In a significant development, Hamas has handed over the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages to the International Red Cross Committee on Monday, marking the end of their two-year captivity in Gaza. This transfer is part of a broader ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and other mediators. Under the terms of the deal, Israel agreed to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including 250 individuals sentenced to death and over 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Simultaneously, the bodies of four deceased hostages were transferred to Israeli authorities through the Red Cross, with Hamas indicating its readiness to hand over more remains. The freed hostages underwent medical examinations before being reunited with their families, an event met with profound emotion and relief across Israel. This agreement represents a critical step in easing tensions between the two sides, though challenges remain in achieving long-term peace.
分类： world
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Suriname presenteert groene ontwikkelingsstrategie op top in Rome
Suriname took center stage at the 12th bi-regional dialogue between Italy and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, held recently in Rome. The event, attended by over 35 nations, saw Suriname present its national vision for sustainable development and energy security. Leading the Surinamese delegation was Ambassador Miriam Mac Intosh, Director of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Cooperation. In her address, Mac Intosh emphasized that energy security and safety are strategic priorities for the region. She stated, ‘Our primary objective must be to achieve this collectively,’ while also announcing that Suriname is finalizing its Third Nationally Determined Contribution. ‘This is not merely a document of goals but a declaration of our national identity—as a carbon-negative nation and a proponent of a just model for climate action.’ Suriname further introduced its Green Development Strategy as a national roadmap for a resilient, sustainable economy. The strategy integrates the utilization of new offshore energy resources with a swift transition to a carbon-free domestic economy, leveraging revenues from oil and gas to green the energy system. The participating countries also discussed cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, with Italy pledging to share its expertise in this area. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a 21-point Declaration, reaffirming the nations’ mutual friendship, collaboration, and shared commitment to sustainable development.
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Lorenzo poses no threat to Antigua and the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Lorenzo remains disorganized as it moves northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest update on Monday evening. As of 5 p.m. AST, the storm’s center was positioned near latitude 15.2 N, longitude 41.7 W, approximately 1,180 miles (1,895 kilometers) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Lorenzo is currently generating maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), with higher gusts, and is advancing northwest at a speed of 12 mph (19 km/h).
Forecasters predict that Lorenzo will maintain its northwest trajectory through Tuesday, followed by a northward turn on Tuesday night and a northeastward shift by Wednesday. While no significant change in strength is anticipated in the immediate future, gradual intensification could occur later in the week. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 160 miles (260 kilometers) from the center, with a minimum central pressure of 1002 millibars (29.59 inches).
At present, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and the storm poses no immediate threat to land. Meteorologists continue to monitor Lorenzo’s development closely, providing updates as the situation evolves.
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US issues warning to Caribbean countries ahead of IMO vote on net-zero shipping framework
The United States has issued a stern warning to countries, including those in the Caribbean, regarding an upcoming vote on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Net-Zero Shipping Framework (NZF). The NZF, aimed at reducing emissions in the maritime sector, is set for adoption during the Marine Environmental Protection Committee meeting in October 2025. The US has labeled the framework as a ‘European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations’ and has vowed to impose economic penalties on nations that support it. A joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Secretary of Transportation Sean P Duffy emphasized the US’s commitment to protecting its economic interests and rejecting any measures that could increase costs for American citizens, energy providers, and shipping companies. The NZF, approved in April 2025, seeks to align international shipping emissions with the 2050 net-zero target through a Global Fuel Standard, a carbon price mechanism, and a credit trading system. The US argues that the framework could lead to a 10% increase in global shipping costs and impose an unsanctioned global carbon tax. The US is considering actions against countries that support the NZF, which it views as a threat to global economic stability.
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IOM urges global investment in disaster resilience after record 46 million displaced
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has issued a stark warning, calling for increased global investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building. The agency highlights that escalating climate impacts are causing unprecedented levels of displacement worldwide. In a recent press release, IOM pointed to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl in Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines, as a poignant example of the urgent need for preemptive resilience investments.
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Tropical Storm Lorenzo Strengthens Over the Central Atlantic
Tropical Storm Lorenzo has shown signs of intensification as it continues its northwest trajectory across the central tropical Atlantic, according to the latest updates from the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. As of Monday morning, the storm was positioned approximately 1,150 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, boasting maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Lorenzo is currently moving at a speed of 16 mph (26 km/h), with a gradual deceleration anticipated overnight before it shifts northward on Tuesday. Forecasters predict minimal changes in the storm’s strength through early Tuesday, though some gradual intensification could occur by midweek. The storm’s tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 160 miles (260 kilometers) from its center, with a minimum central pressure estimated at 1002 millibars (29.59 inches). At present, no coastal watches or warnings have been issued. The situation remains under close monitoring as Lorenzo progresses across the Atlantic.
