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USA Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Top Cuban official accuses Trump admin of escalating tensions, raises concerns of conflict
Top Cuban official accuses Trump admin of escalating tensions, raises concerns of conflict Trump and his top officials have taken a hardline approach to Cuba since he took office in January Show Caption Hide Caption Navy tracks Russian warships en route to Cuba close to the US Russia's Ministry of Defense released video this week of Russian military vessels practicing naval maneuvers somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Scripps News WASHINGTON, June 3 (Reuters) - A visiting senior Cuban official on Tuesday accused the Trump administration of ratcheting up tensions between Washington and Havana and expressed concerns that the U.S. was trying to provoke a military confrontation. Speaking to reporters at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, Johana Tablada, deputy director for U.S. affairs in Cuba's foreign ministry, said an armed clash between the two old Cold War rivals was "not a good idea" and that the Cuban government was trying to ease the situation but that the U.S. appeared determined to further damage relations. Tablada said new Trump administration measures targeting Communist-ruled Cuba intend to "dynamite our relation(ship) to really provoke a rupture of relation, and even to create conditions, in my opinion, for, if necessary, a military confrontation." Republican U.S. President Donald Trump and his top officials have taken a hardline approach to Cuba since he took office in January, returning longtime foe Cuba to a U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, tightening rules on remittances, and shutting off migration programs that allowed some Cubans to work in the U.S. legally. Trump officials have not publicly threatened any military action. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More: Trump asks Supreme Court to revoke safe-haven program for Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan immigrants U.S. Chief of Mission Mike Hammer - the top U.S. diplomat in Havana - has traveled the island widely in recent months to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. Cuba's foreign ministry last week issued a verbal warning to Hammer, saying he had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. Tablada accused Hammer of channeling U.S. humanitarian funds to undermine the Cuban government and said Cuban diplomats would not be allowed to engage in similar behavior in the U.S. 'To push both countries into scenarios of confrontation and collision is not a good idea,' she said. Just days before Trump took office in January former President Joe Biden's administration removed Cuba from its terrorism blacklist, effectively reversing sanctions from Trump's first term. After returning to office, Trump quickly returned Cuba to the blacklist and also reinstated many of the restrictions on trade and travel that Biden had eased.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
ICE detains Massachusetts student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, sparking high school walkouts
ICE detains Massachusetts student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, sparking high school walkouts The 18-year-old was detained while on his way to volleyball practice. His Massachusetts community is demanding his release. Show Caption Hide Caption Trump admin offers $1,000 to migrants who self-deport using CBP One app The move is the latest part of President Donald Trump's effort to crack down on illegal immigration. Scripps News Federal immigration agents detained a Massachusetts high school student on his way to volleyball practice, mistaking him when he drove his father's car. The May 31 arrest of Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, 18, has triggered protests and walkouts at Milford High School, where he is an 11th-grade student, according to the Milford Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network. The school had its graduation a day after Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Gomes Da Silva while he was heading with teammates to practice. The Brazilian teen was set to perform drums in the school's band at the June 1 graduation ceremony. Milford High School Principal Joshua Otlin said at the graduation ceremony that the community couldn't pretend all was well. 'There is fear and anxiety, where there should be hope and confidence,' he said on the school's turf field. 'There is wrenching despair and righteous anger, where there should be gratitude and joy.' Instead, graduation speakers admitted to making last-minute adjustments to address the arrest of their classmate. Class President Luke Benjamin Donis, a champion wrestler, urged his fellow graduates to 'give whatever time they can' to join a large rally at Milford Town Hall after the high school ceremony. Who is Marcelo Gomes Da Silva? Gomes Da Silva arrived in the United States legally in 2012 on a visitor's visa that later turned into a student visa, his lawyers said. It isn't clear when that visa expired. He has no criminal history. He was active in his high school marching band and church band, along with excelling in school and was involved in extracurricular and faith-based activities, his immigration lawyer Robin Nice said in a statement. Gomes Da Silva does not pose a danger to the community and isn't a flight risk, Nice said. He has an immigration court hearing scheduled for the afternoon of June 5, where Nice said they would request his release on bond. His lawyers planned to pursue an asylum claim for him in the United States. On June 1, federal Judge Richard Stearns of Massachusetts issued an emergency order banning ICE from transferring Gomes Da Silva out of the state for at least 72 hours. On June 2, Milford High students staged a walkout protesting Gomes' detention. Students left their campus wearing Brazilian flags, holding signs and a white banner reading 'Free Marcelo.' Others donned white shirts inscribed with his name. ICE: If anyone is here unlawfully 'we're going to arrest them' ICE has said its agents were targeting Gomes Da Silva's father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, who is in the country illegally from Brazil. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said agents targeted Gomes-Pereira with information from local enforcement due to reckless driving, speeding that topped 100 mph. But when they stopped Gomes-Pereira's car, they arrested Gomes Da Silva. On June 2, Patricia Hyde, acting field director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations' in Boston, said they detained him because local agencies didn't cooperate with ICE. 'When we go into the community and find others who are unlawfully here, we're going to arrest them,' Hyde said. 'He's 18 years old and he's illegally in this country. We had to go to Milford looking for someone else and if we come across someone else who is here illegally, we're going to arrest them.' Officials said Gomes Da Silva was detained as officials announced the results of 'Operation Patriot,' which arrested 1,500 people across Massachusetts suspected of being in the country illegally. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Lyons said Gomes Da Silva's father hasn't turned himself in, although he knows he's the target of the operation. Reaction to the student's detention In a video posted to social media, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, said of the situation, 'This isn't about public safety. This is about cruelty and fear engendered by the Trump administration.' Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the teenager's arrest left her 'outraged.' 'Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads-up and no answers to their questions,' she said in a statement. 'I'm demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected.' Nick Molinari, president of the Milford Teachers Association, said in a statement that ICE agents targeted a student in a 'deliberate act of cruelty, traumatizing his family, friends and peers.' 'This is immoral, unnecessary and should be universally condemned,' he said. 'We will not stand by while the rights and humanity of our students are violated.'
