International

Hospitalized accused of drugging his wife so that she was raped by other men

Dominique Pelicot, the man who is being tried in Avignon (southeast of France) for having drugged his wife for years so that others sexually abused her in a state of unconsciousness, has been hospitalized this Tuesday, leaving his statement and the continuity of the process suspended.

Her lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, told the press at a break from the trial that she had been informed that Pelicot, 71, had been hospitalized for medical care.

Zavarro explained that his client had begun to have the first symptoms last Friday of “a urinary infection, perhaps a nephritic colic” and implied that “he did not necessarily receive attention during the weekend.”

At the beginning of this morning’s hearing, the president of the Vaucluse Criminal Court, Roger Arata, had indicated that the main defendant would not be able to testify in the afternoon, as planned, due to a health problem, but a possible change in the program was not anticipated at that time.

On Monday, Pelicot was absent shortly after the session was started for the same reason. Arata decided to request an expert opinion this morning to know exactly his state of health and be able to decide.

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His lawyer considered the postponement of the process “indispensable” if it is intended to continue in his absence, and above all, she rejected the speculations that there were this morning about an alleged maneuver by his client not to testify.

He said that he “will answer all the questions,” but said that this medical problem “that he had not scheduled” has arisen.

The process, which also puts 50 other men on the bench accused of having abused his wife, Gisèle – from whom he has been divorced since August – began on the 2nd and must end one or two weeks before Christmas.

International

Oil prices surge again as Middle East tensions persist

Oil prices climbed again on Friday for a second consecutive session, as markets remained concerned about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East with no tangible diplomatic progress.

North Sea Brent crude for May delivery rose 4.22% to close at $112.57 per barrel.

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) approached the $100 mark, settling at $99.64, up 5.46%.

The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to delay by ten days his ultimatum for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz failed to reassure market participants.

“It means there will be ten additional days of disruptions in the Middle East for crude and refined product flows,” said Andy Lipow, of Lipow Oil Associates.

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“For prices to come down, a resolution to the conflict is necessary,” Lipow added. “And even in the event of a ceasefire, it is not certain that Iran would allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

International

Young Spanish Woman Receives Euthanasia After Legal Battle, Sparking Debate

A 25-year-old Spanish woman, Noelia Castillo, received euthanasia on Thursday following a prolonged legal dispute with her father.

She passed away at a care center in Sant Pere de Ribes, about 40 kilometers from Barcelona, where she had been living for some time, according to Spanish media reports.

In an interview broadcast a day earlier on Antena 3, Castillo expressed her exhaustion after enduring prolonged suffering. She indicated that her decision was influenced by a combination of personal circumstances and health-related challenges, including family conflicts and a condition of paraplegia following a previous incident that left her with lasting physical consequences.

Spain legalized euthanasia in 2021, becoming one of the few countries that allow patients under strict conditions to seek medical assistance to end their lives in order to avoid what the law defines as unbearable suffering.

The case has reignited debate in Spain over the ethical, legal, and family dimensions surrounding euthanasia, as well as the broader issue of support for individuals in vulnerable situations.

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International

Over 300 U.S. Troops Wounded Since Start of Iran Conflict, CENTCOM Says

More than 300 U.S. service members have been injured since the start of the conflict with Iran on February 28, the United States Central Command confirmed on Friday.

“Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 U.S. service members have been wounded. The vast majority of these injuries are minor, and 273 troops have already returned to duty,” said U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, indicated that 10 American troops remain seriously injured.

According to the latest figures, an additional 13 U.S. service members have been killed since the conflict began, including seven in the Gulf region and six in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iran’s armed forces warned on Friday that hotels hosting U.S. troops in the region could be considered legitimate military targets.

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“When U.S. forces enter a hotel, from our perspective that hotel becomes American,” said armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi in remarks broadcast on state television.