International
The unstoppable crisis in Haiti breaks the traditions of Holy Week
The unstoppable crisis in Haiti, exacerbated just a month ago, prevented this Good Friday that Haitians from complying with many of the Easter traditions, mainly in the capital, Port-au-au-Prince, where 90% of the territory is under the control of armed gangs.
This year, the crowded and colorful processions or Way of the Cross that, traditionally on the occasion of Holy Week, are carried out by parishioners of the Catholic Church of the impoverished Caribbean country were left behind.
Thus, in a context marked by a crisis in all orders, the religious lived this day in recollection, although many defied the current climate of insecurity and went to mass.
In churches such as Saint Pierre, in Petion-ville, and Our Lady of Altagrace, in Delmas, both in the capital, EFE observed dozens of people praying for peace in the country.
Young people, adults and the elderly, but mostly children, many of them with images of Jesus, crowded these churches, to remember the ordeal of Christ and the suffering of the Haitian people.
Priests and parishioners cried out for the end of the crisis, aggravated since February 29 when armed gangs united and sowed terror to ask for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, currently in the United States and who has agreed to resign as soon as a transitional presidential council is formalized.
Many of them dared to take to the streets thanks to a police increase on some of the public roads, where EFE was able to see several patrols this Friday.
And it is that, the head of the National Police himself, Frantz Elbé, promised this week that the entity “will not stop fighting” for the safety of the population, to which he promised “better results.”
In a message addressed to the agents and the citizens, the official congratulated his subordinates for their daily dedication “to the fight against banditry” and for their presence on the ground “to continue protecting the life and well-being of the population.”
However, in the face of the cataclysm that Haiti is experiencing, as described on Thursday by the UN, organizations such as Human Rights Watch, cry out for urgent actions to help mitigate the situation.
In a statement, Human Rights Watch recommended measures to enable democratic governance, the protection of human rights and access to essential goods and services.
“It is essential that Haitian, regional and international leaders act to prevent the situation from getting even more out of control and truly support Haitians on the path to democratic governance, basic security, the rule of law and access to basic needs,” said Nathalye Cotrino, the organization’s crisis and conflict researcher.
Likewise, Human Rights Watch considered urgent the installation of a transitional government composed of “high-line Haitians who are not tarnished by credible accusations of corruption, support for criminal groups, human rights violations or other serious crimes.”
The Presidential Council in charge of carrying out the transition is finalizing its official inauguration, which will be followed by the appointment of a prime minister, with whom it will form a Government of National Unity.
Once this institution is implemented, the current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, will leave power, as he himself announced in a message to the nation from Puerto Rico, where he was stared earlier this month after a trip to Kenya to discuss the sending of the multinational security support mission that Haiti expects.
International
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 2,533,000 deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2024, according to an international study led by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy and Stanford University in the United States, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum. Researchers calculated that one death was prevented for every 5,400 doses administered.
The analysis also found that the vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life, equivalent to one year of life gained for every 900 doses given.
The study, coordinated by Professor Stefania Boccia, revealed that 82% of the lives saved were people vaccinated before becoming infected with the virus, and 57% of deaths avoided occurred during the Omicron wave. In addition, 90% of the beneficiaries were adults over 60 years old.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis to date, based on global data and fewer assumptions about the evolution of the pandemic,” explained Boccia and researcher Angelo Maria Pezzullo.
International
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that reinstated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, stressing that the immigration program was never intended to serve as a “de facto asylum system.”
On Thursday, Judge Trina Thompson extended protections for about 7,000 Nepalese immigrants, whose TPS was set to expire on August 5. The ruling also impacts roughly 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, whose TPS protections were scheduled to end on September 8.
Immigrants covered by TPS had sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the program’s termination was driven by “racial animus” and stripped them of protection from deportation.
DHS Deputy Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying the decision to end TPS was part of a mandate to “restore the integrity” of the immigration system and return the program to its original purpose.
“TPS was never conceived as a de facto asylum system; however, that is how previous administrations have used it for decades,” McLaughlin emphasized.
She also criticized Judge Thompson, calling the ruling “another example” of judges “stirring up claims of racism to distract from the facts.”
McLaughlin added that DHS would appeal the decision and take the legal battle to higher courts.
The Trump administration has also terminated TPS protections for approximately 160,000 Ukrainians, 350,000 Venezuelans, and at least half a million Haitians, among other immigrant groups.
International
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
Costa Rica faces historic vote on lifting presidential immunity for Rodrigo Chaves
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
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