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Caribbean nations urged to build resilient energy systems to support long-term growth

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Caribbean nations urged to build resilient energy systems to support long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has called on Caribbean nations to modernise their electricity infrastructure, strengthen procurement systems, and build energy networks capable of withstanding future shocks while supporting sustained economic growth.

Prime Minister Phillips said that the decisions made by governments, utilities and industry leaders today will shape the Caribbean’s development for decades. He was speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) Engineering and Procurement Conference and Exhibition 2026 on Sunday at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

According to him, electricity has become the foundation on which modern economies are built, as it is essential for manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, digital services and investment.

“The Caribbean must modernise its grids, the Caribbean must procure smarter, and the Caribbean must build systems that can withstand shocks while supporting growth,” he said. Underscoring Guyana’s unprecedented economic expansion, prime minister Phillips said the government’s focus is on meeting growing electricity demand as well as staying ahead of it through an ambitious energy transformation programme.

“This transformation will require smart substations, automated networks, advanced metering infrastructure, real-time monitoring, stronger cyber security, predictive maintenance, artificial intelligence-assisted operations, distributed energy resource integration, and digital customer engagement,” the prime minister said.

In addition, he reaffirmed Guyana’s support for greater regional cooperation through CARILEC, as the organisation provides an important platform to improve technical standards, procurement practices and knowledge sharing among Caribbean countries.

The prime minister also outlined the government’s long-term strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix. He said the gas-to-energy project will reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel by providing an additional 300 megawatts of generating capacity, lowering electricity costs and improving reliability.

However, he stressed that natural gas is only a transitional solution, with Guyana’s future energy system expected to incorporate hydropower, utility-scale solar, battery energy storage and other clean technologies, including the proposed Amelia Falls Hydropower Project.

Prime Minister Phillips encouraged delegates to use the forum to strengthen regional collaboration, exchange technical expertise and advance a modern, sustainable and future-ready energy sector for the Caribbean.

The event is being held from July 26 to July 30 under the theme “Grid Modernisation, Resilient and Strategic Procurement in Focus,” with more than 200 delegates from across the region attending.

Canada opens third port of entry along Windsor-Detroit border

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Canada opens third port of entry along Windsor-Detroit border

By Caroline Minks

TORONTO, Canada (CICNews) – Border authorities have opened an additional crossing at one of the busiest stretches of the Canada-US border. The Gordie Howe International Bridge has officially opened to traffic as of July 27, 2026, according to a news release published by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority on July 24.

Spanning the Detroit River, it provides a third crossing between Ontario and Michigan, alongside the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor–Detroit Tunnel, two of the most congested border crossings in North America.

The bridge was built to relieve a longstanding bottleneck in the Windsor–Detroit corridor. Crossing the ambassador Bridge, for example, can require a multi-hour wait—particularly during peak hours.

The new bridge and border crossing will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will allow passage for automobiles, motorcycles, RVs, and semi-trucks.

The port of entry includes express lanes for members of the Trusted Travellers Program (NEXUS) and qualifying transporters of commercial goods (FAST).

Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to cross the bridge via a multi-use path separate from motor vehicle traffic beginning August 5, making it the first Windsor-Detroit crossing available to non-motorized traffic.

The standard passenger vehicle toll will be CAD 8 (5.75 USD), and CAD 12 (8.75 USD) for large commercial trucks, oversized vehicles, and larger passenger vehicles. The multi-use path will be toll-free.

According to a July 24 press release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Gordie Howe International Bridge is now “Canada’s largest and most technologically advanced land border crossing.”

The opening of the new bridge, designed to support faster and more reliable cross-border travel, marks the culmination of over two decades of collaboration between Canadian and US authorities.

The bridge is jointly owned by the Canadian federal government and the State of Michigan.

Its planned opening for June 12 had been delayed on account of disputes over the treatment of toll revenue, and the ceremonial opening on July 24 took place without the presence of US officials.

The bridge is named for Gordie Howe, a Canadian hockey icon whose professional career was largely defined by his years with the Detroit Red Wings.

Travellers planning on using the new crossing can find real-time border wait times on the CBSA’s official port of entry webpage.

Those entering Canada through this port of entry must have the appropriate travel documentation.

Following the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Canada now has a total of 118 land border ports of entry.

Putting people at the centre of UK climate adaptation & resilience

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Putting people at the centre of UK climate adaptation & resilience
    • This executive summary for policymakers presents the key findings and policy considerations of the ACCESS Task Force on Adaptation and Resilience, which was supported and co-chaired by the Government Office for Science. The full report is available here. This summary and the main report are based on a synthesis of published social science evidence, a range of expert inputs, and two workshops. These do not reflect UK government policy or official positions.

