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Nicaragua to Host 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup: A Historic Milestone for National Baseball

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por Marvin Ramírez

Baseball, Nicaragua’s national sport, is once again placing the country on the international stage. The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has officially announced that Nicaragua will host the 2026 U-23 Baseball World Cup. The decision was made by the WBSC Executive Committee, which awarded the hosting rights to the Nicaraguan Baseball and Softball Association (ANBS), the newly unified national federation.

This will be the first WBSC U-23 event held in Nicaragua, although the country has previously hosted the Baseball World Cup in 1948, 1950, 1972, 1973, and 1994. The selection represents a major achievement for national sports and a chance to showcase Nicaragua’s rich baseball legacy to the world.

A national passion

Baseball in Nicaragua is more than a sport—it’s a deeply rooted national passion. Introduced in the late 19th century, it spread quickly and became widely popular. The first professional league emerged in the 1950s, and in 2004, the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League (LBPN) was founded, elevating the level of competition.

The country has produced legendary players who’ve made their mark both locally and internationally. Among them are MLB pitcher Dennis Martínez—whose name adorns the national stadium in Managua—as well as Marvin Bernard and David Green, who helped establish Nicaragua’s reputation as a land of baseball talent.

A rising national team

The announcement comes at a moment of momentum for Nicaraguan baseball. In the 2024 U-23 Baseball World Cup, held in Shaoxing, China, the national team won a historic bronze medal after defeating the host nation. It was Nicaragua’s first medal in the U-23 category since the tournament’s creation in 2014.

In that edition, Japan took gold and Puerto Rico silver. Nicaragua completed the podium, confirming the nation’s growing prominence in youth international baseball.

Venues and organizational readiness

The bid presented by the ANBS to the WBSC included three stadiums ready to host international competition: the National Stadium “Soberanía” in Managua (15,000 seats), the new Roberto Clemente Stadium in Masaya (4,000 seats), and the Rigoberto López Pérez Stadium in León (6,300 seats). These venues will allow games to be spread across cities, ensuring high-quality facilities and broader national engagement.

Honoring a rich baseball history

Evelio Evaristo Gómez, a Nicaraguan baseball scout based in San Francisco, welcomed the news with pride and historical perspective:
“This is something epic and a source of great pride for Nicaragua to host such an important event. The country has high-quality stadiums where teams will feel safe and comfortable,” he said.

Gómez added, “Let’s go back before the 1940s and remember legendary center fielder Stanley Cayasso. Then came the powerful utility hitter Duncan Campbell, who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and—had he not died—would’ve been the first Nicaraguan in the Major Leagues. In the 1960s, we had the great pitcher René ‘El Ñato’ Paredes, who won the Triple Crown in 1965. Then in the 1970s, we saw a generation of stars who famously defeated Cuba in the Baseball World Cup—players like Julio Juárez, Vicente López, Calixto Vargas, and César ‘La Maravilla’ Jarquín.”
He emphasized that this new opportunity is “a recognition of a forgotten history now brought back into the spotlight.”

A tournament of global prestige

The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup has become one of the premier global tournaments for rising professional talent. Since transitioning from U-21 to U-23 in 2016, it has grown in prestige and is held every two years. The 2026 edition will be the seventh overall and the fourth hosted in the Americas, following Mexico (2016 and 2020) and Colombia (2018).

The tournament serves as a launchpad for young players aiming to reach professional leagues. Hosting such a competition in Nicaragua presents a unique chance for local talent to shine on a global platform.

Unified federation: A key factor

The recent establishment of the Nicaraguan Baseball and Softball Association (ANBS) was crucial to securing the WBSC’s approval. This new unified governing body replaces older entities and provides a more stable foundation for the sport’s development.

The ANBS demonstrated effective planning and long-term vision. Its strong technical proposal, institutional support, and public enthusiasm played a major role in the WBSC’s decision.

Economic and social impact

Beyond the playing field, the U-23 World Cup is expected to boost the local economy, particularly in tourism, hospitality, commerce, and transportation. The arrival of international delegations, media, and fans will provide economic stimulus to the host cities.

