International

Guterres: Israel’s military operations in Gaza have created “a situation of terror”

The way Israel makes war in Gaza, together with the difficulties it puts on humanitarian aid, have created “a truly dramatic situation of terror,” lamented the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.

On the one hand, the military campaign is causing “the greatest impact of deaths and destruction that I remember,” said Guterres, who also denounced “the chaotic nature” of this campaign that has been reflected in the orders that the Palestinians have received from the Israeli Army to evacuate their homes and move from the north to the center of the Gaza Strip, later from the center to the south, and again from the south to the north.

“At any time they tell people to move to another place, and people move in search of a security that no longer exists anywhere,” he lamented, referring to the 1.9 million Palestinians torn from their homes and displaced in many cases on several occasions.

To this are added the obstacles to humanitarian aid imposed by Israel, which creates “permanent obstacles to negotiation and puts one difficulty after another” to its entry and distribution, citing security reasons or the alleged deviated use of such aid.

In addition, he accused the Israeli Army of shooting on three different occasions only in the last five days at the vehicles that carry that humanitarian aid.

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All this has created a situation of “total insecurity and total anarchy,” aggravated by the fact that the international community has partially responded to the humanitarian call for Gaza and has only provided 36% of the required funding, he highlighted.

In summary,” he concluded, “the way in which (Israel) conducts its military operations and the dramatic circumstances of the distribution of humanitarian aid have created a situation of human terror.”

Due to his open criticism of Israel, Guterres has been boycotted by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government almost since the war began, and the Israeli Prime Minister has not responded to any of his calls or contacted him during his current visit to the United States, according to the UN Secretary-General.

Asked about Netanyahu’s words in Congress about the future of Gaza – which would be demilitarized, deradicalized and with Israeli control over its security – Guterres disqualified them in his own way. “Nothing that was said deserves my comment,” he said, and again advocated the two-state solution as the only possible one.

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International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.