International
Peruvian president summoned to testify for protest deaths
May 25 |
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was summoned by the prosecutor’s office to testify in an investigation for the alleged crimes of genocide, aggravated homicide and serious injuries committed during the anti-government protests that left more than 60 people dead in three months, the president’s lawyer said on Wednesday.
Joseph Campos told local radio RPP that Boluarte is due to testify before Attorney General Patricia Benavides on May 31. The president was summoned in January, February and March, but has not testified. In March she was not questioned because the prosecutor’s office asked to be included to participate in the proceedings.
The president did not make a statement during the day. The Associated Press asked the prosecutor’s office about the summons to the president’s office, but did not receive a response at the time.
Prime Minister Alberto Otárola was questioned in January and February in the same investigation. The protests have left 67 dead and more than 1,300 injured, according to the Ombudsman’s Office. Almost all of the dead are civilians, most of them were shot by firearms and some were hit by gunshots to the head.
Due to the rank of those investigated, the investigation is in charge of the Attorney General. Genocide is punishable by a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Also included in the investigation are former Prime Minister Pedro Angulo and other former officials.
Boluarte came to power on December 7 when his predecessor, then president Pedro Castillo, attempted to dissolve Parliament and was removed from office. Castillo is being held for 18 months for the alleged crime of rebellion in a prison for presidents in Lima.
Since then, protests began to ignite in the rural areas of the southern Andes demanding the resignation of Boluarte and the members of Parliament. The demonstrations spread in the south as far as Lima, but died down in mid-February.
However, Congress has not yet decided to bring forward the presidential and parliamentary elections. Four plans to shorten the term of Boluarte and the legislators were shelved for not reaching the necessary votes.
According to the most recent May poll by Ipsos Peru, 75% disapprove of Boluarte and 16% support her.
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
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