Gang violence beyond Port-au-Prince has claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands since October 2024, according to a United Nations assessment. The joint BINUH and UN Human Rights Office report documents how armed groups have expanded operations across Haiti's Artibonite and Centre departments. Violence has spread along northern and central transportation corridors, with gangs moving toward the Dominican Republic border. At least 1,018 people died between October 2024 and June 2025 in these regions alone, while nationwide deaths reached 4,864 during this period. The first half of 2025 witnessed 3,141 killings across Haiti.
The Pont Sondé massacre last October marked a devastating escalation when more than 100 people...
The Financial Action Task Force has selected Jamaica for its FSRB Jurisdictions Guest Initiative, granting the Caribbean nation direct participation in global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing policy discussions over the next twelve months. FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo extended the invitation, which allows Jamaica to represent itself under its national flag at upcoming meetings. The country will participate in three consecutive plenaries and related technical sessions, beginning with the Paris gathering scheduled for October 20 through 24, 2025. This participation enables Jamaica to influence international financial integrity standards while contributing national expertise to global policy development...
The Bahamas entered a framework partnership with China for developing a specialty medical facility in western New Providence valued at approximately $300 million. Prime Minister Philip Davis attended the Friday ceremony where officials formalized the healthcare infrastructure agreement. The project represents strengthened diplomatic ties between Nassau and Beijing through continued collaboration efforts. Davis emphasized how the partnership demonstrates mutual respect and shared developmental goals between both nations. The arrangement extends the countries' longstanding relationship built on cooperative principles.
Medical services at the new facility will encompass neonatal intensive care, same-day surgical procedures, and diagnostic...
International Monetary Fund officials completed an assessment of Belize's economic performance after conducting meetings with government leaders and private sector representatives from July 1 through 11. The visiting team found that strong post-pandemic recovery has transformed the nation's fiscal landscape since 2020. Economic expansion reached 8.1 percent during 2024 as tourism, trade and transportation sectors drove substantial gains. Public debt decreased dramatically from 103 percent of gross domestic product to 61 percent over four years. Poverty rates declined from 36 percent in 2021 to 22 percent by last year.
Fund economists project economic momentum will decelerate to 1.5 percent growth during 2025 as tourist arrivals...
The Caribbean Tourism Organization selected Barbados as the venue for its flagship State of the Tourism Industry Conference scheduled for September 30 through October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Government ministers, tourism executives, international partners, students, media representatives, and stakeholders will gather for policy discussions centered on investment strategies and sustainable development. The conference operates under the theme of reimagining Caribbean tourism through research, relevance, and future planning. Organizers emphasize data-driven approaches to strengthen global competitiveness and establish long-term sustainability across regional tourism markets. The Regional Tourism Youth Congress will engage Junior...
Political parties across Guyana will submit their candidate lists on Monday during a formal nomination process that begins at 10:00 a.m. at Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown. The Guyana Elections Commission has completed all logistical arrangements for the four-hour window that closes at 2:00 p.m. Officials described the nomination submission as an essential milestone before the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections. The Chief Election Officer will oversee document verification and provide assistance to parties requiring procedural clarification. GECOM issued its formal notice on June 22, directing all participating organizations to meet the designated deadline.
The commission established strict protocols for managing...
The World Heritage Committee approved Jamaica's Port Royal for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an archaeological ensemble from the 17th century. This designation makes Port Royal the nation's second World Heritage Site alongside the Blue and John Crow Mountains. Culture Minister Olivia Grange expressed national pride through a video statement released Saturday following the announcement. The minister acknowledged support from the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, and several governments spanning Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan. She also recognized Port Royal residents whose economic activities connect directly to the historic site's preservation and development.
UNESCO evaluators applied criteria 4 and 6 when...
Jamaica's tourism sector achieved remarkable performance metrics during the first half of 2025, welcoming 2.3 million visitors who contributed US$2.4 billion to the island's economy. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced these figures during the opening ceremony of the 11th Christmas in July trade show at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on July 10. The tourism industry demonstrated resilience by posting a two percent growth rate during the first quarter, which helped boost the nation's overall economic performance by one percent. Bartlett emphasized the sector's recovery momentum despite previous challenges from Hurricane Beryl and various travel advisories that had disrupted operations. The minister expressed confidence...
Investigators working under special counsel Min Joong-ki conducted searches at ten different sites on Monday. The team targeted the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, along with multiple subcontractors. Officials confirmed that agents seized documents and electronic files during these operations. The probe centers on accusations that government officials manipulated an expressway route for personal gain. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee faces scrutiny over potential financial benefits from these alleged changes.
Prosecutors believe authorities altered the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway terminus to favor property owned by Kim's relatives. The modified route would have increased land values near the family holdings in Yangpyeong...
