World

NATO secretary-general says some allies have air defense systems they could give to Ukraine

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2024

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday pressed member countries to give more Patriot missile systems to Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeated Kyiv’s almost daily appeals for more Western air defense equipment.

“NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the alliance and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg told reporters after an online meeting of defense ministers from the 32-nation alliance, which Zelenskyy took part in remotely.

Russia’s air force is vastly more powerful than Ukraine’s, but sophisticated missile systems provided by Kyiv’s Western partners are a major threat to Russian aviation as the Kremlin’s forces slowly push forward along the around 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line in the war.

Kyiv is seeking at least seven Patriot batteries. Stoltenberg declined to say which NATO nations have air defense systems or how many might be available, saying that this is classified information, but he insisted that he expects the countries to make new announcements of support soon, not only Patriots.

“Allies must dig deep into their inventories and speed up the delivery of missiles, artillery and ammunition. Ukraine is using the weapons we provide it to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer,” he said.

“Support to Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in our own security,” Stoltenberg added.

Patriot missile batteries can take two years to make, so countries that have them can be reluctant for security reasons to leave themselves exposed. Germany had a total of 12, but is supplying three to Ukraine. Poland, which borders Ukraine, has only two and needs them for its own defenses.

Greece, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain also possess Patriots. One major advantage of providing the U.S.-made systems, apart from their effectiveness, is that Ukrainian troops are already trained in their use.

NATO keeps track of the stocks of weapons held by its 32 member countries to ensure that they are able to execute the organization’s defense plans in times of need.

But Stoltenberg said that if dropping below the guidelines is “the only way NATO allies are able to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to defend themself, well that’s a risk we have to take.”

Beyond providing new Patriot batteries, Stoltenberg said that it’s also important for the allies to ensure that the batteries they send are well maintained, have spare parts and plenty of interceptor missiles.

World

Barbados PM Mia Mottley Warns of Threats to Caribbean Sovereignty at CARICOM Summit

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2025

Willie David

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (FNN) — Outgoing Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, delivered a powerful address on July 6, closing her six-month tenure with a call for urgent regional solidarity in the face of global instability. Speaking at the opening of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, Prime Minister Mottley warned of growing external threats to the sovereignty of Caribbean nations and underscored the need for unified action.

“If ever there was a time for regional solidarity, it is absolutely now,” Mottley declared, reflecting on her evolution from a “young romantic idealist” to a seasoned advocate for Caribbean integration.

Trade Wins and Policy Progress for CARICOM

During her address, Prime Minister Mottley highlighted several significant achievements made under her leadership, particularly in the areas of trade and economic cooperation. CARICOM is now moving to finalize long-awaited revisions to the Common External Tariff (CET) and Rules of Origin — key policies designed to protect regional industries while lowering production costs for essential goods.

Mottley praised the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the Community Council for completing critical groundwork. She emphasized that the time has come for political leaders to make decisive choices about which imported items should benefit from reduced tariff rates without harming local production.

Mitigating U.S. Trade Tensions

Another notable accomplishment during Mottley’s term was CARICOM’s swift response to trade tensions with the United States regarding Chinese-manufactured shipping vessels. Through coordinated advocacy by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) — which convened a 500-member Zoom meeting to address concerns — the region successfully secured a temporary stay on new port fees exceeding US$1 million per U.S. port call.

This intervention helped stave off the risk of increased trade costs, supply chain disruptions, and inflation across the Caribbean. Mottley commended the CPSO for its proactive leadership in protecting the region’s economic stability.

A Rallying Call for Caribbean Sovereignty

Prime Minister Mottley concluded her address by urging CARICOM leaders to stand firm in safeguarding the sovereignty of Caribbean nations amid growing geopolitical pressures. She emphasized that recent years have tested the region more than any period since independence, and the only path forward is through regional unity, bold political decisions, and collective resilience.

For more Caribbean and regional leadership news, visit FloridaNationalNews.com

World

July 7 Marks 4 Years Since President Jovenel Moïse’s Assassination

Published

4 days ago

July 7, 2025

FNN NEWS

MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — July 7, 2025, marks four years since Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was brutally assassinated in his home, and justice remains out of reach for the Haitian people.

While U.S. federal courts have convicted six men in connection to the assassination plot—including former officials, Colombian ex-soldiers, and a Haitian-American DEA informant—Haiti’s courts have yet to hold a single trial.

In February 2024, Haitian Judge Walther Wesser Voltaire indicted 51 individuals, including former First Lady Martine Moïse, ex-Prime Minister Claude Joseph, and former police chief Léon Charles. Yet, the case remains stalled in the country’s Court of Appeal as insecurity, political turmoil, and the loss of critical evidence cripple Haiti’s justice system.

Meanwhile, five additional suspects await trial in the U.S. in March 2026. Key fugitives remain at large, and questions persist about the fate of crucial evidence like the president’s phone and surveillance data.

As Haiti struggles with deepening violence and institutional collapse, the nation continues to wait for justice.

World

India’s PM Modi and Ghana’s President Mahama Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Partnership

Published

1 week ago

July 3, 2025

Willie David

Photo Credit: John Dramani Mahama

ACCRA, Ghana (FNN) — In a historic diplomatic milestone, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met today with the President of Ghana, H.E. Dr. John Dramani Mahama, marking the first visit by an Indian head of government to Ghana in over three decades. The meeting took place at Jubilee House in Accra, where President Mahama extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister.

This significant visit reflects the deepening relationship between India and Ghana and was closely followed by Florida National News and FNN News Network’s world coverage team.

Leaders Agree to Comprehensive Partnership

The two leaders engaged in both restricted and delegation-level talks, agreeing to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership. They reaffirmed the historically strong, time-tested ties between the two nations and discussed expanding cooperation in key sectors such as trade and investment, agriculture, digital technology, infrastructure, capacity building, and people-to-people relations.

Both leaders expressed their support for increased Indian investment in Ghana and a strengthened defence and security partnership. India committed to sharing expertise in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, digital public infrastructure, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and skill development.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed India’s gratitude for Ghana’s solidarity following the recent Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed India’s commitment to advocating for the Global South.

New Agreements and Cultural Exchanges Announced

The high-level talks culminated in the signing of four key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering:

Culture
Standards
Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine
A Joint Commission Mechanism for regular engagement between the nations’ Foreign Ministries

President Mahama hosted a State Banquet in honor of Prime Minister Modi, where both leaders reiterated their commitment to democratic values, South-South cooperation, and global peace. Prime Minister Modi formally invited President Mahama for an official visit to India at a mutually convenient time.

Global Issues and Shared Diplomatic Vision

Beyond bilateral cooperation, both leaders addressed pressing global issues of mutual interest, including United Nations reforms and strengthening the international fight against terrorism. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Ghana on its elevated international profile — including its active role on the UN Human Rights Council and the election of Ghana’s Foreign Minister as Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Both sides pledged continued collaboration in promoting sustainable development, global peace, and regional stability.

Florida National News and FNN News Network will continue monitoring India-Africa relations and key diplomatic partnerships reshaping global alliances.