Brasília, Brazil – Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis has announced the signing of a landmark cooperation agreement with Brazil and the country’s entry into the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, following his participation in the Brazil–Caribbean Summit held in Brasília on June 14. The summit brought together leaders from CARICOM, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and key regional bodies to address pressing development challenges and renew economic and diplomatic ties with South America’s largest economy.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Prime Minister Davis highlighted the significance of these developments for the Bahamian people: “We signed a key agreement with Brazil to work together on food security, education, disaster management, and climate resilience. The Bahamas also joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty — unlocking new resources to fight poverty and tackle inequality.”

The Brazil–Caribbean Summit, hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a revitalization of Brazil’s engagement with the Caribbean after years of declining trade and limited collaboration. Trade between Brazil and the Caribbean region has dropped from $6 billion in 2010 to $4 billion in 2024, with most economic activity concentrated in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. This summit aimed to reverse that trend by fostering stronger cooperation on sustainable development goals, energy transitions, and disaster preparedness.

A key communique issued at the close of the summit underscored the joint commitment of participating nations to clean and inclusive energy transitions. “We recognize the urgent need to promote clean, sustainable, fair, affordable and inclusive energy transitions…with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century,” the statement read. The leaders also called for increased financing mechanisms and international support to ensure developing nations can pursue these goals effectively.

The Bahamas’ inclusion in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty represents a significant step forward in its efforts to build resilience and reduce socio-economic disparities. The Alliance, launched under Brazil’s G20 presidency and officially adopted by G20 nations in July 2024, is focused on achieving the first two Sustainable Development Goals — the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and hunger (SDG 2) — while also addressing inequalities (SDG 10). Since its inception, the Alliance has expanded successful national programs and fostered international cooperation through high-level summits and a champions council to guide its implementation.

Brazil has seen notable benefits from spearheading the initiative, including increased global recognition and strong support from leaders such as World Bank President Ajay Banga. The country has also used the platform to scale up its own social programs and promote the human right to nutritious food and dignified living conditions.

For The Bahamas, Davis emphasized that these partnerships will bring practical advantages: “For us, partnerships like these mean greater access to expertise and innovation — lowering costs for families, strengthening our resilience, and driving national development.”

The summit also addressed wider regional concerns, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Leaders expressed “deep concern” over the multidimensional challenges facing the Haitian people and affirmed their commitment to supporting the country’s path to stability.                                                                                                                                                                        The participation of CARICOM leaders such as Guyanese President Irfaan Ali further underscored the importance of regional collaboration in meeting shared challenges. Discussions included scaling up investment for energy transition and disaster management infrastructure, areas of increasing urgency for climate-vulnerable Caribbean nations.

With its new commitments, The Bahamas joins a growing coalition of nations aligning development efforts with global best practices and collaborative frameworks. As climate risks intensify and inequality persists, these initiatives mark a shift toward proactive, cooperative strategies designed to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

Turks and Caicos, June 20, 2025 – The International Policing Assistance Service (IPAS) is currently delivering a comprehensive eight-week ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programme to police officers from Caribbean British Overseas Territories, marking a significant step in enhancing armed policing capacity across the region.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) has deployed two officers from its Tactical Unit to undertake the training.

The first phase of the programme, which concluded on 20 June, focused on Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) tactics.

ARVs are deployed in situations involving suspected firearms or threats to life, and the training aims to equip officers with advanced tactical skills in high-risk vehicle encounters.

Participants are learning de-escalation techniques, safe suspect extraction methods, and detention procedures that prioritize officer safety and operational control.

This training is delivered by the UK Home Office’s Firearms Subject Matter Experts, supported by National Firearms Instructors from Police Scotland and Greater Manchester Police. Their expertise ensures the training aligns with the highest UK policing standards while being tailored to the unique operational environments of the Overseas Territories.

Developed in collaboration with Police Commissioners across the British Overseas Territories, this initiative is part of a broader effort to standardize firearms training and operational capabilities across the region.

Officers from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands are participating in this programme, with the goal of returning to their home forces as certified trainers.

Superintendent Jason James, head of the RT&CIPF Strategic Operations, stated, “The provision of Armed Response Vehicles is an essential element of public safety across the Overseas Territories.

“By undertaking this training through a sustainable train-the-trainer model (funded by the UK Government), it will assist in our aim to build safer, more resilient communities across the TCI. This initiative strengthens not only individual officer capability but also regional collaboration, creating a unified and cohesive armed policing framework, whilst ensuring that tactics and procedures are adapted to the local environment.”

By Deandrea Hamilton, Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 20, 2025 – A failed sale and unsustainable routes have grounded Silver Airways permanently, leaving travelers in Florida, the Bahamas, and the wider Caribbean without a critical air link and hundreds of airline staff suddenly jobless — some reportedly without severance.

In the early hours of June 11, Silver Airways, a Fort Lauderdale-based regional carrier, abruptly ceased all operations and issued a stark message on its now-defunct website and social media pages: “We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today.”

The collapse followed the withdrawal of a potential buyer during Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. That buyer had agreed to purchase Silver’s assets but ultimately deemed the carrier’s Caribbean and regional U.S. routes financially unviable, leaving Silver without the funding needed to continue flying.

Passengers, some en route to the airport, were told bluntly “Do not go to the airport.” Flights were immediately grounded and customer service lines disconnected. Travelers who purchased tickets with credit cards have been advised to seek refunds directly through their bank or travel agency.                                                                                                                                                    Silver’s shutdown affects key routes between Florida and Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas — a region heavily reliant on small carrier service to maintain tourism traffic and inter-island mobility. Cities like Tampa, Key West, Tallahassee, and Pensacola now face connectivity gaps. On some of these routes, Silver was the sole or most frequent operator.

For those impacted, the U.S. Department of Transportation mandates full refunds when airlines cancel flights without offering alternatives. However, with Silver Airways now shuttered and its support systems offline, travelers must file disputes with credit card issuers. Those who paid via cash or debit face more complex outcomes through the bankruptcy process — a process that may take months or longer.

Adding to the fallout are reports of unpaid employee wages. Staff were reportedly blindsided by the shutdown and some are owed as much as $100,000 in severance and back pay, raising concerns about how the airline handled its final days.

Silver’s demise underscores the ongoing volatility in the U.S. regional airline industry, where rising operational costs and shrinking profit margins are placing smaller carriers at risk. For now, its sudden disappearance leaves a void in the Caribbean travel network — and a harsh lesson in the fragility of niche air service.