International
Death toll rises to 59 due to rains in Sao Paulo, Brazil
February 26 |
The death toll from the heavy rains that hit the coast of the state of Sao Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, rose to 59, while 13 injured are hospitalized at the Regional Hospital of the North Coast (HRLN) in stable condition, an official source reported Saturday.
In its most recent bulletin, the Government of Sao Paulo specified that so far 59 deaths have been confirmed, 58 in the district of Sao Sebastiao and one in Ubatuba, the most affected by the torrential rains and landslides that affected the coast of Sao Paulo during the Carnival weekend (February 17-19).
Of the total number of deceased, 54 have already been identified and released for burial. There are 19 adult men, 17 adult women and 18 children, the statement added.
The government of Sao Paulo pointed out that priority continues to be given to helping the victims and more than 2,251 displaced people and 1,815 homeless people are being attended to.
The State Health Department said that 28 victims of the rains (22 adults and six children) have so far been treated at the HRLN.
Of this total, 13 remain hospitalized in stable health condition. Another 10 patients have already been discharged from the hospital and five have been transferred to other units.
The governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, announced on Saturday that a state office will be created to closely monitor the reconstruction works in Sao Sebastiao.
During the day, Governor Tarcísio visited 43 affected families who are now installed in a hotel provided by a financial entity in Sao Sebastiao.
The official informed that he is looking for more safe land, in addition to the three he has already found, to start building houses as soon as possible, using construction technologies to speed up the completion of these buildings, with safety and comfort.
International
Meta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication
U.S. tech giant Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said that Russia is seeking to ban the messaging app because it “challenges government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication.”
Russian authorities have encouraged citizens to switch to state-backed applications, and in August they already blocked WhatsApp’s calling feature.
On Friday, the communications regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that the platform was being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts in the country, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes.”
“If the messaging service does not comply with Russian law, it will be completely blocked,” the regulator warned.
WhatsApp remains one of Russia’s most widely used messaging services, alongside Telegram.
Moscow is pressuring both platforms to grant authorities access to user data upon request for investigations into fraud and activities the government labels as “terrorist.”
Human rights advocates fear the demand could be used to target critics of the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin, or the war in Ukraine.
International
Archbishop Wenski criticizes Trump’s deportation policies, calls for stronger push for reform
The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, has called for increased pressure on the U.S. Congress to advance comprehensive immigration reform and criticized President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, arguing that they “do nothing to help.”
“We need to apply more pressure on Congress so lawmakers can make the necessary changes. It is also important for the Administration to listen to our voice. We do not want to be anyone’s enemy—we are Americans,” Wenski said in an interview with EFE.
The religious leader, who heads one of the dioceses with the largest Latino and Haitian populations in the United States, issued a call to defend the rights of migrants. He also emphasized that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has maintained a strong and public stance in favor of migrants for decades.
International
Trump relaunches diplomatic push to finalize U.S.-Backed peace plan for Ukraine War
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his diplomatic team will resume meetings with delegations from Russia and Ukraine in an effort to pressure both sides to accept the peace plan proposed by Washington to end the war in Ukraine.
As part of this new round of talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives to narrow differences on the remaining points of the agreement.
Trump also confirmed his intention to meet personally with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and with Putin, though he emphasized that such meetings will only take place “when the agreement is fully finalized or in its final stage.”
The president claimed that his administration has made “tremendous progress” toward resolving the conflict and reiterated that the war “never would have started” if he had been in the White House at the onset of the crisis.
The U.S.-backed peace plan consists of 28 points and has been revised following feedback from both sides. According to Trump, only “a few points of disagreement” remain under active discussion.
One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal is the suggestion that Ukraine cede parts of the Donbas region to Russia and limit the size of its armed forces. Kyiv is working closely with Washington to soften these clauses in search of an arrangement that does not compromise its sovereignty or security.
With this diplomatic push, Trump aims to solidify his role as the main mediator in the conflict and steer the war toward a political resolution after years of devastation, humanitarian crisis, and rising global geopolitical tensions.
Honduras Extends Voting by One Hour Amid High Turnout, CNE Announces
Honduras’ China–Taiwan Future Hinges on Sunday’s Presidential Election
Meta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication
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
-
Central America2 days agoTrump Pardons Former Honduran President Hernández and Warns of Aid Cuts Ahead of Election
-
Central America4 days agoPanama reinforces security with new helicopters and Super Tucano Aircraft purchases
-
Central America4 days agoTrump urges hondurans to back conservative candidate Nasry Asfura in november elections
-
International4 days agoArchbishop Wenski criticizes Trump’s deportation policies, calls for stronger push for reform
-
Central America1 day agoHonduras’ China–Taiwan Future Hinges on Sunday’s Presidential Election
-
Central America10 hours agoHonduras Extends Voting by One Hour Amid High Turnout, CNE Announces
-
Central America4 days ago
Washington calls for oversight as Honduras faces allegations of electoral interference
-
International2 days agoMeta Says Russia Seeks to Ban WhatsApp for Defending Secure Communication