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  • Green Energy : Strategic Exchange Between the Ministry of Public Works and Huawei

    Green Energy : Strategic Exchange Between the Ministry of Public Works and Huawei

    Against a backdrop of persistent national energy challenges and a growing global push for low-carbon development, Haitian government officials held high-stakes strategic discussions with Chinese technology giant Huawei on August 26, 2026, centered on unlocking new green energy solutions for the Caribbean nation.

    Hosted by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Works, the meeting brought together Minister of Public Works Engineer Joseph Almathe Pierre Louis and a delegation of Huawei’s regional leadership and technical specialists, as part of Haiti’s broader national agenda to upgrade critical infrastructure and speed up its transition to renewable energy.

    During the session, Huawei’s team delivered a comprehensive overview of the company’s latest innovations and long-term strategic vision through its Digital Power division. They outlined Huawei’s global leadership in green technology development, carbon neutrality roadmap, and cutting-edge deployments of integrated smart photovoltaic systems paired with grid-forming energy storage systems and microgrid solutions. These solutions are designed to deliver stable, sustainable power even in areas with underdeveloped existing infrastructure.

    The delegation also shared empirical data on the performance of Huawei’s signature “4T” technologies, which span four core domains: Bit (digital connectivity), Watt (power generation), Heat (thermal management), and Battery (energy storage). The data demonstrated that these integrated clean energy systems deliver reliable power for dense urban centers, large industrial operations, and remote, off-grid rural communities alike, a versatility that aligns with Haiti’s uneven energy access landscape.

    Core talks between Minister Pierre Louis and the Huawei team centered on identifying tangible partnership opportunities moving forward. Both sides emphasized the unique potential of smart solar microgrids to boost the overall resilience of Haiti’s national electricity grid, which has long faced chronic instability and widespread outages. They also explored the benefits of rolling out Huawei’s advanced DigiPower Management energy platforms, which use digital tools to optimize energy consumption, cut waste, and reduce the country’s overall carbon footprint.

    Closing the meeting, Minister Pierre Louis praised Huawei for its ongoing technological innovation and its commitment to supporting sustainable development across emerging economies. He reaffirmed that Haiti’s Ministry of Public Works and national government remain fully dedicated to advancing locally adapted sustainable energy technologies to address the country’s long-standing energy crises.

    This strategic exchange has laid the foundational groundwork for follow-up negotiations, which will focus on formalizing pilot green energy projects that aim to build a lower-carbon, more connected energy future for all Haitians.

  • CHOGM 2026 Outreach Reaches More Than 300 People in Two Days

    CHOGM 2026 Outreach Reaches More Than 300 People in Two Days

    As the countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) continues, Antigua and Barbuda’s national preparatory efforts have entered a new phase of public engagement. The CHOGM 2026 Outreach Committee has expanded its nationwide public education drive by launching a targeted Government Office Outreach Tour, which connected with more than 300 stakeholders across multiple workplaces in just its first two days of operation.

    This grassroots initiative was developed with one core goal: to ensure that residents of Antigua and Barbuda from all sectors and backgrounds gain clear, accessible information about the upcoming summit, understand the far-reaching significance of the small island nation serving as host, and know the concrete steps they can take to contribute to a successful, globally impactful event.

