International
The IPA calls the White House’s veto of AP agency journalists arbitrary
The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) described on Wednesday as “arbitrary” the restriction imposed by the Government of Donald Trump on journalists from the American news agency The Associated Press (AP) to cover events in the White House.
The measure was adopted in retaliation for AP’s decision to continue using the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’ and not ‘Gulf of America’ as ordered by Trump.
The IAPA, based in Miami, stressed that it is a censorship and intimidation that violates freedom of the press.
The government prevented an AP reporter from attending a presidential event in the Oval Office on Tuesday, while another agency journalist was excluded from an event in the White House Diplomatic Room.
AP executive editor Julie Pace revealed that the White House warned the agency that it would not have access to the Oval Office if it does not align its editorial standards with Trump’s executive order of last January 20, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’.
AP condemned the Trump Administration’s measure as an attack on independent journalism. The agency recalled that it maintains the use of the name ‘Gulf of Mexico’, although it recognizes the new name imposed by the White House within the US sphere.
The US agency emphasized that this order is not valid outside the United States and that other countries and international organizations are not obliged to adopt it.
“It is alarming that the Trump government punishes AP for its independent journalism,” Pace said.
The president of the IAPA, José Roberto Dutriz, expressed his concern about this measure. “The restriction on journalistic coverage and the warning against AP demonstrate a disturbing intention to impose official criteria on information of public interest, with the threat of reprisals for those who do not bend to them,” he said in a statement.
He added that freedom of the press is guaranteed by the United States Constitution and must be respected without conditions.
Carlos Jornet, president of the IAPA Commission on Freedom of the Press and Information, described the action as an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the style and editorial line of a media outlet.
“This is an arbitrary imposition by the government on journalistic work,” Jornet said.
“Prior censorship, interference or direct or indirect pressure on any informative expression violates the right to freedom of expression,” he added.
The White House Correspondents Association also protested on Tuesday against the decision of the Trump Administration and said that “it should not penalize journalists who work because it is not happy with the decisions of its editors.”
In contrast, AP announced that it will call Mount McKinley the elevation located in Alaska that previous President Barack Obama (2009-2017) had renamed Mount Denali out of respect for native traditions.
“It is an area located only in the United States, and as president Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country,” AP said.
International
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
At least four armed men, allegedly linked to an organized crime group, were killed Sunday night during a shootout with police officers at Ponta das Canas beach on the island of Florianópolis, capital of the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, local media reported on Monday.
According to the Santa Catarina Military Police, one of the men killed was a native of the state of São Paulo (southeast) and identified as a leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a gang that controls drug trafficking in the Papaquara community in northern Florianópolis, one of Brazil’s most popular tourist areas.
Police said officers were conducting a patrol in the Ponta das Canas neighborhood when they noticed a man entering a house in a hurry, raising suspicion. Upon entering the residence, they encountered four heavily armed individuals.
During the police operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to seize an officer’s rifle, triggering the exchange of gunfire. “Faced with the imminent threat and the criminals’ high firepower, the officers responded to stop the aggression,” the Military Police said on social media.
International
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
The U.S. government will use $4.65 billion from an emergency fund to finance payments under SNAP, the country’s primary food assistance program, covering roughly “50% of benefits for eligible households,” according to a Department of Agriculture official in court filings.
The administration, however, does not plan to make up the funding shortfall through other resources, as noted in documents submitted to a federal court in Rhode Island.
This announcement follows a federal judge’s order in Providence — one of two issued last week — requiring the government to tap emergency funds to ensure the program remains operational.
The Trump administration argues that SNAP is running out of money amid a month-long federal government shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans who continue to blame each other for the crisis.
President Trump said on Friday that he was willing to release the necessary funds if the courts required it and emphasized that he does not want “Americans to go hungry.”
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, accused Trump and the Republican Party on Sunday of “weaponizing hunger” during the political dispute.
International
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
A U.S. strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean killed three people on Saturday, according to Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, marking the latest in a series of attacks in international waters.
The United States has deployed ships to the Caribbean and sent fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a large military force that Washington says is aimed at curbing drug trafficking.
“This vessel, like all the others, was known to our intelligence for being involved in illicit narcotics smuggling,” Hegseth stated on X. “Three narcoterrorists were aboard the vessel during the attack, which took place in international waters,” he added.
Experts argue that the attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial executions, even if the targets are known traffickers.
Washington has yet to publicly provide evidence that the targeted individuals were actively smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the United States.
Hegseth said the U.S. would continue “hunting… and killing” suspected traffickers. He also shared video footage of the strike, showing the vessel being hit and engulfed in flames. As in previous videos, sections of the ship were blurred, making it impossible to verify the number of people on board.
The United Nations called on Friday for Washington to halt its attacks.
Four suspected PCC members killed in Police shootout in Florianópolis
U.S. uses $4.65 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits amid shutdown
U.S. strike in Caribbean kills three suspected drug traffickers
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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