Socially, the tournament will inspire a new generation of Nicaraguan athletes. Seeing world-class baseball up close may encourage hundreds of young people to take up the sport and foster healthier lifestyles.

A future-forward vision

This announcement confirms Nicaragua’s rising status in the international baseball community. With a bronze medal in 2024, upgraded stadiums, and a unified federation, the country is poised for greater achievements.

The 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup will be more than just a tournament—it will be a celebration of national talent and pride. Baseball, once again, becomes a symbol of hope and greatness for the entire nation.

– With reports provided by independent sources.

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Latin Party in Berkeley

by Magdy Zara

The band Combo Chimbita was formed as a result of the Colombian diaspora in New York when a group of friends and family came together to make music. Since then, they have forged a path in the city’s music scene.

Since 2017, the band has toured nonstop, developing an unparalleled live show, both for its musicianship and its intricate and evolving instrumental interplay, which manages to be precise, expansive, and psychedelic, often within the space of a single song.

During this performance, they will share the stage with Turbo Sonidero, pioneers of electronic cumbia based in San José, with roots in Puebla and Mexico City. He began his work as a music producer in 2008, developing a unique style that combines cumbia sonidera and rap, thus creating a new cumbiambero sound.

Both groups will perform on August 6th, starting at 7 p.m., at Cornerstone, located at 2367 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley. Tickets are $32 and can be purchased by calling (510) 214-8600 or by emailing cornerstoneberkeley@gmail.com.

13th Bay Area International Dance Festival for the Deaf

The Bay Area International Dance Festival for the Deaf (BAIDDF) is an annual event produced by Urban Jazz Dance. It features performances and workshops highlighting the important contributions that deaf and hard-of-hearing (HoH) artists make to the community.

During the Festival, you’ll find a variety of sign languages, including Spanish, American Sign Language, and International Sign Language (ISL), English interpretation at each show, live captioning, wheelchair access, and self-description.

The festival will take place from August 8th to 10th, on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets start at $15 and will be held at the Mission Dance Theater, located at 3316 24th Street in San Francisco.

CHCC’s 46th Annual Convention

The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) Annual State Convention is now in its 46th year and this year brings together more than 1,250 executives, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, leaders of diverse chambers, community leaders, and elected officials from across the country.

Participants establish strategic and lasting alliances through direct personal engagement, the sharing of best practices, interactive dialogues, networking workshops, and more.

To register to participate, you can do so through their website https://cahcc.com/.

This year’s agenda includes an annual business matchmaking program, dynamic panels and speakers, an exhibit hall, awards ceremonies, and food events highlighting the notable achievements of Hispanic and diverse businesses and communities.

The event will take place from the 20th to the 22nd of this year at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center, located at 601 West McKinley Avenue, Pomona.

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August: Art and Culture in Nicaragua and Latin America

Parishioners carry the patron saint of Managua, Santo Domingo de Guzmán -- Agosto: Arte y Cultura en Nicaragua y LatinoaméricaAgosto: Arte y Cultura en Nicaragua y Latinoamérica

A look at the month’s festivals and cultural expressions

by El Reportero news services

  • August bursts with vibrant artistic, cultural, and spiritual expressions across Nicaragua and Latin America. From religious traditions and culinary fairs to Afro-descendant celebrations and contemporary art, the month reflects the region’s diversity and creativity.

Nicaragua: Faith, flavor, and alternative sounds

  • The Santo Domingo de Guzmán Festival (August 1–10) transforms Managua with music, fireworks, and rituals blending Catholic and Indigenous traditions. Thousands accompany the saint’s image through the capital in one of the country’s largest religious processions.
  • In recent years, the Festival of Arts, Culture, and Gastronomy of Our Peoples (around August 5–6) has gathered representatives from 40+ countries, celebrating culinary and musical traditions. While 2025 dates remain unconfirmed, a new edition is anticipated.
  • On the Caribbean Coast, the Crab Soup Festival in the Corn Islands (late August) commemorates the abolition of slavery with parades, music, and traditional crab soup prepared with coconut milk and spices.
  • Alternative music thrives at the Tenebrario Tour (August 26) at El Mamut in Managua, a key event in Nicaragua’s growing rock and metal scene.

Latin America: Afro-heritage, youth, and creativity

  • In Cali, Colombia, the Petronio Álvarez Festival (August 12) celebrates Afro-Pacific rhythms. In Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic Youth Forum (August 10–12) features workshops and cultural events for International Youth Day.
  • Argentina’s ArteBA (August 29) brings artists and galleries to Buenos Aires in a major international art fair. Puerto Rico hosts the Ponce Cuna de la Salsa Fest (August 2–3), celebrating salsa with concerts and dance classes.
  • Curaçao’s Mid-Year Jump In Concert (August 6–8) highlights music and community. In Brazil, the Festa da Iemanjá (August 15) fills Rio’s beaches with offerings to the sea goddess, while the Tiradentes Gastronomic Festival (August 22–31) blends cuisine, wine, and music.
  • In Honduras, SUNJAM (August 1) gathers youth and DJs from across Central America for an electronic music festival on Tela’s beaches.

Memory and identity

  • August 4 marks two historic dates: the U.S. military occupation of Nicaragua (1912) and U.S. recognition of the Central American Federation (1824)—reminders of the region’s resilience and sovereignty.

A living celebration

  • From Managua’s processions to Buenos Aires’ art fairs, August showcases Latin America’s enduring and evolving cultural heritage.

— With reports from Managua, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro.

 

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DACA recipients to lose CoveredCA health coverage Aug. 31

Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, participates in the statewide "Let's Talk About Health" campaign in Los Angeles on November 13, 2024. Altman is promoting a new expansion of the Affordable Care Act that benefits immigrants covered by DACA. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters. -- Jessica Altman, directora ejecutiva de Covered California, participa en la campaña estatal "Hablemos de Salud" en Los Ángeles el 13 de noviembre de 2024. Altman promueve una nueva ampliación de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud Asequible que beneficia a los inmigrantes amparados por DACA. Foto de Zaydee Sanchez para CalMatters.

by Suzanne Potter

People who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, will be dropped from their CoveredCA health plans at the end of August.

The move comes after the Trump administration changed a Biden-era definition of “lawfully present” to revoke health care eligibility for thousands of immigrants.

Christine Smith, policy and legislative advocate for the nonprofit Health Access California, said people only have a few weeks to get medical appointments in before their coverage ends.

“If you’re enrolled in Covered California and you’re a DACA recipient, the Trump administration just ended your coverage,” Smith emphasized. “People should use as much of your health care as you can before the Aug. 31st deadline.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defended the move, saying it will save taxpayers money. CoveredCA estimated the change affects about 2,400 DACA recipients in the state who make too much to qualify for Medi-Cal and have jobs not providing health insurance. They can still buy private insurance but it is much more expensive. People who prepaid for their coverage can seek a refund.

Smith predicted it will be a blow not just to those who lose coverage but to the state’s health care system as a whole.

“The lines in the ERs are going to be longer because people are not going to be able to get affordable preventive care,” Smith projected. “They’re just going to get sicker and then end up in the ERs. People will overall incur more medical debt. Hospitals will have more uncompensated care.”

The change is nationwide. As of mid-July, about 538,000 people in the DACA program across the U.S. are ineligible to enroll in any state-based insurance marketplace and are unable to access premium subsidies or cost-sharing assistance.

In other unrelated news:

Free online therapy now available for California undocumented students

Therapists are stepping up to help undocumented students deal with the pervasive fear created by the Trump administration’s ongoing ICE raids.

The group Immigrants Rising offers free online counseling to undocumented students in California, ages 18 to 45.

Mayra Barragan-O’Brien is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and the mental health senior manager with the nonprofit Immigrants Rising.

“They struggle with the fear of family separation, with anxiety, financial struggles, relationship struggles, discrimination,” said Barragan-O’Brien. “And so these mental health providers help them find ways to cope with those stressors.”

The program started during the first Trump administration and has provided about 24,000 hours of therapy to almost 800 undocumented immigrant students to date.

People can learn more online at ImmigrantsRising.org/mental-health-connector. The deadline to apply is Aug. 11.

