International
Gaza War: Hamas releases three Israeli hostages and Tel Aviv releases almost 400 Palestinian prisoners
The Islamist group Hamas delivered Israeli hostages Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov, Iair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen to the Red Cross on Saturday in a ceremony held in Jan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, most of the 369 Palestinian prisoners released within the sixth exchange for Israeli hostages were transferred to the Gaza Strip.
The Red Cross escolted the hostages, in apparent good health, to the Israeli forces stationed in the enclave, who took them out of the Strip to reunite them with their families. The Israeli Army confirmed that the hostages have already crossed the border into Israeli territory and are on their way to a reception point in southern Israel, where they will meet with their families.
The liberation ceremony organized by Hamas was held on a stage located in a devastated area of Gaza, where there were posters with phrases such as “There will be no migration, except to Jerusalem” or “We crossed quickly” (in reference to the attack of October 7 in Israeli territory).
After a Red Cross worker signed the release documents from the hands of a Hamas militiaman, the hostages went on stage, located a few meters from the house of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the attacks of October 7 and who died in a confrontation with Israeli forces in October 2024.
On him, the hostages gave speeches asking the Israeli Government to maintain the truce, after which they were taken to the Red Cross vehicles on their way to Israeli territory.
Hamas announced yesterday the names of the three hostages after threatening earlier this week to pause the release due to the repeated Israeli “violations” of the agreement, among which it cited impediments to the entry of humanitarian aid.
Israel, for its part, threatened to resume the war in Gaza if Hamas did not release the hostages today, without clarifying how many, taking advantage of an ambiguous message from US President Donald Trump, who threatened a “hell” in Gaza if Hamas did not release “all the hostages” before Saturday noon.
Most of the 369 Palestinian prisoners released this Saturday by Israel were transferred to the Gaza Strip, where they arrived in buses to the European Hospital of the enclave, according to images broadcast live by the Al Jazeera network.
Seven buses accompanied by Red Cross vehicles entered from Israeli territory to the city of Rafah, in the south of the strip, and then arrived at the European Hospital in Gaza, where they are scheduled to undergo medical tests and other tests to confirm their identity.
Israel is expected to complete the release of 369 Palestinian prisoners today, of which 333 arrived in Gaza, 11 were released in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 25 will be deported to Egypt, to be transferred from there to other countries. If release occurs after the release by Hamas of three captive hostages in the enclave.
The prisoners released in Gaza are those who were detained in the same enclave after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the war.
Palestinian media reported that one of the prisoners was transferred to Gaza before the arrival of the buses in a Red Cross ambulance due to his state of health.
The prisoners generally appeared in coats and jackets other than the sweatshirts that the Israeli prison service put on them before leaving prison, in which the phrase in Arabic was read “We will not forget or forgive” next to a star of David.
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 America4 days agoFuneral turns tragic as armed attack leaves seven dead in Guatemala City
-
Central America4 days agoCosta Rica issues Yellow Alert and halts water activities over tsunami currents
-
Central America5 days agoPeru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International4 days agoThree salvadorans in Florida sentenced in $146 million construction tax fraud scheme
-
International4 days agoKremlin hails preparedness after Kamchatka quakes leave no casualties
-
International4 days agoU.S. launches ads urging undocumented migrants to self-deport via CBP Home App
-
Central America3 days agoDaniel Ortega’s last historic sandinista ally detained in Managua
-
Central America3 days agoHonduras sees ongoing killings of land defenders and attacks on press, warns NGO
-
Central America3 days agoGuatemala transfers top gang leaders to maximum security prison after funeral home massacre
-
International3 days agoTrump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
-
International1 day agoTrump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
-
International1 day agoStudy finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
-
Central America1 day agoCosta Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves