NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Central Bank of The Bahamas has issued a stern warning to the public about an alarming surge in scams leveraging deepfake technology. Fraudsters are exploiting advanced artificial intelligence to produce highly convincing counterfeit videos, audio recordings, and images that impersonate financial institutions, government officials, and prominent individuals. These deceptive tactics aim to manipulate consumers into divulging sensitive information or making unauthorized payments.
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UN warns Haiti faces deepening food crisis amid gang violence
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where rampant gang violence is severely hindering aid delivery and leaving millions at risk of starvation. Reports from the Caribbean nation reveal that intense fighting, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has blocked humanitarian access and disrupted the supply of essential goods. The WFP has been forced to cut food rations and suspend critical programs due to funding shortages, exacerbating the hunger crisis. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted that the agency has had to halt hot meals for displaced families and reduce food rations by half. Additionally, the lack of resources has prevented the WFP from stockpiling food ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season, leaving the country vulnerable to natural disasters. The crisis is further compounded by the fact that many farmers are unable to access markets due to insecurity, driving food prices even higher. Much of Haiti remains under the control of heavily armed gangs, whose influence has expanded beyond Port-au-Prince. Regional leaders, including CARICOM, have attempted to stabilize the situation, but efforts have been met with resistance from gang leaders like Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier. In response, the UN Security Council has approved the creation of a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the Kenyan-led mission. The GSF, comprising 5,550 personnel, will work with Haitian authorities to neutralize gangs, protect critical infrastructure, and facilitate humanitarian access. Despite the challenges, the WFP has assisted over two million people since January and continues to support long-term food security initiatives, including school meal programs and community infrastructure projects. However, Haiti remains one of only five countries globally facing catastrophic hunger levels, with 5.7 million Haitians experiencing acute food insecurity. The WFP has appealed for $139 million in funding over the next year to address the crisis.
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Sky Caterers in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic earn perfect scores in Delta audits
Sky Caterers, the in-flight kitchen operator at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico and Las Américas International Airport in the Dominican Republic, has achieved exceptional results in Delta Air Lines’ food safety and quality audits. Both facilities earned a perfect 100% score in Food Processing Quality and Food Processing Safety, meeting Delta’s stringent industry standards. Augusto Del Valle, Corporate Director of Catering for the Caribbean, commended the accomplishment, emphasizing the rigorous nature of Delta’s audit process. Ada Torres, Operations Director at Las Américas, highlighted that the inspections were conducted by Medina Quality, an independent international firm renowned for its unannounced evaluations, ensuring impartiality and precision. The audits encompassed all aspects of food preparation, packaging, storage, and delivery, alongside interviews and reviews of critical control systems. Key records, including cleaning checklists, temperature controls, and product traceability, were meticulously examined. The final report confirmed Sky Caterers’ flawless performance and dedication to operational excellence, solidifying its reputation as a leader in meeting the aviation industry’s highest standards.
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Rotary Club of Antigua Advances Education Through Technology Programme
The Rotary Club of Antigua has taken a significant step forward in its mission to enhance education and professional development through its Education Through Technology Programme. On October 1, 2025, the organization distributed laptops to several key institutions and educators, marking a pivotal moment in their ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide. Among the recipients were The Tiny Smiles Preschool and Daycare Centre, the New Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Academy, the Caribbean Council of the Blind, the Industrial Workshop for the Blind, The Victory Center, and Industrial Arts Teacher Fitzgerald Ponde. Each representative expressed profound gratitude for the Rotary Club’s support in advancing technological growth and training within their respective fields. President Elisa Graham emphasized the club’s unwavering commitment to fostering technological development among young minds, highlighting the collaboration with international partners, such as the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club from Washington State. This initiative underscores the Rotary Club of Antigua’s dedication to leveraging local and global resources to meet the evolving needs of schools and students.
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Alburquerque criticizes senate tip law, warns delivery workers and consumers will suffer
In a recent critique of legislative changes, former Vice President Rafael Alburquerque voiced strong opposition to a Senate amendment to the Labor Code, which mandates a 10% tip on food deliveries. Alburquerque argued that this law would impose additional financial burdens on consumers while simultaneously undermining the earnings and benefits of delivery workers.
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Dominican Navy doubles protection of Baní Dunes amid environmental threats
Peravia, D.R. – The Dominican Navy has significantly bolstered its safeguarding of the Baní (Calderas) Dunes, deploying a substantial contingent of sailors to conduct military exercises while simultaneously monitoring this vital natural monument. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez revealed that 288 sailors recently participated in rigorous hardening marches and training exercises at the site. These activities not only enhance military preparedness but also serve to deter environmental crimes, including deforestation, illegal farming, and unauthorized sand extraction. Crisóstomo Martínez underscored the Navy’s commitment to prioritizing the Dunes, merging defense readiness with ecological conservation. This initiative complements President Luis Abinader’s broader strategy to formalize the legal ownership of national parks and protected areas by transferring their titles to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. The first phase of this plan encompasses Loma Novillero National Park and Los Haitises National Park, with the Calderas Dunes potentially being integrated into the expanded framework. The move aims to improve management and curb illegal appropriation of these critical natural reserves.
