International
Paramilitaries kill more than 100 people in a village in central Sudan, according to an NGO
The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (FAR) killed more than 100 people on Wednesday during the assault on the village of Wad al Nura, in the central state of Gezira, causing chaos and the displacement of hundreds of people, denounced the resistance committee of the area.
“The brutality against unarmed civilians caused the death of 104 people and more than 90 injured, in a new massacre that adds to the crimes of the Rapid Support Forces,” this citizen organization in charge of counting victims and displaced persons in the state of Gezira reported in a statement.
According to the note, FAR fighters bombed Wad al Nura with heavy weapons “for hours” and, subsequently, broke into the village in combat vehicles and motorcycles, from where they “fired indiscriminately at the citizens.”
The resistance committee reported that the paramilitaries committed various “massacres” in Gezira since in December they took control of several areas, as well as the state capital, Wad Madani, which until then had become one of the places of refuge for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war.
He also accused the Sudanese Army of “negligence” after the citizens asked the military for help in the face of the advance of the FAR, to which the Armed Forces only made some air raids.
“No ground force intervened to save the lives of civilians, despite the presence of a military base in an area not far away,” the resistance committee said.
According to the NGO, the FAR “invaded” the village and looted the properties and vehicles of the civilians before withdrawing from the area to “loot other adjacent villages” from Wad al Nura.
Both the Sudanese Army and the paramilitaries have accused them by numerous international organizations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity – including the use of sexual violence and ethnic cleansing – which has led to sanctions by countries such as the United States for both opposing parties.
The Army and the FAR have been facing each other in a war since April 15, 2023 that has resulted in at least 30,000 deaths, according to the Sudanese Medical Union, and has caused the internal and external displacement of more than 9 million people.
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
-
Central America3 days agoFuneral turns tragic as armed attack leaves seven dead in Guatemala City
-
Central America3 days agoCosta Rica issues Yellow Alert and halts water activities over tsunami currents
-
Central America4 days agoPeru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International5 days agoFour dead, thousands flee as floodwaters ravage Northern China
-
International5 days agoMultiple fatalities reported in Nevada Resort shooting as Police detain gunman
-
International4 days agoU.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
International3 days agoThree salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
-
International3 days agoKremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
-
International4 days agoMedvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International4 days agoTrump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International5 days agoFive security guards killed in mass shooting at Bangkok Market
-
International5 days agoNetanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
-
International3 days agoU.S. launches ads urging undocumented migrants to self-deport via CBP Home App
-
International5 days agoZelensky praises Trump’s ‘clear stance’ on Russia as ultimatum deadline tightens
-
International4 days agoArgentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
Central America2 days agoDaniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
-
International5 days agoVatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
-
International5 days agoHepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
-
International5 days agoPeru’s president under fire as she promises crackdown on organized crime
-
International4 days agoPetro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments
-
Central America2 days agoHonduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala transfers top gang leaders to maximum security prison after funeral home massacre
-
International2 days agoTrump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
-
Central America3 hours agoCosta Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves
-
International3 hours agoStudy finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
-
International3 hours agoTrump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua