Jamaica added 32,100 jobs in July 2025 compared with the previous year, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.3 percent from 3.6 percent. The Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported that the wholesale and retail trade sectors generated the most jobs, and youth employment increased by 7.2 percent. Male unemployment dropped to 2.4 percent from 3.2 percent, but female joblessness rose slightly to 4.4 percent from 4.0 percent.
The labor force expanded to 1,490,300 workers, and men accounted for two-thirds of the increase. Underemployment declined by 5,400 people to 25,400, and fewer citizens remained outside the workforce. The participation rate reached 69.1 percent, with males at 75.0% and females at 63.4%.
Guyana Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed foreign exchange crisis allegations on Thursday and attributed increased U.S. dollar demand to corporate infrastructure financing. He warned that foreign companies exploit the liberal currency system to transfer funds abroad without proper documentation. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced stricter oversight requiring invoice submissions for large exchange requests.
Jagdeo emphasized that foreign-owned businesses access substantial dollars without registering in the tax system. The Gas-to-Energy project will reduce fuel imports and ease currency pressure after construction ends. He maintained that capital flight concerns lack merit because economic opportunities attract strong inflows...
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced her willingness to personally negotiate with Venezuela to restart the Dragon gas project after meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sept. 30. Both governments agreed to advance energy cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, but Washington insisted the arrangement must not significantly benefit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government. Persad-Bissessar stated on Oct. 1 that Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers or Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal could lead talks, but she remains available to participate directly.
The prime minister revealed her administration began pursuing U.S. Treasury Department licenses immediately after winning the...
Gang violence in Haiti has disrupted humanitarian operations and worsened food insecurity as the World Food Programme cuts aid amid funding shortages. The agency reduced rations by half and halted hot meals for displaced families while reporting that farmers cannot reach markets, which drives up prices. WFP assisted more than 2 million Haitians since January, but the organization suspended advance food positioning before hurricane season for the first time.
Haiti ranks among five nations globally where people face catastrophic hunger levels, and 5.7 million residents experience acute food insecurity. The agency needs $139 million over 12 months to help vulnerable families. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk reported that...
Guyana plans to develop domestic capacity for marketing its crude oil within three to five years through partnerships with international firms and local businesses. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced on Thursday that his administration wants to reduce dependence on foreign traders who currently handle the nation's petroleum sales. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that private sector companies may provide marketing services to the government as the country builds expertise.
The South American nation produces more than 600,000 barrels daily from the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block, and output is projected to reach 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030. British firms BB Energy and JE Energy hold current contracts to market...
Jamaica's foreign affairs minister rejected claims that the nation stayed quiet on Gaza, and she affirmed the government's consistent support for peace and Palestinian statehood. Senator Kamina Johnson Smith stated on Wednesday that Jamaica recognized Palestine in 2024 under United Nations Resolution 242, which advocates a two-state solution. The minister responded to opposition criticism from Senator Donna Scott Mottley, who argued that Jamaica should have staged more visible protests at international forums.
Johnson Smith emphasized that Jamaica prioritizes substantive diplomatic engagement over symbolic gestures, and she noted that Caricom has repeatedly called for Israeli and Palestinian security. The minister defended Jamaica's...
Caribbean tourism faced declining visitor numbers from Canada and Europe in early 2025, but growth in other markets helped offset the losses. The Caribbean Tourism Organization reported Canadian arrivals fell more than 9 percent to 1.67 million, while European visitors dropped an estimated 5 percent to 2.53 million compared with the first half of 2024. Database administrator Paul Garnes cited weaker consumer confidence, higher travel costs, and currency fluctuations as primary factors affecting Canadian travel patterns.
South American arrivals surged 25 percent to nearly 1 million visitors, while intra-Caribbean travel increased 1.2 percent to 560,000. Asian and African markets grew 12 percent to almost 3.8 million arrivals. Overall...
Families of Israeli hostages urged an immediate end to the Gaza conflict on Saturday as Israel continued strikes despite President Donald Trump's demand to halt bombardment. Hamas accepted Trump's proposal to release all captives and engage in peace negotiations, yet Israeli forces launched dozens of attacks on Gaza City overnight. The Palestinian group agreed to transfer Gaza's administration to technocrats but insisted on participating in discussions about the territory's future. Trump's 20-point plan requires hostilities to cease, hostages freed within 72 hours, a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and Hamas disarmament while barring the group from governing Gaza.
Gaza's civil defense reported 20 homes destroyed in the strikes, and Baptist...
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman rejected the idea of religious division on Saturday, stating that his party seeks national unity despite the country's 90.8 percent Muslim majority. He addressed the Central Ulama Committee at the Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, emphasizing Bangladesh's tradition of peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. Rahman argued that people do not choose their birth religion, but Allah grants humans intellect and conscience to select their faith through reasoning.
The Jamaat leader criticized sections of the educated class for harming the nation and expressed disappointment that Bangladesh has failed to build a humane society after 54 years of independence. He...