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Dominican Republic and Panama strengthen academic and educational cooperation
In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, the Dominican Republic and Panama have agreed to enhance collaboration in education and academic training. This decision was reached during a high-level Political Consultation Meeting held at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX). The meeting was co-chaired by Francisco Caraballo, the Dominican Deputy Minister of Bilateral Foreign Policy, and Carlos Hoyos, the Panamanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both parties reviewed their bilateral agenda, reaffirmed existing commitments, and explored new opportunities in key areas of mutual interest. Additionally, the Dominican Republic acknowledged Panama’s influential role at the United Nations, particularly its leadership in transforming the Multinational Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) into a 5,500-strong ‘Gang Suppression Force.’ As a tangible outcome of the visit, the two nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation. This agreement involves MIREX’s Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training (INESDYC) and Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to foster advanced training and academic exchanges between the two countries.
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Agriculture Ministry Rejects ‘Defamatory’ Post, and threatens Legal Action
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has issued a firm rebuttal to a social media post accusing Minister Jose Abelardo Mai of involvement in local and cross-border criminal activities. In a statement released on October 2, 2025, from Belmopan, the ministry dismissed the allegations as baseless and part of a coordinated campaign of ‘fake news’ orchestrated by political adversaries. The ministry emphasized that the post is a deliberate attempt to divert public attention amid escalating political tensions.
The ministry has vowed to pursue all available legal avenues against those responsible for the publication and dissemination of the defamatory content. It warned that individuals who repost or republish such false information could face similar legal consequences as the original publisher. The statement highlighted the legal principles of defamation, stressing that false or unverifiable claims about individuals are not protected under the law and that repeating such claims does not legitimize them.
Additionally, the ministry referenced Section 15 of the Cyber-Crimes Act (Revised Edition 2020), which criminalizes the dissemination of false information intended to harm a person’s reputation. This suggests that the ministry may pursue both civil and criminal actions against the perpetrators. While the specific content of the post and its original publisher were not disclosed, the ministry urged the public to exercise caution and avoid spreading unverified information. It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the minister’s reputation through all legal means.
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Churches: Caye Caulker Vote Isn’t Breach of 2022 Referendum Pact
Church leaders in Belize have clarified that the recent cannabis referendum in Caye Caulker does not contravene their 2022 agreement with the government. They assert that the referendum is a localized initiative and not a national policy shift. Senator Pastor Louis Wade, a key figure in the churches’ “No” campaign, emphasized that the 2022 pact with the Government of Belize—which mandates a national referendum before any legalization of cannabis—remains unbroken. Wade explained that the Caye Caulker vote is not driven by the Cabinet and lacks unified ministerial support, thus it does not breach the agreement. He stated, “Absolutely not, because there are ministers who have clearly expressed their opposition and have called for amendments to the Referendum Act to prevent such occurrences in the future. However, if the government proceeds with legalization based on a ‘yes’ vote, that would constitute a breach, and we would address it accordingly.” Wade further noted that the churches became formally involved after the Elections and Boundaries Commission restricted recognized participation to organizations represented by the four Senate social-partner seats. While the churches would have preferred a community-led “No” campaign, their formal recognition was necessary to ensure the effort’s legitimacy. Operationally, the churches are deploying scrutineers and a volunteer committee to oversee the election process, underscoring the localized nature of the exercise. Additionally, the churches have requested the petition signatures that initiated the referendum, citing concerns from island residents who claim their names were included without consent. The 2022 agreement between church leaders and the government explicitly requires a national referendum before any legalization of cannabis. Wade maintains that only Cabinet action to legalize based solely on the Caye Caulker results would violate this pact. In the absence of such action, the referendum serves as a local gauge of public opinion rather than a precursor to national policy change.
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Youth signals outside court spark concern
Barbados is grappling with a surge in gang-related activities, as young men charged with violent offenses openly display apparent gang signs outside courtrooms. This alarming trend has heightened public concern and underscored the growing influence of gang culture amidst the nation’s ongoing struggle to curb street violence. The situation has prompted urgent calls from sociologists for deeper research and targeted interventions to address the root causes of youth involvement in gangs. Dr. Dwayne Devonish, Professor of Management and Organisational Behaviour at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill, emphasized the need for comprehensive studies to understand the factors driving gang affiliation. According to Dr. Devonish, the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit identified six dominant gangs across 50 local neighborhoods in Barbados, with membership ranging from 15 to 50 individuals, typically aged 17 to 40. While he cautioned against assuming all individuals displaying gang signs are active members, he acknowledged the cultural significance of such gestures. Dr. Devonish highlighted the critical role of schools, which have increasingly become recruitment grounds for gangs, and stressed the importance of vigilance from law enforcement and state agencies. He also pointed out a troubling trend where gang affiliation is now seen as a badge of honor among young Barbadians, signaling loyalty and toughness. This normalization of criminality, coupled with declining public confidence in law enforcement, poses a significant challenge that requires immediate and focused action to reverse.