National

Peru Records Over 500 Earthquakes This Year

Peru has experienced over 500 earthquakes this year, including a recent 7.2 magnitude quake in the southern Andes that caused minimal damage due to its depth. The Minister of Housing, Mauricio Arnillas, reported damage to homes, a school, and a church in Coracora, prompting local authorities to request an emergency declaration for rehabilitation efforts. Affected individuals include 498 people, with one house destroyed and several others uninhabitable. The National Seismological Center noted that July was particularly active, with 115 seismic events. Regions most affected include Lima, Arequipa, and Ica, with past earthquakes causing significant casualties and destruction.

Trump Threatens NGO That Claimed National Guard Deployment Did Not Reduce Crime

President Donald Trump threatened to sue the Center for American Progress unless it retracts a report claiming that National Guard deployments in various cities did not reduce crime rates. The organization has until the end of the workday on Friday to comply or face a $5 billion lawsuit. The report, published on July 13, criticized the administration for taking credit for a decline in violent crime that was already underway. Neera Tanden, the center's president, stated that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence them. Trump's lawyer argued that the report contains false and defamatory statements about the president.

Setback for Trump: Judge Strikes Down Policy Suspending Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

A federal judge in New York has overturned a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries, including Colombia, Cuba, and Guatemala. Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the policy was "contrary to law" and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority by denying visas to eligible applicants without legal justification. The policy, which went into effect on January 21, affected family, employment, investor, special immigrant, and international adoption visas. The ruling allows consular officials to resume processing these visas, which had been halted under the controversial order.

ICE detains Ecuadorian mother and daughter at Florida hospital after car accident

A mother and daughter from Ecuador, Giuliana Carriel Calero and Grace Stephanie Calero, were detained by ICE at HCA Florida Regional Hospital in Poinciana, Florida, after a car accident. Family members claim they had valid immigration documents and sought medical attention. They report losing contact with the women since their detention and fear they are not receiving necessary medical care. Authorities revealed that the mother and daughter were found to be in the U.S. illegally, with expired visas. The family insists they were in the asylum process. Community support is now sought for legal expenses.

Meghan Markle Could Resume Her Acting Career with 'The Gentlemen'

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is in talks to return to her acting career with a role in the Netflix series 'The Gentlemen,' after stepping away from acting to marry Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, British media reported on Friday. Sources cited by BBC and Sky News indicated that negotiations are still in the 'initial phase,' and the nature of the role Markle might play has not yet been revealed. She would join the cast in the third season of the series, although it has not been formally renewed. 'The Gentlemen,' created by Guy Ritchie and starring actor Theo James, is a comedy about a duke who becomes a drug lord and will premiere its second season on September 3.

TikTok to Pay $400 Million After Dispute with US Government Over Child Privacy

TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a 2024 lawsuit alleging violations of federal child privacy laws. The settlement includes an immediate payment of $300 million, with an additional $100 million contingent upon the lifting of a prior consent decree against its predecessor, Musical.ly. The lawsuit claimed TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, failed to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 and did not comply with requests from parents to delete their children's accounts. This agreement highlights ongoing concerns about social media companies' responsibilities regarding child safety online.

Canada Responds to Trump's Tariffs: Will Impose 'Dollar for Dollar' Retaliation Against the U.S.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Saturday that Canada will retaliate against the U.S. with equal tariffs after failed trade negotiations with President Donald Trump's administration. In a televised address, Carney stated that Canada would impose tariffs on sectors like steel, dairy, appliances, and electronics, matching the 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S. on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian exports. These tariffs will take effect on September 8. Carney emphasized Canada's sovereignty and the need to protect its industries, criticizing the U.S. for attempting to undermine Canadian independence through economic integration.

