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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No concessions to oblivion
On the 49th anniversary of the tragic bombing of Cubana de Aviación flight CU-1201, Cuba paid solemn tribute to the 73 victims at the Colón Necropolis in Havana. The mid-flight explosion in 1976 claimed the lives of 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and five North Koreans, marking one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. The annual commemoration saw floral tributes placed on behalf of prominent figures, including Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and various Cuban institutions. Families of the victims, alongside officials and citizens, gathered to honor the memory of those lost. Wilfredo Pérez Rodríguez, son of the flight’s captain, shared his enduring grief, emphasizing the importance of preserving the legacy of the victims and condemning the U.S. government’s alleged protection of the perpetrators. The ceremony also highlighted the unfulfilled dreams of the victims, including young athletes and crew members, whose lives were tragically cut short. The event underscored Cuba’s ongoing struggle against terrorism and its call for justice, as the island continues to grapple with the repercussions of this historic atrocity.
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No concessions to oblivion
On the 49th anniversary of the tragic bombing of Cubana de Aviación flight CU-1201, Cuba paid solemn tribute to the 73 victims at the Colón Necropolis in Havana. The mid-flight explosion in 1976 claimed the lives of 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese, and five North Koreans, marking one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history. The annual commemoration saw floral tributes placed on behalf of prominent figures, including Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and various Cuban institutions. Families of the victims, alongside officials and citizens, gathered to honor the memory of those lost. Wilfredo Pérez Rodríguez, son of the flight’s captain, shared his enduring grief, emphasizing the importance of preserving the legacy of the victims and condemning the U.S. government’s alleged protection of the perpetrators. The ceremony also highlighted the unfulfilled dreams of the victims, including young athletes and crew members, whose lives were tragically cut short. The event underscored Cuba’s ongoing struggle against terrorism and its call for justice, as the island continues to grapple with the repercussions of this historic atrocity.
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Gifts for the school whose name speaks of heroism
On Monday morning, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, paid a visit to Vo Thi Thang Primary School in Playa municipality, Havana. The school, named after the iconic Vietnamese resistance figure Vo Thi Thang, became the focal point of a historical and cultural exchange. Díaz-Canel, accompanied by Cuba’s Minister of Education Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, arrived just before the morning assembly to present the students with replicas of significant Vietnamese landmarks. These gifts, including models of the Vietnam Military History Museum and Independence Square, were acquired during his recent visit to Vietnam for the 80th anniversary of its independence declaration by Ho Chi Minh. The President emphasized the shared history between Cuba and Vietnam, particularly the Cuban contributions to Vietnam’s liberation struggle, which are commemorated in the museum. He also shared anecdotes about Ho Chi Minh’s modest lifestyle, including his preference for a simple gardener’s house over the colonial governor’s mansion. The visit concluded with a heartfelt exchange of cultural performances by the students, who also commemorated the tragic 1976 Barbados bombing that claimed the lives of 73 people, including members of the Cuban Youth Fencing Team.
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Saint Lucia to join forces with Dominica and SVG to transform classrooms through innovation
The Caribbean Innovation and Leadership Lab (CILL), in partnership with the Ministries of Education of Saint Lucia, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is set to host the Caribbean Education Innovation Forum II. This pivotal event will take place from October 7 to 9, 2025, at the Beachcombers Hotel in Kingstown, Saint Vincent. Under the theme ‘Unlocking Full Potential: Transforming Education Through Innovation, Equity, and Insight,’ the forum aims to bring together educators, school leaders, and ministry officials to foster transformative change in Caribbean education systems. Attendees will explore teacher-led innovations, share evidence-based practices, and develop inclusive strategies to enhance equity in classrooms across the region. The Saint Lucia delegation will include Chief Education Officer Beverly Dieudonne, Education Officers Jean Jeriffe and Marie George-Arlain, and representatives from prominent schools such as Carmen Rene Memorial and Dennery Primary. Participants from the three nations will engage in role-based sessions, innovation showcases, and collaborative dialogues, with a particular focus on improving teacher–student relationships and scaling successful educational models through ministry support. This forum is a cornerstone of the Full Potential Program (FPP), a 2024–2027 initiative funded by GPE KIX, which seeks to strengthen equity and inclusion by empowering educators to design, test, and implement low-cost, locally tailored classroom innovations. The program is driving collaboration and capacity-building to improve teaching, learning, and student well-being across the Eastern Caribbean.
