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Haiti gang boss will take part in talks if invited - but warns foreign forces will be treated as 'in

29 March

The head of one of Haiti's most powerful gangs, and the de-facto head of a consortium of gangs that have brought Port-au-Prince to a standstill has told Sky News he would consider a ceasefire and talks on the political future of the country if they were included.

But Jimmy Cherizier, known universally as "Barbecue", has predicted that more violence is imminent, adding that a recent halt in the fighting is purely a technical pause.
"There is nothing calm, but when you're fighting you have to know when to advance and when to retreat," he said.
"I think every day that passes we are coming up with a new strategy so we can advance, but there's nothing calm.
"In the days that are coming things will get worse than they are now…" he told me sitting in an alleyway in his stronghold.
Political parties in Haiti, overseen by CARICOM, the Caribbean economic union of countries, are trying to form a transitional council that will take over the running of the country after the Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is currently in the United States, stands down.
Cherizier has said they "respect CARICOM a lot" but dismissed the process as unrepresentative of the needs of the ordinary people and a smokescreen to allow "corrupt politicians" and what he calls "corrupt oligarchs" to continue running the country.
The only way the situation can move on, he insisted, is if the peace process includes him and his gang coalition.
"If the international community comes with a detailed plan where we can sit together and talk, but they do not impose on us what we should decide, I think that the weapons could be lowered," he added.
"We don't believe in killing people and massacring people, we believe in dialogue, we have weapons in our hand and it's with the weapons that we must liberate this country."
Read more:
What is happening in Haiti?
Vigilantes defending Haiti neighbourhood 'tooth and nail'

A vortex of violence and poverty
Haiti has been paralysed by weeks of violence that has seen whole districts burnt to the ground, tens of thousands of people displaced from their homes, while murder, rape, and gun battles are a daily occurrence.
Port-au-Prince is 80% controlled by the gangs and normal life has virtually stopped.
To get to Barbecue we were guided down a now-deserted motorway pockmarked with burnt out sections of tarmac and abandoned and burnt-out vehicles.
It's one of the main economic highways in the capital, and now totally under his control.
We were told that their snipers were watching us, and to drive slowly, and follow our guide's every move.
We then turned off the main road and drove through a warren of backstreets, to a meeting point where we were greeted by a group of armed gunmen in balaclavas.
I've met Barbecue before, and I knew where we were going, but everything was different this time - that deserted highway was free flowing the last time I was here. Now it is a barricaded battlefield.
Another difference is that last time we met, he wasn't too keen on us filming his armed guards, but now he positively wanted us to see them, and was carrying two weapons himself.
The reason is simple. He is at war, and he wants the authorities and his enemies here to know that it is a war.
He's not responsible for all the violence sweeping across Haiti's capital but, be under no doubt, he is at the centre of it and his fighters are never far away.
Barbecue sees himself as a revolutionary for the people, and he rails against corrupt politicians and oligarchs.
He has dismissed all the efforts under way here to form a transitional council that will govern Haiti.
"We believe in dialogue, we are for dialogue, but this political class that is here now is not here for dialogue, the reason is that they don't carry Haiti in their hearts the same way that we do.
"The political class say they are excluding bandits, that men with guns are not in it, but this is a way for them to revive the same system, because the system has reached its end.
"The divide between rich and poor is too vast, in the whole world there is a divide between rich and poor, but the way it's done in Haiti is indecent," he told me.
He suggested though, that he is open to some form of negotiations as long as they're represented.
"We are ready for all solutions as long as Haitians are at the table, we are ready to sit and talk with everyone, because we are not proud of what is happening in this country…"
I asked him if he accepts that if they want to have talks, they'll have to put down their weapons.
"The weapons will be lowered when they need to be lowered," he replied.
"At the moment we haven't got to the point where we should put down our weapons, because the people here don't want to listen to reason.
"We have been hearing about dialogue for more than two or three years.
Read more:
The people fleeing gang rule in Haiti

