JJosephaNews

TOP 10 BEST BEACHES IN CURACAO

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:29:00 +0000

WHAT ARE THE MOST FAMOUS BEACHES IN CURACAO?

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. July 24th 2025. It is not a secret that the Caribbean has beaches that make us feel we are in a dream, but it is a fact that the island of Curaçao, belong to the unreal, beaches like Kleine Knip and Cas Abao Beach have been honored in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards as some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Moreover, Knip Beach, which is also referred to as Grote Knip, has earned a spot among the 25 best beaches globally.

Curaçao stands out as one of the most sought-after islands in the Caribbean, boasting a diverse array of beaches that draw in numerous visitors. Whether you seek a lively beach brimming with energy and activities, or a more tranquil and serene spot, away from the noise and commotion, you'll easily discover something enjoyable in Curaçao.

1. KOKOMO BEACH

Kokomo Beach is known locally for its Relaxing vibe. This beach is situated just a few miles west of Willemstad and south of Grote Berg (eng; Big Mountain). Kokomo Beach is a place that nearly everyone can appreciate, offering chances to unwind in a lounge chair or dive and discover the local underwater marvels. Kokomo Beach possesses one of the finest lounge chairs on the island. If you want to have a fun sip on cocktails or drink beer, Kokomo Beach is the place!

If you love to dive and have lots of excitement, consider visiting the diving center at this beach. You can also receive proper diving instruction along with all the necessary gear to explore the captivating underwater realm here.

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2. CAS ABAO BEACH

Cas Abao Beach is one of the finest beaches on the island, it's a breathtaking destination that offers a range of activities such as snorkelling, dining, and massages, all set against a vibrant natural canvas. When you visit Cas Abao Beach you will discover its white sands, lush greenery and large palm umbrellas that provide shade and easy access to the crystal blue water.

When you feel stress, and need to embrace relaxation, Cas Abao Beach offers many options of diverse facilities that can provide you with a massage right by the waterfront. For those craving a bit more excitement, snorkelling is a popular choice, especially with the variety of colourful tropical fish in the area. If you are on vacation on the island of Curaçao or are planning to visit, Cas Abao Beach is a must!

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3. MAMBO BEACH

We humans have done many great things, well, Mambo Beach is one of those things! Mambo Beach is an artificial beach created by human hands, featuring a range of attractions such as soft white sands, tranquil blue waters, a volleyball court, easy access to drinks, and chances for diving. Mambo Beach is located approximately 4 miles south of Willemstad Curaçao. One of the best experiences at Mambo Beach is its breakwater ensures the waters remain calm, allowing children to swim without the concern of turbulent waves.

For those seeking excitement and many adventures, Mambo Beach offers diving and snorkelling opportunities. Alternatively, you can relax on the white-sand beach while playing volleyball. At night, Mambo Beach transforms into the night life you are looking for, with full sorted bars and live music where you can dance to R&B, Hip Hop and more.

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4. PLAYA LAGUN

While on your trip, make sure to include Playa Lagun on your beach list. Playa Lagun is located in the southern part of Lagun along the north-western coast of the island. Playa Lagun is a beach renowned for its snorkelling and diving opportunities, attracting visitors eager to observe its diverse reef fish and marine life up close. Nestled among rocky cliffs, the beach offers relatively calm waters, perfect for those wishing to unwind in the shallows.

Playa Lagun underwater exploration offers a colorful encounter with a variety of reef fish and sea turtles. The local reef is the lovely home to corals and large sponges in a stunning array of colors.

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5. PLAYA KALKI

Playa Kalki is a quaint beach located in a small cove, offering chances for underwater adventures and dining, along with a designated swimming area that's safe for all. Playa Kalki is situated northwest of Sabana Westpunt on the island's northern side. Whether you're enjoying a swim or snorkelling, it's essential to be aware that the water entry can be somewhat rocky.

Playa Kalki is one beach where you can experience nice splashes and cool breeze from the ocean. Above the beach, there's a lodge featuring its own restaurant and snack bar, ensuring you won't have to travel far for a meal and nearby shops, providing everything necessary for diving. Renowned for its immaculate white sand, sparkling turquoise waters, and distinctive natural structures. Playa Kalki blesses us with mushroom-like coral formations visible beneath the surface. The term "Kalki" is derived from the local Papiamentu language, referring to the plentiful white coral rock and limestone found on the beach and the nearby cliffs.

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6. JAN THIEL BEACH

If you want to experience the fancy beach life, Jan Thiel Beach is a must. You can find this beach located south of Willemstad in the town of Jan Thiel. Jan Thiel Beach is the upscale destination where you can enjoy not just soft sands and welcoming waters, but also a selection of conveniently situated restaurants offering treats and beverages for all. This beach features four distinct restaurants, each presenting its own culinary style, which enhances the overall five star experience.

Jan Thiel Beach is famous for its facilities, vibrant ambiance, and status as a tourist favorite. Jan Thiel Beach features a man-made shoreline with tranquil waters, making it perfect for families with kids, and provides amenities like dining options, a beach bar, and a range of water sports. Despite its popularity, the beach maintains a notably laid-back atmosphere, providing ample space for relaxation or a refreshing swim.

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7. GROTE KNIP BEACH

Grote Knip Beach is a tranquil destination nestled in a valley, where you can unwind in a serene lagoon featuring calm waters and an adjacent reef. You can locate Grote Knip Beach on the northern side of the island, positioned between Westpunt and Lagun. Due to its somewhat secluded setting and gentle surf, it has become a favored location for families, offering safe swimming conditions for children.

Grote Knip, often referred to as Playa Abou, is a stunning beach famous for its pristine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and the impressive rock formations that encircle it. This beach is celebrated for its excellent snorkeling and diving experiences, along with its laid-back vibe.

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8. PLAYA FORTI

Playa Forti is a well-known beach featuring brown sand with small pebbles, accompanied by a nearby restaurant and a cliff perfect for diving into the sea. To go to Playa Forti, just head to the western coast of Sabana Westpunt on the island's northwestern side. Cliff diving is the main attraction here, but it's important to be cautious. The cliff stands at almost 33 feet, so make sure to be safe and that you jump with enough distance. In addition to cliff diving, there is a snack bar and restaurant conveniently located within walking distance from the beach.

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9. BOKA SINT MICHIEL

Take a moment to relax at a beach located in a quaint fishing village. Boka Sint Michiel beach is located on the central western coast of the island, just a few miles west of Willemstad. Boka Sint Michiel is a charming beach known for its soft sands and a fishing pier, accompanied by a nearby village that boasts clubs and dining options.

One fact about Boka Sint Michiel, is that fishing is the most favored pastime for locals, but boating is also a delightful option. Along the shoreline, there are numerous restaurants that focus on seafood, preparing dishes with fresh fish caught just a short distance from their kitchens, so you must go and discover all of this culinary explosion and more at Boka Sint Michiel.

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10. KLEIN CURACAO

Klein Curaçao is an uninhabited island covering 1.7 square kilometers, located 10 kilometers southeast of Curaçao. Klein Curaçao Beach offers stunning crystal-clear waters, soft white sands, and breathtaking underwater scenery. Situated away from the mainland, this beach remains mostly untouched, allowing you to fully appreciate the picturesque natural beauty.

During your visit, you can relax in the calm waters by the shore or explore deeper into the sea. Snorkelling is particularly favoured due to the vibrant tropical fish that inhabit this area. The island features the remnants of two lighthouses, a quarantine facility, and multiple fishermen's huts. Additionally, there are several graves located on the northwest and southern shores, along with two freshwater wells. The waters surrounding Klein Curaçao provide outstanding opportunities for diving and snorkelling.

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OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:12% / FIDELITY:88%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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CURACAO TOURISM KEEPS GROWING IN 2025

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:17:00 +0000

CURACAO WELCOMES MORE THAN 55,000 STAYOVER ARRIVALS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2025

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 1:30 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. 24 July 2025. The Curaçao Tourist Board reports that 57,412 stayover visitors travelled to the island in June 2025, representing a 15% increase compared to June 2024. This steady growth shows that more travellers are choosing Curaçao, even during months that are considered slow season for tourism.

CURACAO AND THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM IS GROWING

All source regions contributed to the growth. The Caribbean led with a 25% increase in arrivals, followed by South America at 20%, North America at 15%, and Europe at 8%. Europe and North America remained the top source markets in absolute number of arrivals, recording 19,554 and 17,997 visitors respectively. According to Immigration Card data, visitors stayed an average of 7.7 nights during the month.

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THE USA, NETHERLANDS AND COLOMBIA KEEP PLAYING A MAYOR ROLE IN THE CURACAO TOURSIM SECTOR

United States of America: USA continues to be a strong market, recording 15% increase in stayover arrivals compared to June 2024. Curaçao welcomed a total of 17,119 arrivals in June 2025, which also positioned the US market as the main source market for the month of June. As for choice of lodging, 68% of the US visitors chose to stay in resort hotels, while 32% stayed at an alternative accommodation. The average length of stay was 6 nights.

The Netherlands: Curaçao welcomed 16,390 visitors from the Netherlands, a 6% increase compared to 15,422 arrivals in June 2024. A majority (55%) opted for non-resort accommodations, while 45% stayed at resorts. Dutch visitors stayed an average of 11.7 nights.

Colombia: Visitor numbers from Colombia increased by 9% in June 2025, recording 5,770 stayover arrivals compared to 5,290 arrivals in June 2024. Colombian visitors stayed an average of 5.4 nights, with 59% choosing to stay in resort hotels.

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CURACAO TOURISM SECTOR KEEPS GROWING COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S FIRST SIX MONTHS

The first six months of 2025 have shown impressive tourism performance, with the island welcoming a total of 898,059 visitors from January through June, including 399,738 stayover arrivals, 24,516 day-trippers, and 473,805 cruise passengers—reflecting an overall growth of 5% compared to the same period last year. Stayover arrivals alone increased by 15%, and the Curaçao Tourist Board anticipates continued momentum, potentially reaching its projected target of 765,000 stayover arrivals by the end of the year.

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OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:12% / FIDELITY:88%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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THE CURACAO HEALTH CRISIS CONTINUES WITH ITS AMBULANCE VEHICLES. AMBULANCE WORKERS ARE CONCERNED BY APPARENT LACK OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES TO ATTEND EMERGENCIES

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Thu, 12 May 2022 13:01:00 +0000

ARE AMBULANCE VEHICLES IN BAD CONDITION?

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. According to ABVO Vice President: Mr. Kenneth Bremer, the situation in which the ambulances of Curacao find themselves, are deplorable. ABVO is the General Union of Government Employees (in Dutch: Algemene Bond van Overheidspersoneel)

KENNETH BREMER

Among other things Bremer declared; “The situation with the ambulance continues, we have talked about this situation for a long time. We said that a commission was coming to deal with some things. Right now, without the commission dealing with things, the management decided to go with decentralization. We are saying that you can go to decentralization but you have to deal with what has to be dealt with. This means that the materials must be in place, each post (location) must have its own medicine cabinet and must have enough ambulance to take care of things.”

What is decentralization?

