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On August 4, 2025, the CDC confirmed the first US human case of New World screwworm in Maryland, involving a patient recently returned from El Salvador. The flesh-eating parasite, primarily affecting livestock, has been spreading northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023. The US is responding with plans for a sterile fly facility in Texas to prevent reintroduction and protect the cattle industry.
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A major island-wide blackout in Cuba, linked to a malfunction at a large thermoelectric plant, has disrupted essential services. The outage follows years of energy crisis worsened by US sanctions, with power gradually being restored amid public frustration and ongoing infrastructure challenges.
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Ukrainian intelligence reports that up to 20,000 Cubans have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, with many lured by financial incentives. The recruits face high mortality rates, and allegations of fraud and forced recruitment have emerged, highlighting concerns over Russia's use of foreign fighters.
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Joanne Chesimard, known as Assata Shakur, died in Havana on September 25 at age 78. A former Black Liberation Army member and convicted murderer, she escaped prison in 1979, received asylum in Cuba in 1984, and became a symbol of radical activism. Her death renews US demands for her extradition and highlights ongoing tensions.
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Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto are impacting Bermuda and the Caribbean. Imelda is expected to bring heavy rain, winds, and storm surge to Bermuda today, after causing flooding and fatalities in Cuba. Humberto remains offshore, generating dangerous swells. Authorities urge preparation amid ongoing storm activity.
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Hurricane Imelda, a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, struck Bermuda late Wednesday, causing damaging waves, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. Authorities closed schools, airports, and deployed soldiers for emergency response. The storm also impacted Cuba and Haiti with flooding and fatalities. Forecasters warn of ongoing risks.
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A Category 2 hurricane, Imelda, is passing over Bermuda with winds of 100 mph, causing power outages and flooding. The storm formed rapidly after affecting the Bahamas and Cuba, with forecasts indicating potential impacts on the U.S. later this week. The Atlantic hurricane season remains active through November 30.
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Ferrer, a prominent Cuban opposition figure, has left Cuba for Florida after years of imprisonment and harassment. His departure follows negotiations involving the U.S., Cuba, and the Catholic Church, with the terms of his exile undisclosed. Ferrer’s case highlights ongoing tensions over political repression in Cuba.
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Zhi Dong Zhang, also known as 'Brother Wang,' was indicted in Atlanta in 2022 for drug trafficking and money laundering. After escaping house arrest in Mexico in July 2024, he traveled through Cuba and Russia. He was arrested in Cuba on Wednesday, raising questions about extradition and regional security. Today's date is Thu, 23 Oct 2025.
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Tropical Storm Melissa has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, driven by unusually warm Atlantic waters linked to climate change. It is forecast to hit Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas, causing severe flooding and damage. Authorities have issued warnings and activated shelters across affected regions.
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Hurricane Melissa is expected to reach Jamaica as a major storm early next week, with warnings issued across the Caribbean. It has caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and authorities are preparing for heavy rains, flooding, and infrastructure damage. The storm is forecast to impact Cuba and the Bahamas later this week.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is approaching Jamaica and Cuba, with expected landfalls and heavy rainfall causing flooding, landslides, and evacuations. The storm has already caused fatalities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Authorities warn of severe impacts and delayed recovery efforts.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph, struck the Caribbean on Tuesday, causing at least 28 deaths and widespread damage. Relief efforts are underway in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, with organizations providing emergency aid, water, and shelter amid ongoing recovery challenges.
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Hurricane Melissa intensified rapidly to Category 5, with winds over 157 mph, threatening Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. Climate change-driven warm oceans fueled this rapid intensification, which has already caused fatalities and severe flooding in the Caribbean. The storm is expected to make landfall soon.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, caused widespread damage in Jamaica and Cuba, with power outages, landslides, and flooding. The storm's severity is worsened by climate change, deforestation, and terrain susceptibility, raising concerns about future risks in the region.
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As of late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds up to 185 mph, struck Jamaica causing catastrophic damage, widespread power outages, and flooding. The Jamaican government declared a disaster area, evacuating thousands. The hurricane then moved to Cuba, prompting mass evacuations and warnings of extensive damage. The storm also affected Haiti and the Bahamas, with climate change cited as a factor in its rapid intensification.
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Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is impacting Jamaica with winds of 175 mph, heavy rain, and storm surges. Evacuations are underway across Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas. The storm is the strongest to hit Jamaica in recorded history, causing fatalities and widespread damage. Authorities warn of catastrophic flooding and landslides.
