International

Grenada urges UN to respond with greater urgency to crises

Photo: EFE

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.

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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.

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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

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.