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Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority appointed to ACI-LAC Governing Board for 2026 – 2027

In a landmark announcement made during the 2026 ACI-LAC/ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Lima, Peru, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) has been officially appointed to the Governing Board of Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) for the 2026–2027 governing term. The high-profile regional aviation event, which ran from September 25 to 29, hosted ABAA Chief Executive Officer Kurt A.G. Menal, who represented the twin-island nation at the gathering.

This appointment marks a major milestone for Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation sector, granting the ABAA an elevated platform to contribute to critical regional conversations about the evolution and future direction of the global airport industry. The new governing role will open doors to deeper, more collaborative engagement with airport operators, civil aviation authorities, and cross-sector industry stakeholders, creating structured pathways to share specialized expertise, exchange proven best practices, and disseminate cutting-edge technical knowledge across the region.

For the small island developing state of Antigua and Barbuda, a permanent seat on the ACI-LAC Governing Board significantly amplifies the country’s voice in regional aviation decision-making. It also creates unprecedented opportunities to forge new strategic cross-border partnerships, advance shared initiatives, and align on priority work streams spanning airport infrastructure expansion, operational efficiency upgrades, enhanced aviation safety and security protocols, industry-wide sustainability transitions, digital technology integration, improved passenger experience, and expanded regional and global air connectivity.

The appointment carries outsize strategic importance for Antigua and Barbuda, where aviation acts as a foundational backbone of the national tourism economy and supports broader economic growth across all sectors. A robust, globally competitive airport ecosystem is non-negotiable for maintaining vital international air links, sustaining steady tourism growth, and attracting new foreign business and investment to the islands.

To provide context, Airports Council International (ACI) is the leading global trade association that represents over 2,200 airports across more than 160 countries worldwide, acting as the unified collective voice for the global airport community. The organization works in close collaboration with national governments, airport operators, and a full range of aviation stakeholders to advance policy and practice that supports safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, and economically viable airport operations around the world.

ACI-LAC is ACI’s regional arm serving the Latin America and Caribbean region, with a core mission centered on industry advocacy, professional workforce development, standardized skills training, cross-border technical cooperation, and the open exchange of industry knowledge and best practices. Beyond these core functions, the organization hosts a collaborative regional platform for airports to coordinate action on shared challenges and opportunities impacting the region, from aviation safety and infrastructure development to climate action, digital innovation, passenger facilitation, and expanded air connectivity.

With its new appointment to the ACI-LAC Governing Board, ABAA deepens Antigua and Barbuda’s integration into the regional and global airport community, positioning the authority to play an active role in shaping the future trajectory of aviation across Latin America and the Caribbean. Moving forward, ABAA has confirmed it will leverage its governing board participation to build targeted strategic partnerships that drive the long-term development and global competitiveness of Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation sector for years to come.

6 10 月, 2026
Zapping Haiti of October 6, 2026

In the first week of October 2026, a series of disparate events have unfolded across Haiti, ranging from a horrific domestic tragedy to key political, social and diplomatic developments that paint a multifaceted picture of the nation’s current landscape.

On the morning of Saturday, October 3, a devastating act of violence shook the Delmas 33 neighborhood of Saint Patrick, claiming three lives including an infant. According to Haiti’s national police (Police Nationale d’Haïti, PNH), the incident was carried out by serving police officer Luc André Dossous, who first shot and killed his partner Magalie Augustin—also an active duty police officer—and their 11-month-old child before turning the gun on himself. Investigators have told local media that ongoing domestic strife between the couple is the primary working hypothesis for the attack, though the full picture of the tragedy will not be confirmed until the ongoing official inquiry reaches its final conclusions.

The same day brought a key development in Haiti’s upcoming presidential election, as a new candidate formally joined the race. Former Marigot Member of Parliament Deus Deronneth officially registered his candidacy with the nation’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), running under the banner of the Visionary Democrats for New Haiti (DVNH) party. Deronneth is listed as candidate #56 on the CEP’s official ballot.

A day later, on Sunday October 4, Pétion-ville hosted a milestone event for Haitian public health: the graduation of 25 newly trained midwives from the National Higher Institute for Midwifery Training (INSFSF) Pôle Ouest program. The graduation ceremony was co-hosted by INSFSF leadership and Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health, with critical funding and logistical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—the UN body focused on sexual and reproductive health—and the government of Canada. The new midwives will now deploy across the country to expand access to critical maternal and reproductive health services, addressing a longstanding gap in care for Haitian communities.

