International
Haitian government and UN sign cooperation agreement
April 21 |
Haiti’s Ministry of Planning and the United Nations (UN) signed on Thursday a Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development covering the period 2023-2027, as a collective response in support of the 2030 Sustainable Development Commitment agenda, local sources reported.
The agreement offers a comprehensive and holistic approach, focused on promoting long-term governance, security, rule of law, as well as inclusive economic transformation, effective social services and comprehensive environmental protection.
With the agreement, the UN commits to invest about $1 billion over the next five years, of which 40 percent are available resources and 60 percent have not yet been mobilized.
The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (Binuh), Madame Maria Isabel Salvador, promised to “play her part in this program aimed at leading Haiti towards prosperity, guaranteeing human rights and gender equality”.
Madame Salvador assured that the plan demonstrates “the strong relationship between the United Nations and the Government. The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (Binuh) is committed to doing its part of the job.
For her part, Ulrika Richardson, UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti, stressed that the agreement marks a new stage in the common history of Haiti and the UN and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen common approaches based on mutual support between peace, security and sustainable development.
“We have no right to fail, the situation is critical, the stakes are huge, we cannot go it alone,” confessed Richardson, who said he hoped that all stakeholders will be actively involved in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Likewise, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation Ricard Pierre called the signing of the document an act of commitment. “We must all be aware of the challenges ahead of us in the implementation of this new cooperation framework.”
At another point in his speech, he stressed that “Time is critical, frank cooperation, the full participation of stakeholders will be needed if we are to achieve the expected results,” specifying that the estimated budget of the cooperation framework plan is more than US$1 billion.
This pact takes place in a complex scenario for the Caribbean country, which is suffering the consequences of economic recessions and violence and insecurity caused by armed criminal groups, while 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian aid due to extreme poverty.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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