In a groundbreaking move towards sustainable food security, the University of the West Indies (UWI) unveiled two cutting-edge agricultural initiatives on Thursday. These projects, developed by the UWI Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI), aim to reduce grocery bills for Barbadian households and lower production costs for small farmers. The launch coincided with World Food Day, highlighting the university’s commitment to modernizing agriculture and addressing food security challenges.
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Insecurity : September 2025, bad results (report)
A recently released report by the Defenders Plus Collective has shed light on the deteriorating human rights situation in Haiti during September 2025. The document, which serves as a monthly assessment, reveals a harrowing escalation of violence and rights violations across multiple regions, leaving the population in a state of despair and displacement. The report underscores a surge in assassinations, sexual violence, kidnappings, forced displacements, and armed attacks, which have collectively inflicted immense suffering on thousands of families. The West, Artibonite, Center, and Northwest regions have been particularly hard-hit, with local communities enduring unprecedented levels of violence. Women and children, often the most vulnerable, have borne the brunt of these atrocities, either as direct victims or as survivors struggling to cope with the dire conditions of displacement. The Defenders Plus Collective has sounded the alarm, urging immediate attention to the escalating crisis. For a comprehensive understanding of the situation, the full report, available in French, can be accessed via the provided link.
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Dominican Republic advances as Caribbean hub for executive private aviation
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Dominican Republic is solidifying its status as a top destination for executive private aviation, a sector intrinsically tied to luxury tourism. This development was unveiled by Víctor Pichardo, Executive Director of the Airport Department (DA), during the 2025 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA). Notably, the Dominican Republic is participating with its own stand for the first time at this prestigious event. Pichardo highlighted that this advancement underscores the government’s dedication, under President Luis Abinader, to fostering the private aviation industry. A key initiative in this endeavor is the introduction of the Protocol for Non-Commercial Private Aviation, established via presidential decree. This protocol streamlines procedures for private aircraft arrivals and departures, thereby enhancing investment opportunities and operational efficiency. ‘Over the past five years, we have made significant strides toward becoming a regional hub for executive private aviation,’ Pichardo remarked, emphasizing the sector’s increasing impact on tourism and the national economy. Dominican enterprises such as Grupo Puntacana, Panorama Jets, and Universal Aviation RD also showcased their aviation services and infrastructure at the convention. The NBAA, held annually in the United States, is the world’s largest business aviation event, drawing over 1,100 companies and 27,000 participants each year.
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PSV owners renew push for duty-free concessions
Public service vehicle (PSV) operators in Barbados are intensifying their appeals for the government to restart negotiations on long-awaited duty-free concessions. Roy Raphael, Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), emphasized on Thursday that the prolonged delay in providing financial relief is exacerbating safety risks for commuters and escalating maintenance costs for operators. Raphael highlighted that a significant portion of the vehicles currently in service are outdated, with some exceeding 40 years in age and 80% being over five years old. This aging fleet is leading to frequent mechanical failures and operational downtime, further straining the industry.
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Minister Noersalim pleit voor gebruik van Surinaamse voeding
On World Food Day, Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Mike Noersalim, urged consumers to prioritize locally produced Sranan food. Emphasizing the benefits of supporting local farmers, he highlighted the freshness, safety, and nutritional richness of Surinamese diets. “By choosing local, you not only bolster our farmers and economy but also embrace a healthier way of life,” he stated. Noersalim underscored agriculture as the backbone of food production, calling for collective efforts to ensure the nation’s agricultural abundance benefits future generations. He outlined initiatives to protect farmers, including investments in climate-smart techniques, improved irrigation, and robust quarantine measures to safeguard local crops and biodiversity from external pests. The livestock sector, he noted, plays a vital role in providing essential proteins, with a focus on quality and biosecurity. Investments in better breeds, modern slaughterhouses, and strict monitoring programs aim to prevent diseases and ensure safe, locally produced meat and dairy. Noersalim also described fisheries as Suriname’s “treasure from the water,” emphasizing sustainable practices to preserve marine resources for future generations. “Sustainable fishing is the only way forward to ensure our ‘blue economy’ remains productive and healthy,” he asserted. In alignment with this year’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” the ministry, in collaboration with the FAO, donated agricultural tools and materials to educational institutions and the Stichting Ontspanningsoord voor Gehandicapte Kinderen (SOGK) to support their agricultural activities.
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US Revokes Visas Over Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Death
In a decisive move, the Trump administration has revoked the visas of at least six foreign nationals following their controversial social media posts celebrating the murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. The U.S. State Department announced the decision on X, stating, ‘The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.’ The department also shared screenshots of the offending posts. The individuals affected hail from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Paraguay. Charlie Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of Donald Trump, was tragically shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. Trump has since honored Kirk as a ‘martyr’ and posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among those impacted by the visa revocations are South African businessman Nhlamulo Baloyi and Brazilian comedian Tiago Santineli, both of whom confirmed their visas had been canceled after mocking Kirk online.
