International

In a major legal development in New York, Judge Juan M. Merchan has rejected Donald Trump’s latest motion to appoint a new supervisor in a case involving payments allegedly made to suppress negative media coverage. The ruling marks the third failed attempt by Trump’s legal team to argue that Judge Merchan should recuse himself because of an alleged conflict of interest related to Merchan’s daughter’s political consulting work for Democratic candidates, including Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign. The state ethics commission has previously ruled that a family member's independent political activities do not warrant concerns about the impartiality…

Washington — In a significant political event, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will host former President Donald Trump on social media site X this Monday. Scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the live interview could introduce new dynamics to the already contentious landscape of the U.S. presidential election. As Trump’s campaign experiences a perceived decline, this digital gathering offers him a critical platform to reclaim the spotlight. His Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, has recently gained momentum, energizing her base with dynamic appearances and gaining ground in the polls. Musk’s choice of Platform X, formerly known as Twitter, promises Trump…

In a riveting series of interviews on Dominican television, J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, took the stage to endorse Donald Trump's vision for a potential second term, while facing criticism from Democratic contenders. Vance highlighted Trump's proposals, particularly his views on strengthening presidential influence over federal monetary policy. During those discussions, Vance, the Ohio senator, defended Trump's view that the U.S. presidency should exercise greater control over monetary decisions traditionally handled by the Federal Reserve. This position, Vance said, is crucial to aligning the nation's economic strategies with the policies of the elected government, even though it marks a…

Tropical Storm Ernesto made landfall in the northeastern Caribbean on Tuesday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the region. Puerto Rico, still recovering from the devastating Hurricane Maria, is bracing for the storm's impact. The storm, with winds of 45 mph, is expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain on the island, raising concerns about flooding and mudslides. Officials have urged residents to take precautions and prepare for power outages, as the island's power grid remains vulnerable after the 2017 hurricane. Government officials and emergency teams are on high alert, monitoring the storm's progress and providing assistance…

In Chico, California, an unprecedented wildfire known as the Lamado Park Fire has ravaged a large area, fueled by scorching temperatures and the state’s ongoing drought. Since it broke out on July 24 near the town of C, the fire has burned more than 650 square miles, carving its destructive path north across the western edge of the Sierra Nevada. The fire is currently only 34 percent contained, according to the California Department of Fire Protection. The fire initially expanded rapidly, becoming the largest wildfire ever recorded in California. However, a brief period of warmer weather last week helped moderate…

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has made some startling claims about the arrest of notorious drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. According to Salazar, Zambada was forcibly flown to Texas on a private plane against his will. The diplomat clarified that the operation was not authorized or conducted by U.S. authorities and that it was Joaquín Guzmán López, son of the jailed former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, who allegedly facilitated Zambada's transfer. Salazar hinted at a possible deal between the two cartel figures. The joint arrest of Zambada and Guzmán López on July 25 sparked intense speculation. While…

In Washington, the US continues to closely monitor Venezuela's political dynamics, emphasizing the dialogue it has sustained before modifying the sanctions regime. This position was detailed by Frank Mora, US spokesman at the Organization of American States (OAS), in an interview with Voice of America. Mora stressed the importance of continued vigilance in Venezuelan affairs and advocated respecting the election results after both Nicolás Maduro and his challenger, Edmundo González, claimed victory. "Our assessment is clear: Edmundo González has garnered enough votes to be considered the winner. However, prematurely considering him 'president-elect' could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts," he said. The…

As the US presidential election approaches, major campaigns are underway in several key states that are expected to be pivotal in deciding the November outcome. This week, Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, is set to visit Wisconsin and Michigan on Wednesday. Her itinerary also includes stops in Arizona and Nevada later in the week. On the other side, Sen. J.D. Vance, former President Donald Trump's running mate, is also expected to attend high-profile events in Wisconsin and Michigan. Plans for North Carolina have been postponed because of an impending tropical…

Tropical Storm Debby turned north along the South Carolina coast Tuesday evening, unleashing heavy rain. The storm is forecast to continue bringing heavy rain to parts of eastern South Carolina and most of North Carolina, according to the latest update from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA's latest briefing indicates that the continuing downpours are expected to cause "significant flooding impacts" in the Carolinas, several mid-Atlantic states, and as far north as Vermont by Saturday morning. The storm is expected to maintain its intensity in the Carolinas, with NOAA issuing potentially dangerous storm surge advisories. Since Monday,…

In a second landfall event, Tropical Storm Debby struck South Carolina near Bulls Bay early this morning, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, which continues its journey up the U.S. East Coast, is set to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to multiple states, with areas as far north as Vermont forecasting up to six inches of rain over the weekend. Originally making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Florida's Gulf Coast, Debby has since weakened to a tropical storm. Current wind speeds are around 50 mph, with forecasts suggesting it will transition into a…