Campaigners urge France to repay Haiti billions in “ransom” payments from 1825, which could aid Haiti’s current crisis. After gaining independence in 1804, Haiti was forced to pay France 150m francs, later reduced to 90m, crippling its economy. The debt, estimated today at $38bn-$135bn, hindered Haiti’s development and created lasting poverty and inequality. Campaigners, including the Haitian National Committee on Restitution and Reparations, seek reparations for slavery’s harm, aligning with Caricom’s reparatory justice plan. Penelope Kingsley 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
Rachel Dancyg was reunited with her dog, Billie, after it was found alive in Gaza following a Hamas attack that killed her ex-husband and brother. The attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 kidnappings. An Israeli offensive has since killed over 51,000 Palestinians. Despite ongoing U.S.-led ceasefire efforts, the conflict continues, with many hostages still missing. The reunion with Billie brought a rare moment of joy amid the devastation. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting Ukrainian officials in Paris to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russia. Despite Trump’s ambitious peace pledges, a truce by Easter seems unlikely as Russia intensifies strikes. The summit, involving Ukraine’s foreign and defense ministers, aims to address security issues and gauge the Trump administration’s stance. Concerns arise over Witkoff’s comments on Ukraine ceding territories. Despite US efforts, a lasting peace deal remains elusive, with Russia demanding sanctions relief before honoring ceasefire agreements. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
The U.S. Space Force released “Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners” on April 17, detailing strategies to defend American satellites and target enemy space systems if needed. The document emphasizes space superiority through offensive and defensive operations, marking a shift in military strategy to view space as an active battleground. Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton highlighted the importance of space in supporting modern military functions, noting that compromised space systems could undermine U.S. defense capabilities. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
European and Ukrainian officials met in Paris to discuss Kyiv’s situation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff. The talks highlight Europe’s concerns over U.S. overtures to Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite Trump’s efforts for a ceasefire, tensions persist, with limited agreements on curbing attacks. U.S. officials also planned to discuss nuclear talks with Iran during their visit. Penelope Kingsley 17/04/2025 12:30 pm
A blackout hit Puerto Rico, leaving 1.4 million without power and 78,000 without water just before Easter. Hotels were full with tourists, while locals expressed frustration over recurring outages. Officials, including Gov. Jenniffer González, are working to restore power, but it may take 48-72 hours. Many residents criticized Luma Energy and Genera PR, calling for contract cancellations. The outage disrupted businesses and public transport, highlighting ongoing infrastructure issues. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 12:30 pm
A poignant portrait of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Gazan boy who lost both arms in an Israeli airstrike, won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year. Captured by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for the New York Times, the image highlights the enduring impact of war. Abu Elouf, evacuated from Gaza, now resides in Doha, Qatar, documenting wounded Gazans. The award also recognized two runners-up: “Night Crossing” by John Moore and “Droughts in the Amazon” by Musuk Nolte, showcasing migration and environmental crises. The winners were selected from 59,320 entries by 3,778 photographers worldwide. Penelope Kingsley 17/04/2025 12:30 pm
Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Cambodia, urging resistance to protectionism amid U.S. tariffs affecting both nations. Cambodia, a major U.S. exporter, faces high tariffs, while China endures combined tariffs of 145%. Xi emphasized opposing “hegemonism” and highlighted China’s investment in Cambodian infrastructure. Despite expectations, no new financial commitments were announced for Cambodia’s ambitious Funan Techo Canal project, with China previously covering varying costs. Beijing signed no new loans to Cambodia last year, contrasting with past financial support. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 12:30 pm
The UK is set to issue updated guidance by summer following a Supreme Court ruling defining a woman by biological sex. Lady Kishwer Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, emphasized the ruling’s impact, stating it will clarify that trans women cannot participate in women’s sports or use women-only facilities. However, she stressed that trans rights remain protected under gender reassignment and sex discrimination laws. Falkner urged trans rights organizations to advocate for more neutral third spaces to accommodate trans individuals. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 12:30 pm
Puerto Rico experienced an island-wide blackout as residents prepared for Easter weekend. All 1.4 million customers lost power due to a transmission line issue in the south. Hospitals are using generators. Luma Energy cited a protection system failure and vegetation on a transmission line as causes. This is the latest in a series of outages, with the last major one occurring on New Year’s Eve. The timeline for restoring power remains unclear. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 9:00 am
