Spanish Empire

A powerful explosion due to a suspected gas leak ripped through a luxury hotel in central Havana, killing at least 22 people on May 7, according to official tallies.

Travelers arriving in Cuba can now bring in food, medicine and other essentials without paying customs, the government said on July 14 in a concession to angry and unprecedented street protests.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said there would be no limit placed on these goods coming in and the change will be in effect until the end of the year.

Cuban authorities confirmed on July 13 that one person has died during demonstrations that have shaken the island in recent days by protesting over food shortages, high prices and other grievances against the government.

Havana on July 12 blamed a U.S. "policy of economic suffocation" for unprecedented protests against Cuba's communist government, as Washington pointed the finger at "decades of repression" in the one-party state.

Greece is Americans' preferred destination in Europe for post-pandemic vacations, according to online searches over the last six months monitored by Google and analyzed by web travel marketplace Koala.

The data suggest that the majority of Americans are planning a trip fairly close to home once pandemic-related restrictions allow it, with Puerto Rico the most popular destination.

Puerto Rico authorities declared a state of emergency on the island after the severe earthquakes that led to disruption of the transmission system, infrastructure and the destruction of buildings, according to El Nuevo.

Puerto Rico has been shaken by several major earthquakes that have destroyed one of the island's most popular landmarks, the Punta Ventana Rock Formation.

The strong earthquakes off the coast of Puerto Rico have killed at least one person - the 73-year-old disabled Nelson Martinez. 

At least eight people were also injured, Mayita Meléndez, the mayor of Ponce, located near the epicentre of the quake, told local WAPA television station, The Sun reported.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake shook the territory off the coast of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The tremor was registered at 08:24 GMT. The epicentre is located 10 kilometers south of Indios Municipality. The depth was 7 kilometers.

There is no information about victims and destruction. No tsunami threat has been issued.

In the second phase of the World Cup, Serbia's top basketball players will play against Puerto Rico who defeated Tunisia in a dramatic final quarter, eliminating the African team by winning 67-64.

Brazil and Bulgaria won in the first day of the men's volleyball Olympic qualification in Varna on Friday to battle for one ticket to Tokyo 2020.

South America's reigning Olympic champions beat Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-19), while the hosts defeated Egypt 3-1 (25-11, 33-31, 19-25, 25-19) in the Palace of Culture and Sports on the Black Sea coast.