US Imposes 50% Tariffs on Various Canadian Products, Canada Announces Retaliation

The United States has imposed a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, effective Saturday, prompting immediate retaliation from Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would match the tariffs dollar for dollar to protect its workers and businesses. This escalation heightens trade tensions and jeopardizes the future of the North American trade agreement crucial for all three countries. Negotiations broke down after last-minute changes from the U.S. were deemed unfair by Canada. Both nations have historically maintained a cooperative relationship, but recent actions signal a significant shift in their trade dynamics.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Aug 21, 2026

Census Bureau report does not prove Trump claim about noncitizen voting in 2020

A recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau cited by former President Donald Trump claims that over 24,000 noncitizens voted in the 2020 election. However, experts criticize the report's methodology, suggesting it may have produced false positives due to errors in data matching and outdated citizenship records. The report is described as a preliminary analysis, lacking rigorous standards and transparency. Notably, even if the figure were accurate, it would not significantly impact the election results, as Trump lost by over 7 million votes. The Census Bureau has not commented on the report's validity.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Aug 21, 2026

More than 2, 300 Mexicans sent to Guatemala and Honduras as Trump ramps up third-country deportations

In 2025, the U.S. has deported nearly 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala and dozens to Honduras, marking a significant shift in immigration policy under President Trump. Previously, most deported Mexicans were sent directly back to Mexico. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed that these deportees are temporarily housed in Guatemala before being returned to Mexico within 24 hours. The Mexican government has expressed opposition to this practice, asserting that all citizens have the right to return home directly. Concerns have been raised about the safety of deportees, especially those who may have sought asylum in the U.S.

KRGV (NBC 5) · Aug 21, 2026

Trump announces plan to lower beef prices, but ranchers and some Republicans are already balking

President Trump announced a plan to temporarily allow the import of up to 300,000 metric tons of beef into the U.S. without higher tariffs, aiming to lower beef prices for consumers. However, this move has faced backlash from ranchers and some Republican lawmakers who fear it could harm the domestic cattle industry. Beef prices have surged due to a decrease in U.S. cattle numbers and ongoing demand. Critics argue that increasing imports could undermine American producers and discourage herd growth. Trump plans to formalize this directive with an executive order within two weeks, despite skepticism about its potential impact on prices.

SNAP Enrollment Drops Over 13% in the U.S.

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the U.S. has dropped over 13% in the past year, significantly more than anticipated. This decline is attributed to stricter work requirements and administrative challenges, particularly in Arizona, where enrollment fell by more than 50%. Advocates highlight that many eligible individuals are losing benefits due to documentation issues rather than failing to meet work requirements. The average monthly benefit is $344 per household, assisting over 36 million people. Experts predict further declines as states face new cost-sharing rules starting in 2027, potentially affecting access to food assistance programs.

Mexico Expresses 'Serious Concern' Over US Measures Against National Strawberries

The Mexican government has expressed its 'serious concern' regarding potential harm to the strawberry industry following the preliminary determination by the United States on 'dumping.' It warned that this case could set a precedent against other Mexican horticultural exports. The official stance, released on Friday by the Ministry of Economy, comes after the US Department of Commerce estimated dumping margins between 3.37% and 5.28% for the company, and 4.83% for most Mexican exporters. The US considers that strawberries fall under a 'dumping' scheme, meaning the fruit imported from Mexico is priced lower than that of its domestic industry. However, the Mexican Ministry of Economy deemed the application of seasonality and regionality criteria 'arbitrary' and argued that they are inconsistent with the World Trade Organization's Antidumping Agreement and provisions of the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The US resolution is preliminary and is part of an investigation initiated after Florida producers requested the imposition of 'antidumping' duties against Mexican strawberries on December 31, 2025. According to the Mexican agency, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) concluded in March that there were no grounds to treat winter strawberries as a different product or to recognize a regional market, although it previously determined that there was reasonable indication of material injury to a US industry and allowed the investigation to continue.

