International
The US Supreme Court gives the green light to Trump to dismantle the Department of Education
The US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to go ahead with his plan of mass layoffs in the Department of Education, which until now was blocked by an order from a lower court.
The decision overturned a temporary blocking resolution issued by a federal judge in Massachusetts in response to a class action from about twenty states, teachers’ unions and school districts.
The opinion so far prevented the federal government from carrying out the plan it announced at the end of March to cut, this year alone, a third of the more than 4,100 workers in this portfolio.
The Trump Administration’s plan, which has admitted that it cannot close the Department because that is the responsibility of Congress, involves dismantling the agency to the point that it only maintains basic competences related, for example, to the management of aid, scholarships or student loans.
The long-term project is to cut half of the staff working in this portfolio with the idea of eliminating what the Government, which wants to return educational skills to the states, considers a waste of the federal budget.
As usual in cases that are resolved by emergency channels, the majority of judges in favor of the ruling did not explain the basis of their decision, rejected by the three liberal judges of the court, Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.
For the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, the judicial decision confirms “the obvious, that the president of the United States, as head of the executive branch, has the authority in the final instance to make decisions about personnel, the administrative organization and the day-to-day of the federal agencies.”
“As well as today’s ruling is an important victory for students and families, it is a shame that the highest court in the country has had to intervene to allow President Trump to move forward with the reforms that the Americans chose him to implement using the authorities granted by the Constitution,” the head of Education said in a statement.
International
Tensions rise as Trump and Sheinbaum clash over cartel influence
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that drug cartels have “strong control” over Mexico — a situation he believes “cannot be allowed.”
Trump made the comments during a White House event where he signed a bipartisan bill into law that increases prison sentences for distributing fentanyl and its derivatives within the United States.
“Today, we deliver another defeat to the savage drug traffickers, criminals, and cartels that dominate Mexico,” said Trump. “I’m trying to be nice, but they have a strong grip on Mexico.”
“We must do something about it. We can’t allow this. Mexican authorities are terrified, afraid to go to work because the cartels control politicians and elected officials,” he added.
Trump has previously designated major Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
His remarks come in the wake of a public clash between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Jeffrey Lichtman, the attorney of Ovidio Guzmán — son of infamous drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Lichtman accused Sheinbaum of acting as “the PR arm of a drug trafficking organization.” The Mexican president called the statement “disrespectful” to the presidential office and announced a defamation lawsuit.
International
Ecuador unveils atomic energy bill to build resilient and sustainable power system
The government of Ecuador presented on Wednesday its draft Organic Law on Atomic Energy, aiming to explore the development of nuclear technology to ensure energy security and reduce the country’s reliance on hydroelectric power plants.
Fabián Calero, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, stated that the proposal “has been crafted with technical responsibility, strategic vision, and a strong commitment to Ecuador’s sustainable development.”
During his second-term inauguration speech on May 24, President Daniel Noboa had already announced plans to introduce a nuclear energy bill, emphasizing the need to diversify Ecuador’s energy matrix and build a system that guarantees clean, sufficient, and sustainable energy for all Ecuadorians.
Presenting the bill to academia, energy experts, and the media, Calero explained that Ecuador is seeking to expand its portfolio of both national and international projects to drive “a more robust, efficient, sustainable, and secure” energy system.
“Our country is moving toward an energy transition that does not solely depend on climate conditions but on decisive actions, medium- and long-term planning, and a clear vision of energy sovereignty,” he said.
Ecuador experienced a severe electricity crisis last year, primarily due to drought. At its peak, the shortage led to blackouts lasting up to 14 hours a day.
The 2023 blackouts resulted in economic losses exceeding $1.9 billion.
International
Mexico City to regulate Airbnb and rents in bid to curb gentrification
Authorities in Mexico City announced on Wednesday a comprehensive strategy to combat gentrification, including a proposed law aimed at regulating housing rental prices.
The plan follows a wave of protests earlier in July in the central neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa—areas widely seen as the epicenter of the gentrification phenomenon, which intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the rise of remote work during the health emergency, thousands of foreigners—mostly young Americans—moved to the Mexican capital, drawn by its lower cost of living. “This is not only an issue for our city, but for the entire world,” said Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada during a public event to present the plan.
“Gentrification means the disappearance of local businesses; it means transforming neighborhoods into areas for temporary housing,” she added.
Brugada stated that her administration will propose a law on “fair, reasonable, and affordable rents” to regulate and stabilize housing rental prices, and to prevent the displacement of people and communities.
She also announced stricter regulation of short-term and temporary rentals such as Airbnb. “We will fully enforce the existing legal provisions and establish a methodology to set clear parameters for regulating temporary housing operations,” she said.
Additionally, Brugada emphasized that the city will prioritize the construction of public housing in central areas to ensure equitable access to housing.
The influx of higher-income foreigners into central neighborhoods has significantly driven up rental prices, pushing original residents to move to more affordable areas, often on the outskirts of the city.
During the July protests, some demonstrators voiced strong opposition to foreigners, particularly U.S. citizens.
Tensions rise as Trump and Sheinbaum clash over cartel influence
Ecuador unveils atomic energy bill to build resilient and sustainable power system
Mexico City to regulate Airbnb and rents in bid to curb gentrification
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
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