Barragan-O’Brien said all counselors are licensed therapists who have lived experience or work with the undocumented community.

“They will be connected with a therapist who understands their experience,” said Barragan-O’Brien, “who will not judge, who will meet them where they are, who are culturally sensitive.”

Most of the therapy is conducted in English, but some therapists also speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Tagalog.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

 

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France must not legislate death: Cardinal Sarah’s wake-up call to a nation losing its soul

Cardinal Sarah, at an event in Rome: Oct 2023. -- Cardenal Sarah, en un evento en Roma: octubre de 2023.

by Michael Haynes | Senior Vatican Correspondent

In a time when Western nations increasingly define compassion as the legal facilitation of death, Cardinal Robert Sarah has sounded an unflinching alarm — one that France, and indeed the world, must heed.

Preaching to some 30,000 faithful at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-d’Auray in Brittany, the former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship denounced the French government’s push to legalize assisted suicide. In no uncertain terms, he called it what it is: “barbaric and inhuman.”

This wasn’t merely a political commentary disguised as a homily. It was a prophetic rebuke delivered at a sacred celebration — the 400th anniversary of Saint Anne’s apparitions to Breton farmer Yvon Nicolazic. And it was a rebuke meant to stir the soul of a nation with Catholic roots now drying out under the sun of secularism.

“In our Western societies, God has been relegated,” lamented Sarah. “Religion is presented as emotional well-being, a philanthropy for migrants or homeless people, a spirituality of personal development. But that is not faith.”

France is on the verge of making legal what ought to remain unthinkable: the state-sanctioned ending of human life under the guise of mercy. On May 27, its National Assembly voted 305 to 199 in favor of a bill that would enshrine a “right to assisted dying.” The legislation is still winding its way through the Senate, but the momentum — and the president’s endorsement — make its passage likely.

Under the bill, adults with an “incurable condition” that causes “unbearable” physical or psychological suffering could choose to die with medical assistance. It sounds clean, even humane. But as Cardinal Sarah implied, it cloaks a moral abdication — a betrayal of human dignity under the guise of compassion.

“Do not desecrate France with laws that promote death where God wants life,” Sarah declared. “This nation is a holy land, reserved for God.”

His words were not just theological sentiment. They were a challenge: to remember who we are, to see the divine image in every suffering person, and to resist the seductive call to eliminate pain by eliminating the person.

Even Pope Leo XIV, though more reserved, made his concerns known. Addressing French pilgrims in June, he called on the Spirit to “enlighten our minds, so that we know how to defend the intrinsic dignity of every human person.” The message was clear: the Church will not be silent as France contemplates legislating away life.

But Sarah didn’t stop at life issues. He reminded the faithful of what it means to worship — and what the Church must look like if she is to lead in this time of moral confusion. Liturgy, for him, is not a matter of taste but of truth. It must be reverent, centered on God, and guarded from secular dilution.

“Our churches are not performance halls, nor concert halls or cultural or entertainment activities,” he said. “The church is the house of God… We enter with respect and reverence, properly dressed because we tremble before the greatness of God.”

This insistence on sacredness — in worship and in life — is no accident. It reflects a coherent worldview, one in which beauty, suffering, sacrifice, and redemption are all intertwined. A worldview where even suffering has meaning and life is always worth living.

At 80, Cardinal Sarah may no longer vote in future conclaves, but he is far from retreating into silence. On social media, he shared the Vatican’s coverage of the Pope’s remarks — amplifying Leo XIV’s subtle but unmistakable resistance to the euthanasia agenda.

More than a homily, Sarah’s message was a call to conversion. He urged the pilgrims to “rebuild the church of our soul… confess the sins you have committed in word or deed, night or day… and receive the heavenly treasure.”

This is the kind of conversion that must happen not only in individuals but in cultures — especially those like France that once lit the flame of Catholic civilization. France was not made for death, but for life. And unless her leaders remember that, they risk leading their people down a path of no return.

The time to speak is now. The time to act is now. France — and the world — must choose between the Gospel of life or the counterfeit gospel of death. Cardinal Sarah has made his choice unmistakably clear.

