<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" version="2.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title><![CDATA[El Cronista]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com</link><atom:link href="https://www.cronista.com/arc/outboundfeeds/rss/category/en/today/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><description><![CDATA[El Cronista News Feed]]></description><lastBuildDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:55:27 +0000</lastBuildDate><language>es</language><ttl>1</ttl><sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod><sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency><item><title><![CDATA[Official | The Government suspends all driver’s licenses of people who cannot prove they are legal citizens]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-the-government-suspends-all-drivers-licenses-of-people-who-cannot-prove-they-are-legal-citizens/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-the-government-suspends-all-drivers-licenses-of-people-who-cannot-prove-they-are-legal-citizens/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:51:07 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In <b>the United States</b>, the federal government is moving forward with a restriction so that those who cannot prove legal immigration status will be prohibited from obtaining <b>Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL)</b>.</p><p>This rule, promoted by the <b>Donald Trump administration</b>, affects truck, bus, and other commercial vehicle drivers throughout the United States.</p><p>The regulation affects non-domiciled commercial <a href="https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-texas-dps-will-ban-drivers-licenses-in-may-for-under-24s-who-do-not-meet-this-mandatory-requirement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-texas-dps-will-ban-drivers-licenses-in-may-for-under-24s-who-do-not-meet-this-mandatory-requirement/">licenses</a><b> (non-domiciled CDL)</b>, issued to temporary non-citizen residents, a type of permit designed to expire along with the applicant’s immigration status.</p><h2>The Government suspends all these commercial licenses: what they are and how they work</h2><p><b>The measure targets CDL licenses</b>, which <b>allow the operation of vehicles such as trucks, buses, and freight or passenger transport units.</b> This type of permit requires meeting stricter conditions than a regular license, including theoretical and practical exams and specific medical checks.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/7KTIOYPWFBDAXFTDM7URLM4ZMM.png?auth=52bd8dc17ca1aaecf71b49237a4712832d37cb37c40a518b1252cee52d17c7c7&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="In the United States, the federal government is moving forward with a restriction so that those who cannot prove legal immigration status will be prohibited from obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL). Image: ChatGPT." height="900" width="1200"/><p><b>These licenses are essential for key sectors of the economy, such as logistics and transportation.</b> Therefore, any change in the requirements directly affects thousands of workers who depend on this permit to carry out their jobs legally.</p><h2>The new requirement: how legal immigration status is proven</h2><p>Under the new rule, applicants must prove that they have legal immigration status in the United States to obtain or renew their commercial license. This may include documents such as <b>permanent residency, valid work permits, or other official records </b>issued by immigration authorities.</p><p>The goal is <b>to align state licensing processes with federal immigration regulations.</b> In practice, this means stricter control over who can access these permits, since without the corresponding documentation it will not be possible to complete the process.</p><h2>Already issued licenses: how does it work?</h2><p>In the case of licenses already granted,<b> authorities are considering reviews and possible suspensions </b>if holders cannot prove their immigration status at the time of renewal or verification. This means that those who already have a CDL must make sure their documentation is in order to avoid penalties.</p><p>Depending on the state, <b>notification mechanisms could be implemented so that drivers regularize their situation before a final suspension. </b>However, the specific details of the process may vary by jurisdiction, so <mark class="hl_yellow">it is recommended to consult the </mark><mark class="hl_yellow"><b>Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) </b></mark><mark class="hl_yellow">in question.</mark></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/OTRO5NMLQRG5RFD7HIK5SIZFGA.png?auth=7b3767aa94b427673332f9931fd127514cc88ff9cf257657ec4a6f7b68e158e3&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Official measure | By decision of the Government, no child will be able to be registered with the surnames on this list]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-by-decision-of-the-government-no-child-will-be-able-to-be-registered-with-the-surnames-on-this-list/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-by-decision-of-the-government-no-child-will-be-able-to-be-registered-with-the-surnames-on-this-list/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:46:11 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>However, there are surnames that, if proposed to the authorities, will be automatically rejected for failing to comply with the regulations set by the <b>Alabama Administrative Code</b>, which governs birth registration within the state.</p><p>In Alabama, state regulations are characterized by the <b>flexibility</b> they offer parents when registering their newborn children in official documents.</p><h2>Registering newborns with the surnames on this list is prohibited</h2><p>According to regulation <b>420-7-1-.04,</b> corresponding to “Child’s Name for Birth Registration,” it is established that no infant may be given a surname that</p><p><u>This regulation has been in force since July 25, 2007 and continues to apply to all birth registrations carried out in the state.</u></p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/RSJEQDEZDJBHDMDGWWHURLEW2U.png?auth=5d3febd6010a7c9b1000f42f60ec609869824618b4013ec6e2f56bdd0535cb71&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="In Alabama, state regulations are characterized by the flexibility they offer parents when registering their newborn children in official documents. Imagen: ChatGPT." height="900" width="1200"/><h2>What other current rules regulate children’s surnames?</h2><p>There is no legal obligation in Alabama for parents to <b>pass on their surname to their children</b>. They are free to register their descendants with a surname that does not necessarily match that of their father or mother, following the relevant regulations.</p><p>The implementation of this rule allows parents not only to choose different surnames for their children, but also to opt for invented surnames or to give them an existing surname in a symbolic sense.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/7QZRZKUFGRBIZPMETBNDECDJRA.jpg?auth=3b4a773193c22857a40a999ef0b664ee8e41d69dd19ce0d8fb64f6ac8a9052d4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/jpeg" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Goodbye to the driver's license | The Government will identify drivers without visas with a new mark and they could be suspended]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/goodbye-to-the-drivers-license-the-government-will-identify-drivers-without-visas-with-a-new-mark-and-they-could-be-suspended/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/goodbye-to-the-drivers-license-the-government-will-identify-drivers-without-visas-with-a-new-mark-and-they-could-be-suspended/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:39:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <b>Department of Motor Vehicles</b> (DMV) in Florida is trying to launch a new bill that seeks to identify the driver’s licenses of immigrants who do not meet a key requirement.</p><p>In this way, the authorities want to differentiate citizens from undocumented immigrants. This mark could be harmful, as they could face <b>suspension of their driver’s license</b>.</p><h2>Goodbye to the driver’s license: Florida will mark these documents for undocumented immigrants</h2><p>A driver’s license is one of the most important documents in the United States, since it not only authorizes a person’s legal driving, but is also used as a form of identification. Now, Florida officials are proposing a new law to distinguish the licenses of <i><b>non-citizens</b></i>.</p><p>The proposal was introduced in order to facilitate voter registration and other federal system databases. Currently, it is illegal to apply for a driver’s license in <b>Florida</b> if you are an undocumented immigrant, so this law would apply to those who present updated immigration status.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/5UJQSSGOJFEDNEM6QMLKXTLBZM.png?auth=be7a01544581fa6380da315a8a0cf2adbd00f53c2e2df55da81dc338540615a7&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Florida is trying to launch a new bill that seeks to identify the driver’s licenses of immigrants who do not meet a key requirement. Image: ChatGPT." height="900" width="1200"/><p>The bill is still subject to review, but if approved, immigrants with legal residence will have to prove they meet the following requirements in order to receive the <b>“N-C”</b> mark.</p><ul><li>Residents with a green card.</li><li>Residents with temporary visas, whether for work or study.</li><li>Asylum seekers and refugees (in case they have been granted the license).