National
National news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
NationalWhat’s Behind the Suspension of Mexican Avocado Exports to the U.S.?
Mexico announced on Thursday the deployment of 1,500 additional military personnel to Michoacán, a day after the United States communicated the suspension of all operations in this western state—including the necessary inspections for avocado exports—due to an unspecified threat against U.S. interests. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the reinforcement of security in avocado production areas to expedite the resumption of exports as soon as possible and to prevent any severe impact on the Mexican economy or the U.S. market. The United States is a major consumer of Mexican avocados, purchasing over half a million tons in the first four months of 2026, equivalent to about 2.2 billion avocados. However, before importing, it verifies the quality of the fruit
NationalInauguration in Colombia: Abelardo de la Espriella Takes Office as President
Colombia's elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, will take office this Friday in Cali for the 2026-2030 term during an unusual ceremony held for the first time outside Bogotá, which outgoing president Gustavo Petro will not attend. The inauguration ceremony, set to begin at 3:00 p.m. (4:00 p.m. Miami time), will feature the presence of King Felipe VI of Spain and at least eight Latin American presidents. This event also marks a break with tradition, as it will take place at the USC Arena, an auditorium at the Santiago de Cali University, instead of the Elíptico Hall of the Capitol or the adjacent Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá. 'For the first time since the creation of the Republic, a constitutional president will take office in a city other than Bogotá, reaffirming the new government's commitment to decentralization and strengthening the regions,' stated the team responsible for the ceremony. According to this information, the event, which will not be extravagant, will be attended by 'ten heads of state, two vice presidents, 15 foreign ministers, as well as high national authorities and special guests from the international community,' including FIFA president Gianni Infantino. King Felipe VI of Spain, who arrived in Cali on Friday morning, leads the list of international dignitaries, which also includes the presidents of Argentina, Javier Milei; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; Paraguay, Santiago Peña; Costa Rica, Laura Fernández; Panama, José Raúl Mulino; the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader; Chile, José Antonio Kast; and Honduras, Nasry Asfura, among other officials.
NationalEmployment report expected to show a rebound in hiring, but with stagnant wages
The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, indicating instability in the labor market after four months of positive growth. The unemployment rate slightly decreased to 4.1%. Economists had anticipated an addition of 83,000 jobs, surpassing June's 57,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised previous months' job figures downward by 103,000. Notably, local government education jobs fell by 50,000, likely due to summer breaks. Meanwhile, health sector employment rose by 22,000, though at a slower pace than previous months. Following the report, stock futures rose while Treasury bond yields dropped significantly.
NationalShooting in Thailand Leaves 8 Dead and Over 30 Injured, According to Thai Prime Minister
Nonthaburi, Thailand – Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reported on Friday that eight people have died following a shooting at a school and a residence north of Bangkok, "including the grandparents of the alleged shooter, teachers, and the assailant," as well as "30 injured, of whom nine remain in critical condition." Anutin's report, made during his visit to the scene in Nonthaburi province, north of Bangkok, aligns with the latest updates from the Thai police, which state that no students have been reported dead, contrary to earlier reports.
National'Even a technical error could cost you': New USCIS rule raises concerns
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A new policy change at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services could make it easier for the agency to deny certain immigration applications without first giving applicants a chance to fix missing information. The change took effect immediately and impacts people applying for a variety of immigration benefits, including green cards, citizenship,
NationalTrump signs 2 immigration actions to limit birthright citizenship and curb 'birth tourism'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is once more trying to limit the number of people who are born in the country who can become American citizens, in a sign that even after his first attempt at limiting birthright citizenship was rejected by the Supreme Court, he's ready to try again.
NationalAyotzinapa: Nearly 12 Years Later, Former Governor Arrested on Concealment Charges
MEXICO CITY — Mexico's federal prosecutor announced on Thursday the arrest of former Guerrero Governor Ángel Aguirre for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Normal School nearly twelve years ago, on September 26, 2014. The charge is for 'concealment of evidence to determine the whereabouts of the students.' Ernestina Godoy, the Attorney General of the Republic, stated that two testimonies collected this year indicate that Aguirre not only requested officials to hand over videos from security cameras located at one of the attack sites that fateful night but also ordered the destruction of any evidence related to the events. Ángel Aguirre governed Guerrero from 2011 until his resignation in October 2014, one month after the attack. His arrest took place in the State of Mexico, the region surrounding the Mexican capital. He is the highest-ranking official arrested in this case after former federal prosecutor Jesús Murillo Karam, who is currently facing criminal charges for forced disappearance, obstruction of justice, and torture. The Attorney General said there is sufficient evidence to support that 'this instruction to conceal (evidence) was given directly by the then-governor, with the participation of high-level state public servants.' She added that 'far from being an isolated act or a technical omission, the concealment of the recordings was the result of a fraudulent and deliberately structured operation from the top of the State Executive Power.'
