Latest news with #Castaneda
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
10 Americans freed in prisoner swap between U.S., El Salvador, Venezuela
Washington — Ten Americans are en route to the U.S. after a prisoner swap involving the U.S., El Salvador and Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday. The Americans were freed from Venezuela in exchange for El Salvador returning 252 Venezuelans who were deported from the U.S. to a notorious Salvadoran prison earlier this year, senior administration officials said, alleging the released Venezuelans were members of the gang Tren de Aragua. A former Navy SEAL, Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, is among the Americans released, three sources told CBS News. Castaneda was detained in Venezuela last year while on personal travel. "We have prayed for this day for almost a year. My brother is an innocent man who was used as a political pawn by the Maduro regime," Castaneda's family said in a statement. The family said he had suffered several traumatic brain injuries during his 18 years in the Navy that "impaired his judgment and risk mitigation" and "led him to make a bad decision to travel to Venezuela." The U.S. has warned Americans against traveling to Venezuela or near its borders, citing the risks of wrongful detention. "Until today, more Americans were wrongfully held in Venezuela than any other country in the world," Rubio said in a statement that credited "President Trump's leadership and commitment to the American people." "Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland," Rubio added. The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela posted a photo of the freed Americans with U.S. diplomat John McNamara. As part of the deal, the Venezuelan government also released dozens of people who were described as Venezuelan political prisoners and detainees, a senior administration official said. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele wrote on X that his country "handed over all the Venezuelan nationals detained in our country, accused of being part of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua," in exchange for "a considerable number of Venezuelan political prisoners … as well as all the American citizens it was holding as hostages." The Trump administration deported more than 200 male Venezuelan citizens to El Salvador in March, accusing them of being part of the transnational gang Tren De Aragua. Mr. Trump invoked an 18th-century wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act, to order officials to quickly deport many of the Venezuelan migrants, deeming them a threat to the U.S. The Salvadoran government has held many of the detainees in a supermax prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. In May, the Supreme Court extended a pause on deportations of Venezuelan migrants detained in northern Texas while they challenge their removals under the wartime law. Some of the families of the Venezuelan deportees have denied that they have gang connections, and a "60 Minutes" investigation in April found that most of the detainees did not have criminal convictions. The Venezuelan government confirmed Friday's swap, saying in a statement it "has achieved the release of the 252 Venezuelan citizens who remained kidnapped and subjected to forced disappearance in a concentration camp, known as CECOT, in the Republic of El Salvador." Officials describe "down-to-the-wire" deal A senior administration official said the deal with El Salvador and Venezuela was "essentially down to the wire." The flight carrying the detainees took off from Venezuela at around 3:40 p.m. ET and left Venezuelan airspace at around 3:55 p.m. The official alleged the Venezuelan government took "one last stand" by briefly delaying Friday's swap as a "power flex." The prisoner swap was arranged as Venezuela faces intense U.S. sanctions that limit the country's once-lucrative oil industry, and came one day after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on six leaders and affiliates of Tren de Aragua. A senior administration official said Friday's deal was "humanitarian in nature" and there was "not a discussion of sanctions whatsoever." Rubio credited Bukele — who has cast himself as a key ally in Mr. Trump's deportation push — for the swap. Bukele posted on X that his government initially proposed the swap to Venezuela's government in April. Wall Street Journal reports Trump sent "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein, Trump threatens to sue Medical expert on Trump's chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis President Trump sues WSJ publisher, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein letter story Solve the daily Crossword
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Google Fined $314 Million For Misusing Android Users' Phone Data
Google was told by a California jury to pay $314 million over claims that it illegally used Android users' cellular data to collect information without their knowledge. A state court jury in San Jose issued the verdict Tuesday following a trial over a class-action lawsuit, according to lawyers for consumers and a spokesperson for the company. Consumers alleged that the Alphabet Inc. unit programmed Android phones to transfer data to Google servers while users were not connected to a WiFi network, stealing cellular data that the customers were paying for. The company used this information "to further its own corporate interests," including to build more targeted digital advertising and to expand its mapping capability, according to the suit. This case is one of several recent legal challenges to Google's data privacy practices. A spokesperson for Google said the company strongly disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal. "This ruling is a setback for users, as it misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices," said Google's José Castaneda. Castaneda said the transfers discussed in the case are necessary to maintain the performance of billions of Android devices around the world, and that they take up less cellular data than sending a single photo. He added that Android users consent to the transfers through multiple terms of use agreements and device setting options. The class-action suit was filed in 2019 in Santa Clara Superior Court on behalf of California residents. A parallel federal case is pending for nationwide Android users, with a trial date set for early 2026. "We are incredibly grateful for the jury's verdict, which forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google's misconduct," said Marc Wallenstein, a lawyer for the consumers.
