International
Cuban President Díaz-Canel arrives in Mexico as a guest of López Obrador

February 11 |
The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, arrived today at the Ingeniero Alberto Acuña Ongay International Airport of Campeche, where he was received by his host, Andrés Manuel López Obrador and other Mexican authorities.
A military band sang the national anthems of the two countries, while officials of the national government and of Campeche waited for the visitor on a stage near the parking lot of the Conviasa aircraft in which the Cuban leader traveled.
The governor was expressly invited by López Obrador, who received him next to the stairway, and said he wished to thank him and the people of Cuba for their gesture of sending doctors to collaborate in the development of the assistance plans, with which Mexico seeks to put itself on a par with the most advanced European countries in the field of public health.
Thus, the Caribbean head of state begins this Saturday his fourth official visit to this nation, in which he will discuss with López Obrador the issues of collaboration in public health and the supply of ballast for the Mayan train.
They will also discuss issues related to the US blockade of Cuba of which the Mexican president is a persistent critic and an advocate for the US government to lift it immediately and without preconditions.
Both leaders will also hold private meetings and later on between both delegations, the latter scheduled for after midday.
Authorities of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, an organization that executes the IMSS-Bienestar Health Plan in which Cuban doctors participate, will be present at the latter.
The meeting was scheduled to be held at the Seventh Military Naval Region, located in Rio Lerma.
Yesterday, Friday, a group of 63 doctors arrived in Mexico to complete the staff of 610 doctors of 30 specialties in order to cover the deficit of this nation in this field.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
International
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.
Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.
The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”
International
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.
The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”
The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”
Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.
The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.
-
International5 days ago
Cardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
-
International5 days ago
Trump and Zelensky hold “very productive” meeting in Rome during Pope’s funeral
-
International3 days ago
Colombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International4 days ago
Nine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
Central America3 days ago
Guatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International4 days ago
King Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
International3 days ago
Spain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International3 days ago
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International3 days ago
Mexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International3 days ago
Madrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International18 hours ago
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International18 hours ago
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president