International

UN General Assembly president: Gaza situation “catastrophic, unthinkable, shameful”

The President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, described the situation in Gaza on Monday as “catastrophic, inconceivable, shameful,” with 30,000 deaths reported from bombings and fatalities now occurring due to starvation.

Francis spoke during the opening of a special session of the Assembly called for the United States to explain its latest veto on February 20th at the Security Council — the third since the Gaza war began — on a resolution demanding an unconditional and immediate ceasefire.

Expressing unequivocal support for the ceasefire, Francis said he was “shocked and horrified by the killing or injuring of hundreds of people” during a food distribution last week.

In his speech, he went beyond usual diplomatic balances and did not hesitate to name Israel: “Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian access (to Gaza) have dramatically reduced the flow of vital aid,” lamenting that assistance entry dropped by 50% from January to February.

Francis was responded to by U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Woods, who once again justified their latest veto, arguing that a resolution for a ceasefire would have jeopardized the “intense efforts” the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are making for a “temporary ceasefire” conditional on the release of hostages held by Hamas.

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The Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour, displaying photos of emaciated Palestinian children due to lack of food, and ending his speech with a choked voice, protested that “Israel believes itself above the law, and until that belief is shattered, it will continue to act as a lawless state.”

Mansour lamented that there are people “with a much higher tolerance for Palestinian deaths than Israel’s” who consider Palestinians “an inferior race and find it difficult to see us as victims.”

“In the eyes of Israel, Palestinians have three options: displacement, subjugation, or death. Ethnic cleansing, apartheid, or genocide,” he concluded.

As for Israel’s representative, Gilad Erdan, he reiterated that the only acceptable terms for a ceasefire are “the elimination of Hamas: violators, mass murderers should never have free access to the UN.”

Furthermore, he attacked the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) as an instrument of Hamas and therefore stated that it “must be defunded and dismantled.”

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International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.