Latest news with #Canal
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Only strong action on emissions can restore economic stability, UN climate chief says
The climate crisis has raised the price of commodities and exacerbated famine – and only strong action on greenhouse gas emissions can restore economic stability, the UN's climate chief has said. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, was speaking in Panama, where recent years of drought drove the water to perilous lows that disrupted international trade. He said: 'The same droughts that plague the canal are affecting essential commodities worldwide, reducing harvests, emptying shelves, and pushing people into hunger. Famine is back, and the role of global heating cannot be ignored.' But he said investors around the world were 'ready to hit the go button on huge investments' if they had the right signals from governments. 'Clear and strong climate policies are an antidote to economic uncertainty,' he said. 'Climate policy can help get trade flowing and economies growing, and prevent wildly destructive climate impacts.' Governments are supposed to come forward within the next few months with new national plans on greenhouse gas emissions. Stiell said: 'In the past, climate plans have often focused mainly on cuts – cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and to old-fashioned energy. This new generation of climate plans are really about growth: growing industries and economies, and building a better future. One where nature is protected, and where people have better opportunities.' He added: 'Done right, these plans can attract a bonanza of benefits: more jobs, more revenue, and a virtuous cycle of increased investment.' Stiell also warned against 'a two-speed transition, where some countries race ahead with clean energy and climate resilience and leave others behind'. However, the climate finance that poor countries need to increase renewable energy investment and protect against the ravages of climate breakdown is under increasing threat. The withdrawal of the US from the Paris agreement and the Trump administration's dismantling of most forms of overseas aid will leave tens of billions of dollars lacking in the coming years. Support from other developed countries looks unlikely to fill the gap. The UK has also slashed overseas aid, from 0.5% to 0.3% of national GDP. Although Downing Street has previously indicated to the Guardian that the current climate finance pledge, of spending £11.6bn from 2021 to 2026, would be ringfenced, there are concerns that it could be watered down, and no certainty over what will follow beyond next year. A group of 80 civil society organisations has written to the prime minister to point out that taxing fossil fuel interests could pay for current climate finance pledges many times over. Over the next five years, the UK could raise £115bn by measures including making permanent the windfall levy on the excess profits of fossil fuel producers; redirecting the current subsidies to fossil fuels; taxing luxury travel such as private jets and super-yachts; and imposing a small tax on the super-wealthy. In a letter seen by the Guardian, they also pointed out that opinion polls showed strong support for such measures among voters. Catherine Pettengell, the executive director of Climate Action Network UK, said: 'Climate action is in everyone's interests, for stability and prosperity at home and all around the world. The UK has demonstrated leadership with its [national plan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions], but domestic action alone is not sufficient. The real test of UK climate leadership is the provision of climate finance to those least responsible but suffering the most devastating impacts of climate change. 'As the fifth largest historical emitter and sixth largest economy, the UK has both the responsibility and the capability to do far more to invest in the climate action needed and to ensure no one is left behind in the domestic and global transition.' Heidi Chow, the executive director of the charity Debt Justice, said: 'The countries least responsible for the climate emergency are the worst affected, while being pushed into debt as a result. The resources needed for climate action are being siphoned off to repay wealthy lenders. The UK should provide grant-based climate finance so that countries are not driven deeper into debt.' Signatories to the letter included Action Aid, Concern Worldwide, Greenpeace, Oxfam, Save the Children and the RSPB.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Colombian influencer 'La Mona' fatally shot outside home amid femicide crisis in Latin America
Maria Jose Estupinan Sanchez, widely known as 'La Mona', was a 22-year-old Colombian influencer and communications student at Francisco de Paula Santander University. She was fatally shot outside her home in Cucuta, Norte de Santander, earlier this week. Her death follows the recent killing of Mexican influencer Valeria Marquez, drawing alarming attention to rising violence against women in Latin America. Local police confirmed that Sanchez was approached by a man disguised as a delivery person before being shot. Surveillance footage showed the suspect fleeing on foot. The attacker was described as wearing a black cap, jacket, jeans, and carrying a backpack. Although the suspect remains unidentified, Sanchez's ex-boyfriend—against whom she had recently won a domestic violence case worth 30 million COP—is under investigation. Sanchez had previously filed a complaint against this former partner in 2018. Reports suggest she may have also been romantically linked to a man recently killed in Villa Antigua, further complicating the investigation. La Mona dreamed of becoming a national television presenter and was preparing to begin her professional internship at Canal TRO. Her final academic project focused on commercial radio in Cucuta. Friends and colleagues describe her as driven, warm, and full of potential.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: Protests in Panama enter third week, challenging President Mulino
Protests in Panama have entered their third week, challenging several recent actions by President José Raúl Mulino. Demonstrators are opposing a recently enacted law that overhauled the country's pension system, a security memorandum of understanding signed with the United States that critics say undermines Panama's sovereignty over the canal, and plans to build a new reservoir on the Indio River to supply water for the Panama Canal's locks. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: SCA announces 15% transit fee discount for high-tonnage container ships
Arab Finance: The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% discount on transit fees for container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 tons or more for 90 days, starting May 15th, the authority's Chairman Ossama Rabiee announced. This step comes in response to calls from the SCA's clientele of container ship owners and operators. The decision encourages major shipping lines to return to transiting through the Suez Canal once more. Rabiee highlighted that the SCA is adopting an ambitious strategy to develop and enhance its system of maritime and logistical services provided to its clients. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands march over concern Panama bending to US government
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Thousands of Panamanians marched in the capital Tuesday in the largest protest yet against an agreement signed during last month's visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth giving U.S. troops access to strategic air and naval facilities in the Central American nation. U.S. President Donald Trump thrust Panama into the spotlight even before winning election last November by suggesting that his country should consider retaking control of the Panama Canal and accusing Panama of ceding influence to China. Panama has vehemently rejected those comments but also tried to pacify the new administration, which has slapped tariffs on many trade partners. University students led Tuesday's protest accusing President José Raúl Mulino of sacrificing Panama's sovereignty with the deal. 'We feel like our president is acting against the wishes of many Panamanians and in very sensitive affairs,' 30-year-old student Tony Ruiz said. 'He signs an agreement behind our back that compromises our sovereignty, our neutrality with the world. The previous night Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Martínez-Acha said of the agreement with Washington: 'The memorandum of understanding does not imply a surrender of sovereignty, nor does it violate the national constitution, nor the neutrality treaty.' Bases where the U.S. will get access for military personnel and contractors will always remain under the control of Panama and it can terminate the agreement with six months notice, he said. Martínez-Acha said the U.S. government acted in bad faith in how it handled the sensitive issue in the media, an apparent reference to Trump's inflammatory comments on the canal, but nonetheless Panama was being 'prudent' and trying to avoid sanctions that have befallen other countries. 'International cooperation is necessary to strengthen our capabilities,' he said. 'Collaborating with the United States in this case helps us improve security without affecting our sovereignty or our laws.' The details of the deal only became public days after Hegseth's visit. In a separate agreement, Panama also agreed to look for a way for the U.S. government to be reimbursed for fees its naval ships pay to transit the Canal. The Trump administration has argued that it should not be obligated to defend the canal and pay to use it. The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Control of the waterway transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The Trump administration has also pressured for the Hong Kong-based operator of ports at either end of the canalto sell those interests to a U.S. consortium that includes BlackRock Inc. While Martínez-Acha suggested that politically motivated opponents are stirring controversy, the student protesters expressed concern about a U.S. return to a country it invaded as recently as 1989. 'We are a neutral country; we cannot take sides with any country,' said Jam Allard, another student. 'We want our country to be sovereign.'