"We've been asking for everyone to sit down and talk to the people with guns, and no one heard us. Today we have reached the point where we are advancing and our objective is clear."
Surrounded by well-armed gunmen, Barbecue took me for a walk around some of his newly acquired territory.
He took us through the roadblocks of buses they've put in place to stop police raids here.
He says the last major police assault was eight days ago and he's not sure when there will be another.
Inside his territory, despite the poverty, life is relatively peaceful and organised.
Barbecue said we should see food distribution taking place inside his community.
And unlike what we have seen in other parts of Port-au-Prince, the queues for the food Barbecue gets brought in are orderly.
The essential difference is the people waiting in line know there's enough food and water supplies for the whole community. They just need to wait.
The issue here though is whether a poor area, controlled by a gang boss, is getting better treatment than poor areas controlled by the government.
This is the source of Barbecue's strength.
Cherizier, a former policeman, sees himself as a sort of revolutionary freedom fighter in the style of Che Guevara, and a Robin Hood type figure for his community.
For much of the international community though, and many in Haiti, he is a criminal gang leader.
Watched on by his well-armed and battle-hardened soldiers, Barbecue says plans for an international force led by Kenya to impose peace in Port-au-Prince will lead to more violence, whoever is in charge.
When I met him last in January 2023 I asked about foreign forces. He said at the time innocent people would die if they came in. I wondered if he still held the same view.
"I believe that just like I said, if the Kenyans come, first of all they will come to commit massacres in the poor communities, because the oligarchs and the corrupt politicians are going to tell them where to go on the pretext that they're coming to eliminate gangs and bandits, and they're going to enter the poor communities to commit massacres," he said.
"We at this moment who have weapons in our hands are not going to allow this.
"It's evolving. If the Kenyan military or Kenyan police come, whatever, I will consider them as aggressors, we will consider them as invaders, and we do not have to collaborate with any invaders that have come to walk over our independence."
Barbecue is not only leader of the G9 group of gangs, he is now also the leader of Viv Ansanm (Living Together) revolutionary group, a newly formed gang alliance.
He said he's trying to reign the more violent gangs in, and that they need to change their ways or risk losing their revolution.
"Viv Ansanm is a collective leadership - I can't force them. If I use force against them it will be an endless fight, we will never be able to accomplish what we want to against the people who have created this situation," he explained.
"But every day every day we talk seven or eight times on the phone, and each time we hear on the news that they kidnap someone or something bad is done.
"I always call the guys on the phone to see how together we can correct this, and even they who have been doing it are starting to be conscious that this is bad and that they're not going to do it anymore.
"But me I just assure myself that I continue talking to them for them to stop and not continue to do it.
"I think in time we will find a solution with a country where there are no kidnappings, without raping and killing people, and in the end we will chase the corrupt politicians and the corrupt oligarchs out of the country."
As we were getting ready to leave Cherizier paused to fly a kite.
It's an early Easter tradition here. He laughed and joked with his people. He's an unlikely hero but here in his territory he is.
In truth no ordinary society needs people like Barbecue, but Haiti isn't normal.
How or when it achieves normality is impossible to predict.

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Baltimore bridge collapse: Wife of survivor say it's a 'miracle' husband survived' because he can't

29 March

The wife of one of the eight construction workers who was on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed has said "it's a miracle he survived" because he can't swim.