</li></ul><h2>Important information: step by step to obtain the license correctly</h2><ul><li><b>Verify eligibility</b>: be a Florida resident and have valid immigration status that allows you to drive legally in the United States.</li><li><b>Gather the required documentation</b>: present proof of identity, Social Security number or proof of ineligibility, and two proofs of address in Florida.</li><li><b>Complete the mandatory course if applicable</b>: if applying for a license for the first time, take the Traffic and Substance Education course, known as TLSAE.</li><li><b>Schedule an appointment at a DMV office</b>: book an appointment at an office of the county Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.</li><li><b>Pass the written exam</b>: take the written test on traffic signs, road rules, and safety.</li><li><b>Take the vision test</b>: pass the state’s minimum visual assessment.</li><li><b>Obtain the learner’s permit if applicable</b>: if you have no prior experience, a temporary permit is issued to practice driving.</li><li><b>Pass the practical driving test</b>: demonstrate safe driving skills under the supervision of an official examiner.</li><li><b>Pay the corresponding fees</b>: pay the established cost according to the type of license requested.</li><li><b>Receive the driver’s license</b>: after passing all the steps, the physical license or a valid temporary receipt is issued.</li></ul>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/TFH4UOLQ2RD35IY5LJKY3BSLXE.png?auth=f27df5bff7bdc7b9a5ba89ed24a8a3892901b096be6da74a18d4a6f126308f19&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Official | The government declared a holiday for this Monday and there will be a new long weekend across the country]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-the-government-declared-a-holiday-for-this-monday-and-there-will-be-a-new-long-weekend-across-the-country/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-the-government-declared-a-holiday-for-this-monday-and-there-will-be-a-new-long-weekend-across-the-country/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 14:19:11 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Millions of people in the United States will have a<b> new extended break in May </b>thanks to one of the most important federal holidays on the calendar. The day will affect banks, schools, public offices, and various services throughout the country.</p><h2>The government declared a holiday for this Monday across the country</h2><p>This is <b>Memorial Day</b>, which in 2026 will be observed on <b>Monday, May 25</b>, creating a new long weekend nationwide. It is one of the most important federal holidays and is dedicated to <b>honoring American military personnel</b> who died while serving in the Armed Forces.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/77HRDQZVGJBGDP3C6Q2KLCUQ4Q.jpg?auth=d19de66157416746e7933ba323ae885484022d89136a2ad8baff8e49246a0527&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="This is Memorial Day, which in 2026 will be observed on Monday, May 25, creating a new long weekend nationwide. Shutterstock." height="900" width="1200"/><p>During this date, ceremonies, parades, and tributes are held in cemeteries and monuments across the country to remember the <b>fallen in combat and recognize their service</b>.</p><h2>There will be a new long weekend in May</h2><p>In 2026, the break will be:</p><ul><li>Saturday, May 23</li><li>Sunday, May 24</li><li><b>Monday, May 25</b> (federal holiday)</li></ul><h3>This creates a new three-day long weekend.</h3><h2>Which services will be affected</h2><p>Since this is a federal holiday, this Monday the following will <b>close</b>:</p><ul><li>Banks</li><li>Public schools</li><li>Government offices</li><li>Courts and federal agencies</li></ul><h3>Some private services may also operate with reduced hours.</h3>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/R6PJXF2BDBHVTKOP3HJOVMAVWQ.png?auth=52d4de418f9ac03c487bc393fac29fd781450352b6c43a8cec060c9ce4a777e1&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Official measure | Texas DPS will ban driver’s licenses in May for under-24s who do not meet this mandatory requirement]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-texas-dps-will-ban-drivers-licenses-in-may-for-under-24s-who-do-not-meet-this-mandatory-requirement/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-texas-dps-will-ban-drivers-licenses-in-may-for-under-24s-who-do-not-meet-this-mandatory-requirement/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 13:57:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <b>Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)</b> details on its official website what requirements <b>those under 24 years of age</b> must meet in order to apply for their driver’s license for the first time in the state.