The US State Department has issued a directive to embassies worldwide, intensifying the screening process for visa and green card applicants with pre-existing health conditions. This policy aims to safeguard the American public from the financial burden of providing healthcare to immigrants. The directive highlights that certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, cancers, diabetes, metabolic disorders, neurological issues, and mental health conditions, can incur substantial healthcare costs, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Applicants must now demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover these expenses throughout their expected lifespan without relying on public assistance or government-funded long-term care. Guerline Jozef, director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, has criticized the policy, warning that it could jeopardize the safety and eligibility of all immigrants seeking visas or green cards.
分类： politics
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End to US government shutdown in sight as Democrats quarrel
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history appears to be nearing its end as bipartisan efforts gain momentum. On Monday, several Democratic senators joined Republicans to advance a compromise deal, sparking internal party tensions. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has left over a million federal workers without pay and disrupted essential government services. Recent days have seen severe impacts on air travel, with hundreds of daily flight cancellations increasing pressure to resolve the impasse. The Senate cleared a key procedural hurdle late Sunday and is expected to pass the compromise budget by late Monday or overnight. The bill will then move to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, potentially reaching President Donald Trump’s desk by Wednesday. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed relief, stating, ‘Our long national nightmare is finally coming to an end.’ The deal would reopen the government through January, fund some programs for the full fiscal year, and reverse some federal worker firings. It also restores funding for the SNAP food aid program, benefiting over 42 million low-income Americans. However, the agreement does not guarantee the extension of Obamacare health insurance subsidies, a key Democratic demand. Senator Jeanne Shaheen praised the progress, while critics like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer voiced dissatisfaction. Schumer vowed to continue the fight for healthcare, and some lawmakers criticized his leadership for failing to unify the party.
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Colombian president’s son indicted on corruption charges
In a significant development in Colombia, Nicolas Petro, the 39-year-old son of President Gustavo Petro, has been formally indicted on six corruption-related charges. The charges stem from his tenure as a lawmaker and include allegations of illicit enrichment, money laundering, embezzlement, and document forgery. The case centers on a state contract intended to support elderly citizens and children with disabilities, with prosecutors asserting that funds were misappropriated. This indictment follows his arrest in mid-2023, after which he was granted conditional release to prepare his defense. The initial allegations surfaced from his ex-wife, Daysuris Vasquez, who accused him of receiving illicit funds from Samuel Santander Lopesierra, a convicted drug trafficker in the United States. While Nicolas Petro admitted to receiving the money, he maintains it was unrelated to his father’s 2022 presidential campaign and insists President Petro was unaware of the transactions. The case has drawn international attention, particularly due to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s accusations against Gustavo Petro of drug trafficking and the imposition of financial sanctions on the Petro family. Nicolas Petro was notably absent from Monday’s court hearing, with his lawyer citing financial constraints caused by U.S. sanctions as the reason for his inability to attend.
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President of Suriname says country will not export bauxite under any circumstances
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) – Suriname’s President Jennifer Greelings-Simons has moved to dispel rumors suggesting that her government is engaged in formal negotiations with the Chinese multinational Chinalco. Speaking to reporters upon her return from Brazil, President Greelings-Simons clarified that while Vice President Gregory Rusland recently met with a Chinalco delegation, these discussions were not indicative of official government talks. ‘Chinalco requested a meeting with the vice president, and that happened. He listened to their proposals, but this does not constitute formal negotiations,’ she stated. The meeting reportedly focused on the bauxite sector, a key industry for Suriname. Earlier, the Directorate for Public Communications (DVC) had announced that the cabinet would renegotiate with Chinalco to secure a more favorable agreement for the country. President Greelings-Simons emphasized that her administration remains committed to protecting Suriname’s interests in any future dealings with foreign entities.
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Suspect arrested in Mexico over 1994 presidential candidate’s murder
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — In a significant development surrounding one of Mexico’s most notorious political assassinations, authorities have apprehended Jorge Antonio Sanchez Ortega, a former intelligence agent suspected of involvement in the 1994 killing of Luis Donaldo Colosio, the then-presidential frontrunner. The arrest, which took place in Tijuana, Baja California, on Saturday, marks a renewed effort to unravel the decades-old mystery that has haunted the nation. Colosio, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate, was fatally shot during a campaign rally in Tijuana on March 23, 1994. His murder, which occurred weeks after he publicly criticized the corrupt establishment within his own party, is widely regarded as a turning point in Mexican political history. While Mario Aburto Martinez was convicted as the sole perpetrator and remains incarcerated, questions persist about who orchestrated the assassination. Sanchez Ortega, who was briefly detained and released shortly after the incident, was reportedly employed by the Center of Investigation and National Security (CISEN), Mexico’s counterpart to the US Central Intelligence Agency at the time. Authorities have yet to disclose whether new evidence prompted the arrest, leaving the public to speculate about potential breakthroughs in this long-standing case.
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Jamaica secures seat on UNESCO executive board
KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant diplomatic achievement, Jamaica has been elected to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) executive board, securing a four-year term from 2025 to 2029. The election was held during the ongoing UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking a pivotal moment for the Caribbean nation in global governance.
This appointment represents a second term for Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, who previously served on the executive board from 2017 to 2021. Minister Grange expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity, emphasizing Jamaica’s commitment to advocating for the interests of developing nations.
In her statement, Grange highlighted Jamaica’s key priorities, which include amplifying the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the broader Global South within UNESCO’s decision-making framework. Additionally, she pledged to champion UNESCO’s global agenda, particularly its focus on Africa and gender equality, two critical areas of the organization’s mission.
This election underscores Jamaica’s growing influence on the international stage and its dedication to addressing pressing global issues through multilateral platforms. The country’s renewed presence on the UNESCO executive board is expected to foster greater representation and equity for marginalized regions worldwide.
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US Supreme Court declines to hear case challenging same-sex marriage
In a significant decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review a case challenging the nationwide constitutional right to same-sex marriage, reaffirming its landmark 2015 ruling. The court, dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority, offered no explanation for its refusal to hear the appeal, which was brought by Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who had defied court orders by refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis, who cited her Christian beliefs as justification, was ordered to pay substantial damages and legal fees to a gay couple she had denied service. Her case had raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates that the court might revisit its decision legalizing same-sex marriage, especially after its 2022 ruling overturning the constitutional right to abortion. The Supreme Court’s unsigned order, which required at least four votes to proceed, saw no dissents. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal, celebrated the decision but cautioned against complacency, noting that opponents remain determined to undermine progress. With over 820,000 same-sex couples married in the U.S. today—more than double the number in 2015—the ruling underscores the enduring impact of marriage equality while highlighting ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights.
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AG seeks to appeal $20m payout to ex-Naipaul-Coolman accused in Privy Council
The State has petitioned the Privy Council for permission to appeal a landmark $20 million judgment awarded to nine men previously charged with the murder of businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. This move follows the Court of Appeal’s refusal to grant conditional leave for the appeal. The application, filed in London in October, was denied on November 7, with the Court of Appeal providing its reasoning for the decision.
The case originated from a default judgment in favor of the nine men—Shervon and Devon Peters, Anthony Gloster, Joel Fraser, Ronald Armstrong, Keida Garcia, Jameel Garcia, Marlon Trimmingham, and Antonio Charles—for unlawful arrest and malicious prosecution. The State failed to defend the claim, leading to a Master’s assessment of damages totaling $18.9 million plus interest, bringing the sum to over $20 million.
In January 2021, High Court judge Joan Charles ruled in the men’s favor after the State neglected to defend the claim. However, in December 2023, Charles reversed her decision, citing improper service of legal documents to the Attorney General’s office. The Appeal Court later reinstated the compensation in June, prompting the State to seek conditional leave to appeal, which was denied.
Justice Nolan Bereaux, leading the three-member panel, emphasized that the Attorney General’s application did not meet the constitutional threshold for appeal under Sections 109(1)(a) and 109(2)(a) of the Constitution. He noted that the decision to dismiss the application to set aside the default judgment was not a “final decision” in civil proceedings and thus did not qualify for an appeal as of right.
Bereaux also criticized the State’s handling of the case, highlighting the three-year delay in challenging the default judgment and the lack of defense during the initial proceedings. He described the delay as “a problem of the respondent’s own making” and dismissed the argument that the court had inherent jurisdiction to set aside the default judgment outside the Civil Procedure Rules.
The Privy Council has yet to decide on the special leave application. The nine men are represented by Anand Ramlogan, SC, and Ganesh Saroop, while the State is represented by Rolston Nelson, SC, Ria Mohammed-Davidson, and Elena Araujo.
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Government shutdown becomes longest in US history
The United States government shutdown has now extended into its 36th day, marking the longest such closure in the nation’s history. Initiated on October 1 due to Congress’s failure to agree on a new funding deal, the shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay and millions of Americans without access to critical services. The impasse between Democrats and Republicans has persisted for weeks, with no immediate resolution in sight, though some lawmakers have expressed cautious optimism about a potential breakthrough. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, hinted at a possible resolution, stating, ‘I think we’re getting close to an off-ramp here.’ The previous record for a government shutdown was set during President Donald Trump’s first term, lasting 35 days in 2019. The current shutdown has had severe consequences, including delayed paychecks for federal workers and growing concerns about disruptions to air travel. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that certain parts of U.S. airspace might need to be closed if the shutdown continues, as 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay. Low-income Americans relying on government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have also been affected. While a court ruling mandated the release of contingency funds for SNAP benefits, Trump has suggested that full benefits will only be restored when Democrats agree to reopen the government. The Republican-controlled Senate has repeatedly attempted to pass a short-term funding bill, but Democrats have refused to support it unless Republicans agree to extend healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans. As the November 21 funding deadline approaches, lawmakers face increasing pressure to reach a compromise. Some moderate Democrats and Republicans have shown willingness to negotiate ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, offering a glimmer of hope for an end to the prolonged shutdown.
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PM Browne Denies Claim of Separate ‘YIDA State,’ Says Zone Only Has Satellite Government Offices
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has firmly refuted allegations that his government is considering the creation of an independent ‘YIDA State’ within Antigua, labeling such claims as baseless misinformation. Addressing the issue in a recent online statement, Browne emphasized that the Yida Special Economic Zone operates under a conventional framework akin to similar zones worldwide. He explained that the zone merely hosts satellite offices for government agencies, such as customs and civil aviation, to enhance service efficiency and support investment activities. These offices are funded by the zone’s operators, ensuring streamlined regulatory processes without granting any form of sovereignty or autonomy. Browne’s remarks were in direct response to an article by Real News Antigua, which had suggested that the Chinese-backed YIDA development might evolve into a self-governing entity exempt from Antigua and Barbuda’s laws. The report had further alleged that the zone could establish its own parliament, government, and currency while remaining under the country’s Constitution—a proposal reportedly opposed by some legal experts but allegedly endorsed by Attorney-General Sir Steadroy Benjamin. The Prime Minister’s clarification underscores that the government’s approval is strictly limited to administrative functions aimed at fostering economic growth and simplifying bureaucratic procedures. The YIDA project, initially approved nearly a decade ago, was designed as a private-sector initiative to stimulate tourism and industrial development in northern Antigua.