Will France listen?

With some edition by the El Reportero‘s staff.

 

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The unfinished justice of Epstein’s crimes — Let Ghislaine Maxwell speak freely

The unfinished justice of Epstein’s crimes — Let Ghislaine Maxwell speak freely -- Ghislaine Maxwell asiste a una conferencia de prensa sobre la cuestión de los océanos en los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, en la sede de las Naciones Unidas, el 25 de junio de 2013. Rick Bajornas / Archivo AP
Marvin Ramírez, editor

by Marvin Ramírez

The saga of Jeffrey Epstein is not just about a disgraced financier or a sex trafficking ring — it is about a justice system that stopped short of true accountability. Years after Epstein’s mysterious death in a New York jail cell, the only person serving time for his vast web of exploitation is not one of the many powerful men who participated in his crimes, but a woman: Ghislaine Maxwell.

That’s not justice. That’s a cover-up.

Maxwell, sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for aiding Epstein in the grooming and trafficking of underage girls, certainly bears responsibility for her actions. But it defies all logic — and all notions of fairness — that none of the wealthy and influential men who allegedly took part in abusing young victims on Epstein’s private island and elsewhere have faced the same fate. Not one has stood trial. Not one has gone to prison.

The message this sends is as chilling as it is clear: if you are rich, male, and powerful, you are untouchable — even when children are the victims.

Now, members of Congress are beginning to challenge this silence. There is growing pressure to allow Maxwell to testify publicly, under oath, before congressional committees. But here’s the catch: without immunity from further prosecution, she cannot speak freely. If she testifies without legal protection, any self-incriminating detail could extend her sentence or lead to new charges. Her silence would be understandable — even expected — under such threat.

That is why granting Maxwell limited immunity is not about excusing her crimes. It’s about exposing the full network behind Epstein’s operation. It’s about giving the public the truth — not just a scapegoat.

If Maxwell is the only one who pays the price, the system has not only failed the victims — it has also shielded the abusers. Many of those victims, now adults, are still waiting to see the men who violated them held accountable. They deserve to know who these men were, what they did, and why they’ve been protected for so long.

Some members of Congress are pushing for transparency. Others appear frightened by what a full testimony might reveal — especially if it names names. But no political discomfort can outweigh the moral necessity of bringing these abusers into the light. That process must begin with giving Maxwell a chance to tell the full story.

Critics may say she doesn’t deserve any leniency. That’s a fair point — she played a critical role in one of the most grotesque sex trafficking scandals in modern history. But withholding immunity from her testimony ensures one thing: the silence continues, and the real power players walk free.

What kind of system punishes the accomplice while shielding the perpetrators? What kind of country allows wealth and connections to bury truth and protect predators?

This is not about Ghislaine Maxwell’s redemption. It’s about justice. And justice, in its true form, demands full disclosure. It demands that all guilty parties — not just one — be exposed and held to account.

If Congress truly wishes to restore faith in our institutions, it must give Maxwell the immunity she needs to testify without fear. Not to protect her, but to finally expose the men who believed they were beyond the reach of the law.

The victims deserve closure. The public deserves the truth. And those responsible — no matter how powerful — must face justice.

– With reports contributed by independent sources.

 

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U.S. remittance tax sparks outrage in Mexico, Sheinbaum urges protest

by the El Reportero staff

Mexico City—A firestorm of controversy has erupted following the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which proposes a 3.5% federal tax on remittances sent by noncitizens to their home countries, including Mexico. The measure, now awaiting Senate consideration, has drawn fierce condemnation from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has called on Mexicans living in the United States to publicly oppose the tax.

Speaking at a press conference this week, Sheinbaum urged Mexican migrants to mobilize by contacting senators through letters, emails, and social media. “It is unjust to penalize those who contribute so much to both economies,” she said, denouncing the bill as discriminatory and harmful to Mexican families.

Last year alone, Mexican migrants in the U.S. sent a record-breaking $62.5 billion to relatives back home, making remittances the nation’s largest single source of foreign income. The proposed tax could mean billions of dollars in new federal revenue—but at a significant cost to low-income families in Mexico.

