International
Venezuela and the United States are committed to “gaining trust” and maintaining communications
The Governments of Venezuela and the United States agreed on Wednesday to work to “gain trust” and maintain communications “in a respectful and constructive way,” after the first “virtual meeting” between officials from both countries, without diplomatic relations since 2019, Caracas reported.
The person in charge of these conversations by the Venezuelan Executive, Jorge Rodríguez, indicated in X that in this first meeting the parties expressed their willingness to do a joint work to “improve relations” between the nations.
“We show our rejection of the misrepresentations that about this dialogue and repeatedly have been published by spokespeople of the US Government. We warn that we will always respond with the truth,” remarked the also president of Parliament.
According to him, his delegation insisted “that the dialogue should be limited to what was agreed in Qatar,” alluding to pacts that Caracas and Washington signed in parallel to the negotiations in Barbados between the Executive and the Democratic United Platform (PUD), the largest opposition bloc, from which an electoral guarantees agreement emerged.
The Government of Nicolás Maduro,” Rodríguez added, “also reiterated that, “in order to continue regaining mutual trust and relations between governments, the principles of self-determination, sovereignty and reciprocity must be respected.”
For her part, the White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, reiterated – at a press conference – the US request for the dialogue process to be in “good faith” and reaffirmed the request that the presidential elections on July 28 in Venezuela be competitive and inclusive.
Since March 2022, when a delegation from the White House traveled to Caracas to meet with Maduro, the talks between the United States and the Caribbean country are intermittent, and with ups and downs.
Among the agreements reached, is the partial lifting of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela last October, a relief that was reversed six months later, by Caracas – according to Joe Biden’s Executive – not complying with what was agreed in Barbados.
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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