</p><p>Under these circumstances, it will be mandatory to take a <b>six-hour course,</b> a requirement that applies to all <b>beginner drivers in this age group</b>, except for those who present a valid driver’s license that has not expired from another state.</p><h2>Texas DPS will ban driver’s licenses in May for those under 24 who do not meet this mandatory requirement</h2><p>According to authorities, all <b>new drivers</b> between the ages of 18 and 24 who want to apply for a driver’s license will have to t<b>ake a six-hour driver education course.</b></p><p>“<mark class="hl_yellow">This requirement is waived for new residents aged 18 or older who present a valid, unexpired driver’s license from another state</mark>,” it states.</p><p>Those who need to handle this document in May will have to meet this condition; otherwise, they will not be able to continue with the process.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/J74FEGADDRHJDOA3AGOTSW3JQ4.jpg?auth=19425b4ac3c236e64e056e3b6d4f2e1343df61b9ba312b46c9ddc9e71db5262a&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) details on its official website what requirements those under 24 years of age must meet in order to apply for their driver’s license for the first time in the state. (Image: Shutterstock)" height="900" width="1200"/><h2>All the documentation needed to apply for a driver’s license in Texas</h2><p>Those who need to <b>get their driver’s license</b> must present </p><ul><li>Proof of U.S. citizenship</li><li>Proof of Texas residency</li><li>Proof of identity</li><li>Social Security number</li><li>Proof of vehicle registration</li><li>Proof of insurance for each vehicle owned</li><li>Proof of completion of the driver education course</li><li>Impact Texas Driver (ITD) certificate</li></ul><p>Appointments to complete this process can be scheduled <a href="https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-services-appointments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/driver-license-services-appointments">by clicking here</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/K7HDYCS7QFB2XBMGCUKNWULQEY.png?auth=301b0931f02e578f963e2d6acc730630870cebd1bff908a3c342c2c4be741622&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Official measure | By law, everyone will be able to get cancer screening tests without asking their health coverage for permission]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-by-law-everyone-will-be-able-to-get-cancer-screening-tests-without-asking-their-health-coverage-for-permission/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/official-measure-by-law-everyone-will-be-able-to-get-cancer-screening-tests-without-asking-their-health-coverage-for-permission/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 13:54:02 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The state of <b>Iowa </b>enacted a law that <b>prohibits</b> health insurers from <b>requiring prior authorization for cancer screening tests</b>. </p><p>Governor Kim Reynolds signed <u>bill HF2635</u>, which <b>takes effect on July 1</b> and allows patients to access those tests directly, without waiting for their coverage approval.</p><p><u>The state has one of the highest cancer rates in the country</u>. Until now, prior authorizations could delay for weeks, putting off diagnoses at a critical moment for treatment.</p><h2>What changes with the new cancer screening law?</h2><p>The law<b> eliminates the requirement for doctors to ask insurers for permission before ordering an oncology test</b>. According to state representative Austin Harris, those procedures could take several weeks; with the law, that step disappears.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/M7WH7EAJMZD3XEMWAJPZ3D6QYM.jpg?auth=b4bd1a573161eaac5a8ac0570f24638728fa8c74660729cf1b392f433dfdface&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The state of Iowa enacted a law that prohibits health insurers from requiring prior authorization for cancer screening tests. Image: Shutterstock." height="900" width="1200"/><p>The legislation also<b> sets mandatory deadlines</b> for insurers to inform hospitals about the status of claims and requires clinical justification when coverage is denied. In addition, <u>it prohibits companies from denying coverage based solely on artificial intelligence</u>: every rejection decision must include human intervention.</p><h2>How does this law affect patients with health coverage?</h2><p>For<b> insured residents in Iowa</b>, the change is immediate: the doctor will be able to order a cancer screening test without prior paperwork with the insurer. <u>Without administrative delays, access to diagnosis will be faster.</u></p><p>In case of denial of other coverages, the law also strengthens protections: insurers will have to respond within defined deadlines and explain their decisions with clinical criteria. <b>The law takes effect on July 1.