Sunday, June 8, 2025
Surgery on Colombian senator Uribe went well after shooting, wife says
A prominent Colombian right-wing presidential candidate who was shot during a campaign event in Bogota has successfully undergone initial surgery, the city's mayor said Sunday.
Thirty-nine-year-old Senator Miguel Uribe was speaking to supporters in the capital when a gunman shot him twice in the head and once in the knee before being detained.
A security guard managed to detain the suspected attacker, a minor who is believed to be 15 years old.
Uribe was airlifted to hospital in "critical condition" and underwent a "neurosurgical" and "peripheral vascular procedure," the Santa Fe Clinic in Bogota confirmed.
He "overcame the first surgical procedure," Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan told media, adding that he had entered "the critical hours" of recovery.
Uribe's wife, in an audio recording shared with media, said "he came out well from the surgery."
"He fought the first battle and fought it well. He is fighting for his life," she is heard saying.
Images from the scene of the shooting showed Uribe slumped against the hood of a white car, smeared with blood, as a group of men tried to hold him and stop the bleeding.
The suspect was injured in the affray and was receiving treatment, said police director Carlos Fernando Triana.
Two others -- a man and a woman -- were also wounded, and a Glock-style firearm was seized.
"Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts," Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, told AFP as she lit candles and prayed for Uribe's health.
- 'Day of pain' -
A large investigative team is working on determining the motive for the attack, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday.
Earlier he had offered a roughly US$725,000 reward for information about who was behind the shooting.
Leftist President Gustavo Petro condemned the violence as "an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia."
The shooting was similarly condemned across the political spectrum and from overseas, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it "a direct threat to democracy."
But Rubio also pointed blame at Petro, claiming the attack was the "result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government."
"President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials," the top US diplomat said.
Venezuela, which has a longstanding border conflict with Colombia, also denounced the shooting, with the foreign ministry saying: "Venezuela strongly condemns the attack" on the senator.
Uribe, a strong critic of Petro, is a member of the Democratic Center party, which announced last October his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election.
Authorities said there was no specific threat made against the politician before the incident.
The country is home to several armed guerrilla groups and powerful cartels, and has a long history of political violence.
- Shot 'from behind' -
Uribe is the son of Diana Turbay, a famed Colombian journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel.
One of his grandfathers was president Julio Cesar Turbay, who led the country from 1978 to 1982.
Supporters gathered outside the Bogota hospital, lighting candles and clutching crucifixes as they prayed for Uribe's recovery.
The leader of Uribe's party, former president Alvaro Uribe -- who is not related to Miguel -- described the shooting as an attack against "a hope for the country."
Miguel Uribe has been a senator since 2022. He previously served as Bogota's government secretary and city councilor.
He also ran for city mayor in 2019, but lost that election.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/colombian-presidential-candidate-shot-wounded-013609353.html
France approaches Renault on drone production, Renault says
France's defence ministry has approached Renault with a view to helping to manufacture drones, the automaker said on Sunday, after the ministry last week floated the idea French companies could help with production in Ukraine.
"We have been contacted by the defence ministry about the possibility of producing drones. Discussions have taken place, but no decision has been taken at this stage, as we are awaiting further details on this project from the ministry," Renault said in a statement to Reuters.
Earlier on Sunday, French news website Franceinfo reported the French carmaker was expected to produce drones in Ukraine.
Asked about the report, the ministry told Reuters it was up to the carmaker, without naming it, to say whether it would participate.
Also without naming any companies, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu told French news channel LCI on Friday that France would set up a partnership between a major French carmaker and a small defence firm to equip production lines in Ukraine for building drones.
Drones have played a significant role in Ukraine’s defence since Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, providing surveillance and strike capabilities that have shaped battlefield tactics against Russian forces.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/france-approaches-renault-drone-production-154354412.html
Westinghouse pursues US nuclear expansion after Trump orders, FT says
Nuclear equipment supplier Westinghouse is in talks with U.S. officials and industry partners about deploying 10 large reactors, in response to presidential executive orders, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing the company's CEO.
President Donald Trump's executive orders, which were published on May 23, directed the government to cut down on regulations and fast-track licences for reactors and power plants to shrink a multi-year process to 18 months.
Dan Sumner, Westinghouse interim chief executive, told the FT that the company was "uniquely positioned" to deliver the president's agenda because it had an approved reactor design, a viable supply chain and recent experience of building two of its AP1000 reactors in Georgia.
"There is active engagement with the administration, including key points of interface with the loan programmes office, recognising the importance of financing to the deployment of the model," he told the FT.