By Government Office for Science

LONDON, England – The impacts of climate change are already being felt in the UK. Changing temperatures, seasonal shifts and increased frequency and severity of extreme events — such as storms, drought and wildfires — are exacerbating and compounding existing risks to society, environment, and economy. These impacts are not experienced evenly. Some people are more vulnerable and less able to adapt than others due to their social situation, income, access to support and where they live.

The evidence from social science research points to the value of taking a people-centred approach to climate adaptation. This is a way of designing and delivering adaptation policy that considers human wellbeing, agency, and lived experience, recognising that adaptation is not simply a technical or engineering problem but an ongoing social process that will need to adjust and respond to changing climate and societies. While technical solutions like physical infrastructure are essential, they are most effective when combined with an understanding of how people experience, respond to and shape change.

Integrating people-centred approaches into policymaking can strengthen the design of adaptation and resilience measures, options and responses by providing a richer understanding of people’s views, needs, public support and uptake, mindful of existing risks and vulnerabilities.

The full report synthesises social science evidence for policymakers, alongside six case studies and a list of useful resources and practical tools. It aims to show that including social science insights and approaches at the start of the policymaking process, and during every stage of policy development, can enable improved design and delivery of adaptation policy.

Government chief scientific adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, said:

“The actions that people can take, and their effects, are influenced by a range of social, behavioural, economic, and cultural factors. To adapt well to our changing climate, we need to understand what affects the choices people can make and use that understanding when designing policies and support.

“This report makes an important contribution to that agenda. It summarises scientific insights, concepts, methods and approaches that can be used to help adaptation and resilience policy be more effective, more equitable, and more grounded in the realities of everyday life.

“The ACCESS Adaptation and Resilience Task Force comprised 13 academic and government social scientists with extensive subject knowledge and experience of working across the science-policy interface.”

Why Venezuela’s energy reforms are bringing investors back to the table in London

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Why Venezuela’s energy reforms are bringing investors back to the table in London
  • The Venezuela Energy Week London Industry Showcase taking place next week will unpack the regulatory changes, upstream economics and market opportunities shaping the country’s next investment cycle

LONDON, England — With Venezuela introducing sweeping reforms to its hydrocarbons sector and renewed international interest gathering pace, the Venezuela Energy Week London Industry Showcase will bring together policymakers, investors and industry leaders on July 30 to examine how the country’s evolving investment landscape is reshaping opportunities across the oil and gas value chain.

Hosted as part of the lead-up to Venezuela Energy Week 2026, the event will move beyond discussions of resource potential to focus on the commercial realities driving the sector’s next phase of growth.

The agenda opens with a keynote address outlining the government’s strategic vision for the sector, including production targets, investment priorities and the policy framework designed to attract long-term international capital. As Venezuela works to accelerate upstream development, the session will offer insight into the country’s roadmap for rebuilding one of the world’s largest hydrocarbon industries. That strategy is already translating into commercial activity: Repsol signed an agreement in April with Venezuela’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and PDVSA to regain operational control of the Petroquiriquire joint venture and increase production, followed in June by a memorandum of understanding to evaluate development of the Horcón area near Lake Maracaibo.

Building on this outlook, attendees will receive an in-depth overview of Venezuela’s newly enacted hydrocarbons law and its implementing regulations. The session will examine the upstream business models now available under the revised framework and how they are expanding investment flexibility across exploration, development and production. The reforms are already reshaping the operating landscape, with Chevron, Repsol and Eni among the international companies currently migrating their contracts to Venezuela’s new hydrocarbons regime, which provides greater operational autonomy under an updated fiscal framework.

The commercial case for investment will come into focus through an asset-level assessment of Venezuela’s upstream competitiveness. Focusing on mature fields in the Maracaibo Basin and extra-heavy crude developments in the Orinoco Belt, the session will evaluate field valuations, breakeven economics and the competitive advantages created by the country’s revised fiscal regime, giving investors a clearer picture of where value is emerging. In April, Chevron signed two agreements with PDVSA to increase its stake in the Petroindependencia joint venture to 49 percent and add the Ayacucho 8 block alongside its Petropiar operations, further strengthening its position in the Orinoco Belt.

