International

María Corina Machado warns of “maneuver” to “prevent the registration” of her candidate

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado warned of the implementation of a “maneuver” that seeks to “prevent the registration” of the presidential candidacy of July 28 of Corina Yoris, chosen by the majority anti-Chavism as its candidate in the face of the disqualification that prevents the former liberal deputy from competing.

“I alert Venezuelans and the world of the maneuver underway to prevent the registration in the CNE (National Electoral Council) of the candidate of all the democratic unity of Venezuela, Corina Yoris,” Machado wrote on the social network X.

The registration period for presidential candidates, which began on Thursday, ends next Monday, March 25, according to the electoral schedule.

Previously, the main opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), denounced that they have not allowed “access to the (electoral) system to be able to apply” to Yoris.

However, he reiterated that “nothing and no one” will “take them off the electoral route to achieve, with the force of the majority vote, political change” in the country.

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During the day, several politicians and parties that are part of this anti-chavist coalition have rejected these alleged impediments, through messages published on social networks with the label ‘Let Corina register’.

In the opinion of Vente Venezuela (VV), the formation led by Machado, Yoris “does not allow her to be registered” for “only one reason: they are afraid of him.”

For its part, the La Causa R party said, through X, that “(President Nicolás) Maduro and his accomplices want to impose on the opposition candidate.”

Yoris – with a degree in Philosophy, Letters and a doctor in History – unanimously chosen within the PUD and has “all the support” of Machado, who assured that she will maintain her fight against the disqualification that prevents her from competing in elections for public office until 2036.

According to Machado, the decision is part of an agreed mechanism to “face this obstacle,” in reference to its disqualification, ratified in January by the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ).

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Vente Venezuela clarified that Yoris will be registered as a “unitary representative” of the opposition in the presidential elections “while the irrita disqualification is resolved.”

Meanwhile, the head of state, Nicolás Maduro, confirmed that he will seek a second consecutive re-election, although it is not yet known what day he will go before the CNE to formalize his aspiration.

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.