What President Sheinbaum has not addressed, critics note, is that the U.S. government has long subsidized remittances through the Federal Reserve’s “Directo a México” program. For nearly two decades, this initiative has allowed low-cost money transfers from U.S. banks directly into Mexican bank accounts.

Supporters of the tax argue it is a fair contribution from undocumented migrants who utilize U.S. infrastructure and public services without paying federal income tax. Others see the measure as politically motivated and potentially harmful to U.S.–Mexico relations.

Mexican officials have signaled diplomatic pushback if the Senate passes the measure. Some U.S. lawmakers, however, say the tax could help fund immigration enforcement and border security.

For now, all eyes are on the U.S. Senate, where the bill’s fate remains uncertain. Meanwhile, migrant advocacy groups and Mexican consulates across the U.S. are bracing for growing protests—and the political ripples they may cause on both sides of the border.

 

 

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Dragon fruit: A vibrant superfood packed with nutrients and health benefits

by Laura Harris |

Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or pitahaya, is a tropical fruit known for its eye-catching pink or yellow skin and speckled white or magenta flesh. Native to Central and South America, it now grows in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Southeast Asia, Australia, Israel and parts of the U.S.

This colorful fruit comes from climbing cacti in the Hylocereus and Selenicereus genera. Its name is inspired by its scaly, dragon-like exterior. Although it has been consumed by indigenous cultures for centuries, dragon fruit gained global popularity in recent decades as interest in exotic superfoods increased.

Dragon fruit’s appeal goes beyond looks—it is low in calories but rich in nutrients, offering many health benefits. It is packed with vitamin C, dietary fiber, magnesium, iron, antioxidants, and prebiotics. Its mild, kiwi-like flavor and creamy texture make it easy to enjoy in a variety of dishes.

Nutritional highlights and health benefits

Dragon fruit is a nutrient-dense food that supports overall wellness. Each cup offers about 7 grams of dietary fiber and essential minerals like magnesium and iron. It also contains polyphenols, carotenoids and betalains, all powerful antioxidants.

Combats chronic diseases
Dragon fruit’s antioxidants, including vitamin C, help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, a factor linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and arthritis. Regular consumption may help reduce inflammation and protect long-term health.

Aids digestion and gut health
The high fiber content promotes digestive regularity, helps prevent constipation and supports weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness. The prebiotics in dragon fruit also nourish beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing digestion and nutrient absorption.

Strengthens immunity
A healthy gut is closely tied to immune function. By supporting the gut microbiome, dragon fruit indirectly strengthens the immune system. Its vitamin C content also directly boosts immune defenses.

Helps regulate blood sugar
Preliminary studies suggest dragon fruit may benefit people with insulin resistance or diabetes. Its fiber and antioxidant content may help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Hydrating and low in calories
Made up mostly of water, dragon fruit is an excellent hydration option. Its natural sweetness satisfies sugar cravings without added fat or calories, making it ideal for those watching their weight.

Safe and clean—when organic
Dragon fruit is generally safe when consumed in moderation. However, some conventionally grown varieties may contain pesticide residues and heavy metals like cadmium and lead, common in tropical agriculture. Even though the thick peel offers some protection, opting for organic varieties is best. Always wash the fruit thoroughly before eating to reduce any remaining residues.

How to enjoy dragon fruit

Its vibrant color and subtle flavor make dragon fruit a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are a few simple ways to include it in your diet:

  • Eat it fresh: Scoop out the flesh and enjoy it raw as a cooling snack.
  • Blend into smoothies: Combine with mango, banana or coconut milk for a nutrient-rich smoothie or acai bowl topping.
  • Toss into salads: Adds texture and color to green salads or fruit salads with citrus or mint dressing.
  • Use in desserts: Works beautifully in sorbets, puddings, or as a garnish for tarts and cakes.
  • Try in savory recipes: Pairs well with seafood, like in ceviche, or in spicy salsas with lime and jalapeño.

