International
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency
 
																								
												
												
											U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the appointment of billionaire Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as heads of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
In a statement, Trump explained that the Department of Government Efficiency “will provide advice and guidance from outside the government and partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to drive large-scale structural reforms and create a business-focused approach to government unlike anything seen before.”
He noted that the work of this office is expected to conclude by July 4, 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.
“Together, these two outstanding Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulations, cut unnecessary spending, and restructure federal agencies,” the former president added.
Musk’s appointment to lead this office had been widely anticipated, though the announcement of businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential contender, to co-lead the office came as a surprise.
The president-elect continues to assign key roles, betting on allies and hardline figures for the most important positions in his upcoming administration, before returning to the White House on Wednesday to meet with Joe Biden.
International
UNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
 
														U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the annual refugee admissions will be limited to just 7,500 people, the lowest number since the program was created in 1980.
According to a White House statement, the new cap will prioritize mainly white South Africans and individuals who have been victims of “unjust or illegal discrimination” in their home countries.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has effectively suspended refugee admissions through an executive order, describing the program as “detrimental” to national interests.
One of the few exceptions to this policy has been the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, who began entering the U.S. in May. This decision followed Trump’s claim, made without evidence, that this group is facing “genocide.”
The president’s statements have strained diplomatic relations with South Africa, particularly after the country passed a law in January authorizing land expropriation without compensation.
Humanitarian organizations have strongly criticized the new immigration policy and called for its reversal.
International
Trump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
 
														U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the annual refugee admissions will be limited to just 7,500 people, the lowest number since the program was created in 1980.
According to a White House statement, the new cap will prioritize mainly white South Africans and individuals who have been victims of “unjust or illegal discrimination” in their home countries.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has effectively suspended refugee admissions through an executive order, describing the program as “detrimental” to national interests.
One of the few exceptions to this policy has been the Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa, who began entering the U.S. in May. This decision followed Trump’s claim, made without evidence, that this group is facing “genocide.”
The president’s statements have strained diplomatic relations with South Africa, particularly after the country passed a law in January authorizing land expropriation without compensation.
Humanitarian organizations have strongly criticized the new immigration policy and called for its reversal.
International
Hurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
 
														Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction in several Caribbean countries, leaving more than thirty dead, thousands displaced, and significant material losses after striking with force this week.
In Haiti, the Civil Protection Directorate reported at least 24 fatalities, including 20 deaths on Wednesday due to a flash flood in La Digue, a municipality of Petit-Goâve, south of Port-au-Prince. Another victim was reported in Artibonite, and three others had died earlier last week.
Authorities also reported 17 people injured, 18 missing, and 1,156 families affected, with 2,399 people sheltered in emergency facilities, particularly in the southern regions, Grand’Anse, Nippes, and the southeast of the country.
- 
																	   International3 days ago International3 days agoJamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island 
- 
																	   International4 days ago International4 days agoMexican journalist reporting on drug cartels killed in Durango 
- 
																	   International4 days ago International4 days agoColombian president Gustavo Petro denies alleged ties to criminal networks 
- 
																	   International5 days ago International5 days agoArgentina’s Milei secures strong victory and calls for dialogue after election surge 
- 
																	   International2 days ago International2 days agoMelissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba 
- 
																	   Central America3 days ago Central America3 days agoNew dismembered bodies found in San Juan river days after mass killing in Palencia 
- 
																	   Central America3 days ago Central America3 days agoFour guatemalan soldiers arrested for stealing weapons from Northern Air Command 
- 
																	   Central America4 days ago Central America4 days agoEl Salvador cracks down on narcotics: 24 tons confiscated in major anti-drug operation 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoHurricane Melissa leaves Jamaican residents homeless as recovery efforts begin 
- 
																	   Central America3 days ago Central America3 days agoArévalo accuses Porras and judge of undermining democracy in Guatemala 
- 
																	   International5 days ago International5 days agoMaduro accuses U.S. of aggression over Caribbean military drills 
- 
																	   International2 days ago International2 days agoArgentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms” 
- 
																	   Central America4 days ago Central America4 days agoEl Salvador’s FGR prosecutes 89,875 gang members under state of exception 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoUS Deputy Secretary criticizes Mexico’s call to end Cuba trade embargo at UN 
- 
																	   International4 hours ago International4 hours agoHurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoBrazilian president defends coordinated anti-drug operations after deadly Rio raid 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoTrump orders immediate U.S. nuclear testing, ending 30-year moratorium 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoVenezuela warns citizens who call for invasion risk losing nationality 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoMexico advances continental shelf claims at UN Commission in New York 
- 
																	   International4 hours ago International4 hours agoTrump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans 
- 
																	   International1 day ago International1 day agoSimeón Pérez Marroquín, ‘El Viejo,’ detained for role in Miguel Uribe Turbay assassination plot 
- 
																	   International4 hours ago International4 hours agoUNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean 













 
																	
																															










 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
									 
																	 
											