International
Trump defends National Guard deployment, warns “L.A. would have been annihilated” without it
President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to deploy the National Guard to California in response to protests against immigration raids, warning that without federal intervention, “Los Angeles would have been totally annihilated.”
“We made the tremendous decision to send the National Guard to confront the violent riots instigated in California. Had we not done so, Los Angeles would have been totally wiped out,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
In his statement, Trump sharply criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, calling him “incompetent” and referring to him disparagingly as “Gavin Newscum.” He also lashed out at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. In response, Newsom announced plans to sue the federal government, arguing that Trump had no legal authority to order such deployment.
“They should be saying ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP. YOU’RE TREMENDOUS. WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, SIR,’ but instead, they choose to lie to the people of California and the United States, claiming these were ‘peaceful protests,’” Trump added.
Trump cited “images and videos of violence and destruction” as justification for the deployment and reiterated his campaign slogan: “We always do whatever is necessary to keep our citizens safe, so that together, we can Make America Great Again.”
Later, during a White House appearance, Trump blamed the unrest on “professional agitators,” whom he labeled “insurrectionists” and “bad people who should be in jail.”
The former president also expressed support for former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director and “border czar” Tom Homan, who recently threatened to arrest Governor Newsom.
“I’d do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great… He’s doing a tremendous job,” said Trump.
Governor Newsom, in an interview with NBC, responded with irony: “He’s a tough guy. Why doesn’t he do it? He knows where to find me. Come at me. Arrest me. Go ahead, tough guy. I don’t care. What I care about is my community. And sorry to be so blunt, but that kind of bravado is exhausting. So, Tom—go ahead. Arrest me,” he concluded.
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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