Cuba and Angola strengthen inter-party relations
by Leticia Martínez, Granma The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, called to continue strengthening inter-party relations, “which are the main support for political, diplomatic and economic-commercial relations,” when he received, at the Palace of the Revolution, the Secretary of the Political Bureau for International Relations...
UN envoy to Libyan leaders: Resolve impasse, do not fail the people
Despite recent legislative progress, Libya’s political landscape remains fraught with power struggles, as key figures attach conditions to taking part in crucial talks, the UN envoy to the north African nation said on December 18. Abdoulaye Bathily, UN Special Representative for Libya, told ambassadors on the Security Council that the mood in the country “is ripe for a new political deal, a...
Mining company agrees with court decision ordering Guatemala to grant property rights to community
MEXICO CITY—Solway Investment Group, a Switzerland-based mining company with interests in Guatemala, said Dec. 18 it agreed with a regional court’s decision requiring the Guatemalan government to recognize the property rights of an Indigenous community. The company, which was not a party to the case, stressed that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights decision handed down Dec. 15 “does not...
African nations growing more sympathetic to crisis in Gaza
African countries began walking a diplomatic line after the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel that included strongly held principles, diplomatic expediency, and empathy in the wake of unfolding carnage in the region. Ghana’s foreign affairs minister stated that it “unequivocally condemns” attacks by Hamas and called for the group to withdraw its fighters from Israel. Rwanda issued a similar...
For Africa, 2023 was a year of conflating issues and events
Conflating numerous events that appear dissimilar is how Africa in 2023 must be viewed. South Africa’s BRICS economic summit, the country’s stance on Israel’s incessant bombing of Gaza as “genocide,” the coup d’états in seven African countries, which have been described as a sign of failed democracies, are just a few of the major events that impacted the Motherland...
Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day observed by activists, lawmakers
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Accusations that the Chinese government is committing atrocities against the Uyghur Muslims have persisted for years. The ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities reside in China’s Xinjiang region and according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and various groups such as Human Rights Watch, the population has been subjected to “crimes against humanity.” Nearly 11 million...
Iranian FM says U.S. to blame for influx of refugees to West Asia, Europe
Iran’s foreign minister has blamed irresponsible actions and coercive economic measures of the U.S. for the recent influx of refugees to the West Asia region and also Europe and elsewhere. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an address to the Global Refugee Forum 2023, which is underway in Geneva, Switzerland. The minister said the Iranian government, which is itself hit by...
Kenya marks 60 years of independence, and the president defends painful economic measures
NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenya’s president on December 12 defended the high taxes the government recently imposed, calling them a “necessary sacrifice” in helping the country deal with ballooning foreign debt which now stands at $70 billion. Speaking at celebrations marking 60 years since Kenya’s independence from Britain, President William Ruto said East Africa’s largest economy was no longer at risk of defaulting on...
Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher dies at 61
LOS ANGELES—Andre Braugher, the Emmy-winning actor who would master gritty drama for seven seasons on “Homicide: Life on The Street” and modern comedy for eight on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” died Dec. 11 at 61. He died from lung cancer, a representative said Dec. 14. The Chicago-born actor would establish himself in the role of Det. Frank Pembleton, the lead role in...
World News in Brief: UN anti-corruption conference, global hunger ‘set to soar,’ healthy diets unaffordable in Asia-Pacific
This year, the anti-corruption conference, as the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) is popularly known, marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark Convention. “Corruption not only robs resources, it robs people of hope,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message, urging all parties to use this opportunity to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, detect, and prosecute corruption—in...