Julio Cervantes was on the 1.6-mile-long structure when it crashed into the Patapsco River after being struck by a huge container ship in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Mr Cervantes and another man were rescued the same day.
The rescue mission turned into a recovery operation when they were presumed dead on Tuesday night. The bodies of two of them were found on Wednesday while the remaining four have still not been found.
Mr Cervantes' wife, who did not want to give her name, told Sky News's US partner network NBC News: "All of the men were on a break in their cars when the boat hit.
"We don't know if they were warned before the impact... my husband doesn't know how to swim. It is a miracle he survived."
It emerged after the disaster that personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel.
This meant local authorities were able to get close to the bridge before it was struck, with US President Joe Biden saying this "undoubtedly saved lives".
Mr Cervantes was taken to hospital with a chest wound on Tuesday and was released the same day.
The other worker rescued was in good condition and refused treatment.
The remains of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, were recovered in the Port of Baltimore on Wednesday morning.
They were found in a red truck trapped under 25ft of water near what was once the middle of the bridge.
Read more:
Two possible causes for the catastrophe
Baltimore has 'very long road ahead'
Mr Cervantes' wife said that her brother-in-law was one of the two men whose bodies were recovered, but did not share his name.
She said her entire family is of Mexican origin, and her nephew is among those still missing.
"We haven't been able to sleep, waiting for word if they're going to find a relative," she said.
It came as Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned of a "very long road ahead" to recover from the loss of the bridge as the Biden administration approved $60m in immediate federal aid.
Massive barges carrying cranes are in the process of removing twisted metal and concrete as a first step toward reopening a key shipping route blocked by the wreckage.
Mr Moore promised that "the best minds in the world" were working on plans to clear the debris, move the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge from the channel, recover the bodies of the four remaining workers presumed dead and investigate what went wrong.
An investigation into what caused the crash and subsequent bridge collapse is under way by the National Transportation Safety Board. It is anticipated to take up to two years.

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The new tech bringing loved ones back to life through AI

29 March

When technology entrepreneur Artur Sychov's father was diagnosed with cancer, he was forced to accept a day may soon come when he wouldn't be able to speak to him again.

The 38-year-old knew he would give anything to have another father-son conversation after his dad's death.
So, using artificial intelligence, he got to work on a way that could make it happen for others in his position.
Artur has created a virtual reality tool called "live forever mode". It features digital avatars who can simulate a person's voice, mannerisms and movements after just 30 minutes of the user being observed.
The goal is for the avatar to live forever online as a memory of its creator so future generations of their family can interact with it.
Artur struggles to see any downsides to it.
"You can get to know the person," he says. "You can hear their voice... You get to talk to them about different topics, and you get to inject a little bit of their personality.
"And with time, you'd actually be more and more precise. It would be more like them."
It is just one of the many ways in which companies across the world are reimagining our relationship with the dead - but there are concerns.
"It's really pushing on that fundamental anxiety that we have about the end of our being," says Elaine Kasket, a cyber psychologist and author.
"Some people have a lot of anxiety around that... I guess I have a few concerns about playing on those really existential fears as a means of selling your products."
Artur's company Somnium Space is trialling his "live forever mode" at its headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, before its official launch.
Somnium Space is a 3D metaverse platform that users can access with a virtual reality headset. In this space, they exist as an avatar that can play games, create artwork, attend events and buy and sell virtual goods from other users.
It has already been downloaded 300,000 times since it was set up in 2017, and around 50 to 250 users log into the platform every day.
Artur uses the tool himself, with his avatar styled as a blue robot.
"You sound familiar," Artur says, wearing a digital headset.
"I'm actually Artur," his avatar responds.
The real Artur poses a challenge: "You know I'm Artur. You're not Artur. Who are you?"
The avatar mocks him: "I can see you're trying to start a joke there. It seems like you might have got cut off. Want to finish the joke?"
When I try the technology myself, a user known as UltraLord "shakes" my avatar's hand and greets me with a virtual hug. Despite not feeling a physical sensation, I feel hugged.
The idea of continuing your legacy is a driving force for some users.
UltraLord, who is based in Budapest, Hungary, says the concept of immortality is exciting.
"In a way, we all want to live forever in the things that we do, and we want the idea of us, the legacy of us to live on throughout our generations," he says.
"So being able to actually create an idea of me that future generations can look back upon and kind of like, say and talk to and reflect on. It's very exciting."
He wants his avatar to outlive him so his future relatives can experience it.
He adds: "Instead of my kids having to hear stories of me and kind of make an idea of what they think I am in the past, they can actually talk to me and really know who I was, and that will give them a stronger sense of self."
Read more:
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UltraLord is aware he is creating something he won't be able to control after he has died, but he has made his peace with the idea.
"If it ever goes rogue, then I really don't know what to do," he says. "Well, I wouldn't be able to do anything..."
The "live forever mode" tool is expected to officially launch later this year but there remain unanswered questions.
It will be paid for by a subscription fee, but what that fee will be is undecided, as is who will pay for it after the creator dies.
Users can buy and sell virtual goods in the metaverse, and their avatars can continue to do this after they die if they have signed up for the live forever mode. But it is up to users to make sure their family can access their accounts and benefit from their posthumous earnings.
Somnium Space says it does not keep any of the data used to train the avatar on its servers. It is all stored locally on the computers of its users across the world, and they can control how much or how little to store.
But what happens to personal data after you die is a point of contention.
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In practical terms, if someone with malicious intent were to get hold of your information soon after your death, and before your family had a chance to decide what happens with your data online, you could be impersonated and your data manipulated, Ms Kasket warns, adding that you could even continue your former employment.
"If you're a university lecturer, maybe that university will have you keep on lecturing," she adds.
"Whether your family will see any money from that is open to question, because there's no regulation around this."
As technology evolves, we are looking at a future in which we can extend our legacies online and connect with dead loved ones in ways we didn't previously think were possible.
But with that comes a warning: we also have to prepare for these practices to have far-reaching consequences on our legacies and on the real lives of our loved ones.

