Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting Sparks Calls for Stronger Protection of Jewish Community in Australia 
California, 18 States Sue to Block Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
European Leaders Tie Ukraine Territorial Decisions to Strong Security Guarantees 
Trump Administration Unveils High-Priced “Trump Gold Card” Visa Program 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Trump Administration Moves to Keep TransAlta Coal Plant Running Amid Rising AI Power Demand 
EU Expands Carbon Border Levy to Car Parts and Appliances, Tightening Climate Trade Rules 
Australia Pushes Forward on AUKUS Submarine Program Amid Workforce and Production Challenges 
Senate Set for Vote on GOP Healthcare Plan as Debate Over ACA Subsidies Intensifies 
Italy Supreme Court Upholds Salvini Acquittal in Migrant Kidnapping Case 
U.S. House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill as ACA Subsidies Near Expiration 
Trump Announces $1,776 Cash Bonus for U.S. Military Personnel Ahead of Christmas 
Federal Judge Declines to Immediately Halt Trump’s $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. State Department Reverts to Times New Roman in Push for “Professionalism” 
Trump’s Approval of AI Chip Sales to China Triggers Bipartisan National Security Concerns 
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new memorandum on Monday reinstating strict sanctions on Cuba, reversing several policies introduced by former President Joe Biden. The directive marks a return to hard-line measures, reinforcing the U.S. embargo and tightening restrictions on travel and financial dealings with the communist-led nation.
The White House announced that the memorandum enforces the statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba, allowing only limited travel for educational, humanitarian, or other approved purposes. Travelers must maintain detailed records of all related transactions for at least five years, and compliance will be monitored through audits.
Trump also renewed the ban on financial transactions with Cuban military-controlled entities, such as Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA) and its affiliates. Exceptions will be made only for activities that align with U.S. policy objectives or directly benefit the Cuban people.
This policy shift follows Trump’s earlier reversal of the Biden administration’s decision to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Additionally, the new order supports continued economic pressure by opposing efforts in the United Nations to lift the U.S. embargo.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the move, calling it a “criminal act” and a violation of human rights. He argued that the sanctions represent the biggest obstacle to Cuba’s development and harm the Cuban population.
Trump’s Cuba policy aims to curb the flow of U.S. dollars to the Cuban government and military while signaling a tougher stance on communist regimes. The decision underscores his administration’s commitment to reversing what it views as concessions made under Biden and reinforcing pressure on Havana amid ongoing political tensions.
This development adds a new layer of uncertainty to U.S.-Cuba relations, with potential implications for regional diplomacy and economic engagement.
