Port-au-Prince residents report heavy gunfire as Haiti opposition scrambles to form coalition against gangs
Haiti remained largely paralysed on Wednesday, with schools and businesses still closed amid heavy gunfire blamed on the gangs that control an estimated 80 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The country’s two biggest prisons were raided, resulting in the release of more than 4,000 inmates over the weekend.
Moscow on ‘red alert’ as US embassy in Russia warns of imminent attack by Islamic State extremists
Most Western countries advise against all travel to Russia and say their citizens should leave. The US has the highest level of warning for Russia – red “4 – Do not travel” – the same level as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan and Iran.
Biden blasts Trump, Republicans for denying January 6 attack on Capitol Hill subverted US constitution
The greater thrust of his remarks focused on Trump, although Biden did not mention him by name. Biden opened by declaring democracy under threat at home and abroad and criticising Trump for inviting Putin to invade NATO nations if they did not spend more on defence.
Ramadhan with a difference: Muslims in Gaza to fast against grim setting of Israeli bombs
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage. Muslims see various meanings and lessons in observing the fast.
UN says Haiti’s deteriorating security has compromised healthcare as government extends state of emergency
Authorities first announced a state of emergency on Sunday after fighting escalated, inmates were broken out of prison by armed gangs, and an estimated tens of thousands were displaced while Prime Minister Ariel Henry was in Kenya, seeking its leadership of an international force intended to fight the gangs.
Haiti PM Henry reportedly unwilling or unable to return home as government extends state of emergency
The government said this was in order to “reestablish order and take appropriate measures to retake control of the situation.”
World questions whether Haiti PM Henry is fleeing from gangs at home or navigating safe return after Kenya trip
Prime Minister Ariel Henry travelled to Kenya last week to seal a deal to launch a UN-backed multinational security force to fight gangs in Haiti, which sparked violence and calls by a top gang leader for him to step down and stay away from the country.
Prospect of gangs taking control of government in Haiti is forcing US to push PM Henry to speed up transition
Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbeque, who leads a broad alliance of criminal gangs that have been fuelling a dire humanitarian crisis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, has signalled the gangs could fight the proposed mission as a united front and that the city’s international airport is no longer secure.
Anti-Trump Republicans change name to ‘Haley Voters for Biden’ as Biden, Trump woo Haley voters
Almost 570,000 voters in three key battleground states – Nevada, North Carolina and Michigan – voted for Haley in the Republican nominating contest, a small but potentially significant group in races that have been decided by tiny margins in recent elections.
While Israel is said to have Gaza ceasefire offer ready, Hamas smells victory in PM Netanyahu’s dilemma
Hamas, meanwhile, appears to be in no hurry to reach a temporary ceasefire ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan, which begins next week, or to delay an expected Israeli operation in Rafah, the southern city where half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge.
