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☆ Canada's Trudeau to deploy Navy vessels to Haiti for surveillance, presence
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NASSAU/PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said he would deploy Royal Canadian Navy vessels in the coming weeks to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence and maintain a maritime presence off the coast of Haiti. Canada, which this month deployed surveillance aircraft to Haiti, has also sent armored vehicles and security gear to support anti-gang efforts and said it would make an additional delivery of vehicles in the coming days. Trudeau also announced fresh sanctions on another two Haitian individuals determined to be supporting gangs, without disclosing their names, bringing Canada's total sanctioned people to 17. U.N. envoy to Haiti Helen La Lime has said she is "still hopeful" the force could be created, stressing the need for urgency. On Tuesday, more than 40 civil society representatives signed an open letter rejecting any draft resolution backing Prime Minister Ariel Henry's administration and demanding reparations to the families of those killed in a U.N.-linked cholera outbreak a decade ago.

☆ U.S. Arrests Florida Businessmen Accused of Plotting Haiti President’s Killing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Ryan Dube | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The U.S. arrested and filed criminal charges against the owners of several South Florida companies in connection with the 2021 killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse , the Justice Department said Tuesday. Four men were arrested including Miami-based security contractor Antonio Intriago, a Venezuelan-American who owned the firms Counter Terrorist Unit Federal Academy and Counter Terrorist Unit Security, which hired Colombian mercenaries accused of killing Mr. Moïse, the Justice Department said.

Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. federal agents arrested and charged four suspects in Florida for alleged roles in the plot that led to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, authorities said on Tuesday. A person holds a photo of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise, who was shot dead earlier this month, during his funeral at his family home in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, July 23, 2021. Veintemilla, a U.S. citizen, lent over $170,000 to CTU Security to finance their operations in Haiti, officials added. The arrests and charges were reported earlier on Tuesday by the Miami Herald and the New York Times. The resulting violence has left much of the country off-limits to the government and led to routine gun battles with police.

☆ Canada deploys military aircraft over Haiti to disrupt gangs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 5 (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Sunday it deployed a military aircraft over Haiti to address what it called a "dire security situation" and to support efforts to disrupt the activities of Haitian gangs. The resulting violence has left much of the country off-limits to the government and led to routine gun battles with police. Haiti is expected to be on the agenda when U.S. President Joe Biden visits Canada next month. The Canadian patrol aircraft will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to bolster efforts to establish and maintain peace and will remain in the region "for a number of days," the Canadian government said. Around seven in 10 people in Haiti back proposed creation of an international force to help the national police fight violence from armed gangs, according to a survey carried out in January.

☆ Four Suspects in Haitian President’s Slaying Transferred to U.S. Custody
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The late Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was honored in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after his assassination. The U.S. filed criminal charges and took custody of four key suspects detained in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse , the Justice Department said on Tuesday. The four men, three Haitian-Americans and a Colombian, had been in a Haitian prison since the July 2021 killing of Mr. Moïse and were transferred into U.S. custody in Miami. The slaying plunged the impoverished nation into social and political turmoil.

☆ Jamaica willing to take part in military intervention in Haiti, PM says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness addresses the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/David 'Dee' DelgadoKINGSTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Jamaica would be willing to take part in an international military deployment to Haiti, Prime Minister Andrew Holness told lawmakers on Tuesday, saying the Caribbean island country could also support its neighbor on electoral reforms. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pleaded for foreign military support. The U.N. envoy to Haiti, Helen La Lime, has called for more urgency, saying the police cannot win without outside support. "Jamaica would be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters to support a return to a reasonable level of stability and peace," Holness told lawmakers.

Madonna sang the praises of nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, depicting cartoon portraits of bored apes. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady appeared in commercials endorsing crypto exchange FTX, which collapsed suddenly in November. And Kim Kardashian gushed about EMAX tokens on Instagram. Now they and other celebrities are facing civil lawsuits from investors who suffered losses on virtual assets, as well as scrutiny by regulators for allegedly duping the investing public. The legal actions, which have prompted some agents to caution their clients against financial endorsements, could clarify the ground rules for crypto promotions, as well as the hurdles investors must clear to hold promoters liable when investments go south.

