US Congresspersons Jim McGovern, Gregory Meeks and Barbara Lee on Thursday urged President Joe Biden to put politics aside, lift the blockade and help Cuba after the devastating fire occurred in Matanzas.

Read more US congresspersons ask Biden to lift blockade and help Cuba
As confirmed global deaths from COVID-19 near 2 million, the World Health Organization is warning the worst of the pandemic may still lie ahead. Dr. Mike Ryan told reporters in Geneva: “Going into a second year of this could even be tougher, given the transmission dynamics and some of the issues that we’re seeing.” Read more World Health Organization warns worst is yet to come
The Russian Health Ministry today confirmed the inclusion of 40,000 volunteers in the third phase of clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, the first presented in the world against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Read more Russia includes 40,000 volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial
The damage caused during the hurricane season in Central America and the Caribbean may make children and their families more vulnerable in the midst of the pandemic, and this is a current concern at the UN. Read more Hurricanes in the Caribbean: new threat in the pandemic, UNICEF warns

Venezuela is carrying out the Bolivarian Shield Exercise "Supreme Commander Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías 2021" -- from today, Friday, until Sunday, the 7th. The exercise is taking place within the framework of the eighth anniversary of the death of the Commander of the Bolivarian Revolution.

Read more Venezuela launches military exercise in homage to Hugo Chavez