NationalWhat You Need to Know About Abelardo de la Espriella's Inauguration in Colombia
Colombia's elected president, Abelardo de la Espriella, will take office this Friday in Cali for the 2026-2030 term during an unusual ceremony held outside Bogotá for the first time, attended by King Felipe VI of Spain and at least eight Latin American presidents. De la Espriella stated on X that his inauguration will be more than just a ceremony, emphasizing that it represents a shift from decentralization being mere rhetoric to becoming a reality. Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, was chosen for the event after plans to hold it in a military garrison in Popayán were abandoned due to the risk of a volcanic eruption. De la Espriella will succeed President Gustavo Petro, who does not recognize his victory and plans to lead the opposition. The ceremony will be modest, held at the USC Arena at the University of Santiago de Cali, with an expected economic impact of around $3.1 million. Security measures include 11,000 officers and technological devices to monitor airspace. International guests include several Latin American presidents and the King of Spain, while the attendance of FIFA President Gianni Infantino remains unconfirmed.
NationalSenate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID questions
A Senate committee voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for not answering questions during a hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision follows Fauci invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination over 100 times. Republican Senator Rand Paul, who led the contempt finding, argued that Fauci's previous pardon from President Biden does not protect him from this situation. Fauci's attorney criticized the move as a political attack, asserting that it undermines constitutional rights. The case may now be referred to the Department of Justice for potential investigation.
NationalBlow for Salvadorans with TPS: Federal Judge Allows Termination of Work Permits
Thousands of Salvadorans protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) face uncertainty after a federal judge lifted restrictions that prevented the government from implementing changes related to their work permits. Federal Judge Nathanel Gordon, in a Massachusetts court, nullified the restrictions that barred the government from applying new limitations to work permits. The ruling occurred on Tuesday night. 'Unfortunately, this is bad news. There are people who could be sent home for not having continuous authorization to work, but there is a possibility of an emergency appeal to the federal circuit court to request a review and a different determination,' explained immigration attorney Kelley Ortega.
NationalTrump Signs Executive Orders to Deny Birthright Citizenship to Children of Certain Foreigners
President Donald Trump signed executive orders regarding birthright citizenship. In statements to reporters in the Oval Office this afternoon, Trump called the Supreme Court ruling a 'very unfortunate decision.' 'We are making adjustments because it is very unfair,' he added, noting that the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all babies born in the U.S., was drafted 'just after the Civil War… for the children of slaves.' 'What is happening now?' the president asked. 'People are creating businesses around this. Wealthy individuals are setting up businesses based on birthright citizenship. That’s not how it should work. It’s a disgrace. They are buying their access, and we are not going to allow that to happen.' A White House official confirmed this afternoon that Trump planned to sign two executive orders today to deny citizenship to the children of foreign diplomatic staff born in the U.S. and to the children of tourists who are in the country solely to give birth here. Axios was the first outlet to report on the details of the executive orders. The executive orders also affect the children of individuals belonging to federally designated terrorist groups and come just weeks after the Supreme Court blocked a previous executive order signed by Trump that prevented birthright citizenship for babies born in the U.S. to parents who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
NationalFrom Southern to Northern Mexico: Crossing the Country to Seek Protection at the Border
TIJUANA – Violence from organized crime is no longer just displacing communities from their homes; it is pushing them all the way to the northern border of Mexico, where they seek protection after suffering threats, homicides, armed attacks, and land dispossession by criminal groups in their communities. This is the case for two families of Nahuatl origin who fled the indigenous community of Teticic in the High Mountain region of Guerrero, as they claim they lived in fear after witnessing the murder of some of their loved ones. A total of thirteen people were first transported to Mexico City and then to Tijuana on a Mexican Army plane, after authorities deemed that traveling by road posed a risk to their safety. Their arrival reflects an increasingly visible dimension of forced internal displacement in Mexico: people leaving their communities to save their lives and ending up traveling more than 2,000 kilometers to border cities where they seek protection and even consider applying for asylum in the United States. 'We are very scared. They are looking for us,' recounted one of the displaced women, who requested to remain anonymous and stated that the threats began after the murder of several family members.