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Internationalization of the UEH : Signature with the Colombian University (UMAYOR)
In a landmark move to bolster international academic collaboration, Dieuseul Prédélus, Rector of the State University of Haiti (UEH), and Juan Alberto Arraut Camargo, Rector of the Institución Universitaria Mayor de Cartagena (UMAYOR), signed a Framework Agreement for Academic Cooperation on October 16 in Cartagena, Colombia. The ceremony, attended by key academic officials from both institutions, signifies a pivotal step in UEH’s ongoing internationalization efforts. This partnership, rooted in South-South cooperation, unites two Caribbean universities with shared challenges and aspirations in higher education and scientific research. The agreement outlines collaborative initiatives across multiple domains, including academic mobility for students, faculty, and staff; joint research and innovation projects; institutional capacity building; language training; continuing education programs; and international internships to enhance student employability. Spanning an initial four-year term with automatic renewal, the agreement establishes a Technical Coordination Committee to oversee implementation and ensure sustainability. Prédélus highlighted the broader significance of the partnership, stating, ‘This signing symbolizes the university’s role as a bridge between peoples, a space to address contemporary challenges, and a beacon of hope for the future.’ This agreement is part of UEH’s broader strategy to expand its global academic network, with additional partnerships planned with Canadian universities.
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Dodds Prison awaits $4m green light to expand farm operations
The Barbados Prison Service is poised to transform its agricultural operations at the Dodds prison farm in St. Philip, pending government approval of a $4 million budget allocation. Superintendent of Prisons DeCarlo Payne announced on Thursday that the funds would be used to significantly expand meat production and modernize the facility, aligning with the government’s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency within 18 months. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on external suppliers and enhance food production capabilities. Currently, the farm produces chicken, beef, lamb, pork, and turkey, with plans to slaughter 67 pigs next month. Additionally, 90% of the arable land at Dodds is under cultivation, yielding crops such as sweet potatoes, yams, and cucumbers. The Prison Service recently supplied the Barbados Defence Force with 600 pounds of sweet potatoes and 150 pounds of cucumbers. The $4 million investment will also fund the construction of seven new chicken pens, each capable of housing 3,000 birds, with a long-term goal of producing 21,000 chickens to meet the needs of institutions like the School Meals Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the prison itself. In January, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus partnered with the Prison Service to launch a six-week agricultural training program. Conducted through UWI’s Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI), the program focuses on sustainable crop production, soil management, poultry care, and integrated farming systems. It aims to reduce food costs, support national food security, and provide inmates with practical skills for rehabilitation. Superintendent Payne emphasized that the farming program is a key component of a broader rehabilitative strategy, equipping inmates with agricultural and business expertise while contributing to institutional cost savings and national food security.
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CONAVIHSIDA reports decline in HIV cases in the Dominican Republic
In a recent announcement by the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA), it was revealed that approximately 87,000 individuals in the Dominican Republic are currently living with HIV. Among these, 79,810 have been formally diagnosed, 56,503 are undergoing antiretroviral treatment, and an encouraging 49,517 have achieved a suppressed or undetectable viral load. CONAVIHSIDA emphasized that individuals with an undetectable viral load are incapable of transmitting the virus, highlighting the critical need to safeguard their fundamental rights, including access to employment, healthcare, and education without facing discrimination. National data further indicates that the Dominican Republic has achieved a 13% reduction in new HIV infections and a 59% decline in AIDS-related deaths by 2024. These advancements are attributed to the successful implementation of comprehensive prevention, treatment, and awareness policies as part of the country’s ongoing HIV response strategy.
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Security : Donation of 90 Kawasaki motorcycles and logistical equipment to the PNH
In a significant move to enhance Haiti’s law enforcement capabilities, the Organization of American States (OAS), in collaboration with the Canadian government, has donated 90 Kawasaki motorcycles and essential logistical equipment to the Haitian National Police (PNH). The donation, comprising Kawasaki KLX 300 and KLR 650 models, aims to bolster police deployment in operations against armed gangs, which have been a persistent threat to the nation’s security. The handover ceremony also served as a platform for discussions between Cristobal Dupouy, the OAS Secretary General’s Representative in Haiti, and Vladimir Paraison, the Acting Director General of the PNH. Key topics included structural reforms, modernization of police operations, and improvements in officers’ social benefits. This initiative is part of a broader international effort to support Haiti’s fight against violence, with contributions from the United Nations, Canada, the United States, France, and Taiwan. Earlier this year, the PNH also received armored vehicles and personal protective equipment, further strengthening their operational capacity.