On the international policy front, two senior Haitian officials traveled to Guyana this week to participate in a regional forum focused on aviation safety. Minister of Public Works Engineer Joseph Almathe Pierre Louis joined Hantz Célestin, Director of Haiti’s National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC), at the Caribbean High-Level Symposium on Aviation Safety, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center in Georgetown. The event, centered on the theme “Strengthening aviation safety in the Caribbean: Regional cooperation, resilient surveillance and sustainable capacity development”, brought together sector leaders from across the region to address shared challenges. On the sidelines of the symposium, Minister Pierre Louis held bilateral working sessions with representatives from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and other leading industry stakeholders. The talks focused on coordinating cross-border action and developing concrete actionable solutions to strengthen safety protocols, bring Haiti’s civil aviation regulatory framework into full compliance with international standards, and build long-term resilience for the country’s aviation system.

Back in Haiti, rural development efforts got a boost on October 3, when the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), distributed critical agricultural support to 1,400 smallholder producers in the commune of Kenscoff. Each beneficiary received a complete agricultural kit containing core tools and inputs essential for small-scale farming: a watering can, a hoe, a rake, and complete mixed fertilizer. The kits are designed to lower barriers to production for local smallholders and improve overall working conditions for agricultural activity in the region.

The commune of Kenscoff also received a high-profile diplomatic visit this week from Gautier Lekens, the newly appointed Ambassador of France to Haiti. During his visit, Lekens met with local authorities and law enforcement to assess the ongoing security situation and reaffirm French support for Kenscoff’s institutions and residents. The ambassador specifically highlighted the extraordinary resilience of local police and government officials, who have continued to fulfill their public duties alongside the community for nearly 21 months, despite repeated attacks from armed non-state groups and severe risks stemming from the country’s ongoing security crisis.

6 10 月, 2026
Two Men Charged With Kidnapping After San Andres Interception

In a developing criminal case out of northern Belize, two local men have been formally charged with severe offenses including kidnapping and death threat following a police interception in the Corozal District, official law enforcement records confirm. The entire incident unfolded over a three-day period, beginning with a reported abduction on October 3, 2026, and concluding with the arrest and charging of the two accused just two days later.

Authorities took into custody 28-year-old Alex Marcus Lewis, a local laborer, and 40-year-old Brian Ezikel Dena, a construction worker, both citizens of Belize, on Monday, October 5. The pair is being held jointly accountable for the two criminal charges, according to official police statements.

The intervention that ended the alleged abduction took place on Saturday, when district police received an urgent report that two men had been taken against their will. Acting quickly on the tip, law enforcement officers stopped and searched a red pickup truck traveling through the San Andres neighborhood of Corozal. Inside the vehicle, police found all four people involved: the two alleged victims, 38-year-old Ricardo Zetina and 32-year-old Walter Pineda, alongside the two suspects who had been holding them.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, who leads the National Crimes Investigation Branch, shared details of the victims’ account. According to Romero, Zetina and Pineda told investigators they were forced into the suspects’ vehicle at gunpoint, and were repeatedly interrogated about a cache of stolen property the accused claimed the pair had purchased. After the initial questioning, the suspects reportedly were driving to confront the brother of one of the victims when a witness contacted local police to report the kidnapping.

Romero confirmed that the suspects’ motive stems from their personal allegation that the two victims knowingly bought stolen goods from other residents of the Corozal District. As of press time, the two accused remain in police custody, and a court date has not yet been scheduled for their preliminary hearing. Law enforcement officials have urged any residents with additional information related to the incident or the alleged stolen property ring to contact the Corozal District police precinct to assist with the ongoing investigation.

6 10 月, 2026
Condé Nast Traveler Readers Rank Antigua and Barbuda No. 7 in Caribbean and Atlantic

One of the travel industry’s most respected and longest-running reader-voted honors has handed a new accolade to the twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Condé Nast Traveler officially unveiled the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards this week, ranking the destination as the No. 7 best island across the Caribbean and Atlantic region.

Unlike many industry awards that rely on expert or critic judging alone, the Readers’ Choice Awards draw directly on the unfiltered experiences of everyday travelers. For this year’s edition, more than 757,000 readers from across the United States submitted responses to a comprehensive survey, rating their travel experiences at destinations around the globe. The survey was designed to identify not just popular tourist spots, but the locations that leave such a lasting impression visitors are eager to return year after year. With a decades-long legacy as the most prestigious reader-endorsed honor in travel, the award remains the gold standard for recognizing excellence across the global tourism sector. A full roster of 2026 winners is available on Condé Nast Traveler’s website, with all honorees also featured in the publication’s November print issue.

For Antigua and Barbuda, the top 10 ranking underscores the destination’s wide-ranging, enduring appeal that goes far beyond its well-known coastal offerings. The nation’s tourism sector draws visitors for a diverse mix of attractions, from its world-famous shorelines and centuries-old sailing heritage to its layered history, lively local culture, innovative culinary scene, and one-of-a-kind twin-island experience.

Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, shared his excitement over the international recognition. “We are delighted to see Antigua and Barbuda recognized as the #7 Island in the Caribbean & The Atlantic in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards,” James said. “This recognition is a testament to the experiences that continue to draw travellers to our shores and to the people across our tourism industry who work tirelessly to make every visit memorable. While our 365 beaches remain an iconic part of our appeal, Antigua and Barbuda offers so much more to discover, and we are proud to see that depth and diversity recognized on the world stage.”

Each of the two islands that make up the nation offers a distinct experience that caters to different traveler preferences. Antigua pairs its iconic white-sand beaches with world-class sailing regattas, a growing farm-to-table culinary scene, well-preserved colonial historic sites including the UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard, and a packed annual calendar of cultural and sporting events. Neighboring Barbuda, by contrast, offers a quiet, unspoiled escape defined by its iconic pink-sand beaches, untouched coastal wetlands, and vast stretches of undeveloped natural landscape. Together, the twin islands give visitors the chance to craft a trip that balances adventure, relaxation, cultural exploration, and deep connection to Caribbean heritage, inviting travelers to look beyond the typical beach vacation and experience the unique character of the nation.

6 10 月, 2026
President urges pupils to overcome obstacles

On a landmark visit to Selah Primary School in St. Lucy this Monday, President Jeffrey Bostic delivered an inspiring message of resilience and purpose to the school’s student body, encouraging young learners to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than barriers on their journey toward long-term goals. During his time on campus, President Bostic praised students for the confidence they demonstrated across academic, artistic, and extracurricular programs – from Spanish language learning and music performance to uniformed youth groups. Drawing a direct lesson from the students’ poise during the morning’s welcome activities, he noted, “There’s no challenge that you children cannot overcome. And when you face obstacles, you find a way around them, over them, but you maintain the path that you are on.” The President highlighted the determination of Head Girl Shazariah Springer and Head Boy Micah Depeiza, who adapted to practical challenges – including the need to stretch to reach the microphone – to welcome him and present ceremonial gifts, calling their quick thinking and confidence a powerful example for their peers.

Tying his message to the school’s Biblical name, Selah – which carries multiple meanings including “to pause and reflect,” “to lift up,” and “to serve with humility” – President Bostic emphasized the power of intentional stillness. “Your power is not in your fists. Your power is not in your hands. Your power is not through your mouth. Your power is in your pause,” he said. “Pause shows power, not weakness. Pausing is strength before you do something that you will regret later.” He also challenged students to build one another up instead of tearing peers down, urging them to celebrate classmates’ successes and support their teachers. He reminded students that the character values they develop during their school years are permanent, irreplaceable assets that cannot be bought with money, earned through academic certifications, or granted by a university degree. “You need to serve in order to lead… Leaders are not those who stand tallest, but those who bow to lift up others,” he added.

The visit came at a particularly meaningful moment, falling during Education Month and as Barbados marks 60 years of national independence. Principal Cheryl Marshall shared that the occasion offered the school community a chance to reflect on the nation’s progress while reaffirming its commitment to preparing young people to build the future of Barbados. “Our school is focused on helping students discover their talents, develop character and gain the confidence needed to contribute to society,” Marshall explained. Echoing President Bostic’s message of perseverance, she pointed to the school’s motto – “Self-discipline and Dedication Brings Success” – to reinforce that success grows from commitment, resilience, responsible decision-making, and a willingness to persist through difficulty.