Whether sliced into a salad, blended into a smoothie or served as a standalone snack, dragon fruit offers a delicious and health-conscious addition to any diet. For maximum benefit, choose organic when possible and enjoy this tropical fruit as part of a varied and balanced lifestyle.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance about your health.

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Court blocks ammunition background checks in new blow to California’s gun control framework

Box of ammo on display at a gun shop in Fresno County on July 12, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local -- Un tribunal bloquea la verificación de antecedentes para la compra de municiones, un nuevo golpe al marco de control de armas de California

California voters in 2016 passed a ballot initiative championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that in part required background checks for ammunition purchases. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that provision violates the 2nd Amendment

by Nigel Duara

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California’s first-in-the-nation law requiring background checks for ammunition purchases, another blow to the state’s gun control framework that has been pared down, case by case, since the U.S. Supreme Court dramatically expanded gun rights in a monumental 2022 decision.

The California law that forced ammunition purchasers to pass a background check was passed by voters in 2016. Gov. Gavin Newsom, at the time the state’s lieutenant governor, championed the initiative and was its primary advocate.

In 2018, before the law went into effect, a group of gun rights advocates and ammunition vendors sued to block the law.

They were successful – in 2020, a federal district court judge handed down an injunction against the background checks of ammunition purchasers. But at the time, the 9th Circuit paused that order and allowed the law to take effect.

Two years later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen that a New York concealed-carry law unfairly constrained people’s right to carry a gun, and California’s gun control regime was thrown into chaos.

The 9th Circuit then sent the case on background checks for ammunition purchases back down to the federal district court. That court again ruled against the background checks.

Today’s ruling helped clarify what a post-Bruen future could look like.

“Given the fees and delays associated with California’s ammunition background check regime, and the wide range of transactions to which it applies, we conclude that, in all applications, the regime meaningfully constrains California residents’ right to keep and bear arms,” Justice Sandra Segal Ikuta wrote in the 2-1 majority opinion.

Newsom in a written statement criticized the decision. “Strong gun laws save lives – and today’s decision is a slap in the face to the progress California has made in recent years to keep its communities safer from gun violence. Californians voted to require background checks on ammunition and their voices should matter,” he said.

The law required face-to-face transactions from a licensed dealer. That effectively banned internet sales of ammunition, and any ammunition purchased out of state required that it be delivered from that state to a licensed dealer in California

Purchasers would swipe a government ID and their information would be run through four databases, which searched for their criminal histories, any firearm prohibitions for mental health, restraining orders and whether they were on a wanted persons list. They would also have to pay a fee to have their information run through the state Justice Department’s firearms data repository.

The question posed by the Supreme Court in the Bruen decision is whether a law “meaningfully constrains the right to keep and bear arms,” as specified in the Second Amendment, and whether it is consistent with the country’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.”

Using that test, the 9th Circuit previously agreed with California that an Alameda County zoning law prohibiting gun stores within 500 feet of a residential area, or a law that bans firearm sales on state property, are both constitutional. The reasoning behind those decisions was that people could still buy guns in Alameda County, or somewhere besides state property.

The background check law is different, the appellate court ruled, because it meaningfully constrains people’s ability to purchase ammunition, which previous 9th Circuit decisions have found is foundational to a person’s ability to own guns.

In court, the state’s attorneys also proposed that California’s ammunition sales law conformed to the United States’ historical tradition of regulating guns, citing colonial-era laws or laws written after the Civil War.

The court dismissed those arguments.

“Because none of the historical analogues proffered by California is within the relevant time frame, or is relevantly similar to California’s ammunition background check regime, California’s ammunition background check regime does not survive scrutiny under the two-step Bruen analysis,” Ikuta wrote.

In a fiery dissent, Judge Jay Bybee said the decision failed to correctly apply the Bruen test, and that using the logic of the decision, any firearms regulation could be interpreted as a violation of the Second Amendment.

“It is difficult to imagine a regulation on the acquisition of ammunition or firearms that would not ‘meaningfully constrain’ the right to keep and bear arms under the majority’s new general applicability standard,” Bybee wrote in the disse

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Mexican officials optimistic about last-minute deal to avoid 30 percent US tariff

Everything Mexico had to do [to avoid a new tariff] has already been done,” Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard declared Tuesday. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
by Mexico News Daily

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday that the Mexican government has made every possible effort to stave off the 30 percent tariff the United States intends to impose on imports from Mexico starting this Friday.

