International
Cuba blames the United States for the instability in the delivery of subsidized food
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, blamed on Thursday the “regrowth” of the economic embargo of the United States for the “difficult situation” in the delivery of the subsidized products through the ration card.
The president dedicated the second broadcast of the program ‘Desde la Presidencia’ – broadcast on YouTube – to the “difficulties” in acquiring from abroad the products that are distributed in the so-called supply book, in force for more than 60 years on the island.
According to Díaz-Canel, the island government spends about 230 million dollars a month to guarantee the products – rice, coffee, sugar, beans, among others – and distribute them in the more than 12,000 wineries (local state shops located in the neighborhoods).
“It is a titanic task that the country does,” said Díaz-Canel, accompanied by the head of Internal Trade, Betsy Díaz, and the first deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga.
Díaz-Canel acknowledged that people’s opinion about the primer is “very critical and very negative,” especially due to the delays in deliveries and the decrease in quantities.
In the last 20 years, the rations that have decreased the most have been coffee and sugar, both domestically produced, according to a study recently carried out by EFE.
In this regard, Díaz stated that “the last two years have been very complex for distribution” due to “the lack of financing to pay the freight with the loads and the lack of fuel to distribute the products once they are in Cuban port.”
In this regard, the first Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade commented that “the inclusion of Cuba in the list of states that sponsors terrorism – prepared by the U.S. Department of State – has been a strong blow to the country’s finances.”
Cuba has been plunged into a severe crisis for four years, which translates into a shortage of basic products, frequent blackouts and strong inflation, in conjunction with the pandemic, the tightening of US sanctions and errors in national economic policy.
The Caribbean country spends $2 billion annually on the import of food.
Recently, Cuba formally requested milk powder from the UN World Food Program for the first time to continue subsidizing this product to children under seven years of age, according to EFE.
The Cuban authorities have assumed in recent weeks problems to produce the subsidized bread from the basic basket due to lack of imported flour.
The shortage of food was one of the triggers of the massive anti-government protests of July 11, 2021, the largest in decades, and the most recent of March 17 of this year in several cities of the country
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.
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
Costa Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves
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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