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  • House passes bill

    House passes bill

    Lawmakers in Trinidad and Tobago have advanced landmark public health and youth protection legislation this week, giving initial approval to the Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, following a divided vote in the House of Representatives Wednesday. The final vote tally came out 23 in favor to 10 against, with no abstentions, after a full committee stage debate that saw multiple amendments adopted, with further changes already teed up for upcoming consideration.

    The core of the proposed regulation centers on mandatory national identification checks for age verification when consumers purchase alcohol and tobacco products, enter gambling facilities, and handle regulated cannabis. Attorney General John Jeremie, who sponsored the bill and closed the opening debate, confirmed that two key amendments will be brought forward in the next stages: one to add vaping products to the list of regulated goods requiring age checks, and another to formalize the mandatory ID requirement across all covered categories.

    A defining ideological pillar of the bill is its extension of youth protection beyond the traditional 18-year threshold for legal adulthood. Jeremie argued that legal adulthood at 18 does not automatically grant equal access to all regulated substances and activities, pointing to growing scientific evidence that young people’s biological and psychological development continues through their early 20s, with lasting impacts on decision-making capacity and long-term personal wellness. As such, the bill extends protective safeguards to the “emerging adulthood” demographic spanning ages 18 to 25.

    Research cited by the Attorney General confirms that early exposure to alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and unregulated gambling significantly increases an individual’s lifetime risk of dependency. The legislative framework aligns with a regional age standard already adopted across the Caribbean Community (Caricom), drawing on successful policy precedents from other nations. For context, Jeremie noted that Singapore has incrementally raised its minimum legal age for regulated substances to 21, while the United States implemented a federal increase in the minimum sales age for tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 back in 2019, and maintains a 21-year minimum drinking age. U.S. rules already require retailers to check photo ID for any buyer under 30 attempting to purchase tobacco products, a model that informed Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed ID requirements.

    Jeremie also referenced guidance from the Caricom Regional Commission on Marijuana, which explicitly warns against cannabis use before age 24 due to proven risks to long-term memory function and learning ability. Citing 2025 projections from the United Nations Population Fund, roughly 285,000 people – 19% of Trinidad and Tobago’s total estimated population of 1.5 million – fall between the ages of 10 and 24. “We cannot, on this side, sit idly by while nearly one-fifth of our nation’s human capital is compromised,” Jeremie said, framing the bill as a formal commitment “that Trinidad and Tobago will act decisively to protect its young people, to strengthen its communities and to uphold the values of responsibility and care that bind us together as a people.”

    The legislation drew sharp criticism of parts of the private sector from government supporters during debate. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, who announced his support for the bill, accused segments of the local business community of prioritizing short-term profit over the well-being of young Trinidadians and Tobagonians. Sturge claimed that leading business associations “don’t care that they’re destroying young people” and are only focused on expanding their customer base. “They want more customers. That’s what they want,” he said.

    Sturge raised urgent alarms about the widespread public health and social damage of substance abuse among the country’s youth, arguing that regulatory intervention is necessary to protect vulnerable populations. “We have to protect the young people from the Chambers of Commerce because all they’re studying about is their right to make money. That’s all well and good, you know, as long as your poison doesn’t affect me. Or as long as your poison doesn’t affect the taxpayer,” he added.

    The Defence Minister pointed out that substance abuse is linked to a range of preventable chronic illnesses, which create significant financial and social burdens for both affected families and the state. When individuals become too unwell to work due to dependency, he explained, government and family members are forced to cover the resulting costs of care and support. While he acknowledged that some young people may oppose the new restrictions in the short term, Sturge expressed confidence that the policy will win broad appreciation over time. “This bitter medicine is what many young men and women in my constituency so desperately need,” he said, describing the bill as a “manifestation of parental love” and “tough love” for the nation’s youth.

