International

UN sounds alarm on Haiti’s looming hunger crisis, calls for urgent funding

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for funding to address the worsening hunger crisis in Haiti, which is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe amid escalating violence.

Cindy McCain, the executive director of WFP, emphasized the critical need for immediate action, stating, “Our humanitarian operations in Haiti are running critically low on resources, with funds for hot meals expected to be depleted within two weeks. We urge donors to step forward urgently to address the escalating hunger crisis and prevent further chaos.”

McCain stressed that Haiti requires more than just security measures, emphasizing the necessity for a robust humanitarian response to address the growing needs of the population. However, she highlighted the urgent requirement for funding to effectively respond to this largely overlooked crisis.

The UN agency warned of the potential paralysis of humanitarian operations due to insecurity limiting access to communities and the depletion of donor funding. Failure to address the hunger crisis in Haiti could jeopardize efforts to restore stability.

Despite the challenges posed by violence, the WFP has provided assistance to over 280,000 individuals since March 1, including the distribution of 62,000 hot meals to 14,000 displaced persons.

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Jean-Martin Bauer, the WFP director in Haiti, emphasized the organization’s commitment to providing aid but emphasized the need for consistent and secure access to reach those in need.

The agency aims to assist 2.4 million people in 2024 through emergency aid, including cash transfers and food rations, contingent upon security conditions.

Haiti is currently experiencing one of the most severe food crises globally, with 1.4 million people at risk of famine. Approximately half of the country’s population faces food insecurity, and over half of its 11 million inhabitants live in poverty.

International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”