As production continues to recover, efficient routes to international buyers will play an equally important role in sustaining growth. A dedicated presentation will examine how Venezuela is optimising storage infrastructure, strengthening export logistics and rerouting crude into premium global markets following the significant inventory clearances achieved earlier this year. The improving export outlook is also drawing renewed interest from international commodity traders, including Vitol and Trafigura, as Venezuelan crude volumes increasingly return to global markets.

The program concludes with a high-level panel discussion featuring international companies with firsthand experience operating in Venezuela. The conversation will examine the practical realities of doing business in the country, from investment and partnership opportunities to operational challenges and the outlook for future collaboration under the evolving regulatory framework.

As the first international event leading up to Venezuela Energy Week 2026, the London Industry Showcase offers a timely opportunity for the global energy community to assess how policy reform, competitive project economics and improving market access are converging to reposition Venezuela as one of the world’s most closely watched upstream investment destinations.

United States – Norwegian coast guards complete key interoperability exercise in North Atlantic

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United States – Norwegian coast guards complete key interoperability exercise in North Atlantic

 WASHINGTON, USA – The US Coast Guard successfully completed a major interoperability exercise conducted by the crews of Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Stone (WMSL 758) and Norwegian Coast Guard Vessel Hopen, marking a significant milestone in international Arctic cooperation and operational readiness.

The exercise, part of Operation Arctic Cohesion (OAC) 2026, took place from July 8 to 15 off the coast of New England and ashore in Newport, Rhode Island.

During the exercise, the crews of Stone and Hopen focused on building familiarity, strengthening coordinated response, and improving seamanship. Highlights of the event included crew exchanges to share best practices, joint underway training, and discussions on Arctic coast guard operations.

The two coast guards are part of the Arctic Coast Guard Forum (ACGF) and the combination of engagements built further understanding between the services. The exercise was observed by members from ACGF partner nations Canada and Finland to capture lessons learned to carry forward to other ACGF states.

“As the Arctic domain grows more complex, strategic collaboration is vital to safeguarding the region and ensuring we can respond effectively to evolving demands,” said Capt. Anne O’Connell, commanding officer of Stone. “Exercises like this demonstrate that we are stronger together than we are apart, and the U.S. Coast Guard looks forward to continuing to strengthen our international partnerships to ensure we are collectively ready for the challenges of tomorrow.”

OAC 2026 is a multi-phase deployment running from June 19 to August 11, 2026. Hopen’s voyage began in Norway and continued to Iceland and the United States to participate in the International Naval Review 250 in New York. Following the exercise with Stone, Hopen will participate in engagements in Canada, Greenland, and Iceland before returning to Norway. The nearly two-month deployment reflects a shared commitment to maritime safety and regional stability across the Arctic and North Atlantic.

“The United States and Norway share a decades-long partnership built on common values, shared experiences, and a forward-looking vision for the Arctic,” said Øyvind Fagerheim, commanding officer of Hopen, Norwegian Coast Guard. “As partners in the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, our nations remain firmly committed to strengthening operational collaboration to address maritime security, environmental protection, rescue operations, and other vital coast guard missions across the Arctic and beyond.”

The ACGF is an operationally focused partnership that brings together the Arctic countries to strengthen maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship across the High North. Through joint exercises, shared best practices, and coordinated presence, the ACGF seek common solutions to maritime issues in areas such as search and rescue, emergency response, fisheries oversight, and crisis management.

Taiwan – UK signs first drone cooperation pact: Taiwan tests plans to withstand China blockade

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Taiwan – UK signs first drone cooperation pact: Taiwan tests plans to withstand China blockade
    • Taiwan-UK drone alliance begins talks on development, marketing after signing
    • Officials explore energy reserves, ship escorts as Beijing expands pressure

TAIPEI, (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday for a drone industry partnership at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The signing came during a week of Farnborough deals for Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.. In a separate Friday statement, AIDC said it had secured more than NT$22 billion (USD 680 million) in new civil aviation and engine orders, after renewing a distribution contract with a major US aerospace systems company earlier in the week.

The drone pact says Taiwan and the UK will establish a platform for drone research and development and marketing, while helping each other expand internationally. It aims to promote concrete cooperation and bilateral investment to strengthen technological capabilities and global competitiveness.

AIDC president Chuang Hsiu-mei (莊秀美) signed the MOU with ADS Group CEO Kevin Craven. The signing was witnessed by Taiwan Representative to the UK Yao Chin-hsiang (姚金祥) and ADS group director of International Affairs Julie Marionneau.

Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance Chair Tsao Chin-ping (曹進平) delegated Chuang to lead the Taiwan Aerospace Industry Association and several member firms. Chuang said Taiwan is well positioned to become the UK’s safest, most reliable, and most capable manufacturing partner in the Asia-Pacific.

Craven welcomed the partnership and said the platform would leverage complementary strengths in technology development and manufacturing to drive continued growth. He added that cooperation with the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance is expected to generate new global business opportunities.

ADS Group is a UK industry association covering the aerospace, defense, security, and space sectors and is the parent company of Farnborough International, the event organiser. It helps more than 2,000 members pursue cooperation across the four industries.

The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance was co-founded by AIDC and the Metal Industries Research and Development Centre under the guidance of the ministry of economic affairs. Tsao heads the alliance, while the research center handles administrative affairs, drone industry integration, and connections between government and companies in Taiwan and overseas.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is expanding preparations to maintain energy and supply lines as China increases maritime pressure around the country, the New York Times reported Saturday.

Taiwanese officials are reviewing ways to keep fuel and other essential imports flowing if Beijing attempts to restrict access to Taiwan, according to officials familiar with the planning. China has conducted military exercises in recent years simulating operations to isolate Taiwan.

The issue has gained urgency as Taiwan depends on imports for about 95 percent of its energy needs, with natural gas accounting for roughly half of its electricity generation. Recent disruptions to global energy routes, including concerns over the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, have highlighted the risks facing energy-dependent economies.

Officials have conducted tabletop exercises to prepare for a potential siege scenario and are planning drills involving ship escorts, rerouting vessels to ports, and managing critical supplies. Four officials said the exercises are aimed at identifying weaknesses in Taiwan’s response plans.

Taiwan is also exploring options to strengthen energy security, including floating liquefied natural gas storage and processing facilities, emergency reserves, and extending the use of nuclear power. Energy Administration deputy director-general Chen Chung-hsien (陳崇憲) said Taiwan has been reviewing worst-case scenarios and regularly conducts exercises related to national security.

Taiwan currently maintains at least 11 days of natural gas reserves and has storage capacity for up to 20 days. Chen said floating facilities could provide more flexibility in receiving and distributing natural gas during an emergency, though finding suitable locations remains difficult.

Taiwan’s three liquefied natural gas terminals are on the west coast, where they could be vulnerable during a conflict. While the mountainous east coast is farther from China, officials said it lacks the ports, roads, and infrastructure needed to handle large gas shipments.

Taiwan is also considering whether to reverse the closure of some nuclear power plants to strengthen electricity supplies, per the New York Times. Foundation for Defense of Democracies China Program Senior Director Craig Singleton said a recent tabletop exercise with Taiwanese officials and business leaders showed the need to diversify both energy sources and delivery routes.

Prospect Foundation President Lai I-chung (賴怡忠) said China’s recent actions in waters east of Taiwan appeared to test a possible quarantine operation, per the New York Times. Taiwanese security officials said China has regularly deployed naval vessels around Taiwan, while coast guard ships have increased their presence.

Taiwanese officials have also held simulations involving scenarios in which China requires ships approaching Taiwan to seek approval and sends coast guard vessels to inspect or seize cargo. The exercises highlighted the need for better coordination among government agencies responsible for energy, agriculture, transportation, and emergency response.

China’s maritime activities around Taiwan have increased in recent months, with the Taiwan Coast Guard estimating Chinese government ships sailed near Taiwan’s main island 85 times in May and June, compared with 45 times during the same period last year.

Tamkang University adjunct professor Jing Yuan-chou (荊元宙) said China’s gradual use of gray zone tactics could intensify, per the New York Times.

“But the nibbling lays the way for if they ever want to try to devour us,” he added.

New collaboration between PAHO and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to expand early HIV diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean

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New collaboration between PAHO and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to expand early HIV diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean

 RIO DE JANEIRO, (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will collaborate to expand early HIV diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim of improving access to testing, facilitating timely linkage to care, and helping reduce preventable AIDS-related deaths.

Despite significant progress in the HIV response across Latin America and the Caribbean, late diagnosis remains one of the main challenges to reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortality, and to advancing toward the elimination of HIV as a public health problem. In 2025, approximately 34 percent of new HIV diagnoses in the region were made at an advanced stage of infection, while an estimated 32,000 people died from AIDS-related causes.

The joint initiative forms part of broader efforts to accelerate progress toward eliminating HIV as a public health problem in the Americas. The partnership will leverage the complementary expertise of both organizations to expand access to testing services, strengthen linkage to care, and accelerate the adoption of innovative strategies across the region.

