International
Charges are withdrawn in Greece against the nine Egyptians accused of a shipwreck in which more than 500 migrants died
The court of the city of Kalamata, in southern Greece, decided on Tuesday to withdraw the charges against nine Egyptian citizens accused of having caused the shipwreck of the fishing boat Adriana, which caused the death of between 500 and 700 people off the Greek coast, reported the Greek newspaper Efsyn.
After opening the controversial trial, the court considered the criminal process of the accused “unacceptable” and declared them innocent of the charges of smuggling migrants and illegally entering the country.
As for the charges of causing a shipwreck and participating in a criminal organization, the court decided that it has no jurisdiction over the case, since the incident occurred in international waters.
Upon hearing the decision, the hearing in the crowded room burst into applause, as did the people gathered in front of the court in solidarity with the accused.
“We feel absolutely vindicated both legally and morally,” Efi Dusu, a member of the defense team of Egyptian citizens, made up of eight lawyers, told EFE.
The fishing vessel Adriana sank on June 14 in international waters, although under Greek jurisdiction in terms of rescue operations, off the southwest coast of the Hellenic country.
The exact number of people on board has never been established, but estimates range from 500 to more than 700.
Of these, only 104 people survived.
The rescue teams also recovered about 80 corpses.
According to testimonies of survivors to the NGOs Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Hellenic Coast Guard tied a corporal to Adriana and began tow it, which caused the ship to be angry and finally sank, a version of the facts that the Hellenic authorities categorically deny.
In this sense, Dusu pointed out that “the case has not yet been closed,” since the exact causes that led to the shipwreck continue to have to be investigated and recalled that a naval court continues to inquire into what happened.
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
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala seizes over a ton of cocaine hidden in flour at Pacific port
-
International4 days agoDelcy Rodríguez seeks political agreements after Maduro’s ouster
-
International3 days agoHistoric snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow
-
International3 days agoSpain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion
-
Central America2 days agoHonduras swears in conservative president Asfura after disputed election
-
International4 days agoFederal immigration agents kill man in Minneapolis, sparking protests and outrage
-
International1 day agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
Central America2 days agoBukele leads public trust rankings as UCA survey highlights gains in security
-
International2 days agoWinter Storm Fern Leaves 30 Dead and Over One Million Without Power Across the U.S.
-
International2 days agoDoomsday clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight amid rising global risks
-
Sin categoría2 days agoEight Killed in Series of Armed Attacks in Ecuador’s Manabí Province
-
International3 days agoRights group says nearly 6,000 killed in Iran protest crackdown
-
International1 day agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International1 day agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
Central America1 day agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International2 days agoSpain approves plan to regularize up to 500,000 migrants in Historic Shift
-
Sin categoría2 days agoEl Salvador Launches Fourth Year of Ocean Mission to Protect Marine Ecosystems
-
International3 days agoVenezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says
-
International3 days agoEU launches new probe into X over AI-generated fake nude images
-
International3 days agoSevere winter storm grips U.S., leaves multiple dead as extreme cold persists
-
International3 days agoFrance debates ban on social media for children under 15
-
International2 hours agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International2 hours agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn
-
International2 hours agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
International2 hours agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold