
Cuban activists blockaded at home amid protest clampdown
CNN
Cuban activists said they were forcibly trapped inside their homes on Monday, as the government clamped down on plans for opposition protests on the island.
Protests are permitted under the Cuban constitution. However, the government had vowed not to allow Monday's planned demonstrations -- intended to call for greater political freedoms -- claiming they were a pretext to stir up trouble on the communist-run island, and that they'd been secretly organized by Cuban exiles and the US.
The city of Havana saw a heavy police presence on Monday morning as authorities prepared to face potential protesters. Ultimately, streets remained quiet, however -- evidence of the chilling effects of the government's warnings.

A remarkable scene is playing out in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday: In an effort to avoid votes on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, Republicans are shutting it down early and heading out on a weekslong August recess. Nevermind that the Trump administration promised to release these files, and many Republicans want them to do so.