International
Provisional release for the policeman detained in a town in Granada for jihadism
The local policeman arrested in a Civil Guard operation against jihadism in the Granada municipality of La Zubía has been provisionally released this Saturday after testifying before the National Court, that he has withdrawn his passport and weapons permit.
The agent, who made a police statement this Saturday, has also done so by videoconference before the Central Examining Court of the National Court, in charge of the anti-jihadit operation for which he was arrested on Thursday at his home in La Zubia.
The policeman has declared represented by criminal lawyer Félix Fernández, who has detailed to EFE that the hearing before the Court has been advanced – it was scheduled for this Sunday – based on the information collected during the investigation.
In his statement, the agent has assured that he does not practice Islam or approach this religion, and has ruled out any contact with jihadist environments.
Sources of the investigation have detailed to EFE that the Civil Guard had been investigating him since October last year, with a follow-up of his movements that does not link him to radical environments.
The judge in charge of the case has ordered his provisional release accused of a crime of self-indoctrination, has withdrawn his passport and has prohibited him from leaving the country.
He will also have to appear in court every fortnight and his weapons permit has been withdrawn.
At the moment, the analysis of the content of his phone continues, with numerous videos and images and a lot of content in Arabic, since the agent was studying that language.
The same sources have specified that the only document linked to jihadism located in the first analysis is related to a course offered by the Local Police of Granada to prevent this type of terrorism.
The precautionary doctors imposed do not make any reference to his work as a police officer, although the use of weapons is prohibited.
The detainee, in active employment, accumulates thirty years of service as an agent of the Local Police of Granada, has not received any work share in these years nor has he had problems or absences due to mental health.
In the operation carried out this Thursday, the Civil Guard searched a house on the first floor of a building on the Camino de Gójar, in La Zubia, in which several weapons were intervened.
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.
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