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Man arrested after death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey is released under investigation

29 March

A man arrested in connection with the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has been released under investigation.

The man, who is in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with Gilbey's death on Thursday.
The 40-year-old star reportedly died following an accident at work on Wednesday.
Essex Police said: "As part of our ongoing investigation into the death of a man in Campfield Road, Shoebury, on Wednesday 27 March, a man aged in his 40s from the Witham area was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
"He has now been released under investigation.
"This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our enquiries are ongoing."
Police previously said they were called to an incident in Shoebury at around 10am on Wednesday after "a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury".
Gilbey was best known for appearing on the Channel 4 show alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died in 2021 aged 71.
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The family first appeared on the second series of Gogglebox in 2013 but were dropped the following year when the reality star signed up for the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.
Gilbey appeared on the Channel 5 version of the show alongside other famous faces including The Hills star Stephanie Pratt and American actor Gary Busey, who won the series.
The family later returned to Gogglebox and a spokesperson for the award-winning programme said: "George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda and George's family and friends at this very sad time. The family has asked for privacy."

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Weather latest: Strong winds batter UK as millions set to hit roads over Easter weekend

29 March

Winds of up to 70mph have battered the south coast, along with hail and thunder, as millions are set to hit the roads for Easter getaways.

The weekend is set to be "unsettled" but "bright and breezy", according to the Met Office forecast.
Drivers are being warned of long delays on roads as more than 14 million Easter getaway trips are expected.
Find out the forecast for where you live
The RAC and transport analysis company Inrix commissioned a survey which suggested 2.6 million leisure journeys by car will be made on Good Friday.
Meanwhile, at least three major airports have said that the coming days will be their busiest-ever Easter weekend while 493 different pieces of planned engineering works are set to take place on the railways.
Yellow weather warnings for rain and strong winds were issued across parts of the south of England and Northern Ireland respectively on Thursday.
The caution for the south of England expired at 11.59pm on Thursday while the warning for Northern Ireland said "a few" homes and businesses could be flooded and is in place until 3am on Friday.
The unsettled conditions are expected to continue into Easter, as the bank holiday weekend leads into a two-week break for many schools.
Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said Good Friday will be less windy than Thursday, with a few showers around on Saturday and Easter Sunday, along with pleasant sunny spells.
Temperatures of up to 15C (59F) are expected in west London and 14C (57.2F) in Manchester on Sunday, which is typical for the time of year.
Read more from Sky News:
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Rain is then set to return to the south on Easter Monday.

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