分类： world

The United Nations has unveiled an updated version of its contentious database detailing companies engaged in activities within Israeli settlements. Released on Friday, the list now includes 158 firms from 11 countries, with major corporations such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Motorola Solutions, and Trip Advisor retaining their positions. However, several companies, including Alstom and Opodo, have been removed from the non-exhaustive database. The majority of the listed companies are based in Israel, with others hailing from Canada, China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The UN report urges these companies to address the adverse human rights impacts associated with their operations. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has condemned Israel’s settlement policies in the occupied West Bank as a war crime, emphasizing the responsibility of businesses to ensure their activities do not contribute to human rights abuses. The database, initially created in 2020 in response to a Human Rights Council resolution, has faced significant criticism from Israel and its allies, including the United States. The latest update introduces 68 new companies while removing seven that are no longer involved in the specified activities. The UN has clarified that the listing process is not judicial or quasi-judicial, but the initiative remains highly contentious.

In a stark address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Laurent Saint-Cyr, head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, declared the Caribbean nation “at war” with rampant gang violence. He urgently called for international assistance to quell the chaos that has engulfed the country, describing the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding on America’s doorstep. Saint-Cyr painted a grim picture of daily atrocities, including murders, rapes, and the destruction of neighborhoods, which have displaced over a million people and left countless lives shattered. Hospitals, he noted, are being vandalized or burned, forcing medical professionals to flee and leaving the population without essential care. The Haitian leader likened the situation to a modern-day Guernica, emphasizing the urgent need for global intervention. In 2023, the UN Security Council approved the Multinational Security Mission, led by Kenya, to address the crisis. However, the mission has struggled with inadequate resources, deploying only 1,000 personnel out of the planned 2,500. The United States has proposed expanding the force to over 5,500 police and military personnel to combat the gangs more effectively. Saint-Cyr endorsed this plan, warning that the crisis could destabilize the entire region. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long grappled with political instability and gang violence, which escalated dramatically in early 2024 when gangs forced then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

During the United Nations General Assembly Debate on Wednesday, Kenyan President William Ruto reaffirmed his nation’s steadfast support for Haiti, hailing the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission as a significant achievement. Authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, the mission, led by Kenya, aims to bolster security and policing in the Caribbean nation. Ruto described the initiative as both a success and a cautionary tale on global security governance, emphasizing Kenya’s proactive role in addressing rampant gang violence in Port-au-Prince. However, he lamented the mission’s chronic underfunding and understaffing, operating at less than 40% of its authorized capacity. Despite these constraints, Ruto highlighted tangible progress: government institutions have been reclaimed from gangs, schools have reopened, kidnappings have decreased, and Haiti’s airport and seaport have resumed normal operations. Ruto posed a critical question: “If so much could be achieved with limited resources, what more could be accomplished with unified global solidarity?” He urged the UN Security Council to consolidate the mission’s gains as it deliberates on next steps. Haiti’s Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste echoed the urgency, describing the security crisis as a looming threat akin to the Sword of Damocles. He outlined priorities, including re-establishing social peace for safe elections and supporting government-led development programs. The UN reported that armed gangs control vast territories, with over six million Haitians in urgent need of assistance and 1.4 million displaced. Canada pledged additional support, with Foreign Minister Anita Anand announcing CAN$40 million for the MSS mission and CAN$20 million for Caribbean maritime security. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed that security alone is insufficient, calling for a political process, credible elections, and economic recovery. The new UN Special Representative for Haiti, Carlos Massieu Ruiz, urged swift action on the secretary-general’s proposals, emphasizing the need for political will and resolve. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Kenya’s contributions during a meeting with Ruto, underscoring the urgency of establishing a gang suppression force and a UN support office for Haiti.

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the United States Coast Guard has successfully intercepted and offloaded approximately 8,700 pounds of cocaine, valued at an estimated $64.5 million, in Florida. The operation, conducted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diligence, took place earlier this week in the western Caribbean Sea. This seizure is part of a broader effort by the Joint Interagency Task Force–South (JITF-S) to combat narco-terrorism and secure U.S. maritime borders. Commander Colin McKee highlighted the importance of this joint effort, stating that it prevented over four tons of illegal drugs from entering the United States. The Diligence, deployed in the Southeast area of responsibility, has intercepted more than 10,000 pounds of illicit narcotics in recent operations. The recent offload included two major interdictions: one on August 7, where 1,500 pounds of marijuana were seized from a suspicious vessel near Jamaica, and another on September 6, where over 8,700 pounds of cocaine were confiscated from a vessel north of Panama. The contraband was transferred to case agents in St. Petersburg, marking a significant milestone in the Coast Guard’s ongoing mission to control and defend U.S. borders.

Jamaica has reaffirmed its commitment to combating climate change by submitting its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This move aligns with the Paris Agreement’s mandate for countries to revise their climate action plans every five years, ensuring increased ambition and alignment with global temperature goals. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness announced the submission during his address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasizing Jamaica’s leadership in climate action. The updated NDC 3.0 builds on previous commitments, expanding its scope to include energy, transport, industry, forestry, and land use. Key targets include a 25.4% unconditional reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with a conditional target of 28.5%. Additionally, Jamaica aims to achieve 12% electric vehicle adoption in private fleets and 16% in public fleets by the same year. Holness highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on small island developing states like Jamaica, stressing the urgent need for enhanced adaptation and mitigation measures. The updated NDC is grounded in Jamaica’s Vision 2030, Climate Change Policy Framework, and Long-Term Low-Emission Strategy, reflecting a comprehensive and realistic approach to climate resilience.

A significant earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale jolted western and northern Venezuela on Wednesday, including the capital city of Caracas. The tremor, which originated at a depth of 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles), had its epicenter approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Mene Grande, a small oil town in the sparsely populated Zulia state. The US Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the details, while the Colombian Geological Survey recorded the quake at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.1, classifying it as a ‘shallow depth’ event. The seismic activity was also felt in neighboring Colombia and the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. Although Venezuela is not typically prone to strong earthquakes, the tremor caused widespread alarm in major cities such as Caracas and Maracaibo, a key petroleum hub. Residents swiftly evacuated buildings and gathered on the streets, but initial reports indicate no significant damage or injuries. The Venezuelan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Historically, Venezuela has experienced devastating earthquakes, including the 1997 Cariaco quake that claimed 73 lives and the 1967 Caracas tremor that resulted in nearly 300 fatalities and 2,000 injuries.

Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have launched a high-profile investigation on the upscale island of Mustique following the discovery of 35 packages of cocaine weighing 35 kilograms and an object suspected to be a grenade remnant. The findings, reported on Tuesday, have sent shockwaves through the exclusive enclave, renowned as a retreat for global elites, including Hollywood celebrities and British royalty. Details surrounding the incident remain scarce, as the private island maintains strict confidentiality. However, sources from the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) confirmed that explosive experts have been deployed to the scene to assess the situation. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The police have yet to release an official statement regarding the matter.