International
The Security Council approves a US resolution in support of the proposed truce in Gaza
The UN Security Council approved a resolution presented by the United States in support of the truce proposal announced by President Joe Biden on May 31, which establishes a three-phase plan to end the war in Gaza.
The resolution, approved by 14 votes in favor with Russia’s only abstention, is already the fourth approved in the Security Council regarding the war in Gaza, although the previous three have been left on paper when Israel refused to stop the offensive in Palestinian territory, a conflict that has already claimed more than 37,000 deaths.
The document “sends a clear message to Hamas: to accept the ceasefire on the table. Israel has already given its approval to the agreement, and the fighting could stop today if Hamas does the same,” said the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, although the Jewish State Government has so far been ambiguous about the terms of that plan.
The resolution, which obtains unprecedented and almost unanimous support, calls for the approval of that truce proposal that calls for “an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages” in the hands of Hamas.
The US resolution had already been among the members for a week, and although at first it contained requests only for Hamas, the final version “urges the two parties to implement the terms (of the proposal) without delay or conditions.”
In addition, the text has an unequivocal “refaction of any attempt at territorial or demographic modification in Gaza, including any action to reduce the territory,” a message addressed to the “hard wing” of the Israeli government and that can thus reap support among Arab countries.
In his last paragraph, he reiterates “the importance of unifying Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority” (PA), which means leaving out Hamas, one of the most controversial points given the lack of acceptance of the PA among Palestinians in Gaza.
“Now we are all waiting, waiting for Hamas to agree to the ceasefire it proclaims to want, but we cannot afford to wait and wait,” Thomas-Greenfield stressed.
And thus summarized the peace plan – which Biden presented at the first time as an Israeli, although it seems more a product of the will of the United States -: “This agreement will bring hostages home, guarantees the security of Israel, allows to increase humanitarian aid and essential services such as electricity, medical services and the removal of debris, in addition to preparing the stage for a political settlement,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
Previously, there have already been three resolutions on the war in Gaza; in November, December and March – which called for the cessation of hostilities or the entry of humanitarian aid – but none has been implemented on the ground, despite its theoretically binding nature.
Israel said in the UN Security Council that it does not intend to “commit to endless and meaningless negotiations” for a ceasefire in Gaza, minutes after the Council approved a resolution presented by the United States to support a truce plan in Gaza.
The political coordinator of the Israeli diplomatic mission, Reut Shapir, who took the floor after the intervention of the fifteen members of the Council, did not make it clear whether her country supports the resolution, as the US ambassador to the UN had previously assured, but implied otherwise.
“Israel clings to its principles, and these have not changed. We will continue (fighting) until all the hostages return and dismantle all the combat and government capabilities of Hamas,” Shapir said, without expressly mentioning that resolution, which calls in a first phase for a ceasefire and the release of certain hostages (women, elderly and wounded).
“This means that Israel is not going to engage in endless and meaningless negotiations, which can be exploited by Hamas as a means of buying time,” Shapir said.
For their part, the Arab countries welcomed the resolution, and considered that it will contribute to curbing the crisis in the Strip.
Egypt asked “both Israel and Hamas to take serious measures to respond to this (proposal of agreement) as soon as possible and start implementing its terms without delay or conditions.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement that the resolution “supports (the proposal for) a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the return of the displaced Palestinians” to their homes.
It also “guarantees full access to humanitarian aid that meets the needs of the inhabitants of the Strip,” he added.
In similar terms, the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem al Bedewi, expressed himself, who considered that the resolution “will contribute to stopping the crisis in Gaza and achieving security and stability in the region and in the world.”
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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