International
Blinken asks China not to “help” Russia with the supply of Defense components
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, asked Beijing this Friday not to “help Russia” and not to provide it with components that could be used in its war against Ukraine.
“I have made it clear in the meetings that China cannot help Russia by providing electronic, mechanical, electromechanical components and other types of Defense technology,” Blinken said at a press conference at the end of his visit to the Asian country, during which he met today with his counterpart, Wang Yi, and with the country’s president, Xi Jinping.
The diplomat told Russia “it will be difficult for him to maintain his military effort without the help of China and did not rule out with sanctions Chinese companies that provide equipment to Moscow.
Since the outset of the war in Ukraine, China has maintained an ambiguous position within which it has asked for respect for “the territorial integrity of all countries,” including Ukraine, and attention to the “legitimate concerns of all countries,” in reference to Russia.
Likewise, Beijing has denied that it has sold weapons to Russia and assures that it maintains a “normal” trade relationship with Moscow.
However, US officials have warned in recent weeks that Chinese companies are helping the Russian arms industry by selling equipment that could be used for the production of ballistic missiles.
“It’s about defending the security of Ukraine but also that of the whole of Europe,” Blinken said when referring to this issue, which threatens to tarnish relations between Washington and Beijing despite the fact that, according to the American, “relations have made progress in recent months.”
Thus, Blinken welcomed the re-establishment of communications between the military or in the fight against narcotics, and indicated that, in their meetings with Wang, both bet on “strengthening the lines of communication” to “address differences responsibly and thus avoid misperceptions or miscalculation.”
The American diplomat also pointed out that both countries will hold their first talks on Artificial Intelligence in the coming weeks “because of the security risks it entails” and that the two countries are willing to increase exchanges “to improve understanding.”
Blinken also referred to the South China Sea, and assured that the United States has to “guarantee freedom of navigation,” something that “is not only critical for countries such as the Philippines but for any other nation in the Pacific and the world.”
“We have shown our concern about China’s maneuvers in that sea. The United States seeks a de-escalation, but will maintain its security commitments,” he said in reference to the mutual defense treaty between Washington and Manila.
Blinken also said that he transferred Wang Yi that he hopes that China can “use its influence” in countries such as Iran or North Korea so that they show a willingness to dialogue on regional issues.
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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