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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cuba, human rights and the greater good
Opinion The invocation of human rights discourse in Cuba is sensitive and often controversial. I vividly remember my first trip to Cuba in the mid-1990s, where we (I was travelling with a group of students from Saint Mary's University in Halifax) visited the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) in Havana. When a question and answer discussion started, I asked about Cuba's human rights record within the country. The room suddenly grew quiet. But, as is often the case, the Cuban representatives attending the session were more than happy to entertain my query. They wanted to make clear to the group that context, historical experience and cultural patterns and values are critical to grappling with such a thorny issue. I want to be very clear myself from the outset that this op-ed piece is not about defending or excoriating Cuba's human rights record. Readers can visit the country, talk to the people, and see for themselves. This piece hopes to foster greater understanding and context and spur debate. As a socialist and revolutionary country, Cuba gives more prominence to social policy challenges — as opposed to Western-style civil and political rights — and thus values economic, social and cultural rights or responsibilities. For them, the emphasis is on the valuing of 'human' life, as became clear during the ICAP discussion, and rests on advancing Cubans' human dignity, taking care of their basic human needs and tending to their overall welfare. Cuban President Fidel Castro, in an October 1979 speech before the UN General Assembly, stated emphatically: 'I speak on behalf of those who have been denied the right to life and human dignity.' Put another way, governmental preference should be given to collective or group rights/interests and not individual civil and political rights. It is also true that Global North free and fair elections are absent in Cuba, as are constitutionally mandated press freedoms and, most important, the right to engage in political dissent. Moreover, the Madrid-based non-governmental organization, Prisoners Defenders, maintains that there were over 1,000 political prisoners in Cuban jails in 2024. On the other hand, the Cuban government gives priority to responsibilities (as advanced by a socialist state that embodies the people) around equality, family, labour and, most significantly, community or group rights. Again, the focus revolves around human dignity, economic sustenance and ensuring that basic needs are met. For instance, the state seeks to keep the cost of housing low, subsidizes housing materials and offers low-cost rental fees. To a large extent (and these days everything is in short supply in Cuba), access to decent health care, education (including at the university level), a job and a small retirement pension are all guaranteed by the Cuban government. Socially speaking, Cuba has legally entrenched same-sex marriage (and adoption rights), prohibits discrimination based on gender, identity and sexual orientation and has recognized transgender people (and made gender affirmation surgery available for free). It has also codified responsibilities for equal family responsibilities for children, a family life free from violence and an inclusive LGBTTQ+ public health and education program. Much work, of course, still remains to be done in these areas. It is instructive to note that Cuba's turbulent and troubled history has been shaped by colonial dominance (by Spain and then the United States) that was characterized by economic exploitation, a sugar plantation economy and violent slavery and political repression. However, during these periods there was no cultural transplanting of any conception of the inalienable political rights of individual human beings. After 1959, socialist Cuba began to place higher priority on modernization/industrialization, counter-dependency, an end to economic subjugation and the fulfilment of basic economic and social rights (given its abject poverty) within the wider community. And it was clearly Spanish and U.S. colonization that reinforced among the Cuban people the notion of group cohesion, oneness and the emergence of a resilient value system. Accordingly, the Cuban state took on the core role of developing the country economically and socially with the purported best interests of its people in mind. Any interest in entrenching individual political rights had to take a back seat to ensuring human dignity for everyone and redistributing the fruits of a state-driven developing economy — as well as guaranteeing freedom from starvation, freedom from exploitation and the satisfaction of basic human needs. Of course, governmental promises and pledges around human rights are not the same thing as actual positive results on the ground — as we have seen in Cuba, the Global South and the industrialized North. Looking forward, though, can the Cuban state fulfil its social and economic responsibilities to the people without embracing free market capitalism? Or, will the manifestations of those rights (e.g., access to health care, education and state entitlements) fall prey to the profit motive and rugged individualism? And will traditional Cuban values of group-mindedness, looking out for the welfare of others and sharing what they have still remain over time? Lots of questions. Very few answers, I'm afraid. Peter McKenna is professor of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.
Gulf Today
04-06-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Passive cooling solutions to counter oppressive heat conditions
The impact of heat in India has been severe in recent years, with numerous heat-related deaths, widespread reports of heatstroke and school closures reported. This year, the thermometer climbed above 40°C in many places in late April, earlier than normal, according to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) feature. 'Even if nations start bringing down the greenhouse gas emissions warming the planet, temperature extremes are here to stay for the foreseeable future,' said Balakrishna Pisupati, who leads the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) India office. 'Facing the kind of oppressive heat we have seen, people across this country will need to adapt, especially in ways that do not worsen the climate is where passive cooling solutions come in, he adds. According to the UNEP feature, passive cooling solutions range from reflective roofs to cool pavements to shade-providing tree cover. Crucially, and unlike air conditioning, these solutions do not spew out planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions nor enflame the climate crisis. India has emerged as a global champion of passive cooling, integrating these approaches into national policies and city planning, often with the support of UNEP. As UNEP states, India's cities are particularly at risk due to climate change and extreme heat, as rising temperatures are exacerbated by urban heat island effects and inequitable access to cooling. Left unchecked, this heat could expose up to 200 million people in India to lethal heatwaves in the 2030s, reduce India's GDP by 2%, cause the loss of 34 million jobs, and make it that much harder for millions of people to escape poverty. India's cities cannot just air-condition a way out of this extreme heat crisis. Best practices from India and around the world show that by taking a whole-systems approach to urban cooling, Indian cities can solve their cooling challenge and increase their heat resilience. Urban cooling and cold chain are two critically under-supported areas under the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP). Two projects, delivered under the framework of the UNEP Cool Coalition, will support the Government of India to lead a transition to sustainable, accessible and climate-friendly cooling. One such project is in the Indian capital. Delhi is one of the hottest major cities, with temperatures reportedly feeling like 50°C with humidity. To help give commuters relief from the heat, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition in partnership with national and local government bodies are installing a 'cool roof' on the bustling Kashmere Gate interstate bus terminal. The roof, which covers nearly 150,000 square feet, will be retrofitted with a surface that reflects at least 80% of solar heat, helping to cool upwards of 100,000 commuters daily. Another example is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY) – India's flagship affordable housing scheme; to date, it has provided safe, secure homes to millions of families. However, in many affordable housing projects across India, keeping cool remains a challenge. Together with UNEP, PMAY aims to integrate passive cooling features – such as natural ventilation and insulated walls – into the 10 million homes the government targets for delivery by 2029. These efforts could reduce electricity use by up to 35%, by lowering indoor temperature by 3°C and giving families 40% more time in the year without needing cooling. Again, in the city of Chennai in southern India, where dense population, high-rise buildings and shortage of green space are causing temperatures to spike, attempts are on to reduce this so-called heat-island effect. UNEP's Cool Coalition and India's CEPT University mapped the city's hottest areas and provided officials with recommendations on how to use nature and passive cooling to bring down temperatures. These are being integrated into Chennai's masterplan and can reduce urban heat by up to 4°C and cut heat-caused illnesses by 15-30%. Furthermore, according to the feature, in India, most cities do not take a standardized, scientific approach for mapping urban heat, which is essential to developing plans that address scorching temperatures. To change this, UNEP and partners are supporting central and state government efforts in India to adopt cutting-edge strategies for identifying and addressing urban heat hotspots and helping develop guidelines on how these government agencies can use disaster-related funding on projects to reduce temperatures in urban areas.
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CA qualification instils leadership qualities: CM
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, addressing the Members' Convocation Ceremony for the Winter Batch 2024 of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), stated that the rigorous journey to obtaining Chartered Accountant qualification instils discipline, ethics, and leadership qualities, transforming these professionals into trusted advisors and visionary leaders beyond mere numbers crunchers. The event, held at a local hotel, celebrated the achievements of the newly qualified Chartered Accountants and highlighted their vital role in the country's economic and professional landscape. Addressing the gathering, the CM expressed his honour and privilege to stand among Pakistan's brightest young minds. He described the convocation as more than a formal event - a joyous celebration of talent, perseverance, and the promising future these professionals represent for Pakistan. Murad emphasised the prestige of ICAP, calling it a national institution with a stellar reputation both domestically and internationally. He noted that ICAP has consistently produced exceptional professionals who have become finance leaders, auditors, CEOs, advisors, and entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to economic growth and stability. Highlighting the rigorous journey to becoming Chartered Accountants, the CM acknowledged that the qualification instils discipline, ethics, and leadership qualities that transform these professionals into trusted advisors and visionary leaders beyond mere number crunchers. Murad praised the elected governing Council of ICAP for safeguarding the profession's independence, championing innovation, and maintaining the highest standards to keep the institute aligned with global best practices. This, he said, prepares members to compete and lead on the world stage. To the newly qualified Chartered Accountants, the Chief Minister conveyed a powerful message: their success is not just about passing exams but about demonstrating dedication, consistency, and self-belief to achieve extraordinary milestones. He reminded them that their journey is just beginning and that their prestigious title carries worldwide respect and great responsibility. The Chief Minister called on these professionals to lead with integrity, sound judgment, and courage, whether in boardrooms, public service, or entrepreneurship. He underscored Pakistan's need for honest and capable leaders who set trends and drive meaningful change, especially in the public sector. He also lauded ICAP's commitment to merit, innovation, and professional excellence, recognising its crucial role in nurturing ethical and future-ready professionals. Acknowledging the families present, the Chief Minister appreciated their sacrifices and support, stating that this achievement belongs to them as much as to the graduates.