Selah Primary currently offers students a wide range of extracurricular opportunities beyond core academics, including STEM programming, reading initiatives, multiple sports, music, educational tours, and youth clubs. The school fields teams in athletics, cricket, football, netball, and table tennis, and hosts uniformed groups including Brownies, Blossoms, and Cubs, with a new Beavers program set to launch this year. Students also participate in the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and a school violin program, and the administration plans to resume its popular swimming programme this term. President Bostic specifically highlighted the school’s Spanish language presentation, encouraging students to continue building their foreign language skills through secondary school and beyond, noting that the ability will open new doors for them in the future. The morning’s activities included a violin performance of *Tip Toe Boo!* and a recitation of the poem *Barbados*, celebrating national culture and student artistic growth.

During the visit, President Bostic also raised a key concern about underrepresentation of male role models in positive youth development programs, noting that a lack of visible positive leadership disproportionately impacts boys’ participation in constructive extracurricular and community activities. “Our boys cannot be what they cannot see,” he said. “Our boys are a reflection of what they are seeing in our men.” He called on more adult men to get involved in youth programs, from uniformed groups to sports and faith-based initiatives, explaining that confidence and leadership skills cannot be learned solely from textbooks – they are developed through hands-on, mentored engagement.

Principal Marshall closed by noting that President Bostic’s visit reinforced the core mission of Selah Primary, saying, “Your presence here today sends a powerful message to our students that they matter, that their education matters, and that their dreams and aspirations matter.” Looking ahead, the school will launch the President’s Chapman Challenge this Friday, and continue expanding its extracurricular offerings throughout the term with the new Beavers program and the return of swimming.

6 10 月, 2026
First Hurricane of 2026 Atlantic Season Could Form in Gulf This Week

A nascent tropical disturbance churning across the Gulf of Mexico is on track to intensify into the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season by the end of this week, AccuWeather has projected in an updated forecast. The system, which has already begun organizing at a faster pace than the meteorological firm’s initial projections, is set to encounter atmospheric conditions that will steadily fuel its growth over the coming days.

“The storm is already becoming better organized faster than expected, and the environment around it is becoming increasingly favorable for strengthening,” explained Nicholas Arman, AccuWeather’s leading hurricane specialist. According to the firm’s forecast timeline, the disturbance will strengthen over the open waters of the Gulf to reach Category 1 hurricane strength by Friday, October 9, earning the official name Isaias.

After reaching hurricane intensity, the system will begin tracking northward and encounter increased wind shear, a meteorological phenomenon that tears apart organized storm structures. This will prompt the storm to weaken before it makes landfall as a powerful tropical storm near the border between Mississippi and Alabama early Saturday morning, forecasters project.

The incoming storm is expected to deliver extreme rainfall across southern portions of Alabama and Mississippi, with cumulative totals predicted to range between 8 and 12 inches across the region. AccuWeather warns that isolated pockets near the landfall zone could see rainfall reach as high as 25 inches, creating extreme flood risk. Along the Gulf Coast, widespread wind gusts between 40 and 60 miles per hour are anticipated, with extreme isolated gusts potentially hitting 100 miles per hour.

Moisture from the system will then spread northward into parts of the Ohio Valley, before shifting east toward the Carolinas and southern Virginia. Forecasters have issued warnings for multiple hazards across the impacted region, including flash flooding, widespread power outages, structural property damage, and mudslides in hilly and mountainous higher elevations. As of Tuesday, the system was already bringing moderate rainfall to Mexico’s Bay of Campeche coastline, with no direct threat to the Caribbean nations of Antigua and Barbuda, which lie hundreds of miles east of the storm’s current development path.

Notably, this late-season storm development comes amid what has been a historically quiet 2026 Atlantic hurricane season to date. AccuWeather attributes the prolonged lull in storm formation to strong wind shear tied to the ongoing development of Super El Niño conditions, which have suppressed cyclonic development across the vast majority of the Atlantic basin. If the system fails to strengthen to hurricane strength before October 8, the 2026 season will break a 121-year record for the latest formation of the first Atlantic hurricane, surpassing the previous benchmark set in 1905.