According to Bremer; “When the pandemic happened, when COVID started, it was said that they (the hospital) will start with Centralization, where everyone (ambulance) will go to Zakito area (the main location where the support staff are located in addition to the prepared ambulances). From Zakito, they (the ambulance) will go to their post (locations), so that you (the ambulance) would have enough materials to deal with things. They (ambulance workers) can wear the special clothing. An ambulance was designated to attend especially to COVID-19. Our big question is, if you (the hospital) want to decentralize, you must have everything in place at the Bandabou post (west location) and at the xxx Bandariba post (east location), for you to deal with it (with COVID19). Now we ask, COVID left or COVID is still here?”

Bremer also said; “You must ensure the safety of people and workers. The way you deal with the disease. When you decentralize, if you don't take the disease into account, you (the hospital) will again spread the disease everywhere. You will spread it everywhere when you start using the whole ambulance for this (to deal with COVID-19)”

Regarding why the ambulance workers don't want to work, Bremer explained; “Each stall (location) does not have its first aid kit (medicine cabinet). That's one. When you decentralize, you will find that all the people who have all the diseases can go to each post (location) and you don't have enough ambulance vehicles so that you can designate an ambulance for each post (location) to treat CORONA disease.”

Regarding the poor state of the ambulance vehicles, where the lights of the ambulance vehicles do not come on or the doors do not want to close properly, Bremer certified; “This is what we have said, because for the last 3 or 4 years, we have said that new ambulance vehicles should be purchased. Ideally, you (the hospital) have 6 ambulance vehicles and have 1 backup. Right now, there are 4 ambulance vehicles, which if they pass the approval (keuring) test, we don't know if all 4 will pass the approval (keuring) test.”

Ambulance workers are worried, there seems to be concern about the lack of ambulance vehicles to deal with emergencies. Bremer explained; “As a responsible union, we always make sure that there is an ambulance to serve the people of Curacao. Right now we are going to a meeting. We will deal with what needs to be discussed with management. During the meeting the members of the union will be there to discuss what the needs of the ambulance are and after that, we will inform them, to see how we continue.”

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OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:10% / FIDELITY:90%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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MORE THAN 4000 KILOGRAMS OF EXPIRED FOOD WERE FOUND IN LIVONI AGENCIES IN CURAÇAO. THE ITEMS WERE DESTROYED TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM CONSUMING THEM

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Thu, 12 May 2022 12:26:00 +0000

ANOTHER BUSINESS FOUND WITH EXPIRED FOOD

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 1:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. On May 10th 2022, a Curacao Business: Livoni Agencies, was searched by the Curacao Ministry of Economy, (Ministerio di Desaroyo Ekonómiko (MEO)), Curacao Foundation Tax Accountants Bureau (Stichting Belasting Accountants Bureau (BAB)) and Curacao Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (Ministerie van Gezondheid, Milieu en Natuur (GMN)), where they found various products that were outdated. Among other things, Livoni Agencies is a Curacao wholesaler with a wide range of products for supermarkets, catering, pharmacies and drugstores. Some of the products in the company's freezer were expired and were taken away by the authorities to be destroyed.

MEO CHIEF INSPECTOR

According to chief inspector of Curacao Ministry of Economy (MEO): Mr. Ronny Cornelis; “This was a joint venture together with BAB, SOAW and GMN. We came here and at a certain point they gave us the information that there were products that were expired inside a freezer. We came here to verify this and at a certain time they will all be seized (beslag) to be destroyed (vernietig), because as you know, the government's management is that expired food products must be destroyed.”

About 3 years ago, the government organization went to the same location for the same reason. Cornelis declared; “I must tell you that the company handled the freezers but there are other companies that have the products stored inside the freezers. The previous case was a different company, at this time this is a completely different company that also makes use of the freezer. This is also a central warehouse where everyone rents places to store their things.”

Cornelis explained on the quantity of good ceased; “Good, there are about 20 to 25 pallets of products. Which varies between chicken satay (kip saté), ice cream, pizza, croquette (kroket), croissant, baguette (stokbrood). In any case, it is a variety of products that are normally delivered at Hotels and hospitality industry (horeca) or food stores (tienda) or restaurants.”

What will be done with the products?

Cornelis continued; “We made an agreement with Selikor, where it said that they are digging a hole to destroy them. So later, when we have all the products outside, we will go there under the guidance of the authority to the location in Selikor to destroy them. Because we have to make sure that they (obsolete product) don't get into the community for people to consume.”

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BAB INSPECTOR

According to the Curacao Foundation Tax Accountants Bureau (BAB) inspector: Mr. Angelo Pichardo; “These products have been obsolete for a long time. They had these products out from their administration (voeraf). In all the above multi-disciplinary investigations, we (BAB) also participated, to see if the products sold here are actually registered and if they pay their taxes on them. That is also something to investigate.”

TRANSLATION: [Felicity: 10% - Fidelity: 90% ]

OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:12% / FIDELITY:88%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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WASTE FROM THE BEACHES AND THE CITY, INCLUDING POOP, GOES DIRECTLY INTO THE OCEAN IN CURACAO, FISHERMEN ARE CONCERNED BUT THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DECREE THAT PEOPLE STOP FISHING IN DANGEROUS AND POLLUTED AND POOP INFECTED WATER, NOR HAVE A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO SAVE THE FISH, THE ENVIRONMENT NOR THE HEALTH OF THE POPULATION?

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Thu, 12 May 2022 11:32:00 +0000

CURACAO HAS MORE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:30 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. During an interview, Curacao's Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning: Mr. Charles Cooper (MFK political party) made a worrying statement about national waters and the danger to public health. According to the minister, the government has no short-term solution to prevent dirty substances from being dumped into the ocean.

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER'S DECLARATIONS

Cooper declared; “Let me give you some other problems to put you in my place for a moment. Like you put yourself in Mr. Bart's (a local concern citizen/fisherman) shoes before, today. Juni (the reporter), do you know that, all of Macola Bay, all the houses in Macola Bay, every entity (companies), of the entire Marine Base, DOW (the Department of Public Works land/property), Selikor (Curacao's largest provider waste collection, recycling and disposal services), the Pier, each entity down there: do you know when the persons go to the bathroom where those (toilet waste) go/are dump? In our harbor (haf)! In our harbor! That is a big concern that I have as a leader right now.

Another concern I have is that; whenever you do your bathroom needs in Punda, which means, any entity you enter in Punda, to do your needs, you know where the waste it goes? It goes to our South Coast (zuidkust). It goes to our south coast!

There is a pipe, near the old Leeszaal (old reading room/building). There, in between the buildings, there is an opening, there is a pipe that passes by. You can go there and see the pipe, because it passes by, when you get out of there, the pipe goes into the ocean, goes 200 to 300 meters into the ocean, to the south and dumps all the waste.

So everyday, there are trucks with waste, so you can understand, but its the pipe. Trucks goes there and carry all the waste/dirty things from the entire Punda area and dump it in our South Coast. Those are big concerns we have.

We have a water purification (waterzuivering) place at Klein Hofje (little courtyard), which is at its end, which means, it is no longer in good condition, to deal with, let's say, water purification, that is, cleaning the water.

Now, what happens, is that, naturally, non of us want to dump in the harbor, at the south coast, nor in the north side nor at Playa Kanoa nor in the woods. Ok. We do not want to do that. We are against that. I want Mr. Bart (the concern citizen) and the entire country to understand in which big problem the governments have had (the present and past governments). Because, when you go through the budged, where you need 70 million, that's what we calculated, we have all those projects calculated already. We need 70 millions to remedy Punda, to remedy Baya Macola, Selikor and all those (places) down there. For our harbor as well. So that these things are not dump there anymore. Also on the north side and Playa Kanoa. Which means, we will not only attain with Mr. Bart's concerns by the north side.

You need to understand, that we will take it in an integral form. We approached the European Union, so that they can help us, and they will help us, but, it will take 3 to 4 years. Where they will put in 17 million euros available so that we can attain with the Klein Hofje to be renovated, the renewal of the water purification, to renew the one at Seru Loraweg and to also put a portion of (pipe), where instead of the Punda area dumping waste in our South Coast, we can attach it to a pump housing (pomphuis) near Juliana Pharmacy (Botica Juliana) in a pump housing (pomphuis) and that will pomp it send it (the dirty things) to Seru Loraweg. Those are the projects that we have waiting. When you do that, then the trucks no longer go to Punda, or to the north side, or anywhere else, which means they will go to Klein Hofje or Klein Kwartier.

But what happens, is there, in addition, you have to be very careful, because, when the trucks arrive at the water treatment plant, remember, the water treatment plant works with bacteria, the bacteria eat the dirt/waste, so that the water comes out clean. If you arrive with oil, many things that kill bacteria immediately, then they (the authorities) will measure that and tell you, no, we can't dump it here, because if you dump it there, you will damage the whole water purification process. At that time you will have to do that (throw the waste) in another place. Then, it ends up (the waste dumping) in the woods, in the North Side or Playa Kanoa. That is the problem, and the possible solution.

Which means, I do not have a solution for the short time for the North Side. If you turn and say something drastic, because, at any given moment, the government can decree another thing, but that will make it worst, because, the government can say; listen, you know what, I will decree in Curacao, a no fishing zone. But, when you (the government) decree a no fishing zone, to protect everyone's health and all those things, immediately, everyone (the public) will jump on your (the government) back naturally. They (the people) will say; no, you can not do that, this and that, we need to fish there. You understand? They would say, they need to put fish on the table (for food consumption).”

Cooper went further: “That is why I am telling you, and the same thing goes for the truck drivers, they will tell you (the government); I also need to put a bread on my table for my family. Do you understand? You are in a, if you do A, the snake will bite you, if you do B, a centipede will bite you. Whatever you do, you will trample the person's feet. That is why the government must look at the whole thing, then, to stumble on as few feet as possible.”

TRANSLATION: [Felicity: 10% - Fidelity: 90% ]

OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:10% / FIDELITY:90%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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RUSSIA'S HOSTILE INFORMATION ACTIONS ARE DESTABILIZING THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER: UK STATEMENT TO THE UN COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 06 May 2022 09:39:00 +0000

UK AMBASSADOR JAMES ROSCOE

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Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
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UN General Assembly Speech

UK statement to the UN Committee on Information

Ambassador James Roscoe spoke at the UN General Assembly Committee on Information about Russia's use of hostile information operations to undermine Ukraine.

"Many thanks indeed, Mr Chair. And, our thanks to you and the bureau for convening this debate, and for all the work that you do to bring us together to discuss this very important issue of information.

Indeed, information and communications are critical – they shape what people know, what people believe, and often how people act. And it’s important that we should recognise that. As we marked World Press Freedom Day yesterday, more than ever, we know the importance of verified information, and the reporting of facts, as the fundamental building blocks of free societies.

Indeed, we know that good journalism and freedom to report the news accurately and without fear is critical to good governance, and so in turn, critical to realising the ideals of the Charter. Conversely, we know that the rights and responsibilities set out in the Charter die in States where the truth is obscured by state propaganda and where media freedoms are denied.

Mr Chairman, we commend the Under-Secretary-General for her leadership and the Department’s innovations in response to the complex communications challenges facing us. We had a good discussion on this in our ad hoc seminar recently. We look forward to their stewardship of new initiatives like the Global Code of Conduct and of Integrity in Public Information, 2 critical projects. The increased engagement reported again this year goes hand in hand with the growing global demand for accurate, impartial and comprehensive information on the world’s most pressing issues. People are looking to the UN now more than ever as a source of trusted information.

We also want to support those in this room who have called for effective multilingualism in that work, as so ably demonstrated just now by our Armenian colleague. The UN’s communications prove that it can rise to the disinformation and misinformation challenges surrounding both the pandemic and the discourse around climate change, and we salute the work they’ve done in this area. There is an opportunity and a need to now expand those efforts to combat disinformation on crises and on conflicts.

This Committee has a duty to ensure that our guidance to the Department on Information is ready to challenge disinformation accurately and captures the reality on the ground in 2022. What is at stake is nothing less than the core principles of the Charter.

Yesterday, our Russian colleague, in response to a statement by another colleague in the room, told us that what was happening in Ukraine, and the communications around it, was not the business of this Committee. And in fact, he read to us the language from our mandate, and I just want to read what he said. He said, “I would like to remind delegates, and the colleagues which support that delegates, that the founding documents of the Committee, which we discussed today, state that its priority goals are to promote establishing a more effective and robust world order in information and communications that will inform the world and international understanding, etc.”

Now, it’s no surprise, Mr Chairman, that in reading us that mandate, our Russian colleague omitted a key part of that mandate as he read it to us, because, in fact, it says, ‘more effective world information and communication order intended to strengthen peace and international understanding’. He dropped that phrase, and he dropped it because, as we know, our Russian colleagues like to bend the truth and fit it to their own purposes.

So, Mr Chair, we will raise Russian behaviour and communications around its invasion of Ukraine because we think that its behaviour in this space is indicative of its broader approach in communications and important to the work of this committee, because since launching its illegal war in Ukraine, the Kremlin’s propaganda machine has been in overdrive. They have used hostile information operations to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty, to create false pretexts for invasion, to obscure the truth, and to hide war crimes.

And this offensive against the truth has global consequences, because Russian disinformation operations threaten to undermine public trust in both media and in public and international institutions.

Let’s look at the facts because Putin wants the truth to be yet another casualty of this conflict. The Russian government said they would not invade Ukraine. They invaded Ukraine. They said they would not target civilian infrastructure. They have remorselessly attacked residential areas, schools, and hospitals – we’ve seen this with our own eyes. They told us, in the Security Council, that Ukraine had developed bioweapons on bats and birds and lice. The UN told us that there was no evidence for this whatsoever. The Russians said they would not harm civilians. Yet, we are seeing strong evidence of war crimes, including reports of mass graves and heinous atrocities in Bucha. And our Russian counterpart, who spoke today, has even used the Security Council’s media stakeout to broadcast across the UN’s own channels an accusation that the UN was spreading disinformation about the attack on the maternity hospital in Mariupol. We all know the appalling truth of what happened to that hospital.

Mr Chairman, the Russian statement today was typical of its broader communications technique. It was laced with innuendo, but free of facts. Now, we all need to push back against this. And this week, the UK-funded research, has exposed a large scale Russian disinformation operation using a so called ‘troll factory’ that is paid to spread lies on social media and in comment sections on news websites and social media platforms including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. Targets included audiences in the UK, but also in South Africa, and India, and the social media accounts of various world leaders. We’ve alerted the social media platforms and international partners to this.

Our Russian colleague complains about these social media platforms. Well, there’s a reason that they don’t get to broadcast on these platforms. It’s because they have standards. For the same reason, in the UK, our organisation that looks after communications, independent to government, withdrew the broadcasting licence for RT. It’s not because we don’t like what RT says, it’s because their standards of truth fall below an acceptable standard. And, I think anyone who’s seen the broadcast news in the UK knows that our tolerance levels are pretty high. So, the troll factory is just one example, one example of many.

Russia’s hostile information actions are frankly destabilising the international order, particularly when it comes to media, and when it comes to information. We must take steps to counter this. This matters because if they succeed, then we will fail.

So, it’s our aim, Chairman, that through the work of this Committee, the leadership of DG Comms and collaboration with partners and the major platforms, we can mount a robust international response to disinformation and preserve the space for impartial and accurate reporting of the real threats and shared challenges that the UN was founded to address.

Mr Chairman, anything less risks the very integrity of this organisation.

Thank you."

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VENEZUELAN REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS IN CHILE RECEIVED MORE THAN 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 06 May 2022 09:19:00 +0000

VULNERABLE VENEZUELANS IN CHILE

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 1:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

According to US Department Spokesperson Ned Price;

Today (Mat 04, 2022), Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, while on an official visit to Santiago, Chile, announced more than $6 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities in Chile. This brings total U.S. humanitarian support for Venezuelans in Chile since the crisis began to nearly $26 million.

This assistance from the American people will enable our international humanitarian partners to continue to meet the needs of vulnerable Venezuelans in Chile and provide them with legal assistance, medical care, safe shelter, hygiene kits, and basic relief items, such as blankets and winter clothes.

We remain concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Immediate, full, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations and workers is essential to provide timely, need-based assistance to those who have fled Venezuela. The United States affirms our commitment to assist Venezuelan refugees, migrants, and the host communities that support them in Chile and across the region. We also thank Chile for its continued partnership as we work together with countries throughout the region to solve the ongoing migration challenge.

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MESSAGE FROM THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE AFTER THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN ELAD, ISRAEL

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +0000

AT LEAST THREE KILLED IN THE ATTACK

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 01:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

According to Israel's emergency response services, at least three people were killed and four injured in a suspected terror attack in Elad yesterday (May 5, 2022). The alleged terror attack took place on Israel's Independence Day. The police department had said the incident involved two suspected attackers. Apparently, one of the alleged attackers fired a rifle while the other attacked people with an ax (knife). Police advised the public to stay away from the scene. Apparently, the suspects have not yet been arrested.

05/05/2022 08:35 PM EDT, The Us Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken:

“We vehemently condemn the terrorist attack in Elad, Israel, which killed at least three and wounded many others. This was a horrific attack targeting innocent men and women, and was particularly heinous coming as Israel celebrated its Independence Day. Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those killed, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. We remain in close contact with our Israeli friends and partners and stand firmly with them in the face of this attack.

May the memory of those who passed be a blessing.”

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A GROUP OF PEOPLE FIOUGHT IN A PUB, THEY USED ALL THE OBJECTS THEY FOUND TO ATTACK EACH OTHER. SIX PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION AND THREE OF THEM WERE ARRESTED

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Wed, 04 May 2022 11:09:00 +0000

BIG FIGHT IN BERG ALTENA

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 00:45 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

The police were called to break up a large group of people fighting on Saturday (April 30, 2022) in a Snèk (small food store with an open air pub) in the area of the Berg Altena (Oosterbeekstraat) intersection.

The fight started between two men which preceded an argument, and grew to involved a third person. In the end, everyone at the Snèk; ended up fighting. The fight became more violent and aggressive.

After the police arrived, six (6) persons were taken into custody and arrested, three (3) males and three (3) females. As of publishing time, three of the arrestees have been released, but one (1) woman and two (2) of the three (3) men have been detained for the reasons of further investigations.

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THE TRANSPORT MINISTER IS ACCUSED OF DOING UNDER-THE-TABLE BUSINESS WITH THE FKP HOUSING FOUNDATION, WHERE THE MINISTER HAS ALLEGEDLY BEEN EARNING FROM THE FOUNDATION'S SALES WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Wed, 04 May 2022 10:35:00 +0000

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER DEFENDS HIMSELF AGAINST THE ACCUSATIONS

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. In a Facebook post, the Curaçao Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP): Mr. Charles Cooper (MKF political party) expressed his regret that his name is being tarnished regarding the Foundation's housing arrangements for Popular Housing (Fundashon Kas Popular (FKP)) in the RIF Curacao area. The allegations allegedly appear to come from an online post, alleging that the minister made money under the table, abused power and was corrupt.

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER AND THE FKP FOUNDATION

According to the Facebook post; “Evil minds want to involve the minister in matters relating to FKP with houses in the Rif area.” Among other things, explains the minister; “It is being insinuated that Minister Charles Cooper is part of a deal (transactions) to sell some houses in the Rif area, selling them on a rent-to-own basis with Private Companies together with the company Corendon, which will repair the houses. and then find people who live in them.”

According to the Minister; “The relationship between FKP and the government of Curaçao is anchored in a Management Agreement (Beheersovereenkomst). This is only for government houses. Which means that the houses that the government built, the government allows FKP to manage and maintain.”

According to the minister, he has nothing to do with the houses that are owned by the FKP, that the FKP can do whatever it wants with those houses. The Minister expressed; “It is practically impossible for Minister Cooper's government to be part of any business for houses in the Rif area, which is not the minister's responsibility.”

As for the information circulating online, where Cooper is accused of making under the table deals with FKP and being involved in the FKP property business (real estate) to make money, making him a corrupt official, it is incorrect, according to the Minister. According to the Minister's publication, he; “As the Minister in charge of the FKP foundation, informed the FKP foundation board that his intentions are to fire them (as a board) due to their deficiency in supervision in the FKP foundation board, they decided to give up blocking (ontslag aan blok). The FKP foundation has not presented its annual accounts for many years and Minister Cooper does not tolerate this as the Minister in charge.”

TRANSLATION: [Felicity: 10% - Fidelity: 90% ]

OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:10% / FIDELITY:90%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE HELD AN IN-PERSON PRESS BRIEFING AT THE FOREIGN PRESS CENTER, AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Wed, 04 May 2022 09:22:00 +0000

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 7:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 11:00 am

THE WASHINGTON FOREIGN PRESS CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C.

MR PRICE: Good morning. Welcome to the Department of State's Washington Foreign Press Center. My name is Ned Price; I'm the spokesperson here at the Department of State. And I'm especially pleased to be with you here today in person, the first time we've been able to hold an in-person press briefing at the Foreign Press Center in over two years, since the start of COVID-19 pandemic.

And it's especially notable that we are able to do that today on World Press Freedom Day. And it's my distinct honor to have with us Secretary of State Blinken, who will be able to offer some remarks on World Press Freedom Day and to take your questions. We have journalists here in person. We also have journalists with us online. We'll be able to hear from both of them.

Before I hand the podium over to Secretary Blinken, just some quick announcements at the top. After his opening remarks, I'll open the floor to questions. We'll first take a few questions from here in the room. Please do wait until you're handed a microphone before you start asking your questions. We would also ask that you keep your question brief so that we can take as many questions as we are able to. We will then move to Zoom. Please do raise your digital hand on the Zoom, and we will call on you from there. We ask that you please click "raise hand" to notify that you have a question. Please do unmute yourself before speaking, and we'll take your question.

This, of course, is live-streamed. There will be a transcript available after the fact. And now, as I said before, it's my distinct pleasure to introduce Secretary Blinken. Secretary Blinken, the podium is yours.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Morning, everyone. Ned, thank you very, very much. And it is particularly good to be here, and I wanted to start by saying welcome, everyone, to the Foreign Press Center. It's been too long since those words have actually been said. This is the first in-person event, as Ned said, that we've been able to have in over two years as a result of the pandemic. And I can't imagine a more fitting occasion than to do it on World Press Freedom Day. So welcome back, everyone.

The United States has a vital stake in promoting the right to freedom of expression, including a free press, at home and also around the world. The free flow of information, ideas, opinions, including dissenting ones, is essential to inclusive and tolerant societies.

A vibrant independent press is a cornerstone for any healthy democracy. At its core is the idea that information is a public good, crucial to everything we do, to every decision that we make. And often we trust the press with providing that information. It's what helps citizens understand the events, the forces that are shaping their lives. It allows people to engage meaningfully in the political and civic spheres of their communities, their nations, and the world.