He expressed optimism that Mexico will reach a deal with its northern neighbor to stop the duty from taking effect.

“[The negotiations] have been very intense, complex. We’re hours away from knowing how this stage will conclude. My perspective is optimistic, but we have to wait for the decisions President Trump takes with his team,” Ebrard said at a press conference.

“Everything that Mexico had to do is already done,” he said.

Ebrard said that “the results” of Mexico’s negotiations with the United States over the 30 percent tariff will be known on Friday.

The Mexican government has spent much of 2025 attempting to negotiate relief from tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

The latest trade negotiations came after the U.S. president informed President Claudia Sheinbaum in a July 11 letter that the United States, starting Aug. 1, would “charge Mexico a tariff of 30 percent on Mexican products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs.”

Trump didn’t specify whether the 30 percent tariff would be added to — or replace — the existing 25 percent tariff that applies to Mexican goods that don’t comply with the USMCA free trade agreement.

Although the U.S. president appeared to imply that all Mexican goods would be subject to the 30 percent tariff, a common interpretation of his letter was that the new duty would only apply to non-USMCA compliant products, and would increase the current rate by five percentage points.

“The market so far has interpreted that the new tariff on Mexico represents only a marginal change from the status quo,” Ernesto Revilla, managing director and head of Latin America economics at Citigroup, wrote in Americas Quarterly on July 14.

“That is, it is a five-percentage-point increase in a tariff that applies to less than 20 percent of total trade between Mexico and the U.S. that is non-USMCA compliant,” he said.

The United States has not publicly clarified whether the 30 percent tariff will apply to all imports from Mexico or just those that don’t comply with the USMCA. However, an unnamed White House official told The New York Times that the exemption for USMCA-compliant goods would most likely continue.

“The official also said the 30 percent rate would replace the previous 25 percent levies that Mr. Trump imposed on the country,” the Times reported.

Trump explained the rationale for the 30 percent tariff in his letter to Sheinbaum.

“Despite our strong relationship, you will recall, the United States imposed tariffs on Mexico to deal with our nation’s fentanyl crisis, which is caused, in part, by Mexico’s failure to stop the cartels, who are made up of the most despicable people who have ever walked the earth, from pouring these drugs into our country. Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough,” he wrote.

“Mexico still has not stopped the cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a narco-trafficking playground. Obviously, I cannot let that happen!” Trump said.

Despite United States Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick saying on Sunday that there would be “no extensions” or “grace periods” for U.S trade partners, Sheinbaum has also expressed optimism that Mexico will reach a deal to ward off the 30 percent tariff. She said last Thursday that her government was doing everything it could to stop the new duty from taking effect.

“There is a team working in the United States with the [U.S.] commerce secretary and the treasury secretary,” Sheinbaum told her morning press conference on Thursday.

“We made a series of proposals that have to do with Plan México and also reducing the trade deficit [with the United States], which is one of the concerns of President Trump,” she said.

“The trade deficit can be reduced through different mechanisms that don’t affect the economy of Mexico. So we’ve been making a series of proposals and we’ll present them here [at a later time], hoping that we reach an agreement.”

Sheinbaum also pointed out that fentanyl seizures at the Mexico-U.S. border have significantly declined since she took office last October.

What US tariffs currently apply to imports from Mexico?

These are the tariffs that are currently in effect for imports from Mexico.

More than 80 percent of Mexico’s trade with US is tariff-free, says Ebrard 

Although the United States currently imposes a range of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Ebrard said that 84 percent of Mexico’s trade with its northern neighbor complies with the USMCA and is therefore tariff-free.

The economy minister asserted that Mexico is in a good position in its trade relationship with the United States “if you compare the country’s situation to the rest of the world.”

Mexico was the top exporter to the United States in 2023 and 2024, and Ebrard asserted that it will retain that position “despite the tariffs.”

 

With reports from El Economista, El Financiero and Reforma

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