International

Kamala Harris defends her economic plan on television and reveals that she owns a gun

The US vice president and Democratic candidate for the White House, Kamala Harris, addressed in an interview on the program ’60 minutes’ of CBS News the right of Americans to possession of weapons, by saying that she owns a Glock pistol, and explaining her economic plan.

“I have a Glock and I’ve had it for quite some time,” Harris told journalist Bill Whitaker during an interview in an election special of the well-known program.

When asked if he had fired the gun, Harris sketched his characteristic smile and nodded. “Yes… In a shooting range. Yes, of course.”

Former President Donald Trump (2017-2021) has suggested that if Harris reaches the presidency he would try to limit the right to possession of weapons contemplated in the Second Amendment of the Constitution, something that the Democratic candidate has denied.

“I have the best plan”: Harris

Harris took advantage of the interview on the well-known program to talk about his proposals, especially those that point to the economy, one of the most important issues of voters in the United States, and to promote that his proposal is the best.

“Now we have an economy that is thriving according to all macroeconomic indicators,” he highlighted the achievements of the Government of President Joe Biden and promised to continue with the low unemployment figures.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

Harris was asked how she will face the $3,000 trillion deficit facing the country, to which she replied that she will increase taxes on high-income people and hopes that Congressional leaders are willing to support her.

“There are many leaders in Congress who understand and know that Trump’s tax cuts exploded our federal deficit,” warned the vice president, who indicated that she is “a capitalist,” who knows the limitations of the Government.

Response to wars

The Democrat answered questions about the conflict in Israel and Gaza, just as the first anniversary of the Hamas attack, and assured that there is a need to end this war. However, he avoided answering several questions about whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “disobeying” the United States.

He warned that he would not meet bilaterally with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a solution that would end the war in Ukraine. “Ukraine must have a say in the future of Ukraine,” he said.

He also asked him to deepen immigration and the Biden Government’s response to contain the high number of irregular immigrants. “It’s a long-standing problem. And the solutions are at your fingertips. And since day one, we have literally been offering solutions,” he said.

Harris took advantage of the interview to attack Trump for canceling an interview with this program last week and preferring his rallies, where “he only talks about himself” and is dedicated to throwing grievances, he said.

The Democratic aspirant remains in the lead in voting intentions. According to the average of polls prepared by the FiveThirtyEight website, it is ahead of Trump by 2.5 percentage points at the federal level, although in key states that difference is not so significant.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

International

Trump administration to end special immigration operation in Minnesota

The administration of Donald Trump is bringing to a close its special operation targeting illegal immigration in the northern state of Minnesota, border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday, following weeks of unrest and the fatal shootings of two activists by federal agents.

Thousands of federal officers had been deployed to Minnesota in December to carry out large-scale raids against undocumented immigrants.

The operations triggered strong reactions from residents and advocacy groups, leading to daily confrontations and the deaths of two people who were shot by federal agents.

“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this special operation should end in Minnesota,” Homan said during a press conference in the state capital, Minneapolis.

“A significant drawdown began this week and will continue into next week,” he added.

20260212_constancia_pagos_mh_728x90

Homan indicated that similar enforcement efforts could be launched in other cities.

“Next week we will redeploy the agents currently here back to their home stations or to other parts of the country where they are needed. But we will continue to enforce immigration laws,” he said.