NationalSenate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt
The Senate committee chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday voted to refer former chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci to be held in contempt. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in a party-line, 8-5 vote, with two additional "no" votes by proxy, approved a resolution to hold Fauci in contempt
NationalSenator Mitch McConnell Discharged from Rehabilitation Center Following June Hospitalization
Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican from Kentucky) announced on Thursday that he has been discharged from a rehabilitation center where he was recovering from a fall he suffered in mid-June. 'I was discharged from the rehabilitation center today to continue my recovery at home. Elaine and I are grateful for the numerous messages of well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and the people of Kentucky, as well as for the attentive care I received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff,' McConnell stated in a release. The Kentucky Republican noted that he will continue working from home and did not specify when he would return to the Senate, which is expected to begin a five-week recess in the coming days.
NationalUSCIS Can Deny Incomplete Immigration Applications Without Requesting Additional Documentation
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an update to its policy that allows its officers to deny certain immigration benefit applications without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). According to the agency, applicants must demonstrate that they meet eligibility requirements and submit all required initial evidence at the time of application. If necessary information or documents are not included from the outset, USCIS may deny the petition without requesting additional documentation. The agency noted that the forms and instructions for each process specify the initial evidence that must be submitted, providing applicants with the necessary information to meet the requirements. According to USCIS, this update aims to align its procedures with current regulations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and make it more difficult to submit baseless applications. The new policy modifies a guideline implemented during President Joe Biden's administration, which encouraged officers to request additional evidence before denying an application, even when it was incomplete or did not demonstrate the applicant's eligibility. USCIS indicated that under the previous policy, some individuals submitted incomplete applications for associated immigration benefits, such as work authorization, while awaiting a decision on their case. The agency reported that the measure takes effect immediately and will apply to pending applications or those submitted starting August 5, 2026, unless another USCIS regulation or policy states otherwise.
NationalTrump Again Supports Permanent Daylight Saving Time, But Will It Really Happen?
The U.S. Senate has yet to address a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent in the country, but President Donald Trump is strongly advocating for the bill. Trump, who has openly supported the Sunshine Protection Act, defended the legislation in a lengthy post on his TruthSocial platform on Tuesday night. In the post, the president claimed that 'most Americans' support the move and urged the Senate to pass the law. 'People are tired of having to change their clocks twice a year. It’s absurd, inconvenient, and in some cases, very costly,' he said. Trump argued that making daylight saving time permanent would reduce rates of violent crime and car accidents, as well as the risk of heart problems.
NationalMeta says one of its AI models accidentally hacked another company
A model of artificial intelligence (AI) from Meta accidentally hacked the systems of another company during cybersecurity testing, a company spokesperson confirmed to EFE on Thursday. "A configuration error by Irregular, an independent testing company that works with Meta, unintentionally allowed one of our models to access the internet during the evaluation," the spokesperson stated. The model then "exploited a security vulnerability in a third-party service, similar to incidents previously reported with other companies," they explained. The Meta spokesperson also emphasized that the company is investigating the incident and will publish a "comprehensive" report once all data is available.
NationalSenate Committee Votes on Whether to Hold Anthony Fauci in Contempt of Congress After Invoking the Fifth Amendment
The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment during a recent hearing. The resolution passed 8-5, with two Democrats voting by proxy. Fauci's lawyer criticized the vote as a political maneuver aimed at punishing Fauci for exercising his constitutional rights. Fauci, who has faced criticism from Republicans since the COVID-19 pandemic, refused to answer over 100 questions, citing concerns about potential legal repercussions. The committee may refer the contempt resolution to the Department of Justice or bring it to a full Senate vote.
NationalUS suspends avocado inspections in Mexican state on Michoacan due to threat
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States announced on Wednesday that it had suspended all government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacan because of a "threat to U.S. interests," including a halt to the inspections of avocados required for their export. While the U.S. Embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in its