USA Today
a day ago
- General
- USA Today
Social Security and remarriage: Understanding the impact on your benefits
Social Security and remarriage: Understanding the impact on your benefits Show Caption Hide Caption Social Security uncertainty and policy changes are driving more people to file With a significant rise in Social Security applications, retirees face financial decisions influenced by legislation and economic concerns in today's climate. Scripps News If you've recently gotten remarried or you're about to, retirement might not be the first thing on your mind. But there's no denying that marriage has a serious effect on what your retirement will look like. You may no longer have to save for it on your own, and you'll probably have to make room for your partner's goals as well as your own. Social Security rules get a little more complicated too, but it's not all bad news. Remarriage could help some people get even more than they were eligible for previously. It depends on several factors, including how well you understand the way the Social Security Administration calculates your benefits. How marriage and remarriage affect your Social Security benefits Marriage makes you eligible for spousal Social Security benefits. These are worth up to one-half of what your partner qualifies for at their full retirement age (FRA) — 67 for most people today. You can claim this benefit even if you've never worked a day in your life, though you must wait until your partner applies for checks before you can apply for spousal Social Security. You can also be eligible for benefits on your ex's work record if you were married for at least 10 years before divorcing. You may do this even if your ex hasn't applied yet, as long as you've been divorced for at least two years. It doesn't matter if your ex has remarried. You and their new spouse can both claim spousal benefits on their work record. But if you remarry, you can no longer claim spousal benefits on your ex's work record. You will have the option to claim spousal Social Security on your new partner's work record, though. If they qualify for a larger check than your former spouse, you'll get a larger benefit going forward. Things are a little trickier if your previous spouse died, and you were claiming a survivor benefit on their work record. In that case, you may be able to continue receiving this benefit after you remarry as long as you're at least 60 at the time of remarriage (50 if you're disabled). Otherwise, you will lose this option. You may not receive a spousal benefit, even if you're eligible for one It's possible you won't receive a Social Security benefit based on your current or former spouse's work record if your own retirement benefit is worth more. The Social Security Administration automatically gives you the larger of the two amounts. If you're not sure which one would give you more, you can get an estimate of your own retirement benefit and your spousal benefit through your my Social Security account. You'll need to know the benefit your spouse is entitled to at their FRA to calculate your spousal benefit. They can find this in their own my Social Security account. If you have any questions about how remarriage will affect your Social Security benefit, reach out to the Social Security Administration for clarification. Do this as soon as possible so you can figure out how much to expect from the program per month and how much of your retirement costs you'll need to cover on your own. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook Offer from the Motley Fool: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets"could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. JoinStock Advisorto learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" »
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
KCTV in Kansas City Names Lauren Magarino to Replace Veteran Anchor Carolyn Long
Lauren Magarino has joined Gray owned Kansas City CBS affiliate KCTV as evening co-anchor. Magarino replaces longtime anchor Carolyn Long, who retired on May 30 after almost 29 years on the anchor desk. She'll work the 5 and 10 p.m. shows alongside Brad Stephens. She'll also work alongside anchor Zac Summers at 6, in addition to sharing anchor duties with Stephens on Kansas City's only all-weather show, the First Warn 5 Weather Show, weekdays at 6:30 p.m. "We are beyond excited to welcome someone of Lauren's character and talent to our newsroom," said KCTV5 news director Josh Morgan. "I can't wait for the community to get to see just how much she cares about her work, her teammates, and the Kansas City area as a whole." "Joining the KCTV5 newsroom is a full-circle moment," said Magarino. "As a kid from Miami, I had no clue what would be in store for me in Missouri. The Show-Me state helped develop my skillset to tell stories, introduced me to life-long friends, and created space for me to come into my own." She last worked at Scripps News in Atlanta as an anchor for the company's national broadcasts. She's also worked as a national correspondent with Scripps News in Chicago. "Lauren has such a big heart and immediately connects with everyone she meets," said KCTV5 vice president and general manager Curtis Miles. "You see how much she cares in the stories she tells and at the community events she champions. It's been fun to watch, and our viewers are so appreciative."
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Tiny taste testers sample food for school meals. What will cut the mustard?
Tiny taste testers sample food for school meals. What will cut the mustard? Show Caption Hide Caption Helping your child navigate school lunch options With families settling into their back-to-school routines, it's a good time to remind parents that one in five children in the U.S. have obesity, according to the CDC. Scripps News KING OF PRUSSIA, Pennsylvania − Landon Cierniak was a little shy talking about what he liked at the Fuel Up Food Expo, but his classmate Declan Donnelly didn't hold back. "I could eat pounds of this!" Donnelly said, holding up a sample size portion of macaroni and cheese from one of the half-dozen vendors at the expo, where students from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey got to try different options for school meals, tell their teachers and the host American Dairy Association North East what they liked (and disliked), and help shape what students in the region may see on cafeteria trays. Cierniak and Donnelly, both fourth graders at Edgewood Elementary School in Yardley, Pennsylvania, were among about 175 elementary-, middle- and high school students who got to enjoy a day away from classes. A DJ played dance music; the students got T-shirts, bags, stickers and other swag. And a celebrity guest − Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop − hyped the kids and posed for selfies before the taste testing began. Cierniak liked the mac and cheese, too, but he also tried some chicken tinga and pulled pork, nodding and smiling broadly when asked whether he liked the pork. The American Dairy Association North East, which represents about 9,000 dairy farmers across the region, will tally the results of the kids' survey answers, written in markers on checklists with three emojis for each food item: a thinking emoji for foods they don't like or aren't sure about, a regular smile for foods they like and a beaming smile emoji for the things they love. School meals keep kids 'prepared and focused' Kaitlyn Wilson, a paraprofessional at Upper Merion (Pennsylvania) Middle School, said it is important for children to have a good breakfast and a nutritious lunch. "It helps them be prepared and focused," said Wilson as she helped guide 20 students from station to station, where they could sample empanadas, plantains, rice dishes, pizza, muffins, cereals, breakfast sandwiches, overnight oats, bruschetta and noodles (and yes, mac and cheese). Wilson noted that all the students at her school receive free breakfast. The morning break, about 20 minutes before the school day officially begins, offers kids "a few minutes to unwind and settle in" before classes. That's helpful for the kids, and for the educators who teach them, Wilson said. Stephane Wynter, a 16-year-old junior at Brooklyn South High School, and her classmate and friend Grismary Lopez, wearing "Love Not Hate" hoodies, said they like to see the multiculturalism of their school reflected in its lunch offerings. "We like the diversity in the menu," said Wynter, as Lopez pronounced the pulled pork "fantastic, and I'm not even a pork fan." Federal funding cuts could impact already-strapped districts The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently proposed cuts of more than $1 billion in funding that helps schools and food banks purchase food from local farmers, part of a wider push to cut overall federal spending. The School Nutrition Association said in a March 10 news release the USDA cut funding for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program for 2025. 'These proposals would cause millions of children to lose access to free school meals at a time when working families are struggling with rising food costs," the organization's president, Shannon Gleave, said in the release. Katty Peña, director of student culture at West Philadelphia High School, said the students there are already feeling the pinch. And Peña, who runs an afterschool culinary arts club, hopes some of the offerings at the Fuel Up Expo can find their way to her school's cafeteria. For some students at West Philadelphia High, the breakfasts and lunches (and, if they're in the culinary program, the dinners) they receive at school might be the only regular meals they can depend on, she said. And if kids don't like what they're offered, "they'll just grab the food, look at it and throw it in the trash," so giving them food that's both nutritious and delicious goes a long way. "As a teacher, I don't know their home situations," she said. But many students tell her about how their families have to opt for cheaper, highly processed foods over healthier, fresher but more expensive foods. Having healthier options in school at least means they get some nutrients and learn about how to eat better to avoid chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure as they move into adulthood. What's a field trip without ice cream? Kristina Moher, the dairy association's senior director for youth engagement, caught her breath after a hectic day getting the opinions of dozens of school kids while those kids finished their day with a frosty treat: ice cream. The group hosts Fuel Up events to solicit youths' thoughts, and then they make recommendations to school nutrition directors within individual districts. "The educators love it, and so do the kids," she said. "It's all about showing them people care about their opinions." Those opinions were shared pretty freely, including by 10-year-old Mayumi Bilal, who goes to Upper Merion Area (Pennsylvania) Middle School. Her favorites? Woodles, whole grain ramen noodles served with chicken, and macaroni and cheese − the latter so good, "the cheese melts in your mouth!"
