International

The Government of Peru calls the raid on Boluarte’s home unconstitutional

The Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Peru, Eduardo Arana, said on Saturday that the raiding of the president’s home, Dina Boluarte, and the Government Palace as part of a preliminary fiscal investigation, shows the cracking of the democratic system and constitutionality.

“What they are doing is politicizing and showing that justice has been politicized in a fact that is unprecedentedly attacking the democratic institutionality, the institutionality of the Presidency and, above all, evidencing the break-up of the democratic system and constitutionality,” Arana said along with the president of the Council of Ministers, Gustavo Adrianzén.

Arana explained that more than 20 police officers and 20 prosecutors showed up at Boluarte’s home and at the Government Palace during the raid and that it responds to a “disproportionate, unconstitutional and illegal measure.”

The minister said that there had been improper use of Justice by the Judiciary and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Around midnight on Friday, a team of prosecutors and police officers raided Boluarte’s home for five hours, and then, already in the early hours of Saturday, they did the same in the Government Palace, as part of a preliminary investigation opened on March 18 against the president for the alleged commission of the crime of illicit enrichment.

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For his part, Adrianzén, also stated that the raid is “unconstitutional and disproportionate” and denied that the president would resign.

He said that there is no responsibility on the part of the president for the alleged commission of the crimes that are being investigated.

“The political noise that is being made, which affects investments and the whole country, is serious. What has happened in the last few hours are disproportionate and unconstitutional actions,” Adrianzén said shortly before on the social network X.

He added that Boluarte will provide statements to the Prosecutor’s Office when she is summoned and pointed out that the president had asked for a rescheduling and, “strangely, they did not accept it,” but that she continues to collaborate with the investigation.

In addition, he pointed out that the cabinet ministers express their solidarity with the president and “energically reject these destabilizing political actions, which are conseaded in questionable jurisdictional provisions and reaffirm the politicization of justice.”

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He concluded with a call to the political and social forces “to monitor the constitutional order.”

“The president and the cabinet are determined to continue working for economic reactivation and security. That’s the priority. No one has thought of resigning for this disproportionate action,” he said.

The Boluarte house was raided around midnight this Friday by a team of prosecutors and agents of the National Police of Peru (PNP) as part of a preliminary investigation opened against the ruler for the alleged commission of the crime of illicit enrichment.

The prosecutors carried out the operation for the purpose of registration and seizure of the luxury watches that, according to local media, Boluarte used in different public activities and has allegedly not declared as part of his estate.

And five hours later, in the early hours of Saturday, they also raided the Government Palace, where they still remain.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.