International
The UN approves a resolution condemning Israel’s treatment of civilians in Gaza
The United Nations Human Rights Council approved on Friday a resolution that condemns, among other abuses, “the practice of making the civilian population suffer hunger as a method of war in Gaza,” despite the votes against from countries such as Germany, Argentina or the United States.
The resolution was approved on the last day of the 55th session of the Council, which has lasted six weeks, with 28 votes in favor, 6 against and 13 abstentions, including those of France, India, Japan or the Netherlands.
The text also expresses “great concern” about statements by Israeli officials that “equate to incitement to genocide,” and urges the international community to stop the sale and transfer of weapons to Israel “in order to avoid further violations of international humanitarian law.”
On the other hand, the Council has adopted another resolution that reaffirms the Palestinian right to self-determination, “including its right to an independent State of Palestine.”
The resolution has been sponsored by about 70 countries, including Spain.
At least 54 Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, a figure that brings the total number of deaths since the beginning of the war to 33,091, according to the latest count of the Ministry of Health of the enclave, controlled by Hamas.
Of the death toll, more than 73% are women and children. Specifically, 14,500 minors have died to date, which makes this war the most lethal for childhood in years.
According to the official Palestinian agency Wafa, in recent hours artillery attacks have been recorded in large areas of the province of Jan Yunis, as well as in the eastern part of the city of Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Army has confirmed that it continues to operate in Jan Yunis to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities and assured that it had eliminated several “terrorist cells.”
In addition, an intense air attack reached the vicinity of the city of Sheikh Zayed, in northern Gaza.
In the center of the Strip, Israeli artillery besieged several localities, including the Maghazi refugee camp, which also suffered air bombardment.
In addition, Israel attacked during the night several launch posts in the north of the enclave, from where yesterday rockets were fired at the Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Sderot and against the kibbutz Kfar Aza, which were claimed by Islamic Jihad.
The evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli Army to the Gazans before an attack are full of important errors that cause confusion, according to a BBC analysis released this Friday.
The British public broadcaster examined numerous material in brochures or transmitted through social networks corresponding to 26 different announcements issued since December 1.
In his study, he found notable inconsistencies, which meant that many people did not know exactly where to go.
“The warnings contained contradictory information and, sometimes, districts with incorrect names,” says the network, which has consulted experts who indicate that these errors “could violate Israel’s obligations under international law.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have rejected the results of this BBC study in a statement and assure that the alerts are only a part of their “extensive efforts to encourage the evacuation of civilians.”
International humanitarian law requires that the attacking forces warn in advance and effectively of attacks that may affect the civilian population, unless circumstances do not allow it.
An internal investigation by the Israeli Army has determined that Efrat Katz, a 68-year-old Israeli, was “probably” killed by an Air Force attack on October 7 in the Nir Oz kibutz during the attack in Hamas, when militiamen took her hostage to the Strip.
Based on the evidence captured by drones and security cameras, as well as testimonies from Air Force crews and witnesses, the examination concluded that a combat helicopter opened fire on a vehicle where “terrorists” from Hamas were traveling, in which Katz was also traveling.
“As a result of the shooting, most of the terrorists traveling in the vehicle died, and apparently Efrat Katz,” the Israeli Army said.
The examination was carried out by a designated team established under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Air Force, in order to examine the issue, in parallel with the in-depth examinations of all the combat incidents of October 7.
The heads of the Israeli and US intelligence services will arrive in Cairo at the beginning of next week to meet with their Egyptian and Qatari counterparts in the framework of the negotiations for a truce in Gaza, an Egyptian security source told EFE.
According to this same source, who asked for anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, both the head of the Mossad, Didi Barnea, and that of the CIA, Bill Burns, will arrive in the Egyptian capital at the beginning of this week to start talks with “the Qatari Prime Minister and the head of Egyptian Intelligence.”
The objective of this meeting is “to achieve an openness in the conversations with which they seek to free the hostages held by the Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Gaza.”
On the other hand, a Palestinian source told EFE that Barnea will participate in the meeting “together with the president of Shabak, Ronen Bar, and the head of hostages and missing persons in the Israeli Army, General Nitzan Alon.”
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.
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.
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
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