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.

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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.

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“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.

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International

ICE to remain at airports amid DHS shutdown, Homan says

The U.S. “border czar,” Tom Homan, said Sunday that agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will remain deployed at airports until operations return to “100% normal,” as the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues.

“We will maintain ICE presence until airports feel they are fully back to normal operations,” Homan said during an interview on Face the Nation on CBS.

Homan justified the deployment on security grounds, noting that the measure was ordered by President Donald Trumpamid widespread absenteeism among agents of the Transportation Security Administration, who have gone without pay for over six weeks due to the DHS shutdown.

According to acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, at least 460 TSA agents have resigned during the shutdown, while daily absenteeism has averaged 11%, exceeding 50% at some airports.

Homan warned that if TSA staffing levels do not recover after the shutdown, ICE agents will continue filling the gap. “ICE is there to support our TSA brothers and sisters. We will remain as long as needed to ensure airport security,” he said.

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The DHS shutdown reached 44 days on Sunday, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The impasse stems from disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over ICE funding.

A recent bipartisan Senate proposal to fund DHS without including ICE failed after being blocked by House Republicans, who insist on full funding for the agency.

Amid the deadlock, Trump signed an executive order directing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to immediately pay TSA agents to address what he called an “emergency situation” and restore order at airports, with payments expected to begin Monday.

International

Oil prices surge again as Middle East tensions persist

Oil prices climbed again on Friday for a second consecutive session, as markets remained concerned about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East with no tangible diplomatic progress.

North Sea Brent crude for May delivery rose 4.22% to close at $112.57 per barrel.

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) approached the $100 mark, settling at $99.64, up 5.46%.

The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to delay by ten days his ultimatum for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz failed to reassure market participants.

“It means there will be ten additional days of disruptions in the Middle East for crude and refined product flows,” said Andy Lipow, of Lipow Oil Associates.

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“For prices to come down, a resolution to the conflict is necessary,” Lipow added. “And even in the event of a ceasefire, it is not certain that Iran would allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

International

Young Spanish Woman Receives Euthanasia After Legal Battle, Sparking Debate

A 25-year-old Spanish woman, Noelia Castillo, received euthanasia on Thursday following a prolonged legal dispute with her father.

She passed away at a care center in Sant Pere de Ribes, about 40 kilometers from Barcelona, where she had been living for some time, according to Spanish media reports.

In an interview broadcast a day earlier on Antena 3, Castillo expressed her exhaustion after enduring prolonged suffering. She indicated that her decision was influenced by a combination of personal circumstances and health-related challenges, including family conflicts and a condition of paraplegia following a previous incident that left her with lasting physical consequences.

Spain legalized euthanasia in 2021, becoming one of the few countries that allow patients under strict conditions to seek medical assistance to end their lives in order to avoid what the law defines as unbearable suffering.

The case has reignited debate in Spain over the ethical, legal, and family dimensions surrounding euthanasia, as well as the broader issue of support for individuals in vulnerable situations.