    Wednesday’s debate featured contributions from multiple government ministers, including Minister of Sport Phillip Watts, Social Development Minister Vandana Mohit, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, and Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath. Members of the Opposition also took part in debate, led by Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, alongside sitting MPs Colm Imbert, Hans des Vignes, Dominic Romain, and Keith Scotland. While the bill has cleared its first major hurdle in the House, details of the final mandatory ID requirements remain unresolved, as the agreed-upon amendments leave open the question of whether all buyers or only age-ambiguous buyers will be required to show identification going forward.

  • Govt promises brighter days

    Govt promises brighter days

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has officially confirmed that the national budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal cycle will be laid before Parliament on October 12, marking a key milestone for the United National Congress (UNC) administration that took office last year.

    In a response to questions from local media outlet the Express, Persad-Bissessar outlined that the upcoming budget will offer a full public accounting of the Trinidad and Tobago economy’s progress under her government, alongside a detailed breakdown of the administration’s policy agenda and developmental plans for core national sectors. A subsequent official statement from the Office of the Prime Minister clarified that Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo will deliver the budget address at 1:30 p.m. on the scheduled date inside the country’s Parliament building. Reaffirming a core campaign pledge, the Prime Minister emphasized that her administration remains fully committed to delivering improved economic prospects for all Trinidad and Tobago citizens.

    A central area of progress highlighted by the Prime Minister is the country’s energy sector, which has seen a flurry of major agreements, expanded upstream investment, and strengthened cross-border cooperation with neighboring Venezuela throughout 2026. Securing reliable additional natural gas supplies for the domestic market has been a top policy priority for the government, and several key milestones have already been delivered. In May, the state-owned National Gas Company (NGC) finalized a new gas supply contract with EOG Resources eight months ahead of the original negotiation timeline. Following that deal, NGC secured a binding term sheet for 50% of the total gas volumes from the Coconut development project, which is on track to launch commercial production in the first quarter of 2027. September brought another breakthrough, when NGC and Shell completed commercial agreements to move forward with the Aphrodite gas development, with first production expected in the second quarter of 2027.

    The government has also renegotiated production sharing terms with Perenco for offshore Blocks 2(c) and 3(a), aligned with new gas supply agreements between NGC and Perenco covering those blocks plus the Teak, Samaan and Poui fields. Investment in the country’s untapped ultra-deepwater acreage has also expanded significantly: in June, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal approved Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) joining ExxonMobil on the TTUD-1 ultra-deepwater block, which was awarded to ExxonMobil in August 2025 and marked the global energy giant’s return to Trinidad and Tobago’s upstream sector after an extended absence.

    Progress is also advancing on the Manakin-Cocuina cross-border gas field, shared by Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. NGC recently signed agreements with bpTT to acquire a 20% participating interest in Block 5(b), which holds the Manakin field on Trinidad and Tobago’s side of the maritime border. This progress has been supported by a marked improvement in bilateral relations between Port of Spain and Caracas. On September 3, the two nations announced a new bilateral cooperation roadmap following high-level talks in Caracas, with energy collaboration identified as a top priority. Relations deepened further when Persad-Bissessar met acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on September 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen energy cooperation and advance a joint work agenda. This renewed bilateral relationship is critical for Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to develop shared cross-border resources like Manakin-Cocuina, as well as its long-held goal of accessing gas from Venezuela’s Dragon field. Other major energy sector developments include ongoing progress on Shell’s Manatee project, and bp’s recent acquisition of Woodside’s 70% stake in the Calypso deepwater gas development, which will see bp take over as operator of the project. For 2025, NGC reported an after-tax profit of $3.46 billion, the highest annual after-tax profit the state energy firm has recorded in more than a decade.

    Beyond economic and energy progress, Persad-Bissessar is also pushing forward with social policy reforms to address public safety and harmful youth behavior, and has strongly defended recently passed legislation that raises minimum legal age limits for access to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and gambling. The Miscellaneous Provisions (Alcohol, Cannabis, Dangerous Drugs, Gambling and Tobacco) Bill, 2026, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, raises the legal age for purchasing, possessing, and consuming alcohol and tobacco from 18 to 21. It also increases the minimum age for cannabis use and possession, as well as gambling, from 18 to 25, and raises the minimum age for membership in most registered clubs from 21 to 25, with an exception for athletic-focused clubs. People under 25 are also barred from entering most licensed gambling premises, with the exception of race tracks, and age verification will be mandatory for all purchases of regulated products and entry to gambling venues. The bill amends seven existing national laws and introduces stiffer fines and prison sentences for violations.

    Persad-Bissessar argued that the new rules are designed to protect young people from addiction, and will ultimately improve their chances of building successful, fulfilling lives. “Some will not and will just set themselves backward. If you think this is restrictive, then you are mistaken. When you fail at life because of addictions and feel that the whole world is closing in on you with nowhere to go, and no idea how to kick the addiction and become depressed or suicidal, then you will know what restrictive is. I did this out of love; some of you may not understand now, but as you get older, you will,” she said. She expressed confidence that most young Trinbagonians will ultimately support the changes.

    The Prime Minister launched sharp criticism at the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) for opposing the bill, accusing the party of hypocrisy. She claimed PNM politicians would never allow their own children to access these substances or engage in underage gambling, but actively encourage other people’s children to do so. “Their contributions in Parliament were embarrassing and low-intellect in this debate. None of them would give their children or grandchildren these substances or encourage them to gamble, but out there encouraging other people’s children to participate. They are wicked and hypocritical,” she said. Persad-Bissessar argued that the measures will benefit generations of young Trinbagonians, acknowledging that opposition will persist but framing critics as self-interested parties who stand to lose income or political power from the reform. “As always, some will complain, some will support and some have no clue what what’s going on. The people complaining are those whose business will be affected, those who are politically aligned to the PNM, those who have miserable lives and want our young people to become losers at life like them; and lastly, those who are predators that target our young people,” she added. “The fact is that this legislation, when combined with proper educational programmes on the ill-effects of these substances and gambling, will help protect our young people. Young people who have a good start in life, free from addictions, will always have happier, more successful futures.”

    Persad-Bissessar also rejected opposition claims that the government failed to conduct sufficient public consultation on the age limit reforms, pointing out that the policy was explicitly included in the UNC’s election manifesto ahead of the April 28, 2025 general election. “Consultation occurred on April 28, 2025. I campaigned on everything that I am doing. These age increases were in the UNC manifesto,” she stated. She added that she expects the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to enforce the new rules effectively, noting that the service already enforces existing age limits for alcohol and will simply adjust to the new higher threshold. The Prime Minister also pushed back against opposition complaints about parliamentary workload, arguing that PNM lawmakers are overpaid for a light schedule and too lazy to fulfill their elected duties. “They are too lazy. Every month Pennelope Beckles receives $52,000, PNM MPs $23,000 and the Presidents and PNM senators $17,000 to go to Parliament six or eight days a month. They also get tax breaks on vehicles and perks. They just came off two-and-a-half months holiday and are now complaining about the workload. There are people working 22 days a month for much less than these people are earning. They need to stop complaining and do their jobs or leave it and let someone else do it,” she said.

  • Cuba and the constant effort for a better society

    Cuba and the constant effort for a better society

    # Cuba’s Díaz-Canel Champions Social Justice as the Cornerstone of National Economic and Social Transformation

    HAVANA, Cuba – On October 2, 2026, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who also serves as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, convened a landmark gathering of government representatives, institutional leaders, civil society association members, neighborhood grassroots leaders, and community stakeholders to align national efforts around the core principle that economic growth and wealth generation hold no meaning without equitable distribution and tangible progress for social development.

    The meeting centered on advancing Cuba’s 176 ongoing national Economic and Social Transformations, a series of socialist-led policy changes that the Cuban head of state emphasized are explicitly rooted in the social justice commitments that have defined the Cuban Revolution since its founding. Díaz-Canel was joined at the meeting by senior members of the Political Bureau, including Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State; Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee; and Teresa Amarelle Boue, General Secretary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC). Additional attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz, Labor and Social Security Minister Jesús Otamendi Campos (who moderated the discussion), and cabinet ministers from all relevant government agencies.

    Against the backdrop of long-standing U.S. sanctions, a economic blockade, and an ongoing energy embargo against Cuba, Díaz-Canel drew a clear distinction between Cuba’s people-centered transformation agenda and the austerity-focused “shock policies” common under capitalism. “Even amid our current challenges, we prioritize social initiatives, we champion inclusion, equity, and opportunities for all,” he told attendees, reaffirming that the social dimension of Cuba’s reforms is what sets them apart from market-first policies that exacerbate inequality.

    ## Grassroots Community Leadership Drives On-the-Ground Progress

    The meeting prioritized input from community-level stakeholders, who shared concrete examples of how grassroots collaboration between state institutions, non-state economic actors, and local residents is advancing social justice across Havana’s neighborhoods.

    Rosa María Luaces Gutiérrez, President of the Ampliación de Almendares People’s Council, outlined cross-sector collaboration in her neighborhood to address everything from streamlining pension disbursement to improving service delivery for the local Family Care System (SAF). In her community, non-state economic actors and local agricultural producers partner to supply fresh root vegetables and other produce to SAF meal sites, directly improving the nutritional quality of meals for vulnerable recipients. Local businesses in her area also provide targeted solidarity and material support to retired former employees, while expanded home visit programs identify and address the specific needs of at-risk residents, including pregnant women and young parents. One notable success she highlighted involved a 16-year-old breastfeeding mother who was able to secure a daycare spot for her infant and enroll in job training at a local micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME), removing barriers to her economic independence.

    Other local leaders shared similarly impactful initiatives. Yanisley Martínez Acosta, director of a sports complex in Playa municipality, described how an infrastructure upgrade to the facility’s lighting system enabled a new outreach program for young people struggling with addiction. Through structured athletic activities and dedicated coaching, participants are replacing harmful habits with responsible, healthy lifestyles. The program also supports children and adolescents from dysfunctional family environments, with local economic actors donating sports equipment, uniforms, and snacks to remove participation barriers. In the densely populated Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Central Havana, FMC block leader Caridad Reyes Peña explained how local Federation members run a “communication with love” initiative that fosters mutual support, social cohesion, and community well-being, a model that has now been expanded to other nearby neighborhoods.

    Both state and non-state economic actors also shared how they are embedding social responsibility into their core operations. Carlos A. Iznaga Valdés, an executive with the GECOMEX business group under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, reported that member companies allocate a portion of their profits to repair and revitalize public hospitals, schools, and other social infrastructure in Marianao and other Havana municipalities. Luis Miguel Morejón, President of Cerro-based MSME Hidrox S.U.R.L., explained that his company – originally launched as a local car wash development project – has taken on the additional social mission of cleaning and sanitizing local healthcare facilities and supporting neighborhood schools. Since 2022, the company has supplied essential goods to these social institutions at frozen prices, absorbing cost increases through revenue from its growing car wash operations. Hidrox also partners with the local municipal administration to provide food assistance to low-income pregnant women and other vulnerable residents.

    Social workers and disability advocacy leaders also emphasized the positive impact of the transformation agenda on marginalized groups. Adriana Romero, a social worker in Marianao’s Zamora-Coco Solo neighborhood, noted that coordinated social policy working groups have strengthened community-led prevention efforts, aligned with long-standing priorities set by Cuba’s revolutionary leadership. Jorge Luis Cala Ledesma, President of the National Association of the Blind of Cuba (ANCI), joined other disability organization leaders in thanking the national government for its continued targeted attention and support to people with disabilities, noting that the transformation agenda has already delivered tangible improvements to their members. Wilfredo González Vidal, Director General of Cuba’s Digital Government Center, highlighted how the domestic “Soberanía” digital platform is streamlining access to social protection, allowing vulnerable residents to request and receive various forms of assistance through integrated digital services.

    ## Coordinated Action to Ensure Equity Amid Economic Reform

    Díaz-Canel opened the meeting by reaffirming that the ongoing national transformation process follows a structured consultative framework, beginning with input from Party and Youth League members and now expanding to workplaces and communities, where neighborhood organizations play a foundational role. He stressed that as economic liberalization is introduced as part of the reforms, all social policy institutions must work to prevent widening inequality, ensuring that structural changes deliver the greatest benefit to the most vulnerable – the core spirit of the transformation agenda.

    The president emphasized that upholding social justice requires all actors to understand their unique role, and that institutions must move beyond siloed mandates to build integrated cross-sector networks. “Effective coordination across all levels, from national government to local communities, is the key to delivering on these commitments,” he noted.

    Díaz-Canel pushed back against empty rhetoric around social justice, arguing that tangible progress requires a functional economy that works for all. “It is essential that economic development contributes to social justice, and that social justice in turn drives and participates in economic development – because society is the true protagonist of economic growth,” he explained.

    He outlined core guiding principles for local actors, stressing that “social justice is not defended through speeches; it is defended by institutions that operate with social justice as their explicit objective.” This requires centered, tailored support for the most vulnerable members of society. He added that both state and non-state economic actors should be recognized not only as agents of growth, but also as key social actors, noting that a new culture of solidarity is emerging across the business community, where social responsibility is framed as a shared commitment to the Cuban people.

    To ensure the social dimension of transformations is upheld, Díaz-Canel emphasized that social protection must be accessible and free of unnecessary bureaucratic red tape, while also cautioning against making promises that cannot be delivered given current resource constraints.

    Closing the meeting, Díaz-Canel described the gathering of institutional and community stakeholders as deeply inspiring, reaffirming that even amid the prolonged hardship caused by the blockade and energy embargo, Cuba remains unwavering in its commitment to building a more just, equitable society for all its people.

  • Public Works Crews to Work Six Days a Week to Get Roads Ready for Commonwealth Meeting

    Public Works Crews to Work Six Days a Week to Get Roads Ready for Commonwealth Meeting

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome global leaders for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) kicking off on November 1, the national government has ramped up its infrastructure upgrade efforts by rolling out an accelerated road repair programme. Public works teams across the twin-island nation will shift to a six-day working week, with mandatory additional overtime, to meet the tight one-month deadline for finishing priority infrastructure projects ahead of the high-profile international gathering.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced the details of the intensified initiative during a public briefing on Thursday, confirming that priority will be given to roadway networks surrounding key meeting venues and along the primary travel routes expected to be used by visiting international delegations. Last Wednesday, a full senior leadership delegation from the Ministry of Works, including Director of Works Collis King, Junior Works Minister Senator Shanella Govia, Permanent Secretary Sandra Joseph, and Deputy Director Telly Cornelius, presented the full scope of required work to the national Cabinet to secure approval for additional resources.

    Following the presentation, Cabinet signed off on requests to immediately source extra construction equipment and stockpile all necessary raw construction materials, clearing the way for work to accelerate across all priority zones. Addressing pre-existing disruptions to road projects that were stalled due to critical material shortages, Merchant noted that the new supply security framework will allow the ministry to restart paused work in affected communities.

    Collis King, Director of Works, confirmed that the adjusted six-day work schedule with extended overtime hours will apply to all field crews to keep the programme on track. The first phase of upgrades is laser-focused on roads close to core meeting venues and the primary visitor routes, per Merchant. Once these high-priority works are completed, the programme will expand island-wide, reaching communities that have long struggled with severe roadway degradation.

    Unlike full-scale roadway reconstruction projects, this accelerated initiative focuses on high-impact, quick-turnaround improvements including resurfacing, milling, edge cutting, and patching to deliver safe, smooth travel routes before the summit. Work has already launched along the Hodges Bay-Sunsail corridor leading to Anchorage, with similar upgrades underway across other priority routes. Active construction is also continuing in the popular English Harbour and Dockyard region.

    In the capital city of St. John’s, drainage upgrades near the Performing Arts Centre are already 80 percent complete. Once drainage work is finalized, crews will immediately move forward with resurfacing works on High Street, one of the capital’s busiest central thoroughfares.

    To back the expanded programme, the national government has allocated an additional EC$20 million to the Ministry of Works. Merchant confirmed that this funding is drawn from an EC$87 million financing package recently negotiated with a consortium of local commercial banks.

    Notably, the government emphasizes that this intensified infrastructure push is not a short-term fix solely for the CHOGM event. Cabinet has outlined long-term plans to retain the newly acquired equipment, roll out enhanced operational planning, provide specialized staff training, and strengthen management frameworks to boost the Ministry of Works’ ongoing capacity to deliver road projects across the country for years to come.

  • Amazone-vakbonden spreken steun uit voor herverkiezing Lula

    Amazone-vakbonden spreken steun uit voor herverkiezing Lula

    As Brazil’s October 4 presidential election draws near, cross-border labor organizations representing workers across the Amazon basin have thrown their collective weight behind incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re-election campaign, tying their endorsement to a sweeping regional agenda centered on climate justice, dignified employment, labor rights, and protection of Indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.

  • ABDF Calls All Reservists to Important Briefing

    ABDF Calls All Reservists to Important Briefing

    As Antigua and Barbuda ramps up comprehensive preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the island nation’s defense branch has issued a mandatory call for all current and aspiring reserve personnel to attend a key operational briefing.

    Scheduled to take place at Camp Blizzard on October 10, 2026, starting at 4:00 p.m., the closed briefing will center exclusively on defense-related duties, operational activities, and official commitments tied to the high-profile international summit, according to an official public notice released by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).

    The mandate makes attendance non-negotiable for all active reservists, while ABDF officials have also extended a formal request that all individuals interested in joining the reserve corps participate in the session. The official notice urges all required attendees to adjust their personal and professional schedules well in advance to ensure prompt arrival and full presence at the briefing.

    This call for reservists comes amid a broader national push to finalize security and logistics arrangements for CHOGM, which is set to convene in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to November 4, 2026. The Antigua and Barbuda government has confirmed that the country’s preparation framework relies on a tightly coordinated cross-agency approach, bringing together the ABDF, national police force, multiple domestic security and border management agencies. Regional and international partners are also providing additional support to ensure the summit runs smoothly and safely for all attending heads of government and delegations.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Government Hires Former Works Director Alden Crump as Consultant

    Antigua and Barbuda Government Hires Former Works Director Alden Crump as Consultant

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has tapped into decades of institutional experience by naming former Director of Works Alden Crump as a special consultant to the Ministry of Works, a move designed to address growing demands on the country’s expanding infrastructure and road development program. The announcement of the appointment was made by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during a post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday.

    Cabinet’s decision to bring Crump on board stems from a recognized need to supplement the technical and managerial capabilities of the current Director of Works, equipping the ministry to deliver on its fast-growing pipeline of public projects. “After careful discussion, Cabinet has approved the engagement of Alden Crump, the former Director of Works, as a consultant to the Ministry of Works, reporting directly to the sitting Director,” Merchant confirmed during the briefing.

    Though Crump had been preparing to enter retirement, Cabinet has tapped his decades of on-the-ground expertise to strengthen core operations within the ministry. His specific mandate will center on boosting productivity, streamlining management processes, and resolving longstanding bottlenecks that have slowed project delivery as the infrastructure program scales up.

    The appointment coincides with a major acceleration of infrastructure works across Antigua and Barbuda, covering road upgrades, drainage system improvements, and a range of other public works projects. A key priority for the current program is completing all critical upgrades ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, scheduled to take place in the country this November.

    Cabinet also received an update on the ministry’s recent operational performance, with officials noting that strengthened oversight of projects and procurement contracts has already generated cost savings across multiple project areas. Even with these early gains, government leaders acknowledge that continuous operational improvement will be critical as the scope and scale of the national infrastructure program continues to grow in the coming months.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Could Introduce Robotic Prostate Surgery Programme

    Antigua and Barbuda Could Introduce Robotic Prostate Surgery Programme

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is one step closer to bringing cutting-edge robotic prostate cancer surgery to its local healthcare system, after government officials reviewed a formal proposal to expand national cancer screening, treatment and advanced surgical care capacity.

    According to Maurice Merchant, the country’s Director General of Communications, the detailed plan was put forward to the national Cabinet this week by Dr. David Samadi, an internationally acclaimed urologic oncologist and pioneer in robotic surgical procedures.

    Over the course of his decades-long career, Samadi has built a reputation as one of the most experienced practitioners in his field, completing more than 11,000 robotic surgeries across his practice. He brings expertise across all primary approaches to prostate surgery, including traditional open procedures, minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and state-of-the-art robotic interventions.

    During his presentation to the Cabinet, Samadi drew on his prior regional experience to illustrate how a robotic surgery programme could be successfully implemented in Antigua and Barbuda. He previously led the development of a robotic surgery initiative in the Dominican Republic, where he still provides specialized care to patients traveling from across the Caribbean and Latin America.

    Merchant confirmed that Cabinet members responded with enthusiasm to Samadi’s presentation, expressing strong interest in the potential of partnering with the surgeon to bring similar high-level specialized services to Antigua and Barbuda’s local population. Rather than moving forward with an immediate decision, the government has requested that Samadi develop and submit a full, comprehensive concept document and formal proposal that outlines all core components of the plan.

    The completed proposal is expected to detail the full scope of services that would be offered under the new programme, lay out the specific specialized equipment and infrastructure upgrades required, and address the full financial and operational needs of launching and maintaining the initiative.

    Samadi has signaled that he stands ready to collaborate closely with both the Antigua and Barbuda government and the local medical community to refine the plan and advance the proposal through the next stages of review. As of the post-Cabinet briefing held Thursday, no official estimates of the total project cost or a firm timeline for the potential launch of robotic prostate surgery services have been released to the public.

  • World Bank Data Shows Gap Between Women’s Economic Rights and Support Systems in Antigua and Barbuda

    World Bank Data Shows Gap Between Women’s Economic Rights and Support Systems in Antigua and Barbuda

    The 14 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have made significant progress in enshrining women’s economic rights in national legislation, but critical gaps remain in building the institutional and service infrastructure needed to turn these legal protections into tangible daily benefits for working women, according to the World Bank’s latest *Women, Business and the Law 2026* report. The report, which draws on data collected as of October 1, 2025, evaluates economies through two complementary 100-point scoring frameworks to paint a complete picture of gender equity in economic participation. The first score measures progress on 40 core legal protections for women’s economic inclusion, ranging from equal pay for work of equal value to equal property rights. The report finds that 10 of the 14 CARICOM members have already codified at least 60% of these targeted protections. Leading the regional ranking, Grenada and Guyana both posted a score of 72.7, edging just above the 72.2 average for the broader Latin America and Caribbean region. Yet when it comes to the second, equally important metric measuring the enabling systems that bring these laws to life, the entire region falls short. This second score assesses 40 on-the-ground implementation measures, including accessible affordable childcare infrastructure, dedicated anti-discrimination bodies to investigate workplace gender bias, and targeted support for women entrepreneurs. In a stark finding, the report notes that every single CARICOM member state scored lower on implementation than it did on legal protections. Eleven of the 14 nations have put in place fewer than 40% of the required implementation measures. Only Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica exceeded the Latin American and Caribbean regional average implementation score of 46.1. The report’s analysis highlights a key structural challenge holding back progress: while legislative reforms can be adopted relatively quickly through parliamentary processes, building and sustaining the supporting systems requires long-term, consistent investment in public budgets, trained staffing, and robust data collection—resources that many small island developing states that make up CARICOM struggle to secure at scale. Until these gaps in institutional and service infrastructure are addressed, the report warns, the bulk of the unpaid burden of enabling women’s continued participation in the workforce will continue to fall disproportionately on individual families and private employers, limiting the broader economic gains that greater gender equity can deliver. Women’s labor force participation and entrepreneurship are widely recognized as core drivers of sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean, making the gap between legal progress and implementation a pressing issue for regional long-term development prospects.