    The outreach tour kicked off with an informative session at the Directorate of Gender Affairs, before moving on to a collaborative engagement with energy firm PDV Caribe. During both sessions, organizers shared key details about the 2026 summit, its strategic and economic value to Antigua and Barbuda, and the diverse roles that individual citizens and local organizations can play in welcoming visiting heads of government, official delegates, and international guests from across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc.
    Briana Anthony, who serves as both Public Relations Officer and Outreach Lead for CHOGM 2026, emphasized that the committee’s top priority is centering public inclusion and transparency in all preparatory activities. “CHOGM 2026 is not just a high-level conference for global leaders—it is a landmark national moment for Antigua and Barbuda,” Anthony explained in an interview during the tour. “We want our people to grasp just how meaningful this opportunity is, and more importantly, to understand that every citizen has a part to play. This on-the-ground outreach brings the conversation directly to people where they work and live, framing CHOGM as a shared national opportunity that everyone can contribute to.”
    Anthony added that the early public response to the tour has reinforced the value of the committee’s grassroots approach. “The feedback and enthusiasm we’ve received so far have been really encouraging, and it confirms why this targeted outreach is so necessary,” she said. “As we get closer to the summit, we are fully committed to expanding these engagements and reaching people across every sector of our economy and society. The more informed our citizens are, the better prepared our entire country will be to welcome the Commonwealth with open arms.”
    Jeressa Jeremy, Communications Officer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs, echoed that sentiment, noting that equipping staff with accurate information was a key part of the agency’s contribution to national preparations. “It was critical for our whole team to be up to date on CHOGM 2026 and understand what it means for Antigua and Barbuda to host this major international gathering,” Jeremy said. “We were thrilled to collaborate with the Outreach Committee to bring this important information directly to our staff, and support the national push for broad public engagement.”
    For PDV Caribe, the collaboration brought a special focus on including older members of the organization that might otherwise be overlooked in national outreach. Jellette Ralph, General Manager of PDV Caribe, explained that the firm prioritized ensuring its retired pensioners had full access to information about the summit. “We made a deliberate effort to include our pensioners in this awareness drive, because hosting CHOGM is a moment that touches all generations of Antiguans and Barbudans,” Ralph said. “We were happy to partner with the Outreach Committee to make sure our pensioners stay connected to this major national event, and understand that they also have a role to play in its success.”
    The cross-sector collaboration behind the outreach tour has extended beyond public and private sector institutions, with small local businesses also stepping up to support the national effort. Three local female-owned beauty and wellness businesses—Hair by Amie, owned by Amie Cham; Tucker on the Girl, owned by Cecil Joyce; and Her Luxenail Lounge, owned by Michaela Harris—generously donated prizes for lucky attendees at the first two outreach sessions, helping drive engagement and excitement for the summit.
    The Outreach Committee issued a formal statement thanking the three business owners for their generous contribution to the national campaign, noting that grassroots support from local entrepreneurs is a key part of building broad national buy-in for the event.
    Looking ahead, the Government Office Outreach Tour is set to continue expanding across Antigua and Barbuda in the coming weeks. The committee plans to roll out new engagements across additional government offices, private sector companies, primary and secondary schools, local communities, and other key stakeholder groups to ensure no segment of the population is left out of preparatory efforts.
    As the country continues its preparations to host the 2026 CHOGM summit, the Outreach Committee is renewing its call for all citizens and organizations across Antigua and Barbuda to seek out information, get involved in local preparations, and ready themselves to play their part. For the country’s lead organizers, CHOGM 2026 is a shared national milestone—and every member of the Antigua and Barbuda community has a role to play in making it a success.

  • Dodental vloedramp Nepal en Tibet naar 359, honderden vermist

    Dodental vloedramp Nepal en Tibet naar 359, honderden vermist

    A catastrophic glacial flooding disaster across the Himalayan region has claimed at least 359 lives, according to the latest official updates from Nepalese authorities, with more than 1,000 people still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue through challenging terrain. Among the missing are 517 foreign nationals, including dozens of pilgrims who had recently traveled to the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet, a site of profound religious significance for communities across South Asia and the world. Officials and disaster response experts warn that the final death toll is expected to rise, with ongoing risks of additional catastrophic flood surges in the coming days.

    The disaster unfolded when a massive surge of water, ice, mud, and rock suddenly cascaded down from high-altitude Tibetan regions toward northern Nepal’s border areas, the zone hardest hit by the event. Entire homes, paved roadways, and critical bridge infrastructure were swept away in the rush of debris, cutting off dozens of small mountain communities from outside aid and communication. Growing evidence points to the collapse of a large section of a glacial ice formation or a massive ice avalanche as the trigger for the destructive flood wave. Satellite imagery analyzed by glaciologists confirms that a large segment of a Himalayan glacier has broken off, though researchers are still conducting investigations to pinpoint the exact underlying causes of the collapse.

    The disaster zone lies along the primary pilgrimage route to Mount Kailash and adjacent Lake Manasarovar, two sites that draw thousands of religious travelers annually. Mount Kailash is considered a holy site for Hindu, Tibetan Buddhist, Jain, and Bon religious communities, attracting pilgrims from across the globe every year. Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has confirmed that his organization, the Isha Foundation, has lost contact with 80 participants and volunteers from a Kailash pilgrimage it organized. When the flood struck, 77 of the group were staying in Gyirong on the Tibetan side of the border, while three were in Timure on the Nepalese side, and there has been no confirmation of their status as of Tuesday morning.

    The missing foreign nationals represent a wide range of nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and one Dutch national who was part of the Isha Foundation pilgrimage group.

    Rescue teams from Nepal, China, and international disaster response organizations have been working around the clock to locate survivors and recover bodies, but their operations have been severely hampered by the widespread destruction of transport infrastructure. Widespread landslides triggered by the initial flood event and the collapse of communication networks have also slowed search efforts. Key public infrastructure, including hydropower facilities and electrical transmission lines, has also been damaged in the disaster, leaving many local communities without power or clean drinking water.

    Authorities have stressed that the danger is not yet over. Unstable glacial ice formations, residual standing water, and loose rock at high elevations create a continued risk of additional flood surges that could downstream impact rescue teams and already affected communities. With hundreds of people still missing, disaster response officials are bracing for a significant increase in the confirmed death toll as search operations progress and access to remote areas improves. Beyond affecting local communities in Nepal and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, the disaster has taken on an international dimension due to the large number of foreign travelers and pilgrims impacted in the event.

  • New fish processing facility set to boost fishing industry in Soufriere-Scotts Head area

    New fish processing facility set to boost fishing industry in Soufriere-Scotts Head area

    Dominica’s coastal communities of Soufriere and Scotts Head, long renowned for their deep-rooted fishing heritage, are set to gain a transformative new economic infrastructure project: a purpose-built village fish processing facility. The announcement was made by Senator Oscar George, Minister of State in the Ministry of Community Development, during a recent community Town Hall Meeting held in Scotts Head.

    As a constituency deeply dependent on artisanal fishing as a core source of household income, the region has long lacked dedicated local infrastructure to add value to catch before it reaches market. Addressing gathered residents, George emphasized that the government’s central goal for the initiative is to expand sustainable livelihood opportunities for local fishing households. Jointly financed by the Caribbean Development Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the Government of Dominica, the project carries a total budget of $2 million.

    Once completed, the facility will be outfitted with specialized equipment to support multiple fish preparation and preservation methods, including smoking, drying, and flash freezing. These capabilities will eliminate the need for fishermen to transport unprocessed catch long distances for handling, reducing post-harvest waste and allowing producers to command higher prices for their products. Beyond direct benefits to working fishermen, George noted that the new plant will also open up new income streams for local fish vendors, who will gain access to a consistent supply of value-added processed fish products for local and regional markets.

    The project is currently moving through its pre-construction phase, with authorities in the process of accepting tenders for a consulting firm to finalize facility blueprints and kick off construction work. George stressed that stakeholders across the local fishing industry should begin preparing to take full advantage of the new opportunities the plant will create, with operations projected to launch in the coming new year. Describing the initiative as a long-overdue investment for southern Dominica, George confirmed that the facility is expected to deliver widespread, lasting economic benefits for the entire region.

  • Elections: The CEP in Chile and Brazil prepares for the diaspora vote

    Elections: The CEP in Chile and Brazil prepares for the diaspora vote

    A high-stakes diplomatic and electoral mission is underway in South America as a three-member delegation from Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) visits Chile and Brazil to lay the groundwork for Haitian diaspora participation in upcoming national elections, while building collaborative ties between Port-au-Prince and the two South American nations.

    Led by CEP Vice-President Jaccéus Joseph, alongside council members Patrick Saint-Hilaire and Marie Florence Matthieu, the tour kicked off on August 18, 2026, with a first stop in Chile, where the delegation held two pivotal working sessions focused on advancing electoral cooperation and diaspora voting logistics.

    The first meeting was held with Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, where representatives centered talks on future collaboration across key electoral domains. Core discussion topics included specialized training for Haitian electoral body staff, institutional capacity building for Haiti’s electoral system, and cross-border knowledge sharing of proven strategies and best practices for running successful voting operations for overseas citizens. Following the talks, Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs committed to coordinating closely with the Chilean Electoral Service (SERVEL) to deliver on the agreed cooperation framework with the CEP.

