International
Two dead and one missing in Havana landslide confirmed
October 5 |
Authorities of the Cuban Fire Brigade confirmed Wednesday the death of two rescuers; a rescue and salvage technician of that corporation and the other of the rescue team, in the collapse that occurred during the early morning in the historic center of the capital, Havana.
Yoandra Suárez López, 40 years old, rescue and salvage technician, with more than 11 years of experience in the job, and
Luis Alejandro Llerena Martinez, 23, a professional rescuer, were reported dead.
The body of Ramón Páez Frometa, 79, who was in the building at the time of the incident, is being sought.
In declarations to the press by the chief of the Cuban Fire Department, first colonel Luis Carlos Guzmán Matos, it was reported that as soon as the information of the incident arrived, “the planned techniques were sent to the place, to participate in this type of work, together with the whole Minint (Ministry of the Interior) system”.
Guzman informed that there is also a missing person under the rubble, another Fire Department rescuer and a resident in the destroyed building.
On the other hand, the rescue chief told the press that the work inside the building is very complex, since it is totally collapsed; nevertheless, “we are insisting with the canine technique to locate the missing persons”.
He clarified that there were two collapses, after the first one, the Fire Brigade arrived a few minutes later and managed to get one person out. It is then when the second collapse occurred, when the Rescue and Rescue technicians were already inside.
He insisted that there are the necessary forces and means to undertake rescue actions, but it is very dangerous because of the state in which the structure was left.
Two other injured persons were taken to a hospital in the center of the city and are being treated and are reported to be out of danger.
According to local authorities, there were 13 families and 54 people living in the building, “who were immediately rescued and provided with protection and assistance”.
The teaching activities of a school near the area of the collapse were transferred to other educational institutions.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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