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Tensions Rise as Cuba Reports Deadly Clash With Florida-Based Speedboat

  Vice President JD Vance came to the Capitol to break the tie, meaning he vote was 51-50 for a Republican point of order to dismiss the war powers resolution. Cuba has reported a deadly confrontation off its northern coast, saying its forces killed four people aboard a Florida‑registered speedboat that allegedly opened fire on Cuban border troops. According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the vessel was detected roughly one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino canal in Cayo Falcones before the encounter escalated.  When Cuban Border Guard officers approached the boat for identification, those on board reportedly began shooting, injuring the commander of the Cuban patrol vessel. Cuban forces returned fire, killing four and wounding six others, who were later evacuated for medical treatment.  The incident comes at a moment of heightened tension between Cuba and the United States, with officials still working to determine the identities and motives of those aboard the spe...

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US Blocks Abbas from UN Amid Rising Global Recognition of Palestinian Statehood

 

The United States has announced it will deny and revoke visas for several senior members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) ahead of next month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. The move is expected to prevent Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas from delivering his customary address at the annual gathering.

The State Department cited the PA and PLO’s alleged failure to repudiate terrorism and their pursuit of unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood as reasons for the restrictions. However, the Palestinian mission to the UN — staffed by diplomats permanently based in New York — will be exempt from the ban, in line with the UN headquarters agreement.

The decision comes as several key US allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Canada, have pledged to formally recognize a Palestinian state during the summit. These recognition moves reflect growing frustration with Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis it has triggered, and continued settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Abbas’ office condemned the US action, calling it a violation of international agreements governing access to the UN, and vowed to respond diplomatically. The restrictions could significantly reduce the Palestinian presence at a high-profile moment in the global debate over statehood and peace in the Middle East.


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