6 10 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda Banks Urged to Lend More for Domestic Development

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), which oversees the banking sector across the eight-nation Eastern Caribbean Currency Union that includes Antigua and Barbuda, has issued a formal call for domestic commercial banks to ramp up lending to local businesses and infrastructure projects, framing expanded access to credit as a critical driver of post-pandemic economic recovery and long-term national growth.

For years, financial institutions in Antigua and Barbuda have maintained relatively conservative lending practices, with a large share of their assets held in low-risk foreign securities or deployed toward large-scale tourism projects that cater to international investors, rather than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the domestic economy. This cautious approach has left many local entrepreneurs locked out of affordable capital, stifling innovation, limiting job creation, and slowing the diversification of the country’s economy beyond its traditional dependence on tourism and offshore financial services.

Addressing a recent gathering of banking industry leaders in St. John’s, ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine emphasized that the current macroeconomic conditions create a strong case for banks to rebalance their lending portfolios. Antigua and Barbuda has recorded steady economic expansion since 2022, supported by a rebound in international tourism arrivals that has restored consumer confidence and increased business activity across the island nation. The central bank has also maintained stable monetary policy anchored by the Eastern Caribbean dollar’s fixed peg to the U.S. dollar, creating a predictable operating environment for both lenders and borrowers.

Antoine added that increasing domestic lending would not only support national development priorities – including affordable housing construction, renewable energy infrastructure, and small business expansion – but also benefit banks themselves by unlocking new revenue streams from growing domestic markets. To facilitate this shift, the ECCB has introduced adjusted regulatory frameworks that provide clearer guidance for risk assessment of SME and infrastructure loans, while also partnering with local development agencies to offer partial credit guarantees that reduce lenders’ exposure to default risk.

Industry observers note that the push for expanded domestic lending comes as Antigua and Barbuda works to implement its 2030 National Development Strategy, which targets inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and reduced dependence on foreign capital. While some bank leaders have signaled openness to expanding their domestic lending portfolios, they have also cited ongoing challenges including limited credit history for many local SMEs and lingering economic uncertainty linked to global inflation and tourism volatility. Even so, stakeholders across both the public and private sectors broadly agree that increasing domestic credit flow is essential to building a more resilient, self-sufficient economy that delivers widespread benefits to all residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

6 10 月, 2026
IHO Leads Commonwealth Civil Society Mobilisation Ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Women’s Forum

Ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF) scheduled for November, an Antigua and Barbuda-headquartered nonprofit has issued a widespread call for women’s groups, rights advocates, and civil society organizations (CSOs) across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc to join a groundbreaking three-part virtual pre-convening series. Integrated Health Outreach (IHO), the organizer of the initiative, has already opened online registration for the multi-session event, which aims to align grassroots civil society priorities ahead of the official high-level gathering.

The CWF holds a formal place as an official stakeholder event held in parallel with the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). For the 2026 iteration, both CHOGM and the CWF will be hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, marking a key moment for small island developing states to lead global conversations on gender equity. IHO’s virtual series, spread across four dates in October 2026, is designed to bring together a broad cross-section of groups: women’s rights organizations, youth-led networks, local community associations, and indigenous peoples’ representative bodies. Over the course of the sessions, participants will collectively develop targeted policy recommendations addressing the most pressing barriers to gender equity across the Commonwealth, including gender-based violence against women and girls, systemic barriers to women’s economic empowerment, and underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles.

Across the three-part program, IHO will facilitate a structured process for participants to draft, refine, and formally approve a unified joint civil society statement. This document will be presented directly to high-level policymakers at the 2026 CWF, where it will shape discussions that eventually feed into agenda setting and commitments at the 2026 CHOGM. All sessions will be hosted via Zoom to enable global participation, and organizers have urged interested delegates to commit to attending all three parts of the series to ensure a collaborative, consistent process.

The first session, held October 9, 2026 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Atlantic Standard Time (AST), will center on framing the CWF’s core mandate for advancing women’s rights and mapping out strategic pathways for civil society to contribute meaningfully to high-level discussions. To accommodate participants across multiple time zones globally, the second working session is offered at two separate time slots: Session 2A will run October 13 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM AST (10:00 PM to 12:00 AM GMT), while Session 2B will be held October 14 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM AST (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM GMT). This second session will be dedicated to interactive collaborative work, where participants will co-develop specific policy recommendations to include in the joint civil society statement. The final session, scheduled for October 23 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM AST, will include a full review of the drafted statement, formal adoption of the final document, and a closing briefing on all procedural and operational details ahead of the November CWF.

