International
The White House insists that the United States remains in contact with Iran
The White House indicated on Monday that Washington is still in contact with Tehran, despite what was said today by President Donald Trump, who said he was not talking to representatives of Iran, after the United States bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities executed more than a week ago.
“As I already told you from this podium last week; the administration, and in particular our special envoy (for the Middle East), Steve Witkoff, have been in communication, both directly and indirectly, with the Iranians,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained at a press conference today.
“That communication continues, but the president himself has not spoken directly with Iran, something he highlighted in his statement on Truth (Social),” Leavitt added in reference to the online message written shortly before by the president.
“I’m not offering Iran ANYTHING, unlike Obama, who paid them billions of dollars under the stupid ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at a nuclear weapon’ (which would now have expired!), I’m not even talking to them since WE totally DESTROYED their nuclear facilities,” Trump wrote today.
Signed in 2015 between Iran, the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU), the JCPOA agreed to control Iranian nuclear developments in favor of lifting sanctions against Tehran.
Trump himself in his first term (2017-2021) withdrew his country from the pact because he considered that it did not undermine the atomic capacities of the Islamic nation enough or that it favored the financing of regional groups related to Iran.
On the other hand, Leavitt did not want to answer today when he was asked about whether the talks between Washington and Tehran have the possibility of focusing on aspects beyond the nuclear program; such as the aforementioned related groups – such as the Houthi or Hizbulá -, the Iranian ballistic missile program or the possibility of resuming bilateral trade relations.
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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