Devastating 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ends, marked by record-setting storms
This year saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes – classified as Category 3 or higher – marking the ninth consecutive above-average season for the Atlantic basin. “Year after year, the climate crisis continues to break new…
In wake of G20, Gulf states boost ties to Brazil, Latin America
Middle East analysts are welcoming a series of agreements concluded during the recent summit in Brazil of the 20 biggest economies, saying they open new avenues for Gulf Cooperation Council states to strengthen economic relations with emerging markets across Latin…
Mexico, Canada warn Trump against raising tariffs
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that Mexico would retaliate if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump followed through with his proposed 25% across-the-board tariff, a move her government warned could kill 400,000 U.S. jobs and drive up…
France’s farmers resume strike over South American trade deal
Protests by French and other European farmers are threatening a long-expected trade deal between the European Union and South American trading bloc Mercosur, comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The EU hopes to clinch it next month — but individual…
‘The UN is not leaving Haiti,’ spokesperson afffirms
In a briefing on Tuesday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted the deepening insecurity, noting that essential personnel from various UN agencies and the UN Mission in Haiti (BINUH) are remaining in Port-au-Prince to continue their critical activities. While the…
Beloved comic strip character Mafalda realizes her dream of being a UN interpreter
Mafalda, the inquisitive and sharp-witted creation of the late humorist Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, known as Quino, also fulfilled a long-held dream on her birthday: “to learn languages to be a UN interpreter” and “to help people understand each other”….
Haiti: Child recruitment by armed groups surges 70 per cent
According to the latest estimates, children now comprise up to half of all armed group members, with recruitment driven by widespread poverty, lack of education and collapse of essential services. “Children in Haiti are trapped in a vicious cycle –…
As violent gangs extend control in Haiti, UN commits to staying the course
Armed gangs are reportedly expanding their zone of operations, taking control of additional neighbourhoods and further isolating communities. This is despite the deployment of a UN Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, drafted in to bolster the national police…
Haiti at a ‘dire crossroads’, Security Council hears
“This is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating,” emphasised Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. The country is now in…
Haiti: ‘Very critical situation on the ground,’ warns Humanitarian Coordinator
She updated journalists in New York on Wednesday on the worsening situation in Haiti, which has deteriorated dramatically since the installation of a new Prime Minister on 11 November. The verified toll of gang violence this year has reached more…