    The delegation’s second working gathering in Chile brought together CEP representatives, Chilean government officials, and SERVEL leadership. Attendees zeroed in on the practical details of organizing the upcoming vote and the specific requirements to remove barriers to Haitian residents in Chile exercising their right to participate in Haiti’s electoral process.

    After concluding its sessions in Chile, the CEP delegation traveled onward to Brazil to continue the mission, with the same set of core objectives focused on diaspora voting and bilateral electoral cooperation.

    For Haiti’s electoral body, the South American tour represents a key step forward in ongoing work to expand access to voting for Haitians living outside the country’s borders. Beyond enabling diaspora participation, the mission also aims to formalize and strengthen long-term cooperation mechanisms between Haiti’s electoral institutions and their foreign counterparts in Chile and Brazil.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Tour Operators to Pay 17% ABST from September 2026

    Antigua and Barbuda Tour Operators to Pay 17% ABST from September 2026

    A new regulatory change to the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) system is set to reshape operations for the nation’s tour operating sector, with a phased implementation timeline kicking off on September 1, 2026. The policy change, which was formally approved by the country’s Cabinet during a session held on May 30, 2024, was first announced to industry stakeholders via an official circular from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) dated June 27, 2024.

    Under the updated rules, the core requirement mandates that all qualifying tour operators apply a 17% ABST rate to their customer bookings moving forward. The policy includes clear eligibility thresholds to reduce the burden on smaller businesses: only tour operators that generate annual revenue of $300,000 or more are required to complete tax registration and apply the new 17% rate. A specific exemption also remains in place for local transportation services, defined as point-to-point transit within the country, which will not be subject to ABST.

    The IRD, which retains full administrative responsibility for the ABST system, has outlined clear procedural rules to guide operators through the transition. All new bookings confirmed on or after September 1, 2026, must include the 17% tax charge. For tax filing starting in September 2026, operators are required to submit their declarations using the standard ABST03 form, which is designed to accommodate input tax claims. Importantly, only input tax expenses incurred on or after the implementation date can be claimed under the new system.

    Two additional key adjustments to accounting practices have also been confirmed: from September 1, 2026 onward, tour operators will no longer treat ABST as an expense on their income statements. All currency conversions for tax calculation purposes will continue to follow the standard exchange rate framework already established under existing ABST regulations.

    To support a smooth transition, the IRD confirmed it will continue ongoing outreach and engagement with all tour operating businesses across the country. The department’s priority is to ensure that all eligible operators complete required registration, understand their new filing obligations, and can adjust their operational and accounting practices to meet the updated regulatory requirements ahead of the 2026 implementation date.

  • SOVA waarschuwt DNA: wetswijziging staatsbeslagen tast rechtsbescherming aan

    SOVA waarschuwt DNA: wetswijziging staatsbeslagen tast rechtsbescherming aan

    Suriname’s national legal body, the Surinamese Order of Advocaten (SOVA), has issued a formal plea to the country’s National Assembly (DNA) to reject a proposed piece of legislation in its current form, arguing the bill would go too far in limiting court-ordered seizures of state assets and undermine core rule of law principles.

  • Health : OFATMA Hospital helps a 5-year-old child walk again

    Health : OFATMA Hospital helps a 5-year-old child walk again

    In a landmark victory for pediatric orthopedic care in northern Haiti, the Office of Workplace Accident, Illness, and Maternity Insurance (OFATMA) has announced that a 5-year-old patient born with hip dysplasia is now able to walk independently after a successful complex surgery at its Cap-Haïtien hospital.

    Five-year-old Prince Rubterson Étienne lived with severe congenital hip dysplasia from birth, a condition that distorted the structure of his hip joint and left him struggling to stand or walk without assistance. For months, his family faced uncertainty about his future mobility, until a specialized medical team at OFATMA Hospital stepped in to perform the high-stakes corrective procedure seven months ago.

