Politics
In historic face to face, Obama, Castro vow to turn the page
Published
11 years agoon
By
Willie David 
PANAMA CITY (AP) — President Barack Obama and Cuba’s Raul Castro sat down together Saturday in the first formal meeting of the two country’s leaders in a half-century, pledging to reach for the kind of peaceful relationship that has eluded their nations for generations.
In a small conference room in a Panama City convention center, the two sat side by side in a bid to inject fresh momentum into their months-old effort to restore diplomatic ties. Reflecting on the historic nature of the meeting, Obama said he felt it was time to try something new and to engage with both Cuba’s government and its people.
“What we have both concluded is that we can disagree with a spirit of respect and civility,” Obama said. “And over time, it is possible for us to turn the page and develop a new relationship between our two countries.”
Castro, for his part, said he agreed with everything Obama had said — a stunning statement in and of itself for the Cuban leader. But he added the caveat that they had “agreed to disagee” at times. Castro said he had told the Americans that Cuba was willing to discuss issues such as human rights and freedom of the press, maintaining that “everything can be on the table.”
“We are disposed to talk about everything — with patience,” Castro said in Spanish. “Some things we will agree with, and others we won’t.”
Not since 1958 have a U.S. and Cuban leader convened a substantial meeting; at the time, Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House and Fulgencio Batista in charge in Cuba. But relations quickly entered into a deep freeze amid the Cold War, and the U.S. spent decades trying to either isolate or actively overthrow the Cuban government.
In a stroke of coincidence, Eisenhower’s meeting with Batista in 1958 also took place in Panama, imbuing Saturday’s session between Obama and Castro with a sense of having come full circle.
The historic gathering played out on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, which this year included Cuba for the first time. Although the meeting wasn’t publicly announced in advance, White House aides had suggested the two leaders were looking for an opportunity to meet while in Panama and to discuss the ongoing efforts to open embassies in Havana and Washington, among other issues.
At the start of their hour-long meeting, Obama acknowledged that Cuba, too, would continue raising concerns about U.S. policies — earning a friendly smirk from Castro. Obama described the sit-down later as “candid and fruitful” and said he and Castro were able to speak about their differences in a productive way.
Even still, raw passions were on vivid display earlier in the day when Castro, in a meandering, nearly hour-long speech to the summit, ran through an exhaustive history of perceived Cuban grievances against the U.S. dating back more than a century.
Then, in an abrupt about face, he apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him. He said many U.S. presidents were at fault for that troubled history — but that Obama isn’t one of them.
“I have told President Obama that I get very emotional talking about the revolution,” Castro said through a translator, noting that Obama wasn’t even born when the U.S. began sanctioning the island nation. “I apologize to him because President Obama had no responsibility for this.”
Obama agreed.
“The Cold War has been over for a long time,” he said. “And I’m not interested in having battles frankly that started before I was born.”
The flurry of diplomacy kicked off Wednesday when Obama and Castro spoke by phone — only the second known call between U.S. and Cuban presidents in decades. It continued Friday evening when Obama and Castro traded handshakes and small talk at the summit’s opening ceremonies, setting social media abuzz with photos and cellphone video.
Obama and Castro sent shockwaves throughout the hemisphere in December when they announced the plan for rapprochement, and their envoys have spent the ensuing months working through thorny issues such as sanctions, the re-opening of embassies and the island nation’s place on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Although earlier in the week Obama suggested a decision to remove Cuba from the list was imminent, he declined to take that step Saturday, citing the need to study a recently completed State Department review. Lawmakers briefed on that review have said it resulted in a recommendation that Cuba be delisted.
Removal from the terror list is a top priority for Castro because it would not only purge a stain on Cuba’s pride, but also ease its ability to conduct simple financial transactions.
“Yes, we have conducted solidarity with other peoples that could be considered terrorism — when we were cornered, when we were strongly harassed,” Castro conceded earlier Saturday. “We had no other choice but to give up or to fight back.”
Yet Obama’s delay in delisting Cuba comes as the U.S. seeks concessions of its own — namely, the easing of restrictions on American diplomats’ freedom of movement in Havana and better human rights protections. Obama met with Cuban dissidents Friday at a civil society forum, and on Saturday, he said the U.S. would continue pressing Cuba on issues like democracy and human rights.
“We have very different views about how society should be organized,” Obama told reporters just before returning to Washington.
A successful detente would form a cornerstone of Obama’s foreign policy legacy. But it’s an endeavor he can’t undertake alone: Only Congress can fully lift the onerous U.S. sanctions regime on Cuba and there are deep pockets of opposition in the U.S. to taking that step.
As he sat down with the American president, Castro observed that nothing is truly static. Today’s profound disagreements could turn into areas of consensus tomorrow.
“The pace of life at the present moment in the world,” he said, “it’s very fast.”
