The Jamaican government has confirmed the end of the Cuban medical program following the expiration of the cooperation agreement in February 2023. Authorities were unable to reach new terms with Havana to continue the arrangement. Cuban professionals will remain individually employed under local laws until the end of their missions. The program, which lasted more than 50 years, provided targeted services such as the Cuba-Jamaica Eye Care Programme. Washington has criticized these missions, describing them as forced labor, an accusation rejected by Kingston.<\/p>\n
In 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened sanctions against countries participating in such initiatives. Other Caribbean states, including the Bahamas and Dominica, are also reviewing the terms of their medical cooperation with Cuba.<\/a><\/p>\n The government of Saint Lucia has officially responded to the United Kingdom\u2019s decision to impose a visitor visa requirement for Saint Lucian nationals.<\/p>\n The measure also includes a direct transit visa and takes effect on March 5, 2026, at 15:00 GMT, with a transition period lasting until April 16, 2026. During this period, travelers holding an electronic travel authorization (ETA) booked before the change may still enter without a visa.<\/p>\n London justified the decision by citing an increase in asylum claims from Saint Lucian visitors. Saint Lucia\u2019s government stated that diplomatic dialogue with British authorities is ongoing and promised to provide further information regarding visa application procedures.<\/p>\n Bernard LaFayette, a civil rights activist and organizer of the Selma voting rights campaign, died on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85 following a heart attack.<\/p>\n A co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1960, LaFayette led voter registration campaigns in Alabama beginning in 1963. His work helped pave the way for the Selma marches and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.<\/p>\n He survived an assassination attempt and participated in the Freedom Rides, becoming a key figure in the non-violent movement alongside John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n Documents and recordings reveal serious medical and psychological problems at the East Montana detention facility, the largest ICE detention center in the United States, opened in August 2025 in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n More than 130 emergency calls were recorded in five months reporting assaults, suicide crises, illness, and malnutrition. Two deaths have been confirmed, including one homicide by asphyxiation and one suicide.<\/p>\n The camp houses about 3,000 detainees daily under conditions described as overcrowded and unsanitary.<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Justice released three FBI reports from 2019 related to statements by a woman alleging abuse in the 1980s between the ages of 13 and 15 in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case.<\/p>\n The woman accused Epstein and Donald Trump during interviews with federal agents. Trump denies any involvement, and the DOJ notes that some allegations remain uncorroborated.<\/p>\n U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 5, 2026, that he intends to end the war in Iran before focusing on relations with Cuba.<\/p>\n Speaking during an event at the White House with the Inter Miami soccer team, Trump said Cuba \u201cwants to make a deal\u201d and that returning to the island is only a matter of time.<\/a><\/p>\n Montreal police arrested Bryan Fuentes Gramajo, 24, considered Canada\u2019s most wanted fugitive, during the night of March 5, 2026.<\/p>\n He was wanted for the murder of Kashif Jamal Bentley-Jean, who was shot in July 2025 in the parking lot of the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.<\/p>\n The United States and Venezuela\u2019s interim authorities announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular relations on March 5, 2026.<\/p>\n The move follows the capture of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January and the appointment of Delcy Rodr\u00edguez as interim president.<\/p>\n Peru suspended natural gas exports on March 5, 2026, after a pipeline rupture at its main gas field triggered the country\u2019s worst energy crisis in two decades.<\/a><\/p>\n Polish Defense Minister W\u0142adys\u0142aw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the war in Iran will delay American weapons deliveries to Europe as U.S. stockpiles must be replenished.<\/p>\n Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani dissolved parliament on March 6, 2026, after lawmakers failed to elect a new head of state within the constitutional deadline.<\/p>\n Israel launched large-scale strikes on Beirut after ordering evacuations from southern districts of the Lebanese capital.<\/p>\n Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Tel Aviv and the U.S. Al-Udeid base in Qatar.<\/p>\n Nepal held general elections on March 5, 2026, following the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli after massive youth-led protests in 2025.<\/a><\/p>\n A collapse at a coltan mine in Rubaya in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 200 people, according to the Ministry of Mines.<\/p>\nSaint Lucia responds to new UK visa requirement for its citizens<\/h3>\n
United States<\/h2>\n
Civil rights leader Bernard LaFayette dies at 85<\/h3>\n
Major health and security concerns at largest ICE detention camp<\/h3>\n
DOJ releases FBI reports linked to Epstein Files allegations<\/h3>\n
Trump says he wants to end Iran war before addressing Cuba<\/h3>\n
Canada<\/h2>\n
Canada\u2019s most wanted fugitive arrested in Montreal<\/h3>\n
Latin America<\/h2>\n
United States and Venezuela restore diplomatic relations<\/h3>\n
Peru suspends gas exports after pipeline rupture<\/h3>\n
Europe<\/h2>\n
Iran war delays U.S. weapons deliveries to Europe<\/h3>\n
Kosovo president dissolves parliament<\/h3>\n
Middle East<\/h2>\n
Israel bombs Beirut as conflict with Iran escalates<\/h3>\n
Asia-Pacific<\/h2>\n
Nepal holds elections after Gen Z protests<\/h3>\n
Africa<\/h2>\n
Mine collapse in eastern Congo kills at least 200<\/h3>\n