International

Venezuelan President holds dialogue with Palestinian counterpart

Photo: @NicolasMaduro

October 16 |

The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmud Abbas, held a telephone conversation on Sunday to address the critical situation of Palestinian civilians after the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

From the official account of the Government of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro highlighted that they discussed “the terrible situation in the Gaza Strip, after the indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population by Israel, causing thousands of deaths and injuries”.

Recognizing that Israel’s attack has crossed the line of respect for International Humanitarian Law and violates the agreements governing the matter, the Venezuelan Head of State also pointed out that both he and Abbas agreed in demanding an immediate cease-fire.

“We agree in demanding an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian channel of assistance to the population, as well as the reestablishment of international legality, through compliance with the resolutions of the United Nations and respect for the commitments of the parties in each of the negotiations carried out,” said the Venezuelan dignitary.

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Likewise, Maduro Moros pointed out that Abbas informed in detail about the development of the events and the diplomatic deployment of the PNA, “as a leading body, committed to peace, dialogue and respect for the agreements signed between the parties, which have been systematically ignored by the Israeli side”.

The Bolivarian leader reaffirmed Venezuela’s unconditional support to the Palestinian cause and the PNA, in function of achieving peace and urging the international community and the UN authorities to assume, with strength and courage, a role of guarantors of such legality, as the only route to achieve peace and fulfill the mandate of the consolidation of the Palestinian State.

“We also reviewed the initiatives promoted by different countries, among them China and Egypt, in function of convening a great world conference in favor of peace and the reestablishment of international legality, which are aimed at immediately stopping the military aggression against civilians and advancing on the definitive path to the reestablishment of the rights of the Palestinian people,” insisted the Venezuelan president.

Likewise, Nicolás Maduro informed about the shipment of more than 30 tons of humanitarian aid, in the coming days, to the Gaza Strip, “as part of the beginning of a plan of direct and constant support to the Palestinian people, through the established humanitarian channels”.

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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.