Mexican Governor Returns to Office After Being Accused by the U.S. of Drug Trafficking

The Mexican government clarified on Friday that Rubén Rocha Moya's return to the position of governor of Sinaloa was a "personal decision" by the official, and that the investigation against him, along with nine others, remains in the hands of the Attorney General's Office (FGR). Rocha and nine other officials from his government were named by U.S. authorities for their alleged involvement in a "conspiracy" with leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to import large quantities of narcotics into the United States in exchange for political support and bribes. The governor announced his return after 112 days of leave, stating that there is no evidence linking him to the U.S. allegations regarding his team's supposed ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. In a statement, the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) affirmed that the governor's reinstatement "responds exclusively to a personal determination."

Trump's New Plan to Lower Beef Prices Sparks Discontent Among Ranchers

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration will temporarily allow more beef imports without triggering higher tariffs, prompting a swift backlash from cattle producers and conservative Republicans in rural states. Beef prices have reached historic highs amid a significant decline in the number of cattle in the U.S., steady consumer demand, and restrictions on cattle from Mexico, where animals are facing a disease outbreak. The U.S. has also imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil, a major beef producer. Trump is under pressure to cut costs and address affordability issues ahead of the midterm elections in November. However, ranchers, who are typically among the president's strongest supporters, are enjoying unusually profitable years and fear that cheap beef imports will lower cattle prices and reduce the incentive to expand herds. Republican Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska stated, 'We all want lower grocery prices, but as I’ve said for months, we cannot do it at the expense of American producers.' Senator Tim Sheehy from Montana expressed concern that importing beef would harm American ranching families. The agreement allows for the import of up to 300,000 tons of ground beef over the next 90 days without triggering an 'out-of-quota' tariff. Trump claimed that imported beef would be sold at 25% below current market rates, making it cheaper for U.S. consumers. However, ranching industry leaders argue that this move undermines the long-term stability of the market and food security.

ValleyCentral (KGBT) · Aug 21, 2026

Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump

For over a generation, Texas Republicans have owned the politics of the southern border. Now the Trump administration’s latest border project has them cornered, stuck between constituents outraged over federal plans to carve roads and barriers through Big Bend and a president none of them want to cross. Even Ken Paxton is choosing his words

Caravans Return: Hundreds of Migrants Depart with Their Eyes Set on Mexico City

TAPACHULA – About 800 migrants set out on Thursday in a new caravan from the city of Tapachula, Mexico's southern border, this time aiming for the capital of the country due to increasing difficulties in continuing to the United States and a lack of employment and living conditions in the region. The hundreds of migrants, who have been stranded at the Mexico-Guatemala border and have been deported from the United States to Tapachula, named their mobilization 'Caravana Sueño Sin Fronteras,' which seeks to reach Mexico City as the first stop and then move on to the northern states of the country. This group consists of individuals from around ten nationalities, many of whom have been waiting for several months for administrative processing at the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar), while others joined in recent days. This new wave of people on the move includes families with children carrying backpacks, bags, water bottles, and the hope that they can regularize their status in other states of the country. Most of the migrants come from Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, and Venezuela, and with this caravan, they aim to pressure Mexican authorities to grant them documents.

Supreme Court Allows Trump to Temporarily Continue Construction of Ballroom

WASHINGTON DC — The Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump to continue building a new ballroom adjacent to the White House, at least for now. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay that blocks lower court rulings that would have halted the above-ground portion of the project. However, the decision is only provisional and gives the justices more time to consider the next steps. The legal challenge was brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which argued that the president did not have the authority to proceed with the construction and objected, on aesthetic grounds, to the large design of the new ballroom.

Charter Plane Crash in Alaska Leaves 8 Dead

A charter aircraft carrying eight people crashed on Thursday at a remote radar base in western Alaska, and all occupants were killed, according to the U.S. Army. The accident occurred near the Cape Newenham long-range radar station airport, about 450 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. "This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Robert Davis, commander of the Alaskan Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command's Alaska Region, and the Eleventh Air Force, in a statement. The radar base is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. It is part of a network of remote radar sites that track aircraft operating in Alaska's airspace and along its borders, the Alaskan Command explained in its note.