☆ Canada sends armored vehicles to Haiti to fight gang violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] People displaced by gang war violence in Cite Soleil walk on the streets of Delmas neighborhood after leaving Hugo Chaves square in Port-au-Prince, Haiti November 19, 2022. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy ErolOTTAWA, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Canada delivered armored vehicles to Haiti on Wednesday to help combat criminal gangs as the Caribbean nation faces a humanitarian crisis, the Canadian foreign ministry said. Haitian gangs have seized control of much of the country since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, leading to routine gun battles with police. Hundreds died in turf battles last year, and in September, Haitian gangs blocked a fuel terminal for nearly six weeks, halting most economic activity. Canada and the United States provided tactical and armored vehicles and other supplies in October after Haiti urged the international community to send in a "specialized armed force."

The highest inflation in four decades. A bear market in stocks. The past year was a trying one for American households. It strained their budgets, reduced their spending power and clobbered their 401(k) balances. Despite a recent burst of positive news—moderating gas prices and a slowing pace of inflation—many believe the economy will be in worse shape in 2023 than it is now.

☆ Deputy U.N. chief urges countries to send armed force to Haiti
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Now is certainly not the time for the world to turn away from Haiti," she told the U.N. Security Council. Ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that Washington continues "to advocate for international security support, including a non-U.N. multinational force, as requested by the Haitian government." "The United States has provided more than $90 million in security support to Haiti in the past 18 months and will continue to provide critical support bilaterally," Wood said. Russia requested the Security Council meeting on Haiti on Wednesday. A council resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia.

☆ Small Banks Warn They Might Have to Drop Zelle Over Scam Payment Costs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Imani Moise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The company that runs Zelle said fraud and scam payments represent less than 0.1% of payments across the network. Community banks and credit unions might drop out of partnerships with instant-payment apps like Zelle if required to reimburse customers who fall victim to scams, two industry trade groups said. Facing pressure from lawmakers and regulators to do more to protect customers from fraud, the seven large banks that own Zelle are working on a plan to standardize refunds for customers duped into sending money. Scams using instant-payment apps like Zelle, Venmo and CashApp are expected to cost Americans $3 billion by 2026, up from $1.6 billion in 2021, according to a recent report by ACI Worldwide, a payments-software company.

☆ U.S. says it will expand, extend temporary status for Haitians
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

SAN DIEGO — The Biden administration said Monday that it would expand temporary legal status for Haitians already living in the United States, determining conditions in the Caribbean nation were too dangerous for their forced return. The Homeland Security Department said Haitians who were in the United States Nov. 6 could apply for Temporary Protected Status and those who were granted it last year could stay an additional 18 months until Aug. 3, 2024. The administration has extended temporary status for several countries and expanded or introduced it for Haiti, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Cameroon and Venezuela, reversing a Trump-era trend to cut back on protections for those already in the United States. Haitians who enter the United States after Monday’s announcement will be ineligible for TPS, authorities said, though that may do little to discourage some. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called last week for an expansion and extension, said more than 100,000 Haitians will be eligible for temporary status under Monday’s announcement.

☆ In Tough Housing Market, Renters Renovate Like They Own the Place
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Imani Moise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Many Americans unable to buy a home right now are renovating their rentals instead. Resigned to stay in place until the housing market improves and unwilling to live with dull décor, renters are swapping out fixtures, landscaping terraces and ordering custom furnishings. Online furniture retailer Wayfair Inc. said bookings for easily reversible add-on services like installing new doorknobs and drawer pulls have tripled since last year.

☆ Black Friday Spending Traps: Credit-Card Offers, Tricky Trips and So-So Discounts
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Imani Moise | Jacob Passy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Black Friday shoppers at Macy’s in New York in 2021; a spending spree might be riskier this year as the chance of a recession looms, financial advisers said. Americans say they will rein in spending this Black Friday, but to avoid busting their budgets, shoppers should do even more planning than usual, experts suggest. With high inflation and economic uncertainty dampening the usual holiday cheer, shoppers say they want to take a more frugal approach to gift giving, according to The Conference Board, a nonprofit research organization.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Canada has sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Martelly and two former prime ministers for financing gangs, Canadian authorities said on Sunday, the latest in a series of measures targeting alleged backers of Haitian criminal groups. In September, Haitian gangs created a humanitarian crisis by blocking a fuel terminal for nearly six weeks, halting most economic activity and triggering U.N. discussion of a possible foreign strike force to open the terminal. Canada and the United States have sanctioned political leaders who allegedly finance the gangs, which according to policy makers are backed by Haitian elites. Radio-Canada journalist Louis Blouin wrote on Twitter that the sanctions targeted Martelly, as well as former Haitian Prime Ministers Laurent Lamothe and Jean Henry Ceant. Ceant served as prime minister from 2018 to 2019.

☆ Canada imposes new sanctions on Haitian politicians - statement
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Canada on Friday imposed sanctions on three Haitian politicians, including a former president of the country's Chamber of Deputies, with Ottawa accusing them of aiding gang leaders and laundering their illicit earnings, according to a statement. "These individuals are using their status as current or previous public office holders to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through money laundering and other acts of corruption," the statement said. "Today's sanctions are intended to stop the flow of illicit funds and weapons and to weaken and disable Haiti's criminal gangs," said the statement, issued by the foreign ministry. The sanctions will freeze any assets held in Canada by Senator Ronny Célestin, Former Senator Hervé Fourcand, and Former President of the Chamber of Deputies Gary Bodeau, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. The sanctions, which implement a U.N. Security Council resolution and build on earlier actions imposed by the United States and Canada, aim to stop the illegal flow of money and weapons into Haiti that help criminal gangs, the ministry said.

☆ Why Powerball Jackpot Jumped to a Record $1.9 Billion
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Imani Moise | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

One lucky ticket in Monday night’s Powerball drawing could win someone a $1.9 billion jackpot, the largest lottery prize in U.S. history. If no one picks the right numbers, the game would tie another record: 40 consecutive drawings without a winner. Big jackpots have become more common and harder to win in recent years. The Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs the Powerball game, made changes to the game in 2015 that lowered the odds of hitting the big jackpot, to 1 in 292 million from approximately 1 in 175 million. The Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases further boosted jackpots, because the advertised award is based on the prize money’s investment in a portfolio of bonds over 30 years.

☆ U.S. charges Haitian gang leaders for 2021 missionary kidnapping
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Brian Ellsworth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MIAMI, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The United States has unsealed charges against a group of Haitian gang leaders, including three men involved in last year's kidnapping of U.S. missionaries, the Department of Justice said on Monday. Joseph Wilson, known as Lanmo Sanjou, and Jermaine Stephenson, aka Gaspiyay, of the 400 Mawozo gang that took responsibility for the October 2021 kidnapping, were charged with hostage taking and conspiracy to commit hostage taking. Vitel'homme Innocent, leader of a Kraze Barye gang, worked with 400 Mawozo on the kidnapping, the DOJ said. The DOJ also unsealed charges against four other Haitian gang members for separate kidnappings involving U.S. citizens, who it did not identify. Earlier this year, Haiti's police said that 400 Mawozo leader Germine Joly, aka 'Yonyon,' was extradited to the United States following a request by the U.S. authorities.

