International
Mahmud Abbas says that “the whole world is responsible” for Gaza for selling weapons to Israel
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said that “the whole world is responsible for what happens to our people in Gaza and the West Bank,” and demanded that the sale of weapons to Israel stop.
“Stond the genocide. Stop selling weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue,” Abbas said before the UN General Assembly when it is almost one year after the war in Gaza, which has already left more than 41,000 dead, most of them civilians.
Received with applause
Abbas, who was received with a long salvo of applause when entering the room – something rare – took advantage of the speech to criticize the United States, “the greatest democracy in the world,” for having vetoed on three occasions resolutions of the Security Council that called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“The US was left alone and said: ‘No, let the fighting continue’. He used his veto, and even worse, he provided Israel with deadly weapons that killed thousands of civilians,” he exclaimed, in a criticism also infrequent for his forcefulness towards the Washington Government, Israel’s main ally in the world.
Israel’s expulsion from the General Assembly
Abbas also announced that they will ask the General Assembly to take action to expel Israel from the United Nations, arguing that it has been in breach of United Nations resolutions itself since 1949.
On the other hand, Abbas presented a twelve-point plan for the post-war period in Gaza, which includes the request for “international protection for the Palestinians”, the holding of elections soon (but did not give a date) and the extension of the Palestinian Authority to the two territories of the West Bank and Gaza (where Hamas governs).
He also called for an international conference sponsored by the UN to implement the solution of the two States, Israeli and Palestinian – he did not cite Spain’s proposal to host that conference – and ended up announcing an upcoming visit to his to the Gaza territory, for which he asked for international help and the UN itself in order to “impress the occupying government and not prevent this initiative.”
At the end of his speech, two Palestinians who were in the audience began shouting “Free Free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea”.
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.
Costa Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change
U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International5 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
Central America5 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International5 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International5 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
Central America3 days agoPanama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
-
International4 days agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
Central America3 days agoU.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
-
International4 days agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn
-
International4 days agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
-
Central America18 hours agoCosta Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change