International
India destroys the homes of the alleged attackers in Kashmir with excavators
Indian authorities demolished the homes of two men suspected of being involved in the recent deadly attack against tourists in Indian Kashmir, amid a diplomatic escalation with Pakistan and growing concerns in this convulsive region with a history of conflict.
The demolitions were carried out a few hours before a scheduled visit to the area of the head of the Indian Army in the region, General Upendra Dwivedi, a local policeman revealed to EFE, on condition of anonymity, stating that they conform to India’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism.
The houses, located in the southern districts of Pulwama and Anantnag, specifically in Tral and Bijbehara, respectively, belonged to Asif Sheikh and Adil Thoker.
Both are alleged members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an insurgent organization made illegal by India.
“It is suspected that the two terrorists are behind the Pahalgam attack,” a senior police official told EFE, adding that “the demolitions were carried out as a deterrent measure.”
On April 22, in the meadow of Baisaran de Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian Kashmir, a group of men attacked a group of tourists, killing 26 of them, mostly Indians. India has attributed the attack on militants that it describes as Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.
The incident has intensified tensions in this territory claimed by India and Pakistan.
Face-to-face witnesses in Pulwama and Anantnag informed EFE that security forces, including police and paramilitaries, cordoned off the areas before proceeding to demolish the houses.
Images showing the houses destroyed before dawn have circulated widely on social networks.
India’s National Investigative Agency (NIA), the country’s main anti-terrorist agency, has launched a formal investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Sources cited in several local media claim that investigators have questioned numerous residents and tourists who were in the vicinity at the time of the murders.
General Dwivedi’s visit to Srinagar, the main city of Kashmir, occurs in a context of growing tension between India and Pakistan, with a strong exchange of statements between the two nations after the Pahalgam massacre.
The Kashmir region, a territory claimed entirely by India and Pakistan, but administered in parts by each, remains heavily militarized.
The frequent outbreaks of violence, often linked to separatist insurgencies seeking independence or greater autonomy from Indian rule, continue to disrupt life in the Himalayan territory.
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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