International
European leaders: there is an “imperive need” to improve military and civilian preparedness in the face of “threats”
The leaders of the European Union have stressed at their Brussels summit the “imperive need” to improve and coordinate military and civilian preparation and strategic crisis management in the face of “a panorama of threats.”
In this sense, the heads of state and government of the Twenty-seven invited the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, to propose actions to strengthen the preparation and response to crises at the EU level.
These proposals must have “an approach that includes the whole of society and all the dangers, taking into account the responsibilities and competences of the Member States, with a view to a future preparation strategy,” according to the text of the conclusions of the two-day summit held in the Community capital.
Just on the eve of the summit, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, commissioned former President of Finland Sauli Niinisto to prepare a report to strengthen citizen preparation for defense, in which she wants him to replicate her country’s model to the entire bloc.
“We have a lot to learn from Finland,” the German said at a press conference on Wednesday, in which she praised the “specific mentality” of her country in terms of citizen preparation for defense and called for it to be adopted in Europe.
The head of the Community Executive stressed that Finland “has learned to live with a neighbor as unpredictable and aggressive” as Russia, with whom it shares more than 1,300 kilometers of border.
It is a fact that “has shaped its society” through a citizen defense strategy that “concerns everyone” to be prepared for all kinds of threats, including cyberattacks.
Von der Leyen stressed that in the Finnish model “every part of society is able to help safeguard vital functions in times of crisis,” as well as “guarantee a basic supply for the population and help the defense forces in their tasks.”
“The Finnish model is a set of experiences through history for centuries as a neighbor of Russia,” he explained before pointing out that “in Finnish society, each of the citizens defends the country.”
For his part, former President Niinisto stressed that preparation for security and defense is a “very broad” area and, therefore, it should also be the report he prepares for the next European Commission that comes out of the June elections, with aspects that go beyond “conventional” military defense and involve aspects such as cyber resilience or the use of drones.
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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