International
Ecuadorians abroad to vote in person

August 29|
In Ecuador, the National Electoral Council (CNE) decided on Monday night to reinstate that nationals abroad vote in person in the second round of the presidential and legislative elections, to be held on October 15.
The members of the electoral body voted in favor of repealing the provision that the overseas constituencies apply the telematic voting modality, after problems occurred in that system during the elections of last August 20.
In this regard, the president of the CNE, Diana Atamaint, stated: “I vote in favor of reforming the regulations for the early presidential and legislative elections of 2023 and thus implement in-person voting in the three overseas constituencies”.
Atamaint also clarified that the decision “is not due to any proposal of any political party”, but is a determination attached to the Constitution and the Code of Democracy, with the purpose of guaranteeing the right of participation of migrants.
In relation to the company in charge of the telematic voting support, AntroProyectos, the official also announced that “we will inform the pertinent authorities, first of all the General State Comptroller’s Office and if necessary the Attorney General’s Office”.
Last August 25, the CNE decided to repeat the voting for representatives to the National Assembly in the three constituencies abroad due to problems with the telematic voting system, which made it impossible for many voters to vote.
Less than half, only 51,643 Ecuadorians living abroad were able to vote effectively on August 20, out of the more than 123,854 registered in the computer platform designed for this purpose.
The Citizen Revolution (RC) movement had requested an investigation and the repetition of the voting abroad, due to difficulties which the CNE explained were due to cyber-attacks from countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia and China.
International
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide

COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 2,533,000 deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2024, according to an international study led by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy and Stanford University in the United States, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum. Researchers calculated that one death was prevented for every 5,400 doses administered.
The analysis also found that the vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life, equivalent to one year of life gained for every 900 doses given.
The study, coordinated by Professor Stefania Boccia, revealed that 82% of the lives saved were people vaccinated before becoming infected with the virus, and 57% of deaths avoided occurred during the Omicron wave. In addition, 90% of the beneficiaries were adults over 60 years old.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis to date, based on global data and fewer assumptions about the evolution of the pandemic,” explained Boccia and researcher Angelo Maria Pezzullo.
International
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that reinstated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, stressing that the immigration program was never intended to serve as a “de facto asylum system.”
On Thursday, Judge Trina Thompson extended protections for about 7,000 Nepalese immigrants, whose TPS was set to expire on August 5. The ruling also impacts roughly 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, whose TPS protections were scheduled to end on September 8.
Immigrants covered by TPS had sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the program’s termination was driven by “racial animus” and stripped them of protection from deportation.
DHS Deputy Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying the decision to end TPS was part of a mandate to “restore the integrity” of the immigration system and return the program to its original purpose.
“TPS was never conceived as a de facto asylum system; however, that is how previous administrations have used it for decades,” McLaughlin emphasized.
She also criticized Judge Thompson, calling the ruling “another example” of judges “stirring up claims of racism to distract from the facts.”
McLaughlin added that DHS would appeal the decision and take the legal battle to higher courts.
The Trump administration has also terminated TPS protections for approximately 160,000 Ukrainians, 350,000 Venezuelans, and at least half a million Haitians, among other immigrant groups.
International
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028

The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
-
Central America4 days ago
Funeral turns tragic as armed attack leaves seven dead in Guatemala City
-
Central America4 days ago
Costa Rica issues Yellow Alert and halts water activities over tsunami currents
-
Central America5 days ago
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International5 days ago
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
International4 days ago
Three salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
-
International5 days ago
Medvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International4 days ago
Kremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
-
International5 days ago
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International4 days ago
U.S. launches ads urging undocumented migrants to self-deport via CBP Home App
-
Central America2 days ago
Daniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
-
International5 days ago
Argentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
Central America2 days ago
Honduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
-
International5 days ago
Petro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments
-
Central America2 days ago
Guatemala transfers top gang leaders to maximum security prison after funeral home massacre
-
International2 days ago
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
-
International18 hours ago
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
-
International18 hours ago
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
-
Central America18 hours ago
Costa Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves