In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has authorized Trinidad and Tobago to negotiate a gas deal with Venezuela without facing U.S. sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department issued an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license on Wednesday, enabling the Caribbean nation to pursue the development of a gas field in Venezuelan waters. This decision follows a formal request made by Trinidad and Tobago in May, as confirmed by Attorney General John Jeremie. The license, valid for six months, sets specific parameters for negotiations, ensuring compliance with U.S. policies toward Venezuela. Jeremie emphasized that the targets outlined by the U.S. are reasonable and achievable, though he declined to disclose further details. The gas project is deemed crucial for Trinidad and Tobago, which is striving to enhance its gas production and address budgetary challenges. The license, however, only covers initial negotiations, with further steps contingent on successful completion of this phase. The approval was secured after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister on September 30, reaffirming U.S. support while ensuring the deal does not significantly benefit the Maduro regime. This marks a reversal from April 2024, when a previous license for the same project was revoked, posing a setback to the country’s energy security. The new license differs in terms from its predecessor, though details remain undisclosed. When questioned about potential engagement with Venezuela, Jeremie remained noncommittal, stating, ‘I am not prepared to go into that at this time.’
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Senegal records 17 deaths in rare major outbreak of Rift Valley Fever
Senegal is grappling with a severe outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF), a viral disease that has claimed 17 lives and infected 119 individuals, according to health officials. The outbreak, primarily concentrated in the northern livestock-producing region, marks the country’s most significant RVF crisis since the late 1980s. Dr. Boly Diop, head of RVF surveillance at Senegal’s health ministry, expressed concerns about the potential for further spread, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the current outbreak. RVF, which primarily affects animals, can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites or direct contact with infected livestock. While most human cases are mild or asymptomatic, severe infections can lead to eye damage, brain swelling, or fatal hemorrhagic fever, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). High-risk groups include herders, farmers, and slaughterhouse workers, who are often exposed during animal handling. The current outbreak was officially declared on September 21, with experts linking its resurgence to climate change, which creates favorable conditions for disease-carrying vectors. Dr. Merawi Aragaw Tegegne, an epidemiologist with the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighted the role of extreme weather patterns, such as torrential rains and floods, in facilitating RVF transmission. Preventive measures, including livestock vaccination and mosquito control, are crucial to curbing the disease’s spread. Historically, RVF has caused significant fatalities in Africa, with outbreaks in Kenya and Somalia in 1998 claiming over 470 lives. In 2000, the virus expanded beyond Africa, reaching Saudi Arabia and Yemen and raising global concerns about its potential spread to other continents.
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US buys Argentine pesos, finalizes $20 billion currency swap
In a significant move to stabilize Argentina’s volatile financial markets, the United States Treasury Department has finalized a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina’s central bank. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the decision on social media, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to taking exceptional measures to ensure market stability. The agreement follows four days of intensive discussions between U.S. officials and Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo in Washington, D.C. Argentine President Javier Milei, a staunch admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed gratitude for the support, calling the two nations the closest of allies in fostering economic freedom and prosperity across the hemisphere. However, the decision has sparked controversy in the U.S., with critics questioning its alignment with Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda. U.S. farmers and Democratic lawmakers have voiced opposition, arguing that the move resembles a bailout for Argentina, which has recently benefited from soybean exports to China at the expense of American producers. In response, a group of Democratic Senators introduced the ‘No Argentina Bailout Act,’ aiming to block the Treasury from using its Exchange Stabilization Fund to assist Argentina. Critics also highlight Argentina’s troubled economic history, noting its status as the International Monetary Fund’s largest debtor, owing $41.8 billion. Despite these concerns, the announcement provided a temporary boost to Argentina’s financial markets, with dollar-denominated bonds rising 10% and the Buenos Aires stock market surging 15%. While Economy Minister Caputo praised the U.S. for its steadfast commitment, many observers view the intervention as a political gesture rather than a strategic economic investment.
