International

Caribbean countries demand access to state-of-the-art technology

Photo: acn

September 16 |

The economic and social transformation of developing nations, through access to cutting-edge technology and innovation, is a demand made this Saturday by several Caribbean nations at the Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) + China.

On the second and last day of the international meeting being held in Cuba, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, praised Havana for its historic role in defending the interests of the South.

During her speech at the summit, Johnson Smith referred to the global crisis facing humanity and expressed her hope that science, technology and innovation will be catalysts in the economic and social transformation of developing nations.

The minister stressed the importance of the political declaration expected to be approved at the summit, which recognizes the challenges we face and reaffirms the need for the countries of the South to act together to seek solutions to common problems.

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Johnson Smith shared Jamaica’s experiences in applying science and technology to boost economic development.

She also took the opportunity to salute Cuba and acknowledge the significant progress it has made in the field of science, despite the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States.

The minister also emphasized the importance of financing to address climate change and promote development. She lamented that not all countries have equitable access to this funding, highlighting the need to address this inequality.

Minister Johnson Smith’s remarks reflect Jamaica’s recognition of the importance of science and technology in economic and social development, as well as its commitment to solidarity and cooperation among countries of the South to address common challenges.

Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, expressed his condemnation of the blockade imposed on Cuba and the sanctions applied to Venezuela during the summit.

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He also emphasized solidarity with Morocco and Libya, countries that have recently been affected by natural disasters.

In his speech, Minister Greene underscored the need for the G77 countries and China to insist on access to finance for development in order to achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.

He referred to the archaic international financial architecture, which does not take into account the needs of small island states in key areas such as agriculture, food, education and health.

The minister expressed concern about the restrictive policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union, which force island states to borrow and accumulate debt.

He emphasized that climate change is an issue that fundamentally affects these nations and stressed the importance of receiving assistance in this regard. He thanked China for its support and for offering acceptable loan rates.

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Mr. Greene advocated access to technology at affordable prices, considering this a great support for the island nations.

At the end of his speech, the Minister recalled the passion of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and his focus on the human mission of the summit, emphasizing the importance of guaranteeing equal rights for all human beings.

Another speaker was Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, International Trade, Investment, Industry and Commerce of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

In his opportunity, he stated that the G77 and China Summit can be an engine for the adoption of practical actions that will drive the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and progress towards a sustainable and digital economy, including the incorporation of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence.

During his remarks, the minister highlighted St. Kitts and Nevis’ experiences in implementing technologies in key sectors such as health and education.

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He underscored his nation’s desire to ensure that no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world and emphasized the need to transform the current international financial architecture in this regard.

Douglas also emphasized the Caribbean’s particular vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural disasters as a result of climate change.

He noted that the pandemic has accelerated the need for changes in social policies and the development of digital services in order to achieve sustainable development.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.