International
Pyongyang highlights the “strategic strength” of relations with Moscow upon the arrival of Putin
The North Korean media highlighted this Wednesday the “strategic strength” that relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have reached and its importance in creating “a multipolar world”, on the occasion of the arrival on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will be in Pyongyang until today.
The presidential plane in which Putin was traveling landed around 02:45 local time on Wednesday (17:45 GMT on Tuesday) at Sunan International Airport, where Putin was personally received by Kim, whom he had met last September in Russian territory.
Kim welcomed Putin near the foot of the plane’s ladder, and both staged their closeness with a hug and smiles, and gave for a few minutes after the Russian leader received a floral offering and reviewing the guard of honor of the North Korean forces, according to some images from the state agency KCNA.
In addition, Kim “expressed his joy and joy at meeting him again in Pyongyang 270 days after the meeting at the Vostochni Cosmodrome in September last year,” according to the KCNA.
Putin, for his part, announced his “deep gratitude” to Kim for receiving him at the airport and offering him a warm welcome, according to the same media.
The visit takes place “at a crucial moment” when relations “have emerged as a solid strategic strength to preserve international justice, peace and security and as an engine to accelerate the construction of a multipolar world,” said a note from the media.
The new meeting between the two leaders “straves once again the durability and invincibility of friendship and unity” between Moscow and Pyongyang, the North Korean state agency added.
Putin stayed at the luxurious Guest Palace of Kumsusan, built in 2019 and housed by the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, when he visited North Korea five years ago.
Kim and Putin are expected to preside over some kind of parade in Pyongyang this Wednesday, since satellite images show the assembly of temporary structures in Kim Il-sung Square, the epicenter of events of this type in the North Korean capital.
Putin’s visit to North Korea will allow the consolidation of “a crucial phase of broad development in the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation” between both parties, with a view to “a forward-looking strategic collaboration,” the KCNA stressed.
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
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