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Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the sticking points ahead: expert Q&A
After two years of intense conflict resulting in the deaths of 68,000 Palestinians and over 1,200 Israelis, predominantly civilians, Hamas and the Netanyahu government are poised to sign a Phase 1 ceasefire agreement. This initial step is part of a 20-point plan championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump and backed by key Arab powers in the region. Under this agreement, Israel will halt its military operations in Gaza, while Hamas has committed to releasing the remaining 20 Israeli hostages still held in the territory. The deal marks a significant shift from previous ceasefires, as Hamas is releasing all hostages and recoverable bodies in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. This move effectively relinquishes Hamas’s primary leverage against Israeli military actions and the Netanyahu government’s control over aid to Gaza. However, critical elements of a lasting peace—such as the extent of Israel’s military withdrawal, the resumption of aid, and the establishment of governance in Gaza—remain unresolved. The agreement faces potential obstacles, including Israel’s demand for Hamas’s complete disarmament and the expulsion of certain Hamas officials, which Hamas is likely to reject. The composition of an international oversight board for Gaza is also unclear, with Trump declaring himself its chair and no provision for Palestinian representation. Arab states, particularly Qatar and Egypt, played a crucial role in brokering this deal, despite Israel’s recent airstrike in Qatar. The immediate focus is on the survival of Gaza’s civilians, with the pause in Israeli attacks offering a brief respite. However, the long-term recovery of Gaza, devastated by two years of conflict, will require more than just economic development; it will necessitate a sustainable solution for security and welfare. While the Phase 1 agreement is a step forward, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.
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Ecuador’s Noboa faces escalating protests over rise in diesel costs
Ecuador is facing a deepening political crisis as widespread protests over the government’s decision to eliminate diesel subsidies enter their third week. The unrest, led by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), has resulted in one fatality, numerous injuries, and over 100 arrests. President Daniel Noboa, who assumed office in May, is grappling with one of the most challenging moments of his presidency as tensions escalate. The government has deployed 5,000 troops to Quito to prevent vandalism and property destruction, following violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The protests, initially concentrated in rural areas, particularly Imbabura province, are now threatening to spread to urban centers, raising fears of further violence. The CONAIE, a powerful Indigenous organization, has rejected government offers of economic handouts, insisting on the restoration of the diesel subsidy and broader policy changes. Critics accuse Noboa of authoritarian tendencies and a lack of willingness to engage in dialogue, while the Indigenous movement is seen as uncompromising in its demands. The situation has drawn international attention, with concerns over the excessive use of force by security forces. Experts warn that without mediation from institutions like the Catholic Church or civil society, the crisis could worsen.
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De Klerk smacks Proteas to stunning win over India
In a breathtaking display of resilience and skill, South Africa triumphed over India by three wickets in a nail-biting encounter at the ICC Women’s World Cup in Visakhapatnam. Chasing India’s total of 251, South Africa found themselves in dire straits at 81-5 before Nadine de Klerk orchestrated a remarkable comeback with an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls. Her innings, punctuated by five towering sixes, sealed the victory with seven balls to spare, leaving the Indian team and their fans in disbelief.
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London’s £34bn pension fund complicit in Israeli genocide, report says
A recent report by ‘Shake the CIV,’ a London-wide divestment campaign, has uncovered that London’s £34 billion ($45 billion) pension fund has £7 billion invested in companies allegedly enabling Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians. Published on Thursday, the report scrutinizes the London Collective Investment Vehicle (LCIV), the investment pool for London-based local government pension schemes, jointly owned by the City of London and all 32 London boroughs. Over a fifth of the LCIV’s portfolio, amounting to more than £7 billion, is tied to firms accused of facilitating these abuses. The LCIV manages pensions for approximately 700,000 Londoners. Last year, it divested £6.7 million in Israeli government bonds and is currently evaluating its investments in 12 unnamed companies. The report highlights nearly £1 billion invested in arms manufacturers, including £10 million in Israel’s Elbit Systems and £228 million in British arms giant BAE Systems. Additionally, £5.2 billion is invested in technology firms accused of enabling Israel’s surveillance and control of Palestinians, with over £2.5 billion allocated to Microsoft. Last month, Microsoft announced it would sever ties with Israel’s Unit 8200, a surveillance entity accused of spying on Palestinians using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. The LCIV clarified that £6.5 billion of the £7 billion cited in the report are ‘passive strategies’ managed by third-party fund managers, outside the LCIV’s control. The report calls for immediate and complete divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s alleged genocide and apartheid against Palestinians. Councillor Liam Shrivastava of Lewisham Council’s pension committee emphasized the moral and democratic imperative to act, drawing parallels to past divestments from apartheid South Africa and fossil fuels.
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Colombian President Petro suggests Qatar could mediate US military actions off Venezuela
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suggested that Qatar could act as a mediator to persuade the United States to halt its military operations in international waters near Venezuela. During a visit to Brussels, Petro emphasized Qatar’s successful track record in mediating tense situations and expressed confidence in its ability to convince the US to cease missile strikes in the Caribbean. These strikes, conducted by the US military, have targeted small boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, with the Trump administration reporting the destruction of four such vessels. Petro’s proposal follows his earlier claim, made without evidence, that Colombians may have been aboard one of the boats destroyed by US forces. The US has disputed this assertion and urged Petro to retract his statement, but the Colombian leader has refused, citing national data on drug seizures and the nationalities of those apprehended. Meanwhile, US officials have reaffirmed their commitment to Colombia as a strategic partner, despite policy differences. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has consistently denied his country’s involvement in major drug trafficking and has sought international support, including from the Pope, to maintain peace. Petro has criticized the US military actions as disproportionate and called for negotiations to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, citing Colombia’s recent talks with the Clan del Golfo in Qatar as a model for future mediation efforts.
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South African farm worker describes how women fed to pigs to ‘dispose of evidence’
A harrowing courtroom testimony has revealed the gruesome details of a South African farm worker’s forced involvement in disposing of two women’s bodies by feeding them to pigs. Adrian De Wet, 21, recounted to the Polokwane High Court how his boss, farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier, coerced him into throwing the bodies into a pig enclosure after they were shot. De Wet explained that Olivier believed the pigs would consume the evidence, stating, ‘When pigs are hungry enough, they’ll eat anything.’
De Wet admitted to firing shots alongside Olivier on the night of August 17, 2024, when they heard voices of trespassers on the farm. The victims, Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were allegedly searching for food on the property. The following morning, De Wet and Olivier discovered the bodies and disposed of them in the pigsty. A second body was found nearby and similarly discarded. Days later, they returned to find the pigs had devoured large portions of the women’s flesh, as evidenced by graphic photos presented in court.
De Wet, initially accused of murder, was granted immunity after agreeing to testify against Olivier and another suspect, William Musora. He claimed he acted under duress. Olivier and Musora face murder charges, with the case reigniting racial tensions in South Africa, where private farmland remains predominantly owned by the white minority, while black farm workers endure poor wages and living conditions.
The trial has sparked national outrage, highlighting the persistent racial divide in rural areas, decades after the end of apartheid. The defense’s cross-examination of Olivier and Musora is set to resume next Wednesday.
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Belgian police detain 3 over a suspected plot to attack politicians with a drone
Belgian authorities have thwarted a suspected terrorist plot involving a drone carrying explosives, targeting prominent politicians including Prime Minister Bart De Wever. On Thursday, three individuals were detained following coordinated raids in Antwerp, led by an anti-terrorism judge and supported by explosives detection units. Federal prosecutors revealed that an improvised device, steel balls, and a 3D printer—believed to be used for constructing attack components—were discovered during the searches. Investigators indicated that the suspects intended to build a drone to deliver a payload, potentially inspired by jihadist ideologies. While the politicians targeted were not explicitly named, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed the plot’s focus on Prime Minister De Wever, describing the incident as ‘deeply shocking.’ The suspects, described as young adults born in 2001, 2002, and 2007, were questioned, with two set to appear before a judge and the third released. This incident underscores Belgium’s ongoing struggle with terrorism, particularly the misuse of drones, as highlighted by recent suspicious drone activity near a military base. The Belgian justice system, already strained by a surge in terrorism investigations and drug-related crime, has called for increased government support to bolster security measures. The 2016 Brussels bombings, which claimed 32 lives, remain a stark reminder of the nation’s vulnerability to terrorist threats.