International
Russian authorities announce the evacuation of another district of Kursk due to Ukraine’s military incursion
The authorities of the Bolshesoldatsky district in the Russian region of Kursk, where Ukraine has been carrying out a military operation since August 6, announced on Tuesday the evacuation of the population in the face of the unstable situation in the area.
“Until now there was no evacuation in our district. Those who wanted to, left on their own and no one was hitting them. Today we begin to collect data from the people who do need to be evacuated,” wrote the local leader, Vladimir Zaitsev, on his Telegram channel.
In the Bolshesoldatski district, adjacent to the Sudzha district, the first target of the Ukrainian incursion, live about 10,000 people.
It is a territory close to the city of Kurchatov, which hosts the Kursk atomic power plant, and the regional capital, with about 430,000 inhabitants.
The governor of the region, Alexei Smirnov, acknowledged yesterday that about 121,000 people have already been evacuated from the border areas with Ukraine and another 60,000 would be transferred to safer places later.
Smirnov also assured that Ukrainian forces already control 28 locations in the territory of Kursk, where about 2,000 people live without their fate being known so far.
Ukraine, for its part, recognized yesterday for the first time that its forces are in Russian territory and assured that within the framework of the operation in Kursk they already control about 1,000 square kilometers.
On the other side of the border, the Ukrainian authorities decided on Tuesday to restrict the movement of civilians in part of the Sumi region that borders the Russian region of Kursk, for security reasons.
The Ukrainian General Staff has confirmed that the restrictions are established by “the increase in fighting, the intensification of sabotage activities and reconnaissance groups and special operations forces of the enemy and to preserve the lives of the civilian population and military personnel.”
The limitations will affect residents in a strip of 20 kilometers from the border.
This area can only be accessed after showing a Ukrainian passport that contains an address that accredits the bearer as a resident in this strip.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev assured today that the objective of the Ukrainian incursion into the border oblast is not to “take the territory of the region” but to protect Ukrainian civilians.
“Ukraine is not interested in taking the territory of the Kursk region, but we want to protect the lives of our people,” said the spokesman, Gueorgui Tiji, in statements cited by the “Ukrinform” agency.
According to the spokesman, since the beginning of the summer alone, more than 2,000 attacks have been recorded against the Ukrainian border region of Sumi, from Kursk.
“Therefore, it is necessary to liberate these border areas where Russian military contingents with the help of the (Russian) Armed Forces attack Ukraine or cover the terror against the Ukrainians,” he alleges.
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.
Costa Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change
U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International3 days agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International4 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International4 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
International4 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
Central America2 days agoPanama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
-
International3 days agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
Central America2 days agoU.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
-
International3 days agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn
-
International3 days agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
-
Central America7 hours agoCosta Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change