CNBC
09-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
CCTV Script 09/06/25
As the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on undocumented immigration, one industry is feeling the pressure more acutely than others: the U.S. restaurant sector. Already struggling with labor shortages, the industry now faces a new wave of surprise inspections, raising concerns that hiring challenges will only worsen. According to estimates from the National Restaurant Association, more than one-fifth of U.S. restaurant workers were born outside the country. While most of them hold legal work permits, data from the Center for Immigration Studies shows that the industry still employs roughly one million undocumented immigrants. And overall employment in the restaurant sector has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Castaneda, director of the Immigration Lab at American University, points out that due to the industry's heavy reliance on immigrant labor, restaurants often become prime targets for enforcement actions. Immigration officers are allowed to enter the public areas of restaurants without a warrant, making these establishments particularly vulnerable to raids. Both and have reported that in May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted surprise visits to over 100 restaurants in Washington, D.C. As a result, numerous chefs and waitstaff quit, called in sick, or simply stopped showing up to work. Castaneda warns that heightened enforcement makes hiring even more difficult for restaurant owners, as even legally authorized workers may prefer to avoid industries under heavy scrutiny. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court also ruled in favor of allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan immigrants. TPS was granted to one group of Venezuelan nationals in 2023, with another 250,000 having received the status in 2021. That earlier group is set to lose protection in September of this year. Research by economist Michael Clemens of George Mason University shows that nearly 20% of Venezuelans who received TPS since 2021 are employed in the hospitality and leisure industries. A Venezuelan restaurant owner in Baltimore told that she fears the U.S. government may soon close off all legal pathways for entry. Without Venezuelan staff, she says, her business simply cannot operate. If immigration hiring is no longer viable, her only option will be to shut down. Analysts further note that as labor shortages deepen, wages are likely to rise. For restaurants unable to afford higher pay, this creates a serious cost burden. Fewer staff can also mean slower service and smaller menus—ultimately hurting the customer experience. In May, Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S. restaurant industry outlook from "neutral" to "deteriorating." The agency cited the dual inflationary pressures of rising tariffs and labor shortages, adding that restaurants are struggling to pass added costs onto a consumer base already highly sensitive to price increases.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Creston Police: Male driver following women charged again
Jun. 2—Kevin W. Rauch, 40, of Creston, was taken into custody 12:52 p.m. May 29, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on two Union County warrants for the charge of failure to serve jail sentence. According to Union County District Court documents, Rauch was convicted on charges of possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine, first offense and assault on persons of certain occupations and was ordered to serve two days in jail on each offense beginning Oct. 25, 2024. Rauch did not serve the required sentences. Rauch was transported to the Union County Jail and held without bond until his sentenced time is served. — — — — — — Mauricio A. Trejos Castaneda, 26, of Creston, was taken into custody 9:05 p.m. May 29, in the 800 block of West Adams Street on the charge of harassment, first degree — third offense. At approximately 11 p.m. Castaneda was charged with a second count of harassment, first degree. According to Creston Police reports, at approximately 8:48 p.m. Castaneda used his vehicle to intimidate an adult female on Cherry Street, causing the victim to fear for her safety. At approximately 9:52 p.m. Castaneda again used his vehicle in a threatening manner to intimidate a different adult female at Sumner Avenue and Taylor Street, placing the victim in fear for her safety. Castaneda has three prior convictions for harassment in Union County this year. Castaneda was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $4,000 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Trisha J. Johnston, 41, of Creston, was taken into custody 10:37 p.m. May 29, in the 900 block of North Sumner Avenue on a Union County warrant for the charge of theft, fifth degree. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 5 p.m. May 20, Johnston entered the Creston Bomgaars wearing black and white tennis shoes. She is seen on security footage exiting the store wearing boots. Store employees later located a box of Georgia brand boots which contained the tennis shoes Johnston wore into the store. Johnston was identified by police with the security footage. Shortly after Johnston left the store she posted the stolen boots on Facebook Marketplace for sale using her personal Facebook account. The value of the boots was $209.99. Johnston was transported to the Union County Jail where she was released from after posting $300 cash or surety bond. — — — — — Jacob M. Erskine, 37, of Creston, was taken into custody 12:49 a.m. May 30, at Devoe and Division streets on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. According to a Creston Police report, at approximatley 11:59 p.m. May 29, a traffic stop was conducted on a 2005 Audi A4 for having nonworking taillights. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Erskine. The odor of marijuana was detected coming from the car. Erskine admitted to having a marijuana pipe in the car. A probable cause search was conducted and a pipe containing marijuana residue was located. Erskine was cited and released on a summons to appear. — — — — — Ryan L. Woosley, 41, of Des Moines, was taken into custody 6:31 a.m. May 30, in the 100 block of East Adams Street on the charge of driving while barred. According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 6:25 a.m. officers observed Woosley driving a 2005 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide on Pine Street. Woosley is known to have a barred license. Woosley was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $1,000 cash or surety bond.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. warns Americans not to travel to Venezuela citing risks of torture, kidnapping
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. State Department is launching a new campaign to warn Americans not to go to Venezuela. Officials say anyone who does risks kidnapping, imprisonment, and even torture. Christian Castaneda understands those risks painfully well, because he says his brother Wilbert Joseph Castaneda is currently being wrongfully detained in Venezuela. It was just before Labor Day weekend of 2024 when Christian says he got a strange late-night call from an international number. When he picked up, it was his brother Wilbert. 'He said Christian I'm in Venezuela. It's a really really bad situation,' Castaneda said. He was immediately concerned, but it would take some time to discover just how bad the situation was. It turns out his brother Wilbert had been vacationing in Colombia and then traveled to Venezuela, where the Venezuelan government imprisoned him. The Venezuelan government accuses Castaneda and other foreign visitors of a plot to assassinate President Nicholas Maduro. Christian says that's completely untrue. 'They have not provided a single shred of evidence,' Castaneda said. Wilbert is a U.S. Navy Seal and a father of four. It's been months since his family has been able to see or talk to him. Christian shared that they're very worried for his safety, especially after hearing from former American detainees about how dangerous Venezuela can be. 'Very rough conditions, including torture. And so absolutely very concerned that that could be the case. Not just for my brother, but for other Americans that are there as well,' Castaneda said. That's why the U.S. State Department just launched a new campaign to warn Americans not to go to Venezuela for any reason. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston says it's critically important for them to spread the word. 'No travel is safe right now in Venezuela, absolutely no travel,' Houston said. 'We are asking Americans, don't risk it, don't take the chance. Not even to travel to the border.' Right now, the State Department says more U.S. nationals are wrongfully detained in Venezuela than anywhere else in the world. Strained relations between the U.S. and Venezuela mean that the U.S. government has no access to American detainees. 'The stories that we have heard from detained Americans, they're horrific. The beatings, the torture. This is not a place you want to spend your summer travel. This is not a place you want to go,' Houston said. The Castaneda family is actively working with hostage advocacy groups, lawmakers, and the Trump administration to get Wilbert back home. 'I hope that he knows that we're fighting for him. And I know that he does, that his family misses him very much. His kids are looking forward to seeing him again soon,' Castaneda said. He says he's hopeful. 'There's no doubt in my mind that he'll be reunited with us and with his family soon,' Castaneda said. 'Not a day goes by that we are not thinking about the Americans who are wrongfully detained around the world, and Venezuela is included,' Houston said. While the State Department works to free all Americans, including Castaneda, they want to make sure others don't end up imprisoned in Venezuela. 'This is a campaign to ensure that we don't have another name to add to that list,' Houston said. 'There is no trip that is worth the price of your freedom.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