</b></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/RVTIQUVHEVEEJJQMTVT2XDSL6Q.jpeg?auth=bd03646e32373b4c51284e2f702652edf11393c55003e0d3c55ac3181f37fff4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/jpeg" height="900" width="1200"><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu"></media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[End of Medicare | The Government froze enrollments and now all these people were automatically left out]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/end-of-medicare-the-government-froze-enrollments-and-now-all-these-people-were-automatically-left-out/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/end-of-medicare-the-government-froze-enrollments-and-now-all-these-people-were-automatically-left-out/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 13:49:31 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The United States government <b>froze </b>enrollments of new <b>home health care and hospice</b> providers in Medicare for a minimum of six months. The measure prevents any new provider from registering to receive reimbursements from the federal program, which covers Americans over 65 and people with disabilities.</p><p>The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed that the freeze <b>does not affect those who were already enrolled</b>. The suspension is aimed exclusively at new providers and responds to what the administration described as widespread fraud in these two sectors.</p><h2>What does the Medicare freeze mean and who does it leave out?</h2><p>For at least six months, <b>no new home health provider </b>(<i>home health</i>)<b> nor hospice provider</b> (<i>hospice</i>) will be able to join Medicare’s reimbursement system. CMS will use that period to audit expenses and strengthen the program’s oversight.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/7OOMPNBF6FFMBNIFPJGIURXEJA.png?auth=7d3eca4bcc1decea12c523adf03002e7c1208581f6580fc2a7b50d502a8123b3&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The United States government froze enrollments of new home health care and hospice providers in Medicare for a minimum of six months. Image: ChatGPT." height="900" width="1200"/><p>The measure establishes a clear distinction depending on the type of actor:</p><h3>The following are left out of the program:</h3><ul><li>New home health providers not registered at the time of the announcement.</li><li>New hospice agencies that were seeking to join Medicare.</li><li>Companies or professionals planning to operate in these fields with federal funding.</li></ul><h3>Not affected:</h3><ul><li>Providers already enrolled in Medicare: they continue operating normally.</li><li>Current patients: they do not lose coverage or have their care interrupted.</li></ul><h2>Why did the Government make this decision and what could happen next?</h2><p>The freeze is part of the <b>anti-fraud strategy </b>pushed by Vice President <b>JD Vance</b>, who had already suspended enrollments of durable medical equipment providers. </p><p>According to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, tens of billions of dollars are lost each year because of irregularities in the system.</p><p>Unlike previous measures — focused on specific counties —, <b>this freeze applies nationwide</b>. </p><p>In 2024, about 1.8 million beneficiaries received hospice care at a cost of $28.3 billion, and 2.7 million used home health care for $16 billion, according to data from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/H6SLUMOORFDBPCKAE7UDGBIVLM.png?auth=bc41cc1b4a063d4a0c7c7a12d0f8859c263707d195039f7d3d21107ac82e64fc&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Confirmed | Safeway permanently closes its doors on May 16 and customers are already saying goodbye forever]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/confirmed-safeway-permanently-closes-its-doors-on-may-16-and-customers-are-already-saying-goodbye-forever/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/confirmed-safeway-permanently-closes-its-doors-on-may-16-and-customers-are-already-saying-goodbye-forever/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 13:44:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The supermarket chain <b>Safeway is closing one of its stores in Washington, D.C. on May 16.</b> The Hechinger Mall branch will turn off its lights for good this Saturday, according to the company itself. <u>The pharmacy inside the store had already stopped operating as of April 1</u>.</p><p>The company attributed the decision to the expiration of the lease and a strategy of reallocating resources toward other active stores. <b>Employees who wanted to stay received offers to be relocated</b> to nearby branches.</p><h2>Why is Safeway closing at Hechinger Mall?</h2><p>Safeway explained that it continuously evaluates its store network and that, in this case, <b>it chose not to renew the lease</b>. The company will prioritize investment in existing locations.