分类： politics

GENEVA — In a defiant address to the UN Human Rights Council, Iran’s ambassador Ali Bahreini declared his nation would not yield to what he termed ‘lawless aggression’ from the United States and Israel, asserting that 90 million Iranians face ‘immediate and grave danger’ from military strikes.

The session, intended to examine Iran’s human rights record, transformed into a platform for geopolitical confrontation as Bahreini redirected focus toward external threats. He characterized the US and Israeli offensive launched February 28 as reckless militarism that endangered regional stability and civilian lives.

UN experts meanwhile warned that Tehran’s domestic repression, particularly its deadly crackdown on protests beginning December 28, would likely intensify amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Special Rapporteur Mai Sato noted reports of over 7,000 protest-related deaths and expressed concern that ‘a very big crackdown’ could follow if the Islamic Republic emerges weakened from the war.

Bahreini presented counter-allegations, accusing the US and Israel of attacking Iranian cultural heritage and massacring ‘innocent children at their school desks’ in Minab. He claimed 1,300 fatalities and 7,000 injuries in Iran since the strikes began.

The diplomatic clash revealed deep international divisions. The Gulf Cooperation Council nations plus Jordan condemned Iran’s attacks on their territories as unjustifiable threats to regional security. Russia accused the US and Israel of seeking to ‘destroy this dissenting country,’ while China expressed grave concern and called for immediate ceasefire and dialogue. Western nations including Britain and France urged diplomatic solutions and warned against exploiting conflict to inflict violence on citizens.

The session highlighted how geopolitical tensions have complicated human rights oversight, with both Iran and its accusers leveraging the platform to advance competing narratives of aggression and victimhood.

A comprehensive government audit has revealed significant financial irregularities and potential collusion within Jamaica’s agricultural sector, raising serious concerns about public fund management. The Internal Audit Directorate within the Ministry of Finance and Public Service documented these findings in the Government of Jamaica Audit Committees’ Annual Report for fiscal year 2024/25, which was formally presented to the House of Representatives on Thursday.

The investigation uncovered that a senior manager allegedly diverted approximately $1.45 million in improper payments to third-party entities, suggesting possible coordinated misconduct within organizations under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining. The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) was specifically implicated in these transactions that indicate potential collusion among officials.

Beyond the diverted funds, auditors identified substantial gaps in financial documentation practices. The Fisheries Division and Castleton Botanical Gardens showed accountability lapses exceeding $2.1 million due to missing critical records including lodgement slips and payment vouchers. These documentation failures prevented proper financial tracking and verification.

The report further detailed systematic misuse of government subventions, with funds repeatedly allocated for purposes inconsistent with their intended objectives. Additionally, multiple breaches of employment guidelines were detected within the ministry’s operational framework.

These specific incidents form part of a broader pattern of governance deficiencies across Jamaican government entities. The audit revealed that internal control violations and non-compliance with financial protocols have resulted in substantial fiscal losses, including salary overpayments exceeding $200 million and project cost overruns surpassing $136 million nationwide.

Perhaps most concerning is the declining responsiveness to audit findings. The report noted that management response timeliness dropped significantly to 33% during the reviewed period, down from 52% in the previous fiscal year, indicating reduced accountability measures within governmental departments.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) official Abka Fitz-Henley has called upon the party’s young professional arm, Generation 2000 (G2K), to actively educate citizens about the national budget currently under parliamentary debate. Addressing the G2K Portmore Chapter at the Youth Innovation Centre in Edgewater, Fitz-Henley emphasized the budget’s presentation during exceptionally difficult circumstances.

The JLP Communication Taskforce Chairman highlighted the dual challenges of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, which wiped out over 50% of Jamaica’s GDP, and ongoing global economic uncertainties. “This budget has been meticulously crafted and is now being debated at perhaps one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s recent history,” Fitz-Henley stated.

He urged G2K members to adopt a sensitive communication approach: “Now is the time for G2K not to be boastful in its utterances but to be mindful of the hardships affecting segments of our population while explaining the budget’s provisions.”

Fitz-Henley also cautioned against distractions from opposition tactics, noting: “The Opposition remains in apparent shock over their electoral defeat. Some had already been preparing to access the spoils of political office before the election, which explains their current desperation for power.”

Additionally, he encouraged G2K to help maintain the spirit of unity that emerged during Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath. “As I toured affected areas, I witnessed remarkable camaraderie where communities supported neighbors during disaster. We must extend this collaborative spirit across society as we navigate ongoing challenges,” Fitz-Henley concluded.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is set to host Diplomatic Days 2026 from March 17-19, bringing together resident and non-resident diplomatic corps members for high-level engagements with government leadership. Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith will convene the three-day event designed to strengthen international cooperation, expand economic opportunities, and enhance climate resilience strategies.

The gathering takes on particular significance as Jamaica continues reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating landfall on October 28, 2025, which caused extensive damage across the island’s western regions. Minister Johnson Smith emphasized that Jamaica maintains a pragmatic and principled diplomatic approach requiring sustained dialogue with international partners during this rebuilding phase.

