Barbados is on track to become the 12th Caribbean nation to achieve official recognition for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B by the end of 2025. This milestone follows a pre-assessment conducted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), which highlighted significant progress and dedication across the island’s healthcare system. The certification process, expected to conclude by year-end, mirrors successful efforts in Belize, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024. Cuba set the precedent a decade ago as the first country globally to eliminate both HIV and syphilis transmission from mother to child. Last week, a PAHO team, accompanied by a regional laboratory expert, collaborated with Barbados’ national health team to conduct a comprehensive pre-assessment. The review, designed to identify gaps and challenges, included visits to key health facilities such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, polyclinics, and private medical centers. The delegation evaluated services for pregnant and lactating women, inspected laboratories, and reviewed HIV services, maternal and child clinics, vaccination programs, and disease surveillance systems. Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it reflects the strength of Barbados’ HIV and maternal health services and its commitment to ensuring every child has a healthy start in life. PAHO’s support aims to strengthen health systems, promote health equity, and prevent missed opportunities for disease prevention. WHO certification confirms a country’s ability to deliver high-quality, accessible care to pregnant women and newborns, safeguarding them from HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission.
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Antigua and Barbuda Urged to Stay Alert as Tropical System Nears Caribbean
A low-pressure system situated over 1,000 miles east of the Windward Islands is rapidly gaining strength and could evolve into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, meteorologists have warned. Currently designated as Invest AL95, the system is moving west-northwest across the central tropical Atlantic and has a 90% likelihood of developing into a more significant weather event within the next 48 hours. Forecasters predict that if the system continues to intensify, it could pass near or north of the northern Leeward Islands between Thursday and Friday, potentially unleashing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and turbulent seas across the northeastern Caribbean. While the precise trajectory and intensity remain uncertain, residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands are being advised to remain vigilant and stay updated with official weather bulletins. Regional meteorological agencies and disaster management teams are poised to issue further advisories as the situation unfolds. The potential storm underscores the importance of preparedness in the face of unpredictable weather patterns, particularly in vulnerable island nations.
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UWI biosecurity centre proposes national waste-energy revamp
The Centre for Biosecurity Studies (CBS) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) has urged the Mia Mottley administration to implement a robust policy action plan aimed at overhauling Barbados’ waste, energy, and environmental legislation. This recommendation comes as the island nation grapples with mounting challenges posed by climate change, tourism, and trade vulnerabilities.
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DR Customs chief declares logistics the nation’s ‘new economic axis’ in address to UASD students
In a recent address at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Yayo Sanz Lovatón, Director General of Customs (DGA) in the Dominican Republic, highlighted the logistics sector as the nation’s ‘new economic axis.’ Speaking to students from the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Sanz Lovatón emphasized the sector’s exponential growth over the past five years and its promising future. He urged students in economics, foreign trade, and related fields to focus on logistics, citing its increasing strategic importance. The Customs Director also revealed that the DGA is the country’s second-largest tax collector, contributing an average of 22.64% to state revenue between 2021 and 2024 and 3.4% to the GDP in 2024. Under Sanz Lovatón’s leadership, the DGA has collected RD$195.203.32 million as of September 2025, a 6.08% increase from the previous year, with accumulated revenue surpassing RD$1.15 trillion over five years. Sanz Lovatón attributed the logistics boom to the DGA’s operational efficiency, particularly the ’24-Hour Dispatch’ program, which has processed over 90,000 containers in less than a day, benefiting more than 8,000 importers. He also credited the new Customs Law 168-21 and the Logistics Centers and Operators Law 30-24 with attracting major global corporations to establish regional distribution hubs in the Dominican Republic. Additionally, exports exceeded US$13 billion in 2024, reinforcing the trade sector’s role as the largest generator of foreign currency. UASD Rector Editrudis Beltrán Crisóstomo praised Sanz Lovatón for his contributions to the university, particularly the support provided to UASD interns within the Customs administration. The lecture was part of UASD’s academic program celebrating its 487th anniversary.
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COMMENTARY: Don’t Let Emails Control Your Day or Your Life.
In today’s fast-paced professional landscape, email remains a cornerstone of communication. However, the deluge of daily messages often leads to inefficiency, wasted time, and diminished productivity. Many professionals find themselves bogged down by email, struggling to focus on their core objectives. This article provides actionable strategies to optimize email usage, both as a sender and receiver, while leveraging Microsoft Outlook’s features to streamline the process.
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Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Showcases Cultural Strength at International Arts Festival in New Orleans
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) made a significant impact at the International Arts Festival in New Orleans, showcasing the twin-island nation as a premier Caribbean destination and a vibrant cultural hub. Represented by Arah Robins, Marketing and Public Relations Executive, and Annie Liverpool-Charles, Sales and Marketing Officer, ABTA emphasized the nation’s rich cultural identity and its commitment to sustainable tourism. The delegation participated in the Sister City Summit, engaging in high-level discussions with global tourism leaders to promote Antigua and Barbuda’s unique blend of natural beauty and cultural depth, from Carnival to Culinary Month and Art Week. Robins, featured as a panelist at Gallier Hall, highlighted how cultural tourism benefits local communities, ensuring that traditions like Culinary Month and Art Week create income opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs. Beyond formal discussions, ABTA connected with U.S. audiences through radio appearances and activations, including a raffle for round-trip tickets to Antigua and Barbuda and rum punch tastings. The delegation also met with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, strengthening ties for future collaborations. The festival, which spanned three days, featured performances by international artists and concluded with a concert at Congo Square, attended by over 5,000 people. For Antigua and Barbuda, the event was a strategic platform to share cultural heritage, reinforce diaspora connections, and promote sustainable tourism, positioning the islands as a destination where tradition and community benefits are central to the visitor experience.
