International
Argentine government denies dictatorship claims regarding télam closure, announces company plan
The Argentine government has refuted allegations linking the closure of the state news agency Télam to dictatorship tactics, asserting that the move is in line with President Javier Milei’s campaign promises and announcing forthcoming plans for the company.
During a regular press briefing at the Casa Rosada (government headquarters), presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni addressed concerns about the initial steps taken towards Télam’s closure, including police cordoning off its offices and blocking its website. Adorni emphasized that the closure “is not part of a dictatorship,” stating that it solely aligns with the president’s campaign pledges.
“The closure of Télam has nothing to do with media pluralism or press freedom issues; it is merely fulfilling what the president promised during his campaign. The president has now ordered its execution. There is not much more to add,” remarked the spokesperson.
The Plan for Télam
Adorni revealed that Télam incurred losses of 20,000 million pesos (approximately 24 million dollars at the current official exchange rate) this year. He announced that this week, “the Government’s plan for the closure of the company and the fate of its workers will be unveiled.”
He stated that “technical teams are analyzing different alternatives,” indicating uncertainty about whether the closure of the state media outlet “is a matter that should or should not go through Congress.”
As depicted by the official account of the workers’ assembly (Somos Télam) on the social media platform X, Télam’s premises were cordoned off at midnight on Sunday, while union delegates were present, describing it as “an attack on freedom of expression.”
Adorni suggested that the police presence was likely intended “to prevent any confusion” and ensure “security and assurance that no one who should not be there” was present, unrelated to the government or Télam.
Similarly, the agency’s website displays the national emblem and the message “page under reconstruction.”
All national and international media accredited for Monday’s press conference addressed the closure of the agency founded in 1945, which employs 700 workers and was intervened by the government on February 5th, along with other state media outlets, and signed a manifesto in support of its employees.
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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