A free press is one of the most effective tools that we have for advancing human rights. Whether it's documenting unjust working conditions, corrupt or failing public services, discrimination against women and marginalized groups, abuse of security forces, accurate reporting shines a bright light on the parts of our societies that need fixing, that need to be illuminated. That brings pressure to change, to form, as we say in the United States, a more perfect union.

Having said that, we meet a time when the exercise of freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, faces profound threats. Some of these are old; some are new. Threats that we, the United States Government, Department of State, all of us as citizens have an abiding interest in confronting, and doing so head on.

Just last Thursday, April 28th, journalist Vera Hyrych was killed when the apartment that she was living in was struck by the Russian military in Kyiv. Vera is one of 11 journalists killed in Ukraine this year according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Many more have been wounded in conflict. One is Fox News correspondent Ben Hall, who was seriously wounded when the car that he and his team were traveling in was struck by incoming fire on March 14th. His cameraman, Pierre Zakrzewski, and his producer, Oleksandra Kuvshynova, killed in this attack.

I know Ben well. He's traveled with me on many occasions since I've been in this job. Thinking of him, his loved ones, the loved ones of Pierre and Oleksandra, and those of all who were killed in Ukraine. For my part, I look very much forward to welcoming Ben back to the press corps.

And as this group knows in particular, the Kremlin's war of aggression on Ukraine is just one of many conflicts around the globe where journalists are putting their lives on the line right now as we speak, as we gather, in order to report the news.

In Burma this past January, journalist Pu Tuidim's body was discovered two days after he was abducted alongside nine other people in Chin State. In November, Yemeni journalist Rasha Abdullah al-Harazi and Mahmud al-Utmi, husband and wife, were driving together in Aden when a bomb attached to their car blew up. Rasha, who was pregnant, was killed. Mahmud survived and later told the UN Human Rights Council that he'd been threatened shortly before the attack by Houthis.

Of course, we also know that journalists face grave risks beyond areas of conflict. Around the world, governments – as well as non-state actors like terrorist groups and criminal organizations – threaten, harass, imprison, and attack journalists every week.

Two hundred and ninety-three journalists were behind bars at the end of 2021. That's a new annual record, and this is according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The PRC continues to hold the highest number, imprisoning some 50 journalists, including eight from Hong Kong.

Other governments use the threat of imprisonment and lawsuits to intimidate journalists. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have systematically repressed the Afghan independent press, particularly women journalists and those working in rural areas. According to a survey conducted at the end of 2021, 40 percent of independent media outlets in Afghanistan have closed since the Taliban takeover.

When individual journalists are threatened, when they're attacked, when they're imprisoned, the chilling effects reach far beyond their targets. Some in the media start to self-censor. Others flee. Some stop reporting altogether. And when repressive governments come after journalists, human rights defenders, labor leaders, others in civil society are usually not far behind.

That was the message sent on April 7th, when an assailant attacked Russian editor and Nobel Prize winner Dmitry Muratov with red paint and acetone as he rode on a train outside of Moscow. Just some months before, I had the privilege of being on a panel with Dmitry during the Summit for Democracy. This attack, which U.S. intelligence assessed was the work of Russian intelligence, left Dmitry with chemical burns in his eyes, and sent a clear message to others considering criticizing the Kremlin's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Governments are supplementing traditional forms of repression with new tactics aimed at undermining press freedom.

More governments are taking steps to control access to information – and news in particular – on the internet, whether through shutdowns, slowdowns, or outright censorship. These restrictions make it harder for reporting from inside closed areas to get out, and news from the outside getting in.

Technology is being used not only to block journalists, but to watch them. From 2020 to 2021, more than 30 reporters, editors, other media employees in El Salvador were hacked with the spyware Pegasus, according to an independent investigation – one of several countries where journalists, human rights defenders, and others in civil society have been targeted with this spyware. Last year, the Biden Administration placed the foreign company that produces Pegasus – the NSO Group – on the Entity List, forbidding it from receiving U.S. exports, including technologies, and seriously affecting its operations.

Whether these attacks on journalists are made using old methods or new ones, the overwhelming majority of crimes against journalists worldwide are carried out with impunity. This sends a clear message to perpetrators that they can keep targeting the press without consequences.

The U.S. Government is taking a wide range of action to push back against this repression and to strengthen press freedom. I'd like to highlight three aspects of what we're doing in the time that we have today.

First, we are taking urgent steps to help protect journalists in conflict areas. In Ukraine, for example, we're equipping journalists with flak jackets, first aid kits, satellite phones. We set up a press center in Lviv to help local and national Ukrainian media outlets continue their operations. We're also offering emergency aid and psychosocial support to journalists who bear the invisible wounds of reporting from war zones. This work goes hand-in-hand with the Journalism Protection Platform that we announced at the Summit for Democracy a few months ago, which will provide at-risk journalists with training in digital and physical security, psychosocial care, and other forms of support.

Second, we continue to raise the profile of cases of journalists who are being targeted for their work – using every platform and diplomatic engagement that we have. Today and every day we think of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria for nearly 10 years, a quarter of his life. We will continue to pursue every avenue to secure his release.

We're rallying broader coalitions of countries to these efforts, such as the Media Freedom Coalition. This is a group of more than 50 countries that share our commitment to press freedom as well as to the safety of journalists. So, for example, when we call out Beijing for cracking down on independent media in Hong Kong, we're doing it together with countries from every part of the world. And we're using targeted sanctions to impose costs on the perpetrators of such attacks, including new authorities we created like the Khashoggi Ban.

Third, the United States is helping independent media in financial peril. We're providing direct financial assistance to at-risk outlets. We're working with business groups and the private sector to help them become more financially sustainable. At the same time, we're providing financial support to reporters and news organizations unfairly targeted with litigation for their critical reporting.

So let me close with two words: Thank you. Thank you for all that you do. For all the challenges the press faces today, the work endures because of brave reporters like you.

Journalists like Adela Navarro, who I believe is joining us virtually today from Tijuana, Mexico, and whose publication, Zeta, continues to conduct essential reporting on tough issues like organized crime, corruption, even after several of her colleagues have been murdered with impunity.

Journalists like Ko Swe Win, also I believe joining us, who leads one of Burma's last remaining independent news sites, Myanmar Now, which continues to cover the widespread atrocities being committed against the Burmese people by the military – work Ko continues in spite of having previously spent seven years in prison for opposing military rule, three of them in solitary confinement.

And journalists like Sevgil Musaeyava, joining us today from Ukraine, where she leads one of the country's most widely read news sites, Ukrainska Pravda – work she continues even after her brother-in-law, documentarian and U.S. citizen Brent Renaud, was killed by Russian forces while reporting from Irpin on March 1st. Sevgil recently said in an interview – and I quote – "We are trying to make sure that the people are not just statistics."

In that, and so much more, you're succeeding.

So to all the journalists here today, to all of you joining us online, to members of the media doing this work around the globe:

We're humbled by your courage.

We're in awe of your commitment to providing the public with the truth.

We're honored to be your partners in advancing the essential cause of press freedom – today and every day.

And with that, I'm happy to take some questions.

MR PRICE: We'll start with Stacy Hsu from the Central News Agency of Taiwan.

QUESTION: Thank you, Secretary, for doing this. The State Department's Human Rights Report has for many years expressed a concern that Beijing is trying to influence sort of media outlets in Taiwan by either pressuring their parent company's business interests in Beijing or pressuring companies with operations in China to avoid advertising with outlets that publish articles critical of Beijing. And I'm sure that's happened not only in Taiwan but elsewhere as well. So based on the U.S. assessment, how serious is this problem, and how can we avoid, like, erosion of Taiwan's press freedom?

And secondly, if I may, there have been concerns that with Elon Musk's business ties to China, his acquisition of Twitter may allow Beijing to influence or censor critics on the social media platform. Do you agree with this concern? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. So to the first part of the question first, Taiwan is quite literally on the frontlines of the PRC's hybrid warfare, including disinformation, including cyber attacks. And these are designed to basically distort the information environment and democratic processes. So we've partnered with Taiwanese authorities on this, civil society organizations, to support independent, fact-based journalism, to try to build societal resilience to disinformation and other forms of foreign interference. But it's something that we look at very closely and that we continue to work on.

The second part of your question, on Twitter. So let me say first it's a private company. I'm not going to comment on what is hypothetical at this stage.

Let me say more broadly, though, in response to the question, as we've just discussed, free speech – including free media, including platforms of one kind or another – are incredibly important to the Biden Administration. We've made that clear at home; we've made that clear around the world.

And I would say again – and this goes to the first part of your question as well as the second – we've been deeply concerned about what we're seeing from the PRC in terms of its misuse of its technology to try to do things like increase surveillance, harassment, intimidation, censorship of PRC citizens, of journalists, of activists and others. And that includes abroad.

At the same time, we have a total imbalance because these very same leaders in Beijing are using the free and open media – that we ensure that are protected in democratic systems – to spread propaganda, to spread disinformation. And ultimately, that's an unsustainable proposition.

Now, it also appears that they are further using these systems to stalk, harass, to threaten critics who are outside the PRC's territory. We've condemned and we've taken action against these efforts, and we'll continue to defend the principles of a free press, an open, secure, reliable, and interoperable internet and the benefits that flow from it.

MR PRICE: Alexander Panov, Novaya Gazeta.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you for this event. I represent Novaya Gazeta, Russia. Of course, I want to ask you about Mr. Muratov, but you already mentioned this brutal attack on our editor and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Actually, could we expect any new statements regarding this situation?

And if I may, I want to tell about second case. This is Mr. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a political activist but he is former journalist. He was my colleague. We worked together 10 years. And actually, he was poisoned twice in Russia. Now he was arrested and he could get up to 15 years of prison. He is Washington Post columnist still, and he – his wife and his three kids live here in the northern Virginia.

And for those who are familiar with situation knew that it's a kind of revenge. It's not discreditation of Russian army in his speech of House of Representative of State of Arizona, but his – it's revenge for Magnitsky Act, which Vladimir Kara-Murza and late Boris Nemtsov lobbied in U.S. continent, successfully lobbied.

Actually, could we wait for some statement from U.S. Government regarding this situation with this gentleman and regarding Mr. Muratov, and regarding generally the situation in Russia when lots of young Russian journalists had to leave country to work abroad because it's like – it's not just censorship, it's military censorship in Russia. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: No, thank you very much for the question. A few things in response.

First, as I mentioned, I was with Dmitry Muratov on a panel during our Summit for Democracy just a few months ago. At that time, the news outlet that he was leading was able to operate, as were many others. And of course, that space – already incredibly restricted – has been virtually shut down.

I'd say generically governments, regimes that engage in these practices do not evidence a great deal of confidence in themselves. What are they afraid of? I think we know the answer: it's the truth.

I had the opportunity some years ago to actually meet with your colleague, Mr. Kara-Murza, in Washington when he was here. This, I think, was back in 2016, 2015. I remember the conversation very vividly. And like you, we are deeply, deeply disturbed by his treatment. It's a case that we're following very, very closely.

As you know better than I do, he's suffered arrests, he's suffered near-fatal poisonings in connection with his peaceful political activities. And of course, these tactics have long been part of the Kremlin's playbook.