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Defence Force begins training for expanded police powers under new Police Act
The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) has embarked on a transformative journey toward exercising police powers, as the inaugural Law Enforcement Training Course commenced on Monday. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with The Barbados Police Service (TBPS), is a direct result of the recently enacted Police (Amendment) Act 2025. The legislation grants BDF personnel the authority to perform police duties during joint land-based operations with TBPS and under presidential directive. The legal foundation for this expansion of authority is rooted in Section 79A of the amended Police Act Cap 167 and Section 9(2) of the Defence Act Cap 159. However, the move has sparked significant debate, with civil society groups, including the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB), voicing concerns over potential abuses of power and the erosion of the police’s exclusive mandate to maintain law and order. Critics have highlighted risks such as arbitrary arrests and the militarization of civil policing. The training program, designed to address these concerns, emphasizes legal literacy, human rights, and coordinated enforcement. Deputy Commissioner of Police Erwin Boyce underscored the importance of ethical enforcement and procedural clarity, while BDF Chief of Staff Brigadier Carlos Lovell hailed the legislative amendment as a historic step in Barbados’ security framework. Assistant Chief of Police Barry Hunte emphasized the necessity of unifying police and military procedures to enhance national sustainability, pointing to shared responsibilities and improved crisis response capabilities. The BDF has framed this initiative as an investment in a more agile and unified security framework, aiming to ensure the peace and security of all Barbadians.
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Third CBI project approved for Range Developments
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program continues to drive significant growth in the luxury real estate sector, with Range Developments leading the charge. The latest addition to the program, ‘The La Sagesse Collection,’ comprises 60 ultra-luxe ocean-view residences in La Sagesse, St David. Owners of these properties will gain access to the prestigious Six Senses La Sagesse and the upcoming InterContinental Grenada Resort, both developed by Range Developments. This marks the third CBI-approved project by the developer in Grenada, following the successful launch of the One True Blue Beach Hotel and Residences in True Blue, St George. The project was officially granted Approved Project Status on 23 June 2025, as published in the Government Gazette on 3 October 2025. Each residence spans 1,545 square feet, featuring two bedrooms and two residences per floor. Range Developments’ projects have attracted the majority of CBI investors, with La Sagesse Six Senses and InterContinental accounting for 61% of investments between July and December 2024. During this period, investments in InterContinental totaled EC$70.3 million, while Six Senses garnered EC$6.7 million. The government requires a minimum investment of US$50,000 per application, contributing to the approval of 5,443 new citizens by the end of 2024. This initiative underscores Grenada’s appeal as a destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking citizenship through investment.
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Free mammograms now available for eligible polyclinic patients
In a significant move to address healthcare accessibility, the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme has introduced free mammograms for patients at polyclinics across the island who cannot afford the service. This initiative, announced by Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, the Medical Coordinator of the Programme, follows recent donations that have made this life-saving service possible. The announcement was made during the CIBC Walk for the Cure event at Warrens on Sunday. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo emphasized that financial barriers have long prevented many women from accessing essential breast screenings, a concern that prompted the launch of this programme. ‘There are no free mammograms on the island, and that has always been a concern,’ she stated. ‘Many women feel they cannot approach the Cancer Society for help, so they remain untreated.’ The programme has now allocated free mammograms to ten polyclinics, with each facility receiving ten screenings initially. Nurses at these clinics will identify and assist patients who cannot afford the service, ensuring broader access to early detection. In addition to this initiative, Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo highlighted improvements in cancer care services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). The Oncology Department, which previously could only treat six patients daily, will soon expand its capacity to 14 patients per day, thanks to the donation of seven new chairs. This expansion is expected to reduce the chemotherapy waiting list from two and a half months to just two weeks, significantly improving patient outcomes. Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo expressed optimism about the impact of these changes, stating, ‘These improvements will make a real difference for patients who are already dealing with the stress of a cancer diagnosis.’
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Greene Announces Two New Garbage Trucks for St. Paul
In a significant move to bolster public health and environmental cleanliness, St. Paul MP and Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has unveiled the arrival of two new garbage trucks. This initiative is part of a broader community beautification program aimed at ensuring sustained cleanliness across the constituency. Greene announced the acquisition during the reopening of the Cobbs Cross Clinic, emphasizing the critical link between a clean environment and community health. ‘A healthy community is a clean community, and a clean community is a healthy community,’ Greene stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving sanitation and public health. The new trucks will service key areas, including Cobbs Cross, Falmouth, English Harbour, and Piccadilly, ensuring efficient waste collection and disposal. Greene also called on residents to take pride in their surroundings and protect community assets, highlighting the importance of civic responsibility. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to integrate healthcare improvements with environmental stewardship, marking a step forward in fostering a cleaner, healthier St. Paul.