US to remove Cuba from state sponsors of terror list
The U.S. will remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as part of a prisoner release deal. Havana welcomed the move but criticised ongoing U.S. sanctions.
Hurricane Rafael struck western Cuba on Thursday, causing widespread damage in Artemisa province, known as Havana's breadbasket. The storm toppled power lines, damaged homes, and uprooted trees. It also knocked out power for 10 million people.
Hurricane Rafael tore through western Cuba, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake on Thursday.
Artemisa province, a farm province known as Havana's bread basket, took the brunt of the hurricane's impact. Violent winds flattened several high-tension power lines along the region's principal highway, and fallen trees littered roadways in the provincial capital.
The storm, with fierce winds and torrential rain, damaged countless homes and a local stadium and uprooted trees across the region.
Cuban authorities said they had begun restoring power to the eastern half of the island on Thursday, a day after Hurricane Rafael knocked out the country's electrical grid, leaving 10 million people in the dark.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the hurricane had spun off westward into the Gulf of Mexico, where it no longer posed an immediate threat to land.
Rafael was the latest blow to the Communist-run country's already precarious electrical grid, which just two weeks ago collapsed multiple times, leaving many in the country without power for days and sparking scattered protests across the island.
The Energy and Mines Ministry said on Thursday afternoon it was making progress restoring power to pockets of central and eastern Cuba, but warned the process would be slower in western parts of the island, which were hardest hit by the storm.
Havana, the capital city of two million, was still without power late in the day on Thursday, and authorities had not said when it would be restored.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
The U.S. and Russia will hold more talks on ending the war in Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s exclusion and European concerns over U.S. concessions to Moscow. Russia hardened its stance, demanding NATO formally withdraw its 2008 pledge to admit Ukraine.
Russia on demanded that NATO formally retract its 2008 commitment to grant Ukraine membership in the alliance. Moscow also dismissed any suggestion of NATO troops acting as peacekeepers, following talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.
Burundi pulls its troops from eastern Congo as M23 rebels gain ground, seizing major cities. The UN reports child executions by rebels. Thousands flee to Burundi, facing overcrowded shelters. Uganda steps in to stop militia killings.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined steps to restore U.S.-Russia relations and end the Ukraine war, emphasizing diplomacy, expert negotiations, and economic opportunities. He stressed the need for compromise on sanctions and reaffirmed President Trump’s commitment to lasting peace.
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