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COMMENTARY: IOM chief highlights record disaster displacement and calls for resilience funding
The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl has left Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in a state of utter devastation. Aerial imagery reveals widespread destruction, with two-thirds of the island’s buildings reduced to rubble and countless residents rendered homeless. Critical infrastructure, including power, water, and transportation systems, lies in ruins, severely disrupting daily life. The tourism sector, a cornerstone of the local economy, has suffered catastrophic losses, triggering a cascade of unemployment, poverty, and escalating food insecurity. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has captured the dire situation in a poignant photograph by Gema Cortés, underscoring the urgent need for action. In light of the escalating frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters, the IOM is advocating for a paradigm shift in global financing priorities. This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) carries the theme ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,’ emphasizing the need to redirect resources from costly disaster response to proactive prevention and preparedness. IOM Director General Amy Pope has issued a clarion call, stating, ‘Every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at risk.’ She urges governments, donors, and the private sector to prioritize investments that mitigate disaster risks and bolster the resilience of vulnerable communities. In 2024 alone, nearly 46 million people were displaced by disasters, marking a record high. Despite this alarming trend, disaster risk reduction efforts remain woefully underfunded, with most governments allocating less than 1% of their budgets to prevention. As the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches, the IOM is poised to champion the integration of disaster and climate risk reduction into climate finance negotiations. Leveraging innovative tools like the Risk Index for Climate Displacement and the Climate Catalytic Fund, the organization aims to harness predictive analytics and community-driven finance to preempt displacement and safeguard developmental progress.
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Israel identifies hostage bodies, returns 45 Palestinian dead
In a significant development, the Israeli military announced on Tuesday that the remains of four hostages returned by Hamas have been identified. Among them is Bipin Joshi, a 22-year-old Nepalese agriculture student, and Guy Iluz, a 26-year-old Israeli sound technician. The identities of the other two victims remain undisclosed at their families’ request. The remains were part of a broader exchange facilitated by the United States, which also saw the return of 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza. This exchange aligns with ongoing efforts to de-escalate the Gaza conflict, as outlined in President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Guy Iluz, who was attending the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, was injured and abducted alive. He later succumbed to his injuries due to inadequate medical care while in captivity. Bipin Joshi, part of a Nepalese agricultural training group, was abducted from Kibbutz Alumim and is believed to have been murdered during the early months of the war. The Israeli military stated that the exact causes of death for all four hostages will be determined following forensic examinations.
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UN, Red Cross demand opening of all Gaza crossings to let in aid
In a joint appeal on Tuesday, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasized the urgent need to open all crossings into Gaza to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the Israeli-blockaded Palestinian territory. The call comes as the region grapples with severe famine and catastrophic living conditions, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
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CARICOM Gathers in Saint Lucia for Crucial Second Preparatory Meeting for COP30
CARICOM leaders gathered in Saint Lucia from October 7 to 10, 2025, for the Second Regional Preparatory Meeting ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Hosted by the Government of Saint Lucia in partnership with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the event marked a pivotal moment in solidifying the Caribbean’s negotiating priorities and unified stance for the upcoming global climate summit in Belém, Brazil, this November. This meeting follows the successful first convening held earlier in Miami, highlighting the region’s unwavering commitment to amplifying a cohesive Caribbean voice in international climate negotiations. Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary General, emphasized the critical role of climate finance in the region’s advocacy, noting that while global pledges have increased, actual contributions remain insufficient and disbursements are slow and fragmented. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continue to face bureaucratic hurdles, eligibility constraints, and inadequate support for adaptation and loss and damage. Key priorities discussed included reforming multilateral climate finance architecture to ensure equity and transparency, scaling up the Loss and Damage Fund, and addressing the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS. The four-day meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including ministers, technical experts, COP negotiators, and civil society representatives, showcasing the region’s whole-of-society approach to climate action. Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director of the CCCCC, underscored the importance of unity and moral clarity, stating that the Caribbean’s collective voice has historically influenced global climate policy, as seen in the Paris Agreement and the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund. The Caribbean, being on the frontline of the climate crisis, faces existential threats from rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and coastal erosion, making climate action a matter of survival and resilience.