☆ Haitians hope for fuel supplies after police break up gang blockade at terminal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Haitians on Saturday hoped for a quick return of fuel supplies after police broke up a gang blockade that for two months had left the economy without gasoline or diesel and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Haiti's National Police said in a statement late on Friday that it took back control of the Varreux fuel terminal, where the G9 gang coalition had dug trenches and set up barricades to prevent fuel distribution. "We don't know exactly when fuel deliveries will begin," said one source with knowledge of the situation. The gasoline and diesel shortages had halted almost all economic activity, including in transportation and hospitals, and forced many local business owners to shut operations. Reporting by Brian Ellsworth in Sao Paulo and Harold Isaac in Port-au-PrinceOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File PhotoNov 4 (Reuters) - The United States and Canada on Friday imposed sanctions on two Haitian politicians, including the president of the country's Senate, as Washington accused them of abusing their positions to traffic drugs and collaborate with gang networks in the country. The sanctions target Haitian Senate President Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue, who served as president of the chamber from 2017-2018, the U.S. Treasury Department and Canada's foreign ministry said in separate statements. The sanctions essentially freeze any assets Lambert and Latortue may hold in the United States or Canada and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. Lambert, Latortue and Prime Minister Ariel Henry's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Canada and the United States did not identify which Haitian gangs it believed were tied to the officials.

☆ You Can Thank the Fed for Boosting the $1.5 Billion Powerball Jackpot
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Imani Moise | Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Federal Reserve is boosting the Powerball jackpot without even buying a ticket. Since there was no winner in Wednesday night’s drawing, the Powerball prize rose to $1.5 billion, the third-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. It is a substantially bigger prize than a year ago, before the Fed began raising interest rates this year to tame inflation. That is because the advertised jackpot is the future value of the prize after being invested in government bonds over 30 years.

☆ As U.N. mulls sending troops to Haiti, a gang's rise shows how hard that would be
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Brian Ellsworth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Petithomme goes by the alias Ti Makak, and leads a gang of the same name. Haiti's National Police did not respond to requests for comment on the police commissary incident or about Ti Makak in general. Local media reported that Ti Makak was responsible. But the calls continued, he said, and a group later arrived in person, saying they were linked to Ti Makak. "We can easily conclude that the Ti Makak band seeks to win the hearts of the people, particularly of those people who have been involved in acts of looting during recent protests," Germain said.

☆ Under-pressure Juventus cruise to 4-0 win over Empoli
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TURIN, Italy, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Two goals by midfielder Adrien Rabiot helped Juventus crush Empoli 4-0 at the Allianz Stadium on Friday, as Massimiliano Allegri's team won two consecutive Serie A games for the first time this season. Empoli had a chance to draw the scores level through striker Mattia Destro but Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny did well to block his effort. The Frenchman completed the rout in stoppage time to notch up his second brace this season for Juventus in all competitions. Juventus travel to Lecce in Serie A on Saturday after visiting Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Explainer: What's driving Haiti's humanitarian crisis?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A man looks for food through piles of trash on the side of a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti October 16, 2022. REUTERS/Ricardo ArduengoOct 18 (Reuters) - Haiti is facing a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food, fuel and water causing catastrophic hunger, and the government pleading for military assistance from abroad. The trigger for the current crisis is the blockade of a key fuel terminal by armed gangs that began in September. The G9 on Sept. 12 dug trenches outside the main entrance of the Varreux fuel terminal to protest an announcement by Prime Minister Ariel Henry that the government was cutting fuel subsidies. The fuel shortages have halted most economic activities.

☆ Haiti activists rally at White House seeking end of U.S. support for Henry
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Brian Ellsworth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A woman holds a sign at a rally outside the White House asking the Biden administration to stop supporting Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Washington, U.S. October 9, 2022 in this picture obtained by Reuters. Gordon Whitman/via REUTERSOct 9 (Reuters) - Activists on Sunday rallied at the White House to call on the Biden administration to end support for the government of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, as the Caribbean nation faces a humanitarian crisis due to gangs blocking the distribution of fuel. A broadcast of the rally showed several hundred people gathered outside the White House, holding signs bearing Haiti's flag or with messages including "Let Haitians decide their own future." The Biden administration has not signaled that it plans to change its stance with respect to Henry. U.S. Representative Val Demings last week introduced the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2022, which calls for a new federal investigation into those who support Haitian gangs.

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