So we urge Russia to cease the abuse of repressive laws to target nonviolent organizations and individuals as well as journalists. The Russian people, like people everywhere, have a right to speak freely, they have the right to form peaceful associations to common ends, they have the right to exercise freedom of expression and to have their voices heard through free and fair elections.

And of course, right now the mere fact of calling what is happening in Ukraine by its name – a brutal, unprovoked aggression, as opposed to the Orwellian special military operation – that risks getting anyone who does that 15 years in jail, as you've noted. Again, among many other things, not evidence of a government or leadership that actually has confidence in itself.

MR PRICE: Jahanzaib Ali, ARY Pakistan.

QUESTION: So thank you so much. Sir, Pakistan remains among those countries in the world considered most dangerous place for the journalists. Last year, many Pakistani journalists were killed, kidnapped, and tortured for exposing crime and corruption and criticizing some of the government policies. Sir, has State Department ever take up this issue in bilateral talks with the Pakistani authorities? Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: The short answer is yes, we take this up in our engagements with Pakistani counterparts. Of course, this is also a feature of the annual Human Rights Reports that we put out, and, of course, we're aware of significant restrictions on media outlets and civil society more broadly in Pakistan. Here again a vibrant free press, an informed citizenry are key for any nation and its future, including Pakistan, and I think these practices that we see undermine freedom of expression. They undermine peaceful assembly. They undermine Pakistan's image as well as its ability to progress. So it is something that comes up both in our direct engagements and in the work that we're doing every day.

MR PRICE: We'll take a couple questions online. As a reminder, please do raise your digital hand and unmute yourself if you're called upon. We'll start with Sevgil Musaeyava of Ukrainska Pravda.

QUESTION: Okay. Good morning, Secretary of State. First of all, thank you for your support of our country, continued support of our country, which is now fighting for democratic values not only in post-Soviet countries but all over the world. Thank you for mentioning my dear friend Brent Renaud, who was brutally killed in Ukraine on March.

For me personally, it's not a war between democratic world and authoritarian regime; it's also war between truth and propaganda. For the last eight – 20 years, actually, Russia destroyed all independent medias in their country and they supported state propaganda, and this propaganda now is disrupting not only information field of Ukraine but all over the world, in your country too. Few days ago, for example, CNN published an investigation about how Russian troll army worked in Ghana and how they spread information about Black Lives Matter's campaign.

But I have one very personal question, very concrete case. Everybody knows about tragedy of Mariupol city, which is now occupied by Russia, but still a lot of our civilians and soldiers are blocked in Azovstal plant. Some of them were evacuated and we met them in control – Ukrainian-controlled territory, but a lot of people still are blocked in this plant. And Russian propaganda for the last eight years pictured those people – I mean soldiers, first of all – like Nazis. And for Putin now it's justified and propaganda justified his cruelty against those people.

And so I have two questions. How we can save the lives of these people? And do you have a special plan how to fight against propaganda and how to minimize impact of Russian propaganda in your own country? Thank you so much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. And thank you for, again, the incredible courage that you and your colleagues are showing every single day in Ukraine. By the way, the contrast between media in Ukraine and media in Russia in and of itself speaks volumes. And in Ukraine, whether before the aggression or now during the aggression, its vibrant – incredibly vibrant – free press putting a light on everything that's happening is invaluable. And again, we really applaud the courage that you're showing every day.

So it's a very significant challenge when it comes to dealing with the information environment in Russia that has been created and im- bolstered over many, many years. And a space that was already incredibly restricted is being shut down to virtually nothing just in the last six months. That's not something that gets reversed overnight. But more people are speaking out, speaking up for more journalists who are doing their jobs to the extent possible in Russia but even outside of Russia. Over time and by different ways, information will find a crack and will get through. And over time, even in the most closed-down society in terms of its information space, I think it's going to be very difficult to fully hide the truth.

And the truth is what in the world has Russia's aggression in Ukraine done to benefit the Russian people? Absolutely nothing, and to the contrary, they are also bearing the consequences of the horrific decisions made by their leadership. How has this aggression advanced in any way desire for someone in Russia, like anywhere else, to have a good job, to educate their kids, to find opportunity, to live a life that promises an even better life for their children? How does that have anything to do with the basic aspirations that people have?

And on the contrary, of course, along many other things, Putin's actions have turned Russia into a pariah. The fact that virtually every leading company on Earth has exited from Russia speaks volumes to that. And that too is something that, over time, Russian people will feel in their daily lives and that will begin to penetrate the information space, and people increasingly, I believe, will ask themselves the question, "Why, to what end?"

But again, it takes a lot of time because this is a system that's been built up over many, many years, many decades, but the most important thing is for people, wherever they are, to continue doing their jobs, continue to shine a light on what's happening in Ukraine, continue to get the information out there, and it will ultimately find its way to its destination.

We've been across the board, of course, deeply concerned about those in various parts of Ukraine who are trapped by the Russian onslaught. Mariupol is front and center in the news for so many people, continues to be contested, and simply put, people need to be allowed out and humanitarian assistance needs to be allowed in. We've seen efforts over the last couple of months to have humanitarian corridors to allow people to exit. In virtually every instance, those corridors have not held up because Russia has not abided by the commitments that it made.

Now, we just had one successful exit from Mariupol of about a hundred people just yesterday, but then again, the corridors was shut down, and it's – my understanding is that the shelling and targeting and rocketing of people who are trapped in this factory area has resumed.

Here again, I think it's incredibly important for the work that all of you are doing to just keep shining a light on it, to make sure that the world knows, to the best of our ability, what's actually going on; to see, to know, to understand the brutality of it, the inhumanity of it. And that too, over time, I think, has a way of putting pressure on those who are engaging in these actions to change course.

MR PRICE: We'll go to Swe Win, Voice of Burma.

QUESTION: Good morning, Mr. Secretary. This is Swe Win from Burma. Let me ask you a question regarding the U.S. policy to Burma. In response to the latest military coup there last year, the United States froze $1 billion of – Burma had at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in New York. There are some rumors out there that the U.S. Government is considering to release those funds to opposition groups in Burma.

Is there any element of truth in that? Does the U.S. have any plan to actively support a nationwide and resistant movement in Burma against the military junta, such as by weapons as you are now doing for Ukraine? Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you very much. Let me say first, generally, we have, we are, we will continue to support the aspirations of the Burmese people to return to the path of democracy. We're doing that in a variety of ways, and this is the focus of our actions. Since the coup, we have sanctioned over 27 entities, 70 individuals. This includes military leaders, it includes officers, it includes cronies who support the regime.

Having said that, we, the international community, believe that more needs to be done. For example – and this is, I think, an important focus – ending the sale and the transfer of arms, materiel, of dual-use equipment, technical assistance to the military regime, which it is then in turn using to abuse the Burmese people. We continue to press and we will continue to look for different ways to be effective in pressing for it. We continue to press the regime to release all those who've been unjustly detained, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, to advance the peaceful resolution of the crisis, to restore the path to democracy.

So as we're doing this, we will continue to look at what tools we believe we have, others may have, to do it more effectively. And that's an ongoing proposition but something that we take very, very seriously.

It's one of the more deeply disturbing tragedies that we have – we've experienced and that the Burmese people especially have experienced, in no small measure because of the extraordinary hope and expectations that have been created by this move to democracy – the fact that it's been derailed, and not only derailed but derailed in such a violent, repressive way.

It's something that should continue and needs to continue: to galvanize the attention, the focus, the determination of the world to help Burma get back on the democratic track that was interrupted.

Thank you.

MR PRICE: That unfortunately has exhausted our time for today, but I would be remiss on World Press Freedom Day if I didn't remind everyone here in person to please attend our daily press briefings at the Department if you're able. For those of you who are based around the world, please do feel free to dial into our phone briefings, which we also do regularly.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. If I could ask everyone to please remain seated, and we hope to see you soon.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, folks.

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UKRAINE RECEIVED 13 PROTECTIVE ARMOURED VEHICLES FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT, TO SAFELY EVACUATE PEOPLE FROM THE SHELLED AREAS IN EAST OF UKRAINE

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Wed, 04 May 2022 08:53:00 +0000

UK DONATES FLEET OF ARMOURED VEHICLES TO UKRAINE TO EVACUATE CIVILIANS FROM BESIEGED AREA

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

According to UK Government;

UK to donate a fleet of 13 armoured vehicles to Ukraine to rescue civilians from besieged areas.
Vehicles will also transport key workers to rebuild vital infrastructure
Delivery of the highly specialised fleet is in direct response to a request from the Government of Ukraine
The UK is sending a fleet of 13 protective armoured vehicles to Ukraine, to safely evacuate people from the shelled areas in east of the country.

The steel-plated vehicles will be sent following a direct request from the Ukraine government for safe and resilient transport for civilians. They will also be used to transport officials from Ukrainian ministries to temporary command posts set up for government work and the rebuilding of key infrastructure, such as energy supplies, in besieged areas.

The Ukrainian police and the National Guard will also utilise the fleet to rebuild vital railway lines in the east of Ukraine.

The fleet is made up of highly specialised 4x4s that have been upgraded with armour to resist high velocity bullets, anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices – all tactics which have been used by Russian forces to slaughter civilians.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

The intentional targeting of innocent civilians is a war crime.

This latest donation of armoured vehicles will help protect innocent Ukrainians attempting to flee Russian shelling and support Ukrainian officials carrying out vital work.

The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to have a massive human cost, including the murdering of innocent civilians and mass displacement of families, as well as the destruction to vital infrastructure including schools and hospitals. It is estimated that more than 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance with the actual figure likely to be much higher.

The vehicles, donated from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office’s fleet, will start to arrive in the east of Ukraine in the coming days with UK government logistics teams working with partners on the ground to dispatch them as quickly as possible.

That package includes £220 million to provide medical supplies and basic necessities on the ground, saving lives and protecting vulnerable people. This includes support through the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs, including the DEC and UK-Med.

The UK has also sent a rapid donation of food supplies following a request from the government, committed to donating up to 42 ambulances to help bring vital lifesaving care, and sent more than 5 million medical items to support lifesaving work in Ukraine.

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COAST GUARD STOPPED A SUSPICIOUS VESSEL WITH ILLEGAL VENEZUELANS AND ALSO FOUND PACKAGES OF DRUGS ON BOARD

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Tue, 03 May 2022 11:09:00 +0000

DRUG AND HUMAN SMUGGLING?

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 00:30 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

On April 30 2022 the Curacao Coast Guard team arrested a suspicious vessel with several people on board (in the morning). Following a pursuit and the use of warning shots, the boat was forced to stop. On board were five Venezuelans carrying drug packages. The Coast Guard Metal Shark steered the boat to the Coast Guard jetty, where the five men and the drug packages were handed over to the Curacao Police Force. The investigation in this case is still ongoing.

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WILL GERRIT SCHOTTE GO BACK TO JAIL IF HE DOES NOT PAY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR OFFICE (OM) 1.8 MILLION GUILDERS IN TEN DAYS?

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Tue, 03 May 2022 10:53:00 +0000

10 DAYS TO PAY 1.8 MILLION

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. Allegedly the former Curacao Prime Minister: Gerrit Schotte (MFK political party) needs money. It seems that the former prime minister has to pay the Curacao Public Prosecution Office (OM) 1.8 million guilders within ten days. The funds will be added to the countries crime fund. The former prime minister has to pay based on the Babel confiscation case.

