International
Florida democrats urge Trump administration to reinstate protections for venezuelans
Florida Democrats in Congress criticized the Trump administration on Friday for reversing an 18-month extension of a federal program that protects over half a million Venezuelans from deportation. They urged officials to reinstate these protections for individuals from the South American nation.
In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the group of lawmakers stated that “sending Venezuelan immigrants back to a dictatorship that engages in torture, extrajudicial killings, and systematic human rights abuses would be a death sentence for many of our friends and neighbors.”
“This decision will have a devastating impact on more than 505,400 Venezuelans who currently rely on protected status,” the lawmakers wrote. “It will also severely affect the communities where they live, work, and pay taxes.”
The letter, led by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Broward County and Darren Soto of Osceola County, follows Noem’s decision to cancel the program’s extension from April 2025 to October 2026. The extension had been announced by former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas just days before Biden left the White House. Noem argued that the decision should be left to the Trump administration.
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.
International
Three salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
Three Salvadoran residents living in Orlando, Florida, were sentenced for conspiracy to commit tax fraud and wire fraud involving a scheme exceeding $146 million in the construction industry, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The sentence was handed down by federal judge Timothy J. Corrigan on Tuesday, July 29.
Eduardo Aníbal Escobar (45) was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison, Carlos Alberto Rodríguez (36) to 3 years and 4 months, and Adelmy Tejada (57) to 18 months in prison, followed by 6 months of house arrest. All three pled guilty on April 3, 2025.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered restitution payments totaling $36,957,616 to the IRS for unpaid payroll taxes, and $397,895 to two insurers for workers’ compensation claims related to the scheme.
Escobar and Rodríguez are permanent legal residents originally from El Salvador, while Tejada is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Salvadoran origin.
International
Kremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
The Kremlin expressed relief that the earthquakes that struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula today —the first being the strongest since 1952— resulted in no casualties, and emphasized that the region is well prepared to face such natural disasters.
“Thank God, there were no victims,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during his daily press briefing.
The presidential representative stated that “all alert systems were activated in time, and evacuations were organized for residents in areas requiring it in response to tsunami threats.”
“Overall, the seismic resilience of the buildings proved effective (…) Therefore, we can say that the technological preparedness demonstrated a high level,” Peskov added.
Honduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
Daniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
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 America2 days agoCosta Rica issues Yellow Alert and halts water activities over tsunami currents
-
Central America2 days agoFuneral turns tragic as armed attack leaves seven dead in Guatemala City
-
Central America3 days agoPeru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International4 days agoFour dead, thousands flee as floodwaters ravage Northern China
-
International4 days agoMultiple fatalities reported in Nevada Resort shooting as Police detain gunman
-
International3 days agoU.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
International2 days agoThree salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
-
International2 days agoKremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
-
International3 days agoTrump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International4 days agoFive security guards killed in mass shooting at Bangkok Market
-
International3 days agoMedvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International4 days agoNetanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
-
International4 days agoZelensky praises Trump’s ‘clear stance’ on Russia as ultimatum deadline tightens
-
International2 days agoU.S. launches ads urging undocumented migrants to self-deport via CBP Home App
-
International3 days agoArgentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
International4 days agoVatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
-
International4 days agoHepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
-
International4 days agoPeru’s president under fire as she promises crackdown on organized crime
-
International3 days agoPetro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments
-
Central America1 day agoDaniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
-
Central America1 day agoHonduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
-
International1 day agoTrump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
-
Central America1 day agoGuatemala transfers top gang leaders to maximum security prison after funeral home massacre