Antigua and Barbuda has officially bid farewell to Her Excellency Zhang Yanling, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, concluding a four-year tenure marked by significant advancements in bilateral relations. The farewell ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Permanent Secretary Dr. Clarence E. Pilgrim, and other dignitaries. Minister Greene lauded Ambassador Zhang for her “remarkable service” and unwavering commitment to fostering cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted her pivotal role in enhancing partnerships across infrastructure, health, education, and investment sectors, as well as her coordination of Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s official visit to China, which he described as a cornerstone of her tenure. Ambassador Zhang expressed her gratitude to the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, describing her time in the country as “a warm and meaningful experience.” She pledged to remain a steadfast advocate for the partnership, stating, “You will always have a steadfast friend in me.” Dr. Pilgrim also acknowledged her contributions, particularly her efforts in advancing the Booby Alley Housing Project, which he termed “a lasting legacy.” Ambassador Zhang’s departure signifies the end of a chapter defined by mutual respect, friendship, and continued collaboration between Antigua and Barbuda and China.
分类： politics
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Balancing law, vision in ‘free movement’ goal
The recent launch of full free movement among Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines marks a significant milestone in Caribbean regional integration. This initiative, which allows citizens of these nations to live, work, and study without bureaucratic obstacles such as skills certificates or work permits, has been hailed as a transformative step towards unity. However, it has also ignited a contentious debate over its legal and constitutional foundations. At the core of this debate lies a tension between policy-making and the rule of law. Attorney General Dale Marshall defends the initiative, asserting that it aligns with the existing Immigration Act and the CARICOM Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation. He emphasizes the discretionary authority granted to the immigration minister to determine the duration of stay for non-citizens. Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s decision to implement the policy ahead of parliamentary approval is framed as a pragmatic move to prevent potential disadvantages for citizens of the participating countries. The government has pledged to introduce legislation soon to solidify the arrangement’s legal standing. On the opposing side, the Barbados Bar Association (BBA) and the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) raise concerns about the constitutionality of the initiative. The BBA argues that executive discretion cannot override the legislature’s role in fundamental policy changes, particularly when altering individual rights and obligations. They stress that the Caribbean Community (Movement of Skilled Nationals) Act remains the primary domestic law governing free movement and that bypassing parliamentary approval undermines legal clarity. The DLP adds that policies, no matter how visionary, must adhere to legal frameworks to avoid setting unfavourable precedents. While the initiative is a bold step towards regional unity, its success hinges on balancing vision with legality. The government’s commitment to introducing legislation and engaging in public dialogue will be crucial in ensuring the policy’s legitimacy and long-term sustainability.
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Azruddin Mohamed to enter Parliament as Opposition Leader, despite US Grand Jury indictment for financial crimes
Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, has declared his intention to assume the role of Opposition Leader in Guyana’s Parliament despite facing a US Grand Jury indictment for financial crimes. The indictment, unsealed on Monday, accuses Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, of fraud and money laundering linked to gold smuggling and the purchase of a luxury car. Mohamed, whose party holds 16 seats in Parliament, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and vowed to defend himself vigorously. He emphasized that the charges have no bearing on his parliamentary duties, stating, ‘I will go in there and represent the people. I won’t shy away from that.’ The US indictment alleges that the Mohameds reused official seals to evade taxes on gold shipments and paid bribes to Guyanese customs officials. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, fines, and asset forfeiture. Mohamed denied ownership of the implicated business, Mohamed’s Enterprise, and claimed he had no involvement in gold exports. He also criticized the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) for allegedly orchestrating the legal actions against him, citing his growing political influence as a threat. The PPPC and the Guyanese government have denied any involvement in the US legal proceedings. Mohamed’s legal battles include additional charges for tax evasion and false declarations related to a Lamborghini purchase. Despite these challenges, he remains resolute in his political ambitions, framing the indictment as a personal attack by his political adversaries.
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Abinader assures Summit of the Americas will be a great event
Santo Domingo – President Luis Abinader has revealed that the forthcoming Summit of the Americas, set for December 3 and 4 in Punta Cana, will be a landmark event uniting thousands of business leaders and heads of state from across the continent. During his address at *La Semanal con la Prensa* held at the National Palace, Abinader underscored the summit’s role as a strategic platform to highlight the Dominican Republic’s investment potential and tourism appeal. He emphasized that the event will transcend traditional political forums, incorporating multiple ‘mini-summits’ involving diverse regional sectors, including civil society. ‘This summit presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase our nation. I am confident that the Dominican Republic stands as the premier destination for investment in Latin America,’ Abinader declared. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently clarified that Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were not invited to the summit, a decision aimed at fostering broader participation and ensuring the event’s success. This gathering marks a significant diplomatic endeavor for the Dominican government, positioning the country as a key player in regional dialogue and collaboration.
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Abinader says 80% of his administration’s loans were used to pay off opposition’s debt
Santo Domingo – In a robust defense of his administration’s fiscal policies, President Luis Abinader revealed on Monday that 80% of the debt incurred during his tenure has been allocated to settling or refinancing obligations inherited from previous governments. Speaking at his weekly press briefing, *La Semanal con la Prensa*, Abinader underscored that his government stands out as the only one in recent history to achieve a reduction in the national debt relative to GDP, decreasing it from 49.7% to 46.9%.
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Report Confirms Social Security Debt Increased $172M Under UPP, PM Says
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reignited political tensions by scrutinizing the financial legacy of the United Progressive Party (UPP) administration. During a recent episode of the ‘Browne and Browne Show’ on Pointe FM, Browne referenced an official report titled ‘Government Indebtedness 2004 to Present,’ prepared by the Director of Social Security and the Financial Secretary. The report revealed that government debt to the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board surged by approximately $172 million during the UPP’s tenure, escalating from $366 million in 2003 to $538 million by 2013. Browne emphasized that this increase contradicted former Finance Minister Harold Lovell’s assertion that the UPP never borrowed from the Social Security Board. Browne argued that the failure to make required contributions effectively constituted a form of borrowing, stating, ‘You didn’t borrow, but you did not pay your contribution. It’s a form of borrowing, because what you’re doing is getting funded by the arrears.’ Since assuming office, Browne’s administration has worked to reduce this debt through regular payments and an impending asset swap involving the Jolly Beach property, which is expected to further alleviate the government’s financial obligations. Browne framed the discussion as a contrast between ‘debt creation and debt resolution,’ defending his government’s efforts to stabilize the Social Security scheme. The revelations have sparked renewed debate over fiscal responsibility and political accountability in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Health ministry to implement IC recommendations following ‘Market Me’ probe
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Health and Wellness has officially acknowledged the findings of the Integrity Commission (IC) regarding its investigation into procurement irregularities and potential conflicts of interest involving contracts worth nearly $80 million awarded to Market Me Consulting Limited. The report, presented to Parliament on Tuesday, culminated a three-year probe into the matter. While the ministry emphasized that no malfeasance was found among its staff, it recognized the IC’s recommendations to enhance procurement transparency and address concerns outlined in the report. Market Me Consulting Limited secured approximately 15 contracts between 2016 and 2021 for the Jamaica Moves programme, a health initiative aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through public awareness and preventive measures. The IC’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson, highlighted that Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton and Market Me’s co-managing director, Lindsay McDonnough, failed to disclose their prior friendship before the contracts were awarded. Additionally, the IC noted instances of contract splintering, a practice where larger contracts are divided into smaller ones to avoid stricter procurement regulations. The ministry defended its actions, explaining that some payments were reimbursements for goods and services already utilized in the Jamaica Moves campaign. It also outlined steps taken to address the issues, including halting advance payments, regularizing outstanding reimbursements, and finalizing a new procurement process to prevent future complications. The ministry reiterated its commitment to the Jamaica Moves programme, calling it a cornerstone of its health promotion strategy, while pledging to review the IC’s recommendations to ensure compliance with laws and policies.
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‘Friendship’ between Tufton, Market Me’s McDonnough was not declared – IC Report
KINGSTON, Jamaica—After a three-year investigation into Market Me Consulting Limited, the company behind the ‘Jamaica Moves’ initiative, the Integrity Commission (IC) has found no evidence of misconduct by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton. However, the IC’s report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, highlighted significant governance lapses, particularly regarding undisclosed personal relationships and potential conflicts of interest. The probe focused on allegations of procurement irregularities and conflicts of interest in contracts awarded between 2016 and 2021. During this period, Market Me Consulting secured 15 contracts worth $78.5 million, primarily from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which Tufton has led since March 2016. The IC emphasized that neither Tufton nor Lyndsey McDonnough, co-managing director of Market Me, disclosed their friendship before the company was awarded these contracts. Kevon Stephenson, the IC’s Director of Investigation, noted that while Tufton was not directly involved in the $15.8 million contract for the Jamaica Moves program, he failed to formally declare his relationship with McDonnough. This omission, according to the report, contravened principles of transparency and good governance. Although breaches were identified, the matter was not referred for prosecution due to evidentiary gaps. Instead, the IC recommended that the Speaker of the House of Representatives address the conflict-of-interest concerns and urged the ministry to strengthen its procurement systems and ensure compliance with public integrity laws.
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Cameroon president, 92, makes first appearance of election campaign
MAROUA, Cameroon — In a significant move marking the start of his re-election campaign, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, made his first major public appearance on Monday. The 92-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1982, addressed a gathering of supporters in Maroua, a city in the Far North region, just five days before the upcoming election. This marked his first public appearance since May of this year. Speaking to a crowd of several hundred supporters from the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Biya reaffirmed his commitment to serving the nation. “My determination to serve you remains intact,” he declared, urging the audience for their continued support. His 25-minute speech emphasized key issues such as youth employment, women’s empowerment, and infrastructure development. “My goal is for every young person, whether a graduate or not, to easily find a job or start a business. No young person will be left behind,” he assured. Despite organizers’ expectations of nearly 25,000 attendees, only a few hundred supporters were present, according to AFP correspondents. Maroua, a strategic electoral battleground bordering Nigeria and Chad, is home to 1.22 million registered voters but has been frequently targeted by the jihadist group Boko Haram. Meanwhile, opposition leader Maurice Kamto, whose candidacy was rejected in August, has urged voters to “vote freely” following the collapse of efforts to form a unified opposition front.
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On Trump’s orders, 200 troops from Texas arrive in Illinois
In a contentious move, 200 Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, as confirmed by a Pentagon official on Tuesday. This deployment is part of a broader strategy by US President Donald Trump to station military personnel in various cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Memphis, and Portland. Trump has threatened to invoke emergency powers to bypass any legal obstacles that may arise.