International
Pope Leo XIV approves first beatification steps for missionaries killed in Ecuador
Pope Leo XIV has issued his first decrees related to the causes of saints, approving the initial step toward beatification for two Catholic missionaries—Spanish Bishop Alejandro Labaka Ugarte (1920–1987) and Colombian Sister Inés Arango Velásquez (1937–1987)—both of whom were violently killed in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Vatican announced on Thursday.
The newly elected pope, himself a former missionary in Peru for several decades, received Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and signed several decrees recognizing “the offering of life” by the two missionaries, as well as the “heroic virtues” of Indian Bishop Matteo Makil.
These are the first steps Pope Leo XIV has taken in the canonization process since his election on May 8.
In 2017, Pope Francis introduced the “offering of life” as a valid path toward beatification. It recognizes individuals who freely gave their lives for others, leading to death. For beatification, a miracle attributed to the candidate’s intercession is required; for canonization, a second miracle must be confirmed after beatification.
Alejandro Labaka Ugarte, also known by his religious name Manuel de Beizama, was born in Beizama, Spain, in 1920. A Capuchin friar and Apostolic Vicar of Aguarico, Ecuador, he was killed in 1987 in the Tigüino region of the Amazon, after attempting contact with an isolated Indigenous tribe. He died after being struck with spears.
Sister Inés Arango Velásquez, known in religious life as María Nieves of Medellín, was born in 1937 in Medellín, Colombia. A professed nun of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, she was killed alongside Labaka on June 21, 1987.
Both missionaries died at the hands of an uncontacted Indigenous group that sought to protect its territory from oil companies advancing into the rainforest.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
International
U.S. and Mexico Reach Deal to Address Water Deficit Under 1944 Treaty
The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement to comply with current water obligations affecting U.S. farmers and ranchers and for Mexico to cover its water deficit to Texas under the 1944 Water Treaty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
The department уточified that the agreement applies to both the current cycle and the water deficit from the previous cycle.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of failing to comply with the water-sharing treaty between the two countries, which requires the United States to deliver 1.85 billion cubic meters of water from the Colorado River, while Mexico must supply 432 million cubic meters from the Rio Grande.
Mexico is behind on its commitments. According to Washington, the country has accumulated a deficit of more than one billion cubic meters of water over the past five years.
“This violation is severely harming our beautiful crops and our livestock in Texas,” Trump wrote on Monday.
The Department of Agriculture said on Friday that Mexico had agreed to supply 250 million cubic meters of water starting next week and to work toward closing the shortfall.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, quoted in the statement, said Mexico delivered more water in a single year than it had over the previous four years combined.
Trump has said that if Mexico continues to fall short of its obligations, the United States reserves the right to impose 5% tariffs on imported Mexican products.
Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister for North America, Roberto Velasco, said that a severe drought in 2022 and 2023prevented the country from meeting its commitments.
International
Several people shot in attack on Brown University campus
Several people were shot on Saturday in an attack on the campus of Brown University, in the northeastern United States, local police reported.
“Shelter in place and avoid the area until further notice,” the Providence Police Department urged in a post on X. Brown University is located in Providence, the capital of the state of Rhode Island.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that he had been briefed on the situation and that the FBI was on the scene.
At 5:52 p.m. local time (11:52 p.m. GMT), Brown University said the situation was still “ongoing” and instructed students to remain sheltered until further notice.
After initially stating that the suspect had been taken into custody, Trump later posted a second message clarifying that local police had walked back that information. “The suspect has NOT been apprehended,” the U.S. president said.
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
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Panama seizes over three tons of drugs hidden in Caribbean port container
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
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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