US government issues new sanctions against Cuba and other current US reports

US government issues new sanctions against Cuba

The US government has imposed new sanctions against Cuba. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Platform X that those affected were “part of the Castros’ corrupt financial and intelligence network.” Among those hit with fresh sanctions were Fidel Ernesto Castro, a grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, and the Cuban company Abapet, which imports special equipment and spare parts for the country's ailing power grid.

ICE officer surrenders to federal authorities after shooting of Venezuelans

A U.S. immigration enforcement officer (ICE) has turned himself in to federal authorities after being charged with making false statements in connection with the shooting of a Venezuelan, according to information obtained by the AP. A person familiar with the case confirmed to the AP that the officer was taken into custody on Thursday (local time). He is accused of shooting the Venezuelan in the leg during an ICE operation in Minneapolis in January and later providing false information about the circumstances.

The federal charges follow the officer's release from a Texas prison last week. The state of Minnesota had charged him there with assault and making a false report in connection with the same incident and requested his extradition.

Trump appoints new Secretary of the Army after resignation

After the resignation of Secretary of the US Army Daniel Driscoll, President Donald Trump has found a new man for the post. Adam Telle, undersecretary of state responsible for civilian tasks since August 2025, should take over the office on an interim basis, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform. “He is a great patriot and respected by everyone.”

Court in Missouri overturns redistricting that was advantageous for Republicans

The Supreme Court of the US state of Missouri has overturned a new redistricting drafted by the Republicans for the November congressional elections. The ruling is a setback for the party in its struggle to maintain its narrow majority in the US House of Representatives. The decision could allow longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to return to the House of Representatives. His constituency in Kansas City was dissolved as part of the redistricting.

The court found that the state's Republican secretary of state, Denny Hoskins, had unlawfully prevented a referendum on redistricting. Republican lawmakers pushed through the redistricting as part of a campaign supported by President Donald Trump to change the district boundaries in favor of their own candidates. Republicans secured a national advantage after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed several conservative Southern states to carve up districts with high percentages of black voters.

Cuba relaxes economic rules for foreign investors

Cuba continues to open its economy to foreign investors in the face of a serious crisis and pressure from the United States. The government in Havana published new regulations on Thursday that are intended to make market access in the Caribbean country easier. In the future, companies will be able to hire and fire employees directly without having to involve state employment agencies. In addition, private companies are allowed to operate travel agencies and self-employed people are allowed to work as tour guides.

Until now, the tourism industry has been completely controlled by the state. In future, joint ventures and domestic investors will only have to report accounts with foreign banks and no longer have to have them approved. Foreign Trade Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga acknowledged a difficult environment. However, the government wants to increase flexibility, simplify processes and reduce bureaucracy, he explained. This is intended to respond to the demands of investors.

Trump is going to the Supreme Court again in the dispute over postal voting

In the legal dispute over stricter rules for postal voting, President Donald Trump's government has again appealed to the Supreme Court. She asked the court to suspend a lower court decision that has so far prevented her from implementing the new rules. Less than two months before the important midterm elections, the Trump administration is asking the US Supreme Court to make a quick decision with its urgent application. In the state of North Carolina, the first postal voting documents are scheduled to be sent out this Friday.

The Supreme Court had previously overturned another injunction against Trump's plans - albeit for procedural reasons. He did not decide on the legality of the project.

Trump administration announces start of work on triumphal arch

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced that excavation work for the planned controversial Triumphal Arch in Washington will begin within the next two weeks. “This will be one of the great pieces of American architecture (…) befitting the most powerful capital in the world,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote on Platform X on Thursday.

The 76 meter high arch is to be built between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. A lawsuit was filed against the construction plans.

US diesel price reaches record high

According to data from the GasBuddy portal, the average diesel price in the USA has reached a new record of $5,820 per gallon (1.32 euros per liter). This surpasses the previous high of $5,819, which was recorded on June 17, 2022 as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

US government wants to overturn tax exemption for universities with diversity goals

The administration of US President Donald Trump is intensifying its campaign against diversity programs at universities. The Treasury Department proposed a new rule Thursday that would strip private universities and colleges of their tax-exempt status if they provide targeted aid to students based on race.

The Trump administration wants to abolish diversity programs aimed at black, Hispanic students and other minorities at universities. Government officials have tried to stop measures to increase diversity, equality and inclusion, arguing that they put white and Asian Americans at a disadvantage.

“The administration’s recent rule changes are its most blatant attack on preventing working-class Americans and people of color from accessing higher education and a better life,” said Mike Gavin, executive director of the Alliance for Higher Education. The Treasury Department and the IRS estimate that up to 18,000 private colleges, colleges and other educational institutions could be affected by the proposal. Private universities in the USA have been exempt from many taxes for more than 100 years because they serve the public. The tax benefits save many universities millions of dollars each year.

