International
Dominican prosecutors seek five-year prison term for MLB player Wander Franco in sexual abuse case
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Dominican Republic requested on Monday a five-year prison sentence for Major League Baseball player Wander Franco during the trial against him for sexual abuse of a minor, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.
In addition, according to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, Franco is also facing a fine and the payment of legal costs.
The trial, held at the Collegiate Court in Puerto Plata (northern region), also involves the minor’s mother, who is charged with sexual exploitation and money laundering. The Public Prosecutor demands a 10-year prison sentence and a fine for her.
Authorities are also requesting the confiscation of seven assets seized from the mother, including a 600-square-meter plot of land, a vehicle, 2.1 million Dominican pesos (around $35,000 USD), and amounts of $68,500 and 800,000 pesos (over $13,000 USD). Additionally, confiscation of mobile phones and all funds in the accused’s frozen accounts is requested, along with payment of legal costs.
During the ongoing trial, where the defense is presenting its arguments and conclusions, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted 165 pieces of evidence, which it considers sufficient to issue a guilty verdict. It stated that the trial established the defendants’ involvement in the case.
According to the accusation, Franco allegedly lived with the minor for several days and provided her with large sums of money to prevent her from reporting the incident to her mother. The mother allegedly used those funds to acquire vehicles and other assets.
The indictment states that the conduct of Wander Franco and the minor’s mother violates several articles of the Dominican Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Dominican Penal Code, the Law on Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and Human Trafficking, and the Law on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.
Wander Franco was the starting shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball and signed an $182 million contract over 11 years with the team in 2021.
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
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
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