International
Grenada urges UN to respond with greater urgency to crises
September 23 |
The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, intervened in the fourth day of debates of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UN), held in New York City, United States.
During his speech, the premier reflected on the context of the pandemic and the resilience of the Grenadian people, and in that sense, he stressed the importance of international cooperation, the sharing of resources, information and continuous dialogue through the UN.
“We continue to live in a world and a context where our citizens continue to suffer from hunger, poverty, gender-based violence, climate disaster, and other problems that affect our planet and, above all, that has to do with the aspirations of achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he stressed.
Likewise, he urged the UN to unite and respond to crises with the utmost urgency through multilateral efforts and collaborations, so that everyone helps their fellow citizens when in need.
He referred to climate action and stated that “a climate disaster of some kind is likely to occur in one or more of the member states and will have devastating effects on our citizens, our economies and will inevitably affect the development situation and progress of the country in question”.
He also called for a special effort in climate action and justice for those on the front lines of the crisis and demanded the need for urgent efforts to address financing and tackle climate change efforts.
“States that contribute the least to the climate crisis bear the highest burden and without immediate and deep cuts in emissions across the board, I fear we are headed down a path of worse outcomes if we don’t take meaningful action now,” he said.
The Premier called for Latin America and the Caribbean to remain a Zone of Peace and reiterated the call for the elimination of the economic and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba.
He also requested that Cuba be removed from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism. With respect to Venezuela, he reiterated the call to end the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to the norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter.
He expressed concern about the situation in Haiti and the state of violence, and asked for support in security and humanitarian needs to counteract armed gangs. In this regard, he said that the support of the Security Council is expected as a demonstration of commitment.
International
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
COVID-19 vaccines prevented an estimated 2,533,000 deaths worldwide between 2020 and 2024, according to an international study led by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy and Stanford University in the United States, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum. Researchers calculated that one death was prevented for every 5,400 doses administered.
The analysis also found that the vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life, equivalent to one year of life gained for every 900 doses given.
The study, coordinated by Professor Stefania Boccia, revealed that 82% of the lives saved were people vaccinated before becoming infected with the virus, and 57% of deaths avoided occurred during the Omicron wave. In addition, 90% of the beneficiaries were adults over 60 years old.
“This is the most comprehensive analysis to date, based on global data and fewer assumptions about the evolution of the pandemic,” explained Boccia and researcher Angelo Maria Pezzullo.
International
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that reinstated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, stressing that the immigration program was never intended to serve as a “de facto asylum system.”
On Thursday, Judge Trina Thompson extended protections for about 7,000 Nepalese immigrants, whose TPS was set to expire on August 5. The ruling also impacts roughly 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans, whose TPS protections were scheduled to end on September 8.
Immigrants covered by TPS had sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that the program’s termination was driven by “racial animus” and stripped them of protection from deportation.
DHS Deputy Undersecretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement saying the decision to end TPS was part of a mandate to “restore the integrity” of the immigration system and return the program to its original purpose.
“TPS was never conceived as a de facto asylum system; however, that is how previous administrations have used it for decades,” McLaughlin emphasized.
She also criticized Judge Thompson, calling the ruling “another example” of judges “stirring up claims of racism to distract from the facts.”
McLaughlin added that DHS would appeal the decision and take the legal battle to higher courts.
The Trump administration has also terminated TPS protections for approximately 160,000 Ukrainians, 350,000 Venezuelans, and at least half a million Haitians, among other immigrant groups.
International
Trump to build $200M ballroom at the White House by 2028
The U.S. government under President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that it will begin construction in September on a new 8,000-square-meter ballroom at the White House.
The announcement was made by Karoline Leavitt, the administration’s press secretary, during a briefing in which she explained that the expansion responds to the need for a larger venue to host “major events.”
“Other presidents have long wished for a space capable of accommodating large gatherings within the White House complex… President Trump has committed to solving this issue,” Leavitt told reporters.
The project is estimated to cost $200 million, fully funded through donations from Trump himself and other “patriots,” according to a government statement. Construction is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to be completed before Trump’s term ends in 2028.
The Clark Construction Group, a Virginia-based company known for projects such as the Capital One Arena and L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C., has been selected to lead the project.
The new ballroom will be built on the East Wing of the White House, expanding the iconic residence with a space designed for state dinners, official ceremonies, and large-scale events.
Study finds COVID-19 vaccines prevented 2.5 million deaths worldwide
Trump administration blasts judge’s ruling reinstating TPS for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
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