climate change trends
11:12 continue, crop production in Africa
11:14 would decline by 2.9% by 2030 and 18% by 2050.
11:26 We go now to other topics, as Cuba denounced on Thursday
11:29 the decision by a US court to absolve a Cuban citizen accused
11:33 of a terrorist attack against the Caribbean Nations
11:35 Embassy in Washington.
11:37 The Cuban Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concern
11:40 about the ruling issued on May 1 by a District of Columbia's
11:44 judge.
11:45 According to the statement, Alexandre Lazobado
11:47 fired all 32 rounds from a magazine
11:50 of an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle against Cuba's embassy
11:55 on April 20th in 2020, causing extensive property
11:59 damage to the exterior and interior of the building
12:03 and endangering the lives of several people inside.
12:06 The statement also accused the US policy
12:10 against Cuba, which it described as aggressive
12:13 and a permanent incitement to violence by US politicians
12:17 and anti-Cuban extremist groups.
12:19 Meanwhile in Panama, the National Scrutiny Board
12:27 proclaimed Jose Raul Molino as President-elect of the nation
12:31 following his victory in the elections held on Sunday.
12:34 Molino will be sworn in as head of state on July 1
12:39 following a transition process that will begin on June 3.
12:43 At the ceremony, he signed the act of proclamation
12:46 in front of the magistrates of the electoral tribunal
12:49 and international observers.
12:51 The newly President-elect pledged
12:52 to work in conjunction with international organizations
12:56 in the processes of repatriating Panamanians overseas
12:59 and deporting migrants who enter the country
13:02 through the Darien Gap, the jungle border with Colombia.
13:05 We'll initiate, with international assistance,
13:17 a repatriation process with full respect
13:19 for the human rights of all the people who are there,
13:24 so that those there and those who would like to come
13:27 know that the ones arriving here will be returned
13:29 to their country of origin.
13:32 Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil
13:34 attended on Thursday the 29th Ordinary Meeting
13:37 of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean
13:40 States, the ACS.
13:42 The meeting is expected to address
13:44 the role of the Association of Caribbean States
13:46 in regional affairs, as well as the strengthening
13:49 of the organization and its special committees.
13:52 The city of Paramaribo, capital of Suriname,
13:54 was the venue for the meeting, which
13:57 was expected to deepen technical cooperation with the countries
14:00 and organizations in the Caribbean.
14:02 And the former president of Peru, Pedro Castillo,
14:09 denied having committed a coup d'etat
14:12 and having attempted against the constitutional and autonomous
14:15 bodies of the country.
14:16 During a virtual hearing, the former president
14:19 pushed to nullify and declare the prosecution's accusation
14:23 as inadmissible for lack of evidence
14:26 to initiate a preliminary investigation.
14:28 Pedro Castillo also affirmed that he had never
14:31 committed the crime of rebellion or attempted
14:34 against the constitutional order of the nation.
14:36 This came after the judiciary requested a sentence of 34
14:40 years in prison against the former president
14:43 for alleged crimes of rebellion, abuse of authority,
14:47 and serious disturbance of public peace.
14:49 Mr. Magistrate, I'm accused of having committed a crime.
14:58 I never committed it.
15:00 I'm accused of carrying out a coup d'etat.
15:02 I would like to ask the public ministry, as any citizen says,
15:10 where in the procedural code?
15:16 Penal code.
15:17 Where in the Constitution is a coup d'etat mentioned?
15:20 I never committed a crime of rebellion.
15:27 I simply read a document without any consequence.
15:29 And I never attempted against the constitutional order,
15:38 unless against the autonomous organisms that the country has.
15:43 We have a final short break coming up.
15:44 But before we invite you to join our WhatsApp community
15:47 for our English speaking audience,
15:49 you can scan the QR code on screen to join directly,
15:51 and also share the link to reach more people.
15:54 Constant news coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean,
15:56 as well as the rest of the world.
15:58 Stay connected and informed with TELUS.
16:00 Our final short break.
16:01 Don't go away.
16:03 [MUSIC PLAYING]
16:21 Welcome back from the South.
16:23 In the Republic of Chad, the transitional president
16:25 and leader of the military junta,
16:27 Mohammad Idris Ebdiwi Edna, won the presidential elections
16:31 on Monday, May the 6th, according to the National
16:34 Election Management Agency.
16:36 According to the agency, Edna led the process
16:38 with a victory of 61.03% of the votes
16:43 against his adversary, the former opposition leader
16:46 and prime minister, Zoukse Masra, who obtained 18.53%.
16:51 General Ebdiwi Edna surpassed the 50% of the votes in favor,
16:54 a requirement to avoid the call for a second round
16:57 of elections.
16:59 The elections held last Monday, where more than 8 million
17:02 citizens were called to exercise their right to vote,
17:05 put an end to a three-year transition period in the country
17:09 after the death of late President Idris
17:11 Ebdiwi, father of the now president-elect.
17:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
17:28 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
17:29 In view of this overwhelming victory,
17:32 I am now the elected president of all Chadians.
17:35 I am not only the president of those who voted for me,
17:38 but also the president of those who made other decisions.
17:42 Meanwhile, opposition candidate Zoukse Masra
17:44 rejected the result and called on citizens
17:47 who voted in his favor to mobilize peacefully.
17:51 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
17:53 To all Chadians who voted for change, who voted for me,
17:58 I say, mobilize peacefully.
18:01 Do it calmly, with the same spirit of peace
18:04 that you have shown in thinking about the future
18:06 that we are going to build together.
18:08 Witness what you have seen during these elections.
18:12 Publish testimonies, photographs,
18:14 polling station reports, and videos
18:16 that show the magnitude of your victory.
18:20 In other news, in Senegal, at least 11 people
18:22 were injured in an accident at the Dakar airport.
18:25 The plane was bound for Bamako, the capital of Mali,
18:28 and skidded off the runway during takeoff maneuvers,
18:31 forcing Mogadishu Blaise Diagne International Airport
18:36 to temporarily close its operations.
18:38 A statement from the local Ministry of Infrastructure
18:41 and Transport said that 85% were on board--
18:46 85 people were on board the plane, including 79 passengers
18:50 and six crew members.
18:51 Among the injured is one of the pilots.
18:54 It was also reported that the Bureau of Investigation
18:57 and Analysis has opened an investigation
19:00 to determine the causes of the accident.
19:02 The flight was operated by Air Senegal.
19:09 The flight number was AC301.
19:15 A flight from Dakar to Bamako, which
19:17 departed with 79 passengers and six trans-air crew members,
19:21 the plane was at the end of the runway.
19:29 It couldn't take off, and the pilot
19:31 chose to take the plane out onto the field next to it.
19:33 Personally, I think he handled the situation well.
19:39 The plane wasn't badly damaged.
19:48 And when it stopped, the passengers were in good health.
19:53 In Somalia on Thursday, the government
19:55 called for an end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance
19:59 Mission in the country.
20:00 In a statement, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Mualim
20:03 said that the request followed a thorough review of the country's
20:07 strategic priorities.
20:09 The tax addressed to the President of the Security
20:11 Council and the Secretary General of the United Nations
20:14 also called for the mission to end before October 2024.
20:18 The UN mission had replaced a UN political office
20:21 for the country, which was based in the capital from the year
20:24 1995 to 2013.
20:33 And in Spain, a total of 25 works from seven countries
20:36 will compete in the seventh edition of the Kirino Ibero
20:39 American Animation Awards, with Brazil, Mexico, and Spain
20:42 leading the nominations.
20:48 This edition will take place in the town of San Cristobal de
20:51 la Laguna from the 9th to the 11th of May,
20:54 with the main sponsorship of the municipality of Santa Cruz
20:57 de Tenerife.
20:59 We are celebrating the seventh edition of the Kirino Awards
21:02 here in Tenerife once again.
21:04 And we are also doing so in the heat of the great stimulus
21:06 that this activity, the audiovisual arts in general,
21:09 but animation in particular, has in a territory like ours,
21:12 which offers good tax incentives,
21:14 but also the capacity to execute production
21:16 with good professionals, with great companies that today
21:19 are capable of creating and exporting talent.
21:23 A total of 25 films from seven countries
21:26 will compete in the 10 categories of these awards
21:28 created to promote and highlight animation
21:30 in the Spanish-speaking region.
21:33 With 16 nominations, Spain hits the list
21:36 of countries with the most nominations,
21:38 followed by Brazil with seven and Chile with three.
21:42 Argentina, Mexico, and Portugal are
21:43 present with two awards each, while Colombia has one entry.
21:47 For the first time, the Kirino Awards
21:54 have added the feature film and animated series categories
21:57 to their competition.
21:59 The winners will be announced on 11 May at a ceremony
22:02 to be held at the Layout Theater in San Cristobal de la Laguna.
22:10 The selection of the winners will
22:11 be in charge of an outstanding jury made up
22:14 of important directors.
22:15 The Kirino Awards will also organize a new edition
22:18 of its Copper Production and Business Forum,
22:21 an initiative designed to promote the production
22:24 and circulation of works in this region made up
22:27 of Spain, Portugal, and Latin American countries.
22:38 And like this, we have come to the end of this news brief.
22:40 You can find these and many other stories on our website
22:43 at telesreinglish.net.
22:44 And also join us on social media.
22:46 We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram,
22:49 and also on TikTok.
22:52 For "Celes Re English," my name is Belén de los Santos.
22:54 Thank you for watching.
22:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]
22:59 (upbeat music)