International
Elon Musk accuses brazilian Supreme Court of blocking Starlink accounts amid misinformation probe
On Thursday, billionaire Elon Musk accused Brazil’s Supreme Court of blocking his company Starlink’s bank accounts as part of the court’s investigation into the spread of misinformation on social media platform X, which Musk also owns.
Musk lashed out at Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is leading the investigation, labeling him a “criminal of the worst kind” and a “dictator of Brazil” in a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A Supreme Court spokesperson told EFE that they had no information regarding this action by the judge.
According to the company, the blocking of Starlink’s accounts—an internet service provider with over 215,000 active lines in Brazil—is aimed at ensuring the payment of fines imposed on X.
Starlink announced on social media that it would appeal the decision, which it described as “unfounded,” and claimed that De Moraes ignored “the legal processes guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution.”
The company also stated that it is “doing everything possible to ensure its service remains uninterrupted,” as the ruling also prevents it from conducting financial transactions in the country.
Musk’s accusations come a day after De Moraes ordered Musk to appoint a legal representative for X in Brazil within 24 hours or face suspension of the social media platform’s activities in the country.
Musk is under investigation for alleged obstruction of justice, criminal organization, and incitement to crime after he refused to comply with the court’s orders to remove content from the social media platform.
Earlier this month, X announced it was closing its office in Brazil because De Moraes had suggested jailing its legal representatives if they did not comply with court orders regarding the removal of profiles.
De Moraes is leading an investigation into the spread of misinformation and previously ordered the removal of hundreds of posts on X questioning the integrity of Brazil’s electoral system during the 2022 elections. He is also overseeing another investigation into former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro for his alleged involvement in an attempted coup following his election defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
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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