You may like
Politics
King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Royal Titles, Now Known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
Published
8 hours agoon
October 31, 2025By
Willie David
LONDON (FNN) – In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles, including “Prince,” effectively removing him from the public and formal life of the British monarchy.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Andrew, 65, will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness or by any of his former peerages. Instead, he will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles, and Honours of Prince Andrew,” Buckingham Palace said in an official statement. “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”
Royal Titles and Honors Revoked
Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had held the title of Duke of York since 1986, as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, all granted on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson. Those titles, along with his honors as a Knight of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, have now been revoked.
The move also affects his long-term residence. Andrew has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for decades.
“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” the palace said. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”
The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
Epstein Scandal and Royal Family Reaction
The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing public backlash over past allegations of misconduct. While Andrew continues to deny all accusations, palace insiders say the King’s decision reflects concerns about the monarchy’s integrity and public image.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement concluded.
According to royal sources, King Charles used his Royal Prerogative—a power allowing the sovereign to manage royal titles and honors without parliamentary approval—to finalize the move. The decision reportedly has the support of Prince William and other senior members of the royal family.
The last time a British royal was formally stripped of a title was in 1917, when Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, lost his titles under the Titles Deprivation Act after swearing allegiance to Germany during World War I.
With this move, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first modern royal to be fully divested of all royal status by a reigning monarch.
Central Florida News
Orange County Mayor Demings Breaks Ground on $7 Million Osprey Sound Affordable Housing Community for Seniors
Published
9 hours agoon
October 31, 2025By
Willie David
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – Orange County leaders broke ground today on Osprey Sound, a new 100-unit affordable apartment community for seniors located at 5453 Rio Grande Avenue.
Developed by Denver-based Ulysses Development Group, Osprey Sound will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed for residents aged 62 and older earning at or below 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The County supported the project with a $7 million investment from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, in addition to $378,000 in impact fee waivers to help make the development possible.
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott, and District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe attended the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the milestone.
“With housing developments like these, we are moving the needle in our community to make housing more affordable,” said Mayor Demings. “The seniors living here will be incredibly blessed with a good place to live. This is going to uplift the entire community.”
Since the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2020, Orange County has allocated $58 million to support more than a dozen affordable housing projects, creating nearly 2,400 new affordable units. In October 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $58.5 million investment over the next three years, expected to create or preserve an estimated 3,570 affordable housing units.
Set to open in Spring 2027, Osprey Sound will feature a variety of modern amenities, including:
- In-unit washers and dryers 
- Stainless steel appliances 
- Walk-in closets 
- A fitness center 
- A business center 
- Multipurpose space for resident activities and crafts 
- A swimming pool 
The Osprey Sound project underscores Orange County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and improving quality of life for seniors across Central Florida.
Politics
42 Million Americans Face Food Insecurity as SNAP Ends; No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities
Published
1 day agoon
October 30, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) officially ending on November 1, more than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children and 8 million seniors, are expected to lose access to food assistance. The No Kings Alliance, the new rapid response arm of the No Kings movement, is calling for a nationwide mutual aid response to prevent widespread hunger and hardship.
1. National Food Aid Crisis
The Trump Administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding has left millions at risk of food insecurity. As a result, 25 states have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), accusing the agency of unlawfully withholding critical food aid funding. The loss of SNAP will have devastating impacts on vulnerable families across the country, particularly those already struggling with inflation and rising food costs.
2. No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities
In response, the No Kings Alliance is urging Americans to take immediate action by supporting local food banks, shelters, and mutual aid networks. The organization outlined three key ways to make a difference:
- Donate to local food banks: Financial contributions help provide direct aid to families impacted by the SNAP shutdown. 
- Collect and distribute supplies: Donate food, clothing, menstrual products, and essentials to local shelters and community aid groups. 
- Host a give-back drive: Organize food or supply drives in your neighborhood. Visit NoKings.org to learn how to get started. 
3. Building Resistance and Solidarity
The No Kings Alliance emphasizes its commitment to nonviolent action and collective resistance to what it calls “authoritarian power grabs” by the Trump Administration. The group plans to announce regular opportunities for direct action and mutual aid through its online platform at NoKings.org/alliance.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 
News@FloridaNationalNews.com
Trending
   Florida4 days ago Florida4 days ago- Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings A Former Sheriff And Police Chief Signals Possible Run For Florida Governor 
   Faith & Family4 days ago Faith & Family4 days ago- Salvation USA Launches “Rallies to Save America” with Powerful Kickoff at Orlando City Hall 
   Sports5 days ago Sports5 days ago- Orlando Magic Fall to Chicago Bulls 110-98 Despite Strong Effort in the Paint 
   Politics4 days ago Politics4 days ago- California Governor Gavin Newsom Says He’ll “Seriously Consider” 2028 Presidential Run 
   Sports22 hours ago Sports22 hours ago- LIV Golf Launches 2026 Roster Shake-Up: Free Agency, Trades, and Promotions Set to Reshape Teams 


 
















 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