JAIL SENTENCE

The former prime minister was jailed (December 5, 2018) (in Centre for Correction and Detention prison (SDKK)) for, among other things, official bribery, co-authorship of forgery and co-authorship of money laundering. On appeal (July 2018), the sentence was upheld.

In the criminal case, Schotte was irrevocably sentenced to three years in prison for, among other things, official bribery, co-authorship of forgery, and co-authorship of money laundering. As an additional penalty, he was disqualified from the right to stand for election for a period of five years (2021-2026). In the criminal case, it was established that, among other things, he accepted a large sum of money, which was allegedly intended to induce him to do something in return, from an alleged Italian casino boss (Atlantis World Group (AWG) en BetPlus (BPlus)) and friend named: Francesco Corallo. We must note that in the past (2014) Francesco Corallo told a local newspaper that 'he had never personally given money to Gerrit Schotte'; "Not even for his political campaign."

THE MONEY

In this case, the Common Court ruled that Schotte obtained an advantage by accepting these gifts and for a similar act, the court confiscated (1,844,190.36 Antillean guilders).

Allegedly, in May 2019, Schotte's mother started a crowdfunding, soliciting public support, in the amount of 3.6 million guilders, which was understood to be part of the confiscation money plus attorney's fees.

Schotte just got out of prison more than a year ago (as of November 27, 2020). He apparently is appealing to his supporters, because if he doesn't pay, he would have to go to jail for another three years and according to him, apparently, a payment arrangement can be made, but it cannot be applied.

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CANADA IS INVESTING IN THE AUTO SECTOR WORKERS AND CLEAN FUTURE

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Tue, 03 May 2022 09:27:00 +0000

THE FUTURE FOR CANADIANS

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

CANADA'S AUTO SECTOR

For decades, Canada's auto sector has been creating good, middle-class jobs and driving economic growth. Today (May 2nd 2022), as we continue to recover from the pandemic and accelerate our work to build a clean future, the auto sector plays a key role in supporting workers and helping us achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. By making smart investments, the Government of Canada is delivering clean air, good jobs, and a strong economy for generations of Canadians.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined today (May 2nd 2022) by the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, to announce a new federal investment in project funding for automaker Stellantis that will secure thousands of jobs and modernize assembly plants for the clean tech economy. This multi-billion dollar project from Stellantis will support plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, implementing flexible vehicle platforms at both plants and increasing its production of electric vehicles (EV). The Government of Canada is investing up to $529 million into this project. The Province of Ontario is also supporting the project with an investment of up to $513 million.

Following another major manufacturing deal by Stellantis in March, this new investment is yet another strong vote of confidence in Canada's automotive sector and future as a global clean tech leader. This project includes EV production at its assembly plants and new research and development investments at its Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor.

Today's announcement demonstrates Canada's continued strength in automotive production and is another step toward building a strong, healthy future for Canadians. This follows the release of the Government of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and Budget 2022, which propose measures to create thousands of new, good-paying jobs and grow the economy, all while fighting climate change.

QUOTES

"Today's deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is yet another investment in our workers and in our future. We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry for generations to come, an innovative economy, and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like."

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Today is yet another example that our plan to build Ontario is delivering huge wins for workers and communities all over this province. Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again. We are getting it done and ensuring that the cars of the future are made in Ontario by Ontario workers."

The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

"Today is a big win for Canadian workers, the future of Canada's auto sector, and the entire Canadian economy. With this historic investment for Stellantis to build thousands of electric vehicles every year, we are securing thousands of well-paying jobs in Windsor and Brampton. With a century of excellence by Canadian auto workers, today is one more step in our efforts to build a sustainable economy of the future that is part of Canada's path to net-zero."

The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Canada has the opportunity to drive the clean energy future by building up our manufacturing of clean technologies like ZEVs. Today's announcement will help ensure that we continue to lead the global fight against climate change, and will put more Canadians in the driver's seat on the road to a net-zero future."

The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources

"These investments re-affirm our long-term commitment to Canada and represent an important step as we move toward zero-emission vehicles that deliver on our customers' desire for innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility. We're grateful to both the federal and provincial governments for their shared vision to create a sustainable future. And to Unifor and our workforce for their support in helping ensure the viability of our Canadian operations for the long term."

Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, Stellantis North America

QUICK FACTS

Stellantis' investment will support the creation of a state-of-the-art Battery Pack Testing Facility for North America at the Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Windsor, which will further secure Canada's position as a leader in EV innovation. Activities at the ARDC are already underway, with an addition to the existing building to be complete by the end of 2023.

The Government of Canada recently released the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada's Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy, an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector approach for Canada to reach its new climate target of cutting emissions by at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and to put us on track toward our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Government of Canada is putting in place a sales mandate that will ensure that 100 per cent of new light-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Accelerating the ZEV target will support Canada's commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and its pledge at the United Nations 2019 Climate Action Summit.

Budget 2022 proposes an investment of $1.7 billion to extend the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program until March 2025 and broadening eligibility under the program to include more vehicle models.

In support of the government's objective of adding 50,000 ZEV chargers to Canada's network, Budget 2022 provides an additional $400 million to Natural Resources Canada for deploying zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, complemented by $500 million that Canada's Infrastructure Bank will invest in large-scale ZEV charging and refueling infrastructure that is revenue generating and in the public interest.

The auto sector in Canada supports nearly 500,000 workers in Canada, contributes $16 billion annually to Canada's gross domestic product, and is one of the country's largest export industries.

The auto industry around the world is in a period of rapid transformation to electrification. The Government of Canada is providing support to facilitate this transition here at home. Canada competes globally and in North America for these investments and this support ensures that the country's auto sector remains competitive, and is secured for the future.

Stellantis is a leading global automaker and mobility provider that offers clean, connected, affordable and safe mobility solutions. Its ambitious electrification and software strategies and the creation of an innovative ecosystem of strategic, game-changing partnerships are driving its transformation into a sustainable mobility tech company.

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STRATEGIC CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ARMENIA? DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR?

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Tue, 03 May 2022 09:03:00 +0000

THE SIGNING CEREMONY

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. According to the US, on May 2nd 2022 Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation for a Ceremony.

THE SIGNATURE

SECRETARY BLINKEN: “Good afternoon, everyone. It is a great pleasure to welcome the foreign minister from Armenia here to the State Department, to the United States. Ararat, it's very good to be with you today, to be with your entire team. We just had a very good dialogue, exchange between us, and indeed a big part of the purpose of these meetings is to relaunch the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Armenia that was suspended because of COVID. This is a very important vehicle by which we can continue to deepen and strengthen our relationship to pursue new areas of cooperation and collaboration, and we're very pleased to be able to do that now.

At the same time, we will shortly be signing this Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear cooperation. This too, for the United States and Armenia, opens new cooperative paths and, I think, can also serve to strengthen very much the bilateral relationship between us.

I just want to take this opportunity as we're sitting here to, in the first instance, praise the leadership of the prime minister and his government, the democratic reforms that they've been pursuing, the progress that continues to be made – but also to very much welcome the dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and to express real appreciation for the vision and the courage and the flexibility that the prime minister and Armenia have been showing in this process working toward what we all want, which is a lasting peace.

And finally, let me say, Mr. Minister, to you, to all of your colleagues, it's – it really is a great pleasure being able to work with you as we work to strengthen and deepen our relations. These are challenging times in many, many ways, and they're challenging for Armenia, but know that you have a strong and true friend and partner in the United States. Welcome.”

FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN: “Thank you. Dear Secretary Blinken, it is a great pleasure for me to be here. Thank you for your invitation and also for a very warm welcome. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and during these years we have succeeded to build very strong relations based on common and shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Now after the democratic Velvet Revolution of 2018, through joint efforts, we elevated the level of our collaboration, cooperation to Strategic Dialogue. And it is very significant that I am here also in scope of the capstone session of the Strategic Dialogue. And during this session, we focused on our democratic reforms, justice reforms, cooperation in banking sphere, looking ways of deepening cooperation in the sphere of defense, and of course prevention and fight against corruption, and many other areas. And we appreciate United States efforts to support our reforms.

Armenia also appreciate United States support for developing Armenia's energy sector, and I was talking about – I was speaking also about exploring new areas, and here it will be honor for me to sign with you the Memorandum of Understanding on our civil nuclear cooperation.

And I also want to note that we value our partnership aimed at peace and stability in our region, and in this regard I want to highlight the important role the United States of America play as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which has a mandate from the international community to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I also appreciate United States support through the Armenia-Turkish normalization process and United States strong stance on the recognition on the condemnation of the Armenian genocide and confirmation of this stance this year, too.

Thank you very much.”

SECRETARY BLINKEN: “Thank you.”

(The Memorandum of Understanding is signed.)

SECRETARY BLINKEN: “Thank you very much. Good to be with you.”

FOREIGN MINISTER MIRZOYAN: “Thank you.”

Nuclear Cooperation MOUs are diplomatic mechanisms that strengthen and expand strategic ties between the United States and a partner country by providing a framework for cooperation and a mutually aligned approach to nonproliferation on civil nuclear issues and for engagement between experts from government, industry, national laboratories, and academic institutions.

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THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, JUAN GUAIDO, SPOKE BY PHONE, TO DISCUSS DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA, VENEZUELA'S ELECTIONS AND IT'S RIGHTS AND FREEDOM

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Tue, 03 May 2022 08:38:00 +0000

THE CALL BETWEEN THE US STATES SECRETARY AND JUAN GUAIDO

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 00:30 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

According to the US Spokesperson Ned Price; “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today (May 2nd 2022) with Venezuelan Interim President Juan Guaidó to underscore the importance of a peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela, free and fair elections, and respect for the rights and freedoms of all Venezuelans. Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the talks between the Maduro regime and the Unitary Platform as the best path for a return to democracy and for resolving Venezuela's humanitarian crisis. The Secretary also reiterated U.S. support for the 2015 democratically elected National Assembly and for Guaidó as the Interim President of Venezuela.”

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UK FUNDED EXPERT INVESTIGATION HAS EXPOSED HOW THE KREMLIN IS USING A TROLL FACTORY TO SPREAD LIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN THE COMMENT SECTIONS OF POPULAR WEBSITES

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Mon, 02 May 2022 10:43:00 +0000

UK GOVERNMENT SAID IT HAS EXPOSED RUSSIA'S SICK TROLL FACTORY WHO PLAGUES SOCIAL MEDIA WITH KREMLIN PROPAGANDA

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

UK Government funded expert research unveils new tactics of the Kremlin’s large-scale disinformation campaign.

Troll factory is targeting politicians and baiting audiences across a number of countries including the UK, South Africa and India.

The operation has suspected links to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, founder of infamous bot-farm the Internet Research Agency.

UK-funded expert research has exposed how the Kremlin is using a troll factory to spread lies on social media and in comment sections of popular websites.

The cyber soldiers are ruthlessly targeting politicians and audiences across a number of countries including the UK, South Africa and India.

The research exposes how the Kremlin’s large-scale disinformation campaign is designed to manipulate international public opinion of Russia’s illegitimate war in Ukraine, trying to grow support for their abhorrent war, and recruiting new Putin sympathisers.

Sick masterminds of the operation are believed to be working overtly from an old factory in St Petersburg, with paid employees, and internal working teams.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

We cannot allow the Kremlin and its shady troll farms to invade our online spaces with their lies about Putin’s illegal war. The UK Government has alerted international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:

These are insidious attempts by Putin and his propaganda machine to deceive the world about the brutality he’s inflicting on the people of Ukraine. This evidence will help us to more effectively identify and remove Russian disinformation and follows our decisive action to block anyone from doing business with Kremlin-controlled outlets RT and Sputnik.

