The Pope’s trip to Iraq and municipal elections in Bolivia

Pope Francis makes historic visit to Iraq

Today, Friday, March 5, the leader of the Catholic Church begins his visit to the Middle Eastern country. Despite the great health difficulties caused by the pandemic and the recent outbreaks of violence in the country that continues to experience civil war, the pontiff remains firm in his intention to visit a predominantly Muslim country that maintains an internal war between Shiite and Sunni groups.

The Pope plans to visit the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, Erbil, Qaraqosh, and Ur of the Chaldees. The main reason for his trip is to get closer to the Christian minority in Iraq that has been heavily persecuted by Islamic extremists; in addition to strengthening relations between the two largest religions in the world, by meeting with the highest Chii authority in Iraq, Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani.

The Vatican promises that the pope's visit will comply with all biosafety measures and that no crowds will be allowed at a time when the national government has decreed curfews to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Nicolas Sarkozy to prison for corruption

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to 3 years in prison for influence peddling after he obtained information about the magistrate who was investigating the financing of his presidential campaign when he was serving as president. Despite the sentence, the 66-year-old former president will be able to serve his time from home wearing an electronic bracelet.

Apparently, Sakozy had promised Magistrate Gilbert Azibert a prestigious position in the principality of Monaco (in the south of France) in exchange for confidential information about the process on the illegal financing of his campaign in 2007 by the heir to the emporium of L 'Oreal, Liliane Bettencourt.

The former president planned a return to politics for 2022 and was considering his presidential candidacy by his Les Republicains party.

Also read: 4 facts to understand the electoral process in Ecuador

7 dead in an accident in University of el Alto, Bolivia

Strong images have traveled the web that show the unfortunate incident in which several students from the University of El Alto crowded together on a raised floor and in the middle of struggles and before a large number of people, the railing gave way and several students fell to their deaths. 7 died and 5 people were injured. 

Bolivian President Luis Arce regretted the events and hopes that the investigations will determine if there was negligence in summoning an assembly or if the security of the railings and the building was adequate.

All this occurs in the midst of the subnational campaigns that will take place this Sunday in the country. Bolivians will elect the governors of the 9 departments of the country, as well as the mayors of the 336 municipalities.

Pro-government parties sweep in El Salvador's legislative elections

The Gana y Nuevas Ideas party, which President Nayib Bukele himself created 3 years ago, became the most popular political force in the country. Now with absolute control of the legislature, Bukele (who also has very high popularity inside and outside the country), will be able to administer with little, or almost no, opposition within Congress.