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BAHAMAS PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH CARICOM LEADERS AHEAD OF ENERGY SUMMIT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26th January 2015
Prime Minister Christie meets with CARICOM leaders ahead of energy summit
Elcott Coleby
Bahamas Information Services

Nassau, Bahamas (26th Jan) – Wasting no time in his official capacity as the effective political head of CARICOM, Bahamas Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie caucused with his Heads of Government Sunday evening in Washington DC ahead of the inaugural Caribbean Energy Security Summit scheduled to begin on Monday.

While the Caribbean Community was clear in its desire for increased access to new funding and investment opportunities, they wanted to take a wait and see attitude by first listening to and analyzing the policy position and proposals presented by the United States before finalizing their regional policy position.

In chairing his first official Heads of Government meeting, Prime Minister Christie said that in representing a diverse group such as CARICOM, there are bound to be varying levels of demands that countries would like to see fulfilled and consequently, varying levels of satisfaction when decisions are made. It was however necessary for all countries to take full advantage of the opportunities such a summit will present.

“We are well aware that there will be significant corporate personalities present who are interested in investing in our countries so it is going to be I think critical for me to reflect the conditions and views of the countries represented by CARICOM” said the Prime Minister.

Speaking more directly and specifically to the needs and concerns of CARICOM was the country’s Environment Minister Hon. Kenred Dorsett who said that it was important that “conditions associated with the funding does not preclude any member country from being able to access it; making sure that it’s new funding so that we don’t find themselves precluding us from getting from traditional sources that we’ve already been able to access fund from – will be very important and to ensure that at the end of the day, the actual mechanism by which funding is granting is centered in the CARICOM region to ensure greater level of accountability.”

Another important issue up for discussion according to the Environment Minister was the availability of and access to natural gas from the United States and a clearer explanation from the US delegation on the licensing and approval processes for the export of vitally important energy source into CARICOM countries. This is important as CARICOM looks to use cleaner and cheaper fuels like natural gas and reduce its reliance on traditional fossil fuel such as diesel and heavy fuel oil or bunker C.

Further, the Environment Minister said he hoped The Bahamas is not judged on its gross domestic product and eliminated from eligibility for critical funding. This has been a long standing and vexing challenge for The Bahamas in accessing critical funding for national development. Both the country’s Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie and Foreign Minister Hon. Fred Mitchell have addressed this issue in various international forums.

According to the US State Department, this Summit is a key component of the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative (CESI) that the US Vice President announced in June 2014. It brings together government, finance, and private sector leaders from the United States, the Caribbean, and representatives of the international community to promote a cleaner and more sustainable energy future in the Caribbean through improved energy governance, energy diversification, greater access to finance, and donor coordination.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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