Westinghouse did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
https://www.aol.com/news/westinghouse-pursues-us-nuclear-expansion-115602626.html
Real estate tycoon rips Fed Chair Powell for doing 'more damage' to housing market
As the U.S. continues to face challenges with its housing market, one real estate tycoon is pointing the finger at Fed Chair Jerome Powell for the industry’s downfall.
Grant Cardone, the CEO of Cardone Capital, argued that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell "caused" the country’s "housing crisis" during his appearance on "Mornings with Maria" on Monday.
"He [Jerome Powell] has done more damage to the middle class and to housing in this country than any other single Fed or any decision that has ever been made out of Washington, D.C.," Cardone stressed.
Cardone criticized the country’s high interest rates as the reason for "preventing" people from buying homes.
"That's why you have 500,000 more homes listed than buyers for those homes. When the rates come down, prices will also come down with it because you'll have more supply in the marketplace and supply is what controls prices," he said.
Following the Federal Open Market Committee’s May meeting, the central bank announced that it would leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%.
US real estate market is about to see a shift, expert says
The U.S. real estate market is about to see a shift in the coming months, according to an industry expert.
Cardone told FOX Business’ Jackie DeAngelis that "interest rates do not control prices."
He explained that lower rates could "stimulate" activity in the market and "activity is what makes the economy work."
"When you have a high supply but no demand because rates are too high, you don't have buyers coming in to reach those homes [so] the prices stay up," Cardone said.
The real estate expert’s criticism of Powell didn’t stop there. Cardone said that despite inflation dropping, the Fed chief has kept interest rates up.
"If you want homes to move in this country, we need investors back into the marketplace and we need buyers back in the marketplace able to get a low interest rate."
Trump says he has no intention of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
President Donald Trump answers a reporter's question about prices and addresses his feud with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in the White House.
Cardone attributed the drop in inflation to President Donald Trump’s "enthusiasm, optimism and speculation of opening up the marketplace."
President Donald Trump, a vocal critic of the Fed chair, also urged Powell to lower interest rates by a full percentage point.
"'Too Late' at the Fed is a disaster!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Europe has had 10 rate cuts, we have had none. Despite him, our Country is doing great. Go for a full point, Rocket Fuel!"
Death row inmate killed in Cal. prison as guards deploy blast grenades to control violent mob attack
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating after a death row inmate was killed at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano on Friday.
Convicted murderer Mario Renteria, 36, allegedly started beating fellow inmate, Julian Mendez, 46, at about 10:30 a.m. Friday, prompting prison staff to respond.
Officers ordered them to get down, but the men failed to comply, according to a CDCR news release obtained by Fox News Digital.
Chemical agents initially stopped the attack, but more than 30 additional inmates rushed Renteria and began striking him.
Orders to stop were ignored, and staff used multiple blast grenades to quell the violence, according to CDCR.
Mendez suffered multiple wounds, and life-saving measures were immediately taken.
He was taken to the prison’s triage and treatment area, where a doctor pronounced him dead at 11:05 a.m.
Officials said an improvised weapon was found at the scene, though the type of weapon was unclear.
Renteria remains in restricted housing pending investigation, according to CDCR.
Officials limited population movement to facilitate the investigation by the prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine Mendez’s official cause of death.
Mendez was received from Riverside County on Dec. 2, 2004, according to CDCR.
He received a condemned sentence in 2002 for the first-degree murder of two teenagers.
CDCR said Renteria was received from Riverside County on April 27, 2022, and was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder (a third-strike offense) and arson.
Kern Valley State Prison opened in 2005 and houses over 3,100 minimum- and high-security-custody inmates.
Europeans target tour buses, attractions with water guns in anti-tourism protests
If you are jetting off for a European summer, there is one date to beware of: June 15.
Locals in tourist hotspots who feel foreigners are turning their cities into playgrounds while they are left behind with a housing crisis, rising rents and environmental impacts are planning to disrupt airports, tour buses and popular attractions with placards and water pistols to get their point across.
Following a meeting in Barcelona in April, a coalition of activists — the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification – revealed they were planning a day of protests on June 15.
“The goal is not to attack individuals but to draw attention to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities,” one unnamed organizer from Lisbon told EU Today. “We are being squeezed out of our homes, our public spaces, and our daily lives.”
“It’s not about hating tourists – it’s about saving our communities,” said another activist.
The Spanish island of Majorca is expecting its biggest day of anti-tourist demonstrations yet, with 60 groups wanting to bring the streets to a standstill with the slogan, “For the right to a decent life; Stop touristification”.
It is certainly not the first time we have seen these kinds of protests.
One of the latest incidents to grab global headlines was in Barcelona in April when protesters congregated outside the city’s Sagrada Familia Basilica wielding water pistols and shouting “tourists go home” as a bus packed with visitors made its way through the streets.
