Haiti

Court-released emails tied to Epstein reference Haiti over 400 times; those reviewed so far by newspaper Haitian Times reveal details about humanitarian aid flights, celebs philanthropic gestures, financial discussions, political monitoring in 2010-2016

Two Haitian athletes are competing in the Winter Olympics in Italy wearing highly symbolic uniforms by Stella Jean; athletes and officials say Haiti’s presence in the Games is a powerful message of resilience and visibility to residents and the Diaspora

A fire tore through the historic Cluny Market in downtown Cap-Haitien, destroying 30 storage units and hundreds of small shops: no deaths or injuries were reported, the cause is still unknown; once extinguished, vendors tried to collect salvageable goods

A sharp rise in asylum claims from Haitians has been registered in Guadeloupe and Guiana, while deportations to Cap-Haïtien continue; asylum systems crush and legal contradictions deepen uncertainty for Haitian communities in France’s overseas territories

Newly published electoral decree has drawn strong reactions at home and abroad: internationally welcomed as a necessary step to restart democratic processed after four years without elections, locally criticized as the adoption process looks idealistic

A fire severely damaged Donpee Guest House, a landmark in Léogâne; firefighters responding to the emergency call from the hotel arrived without water and were helpless, underscoring Haiti’s lack of reliable fire prevention systems and its consequences

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s deadly passage, organizations announced they will provide around $10 million aid, supplies and support to groups in Haiti closest to victims instead of going through government

Video footage is now available of the first drone attack in Haiti; it killed 8 children at a birthday party in a gang-controlled area of Port-au-Prince; parents and relatives of the victims said police were targeting a suspected gang leaders

150 Haitian soldiers returned from an 8-week training in Mexico; they are part of the first group of 700, including special operations units, that will join the fight against gangs as violence spreads beyond the capital and surrounding areas

Over 50 people were killed in the rural fishing community Labodrie, human rights groups confirmed as national and international actors condemned the atrocity and urged action against Haiti’s gangs; victims included women, children and the elderly

The Organization of American States met in Washington DC, USA, to present a roadmap to end the gang violence Haiti endured over four years; the Holy See reiterated the Church’s closeness to the people, reaffirming its constant support for peace efforts