International

López Obrador asks Biden and Trump to “not blame Mexico” for migration in the debate

The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, asked “not to blame Mexico” for the migration in the debate that the president of the United States, Joe Biden, and his rival, former ruler Donald Trump (2017-2021), will have this Thursday, stating that “there is no serious problem.”

“Let them know how the immigration situation is today on the northern border so that the migration issue is not used as a pretext, with the desire to blame Mexico for blaming Mexico and wanting to look good with the citizens of the United States, with all respect for the two candidates,” López Obrador requested at his morning conference.

His statements are made hours before the debate that will be broadcast by CNN that is unprecedented because it occurs before the conventions of both parties, which formalize the nominations for the presidential race, will not be organized by the Presidential Debate Commission, and will not have an audience.

The Mexican ruler predicted that one of the central issues will be migration, but asked to consider that the arrests of migrants on the United States border with Mexico have fallen by more than 72%, to 3,479 on June 25, from 12,498 on December 18, the highest point of last year.

“If the issue of migration is dealt with, let it be acted objectively and with attachment to the truth. Currently there is no serious problem in migration and both of us, both former President Trump and President Biden, know that we have insisted on addressing the causes of migration and we have been doing what we are rightful,” he said.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

López Obrador argued that migration has decreased because his Government has reached agreements with expelling countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Cuba and Haiti.

He also said that the migration of Mexicans has fallen because the United States has an unemployment rate of 3.9% and Mexico one of 2.7%, according to his data, so “there are not so many anymore.”

“Mexico collaborates because we want to have a good-neighbourly relationship with the United States and we have achieved it, but as the debates come, there is the temptation to blame, but this is the reality,” he said.

The meeting will take place just over four months after the United States elections, in which migration on the border with Mexico is a central issue and the winner will deal with the next Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who will take over on October 1 with the promise to continue López Obrador’s policy.

“It is very important to see the debate, although it is about the United States, they are our neighbors, 40 million Mexicans live in the United States, we are the main trading partners in the world, we share many kilometers of border,” he said.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

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.