The evidence shows the troll factory is using Telegram to actively recruit and co-ordinate new supporters who then target the social media profiles of Kremlin critics - spamming them with pro-Putin and pro-war comments. Targets include the senior UK ministers’ social media accounts, alongside other world leaders.

The operation has suspected links to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the founder of the most infamous and wide-ranging bot-farm the Internet Research Agency, both of whom the UK has sanctioned.

The UK Government will share this latest research with major social media platforms. We are already working closely with them to ensure they swiftly remove disinformation and coordinated inauthentic or manipulated behaviour, as per their Terms of Service.

The UK has also created a Government Information Cell (GIC) to counter Russian disinformation. Made up of experts from across the UK Government, the Cell is focussed on identifying and assessing Russian disinformation and both advising on and delivering output to expose and challenge the Kremlin’s lies.

Through our unprecedented package of sanctions against Russia, we have already targeted peddlers of Russian disinformation, including Putin’s key political allies, regime spokespeople including Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, and Kremlin-backed disinformation agencies.

The Government has also directly sanctioned state media organisations, targeting the Kremlin-funded TV-Novosti who owns RT, formerly Russia Today, and Rossiya Segodnya who control news agency Sputnik.

Notes to editors

Key findings include

A new troll farm that is seeking to guide and ‘brigade’ a wider network of supporters and sympathisers to engage in targeted trolling behaviours.

This information operation and its associated targeted trolling activities are being directed at senior international politicians and international media outlets.

Traces of the operation have been detected across eight social media platforms including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

Key tactical innovations of the operational methodology include the use of commenting behaviours, use of VPNs and deliberate amplification of ‘organic’ content supporting the Kremlin’s position. All of these methods help to avoid detection and interception by social media platforms.

Troll Tactics

Calling on subscribers to target the social media profiles of opponents and Kremlin critics, including prominent politicians and world leaders, and spam them with pro-Kremlin comments.

Asking them to turn on VPNs and spam the comments sections of specific links to Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.

Focusing activity on posting comments, rather than authoring original content – a tactic likely to decrease the risks of being detected by social media platforms for engaging in coordinated inauthentic behaviour and/or harmful content.

Searching for ‘organic content’ posted by genuine users coherent with the lines they want to push, and then working to amplify these messages, in order that such views are distorted as the norm. This means that, provided the content they post is not too offensive, they are unlikely to be subject to de-platforming interventions.

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NETHERLANDS MEMBERS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS TRAVEL TO THE ISLAND OF SINT MAARTEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KINGDOM INTER-PARLIAMENTARY CONSULTATION IPKO

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Mon, 02 May 2022 10:10:00 +0000

THE IPKO MEETING INCLUDES MANY ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 1:20 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. 11 members of the First Chamber and Second Chamber of the Parliament of the Netherlands arrived in St. Maarten on Sunday May 1, 2022 to participate in the Kingdom Interparliamentary Consultation for the IPKO (Dutch: Interparlementair Koninkrijksoverleg). The delegation will visit the island of Saba today, Monday May 2, and will visit the island of St. Eustatius tomorrow on May 3. Members of the First and Second Chambers of the Parliament of the Netherlands will participate in the IPKO in St. Maarten from Wednesday May 4 to Friday May 6, 2022.

IPKO

This year's IPKO in St. Maarten was originally planned for the month of January, but had to be pushed back to May 2022 due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the IPKO, delegations from the parliaments of Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and the Netherlands will discuss issues of concern to the countries of the Dutch Kingdom (the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba, Curacao, St Maarten and the Netherlands) . The IPKO is a consultation structure of the four parliaments of the Kingdom that takes place twice a year.

IPKO DISCUSSIONS

Countries will discuss in part:

Kingdom of Consensus Act to establish the Caribbean Agency for Reform and Development COHO (Dutch: Rijkswet Caribisch Orgaan voor Hervorming en Ontwikkeling)
Status of the implementation of the country packages (assistance from the Netherlands to the islands)
Building on more sustainable relationships within the Kingdom
Collaboration within the Kingdom and mutual assistance
Human rights (to stop violations)
Good governance (countries inefficiency)
Dispute regulation for the Kingdom

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FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT BOARD (CFT) REQUESTED FURTHER EXPLANATION OF A SERIES OF BUDGET ITEMS FROM THE MFK MINISTER OF FINANCE: JAVIER SILVANIA

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Mon, 02 May 2022 09:18:00 +0000

CURACAO MINISTER OF FINANCE RESPONSE TO CFT WAS NOT ENOUGH?

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. Allegedly, on March 1, the Financial Oversight Board (CFT) (Dutch: College financieel toezicht Curacao en Sint Maarten) requested an additional explanation of a series of budget items from the Minister of Finance of Curaçao: Javier Silvania (MFK political party), and on April 12, 2022, the Minister Silvania responded. Apparently, Minister Silvania's explanation sounded familiar to the Financial Supervisory Board; “You are referring to your response to the CFT advice on the adopted budget for 2022. It seems that the president of the Financial Supervisory Board, Raymond Gradus , points out that both reactions show great similarities”.

DRAFT BUDGET MODIFICATION

According to reports, the CFT wants to receive a draft budget modification no later than May 13, incorporating the recommendations made earlier. Gradus indicates in this letter that the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom has also requested that all expenses necessary for investments, including investments in the context of the National Package, be included in a separate loan application based on article 16 of the Law of Financial Supervision and are processed in the same draft budget.

THE LOAN APPLICATION

The Kingdom Council will take a decision on the loan request and assess it, to determine up to what extent a deviation from Article 16 of the Financial Supervision Law (Kingdom Act Financial Supervision Curacao and Sint Maarten) is justified. Based on the fact that the Government of Curaçao must achieve a balanced budget, the loan would be difficult to achieve, however, based on the fact that the country has also been negatively affected by external influences, such as the COVID19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine-War, the loan could be granted to help the country's economic crisis.

ARTICLE 16 OF THE FINANCIAL SUPERVISION LAW

In the budgets, referred to in Article 15 , the intentions to attract loans are included.
The loans taken out are mentioned in the implementation reports referred to in Article 18 .
The boards inform the municipal executive if, during the implementation of the budget, the size of a loan threatens to exceed the budgeted loan amount.
On the basis of the intentions to take out loans, as referred to in the first paragraph, the notifications, as referred to in the second paragraph, and the information provided, as referred to in the third paragraph, the Board assesses whether the board meets the standards referred to in article 15 .
The Commission also assesses whether the agreements on improvements to financial management are being complied with, insofar as these relate to the raising of loans.
If loans at the expense of a country are raised in the context of an open bidding procedure at the central bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, this will take place in accordance with advice from that bank.
The State of the Netherlands has a current subscription to the loans referred to in the sixth paragraph, each time for the requested loan amount, at the current yield on government bonds of the relevant term.
In an open bidding process as referred to in the sixth paragraph, local tenders have priority if the loan conditions are equal.
If loans from a country are taken out privately, in addition to the Netherlands, one or more third parties are each time given the opportunity to make an offer simultaneously, after which they are attracted where the loan conditions are most favorable. In this regard, the offer referred to in the seventh paragraph applies to the State of the Netherlands. The eighth paragraph applies mutatis mutandis.
The board informs the Executive Board about an intention to privately take out a loan, enclosing the conditions of the offered loans. The commission advises on the basis of a mutual comparison of the loan conditions within fourteen days of receipt of that message. If a board deviates from the advice of the board, this will be done with a reasoned decision. The board informs the board of the decision taken.
The Board may notify the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom through the intermediary of Our Minister if it appears that a board deviates from the advice referred to in subsection 10. With that message, the Board may advise to take a decision as referred to in the twelfth paragraph. Together with the advice, the Executive Board will send a copy thereof to the relevant board and will inform Parliament that the advice has been sent.
The Council of Ministers of the Kingdom may conclude on an advice as referred to in subsection 11 to issue an instruction with regard to privately entering into loans. Before a proposal for a designation is submitted to the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom, Our Minister shall give the board concerned the opportunity to state its views.
The designation takes place by Royal Decree on the recommendation of Our Minister, in accordance with the conclusion of the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom.

TRANSLATION: [Felicity: 10% - Fidelity: 90% ]

OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:10% / FIDELITY:90%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS ARE BEING USED TO TARGET PREGNANT WOMEN BY SOME BABY FORMULA MILK COMPANIES. WHO REVEALED SHOCKING EXTENT OF EXPLOITATIVE FORMULA MILK MARKETING

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 10:24:00 +0000

CONSUMERS RIGHT

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. According to WHO; The second report in a series detailing exploitative marketing practices employed by $55 billion baby formula industry, shows parents, particularly mothers, are being insidiously and persistently targeted online.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND FORMULA MILK COMPANIES

Formula milk companies are paying social media platforms and influencers to gain direct access to pregnant women and mothers at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. The global formula milk industry, valued at some US$55 billion, is targeting new mothers with personalized social media content that is often not recognizable as advertising.

A new World Health Organization (WHO) report titled Scope and impact of digital marketing strategies for promoting breast-milk substitutes has outlined the digital marketing techniques designed to influence the decisions new families make on how to feed their babies.

Through tools like apps, virtual support groups or ‘baby-clubs’, paid social media influencers, promotions and competitions and advice forums or services, formula milk companies can buy or collect personal information and send personalized promotions to new pregnant women and mothers.

THE REPORT

The report summarizes findings of new research that sampled and analyzed 4 million social media posts about infant feeding published between January and June 2021 using a commercial social listening platform. These posts reached 2.47 billion people and generated more than 12 million likes, shares or comments.

Formula milk companies post content on their social media accounts around 90 times per day, reaching 229 million users; representing three times as many people as are reached by informational posts about breastfeeding from non-commercial accounts.

This pervasive marketing is increasing purchases of breast-milk substitutes and therefore dissuading mothers from breastfeeding exclusively as recommended by WHO.

“The promotion of commercial milk formulas should have been terminated decades ago,” said Dr Francesco Branca, Director of the WHO Nutrition and Food Safety department. “The fact that formula milk companies are now employing even more powerful and insidious marketing techniques to drive up their sales is inexcusable and must be stopped.”

The report compiled evidence from social listening research on public online communications and individual country reports of research that monitors breast-milk substitute promotions, as well as drawing on a recent multi-country study of mothers’ and health professionals’ experiences of formula milk marketing. The studies show how misleading marketing reinforces myths about breastfeeding and breast milk and undermines women’s confidence in their ability to breastfeed successfully.

DIGITAL MARKETING

The proliferation of global digital marketing of formula milk blatantly breaches the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (“the Code”), which was adopted by the 1981 World Health Assembly. The Code is a landmark public health agreement designed to protect the general public and mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry that negatively impact breastfeeding practices.

Despite clear evidence that exclusive and continued breastfeeding are key determinants of improved lifelong health for children, women and communities, far too few children are breastfed as recommended. If current formula milk marketing strategies continue, that proportion could fall still further, boosting companies’ profits.

The fact that these forms of digital marketing can evade scrutiny from national monitoring and health authorities means new approaches to Code-implementing regulation and enforcement are required. Currently, national legislation may be evaded by marketing that originates beyond borders.