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Avoid The Worst Style ETFs In Q2 Of 2025
Tile letter on red rack in word ETF (abbreviation of Exchange Traded Fund) on wood background Question: Why are there so many ETFs? Answer: ETF issuance is profitable, so Wall Street keeps cranking out more products to sell. The large number of ETFs has little to do with serving your best interests as an investor. I leverage this data to identify three red flags you can use to avoid the worst ETFs: This issue is the easiest to avoid, and my advice is simple. Avoid all ETFs with less than $100 million in assets. Low levels of liquidity can lead to a discrepancy between the price of the ETF and the underlying value of the securities it holds. Small ETFs also generally have lower trading volume, which translates to higher trading costs via larger bid-ask spreads. ETFs should be cheap, but not all of them are. The first step is to benchmark what cheap means. To ensure you are paying at or below average fees, invest only in ETFs with total annual costs below 0.48%, – the average total annual cost of the 897 U.S. equity Style ETFs my firm covers. The weighted average is lower at 0.13%, which highlights how investors tend to put their money in ETFs with low fees. Figure 1 shows Infrastructure Capital Equity Income ETF (ICAP) is the most expensive style ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPLG) is the least expensive. WBI provides three of the most expensive ETFs while State Street ETFs are among the cheapest. Figure 1: 5 Most and Least Expensive Style ETFs Most Expensive Style ETFs in 2Q25 Investors need not pay high fees for quality holdings. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is the best ranked style ETF in Figure 1. IVV's neutral Portfolio Management rating and 0.03% total annual cost earns it an attractive rating. Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) is one of the best ranked style ETFs overall. QVAL's attractive Portfolio Management rating and 0.32% total annual cost earns it a very attractive rating. On the other hand, Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund (VB) holds poor stocks and earns an Unattractive rating, despite having low total annual costs of 0.06%. No matter how cheap an ETF looks, if it holds bad stocks, its performance will be bad. The quality of an ETF's holdings matters more than its management fee. Avoiding poor holdings is by far the hardest part of avoiding bad ETFs, but it is also the most important because an ETFs performance is determined more by its holdings than its costs. Figure 2 shows the ETFs within each style with the worst portfolio management ratings, a function of the fund's holdings. Figure 2: Style ETFs with the Worst Holdings Worst Style ETFs in 2Q25 Invesco appears more often than any other providers in Figure 2, which means that they offer the most ETFs with the worst holdings. Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) is the worst rated ETF in Figure 2 based on my predictive overall rating. Motley Fool Small Cap Growth ETF (TMFS), Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO), and Invesco S&P Small Cap 600 Pure Value ETF (RZV) also earn a very unattractive predictive overall rating, which means not only do they hold poor stocks, they charge high total annual costs. Buying an ETF without analyzing its holdings is like buying a stock without analyzing its business model and finances. Put another way, research on ETF holdings is necessary due diligence because an ETF's performance is only as good as its holdings. PERFORMANCE OF ETFs HOLDINGs – FEES = PERFORMANCE OF ETF
Business Recorder
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CFO Summit: Azfar calls for structural reforms and investor confidence
LAHORE: Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Pakistan's former Minister for Investment and Chairman of Nutshell Group, delivered a compelling keynote address at the prestigious CFO Conference organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) at a local Lahore. The event brought together top finance and business leaders from across the country to deliberate on Pakistan's evolving economic and investment landscape. Speaking on the theme 'Investment Opportunities in Pakistan: Evolving Business Climate,' Azfar Ahsan provided strategic insights into how Pakistan can navigate ongoing economic challenges while paving the way for sustainable and resilient growth. His thought-provoking address focused on the importance of aligning with global investment trends, fostering economic reforms, and rebuilding investor trust through policy continuity and institutional integrity. A key highlight of his session was the presentation of the 'National Investment Vision 2035', a forward-looking and transformative roadmap aimed at redefining Pakistan's investment future. The vision calls for a decisive shift toward structural reforms, institutional accountability, regulatory transparency, and consistent economic policy frameworks to position Pakistan as a competitive and attractive investment destination. Azfar emphasized that the participation of finance professionals, corporate leaders, and policymakers is critical to steering the country toward economic stability and inclusive growth. 'This is not just a vision, it's a call to action,' he stated. 'Pakistan's future depends on our ability to think long-term, act strategically, and invest in trust.' The CFO Conference, a flagship event by ICAP, serves as a platform for thought leadership, knowledge exchange, and policy dialogue. Azfar Ahsan's address was met with overwhelming appreciation from attendees, many of whom acknowledged the relevance and urgency of the ideas presented. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