Brett Mitchell, the Australian managing director of Melbourne-born global company Intrepid Travel, said he understood the frustrations of people living in these tourist hotspots and getting the balance right was a real issue that needed to be dealt with.
He said it was on everyone, including government, tour operators, cruise lines and airlines, to get around the table and work on solutions for responsible destination management.
“The reality is tourism is not going to slow down, it’s a mega trend and it’s only going to become bigger and bigger, and if the issue is not addressed it’s going to get worse and worse every year,” Mitchell said.
While tourism is vital to the local economies of these destinations — and more generally, in bringing the world together — Mitchell said at peak times locals were being “pushed out” or having their “whole lifestyle completely turned on its head”.
“As a traveler, I think there’s a lot of things we can do,” he said.
“Traveling in smaller groups; we always believe there’s always a much better experience for locals and also you as a traveller.
“Look at the off seasons or shoulder seasons; it’s another really good way to try and avoid crowds.
“Getting off the beaten track; yes go and see these amazing iconic tourist spots but get there early and then move on and go and see other alternative areas and destinations.
“And then we really believe in trying to spend locally, so really try and do your research and make sure the money on the ground when you’re spending it in these countries is going to locally owned businesses and supply chains.”
Sarah Orr, from travel insurance comparison site Compare the Market, described the day of protests as “terrible timing for the tens of thousands of Aussies” who head to Europe this time of year.
She said some comprehensive travel insurance policies cover expenses for additional accommodation and travel expenses as a result of riots, strikes and civil commotion.
“However, most policies will not cover you for cancellation fees and lost deposits, if the unrest escalates, continues for some time and/or the commencement of the unrest predates the purchase of your insurance,” she warned.
“While these protests are unlikely to cause major disruptions, it’s a good idea to read up on when and where they are happening, so you can plan your itinerary accordingly and avoid them if possible.
“The protests will target tourist hotspots, major landmarks and high foot traffic areas. It may be a great opportunity to visit some less “touristy” parts of the city, to take in the culture conscientiously.”
Popular destinations across the world have been desperately trying to find new ways to cope with a massive boom in tourism post-Covid and avoid the trend dubbed “overtourism”.
New taxes and fees have been introduced, caps have been put on visitor numbers, and new hotels and short-term rentals have been banned.
Japan has urged Australians to explore the country beyond the typical tourist hotspots as visitor numbers reach record highs. About 920,000 Australians visited Japan in 2024, setting a new record. This year we’re expected to break the one million mark for the first time.
And Japan’s advice echoed that of Indonesia in 2023, which pleaded with Aussies to explore more of the country beyond Bali.
Foreigner crackdowns across the globe
Countries across the world are continuing to crack down on foreigners.
Donald Trump’s “enhanced vetting” for arrivals at US airports appears to be getting the most attention, but there is plenty more happening elsewhere.
Italy has changed its citizenship laws, making it significantly harder for Australians (and other foreigners) to get a passport by descent. You can no longer get citizenship if your great-grandparents were born there, it has to be a parent or grandparent.
Venice is doubling its entry free for day-trippers this season and expanding the days it applies to. The fee, first introduced a year ago, was 5 euros ($9) and is now 10 euros ($18) for any visitors who don’t book more than four days in advance.
Spain has ended its “golden visa” that allowed non-EU citizens to get residency by buying property worth more than 500,000 euros, which closes off a pathway to Spanish citizenship.
Meanwhile, the city of Malaga has prohibited new holiday rental properties in 43 neighbourhoods for three years and a court has backed Barcelona’s ban on short-term holiday rentals from 2028.
The UK began requiring Australians, and a bunch of other countries who were previously exempt, to complete an application and pay a fee to enter. The EU will do the same but has delayed implementing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for 30 European countries multiple times, with the latest timeline indicating late 2026.
Scotland’s capital Edinburgh has revealed next year it will join a number of cities now charging a tourist tax on overnight accommodation. A 5 percent charge will be added.
In Japan, the latest plan for hotspot Kyoto is to raise the historical city’s accommodation tax tenfold — from 200-1000 yen ($2 to $11) per night, depending on the price of the lodging, to between 2000 and 10,000 yen ($22 to $115) per night.
Meanwhile, the mandatory fee for hiking Mount Fuji has doubled to 4000 yen ($46) per person for the peak season this year. A fee and requirement to book a limited spot was first introduced last year.
Nepal has also hiked the permit fee to summit Mount Everest during peak season by 36 percent. It will now cost $$25,150, up from $18,450.
Last year, notable changes in holiday hotspots included Bali introducing a $15 fee to enter the wildly popular Indonesian island, Greece introducing a cap on visitor numbers to the famed Acropolis in Athens, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands banning new hotels from being built.
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