WHO has called on the baby food industry to end exploitative formula milk marketing, and on governments to protect new children and families by enacting, monitoring and enforcing laws to end all advertising or other promotion of formula milk products.

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) HAVE SIGNED A GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION TO SUSTAINABLY BALANCE AND OPTIMIZE THE HEALTH OF HUMANS, ANIMALS, PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 10:05:00 +0000

WHO SIGNED MoU WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

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Reading Time: 1:00 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. According to WHO; The four international agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have signed a groundbreaking agreement to strengthen cooperation to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment.

THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)

On 17 March 2022, the heads of the four organizations – QU Dongyu, the Director-General of FAO, Monique Eloit, the Director-General of OIE, Inger Anderson, the Executive Director of UNEP, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO -signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint One Health works, by which UNEP joined the former Tripartite (FAO, OIE and WHO) as an equal partner to form a new Quadripartite Collaboration for One Health.

The new Quadripartite MoU provides a legal and formal framework for the four organizations to tackle the challenges at the human, animal, plant and ecosystem interface using a more integrated and coordinated approach. This framework will also contribute to reinforce national and regional health systems and services.

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SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE OCCASION OF KING'S DAY 2022

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:38:00 +0000

GOVERNOR LUCILLE GEORGE-WOUT

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 2:10 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. Lucille George-Wout Governor of Curacao speech (April 27 2022).

Dear compatriots,

Today we celebrate King's Day. The 55th birthday of our monarch Willem-Alexander. We wish him a happy birthday with his family and a pleasant celebration. This year King's Day is all about solidarity. An appropriate theme, because with the celebration of the King's birthday, also in our part of the Kingdom, we confirm our bond with the Royal Family. It is an honor and pleasure for me to address all of you in connection with this celebration.

The pandemic that has kept us so captivated in recent years seems to be under control in Curaçao. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing the social consequences of this. The pandemic has severely affected our economic base and has exposed vulnerabilities, especially in the social and economic sense. However, the consequences of the crisis would be much worse if we did not have the link with the Kingdom.

For the future, too, there is a willingness to continue to offer support within the framework of our Kingdom in order to recover as a country. This support is aimed at making Curaçao resilient and at offering our country the opportunity to realize the acquired autonomy as soon as possible under its own steam. Discussions are currently underway on how this should be done. And that's a good thing; because we must continue to listen to and communicate with each other with one goal in mind: to serve our people. The government faces the difficult task of implementing necessary reforms. It is inevitable that holy houses will be affected by this. My hope and expectation for you citizens of Curaçao is that we can look to the future with confidence. Of course I am, as a representative of the king and representative of the government of the Kingdom is not entirely objective. I hope you forgive me for that, especially today on King's Day. But above all I am Yu di Korsou!

I am convinced that the potential for reform is there within our people. That's where our strength lies. And so are our people who have chosen to live in another country. We must mobilize those forces. We as a country need to become attractive again to our citizens, so that they don't have to leave to get better elsewhere; but choose to return.

This is also a good time to reflect on those who are always committed to our society anyway. Yesterday I was proud to present 23 fellow citizens of Curaçao on behalf of His Majesty the King, a Royal decoration for their many years of special service for the benefit of our community. I would like to congratulate the decorandi once again on their honorable distinction.

We celebrate King's Day 2022 in solidarity with all nationals of the kingdom on Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Statia, Sint Maarten and in the Netherlands. Also on behalf of my husband, Herman, I propose a toast to the health of our birthday Majesty and to the merits of our decorandi.

Long live the king!

TRANSLATION: [Felicity: 10% - Fidelity: 90% ]

OVERALL TRANSLATION: FELICITY:10% / FIDELITY:90%

PAPIAMENTU/DUTCH : ENGLISH

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ACCORDING TO THE INMATES OF THE CURAÇAO DETENTION AND CORRECTION CENTER (SDKK), THE FOOD THEY RECEIVE IS BELOW THE STANDARD AND THEY ARE DEMANDING A CHANGE IN THEIR MEALS

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 09:18:00 +0000

HUMAN RIGHTS OF PRISONERS

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 00:30 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

According to the inmates of the Curacao Centre for Correction and Detention (SDKK) Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou) prison, the meals they receive in prison are substandard. According to the inmates, the meals they receive are also bland and with little variation. By law, inmates are entitled to three (3) meals a day. The Minister of Justice: Mr. Shalten Hato (MFK political party), spoke with the director of the SDKK in response to these complaints. The minister and the director discussed how to solve the problem in a sustainable way.

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#curacaocentreforcorrectionanddetention #sdkk #sentrodidetenshonikorekshonòrsou)

THE PARLIAMENT OF CURACAO PASSED A MOTION TO REQUEST THE GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER THE COHO CONSENSUS ACT WITH THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR AND RELATIONS OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS (BZK)

noreply@blogger.com (JJosephaNews) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:56:00 +0000

FEARS OF LOSING AUTONOMY AND SELF-GOVERNANCE

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 00:45 mins.
Twitter: @JJosephaNews

Willemstad, Curacao. It was understood that, based on a motion by the Curacao parliament, MPs believe that the Netherlands Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) would have too much influence in Curacao's affairs, if the Coho Consensus Act is passed. For that reason, the 21 members of parliament asked the government (in the motion) to renegotiate the sensitive points of the Coho Consensus Law with the Netherlands government.

COHO HAS BECOME A CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY

As long as a national ordinance project presented by the government has not been approved by Curacao Parliament, it can be modified by them, at the proposal of one or more members, and by the government. The Curacao Constitution (article 78) and the Dutch Constitution (article 84) have the same understanding to start the renegotiation process.

Members of Parliament also said that there should be more clarity on financial investments, which are necessary to grow the local economy. According to a majority in parliament, many elements in the proposed Coho law affect the autonomy of Curacao, which has been a matter of concern in the community.

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JJosephaNews

TOP 10 BEST BEACHES IN CURACAO

WHAT ARE THE MOST FAMOUS BEACHES IN CURACAO?

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 3:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

1. KOKOMO BEACH

2. CAS ABAO BEACH

3. MAMBO BEACH

4. PLAYA LAGUN

5. PLAYA KALKI

6. JAN THIEL BEACH

7. GROTE KNIP BEACH

8. PLAYA FORTI

9. BOKA SINT MICHIEL

10. KLEIN CURACAO

CURACAO TOURISM KEEPS GROWING IN 2025

CURACAO WELCOMES MORE THAN 55,000 STAYOVER ARRIVALS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2025

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 1:30 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

CURACAO AND THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM IS GROWING

THE USA, NETHERLANDS AND COLOMBIA KEEP PLAYING A MAYOR ROLE IN THE CURACAO TOURSIM SECTOR

CURACAO TOURISM SECTOR KEEPS GROWING COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S FIRST SIX MONTHS

THE CURACAO HEALTH CRISIS CONTINUES WITH ITS AMBULANCE VEHICLES. AMBULANCE WORKERS ARE CONCERNED BY APPARENT LACK OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES TO ATTEND EMERGENCIES

ARE AMBULANCE VEHICLES IN BAD CONDITION?

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 3:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

KENNETH BREMER

MORE THAN 4000 KILOGRAMS OF EXPIRED FOOD WERE FOUND IN LIVONI AGENCIES IN CURAÇAO. THE ITEMS WERE DESTROYED TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM CONSUMING THEM

ANOTHER BUSINESS FOUND WITH EXPIRED FOOD

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 1:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

MEO CHIEF INSPECTOR

BAB INSPECTOR

CURACAO HAS MORE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS?

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 3:30 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER'S DECLARATIONS

RUSSIA'S HOSTILE INFORMATION ACTIONS ARE DESTABILIZING THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER: UK STATEMENT TO THE UN COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

UK AMBASSADOR JAMES ROSCOE

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 3:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

VENEZUELAN REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS IN CHILE RECEIVED MORE THAN 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES

VULNERABLE VENEZUELANS IN CHILE

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 1:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

MESSAGE FROM THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE AFTER THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN ELAD, ISRAEL

AT LEAST THREE KILLED IN THE ATTACK

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 01:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

A GROUP OF PEOPLE FIOUGHT IN A PUB, THEY USED ALL THE OBJECTS THEY FOUND TO ATTACK EACH OTHER. SIX PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO THE POLICE STATION AND THREE OF THEM WERE ARRESTED

BIG FIGHT IN BERG ALTENA

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 00:45 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

THE TRANSPORT MINISTER IS ACCUSED OF DOING UNDER-THE-TABLE BUSINESS WITH THE FKP HOUSING FOUNDATION, WHERE THE MINISTER HAS ALLEGEDLY BEEN EARNING FROM THE FOUNDATION'S SALES WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER DEFENDS HIMSELF AGAINST THE ACCUSATIONS

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 2:10 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

MINISTER CHARLES COOPER AND THE FKP FOUNDATION

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE HELD AN IN-PERSON PRESS BRIEFING AT THE FOREIGN PRESS CENTER, AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 7:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

UKRAINE RECEIVED 13 PROTECTIVE ARMOURED VEHICLES FROM THE UK GOVERNMENT, TO SAFELY EVACUATE PEOPLE FROM THE SHELLED AREAS IN EAST OF UKRAINE

UK DONATES FLEET OF ARMOURED VEHICLES TO UKRAINE TO EVACUATE CIVILIANS FROM BESIEGED AREA

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 2:10 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

COAST GUARD STOPPED A SUSPICIOUS VESSEL WITH ILLEGAL VENEZUELANS AND ALSO FOUND PACKAGES OF DRUGS ON BOARD

DRUG AND HUMAN SMUGGLING?

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 00:30 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

WILL GERRIT SCHOTTE GO BACK TO JAIL IF HE DOES NOT PAY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR OFFICE (OM) 1.8 MILLION GUILDERS IN TEN DAYS?

10 DAYS TO PAY 1.8 MILLION

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 2:10 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

JAIL SENTENCE

THE MONEY

Fact Check:

CANADA IS INVESTING IN THE AUTO SECTOR WORKERS AND CLEAN FUTURE

THE FUTURE FOR CANADIANS

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 3:00 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

CANADA'S AUTO SECTOR

QUOTES

QUICK FACTS

STRATEGIC CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND ARMENIA? DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR?

THE SIGNING CEREMONY

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 2:10 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

THE SIGNATURE

THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, JUAN GUAIDO, SPOKE BY PHONE, TO DISCUSS DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA, VENEZUELA'S ELECTIONS AND IT'S RIGHTS AND FREEDOM

THE CALL BETWEEN THE US STATES SECRETARY AND JUAN GUAIDO

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 00:30 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

UK FUNDED EXPERT INVESTIGATION HAS EXPOSED HOW THE KREMLIN IS USING A TROLL FACTORY TO SPREAD LIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IN THE COMMENT SECTIONS OF POPULAR WEBSITES

UK GOVERNMENT SAID IT HAS EXPOSED RUSSIA'S SICK TROLL FACTORY WHO PLAGUES SOCIAL MEDIA WITH KREMLIN PROPAGANDA

By: JJosephaNewsReading Time: 2:10 mins.Twitter: @JJosephaNews

NETHERLANDS MEMBERS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS TRAVEL TO THE ISLAND OF SINT MAARTEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KINGDOM INTER-PARLIAMENTARY CONSULTATION IPKO

By: JJosephaNews
Reading Time: 3:00 mins.
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