International

Unknown assassin murders photojournalist in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Photo: @cardonamex

November 17 |

The Chihuahua state prosecutor’s office confirmed on Thursday the murder of photojournalist Ismael Villagómez Tapia, who worked as a photojournalist for the newspaper El Heraldo de Juárez and at night worked as a cab driver for the app.

According to statements by some colleagues on social networks, “Tiger”, as Villagómez was nicknamed, was left lifeless at the wheel of the unit and was executed by unknown gunmen. Initially, it was reported that Villagómez had been shot in the left side, neck and head.

Hermann Adrián Pérez Rico, regional coordinator of the Prosecutor’s Office’s Crimes Against Life Unit, specified that the alerts reached the officers of the State Investigation Agency, as the inhabitants of the area heard about 10 gunshots and reported it to the local police shortly before two o’clock in the morning.

Several colleagues and people close to the photojournalist condemned the murder on social networks and demanded the Mexican government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to bring justice in this new case that exposes the environment of insecurity faced by journalists.

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Reporter Luis Cardona, who had ties of friendship with the victim, wrote on the social network X: “A friend of mine for many years, loved by the entire profession in Ciudad Juarez, was murdered early this morning aboard his car in the Francisco Sarabia neighborhood,” he said.

“We demand that the authorities carry out immediate investigations to clarify the facts and find those responsible”, demanded the civil association Propuesta Cívica, defender of freedom of expression.

The Municipal Public Security Department immediately went to the scene and confirmed the death of the photojournalist, whose body was found in the driver’s seat.

Throughout his career Villagómez Tapia also worked for Periódico Norte and an evening newspaper in the city of Nogales, Sonora.

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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.