Across the Commonwealth, advancing gender equity and women’s rights is widely recognized as more than a standalone social objective: it is a core foundation for sustainable development and strong democratic governance. With women and girls accounting for more than half of the bloc’s 2.7 billion total population, systemic challenges such as gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and structural gender inequality demand coordinated, intentional collaboration between governmental actors and grassroots civil society. This virtual pre-convening series fills a critical gap by creating a structured space to ensure that commitments emerging from the 2026 CWF are rooted in on-the-ground needs, making them practical, relevant, and achievable.

Meaningful civil society participation is essential to ensuring that high-level global policy agendas reflect the lived realities of marginalized communities across the Commonwealth. Local advocates and CSOs bring direct frontline experience and context-specific expertise that bridges the often-wide gap between top-down policy design and tangible community impact. By centering these diverse grassroots voices in the drafting process, IHO is working to ensure the final statement presented to CWF policymakers is both fully inclusive of diverse experiences and authoritative as a reflection of collective civil society priorities. Empowering civil society to shape the agenda from the early stages guarantees that any resulting policy frameworks will be democratically legitimate, responsive to community needs, and positioned to drive transformative, long-term change for women across the bloc.

Integrated Health Outreach is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing gender justice, climate justice, and health equity globally. Its core mission centers on empowering vulnerable populations, upholding human rights, and ensuring that grassroots civil society voices are integrated into national and international policy making processes. The organization has an established track record of coordinating civil society participation in major global forums, including leading civil society coordination efforts for the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) held in Antigua, participating in the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, and contributing to the 55th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), also hosted in Antigua. IHO’s work on the 2026 CWF pre-convening series is supported by funding from the Equality Fund and Global Affairs Canada.

6 10 月, 2026
DeVry University, ABHTA, and Chamber of Commerce Launch AI-Focused Professional Development Courses

As industries worldwide grapple with rapid digital transformation driven by artificial intelligence, a new cross-sector partnership in Antigua and Barbuda is taking actionable steps to close the local AI skills gap. The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), U.S.-based DeVry University, and the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to launch two tailored professional development courses, equipping local workers, managers and business leaders with practical AI competencies for an evolving global workforce.

DeVry University brings nearly a century of career-focused education experience to the collaboration. Founded in 1931, the accredited institution has long centered its programming on meeting shifting workplace demands, and its DeVryPro online learning platform was built specifically to support upskilling and reskilling for industries disrupted by AI integration. The launch of these courses aligns closely with the 2026 World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” which highlights AI’s transformative impact on traveler decision-making, tourism business operations, and visitor experience design. The theme also calls for expanded investment in digital skills and broader technology access to ensure all stakeholders can participate equitably in tourism’s digital future.

For ABHTA, the partnership marks a critical shift from discussing AI’s potential to empowering local workers to use the technology effectively and ethically. “The World Tourism Day theme could not be more timely,” said Patrice Simon, Executive Director of ABHTA. “If we are serious about redesigning tourism and remaining competitive as a destination, then we must invest in our people. Technology will continue to evolve, but our greatest investment must remain in developing the skills of the people who will use that technology to improve our businesses, our productivity and ultimately the visitor experience.”

The two programs are structured to meet the varying needs of today’s working professionals. The first, *AI for All*, is designed for learners without prior technical or coding experience, focusing on building accessible, real-world AI skills. Participants will core AI fundamentals, refine prompt engineering techniques, learn to leverage AI to boost daily productivity, convert raw data into actionable business insights, and implement practical workplace automation. The curriculum also includes critical discussions of AI accuracy, privacy, algorithmic bias and ethical usage, and gives learners hands-on practice with leading AI tools including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude and Gemini.

The second course, *Finance Essentials for Managers with AI*, targets current and aspiring managers seeking to strengthen their financial acumen while integrating AI into financial workflows. Course content covers core skills such as interpreting financial statements, developing budgets and financial forecasts, communicating financial insights to cross-functional teams, managing organizational financial risk, and applying AI tools to streamline financial analysis and strategic decision-making.

Both courses are offered on-demand, allowing working professionals to progress through material at their own pace while balancing study with work and personal commitments. Most learners can complete the full curriculum in five weeks or less. Upon successful completion, participants receive an industry-recognized DeVryPro certificate of completion, verifying skills that can be applied immediately in their current roles. Local businesses are also encouraged to integrate the programs into formal employee development plans, with discounted tuition available for organizations that register multiple participants to build collective AI capacity across teams.

This course launch marks only the first phase of a long-term collaborative partnership between the three organizations. Martin Cave, Executive Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce, noted that the initiative is designed to create a sustained pathway for professional growth. “We want this partnership to pave a suitable pathway,” Cave explained. “Someone may begin today by taking AI for All, but we want them to see that as the beginning and not the end of their professional development. Our goal is to give Antiguans and Barbudans greater access to relevant education, professional certification and, ultimately, degree programmes that allow our people to continue advancing in their careers.”

Unlike many skills initiatives focused exclusively on the tourism sector, this effort aims to expand AI access across all industries in Antigua and Barbuda. Through the Chamber of Commerce’s broad cross-sector network, the partners hope to reach professionals and organizations across every major segment of the local economy. Registration is currently open for both courses: interested individuals and businesses can create an account via DeVryPro’s dedicated ABHTA registration portal or scan the QR code included on official program materials to connect directly with DeVry for more information on fees and enrollment.

ABHTA serves as the collective voice of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality industry, working through education, advocacy and promotion to boost visitor arrivals and expand the economic benefits of tourism for the nation. Its membership includes hotels, restaurants, airlines, and any business directly or indirectly involved in the local tourism sector. DeVry University, meanwhile, has a mission to close global opportunity gaps and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners for careers shaped by constant technological change, offering accredited undergraduate and graduate programs online and in-person across business, healthcare and technology fields.

6 10 月, 2026
Justice : Opening of the 2026-2027 judicial year (video)

On October 5, 2026, Port-au-Prince played host to a landmark ceremonial opening of the 2026-2027 Haitian judicial year, held at the Court of Cassation located on the city’s iconic Champ-de-Mars. The event brought together a broad cross-section of Haiti’s legal and political leadership, including senior government officials, sitting magistrates, delegates from the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), as well as diplomatic and consular representatives from the international community. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé headlined the list of dignitaries in attendance.

In his opening address to the assembled guests, Jean Joseph Lebrun, who serves as both President of the Court of Cassation and head of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ), delivered an annual performance review for the 2025-2026 judicial term. He outlined key operational metrics from the preceding year, noting that the Court of Cassation had issued 286 binding decisions, the nation’s five regional Courts of Appeal had handed down 249 rulings, and all Courts of First Instance (TPI) across the country had collectively processed more than 6,300 individual cases.

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé used his keynote remarks to center the 2026-2027 judicial year on two core priorities: systematic reform and operational efficiency. He stressed a foundational truth for Haiti’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its public institutions: “There is no lasting security without a strong justice system.” In his remarks, he reiterated the urgent need to build a judicial framework that is truly independent, accessible to all Haitian citizens, and fully committed to upholding and protecting the rights of the population.

The Prime Minister used the high-profile ceremony to announce a series of transformative changes set to reshape Haiti’s legal landscape. Most notably, he confirmed that a long-awaited new Penal Code and updated Code of Criminal Procedure will officially enter into force across the country on January 1, 2027. Fils-Aimé characterized the two updated legal texts as cornerstone reforms that will drive the long-overdue modernization of Haiti’s judicial system, bringing the country’s legal code into alignment with contemporary global standards.

In addition to the upcoming legal overhauls, the Prime Minister highlighted a series of immediate action steps already underway to address longstanding flaws in the current system. These include targeted interventions to tackle the crisis of prolonged pre-trial detention, which has plagued Haitian justice for decades. As part of these interventions, authorities have already secured the release of multiple unlawfully detained individuals in Jacmel and Port-au-Prince. Criminal assizes at the Port-au-Prince Court of First Instance have also resumed, marking the end of an eight-year suspension of regular criminal trials. Two new specialized judicial units have also begun operations in the capital, designed to streamline processing of high-priority cases and reduce systemic backlogs.

6 10 月, 2026