International
Suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO arrested in Pennsylvania
The authorities arrested this Monday in Pennsylvania (border state with New York) the suspect of killing the executive director of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, thanks to citizen collaboration.
Luigi Mangione, 26, had a weapon “compatible with the one used in the murder” – with the “ability to fire a nine-millimeter bullet” and a silencer – a lethal tool that could have been made with a 3D printer, the New York Police said at a press conference.
In addition, Mangione – whose image had been shared by the New York Police Department (NYPD) in recent days – had at the time of the arrest a military collared collared panties similar to the one the one the murderer wore in his shooting in front of the Hilton Midtown hotel (Manhattan), the same false identification he used to stay in a hostel in New York and a three-page handwritten document in which he criticized insurance companies.
How was the arrest of the suspect in the murder of the director of UnitedHealthcare?
The arrest took place at a McDonald’s in Altoona (Pennsylvania), where the suspect was eating and was recognized by an employee who called the local police.
“New York Police detectives are on their way to Pennsylvania,” noted New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The young man was not arrested or accused in connection with the murder, but in Altoona he will face charges of possession of weapons.
However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will seek to extradite the young man to face charges in the Big Apple.
“Combination of detective work”
At the press conference, in which the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, also participated, it was emphasized that this arrest has been possible thanks to a “combination of old-school detective work and new-era technology,” as well as the review of videos.
Despite the fact that Mangione had in his possession other forms of false identification, the police said today that he was not at risk of escaping the country.
The twenty-year-old was born and raised in Maryland, and has lived in San Francisco, Pennsylvania and Hawaii, according to the Police.
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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