International
Sunday of apparent tranquility in Haiti allows you to go to the market or to the church
Port-au-Prince seems to live a truce of the struggle between the armed gangs and the National Police that has allowed the population to carry out some daily activities, in the context of the state of emergency decreed for the West department, which houses the capital of Haiti.
EFE was able to verify the movement in certain streets of the capital, even more than other Sundays, with people taking advantage of this relative tranquility to shop and stock up on basic products. There are also those who go to the church and others simply seek to leave the city.
Since last Thursday, the recurring armed clashes and the siege of public institutions recorded in recent weeks have not been recorded, a calm that has been maintained after the announcement, on Friday night, that the Presidential Transitional Council of Haiti finally reached a political agreement that outlines the road map to follow to return the country to the path of stability.
That does not mean that the police forces do not continue their fight against the gangs, which in recent days has found their stage at sea, allowing the recovery of the freight transport ship Magalie, the National Police of Haiti (PHN) reported on Sunday.
The Magalie cargo aircraft carrier, which was kidnapped by armed bandits of the Izo and Jeff gangs shortly after leaving the port of Varreux last Thursday with a shipment of rice, was recovered on Saturday with the logistical support of the National Port Authority.
After more than five hours of maneuvers and intense fighting by the intervention units of the Haitian National Guard, the operation resulted in the neutralization of several bandits, although two policemen were injured in the operation.
Another success of the security forces was the seizure of weapons and ammunition carried out on Friday in the Port of Cape Haitiano, a shipment that, as reported this Sunday by the PHN, came from the United States specifically from the company Alliance Int’l Shipping, from Miami.
The arsenal was intended for Jean Wilmane, Customs Commissioner, against whom the PNH has issued a search warrant, as well as against an individual identified as Barthol, who was listed as the recipient of the shipment, both known for their alleged participation in the trafficking of weapons and ammunition, the institution of order said.
During the operation, 26 firearms were seized, including 12 rifles and 14 pistols; 999 cartridges and 34 magazines discovered in two cardboard boxes.
However, despite the apparent calm, no one is safe from looting by the bandits, not even religious temples, such as the First Baptist Church of Port-au-Prince, which this Sunday expressed its sadness and shock for the acts of looting it has been suffering.
“La Pastoral informs you that the direct attacks of armed gangs against the Church since Sunday, March 24, continued and resulted this week in the looting of the temple. The sanctuary is stripped of all the equipment related to sound, projection, computers, ventilation, music, electronics, etc.,” the congregation said in a statement.
In the face of these acts, which they described as “sad, disgusting and shocking,” from the church called “a union of prayers, inviting the faithful to attend, if possible, the Evangelical Church closest to their place of refuge and to follow the services broadcast on radio and online.”
Praying is what is left for Haitians in the current situation that the failed nation is experiencing, where not even health care is guaranteed, since almost half of the health professionals left the country and those who stay have great difficulties to go to work.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the health crisis in Haiti coinciding with World Health Day on April 7.
In a statement, the institution highlighted that the stress resulting from violence and uncertainty “makes those who were not sick sick or at risk” of doing so and aggravates the state of those who already suffer from a pathology, prevents the progress of those who are in the process of recovery and leads to the death of seriously ill people.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
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