  • Election petition is ‘sour grapes and sore losers,’ PM Friday says (+video)

    Election petition is ‘sour grapes and sore losers,’ PM Friday says (+video)

    KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Oct. 2, 2026 – A high-stakes constitutional dispute over the results of the November 2025 general election is moving into its concluding phases, with sitting Prime Minister Godwin Friday and his legal team launching sharp criticism of the opposition’s legal challenges, framing the actions as anti-democratic bad sportsmanship from defeated candidates.

    The two linked petitions were brought by defeated candidates from the opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP). First, Carlos Williams, who lost his race against Friday, is challenging Friday’s eligibility to hold office on the grounds that dual citizenship of St. Vincent and Canada violates constitutional requirements for parliamentary candidates. Second, Luke Browne, who lost a second consecutive contest in the East Kingstown constituency to incumbent New Democratic Party (NDP) member Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble – the party Friday leads – has filed an identical challenge to Bramble’s victory.

    The core of the legal conflict hinges on an ambiguous section of St. Vincent’s constitution. Section 26(1)(a) bars candidates who owe allegiance to a foreign power, but separate provisions extend special eligibility status to citizens of Commonwealth nations, leaving the court to rule on whether Canadian citizenship falls into one of these two categories.

    Court proceedings continued Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 before High Court Justice Gertel Thom, where several St. Vincent residents who submitted sworn affidavits in support of the defence faced cross-examination from the petitioners’ legal team. Much of the opposition’s questioning focused on when the witnesses first learned of the citizenship eligibility objections, how their political affiliations align with the NDP, and the nature of their personal and professional connections to both Bramble and petitioner Luke Browne.

    Speaking to reporters outside the Kingstown High Court after the day’s proceedings, Friday rejected the challenge as a waste of time that undermines the clear democratic mandate delivered by voters in November’s election. “The people elected me to govern, and sitting in this courtroom instead of doing the people’s work directly contradicts that mandate,” Friday stated. “All of these objections were on the table during the campaign period, and voters still chose me as prime minister, chose Bramble to represent East Kingstown, and gave the NDP an overwhelming mandate to form government. Time we spend tied up in litigation could be spent in my office, meeting with constituents, advancing policy, and building economic opportunities for all St. Vincentians.”

    Friday doubled down on his criticism, labeling the entire challenge as nothing more than “sour grapes and sore losers” from a defeated opposition.

    Anand Ramlogan, the lead Senior Counsel for the defence, echoed the prime minister’s remarks and expressed unshakable confidence in a favorable ruling for the NDP. Ramlogan, who traveled from Trinidad and Tobago to lead Friday’s defence due to the prime minister’s regional stature, praised the witnesses, many of whom traveled from Bequia and the mainland to testify after waiting up to two weeks for their turn in court.

    “It was very heartwarming to see so many people give up their personal time to stand with the prime minister and Mr. Bramble. That commitment speaks volumes about their support for this government and their dedication to upholding the democratic will of the people,” Ramlogan said. He went on to characterize the opposition’s legal tactics as “disingenuous” and “anti-democratic,” noting the challenge relies on a legal technicality that was never raised before the election, despite the opposition being fully aware of Friday’s dual citizenship.

    After 25 years serving as the opposition, the NDP won the right to govern in 2025, and Ramlogan argued that attempting to overturn that result through last-minute legal maneuvering violates both the constitution and the spirit of democracy. “At the end of the day, the voice of the people is the voice of God, and the voice of the people spoke overwhelmingly here. We do not anticipate any problems with the final ruling,” he added.

    Addressing the core constitutional question, Ramlogan noted that the nation’s governing document explicitly extends eligibility for parliamentary office to Commonwealth citizens, a category that includes Canada. He added that international experience, such as that held by Friday, is a major asset for public service, pointing to the prime minister’s well-respected standing across the Caribbean region.

    “It would be a crying shame to disregard the will of the voters in a way that the constitution never intended, even in a small nation like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the people’s passion for democracy runs deep,” Ramlogan said.

    Outlining the remaining timeline for the case, Friday confirmed that legal submissions from both sides are scheduled for November, after which Justice Thom will issue her final ruling. The prime minister said he is “well satisfied” with how proceedings have progressed to date.