08/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 8, 2026

9

First day of Venezuela transition talks wrap up

Mexican ex-governor arrested over destruction of evidence MEXICO CITY: The former governor of Mexico’s southern Guerrero state has been arrested for allegedly ordering the destruction of evidence that could have helped shed light on the whereabouts of 43 students who disappeared in 2014, authorities said on Thursday. Angel Aguirre, who has previously denied wrongdoing, was arrested on charges of obstruction of justice and forced disappearance, said Attorney-General Ernestina Godoy. The case, considered one of the country’s worst human-rights atrocities, has been marred by missteps and interference. International probes have determined that the students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers College were killed by organised crime members in cahoots with police, while on their way to a protest in Mexico City. The remains of three victims have since been positively identified but the others have yet to be found. Godoy said new testimony from two people in January and May, one of which is a protected witness, helped establish that Aguirre may have ordered the destruction of evidence related to the night of the students’ disappearance in a meeting with senior officials in his administration. She did not specify when the meeting took place or the details of the evidence. “An analysis, based on new evidence and in accordance with due process, confirmed the possible involvement of Angel N., former governor of Guerrero, in the destruction of evidence that could have revealed the students’ whereabouts,” she said, using the letter “N” as a placeholder for a suspect’s last name. Godoy said state authorities had initially claimed that security camera footage of the students travelling by bus near government offices in Guerrero did not exist. However, a witness who had previously kept quiet due to threats came forward this year, she said. Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts member Angela Buitrago, part of an independent international rights team that has investigated the case, said her team had opened the line of investigation into Aguirre in 2015. She added that the latest information reinforced the team’s conclusion that the state is responsible, highlighting that had the footage Aguirre reportedly ordered to be destroyed come to light sooner, it could have helped find the students. “It is a state crime, regardless of whether it was committed by state or federal authorities,” she noted. A spokesperson for Enrique Pena Nieto, who was president from 2012 to 2018, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. – Reuters Teen hospitalised after Sydney shooting SYDNEY: A teenager has been hospitalised after he was shot in a suspected targeted attack in western Sydney on Thursday, reported Xinhua. A police statement yesterday said officers were called to reports of a shooting in the western Sydney suburb of Greenacre at 9pm local time on Thursday and were told on arrival that an 18-year-old man had been shot twice in the chest before being driven away from the scene. He was located by emergency services and taken to hospital by paramedics. The vehicle the victim was travelling in was seized by police for forensic examination and a second vehicle believed to be linked to the shooting was found alight in a nearby suburb in the early hours yesterday. Local media reported that police believe the attack was targeted and are investigating whether it is linked to organised crime. – Bernama-Xinhua

CARACAS: US-backed political transition talks between Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives began on Thursday in Caracas, an AFP photographer in attendance observed. The talks took place seven months after US forces seized former president Nicolas Maduro and as interim leader Delcy Rodriguez governs under Washington’s watchful eye. Venezuelans are hopeful the dialogue would pave the way for holding elections in the crisis-hit South American country. Notably absent from the talks was opposition favourite and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who lives in exile and was not invited to join the discussion. The opposition was instead represented by Dinorah Figuera, who returned to Venezuela from exile on Wednesday. Figuera heads the opposition bloc that won a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, the last legislature elected in a vote widely recognised by the international community. National Assembly president and interim leader’s brother Jorge Rodriguez was representing the government. “We are focused on the official opening this week of this dialogue process, which seeks o Citizens hopeful dialogue would pave way for holding elections in crisis-hit country

Machado has said she will not stand in the way of the process. “A democratic transition in Venezuela would restore our freedom and prosperity,” she said, adding that it would create “a vital and reliable ally for the national security of the United States and regional stability”. “The Venezuelan people are eager and ready!” Despite her gifting her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump, he has reportedly vetoed her return to Venezuela. Washington denies the allegation. Trump has meanwhile repeatedly expressed satisfaction with Rodriguez, who has opened up Venezuela’s mining, electricity and oil sectors to foreign and private capital. In other news, Chile said on Thursday it has officially restored consular relations with Venezuela after a two-year suspension, reported Xinhua. Foreign Minister Francisco Perez Mackenna said resuming the ties would “ensure protection and services for citizens of both countries”. He welcomed “the start of a new stage, through constructive dialogue” to advance issues of common interest for the wellbeing of both peoples and the region. The Chilean Foreign Ministry said restoring consular relations is part of a process towards normalising bilateral ties. Chile announced on July 30 a roadmap to reactivate consular relations with Venezuela after they were suspended in 2024 due to diplomatic tensions. – AFP

the restoration of democratic institutions,” said Figuera. She has notably called for changes to the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council, two institutions widely criticised for validating Maduro’s disputed 2024 reelection. The opposition rejected the result, claiming victory and alleging widespread electoral fraud. At the end of the first session, the parties reported that they agreed to good-faith talks and said they would seek a “political, peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution”, according to a statement posted online. The opposition delegation issued a statement at the end of the meeting to say the dialogue “aims to achieve stabilisation, political reconciliation and a peaceful transition”. The US State Department welcomed Figuera’s delegation “for the start of in-person talks” with Venezuela’s interim government. “These direct talks present a unique opportunity,” it stated, urging “all concerned to support this effort to deliver tangible results for Venezuelans”. It stressed the importance of achieving “stabilisation, economic recovery and political reconciliation, and a peaceful transition”. Only photographers were granted access to the La Carlota military base, the venue of the talks. According to the official agenda released by both sides, they will discuss the response to the twin earthquakes of June 24, which left more than 6,000 dead, as well as the strengthening of democracy and political rights.

DOUSING DISSENT ... Riot police using a water cannon to disperse demonstrators protesting outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires on Thursday as senators debated a Bill on the inviolability of private

property. – AFPPIC

Meta ordered to pay US$567m to youth fund ISTANBUL: A New Mexico state judge ordered Meta on Thursday to pay US$567 million (RM2.32 billion) into a child mental health fund and strengthen protections for children’s accounts, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing CNN. The ruling seeks to hold the social media company accountable for its role in a youth mental health crisis. those accounts. Teen accounts in New Mexico must also be set to private by default. In addition, the company must disable push notifications for users aged under 18 from 8am to 3pm on weekdays during the school year and from 10pm to 7am on all other days. The ruling comes in the second phase of a two-part trial.

platforms constituted a “public nuisance”. “Just as noxious pollution produced by a factory could harm the common public right to reasonably clean air, the harmful effects of Meta’s platforms on children do not stay contained by its platforms,” the judge said. “Instead, (they) migrate to the internet as a whole and, perhaps most concerning, to the real world and create a common societal burden on and harm to the affected children and their families and schools, as well as hospitals and law enforcement.” Meta said it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal. – Bernama-Anadolu

Meta has faced allegations that its platforms have harmed children, along with multiple lawsuits across the United States. The judge also ordered Meta to delete the accounts of users under the age of 13, along with all personal information collected from

During the first phase, a jury found in March that Meta had misled users about the dangers associated with its platforms and ordered the company to pay US$375 million in damages. The second phase examined whether Meta’s