International
Hamas will deliver six hostages on Saturday and four bodies on Thursday, including the Bibas
The Islamist group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will release on Saturday, February 22, the last six living hostages included in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, and on Thursday they will hand over four lifeless bodies, including those of the Bibas family, confirmed the head of its negotiating delegation, Jalil al Haya.
Among the six hostages are the Ethiopian-Israeli Ebra Mangesto and the Bedouin Hisham al Sayed, who had been kidnapped in Gaza for a decade – 2014 and 2015 respectively -, after entering the enclave voluntarily.
Each will be exchanged for 77 Palestinian prisoners, as stipulated in the agreement, including 47 of the thousand who were released in the so-known Shalit agreement of 2011 and arrested again some time later.
In addition, Hamas will deliver four hostage bodies to Israel this Thursday, including those of Shiri Bibas, of Argentine origin, and his two children, Ariel and Kfir, two and five years old respectively. Next week, according to Al Haya, the other four remaining bodies of the first phase will be delivered.
Al Haya said that all these releases, which would put an end to the exchanges agreed in the first phase, seek to make this stage “a success” and “prepare to talk about the second phase.”
Al Haya accused the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, of “procrastinating” and trying to evade the humanitarian part of the ceasefire agreement, such as the entry of stores and prefabricated houses.
The Islamist leader assured that Hamas continues to work together with the mediating countries (and especially Egypt and Qatar) to force Israel to allow the entry of heavy machinery to remove debris and sufficient shelters to Gaza, as contemplated in the ceasefire agreement.
The president met his government’s security cabinet yesterday to discuss how to address the second phase of the agreement, which should have already begun to be negotiated in early February, and which implies the end of the war and the release of the rest of the live hostages.
The relatives of Yardén Bibas, released on February 1 in the Gaza Strip, said they were “shocked” after Hamas’ announcement that on Thursday he will remove the lifeless bodies of his wife, Shiri Silberman, and their two children, Ariel and Kfir, captured on October 7, 2023.
“In the last few hours, we have been shocked after the announcement of the Hamas spokesman about the return of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir this Thursday as part of the release phase of the hostage bodies,” the relatives said in a message shared by the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons.
The Bibas said they are aware of the announcement, but have not yet received any official confirmation of the death of Shiri and the children. “Until we receive a final confirmation, our trip is not over,” they added.
International
Erin weakens to Category 3 after rapid intensification to Category 5
Hurricane Erin, the first of the Atlantic season, was downgraded to a Category 3 cyclone on Sunday as it passed through the Caribbean islands, posing risks of flash floods and landslides, according to meteorologists.
The hurricane briefly intensified on Saturday, reaching Category 5 by the end of the day—a level described as “catastrophic” by U.S. authorities—before wind speeds began to decrease.
By Sunday at 06:00 GMT, Erin was located approximately 225 kilometers north of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with sustained winds of up to 205 km/h, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
“The center of Erin is expected to move just north of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Sunday, and pass east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas Sunday night into Monday,” the NHC reported.
A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, while residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the southeast and central Bahamas were advised to closely monitor the hurricane’s progress.
Erin reached Category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, just over 24 hours after becoming a Category 1 hurricane, a rapid intensification that scientists say has become more common due to global warming.
The NHC described it as a “catastrophic hurricane.”
International
Ex-Pemex director linked to Odebrecht scandal detained in Texas, faces trial in Mexico
Carlos Treviño Medina, former director of Mexico’s state-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) between 2017 and 2018—during the final year of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration—has been detained in the United States and will be deported to Mexico to face corruption charges, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday.
“He was detained in the U.S., an ex-director of Pemex who was already on alert lists. He will be deported and will face trial here in Mexico for corruption-related matters,” Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning press conference.
Shortly after, Sheinbaum confirmed that the detainee is Treviño Medina, who is accused of receiving bribes in connection with the Odebrecht scandal, “among other things.” She added: “We should ask the Attorney General’s Office exactly what the charges are. What I can say is that it is related to a complaint filed by Emilio Lozoya,” a former Pemex official also implicated in the Odebrecht corruption case.
Later in the day, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) stated in a press release that Treviño Medina was arrested on August 12 in Dallas, Texas, by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which currently holds him in custody while deportation proceedings move forward.
The FGR noted that Treviño Medina is subject to an active arrest warrant in Mexico on charges of criminal association and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government said that ICE detained Treviño Medina for overstaying his visa by nearly three years.
International
Residente to perform free concert at Mexico City’s Zócalo on september 6
Mexico City’s head of government, Clara Brugada, announced on Saturday that Puerto Rican musician Residente will perform a free concert at the capital’s Zócalo on September 6.
“I have great news for you! On Saturday, September 6, at 8:00 p.m., Residente will perform. It’s a song to freedom and Latin American resistance,” Brugada said in a video posted on X.
According to the Mexico City Ministry of Culture, Residente will take the stage “with lyrics loaded with social messages and rhythms that have marked generations.” The singer, who has already held free concerts at the Zócalo, also shared the announcement on his social media, emphasizing the historic significance of the venue.
“I don’t take this for granted, I know where I’m performing—it’s a special place (…) It’s where the flag of a free Mexico was first woven, and that’s what I want for my own country as well. (…) I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep performing, but what I do know is that I want to enjoy this day to the fullest with all of you,” he wrote on Instagram.
With over 20 years of career, René Pérez Joglar—better known as Residente—is recognized as a rapper, songwriter, and music producer, as well as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the group Calle 13. His lyrics have long stood out for their political and social content.
The Zócalo show will open with a performance by the female collective Mujer en Cypher, featuring Arianna Puello, Ximbo, Niña Dios, Prania Esponda, Azuki, and Mena, according to the Ministry of Culture.
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