    The surgery, which combined three specialized orthopedic techniques—a Smith-Petersen iliofemoral release, femoral head reduction, and a Chiari pelvic osteotomy—addressed the root structural abnormalities caused by the dysplasia. The procedure was led by Dr. Hubert Michel Pierre-Louis, working alongside fellow orthopedic specialists Drs. Erick Bruno and Canold Andrevil, with support from a full team of nursing and allied health professionals at the facility.

    After a half-year of structured post-operative rehabilitation, the young patient has surpassed recovery expectations. He can now walk without any external support, a outcome that offers him a new level of independence most clinicians did not guarantee before the intervention.

    This successful outcome is not an isolated case, according to OFATMA representatives. It is the latest in a growing series of specialized orthopedic interventions offered at the Cap-Haïtien hospital, proving that local Haitian medical teams have the skill and infrastructure to manage complex pediatric orthopedic cases that would once require referral to overseas medical centers.

    Looking ahead, OFATMA has confirmed it is expanding its specialized healthcare services, with a full schedule of additional complex surgical procedures planned to serve more patients across northern Haiti who lack access to advanced orthopedic care.

  • King Charles to visit three regional countries

    King Charles to visit three regional countries

    This autumn, the United Kingdom’s King Charles III will embark on a multi-stop Caribbean tour alongside Queen Camilla, with the journey centered around his attendance at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The official visit is scheduled to kick off on October 27 in the Bahamas, a Caribbean nation that counts Charles as its ceremonial head of state – one of 14 such countries outside the UK that retain this constitutional link.

    Following their time in the Bahamas, the royal pair will travel to Guyana for a special state visit that commemorates six decades of formal diplomatic and bilateral ties between the UK and the South American Commonwealth nation. The final leg of the tour will bring King Charles and Queen Camilla to Antigua and Barbuda, the host nation of this year’s CHOGM, where leaders from across the bloc will gather in St John’s starting November 1.

    As the symbolic head of the Commonwealth, a 56-nation association of independent states mostly sharing historical ties to the British Empire, King Charles holds a central, ceremonial role at the organization’s flagship gathering. Held once every two years, CHOGM brings together heads of government from across the global bloc to address transnational shared challenges, deepen cross-regional cooperative ties, and advance collective sustainable development goals across member states.

  • WAA to host free movie night featuring Venezuelan and Dominican artists

    WAA to host free movie night featuring Venezuelan and Dominican artists

    Cross-border artistic collaboration is taking center stage in the Caribbean this month, as the Waitukubuli Artist Association (WAA) prepares to open a unique international animation showcase to the public of Dominica. The event forms a key public outreach component of the Cayapa / Koudmen Art Residency, a bilateral creative exchange uniting visual artists from Dominica and Venezuela, made possible through funding from the Caribbean Cultural Fund and institutional partnership with Le Centre d’Art.

    Helmed by acclaimed Venezuelan artist Sandra Vivas, the multi-week residency centers on the co-creation of an original stop-motion animation project. Beyond the final work, the program’s core mission is to build creative connections between practitioners from two neighboring Caribbean nations: artists from both countries are sharing specialized skills, exchanging perspectives on their distinct cultural artistic traditions, and working to embed their collaborative process within local communities across Dominica.

    To extend this exchange beyond the residency studio walls, WAA has organized a public animation Movie Night, scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Trafalgar Community Center. Admission to the event is completely free, and organizers welcome all members of the public aged 12 and older, from long-time art enthusiasts to curious first-time attendees.

    The screening program showcases a curated collection of animated short films that highlight a diverse range of artistic styles, production techniques, and creative storytelling approaches. A number of the featured works come directly from Vivas and the visiting Venezuelan artists participating in the residency, who currently hold roles as director and art director for the joint stop-motion project.

    In its official announcement, WAA emphasized that the event is designed to do more than just screen entertaining films. Attendees will get the chance to engage directly with participating artists from both Dominica and Venezuela, gain a firsthand look at the step-by-step creative process that drives the ongoing residency project, and develop a deeper appreciation for animation as a dynamic, accessible fine art form. The association has extended an open invitation to local residents and visitors alike to attend, enjoy the curated program, and add their support to this landmark bilateral cultural collaboration between the two Caribbean nations.