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Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 storm, reaching wind speeds over 252 km/h (157 mph). It rapidly strengthened despite environmental challenges, tying landfall records and prompting evacuations in Cuba and Jamaica. The storm is forecast to pass over Cuba and the Greater Antilles, with severe flooding expected.
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Hurricane Melissa, now Category 2, caused at least seven deaths across the Caribbean, with Cuba and Jamaica suffering extensive damage. Authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands, and warnings remain in effect as the storm moves through the region, threatening further destruction and flooding.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, causing at least 25 deaths, widespread destruction, and power outages. Relief efforts are underway, with US aid arriving. The storm highlights regional vulnerabilities to extreme weather events.
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The UN General Assembly passed a resolution with 165 votes in favor, seven against, and 12 abstentions, reaffirming global opposition to the US embargo on Cuba amid ongoing tensions and recent hurricane impacts. The US and Israel opposed the resolution, with some countries influenced by diplomatic pressures.
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Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest on record, has caused at least 79 deaths across Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The storm, initially a Category 5, has weakened but remains destructive, prompting international aid and evacuations. Damage assessments are ongoing, with widespread infrastructure destruction reported.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, causing widespread destruction, fatalities, and displacement. Relief efforts are underway, but the damage is extensive, with thousands homeless and critical infrastructure damaged as the storm weakens while moving through the region. Today's date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:45:12 +0000.
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Tanzania's recent elections have led to violent protests, with reports of hundreds of deaths amid security crackdowns. The opposition claims around 700 killed, while authorities deny excessive force. International groups call for investigations as internet blackouts and curfews persist.
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Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to hit Jamaica, caused widespread devastation with winds up to 185 mph on October 28. Scientists confirm climate change intensified the storm’s wind speeds by 7% and rainfall by 16%, making such events more frequent and severe. The hurricane caused at least 61 deaths and damages estimated at one-third of Jamaica’s GDP, highlighting urgent climate adaptation and finance needs.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, struck Jamaica last week, causing at least 19 deaths and widespread destruction. Relief efforts are ongoing, with US and local agencies delivering aid. Damage assessments are underway as the country prepares for recovery and rebuilding.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, caused extensive damage across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, with at least 57 deaths reported. Over 2,400 people remain in shelters, and rescue efforts are ongoing amid widespread infrastructure destruction and access challenges. Relief operations are expected to continue for months.
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As of November 2025, over 1,400 Africans from 36 countries, including Kenya and South Africa, have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine under false pretenses. Many are deceived with promises of jobs, coerced into signing military contracts, and sent to deadly frontline assaults. South Africa is investigating 17 citizens trapped in Ukraine, while Ukraine urges recruits to desert and seek prisoner-of-war status.
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Cuba is conducting a closed-door trial of former deputy prime minister Gil, accused of corruption, espionage, and embezzlement. The case is the most significant since 1989, with charges stemming from a nearly two-year investigation. Gil's whereabouts were unknown until his recent detention.
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Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck Jamaica on October 28, causing extensive damage, displacing 30,000 households, and resulting in at least 32 deaths. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with international aid and infrastructure rebuilding underway amid economic losses estimated at up to $7 billion.
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As of early December 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused green card, citizenship, and asylum applications from nationals of 19 countries previously designated as high-risk under a 2025 travel ban. This follows a November attack in Washington by an Afghan national granted asylum. USCIS will conduct comprehensive reviews and interviews for immigrants from these countries who entered since January 2021, with no set date to lift the pause.
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UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan reports worsening conditions in Cuba due to US sanctions, citing increased inflation, resource scarcity, and medicine shortages. The UN General Assembly has condemned the embargo for 33 years, but US sanctions remain in place, impacting Cuba's economy and public health.
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Recent storms in Cuba and Ethiopia have caused severe flooding, displacing thousands. In Cuba, residents face water shortages and damaged homes, while Ethiopia's communities remain camped in floodwaters after multiple disasters. Relief efforts are ongoing, but resources are limited.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is taking heightened security measures amid US military movements and threats. He is changing locations, increasing Cuban security support, and reducing public appearances to avoid potential attacks. Maduro remains publicly defiant, but concerns about his safety are rising.
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A widespread blackout affected western Cuba on December 3, caused by transmission line failure amid ongoing infrastructure issues and storm damage. Power is being restored gradually, but outages persist across the island, impacting water and business sectors. The crisis highlights Cuba's aging energy system and economic struggles.