A centerpiece of the program will feature a policy briefing led by Johnson Smith alongside Matthew Samuda, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, who recently assumed presidency of the United Nations Environment Assembly. The event will also welcome newly appointed ambassadors from Greece, Ireland, Malta, Panama, Qatar, and Türkiye, along with high commissioners from Lesotho and Rwanda.

The diplomatic proceedings will commence with formal credential presentations to Minister Johnson Smith, followed by official ceremonies with Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen at King’s House. Additional activities include bilateral meetings and a cultural visit to the National Gallery of Jamaica, culminating in the annual diplomatic dinner hosted by the Governor-General and Lady Allen.

This strategic initiative forms part of Jamaica’s broader international engagement strategy to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships while addressing post-disaster recovery challenges through coordinated global cooperation.

HAVANA, Cuba – In a stark escalation of rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his intention to potentially ‘take’ Cuba, capitalizing on the communist nation’s severe economic and energy crisis. The threat was issued as the island of 9.6 million citizens endured a complete national power grid failure, a direct consequence of a stringent U.S. fuel embargo.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump characterized Cuba as a ‘very weakened nation’ and asserted his capability to do ‘anything I want with it.’ This statement represents one of the most unambiguous threats from his administration, which has intensified pressure on Havana following the U.S.-backed ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally and oil supplier.

The total electrical blackout, confirmed by Cuba’s Unión Nacional Eléctrica (UNE), is symptomatic of a deeper collapse. The nation’s antiquated power generation infrastructure, crippled by an acute shortage of fuel, has led to daily outages lasting up to 20 hours in some regions. This energy deficit has forced the rationing of gasoline and compromised hospital services, while also dealing a severe blow to the vital tourism industry by curtailing airline flights.

In a significant policy shift aimed at mitigating the economic stranglehold, senior Cuban economic official Oscar Perez-Oliva announced that the government is now open to investment and business ownership by Cuban exiles residing in the United States. This move is seen as both an economic relief measure and a concession to long-standing U.S. demands for market liberalization.

The compounding crises of blackouts and shortages of food and medicine have ignited public unrest. Recent protests have included the vandalism of a provincial Communist Party office and nightly demonstrations where residents bang pots and pans while chanting ‘Libertad’ (freedom).

While Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the public’s ‘discontent’ over the blackouts, he condemned the associated violence. Concurrently, Trump framed the U.S. fuel blockade as a response to an ‘extraordinary threat’ from Cuba, suggesting a potential deal could be imminent following the resolution of tensions with Iran.

In a significant policy reversal, Cuban authorities announced Monday that expatriate citizens will now be permitted to invest in and own businesses on the island nation. The landmark decision comes as Cuba’s economy faces severe strain from prolonged US sanctions and recent oil embargoes.

Oscar Perez-Oliva, Cuba’s Foreign Trade Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed the reform in an interview with NBC News, stating the government seeks “fluid commercial relationships” with both US corporations and Cubans residing abroad. The announcement represents a dramatic shift from decades of restrictive economic policies, particularly toward the exile community in Miami that has historically opposed the communist government.

The reform initiative aims to revitalize critical economic sectors including tourism and mining, while addressing infrastructure challenges, notably the aging electrical grid responsible for frequent nationwide blackouts. This opening to diaspora investment marks a pragmatic response to Cuba’s deepening economic crisis, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s intensified pressure campaign.

President Donald Trump acknowledged ongoing negotiations with Cuba, suggesting potential developments “pretty quickly” after addressing US concerns with Iran. The comments follow Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s confirmation of bilateral talks regarding “differences” between the two nations.

The economic liberalization measure coincides with severe fuel shortages resulting from the termination of Venezuelan oil subsidies and Trump’s embargo policies, pushing Cuba’s already fragile economy toward potential collapse. The reform signals Havana’s willingness to engage previously antagonistic diaspora communities as it seeks economic stabilization amid mounting external pressures.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – In a personal announcement via his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump revealed that his Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The 68-year-old political operative, who made history as the first woman to hold the White House chief of staff position, intends to maintain her demanding schedule throughout her treatment course.

Trump characterized Wiles as “an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know” in his social media post. He detailed that rather than delaying treatment, Wiles has chosen to confront her diagnosis immediately. The former president expressed confidence in her medical team, stating her prognosis is “excellent.” He further noted that Wiles plans to spend “virtually full time at the White House” during her treatment, a commitment he described as making him “very happy.”

Wiles’s role has been pivotal in shaping Trump’s political comeback. Widely recognized behind the scenes as the driving force steering the trajectory of his second presidency, she earned monikers from Trump such as “The Ice Maiden” and “the most powerful woman in the world.” Her career with Trump began in Florida during his initial 2016 presidential campaign.

Despite maintaining an exceptionally low public profile, insiders describe Wiles as a resolute and steely gatekeeper within Trump’s orbit. Her central mission has been to institute order and prevent a recurrence of the internal chaos and factional disputes that plagued Trump’s first term in office. This diagnosis comes as Trump and the Republican party navigate significant challenges, including international tensions with Iran and navigating poor approval ratings ahead of the crucial November midterm elections.