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SVG’s tourism pitch emphasises festivals, adventure
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Annette Mark, CEO of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), highlighted the nation’s vibrant festivals and innovative tourism initiatives during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference in the Caribbean. Mark emphasized the significance of Vincymas, the country’s premier carnival, which she confidently described as one of the best in the region, rivaling even Trinidad’s renowned celebration. She revealed that Vincymas has seen a remarkable 56% increase in arrivals since 2019, with a 30.6% year-over-year growth in 2025, despite setbacks from Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Mark also spotlighted Nine Mornings, a unique pre-Christmas festival, and its integration with Nine Nights, a festival of lights held at the historic Botanical Gardens in Kingstown. Additionally, she announced the continuation of the Emancipation Cricket Festival, introduced this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the West Indies Men’s Cricket team’s first ODI World Cup win. Looking ahead, SVGTA plans to launch a Music Festival in October, featuring Garifuna culture and local cuisine, and expand extreme tourism offerings, including the Joseph Chatoyer Run and a new zipline in Diamond. The destination is also developing an underwater park, which will feature Garifuna statues and a sunken ship, while promoting marine conservation. These initiatives aim to attract both diaspora and international visitors, solidifying St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a premier Caribbean destination.
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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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WISH calls on media houses to stop sensationalizing suicide reporting
The Wellness Initiative for Stronger Health (WISH) has voiced deep concern following two apparent suicide attempts in Freetown and Ottos, underscoring the urgent need for improved mental health services in Antigua and Barbuda. The organization highlighted significant gaps in healthcare coverage, particularly in mental wellness initiatives and outpatient services, which are essential for fostering a supportive environment for those in need. While acknowledging Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s renewed commitment to advancing the national mental health framework, WISH emphasized the critical importance of ensuring accessible, lifesaving care for individuals living with mental illnesses. During World Suicide Prevention Month in September, WISH reiterated the importance of community awareness, urging citizens to recognize warning signs and provide timely support to loved ones experiencing distress, loneliness, or helplessness. The organization also called on local media to adopt best practices in reporting on suicide, prioritizing empathy and compassion over sensationalism. WISH remains dedicated to advocating for mental wellbeing and expressed gratitude to its partners and supporters at local, regional, and international levels. The group’s efforts aim to address the systemic challenges in mental health care and promote a more inclusive and supportive society.
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US unseats UK as Barbados’ main tourism source market
In a significant shift in tourism dynamics, the United States has surpassed the United Kingdom as the primary source of visitors to Barbados. According to Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the US contributed 179,753 visitors this year, marking a pivotal change for the island nation. Historically, the UK has always been Barbados’ leading market, but recent economic shifts in the UK prompted the BTMI to diversify its strategy, focusing heavily on the US market. Franklin highlighted the success of their airlift strategy, which included adding over 60,000 seats from the US during the 2025 winter season, including a direct flight to New York—a service absent for 14 years. This strategic move has not only increased visitor numbers but also altered the demographic profile of tourists, with a notable rise in Black American travelers, particularly from Atlanta and its feeder cities. American visitors tend to stay shorter durations (7-10 days) compared to UK tourists but spend more, contributing significantly to the local economy. Barbados also saw strong performances from the Caribbean market (70,984 visitors), Canada (59,332 visitors), and Europe (21,000 visitors), with emerging markets like Central and South America showing potential. Franklin emphasized the importance of these trends, noting that Barbados is not only attracting more visitors but also solidifying its position as a regional hub for airlift and tourism. Cruise tourism also saw a 24% year-on-year growth, with 599,826 passengers visiting between January and July 2025. The island’s accommodation sector is thriving, with 6,000 hotel rooms and over 13,000 vacation rental rooms, supported by 10 new hotel projects in the pipeline. Culinary offerings range from street food to fine dining, with over 400 eateries catering to diverse tastes. Barbados’ pristine beaches and calm waters remain a major draw, with over 80 beach spots enhancing its appeal. Additionally, the BTMI is launching a community tourism initiative, ‘Dine With A Bajan,’ this winter, allowing visitors to experience authentic Barbadian hospitality. Looking ahead, Barbados will commence year-long celebrations on December 1, 2025, leading up to its 60th anniversary of independence from Britain on November 30, 2026.
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Cobbs Cross Clinic Reopens After Years of Closure
The Cobbs Cross Clinic, a vital healthcare facility in St. Paul, Antigua and Barbuda, has officially reopened on October 6, 2025, after being closed for over two decades. The reopening ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, and St. Paul MP E.P. Chet Greene. The clinic, which had been shut down in 2003 due to severe disrepair, has been fully rebuilt to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services to the communities of St. Paul’s, Falmouth, and English Harbour. Permanent Secretary for Primary Health Care, Stacey Gregg-Paige, emphasized that the reopening signifies a commitment to equitable and dignified healthcare. The clinic will offer a range of services including maternal and child care, immunizations, chronic disease management, family planning, wound care, and home visits. Minister Greene highlighted the event as a new chapter in healthcare for St. Paul, while Health Minister Joseph described it as historic, noting that it is the first time a parliamentarian has opened two clinics in one year. The government’s broader goal is to establish a robust primary healthcare network, with plans to introduce national health insurance legislation by early next year. The ceremony also featured cultural performances and a ribbon-cutting event, officially marking the clinic’s reopening.