International
NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary in the city and the scenario that saw it born
“If there is something certain today, if there is something inevitable in the future, it is the will of the peoples of the world for freedom and for peace,” the then president of the United States Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) from the now named Andrew W. Auditorium. Mellon of Washington, where NATO will commemorate its 75th anniversary.
It was April 4 and, when he articulated these words, the president was about to sign the North Atlantic Treaty, which established the international organization, in this imposing building of classical architecture in the center of the American capital.
After 75 years, the Atlantic Alliance gathers again this week in the city, in this case for the celebration of its annual summit of leaders in a Washington convention center. And they will also take the opportunity to return to the Mellon Auditorium that saw her born.
In that space that since 1987 bears the name of the American banker Andrew William Mellon, the heads of state and government of NATO, today made up of 32 countries, will gather this Tuesday.
Originally from Pittsburgh (Pennylvania), W. Mellon was born in 1855 and, apart from his important impetus in industries such as aluminum, steel and petroleum, he was an American ambassador to the United Kingdom and Secretary of the United States Treasury.
In addition, a collector and philanthropist, he helped build the National Gallery of Art of the United States, located a few streets from the auditorium that remembers him.
It was inaugurated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) on February 25, 1935 and, since then, with its six Doric columns in the portico, it has been imposed in the historic center of Washington.
A few hours before the souvenir event, in the surroundings of the complex of government buildings of the Federal Triangle – of which the Auditorium is part – there is a tense calm, since the construction is located within the perimeter of control that the security forces have delimited for these days.
It is not usual that the important avenue that gives access to the auditorium can be seen so lonely and that, during the three days that the summit lasts, it will be completely fenced to prevent any unauthorized vehicle or person from crossing the established borders.
The presence of vehicles from the District of Columbia Police and the United States Secret Service on every corner shows that streets without traffic respond to the sharp increase in security measures.
At the time of the foundation, it was the flags of 12 countries that presided over one of the rooms of the Auditorium: those of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the United States, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
In the same auditorium, the start will be given to a summit focused on storpin support for Ukraine and with current challenges on the table, among which the Russian war in Ukraine or the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza stand out.
“For us, war is not inevitable. Men with courage and vision can still determine their own destiny,” former President Truman said in 1949 with applause; in 2024, and from the same city, the partners have the opportunity to endorse that conviction.
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 America4 days agoGuatemala seizes over a ton of cocaine hidden in flour at Pacific port
-
International4 days agoHistoric snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion
-
Central America3 days agoHonduras swears in conservative president Asfura after disputed election
-
Central America3 days agoBukele leads public trust rankings as UCA survey highlights gains in security
-
International4 days agoSpain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds
-
International2 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
International3 days agoWinter Storm Fern Leaves 30 Dead and Over One Million Without Power Across the U.S.
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
Sin categoría3 days agoEight Killed in Series of Armed Attacks in Ecuador’s Manabí Province
-
International3 days agoDoomsday clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight amid rising global risks
-
International4 days agoRights group says nearly 6,000 killed in Iran protest crackdown
-
International2 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
International2 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International3 days agoSpain approves plan to regularize up to 500,000 migrants in Historic Shift
-
Sin categoría3 days agoEl Salvador Launches Fourth Year of Ocean Mission to Protect Marine Ecosystems
-
International4 days agoVenezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says
-
International4 days agoEU launches new probe into X over AI-generated fake nude images
-
International21 hours agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International4 days agoSevere winter storm grips U.S., leaves multiple dead as extreme cold persists
-
International4 days agoFrance debates ban on social media for children under 15
-
International21 hours agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
International21 hours agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
-
International21 hours agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn