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Trump Declares National Emergency as U.S. Tightens Stance on Cuba

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency in respect with Cuba. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency related to Cuba, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s approach toward the island nation. The declaration frames Cuba’s government as a significant threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, opening the door for new economic and diplomatic measures. A key component of the order allows the United States to impose tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba. The move is designed to pressure foreign governments and companies that help sustain the island’s energy sector, which has long relied on external support. The administration argues that Cuba’s close ties with adversarial governments and its alleged involvement in activities that undermine regional stability justify the emergency action. The decision signals a renewed effort to isolate Havana and reshape the geopolitical dynamics of ...
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USAID Headquarters Seized: Staff Barred as Lease Is Transferred to GSA

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, scores of USAID staffers were turned away from their decades-old Washington, D.C. headquarters after officials confirmed that the Trump administration had stripped the agency of its lease. When employees arrived to retrieve personal belongings and report for duty, they encountered tightly controlled entry measures—a front desk officer admitted only a pre-approved list of fewer than 10 names was permitted inside, while tarps obscured the agency’s interior signage.

According to multiple reports, the building’s lease has now been handed over to the General Services Administration (GSA), which plans to repurpose the space for other federal uses. This abrupt move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration, with backing from billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, to dramatically downsize USAID. Critics argue that such measures are not only intended to cut what the administration deems “wasteful” spending, but also to realign U.S. foreign aid policies with an “America First” agenda.

The chaos unfolding at USAID headquarters comes amid a series of legal and administrative challenges. While a federal judge temporarily blocked an order that would have placed thousands of USAID staffers on administrative leave and imposed a 30-day deadline for overseas workers to return to the United States, the blockage did not extend to the headquarters lockout. Consequently, many employees reported confusion over conflicting emails and notices issued over the past weekend regarding access to the office, with some staffers stating they were simply told to “go” without further explanation.

As the situation continues to evolve, aid organizations and USAID officials warn that the disruption could jeopardize critical life-saving programs abroad—from emergency food and water assistance to health initiatives in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.


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