In a significant diplomatic development, Afghanistan’s Taliban government released American citizen Amir Amiri from detention on Sunday. The release marks the latest in a series of high-profile prisoner exchanges facilitated by international mediation. Amiri, 36, had been held in Afghanistan since December 2024, though details surrounding his case remain scarce. He was handed over to Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy on Hostage Affairs, who recently visited Kabul to negotiate the release. Amiri is expected to undergo medical checks in Doha, Qatar, before returning to the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the release, emphasizing the Biden administration’s commitment to securing the freedom of Americans detained abroad. This follows the release of an elderly British couple last week and other Americans earlier this year, all mediated by Qatar. The Taliban government has expressed a desire to improve relations with the U.S. and other nations, despite ongoing accusations of human rights violations. However, Western countries continue to advise against travel to Afghanistan, where dozens of foreign nationals have been detained since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
分类： world
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Western Air suspends services for Sunday following Tropical Storm Warning
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In response to the looming threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Nine, Western Air has made the decision to temporarily suspend all flight operations on Sunday, September 28. The airline has assured passengers that services are slated to recommence on Monday, September 29, contingent upon the weather conditions improving. This precautionary measure underscores the airline’s commitment to passenger safety and operational prudence in the face of severe weather disruptions. Travelers are advised to monitor updates and make necessary adjustments to their itineraries during this period.
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Tropical Storm warning issued for Central and Northwest Bahamas
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has escalated its alert system by issuing a Tropical Storm Warning for multiple regions across the archipelago. The Central Bahamas, including Exuma, Cat Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, and Ragged Island, as well as the Northwestern Bahamas, encompassing Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence, and Eleuthera, are all under immediate threat. According to the latest forecasts, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is poised to unleash severe weather conditions within the next 36 hours. Residents are bracing for heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and other tropical storm-related hazards. The Disaster Risk Management Authority has issued an urgent call to action, advising all individuals in the affected areas to expedite their preparedness measures and stay tuned to official updates for further guidance. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring the cyclone’s trajectory to ensure public safety.
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Prime Minister tells wealthy countries to act quickly as smaller nations are paying the price
During Climate Week NYC, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a compelling plea to wealthy nations, emphasizing the urgent need for action on climate change. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Browne highlighted the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on small island developing states (SIDS), particularly in the Caribbean. He warned that rising sea levels and extreme weather events are turning every storm into a fiscal catastrophe for these vulnerable nations. Browne urged richer countries to prioritize climate action and act swiftly to mitigate the escalating threats. His remarks echoed the concerns raised by other Caribbean leaders, including The Bahamas’ Prime Minister Philip Davis, who has previously described climate change as an ‘existential threat’ to the region. Davis stressed the importance of the Commonwealth nations amplifying their collective voice to secure climate funding and drive immediate global action. The issue was also a focal point at the COP26 summit in 2021, where CARICOM leaders expressed fears about achieving the global target of limiting temperature rises to below 1.5°C. As the world prepares for COP27, Caribbean leaders continue to advocate for equitable access to climate financing and a unified response to the crisis.
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Is it true? US visa denials rising for Antiguans and Barbudans
A growing number of Antiguans and Barbudans are reporting a significant rise in US visa denials, even for routine renewals. Business leaders, professionals, and frequent travelers have expressed frustration over being rejected without clear explanations, causing disruptions to trade, family visits, and educational pursuits. Local visa consultants describe the situation as “unprecedented,” attributing the surge to stricter vetting procedures, a more rigid interpretation of US immigration policies, and the lingering effects of the Trump administration’s stance on Caribbean nationals. For many residents, securing a US visa remains crucial, leading some to budget for multiple applications despite the financial strain. The trend has raised concerns about its broader impact on bilateral relations and the economic and social ties between the United States and the twin-island nation.
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Human Rights Watch to UN Security Council: Take decisive action to protect Haitians
Human Rights Watch has called for the United Nations Security Council to urgently authorize a comprehensive international peacekeeping mission in Haiti to address the escalating violence fueled by criminal factions. The organization stresses the critical need for adequate funding, personnel, and robust human rights protections to ensure the mission’s effectiveness. Criminal groups have expanded their control beyond Port-au-Prince, intensifying violence in previously safer regions and severely disrupting access to essential services and humanitarian aid. The UN has reported over 3,137 fatalities in the first half of 2025, with nearly 1.5 million people displaced and half the population facing severe food insecurity. Currently, the Security Council is considering transforming the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into a more robust ‘Gang Suppression Force’ (GSF). The MSS, operational since June 2024, has been hindered by insufficient resources and personnel. Nathalye Cotrino, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the urgency, stating, ‘Time is running out to stop Haiti from falling entirely into the hands of abusive criminal groups.’ She urged the UN to ensure any new force is properly staffed, funded, and equipped with human rights safeguards. The proposed GSF would comprise up to 5,500 personnel, including police, military, and civilians, and operate independently or alongside the Haitian National Police. A new UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) would oversee the GSF, providing logistical and technical support. Human Rights Watch warned that without adequate resources and human rights protections, the GSF risks repeating the MSS’s shortcomings. The organization also called for strict vetting procedures, comprehensive human rights training, and an independent accountability mechanism involving Haitian civil society. Cotrino concluded, ‘It has been two years since Haitian authorities asked for international help, and so far, that help has fallen far short.’
