International

The US welcomes the fat that Israel will open the entry routes for humanitarian aid into Gaza

The White House announced that after the call of the president of the United States with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, they received “with satisfaction” the decision of the Israeli government to open several ways for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza from Israel.

In a statement, the National Security Council welcomed “the steps announced by the Israeli government,” which include “a commitment to open the (Israeli) port of Ashdod for the direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” the opening of the Erez border crossing, to the north, for the passage of aid and an increase in deliveries by Jordan to the Strip from the southern border crossing of Kerem Shalom.

“As the president (Biden) said in the call (with Netanyahu), the US policy regarding Gaza will be determined by our analysis of Israel’s immediate actions in this and other steps, including the protection of innocent civilians and the security of humanitarian workers,” said spokeswoman Adrienne Watson.

Hours before the announcement of the Israeli security cabinet, Biden had warned Netanyahu that the United States’ support for the war in the Gaza Strip could change if he did not take “concrete” actions to minimize the damage to civilians and guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers.

In the letter, the White House again emphasized that the policy of the United States regarding Gaza will be determined by the evaluation of the actions that Israel takes to comply with U.S. requests.

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“We are willing to work in full coordination with the government of Israel, the governments of Jordan and Egypt, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, to ensure that these important measures are implemented and lead to a significant increase in humanitarian aid that reaches civilians in extreme need throughout Gaza in the coming days and weeks,” the statement says.

Biden’s decision to condition his support for Israel on the ground is a turning-turn in the policy maintained since the beginning of the war.

For now, Biden has not put on the table what would be the greatest element of pressure: the restriction or conditioning of the military aid that the United States sends to Israel.

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.