UN Secretary General condemns ongoing gang violence in Haiti
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, Monday “ strongly” condemned the violence and loss of life in Haiti, where an armed gang is reported to have killed at least 184 people, including 127 elderly men and women over the last weekend.
The spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said that the killings occurred between December 6-8 in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood in Cité Soleil and that the Secretary-General “expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific act.
“The Secretary-General calls on the Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators of these and all other human rights abuses and violations are brought to justice.”
Dujarric said that the Secretary-General reiterates his pressing call to member states to provide the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission with the financial and logistical support required to successfully assist the Haitian National Police in addressing gang violence.
“ He also calls on all Haitian stakeholders to accelerate progress in the political transition,” he added.
The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) in Haiti said that the killings were allegedly the result of revenge by Micanor Altes alias “Wa Mikanò” leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang.
Media reports said that the gang, which also operates around Fort Dimanche and La Saline, had been convinced by a voodoo priest that elderly people in the area practicing witchcraft had cast a deadly spell on his son who died Saturday afternoon.
The RNDDH said as a result, elderly people suspected of witchcraft were reportedly targeted and that the vast majority of victims were over 60 years.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch Monday said it believes that the United Nations Security Council should urgently authorize and rapidly deploy a United Nations mission in Haiti (blue helmets) that would ensure a human rights-based response to restore security, the rule of law, and democratic governance in Haiti.
Human Rights Watch said the crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic proportions due to the intensification of large-scale coordinated attacks by criminal groups against the population and key infrastructure of the country.
“Haitians say that the fear of attacks by criminal groups has taken over their daily lives, and millions struggle to find food, water, and health care,” said Ida Sawyer, crisis, conflict and arms director at Human Rights Watch.
“A new, full-fledged UN mission that respects rights and builds on the initial UN efforts could provide the Haitian people a genuine opportunity to reconstruct their lives with hope and dignity,” Sawyer added.
In a letter dated November 29, the UN Security Council asked the UN Secretary-General to present “strategic recommendations” on the role the UN could play in helping to resolve the security, economic and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Human Rights Watch said it believes that the UN Secretary-General should act quickly to respond to the Security Council’s request and, in line with this, the UN should take rapid and concrete measures to support Haiti.
Source-CMC
Trinidad and Tobago hosting CANSEC meeting
Defense and security leaders from the Caribbean meet here this week to exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives on regional collaborative efforts to address security challenges in the 21st century.
The 2024 Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC)on Wednesday will also be attended by United States Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the Commander of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), who was met on arrival here by US Ambassador Candace Bond and the Commander of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard Group, Captain Kemba Hannays.
A US embassy statement said that Admiral Holsey will meet with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to discuss regional security efforts and advance security cooperation initiatives and will join Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel in co-hosting CANSEC.
The Embassy said that this year’s conference is being held under the theme, “Strengthening Bonds, Securing Futures: United for Regional Security,” and will include plenary sessions on countering threats across multiple domains, as well enabling a regional approach to respond to natural disasters and crises.
“The United States’ enduring partnership with Trinidad and Tobago is built on a shared commitment to regional security and cooperation: to be steadfast, committed, and coequal partners who work together toward a secure, peaceful, and prosperous hemisphere,” Ambassador Bond said.
CANSEC is sponsored annually by SOUTHCOM. It was last hosted by Trinidad and Tobago in 2018.
Source-CMC
Zane Maloney finishes 12th in Formula E debut
Barbadian Zane Maloney crossed the line a commendable 12th in his Formula E debut at the São Paulo E-Prix here on Saturday.
Starting at 19th place on the grid, the 21-year-old Lola Yamaha ABT driver was in the top 10 at one stage, but did well in a chaotic race that featured 111 overtakes, five different leaders, and two red flags.
The race was won by Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing, who stormed from last place to claim a stunning victory ahead of António Félix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche) in second and Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren) in third.
Before the race, Maloney tempered expectations, saying, “I’ll be learning as we go. We’ll see.”
Maloney’s fastest lap of 1:13.195 was impressive, outpacing several midfield drivers and underscoring his ability to compete amidst the chaos of a high-stakes race.
Despite his strong performance, Maloney’s race wasn’t without challenges.
He received a drive-through penalty for “overpowering” – exceeding the maximum regulated power output during the race.
Overpowering is a critical rule in Formula E designed to maintain fair competition.
It occurs when a driver exceeds the maximum allowed power output, requiring strategic precision in energy management.
Source-CMC
West Indies defeat Bangladesh by five wickets– 1st ODI
West Indies defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) here at Warner Park on Sunday.
SCORES:
BANGLADESH 294-6 off 50 overs (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 74, Tanzid Hasan 60, Mahmudullah 50 not out, Jaker Ali 48 not out. Romario Shepherd 3-51, Alzarri Joseph 2-67, Jayden Seales 1-63.
WEST INDIES 295-5 off 47.4 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 113, Shai Hope 86, Justin Greaves 41 not out. Soumya Sarkar 1-24.
NFL, NBA & NHL Scoreboard
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Trump meets with Macron in first international trip since reelection
President-elect Donald Trump kicked off his first foreign trip since his reelection with a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Ahead of the meeting, Macron welcomed Trump, saying, "It's a great honor for the French people to welcome you five years later."
Macron thanked Trump for his "solidarity" and "immediate action" during his first presidency: "You were at the time the president, the first time, and I remember the solidarity and your immediate action. Welcome back again. Thank you. We are very happy to have you here."
Trump in return celebrated the "great success" the United States and France had together on "defense and offense" during his first term and said they will talk about how the world is "going a little crazy right now."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later joined Macron and Trump. However, he did not offer remarks ahead of the meeting.
Source- ABC
Rebel forces in Syria topple Bashar al-Assad's regime
Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.
As Assad resigned and fled Syria, rebel forces moved into Damascus as citizens celebrated there and in the streets of Aleppo, where the rebel offensive began 11 days ago.
Bashar al-Assad and his family are now in Moscow, Russian state-owned news agency TASS is reporting, citing a source in the Kremlin.
President Biden gave remarks Sunday on the situation in Syria, saying from the White House that "at long last, the Assad regime has fallen."
Biden called it a "fundamental act of justice" and a "historic opportunity," acknowledging there is also "risk and uncertainty."
Source-ABC
Mariah Carey's wish comes true as *that* song tops the Billboard Hot 100 again
Mariah Carey fans won't have to keep on waiting — under the mistletoe or otherwise — for her to reclaim her annual position on top of the Billboard Hot 100.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You” has ascended to #1 on the tally, marking its 15th week on top since its release. The 1994 recording first hit #1 on the Hot 100 in 2019 and has done so every year since then, for multiple weeks.
The song is Mariah's 19th career chart-topper overall, making her the solo artist with the most number ones. Only The Beatles have more: 20. She's also the only artist ever to have hit #1 in four distinct decades: the '90s, 2000s, '10s and '20s.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the song and its parent album, Merry Christmas, and her website is offering a whole range of commemorative editions of both.
Mariah's song isn't the only holiday hit in the upper reaches of the chart. Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" rises from #15 to #2, while Wham!'s "Last Christmas" rises from #18 to #3. Bobby Helms' "Jingle Bell Rock" is #5, and Burl Ives' "Holly Jolly Christmas" is #10.
Source-ABC
Jay-Z files for dismissal or disclosure of 13-year-old's identity in rape lawsuit tied to Diddy
Sean "Jay-Z" Carter fired back in a court filing Monday after he and Sean "Diddy" Combs were accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 Video Music Awards, according to an amended civil lawsuit filed Sunday.
Carter filed a motion Monday to deny the plaintiff's request to remain anonymous, calling for either her identity to be disclosed or the suit to be dismissed.
In the motion, he also accused Texas attorney Tony Buzbee of conducting an "extortionate campaign" against him.
"Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him — in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion — of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation, and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades," the motion states.
In a statement posted to the Roc Nation X account on Sunday, Jay-Z denied the allegations made against him in the Sunday filing.
Source-ABC
Biden administration announces nearly $1billion aid package for Ukraine
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the Pentagon will send nearly $1 billion to Ukraine, bringing the total the United States has committed to Ukraine to more than $62 billion since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
The package dedicated an additional $988 million to Ukraine and will provide the country with more drones, rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and support for maintenance and sustainment.
President Biden addressed the nation Sunday following meetings with his national security team after Syrian rebels said they toppled the Assad regime overnight, "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians.""
This aid package is part of the effort to try to get Ukraine as much military aid as possible before the Trump administration takes over on Jan. 20 and is the 22nd aid package the Biden administration has sent to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
Source-ABC