Russia agrees to finance reconstructionin Ukraine

Russia could agree to using $300 billion of sovereign assets frozen in Europe to finance reconstruction in Ukraine as part of a possible peace deal.

But Moscow will insist that part of the money is spent on the one-fifth of the country its forces control.

This is according to Reuters, which references three sources with knowledge of the matter.

The United States and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia’s central bank and finance ministry in 2022.

The move blocked assets of up to $350 billion of mostly European, U.S. and British government bonds held in a European securities depository.

Russia and the United States held their first face-to-face talks on ending the Ukraine war on in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

US to Negotiate with Regional Governments on Hiring of Cuban Doctors

US special envoy to the Caribbean and Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, says the United States intends to negotiate a mechanism with Caribbean governments regarding the hiring of Cuban doctors.

The US has threatened visa restrictions for nations who benefit from Cuban medical missions. They deem the programme as a form of forced labour and trafficking on the part of the Cuban government.

Several countries in the Caribbean rely heavily on Cuban medical missions to supplement local staff.

The special envoy says the US wants a united voice against human trafficking, in favour of international labour laws. He says they look forward to reaching a deal that allows Caribbean governments to directly hire Cuban doctors.

International

Honda to produce next Civic in Indiana, not Mexico, due to US tariffs

Honda has decided to produce its next-generation Civic hybrid in the U.S. state of Indiana, instead of Mexico, to avoid potential tariffs on one of its top-selling car models, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The change underscores how manufacturers are scrambling to adapt to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada. While several automakers have expressed concerns about the levies, Honda’s move is the first concrete measure by a major Japanese car company. (Article from Reuters)

International

Shirley Chisholm Takes Centre Stage In New York

Shirley Chisholm took centre stage this week at an event in New York hosted by Barbados’ Mission to the United Nations and organised in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Barbados and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

An exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York welcomed ambassadors, diplomats, and distinguished guests from across the United Nations, Consular and Caribbean community to reflect on Chisholm’s contributions to democracy, equality, and the empowerment of marginalised communities.

In his remarks, François Jackman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, highlighted Mrs. Chisholm’s historic firsts, including her election as the first African American woman in Congress in 1968 and her bold run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1972. Ambassador Jackman noted that:

“We must remember Shirley Chisholm’s impact and reaffirm the values she stood for and recognising the role that Caribbean heritage has played in shaping global leadership”

Guests were invited to explore the exhibit, which showcases Chisholm’s pioneering career, her fight for racial and gender equality, and the lasting influence of her legacy under the theme Unbought and Unbossed (the title of one of her books).

The exhibit remains open to the public at the Museum of the City of New York until July, providing an opportunity for visitors to delve deeper into the extraordinary life of Shirley Chisholm. (PR/GIS)