</p><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/OA3ETMKK4NDCNKT27Q3Z2VK5QQ.jpg?auth=511101d1bb4c9152b58054709d30bdee4b550933808958a49dea23ac6afae2ca&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The supermarket chain Safeway is closing one of its stores in Washington, D.C. on May 16. Imagen: Wikimedia Commons." height="900" width="1200"/><p>This is not an isolated case. <b>Last year, the chain closed 12 stores in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nebraska</b>. According to UBS projections, the total number of physical stores in the United States could fall by about 45,000 units over the next five years.</p><h2>Will there be more Safeway closures in the future?</h2><p><b>Safeway operates under the Albertsons umbrella</b>, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, with more than 2,200 stores across 35 states. The company is carrying out a <b>cost-cutting process aimed at reducing expenses by $1.5 billion by 2027</b>, which includes closing underperforming locations and reallocating resources to more profitable stores.</p><p><b>In 2025 alone, Albertsons has closed at least 30 locations across different brands in its portfolio</b>, including Safeway, Vons, and Jewel-Osco. The trend shows no signs of stopping: it is projected that in 2026 about 7,900 retail stores will close nationwide. Safeway customers can check the chain’s official website to verify the status of their nearest store.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/4ZHN4SL4QRHWPNAUHN4PV5L2PA.png?auth=97e9d392c5ef63e11aab0e7d79a599b5abb52933ca5c7edfd01a57486b5eed50&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[They want to build the longest underwater tunnel in the world: it will be 42 km long and connect two continents for the first time]]></title><link>https://www.cronista.com/en/today/they-want-to-build-the-longest-underwater-tunnel-in-the-world-it-will-be-42-km-long-and-connect-two-continents-for-the-first-time/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.cronista.com/en/today/they-want-to-build-the-longest-underwater-tunnel-in-the-world-it-will-be-42-km-long-and-connect-two-continents-for-the-first-time/</guid><description></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 13:15:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Europe and Africa could be linked by one of the <b>most ambitious engineering works</b> ever imagined. A submarine rail megaproject aims to connect two continents<b> </b>with a <b>state-of-the-art underwater tunnel</b> that promises to transform trade, transportation, and global geopolitics.</p><h2>The historic megaproject that will connect Europe and Africa for the first time</h2><p>The governments of Spain and Morocco are advancing technical studies to build a <b>rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar </b>that would unite both continents for the first time in history.</p><p>The tunnel would connect Punta Paloma, in <b>southern Spain</b>, with Punta Malabata, near Tangier, in <b>Morocco</b>. The infrastructure would have:</p><ul><li>Approximately <b>42 kilometers</b> in length </li><li>About 27.7 kilometers under the sea </li><li>Depths of up to 475 meters </li></ul><h3>It would be one of the most complex underwater projects on the planet.</h3><img src="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/ADHTFPM4SRBXTFPQU25D7M7E6M.jpg?auth=d74846f2e9321fbaf992b0c331aac5aa65207125a634a492c7670352a7ebc7f3&smart=true&width=1200&height=900" alt="The governments of Spain and Morocco are advancing technical studies to build a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar that would unite both continents for the first time in history. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)." height="900" width="1200"/><h2>The longest underwater tunnel in the world</h2><p>The project is mainly intended for <b>rail transport</b> and includes:</p><ul><li>Two independent rail tunnels </li><li>A central emergency and maintenance gallery </li><li>Passenger and freight trains </li></ul><h3>The journey could be completed in around 30 minutes.</h3><h2>The greatest engineering work of the century</h2><p>The project faces <b>extremely complex</b> conditions due to:</p><ul><li>Seismic activity in the Strait of Gibraltar </li><li>Strong sea currents </li><li>The great submarine depth </li><li>The geological complexity of the terrain </li></ul><h3>Specialized engineering firms believe it will be one of the greatest technical feats of the century.</h3>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.cronista.com/resizer/v2/HQWLNQMHJFEQXCGJQI6MA66F2M.png?auth=277cbaaa35de7c5dcef3a3b04b5a226ac0d3d91a247cbff5c98396cf4c046037&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1200&amp;height=900" type="image/png" height="900" width="1200"/></item></channel></rss>