SUMMARY: Asian shares opened lower on Tuesday following a sharp decline in U.S. stocks amidst the impending implementation of higher tariffs by President Trump on Canada, Mexico, and China. The Nikkei 225 dropped 1.9%, and the Hang Seng lost 1.6%, as fears of retaliatory measures from China, particularly targeting U.S. agricultural exports, loomed. The S&P 500 fell 1.8%, with Trump’s tariff announcement casting doubt on future negotiations. Weaker-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data added to market pessimism, with significant losses for tech stocks like Nvidia and Tesla. European markets performed better following easing inflation reports, while crude oil and cryptocurrency prices also declined.

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SUMMARY: The United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) is closing its southern Africa office due to aid cuts from the Trump administration, which terminated 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts. Acknowledging constrained funding, WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri stated the agency will consolidate its southern and East Africa operations into a regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. Despite the office closure, WFP’s commitment to assist vulnerable communities remains strong. The organization faced a severe funding loss, as it received $4.4 billion from the U.S. last year, significantly influencing its annual budget. The WFP continues to seek donations to address increasing hunger in the region.

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Condominium hurricane hardening pilot could become more accessible

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
March 3, 2025

Condominium associations would no longer need unanimous approval from unit owners to qualify for a pilot grant program intended to make the buildings more resistant against hurricanes under a bill from St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek.

The bill, SB 592, changes the requirements for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program lawmakers unanimously approved last year, devoting $30 million to it for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The senator’s proposal won bipartisan support in its first hearing Monday before the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

Although no condos have received the available matching grants of up to $175,000, the state has approved qualifying inspections for 165, according to a Jan. 30 report from the Florida Department of Financial Services. The pilot program pays for the inspections.

Leek’s bill would allow condos to apply for the grants with the approval of at least 75% of owners who live in the units.

Democratic Sen. Jason Pizzo, who co-introduced the pilot program in 2024, thanked Leek for his proposed changes.

“As you can imagine, it’s nearly impossible to get 100% approval from ownership in these associations, or even at your own family dinner table sometimes. So I think it’s a great start to go to 75%, but still be mindful that a lot of these associations’ boards can take out tens of millions of dollars in loans, larger amounts of money, with a lot less scrutiny and threshold,” Pizzo said.

Only condo buildings with at least three stories with at least one residential unit would be eligible under the changes for the wind mitigation pilot program, and the grants could only cover improvements that would result in an insurance rate or discount. Already, the pilot is limited to structures within 15 miles of the coast.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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