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Small islands seek big changes; AOSIS urges legal application of SIDS’ special circumstances
In a landmark move during the 2025 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), leaders of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) issued a historic declaration advocating for the recognition of the ‘Special Circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’ as a principle of international law. Established in 1990, the 39-member alliance emphasized the urgent need for global acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by small island nations, spanning the Caribbean, Pacific, African, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea regions. The declaration builds on long-standing efforts to address issues such as climate change, economic vulnerability, and environmental risks through international policies and frameworks. Dominica’s President, H.E. Sylvanie Burton, echoed these sentiments in her UNGA speech, calling for greater autonomy and support for small island territories. The declaration calls for concrete legal, financial, and institutional actions, including easier access to non-debt-creating financial aid, meaningful participation in global decision-making, and protection from disproportionate environmental and economic risks. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. highlighted the importance of recognizing these vulnerabilities, stating that treating small islands like larger nations undermines their ability to thrive and contradicts the international community’s pledge to leave no one behind. Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño expressed strong support, calling the declaration a powerful affirmation of SIDS’ unique challenges. AOSIS leaders are urging the UN, international organizations, and financial institutions to integrate these principles into global frameworks, particularly those addressing climate change, biodiversity, pollution, and ocean governance. The declaration warns that failure to act could weaken fairness, undermine international efforts, and limit small islands’ participation in global decision-making.
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Antigua and Barbuda Highlights Ocean Protection Efforts on World Maritime Day
As the world commemorates World Maritime Day on the last Thursday of September, Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) is taking center stage in international maritime governance. This year’s theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underscores the urgent need to safeguard marine ecosystems amidst escalating global threats. ADOMS, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, is actively engaged in three pivotal multilateral initiatives: the BBNJ Agreement, the Global Plastics Treaty, and IMO-led efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Antigua and Barbuda faces disproportionate risks from climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Despite minimal contributions to global emissions, the nation has emerged as a leader in advocating for equitable and ambitious environmental policies. The BBNJ Agreement, adopted in 2023, focuses on conserving biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, while the Global Plastics Treaty aims to address plastic pollution across its lifecycle. Concurrently, the IMO is advancing strategies to decarbonize the shipping industry, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. These efforts highlight the interconnectedness of ocean governance and the critical role of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and environmental justice underscores its dedication to securing a sustainable future for the world’s oceans.
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Prime Minister Gaston Browne Calls for Island-Led Investment and Partnership at Family Offices for Sustainable Development Summit
Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda delivered a compelling address at the Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD) Summit, emphasizing the need for global investors to pivot from viewing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as vulnerable entities to recognizing them as valuable partners in sustainable development. Speaking to an international audience of family offices, philanthropy leaders, and diplomats, Browne highlighted the urgent challenges faced by SIDS, including climate threats and mounting debt burdens, while urging a shift in perception, power, and resources. Browne outlined three critical shifts necessary to transform ambition into action: recognizing SIDS as innovation hubs rather than aid recipients, moving from temporary aid to sustainable investment, and operationalizing solutions through the newly established SIDS Centre of Excellence. He positioned Antigua and Barbuda as the custodian of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), a framework designed to accelerate resilience, unlock sustainable investment, and strengthen sovereignty in data, finance, and diplomacy. Browne called on family offices and institutional investors to align their portfolios with ABAS principles, bring technology and expertise to the SIDS Centre of Excellence, and champion financial instruments that unlock private capital for resilience, blue and green growth, and inclusive development. ‘The choices made in this room will echo for generations,’ Browne concluded, inviting partners to invest in shared prosperity and planetary security.
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Waterspout spotted off Saint Lucia’s northwestern coast
On September 25, at approximately 1:50 p.m., a dramatic waterspout was observed over the sea near the northwestern coast of Saint Lucia. The funnel-shaped cloud, visible from multiple locations including the Castries city center, sparked awe and curiosity among onlookers. Bystanders quickly captured photos and videos, which rapidly circulated on social media, with some expressing amazement and concern. One individual exclaimed, “Oh my God, oh no! This is amazing,” while another remarked, “At first I thought it was a tornado, especially with the gloomy weather. But it looked pretty cool.”
According to the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services, the waterspout remained offshore and eventually dissipated without making landfall. Acting Director Vigil Saltibus confirmed that the phenomenon posed no threat to coastal communities or infrastructure. However, she emphasized that waterspouts can be hazardous to small vessels and become dangerous if they move ashore. Saltibus reassured the public that current conditions do not indicate an immediate risk of recurrence but advised fishing vessels and recreational boaters to remain vigilant. The meteorological services continue to monitor the atmosphere closely and will provide updates if conditions change, ensuring residents remain informed and safe.