International
Up to 230 dollars for a day: Cuba rents its Anti-imperialist Tribune for events
Cuba will rent different sections of the Anti-Imperialist Tribune for events, the Havana square in front of the US embassy that is used for multiple official events, such as the celebration of May Day, since its inauguration 25 years ago.
As reported by the official website Cubadebate in a sponsored content, the state entity that manages the tribune, assured that the decision to rent it for “cultural, political, sports, educational and similar events” was taken “in the sake of sustaining the legacy of its founding principles.”
With a capacity for 10,000 people sitting and another 30,000 standing, the square was inaugurated in the early 2000 in the middle of the diplomatic pulse between Havana and Washington for the return to the island of Elián González, known as the “ralf boy”.
At the beginning of the square stands a statue of José Martí, national hero of the island, with González in one arm while, with the other, he points towards the US diplomatic headquarters. At the other end of the esplanade is the Monte de la bandera, a concrete structure with a large Cuban sign.
The tribune became a point of the capital for the holding of official protests during the leadership of Fidel Castro. Therefore, the place came to be popularly known as the protest drome.
In 2006, 138 huge masts with Cuban flags were placed in response to the placement, on the facade of the then US Section of Interests – today embassy -, of an electronic panel in which political messages that the Government of Cuba considered subversive flashed.
The Anti-imperialist Tribune was also the alternative headquarters in the last years of the mobilization of May Day, one of the most important annual appointments for the ruling party, replacing the Plaza de la Revolución.
According to this Monday’s publication, any natural or legal person can request the rental of an outdoor space of 3,500 square meters at the end of the square for a daily price of 28,000 Cuban pesos (about 230 dollars at the official exchange rate for people).
Two rooms are also offered with prices of up to 15,000 Cuban pesos (125 dollars) and offices for up to 12,240 pesos (102 dollars).
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.
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
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