Colombian Police Rescue 1000 Animals in Anti-Smuggling Operation

INTERNATIONAL: Colombia's national police on Monday (April 11) rescued over 1,000 ocelots, snakes, birds, and other animals valued at more than $1 million on the black market.

The nationwide operation, supported by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and local environmental authorities, led to 21 arrests, the police said in a statement.

"The national police in coordination with wildlife authorities of the United States have achieved the most important operation to safeguard protected species in Colombia," General Jorge Luis Vargas, head of the national police, said.

The 1,004 animals - including turtles, starfish, and tarantulas - are now in the care of environmental authorities.

Colombia is one of the world's most bio-diverse countries and police there have rescued 5,994 animals from potential trafficking so far this year.

Another shooting in U.S New York subway shooting

INTERNATIONAL: Dramatic eyewitness video captured the moment commuters ran from a smoking metro carriage in New York City in the aftermath of a shooting.

A gunman wearing a gas mask set off a smoke bomb and opened fire in a New York subway car during Tuesday's 12th April morning commute, injuring at least 17 people, authorities said, prompting officials to renew calls for steps to combat a surge of violence in the city's transit system.

Police said the perpetrator, believed to have acted alone, fled the scene. The attack unfolded as a Manhattan-bound subway train on the N line was pulling into a station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood, setting off an intense manhunt by local and federal law enforcement.

Ten people were hit directly by gunfire, including five hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Authorities said seven others were injured by shrapnel or otherwise hurt in the chaos as panicked riders fled the smoke-filled subway car, some collapsing to the pavement as they poured onto the platform of the 36th Street station. The fire department said two of those hurt were treated at the scene.

According to CNN, a total of 29 people who suffered various injuries in the incident turned up at area hospitals, though most of them appeared to have been emergency room walk-ins who were treated and discharged.

The suspect was described by police as a man of heavy build, wearing a green construction-type vest and a hooded sweatshirt. CNN, citing internal law enforcement emails, said the New York City Police Department (NYPD) was searching for a U-Haul van with Arizona license plates in connection with the shooting.

Outside the station, in an area known for its thriving Chinatown and views of the Statue of Liberty, authorities shut down a dozen or so blocks and cordoned off the immediate vicinity with crime-scene tape. Schools in the neighborhood were placed under security lockdowns.

The Devils Whip Each Other for Easter

INTERNATIONAL: Salvadorans were once again able to celebrate the Easter season on Monday (April 11) with the traditional ceremony in which men dressed as devils whip people after COVID-19 put a pause on it last year.

The event is meant to highlight the universal struggle of good versus evil and takes place each year in the town of Texistepeque, El Salvador, located some 83 kilometers (51 miles) north of San Salvador.

"We have tried not to lose this (tradition). Today we have the opportunity to return to the streets of Texistepeque with a reason for joy, and we are entirely motivated after two years of absence," the local resident dressed as devil Cristian Sanchez told Reuters.

Actors called Talciguines - which means demon man - dress as devils to punish people for their sins by lashing them. Many flocks from different surrounding regions in El Salvador take part in the event and get whipped to repent for sins committed during the year.

The Talciguines and a man dressed as Jesus first attend mass and offer their performances as a sacrifice. When the mass ends, the whipping begins on the streets.

The annual ceremony takes place before Easter when Catholics and other Christians celebrate Jesus rising from the dead after dying for their sins.