Trump suffers partial defeat in new birthright plan

US President Donald Trump has suffered partial defeat in his renewed efforts to impose far-reaching restrictions on US birth rights. A federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction against Trump's latest executive order denying citizenship to certain people in the United States.

Children of undocumented parents or parents living temporarily in the country who were or will be born in the USA since February 20, 2025 will continue to be considered US citizens for the time being. In addition, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the USCIS immigration authority and other authorities may not take any action that “impairs, denies or does not recognize” the citizenship of those affected. The Trump administration is likely to take action against the decision.

Judge Deborah L. Boardman described Trump's move as "almost likely" unconstitutional since the Supreme Court had already ruled on the matter. “This court must therefore once again temporarily prohibit the implementation of the President's latest attempt to deprive them of their right to citizenship,” it said. Trump cannot simply ignore Supreme Court rulings by slightly rewording orders or constructing new exceptions. In his latest attempt, Trump wanted to take action against “birth tourism” and also create certain requirements for parents so that a child can be granted US citizenship.

Trump announces entry into the US Republican midterm election campaign

US President Donald Trump wants to get heavily involved in the Republican election campaign before the congressional elections in November. “I will be at your side 100 percent until November,” he said on Wednesday (local time) at a dinner with Republican representatives and senators in the White House. The aim is to defend the narrow majorities of the Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the election on November 3rd. It is primarily about 35 particularly contested mandates.

Trump had previously announced his appearances in Alaska and his support for some gubernatorial candidates to journalists in the Oval Office. However, he emphasized that the focus is on the congressional election campaign. Part of this offensive is also a Republican party conference next week, which is unusual for midterm elections, at which Trump will speak on both evenings. According to insiders, his double appearance will help attract more party supporters to the event.

Trump: Helipad at White House “essentially” complete

US President Donald Trump has declared the construction of the new helipad at the White House to be complete. "We essentially completed it today - one of the most beautiful helipads you've ever seen," Trump said. “This is very special,” he added. "And we finished it a little earlier than planned. It turned out even more beautiful than I thought."

Trump had indicated that construction of the helipad on the South Lawn of the White House was moving ahead at full speed in order to complete it before Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit at the end of the month.

Maduro calls for US cases to be dropped, citing immunity

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called on a US court to drop the criminal case against him for drug trafficking. “This unprecedented prosecution violates the absolute immunity from criminal jurisdiction that has been granted to heads of state and foreign officials in official capacity for centuries,” his lawyer, Barry Pollack, said in a filing Wednesday in New York. Maduro was arrested on January 3 during a US military operation in Caracas and has been in custody since then. If he is unsuccessful, the trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027.

However, legal experts consider the move to be unpromising. When it comes to who they recognize as a foreign head of state, US courts generally follow the assessment of the government in Washington. This has no longer recognized Maduro as the legitimate president since 2019. A precedent should give Maduro little hope: In 1990, a federal judge in Miami rejected the immunity of former Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega. Maduro's lawyer countered that the US government was not denying that Maduro was head of state, but was simply denying his legitimacy. A hearing on the application is scheduled to take place on November 17th.

Plane carrying US minister made emergency landing – engine failed

Due to a failed engine, a plane with US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on board had to make an emergency landing in the capital Washington. “The U.S. Coast Guard pilots made the single-engine landing seem like a routine affair,” Mullin wrote on Platform X. After landing, the pilots told Mullin that it was their first emergency landing. “We couldn’t have been in better hands.”

A total of 14 people were in the machine, according to a report from the local media DMV Live News, which Mullin shared on X. Accordingly, the right engine failed halfway, whereupon the plane was diverted to Washington. It initially remained unclear what the flight's destination was. “No panic, just pure professionalism,” Mullin praised the pilots.

Republican US Senator calls for Hegseth to be fired

Republican US Senator Thom Tillis has called on President Donald Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tillis wrote on Platform X on Wednesday that Hegseth was creating “a leadership vacuum at the top of our armed forces.” Previously, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll resigned.

Driscoll was “the right man at the right time,” Tillis wrote. “I have never experienced more incompetent management of the brave men and women who serve our country,” Tillis said, referring to Hegseth. “Competence intimidates him,” he explained.

Tillis voted to confirm Hegseth as defense secretary last January after expressing concerns about Hegseth's suitability for the job.

US attacks on alleged “drug smugglers”: 227 dead in one year

In its controversial fight against suspected drug smugglers in the Pacific and the Caribbean, the USA has killed 227 people in one year. A spokesman for the Southcom command responsible for the region said a total of 68 strikes were carried out against so-called drug boats during the “Southern Spear” operation, which has been running for exactly a year. Only three suspected drug smugglers were rescued alive.

The US Department of Defense launched the “Southern Spear” operation at the behest of President Donald Trump to stop drug smuggling along the American continent. A US government official said on Tuesday that as a result of the operations, drug smuggling in the Caribbean had fallen by up to 65 percent.