“We continue to see far too many people in our region learning their HIV status only after the infection has progressed to an advanced stage, reducing opportunities to prevent serious complications and avoidable deaths,” said Monica Alonso, chief of PAHO’s HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Viral Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Malaria Unit. “Expanding access to testing and ensuring that people are rapidly linked to care and treatment is essential to reducing AIDS-related deaths and saving more lives across the Americas,” she added.

The collaboration was announced during PAHO’s satellite session, “The Last Mile to Elimination: Reducing Mortality from Advanced HIV Disease,” held at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro. The session brought together government representatives, community organisations, international agencies, and strategic partners to discuss the barriers that continue to limit timely access to HIV diagnosis and treatment.

While the region has made major gains over recent decades, thousands of people continue to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of infection. Late diagnosis remains a major contributor to HIV-related illness and death, despite the availability of effective testing methods and treatments that enable people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.

In 2025, approximately 2.1 million people living with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean were receiving antiretroviral therapy, representing a regional treatment coverage rate of 72 percent. However, an estimated 900,000 people were still not receiving treatment, and loss to follow-up remains one of the major barriers to achieving regional HIV targets.

The collaboration between PAHO and AHF will support actions to expand access to HIV testing, including HIV self-testing and community-based service delivery models. It will also seek to strengthen linkage to and retention in care, promote the exchange of experiences among countries, and generate evidence to identify and scale up high-impact interventions.

“Closing the remaining gaps in the HIV response requires far more than having effective tools available. We must ensure they reach the people who need them, at the right time and in ways that reflect the realities of each country and community,” said Dr Adele Benzaken, AHF’s senior global medical director. AHF is a nonprofit organisation that provides HIV-related services in 50 countries and operates in 11 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The collaboration between AHF and PAHO provides an opportunity to combine implementation experience, innovation, and technical cooperation with a regional perspective, helping accelerate our progress toward HIV elimination in the Americas,” she added.

PAHO and AHF will work with national health authorities, community organisations, and other partners to adapt and implement interventions that respond to the specific needs and contexts of individual countries.

For PAHO, expanding access to HIV testing is a fundamental component of the HIV response. However, barriers to diagnosis and care persist, particularly among populations in situations of vulnerability.

The initiative aligns with global commitments to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and will contribute to the goals of PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative. It will also support the priorities of the Alliance for HIV Elimination in the Americas, a regional platform led by PAHO that seeks to accelerate the adoption of innovations, strengthen technical cooperation, and expand equitable access to HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

CDB supports feasibility study for Regional Stock Exchange

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CDB supports feasibility study for Regional Stock Exchange

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB/the Bank) has approved a grant of US$100,000 to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Private Sector Organization Inc., (CPSO) to support a study that will assess the feasibility and inform the design of a Regional Stock Exchange for participating states of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Funded through CDB’s Special Development Fund (SDF) 11, the grant will finance Phase I of a broader initiative aimed at assessing viable models for establishing a regional securities exchange and advancing deeper capital market integration across the Caribbean.

The study will examine opportunities to create a more connected and efficient regional capital market capable of mobilising investment, improving liquidity, reducing financing costs, and expanding access to capital for businesses across CARICOM Member States.

Despite the presence of several stock exchanges across the region, Caribbean capital markets remain fragmented, limiting cross-border participation and constraining the scale of investment opportunities available to businesses and investors. A more integrated regional market could help unlock new sources of financing, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while supporting greater economic resilience and competitiveness.

“The Caribbean’s long-term growth depends on our ability to create stronger, more accessible financial markets that support entrepreneurship, innovation and investment,” said Lisa Harding, division chief, private sector division at CDB. “This feasibility study will provide the analysis needed to determine how a regional stock exchange can strengthen access to finance, support private sector development, and advance regional economic integration. It also reflects CDB’s commitment to building institutions and financial systems that foster inclusive and sustainable growth across our member countries.”

The feasibility study will analyse capital market demand across CARICOM member states, assess legal and regulatory requirements for greater market integration, evaluate international stock exchange models, and engage stakeholders from across the public and private sectors. The study will also explore opportunities to improve access to financing for women-led enterprises, youth entrepreneurs, and other traditionally underserved groups.

The initiative is being implemented by CPSO with support from CDB and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Together, the institutions are contributing USD 324,700 toward the completion of Phase I of the study.

Upon completion, the findings will be presented at a regional symposium, providing policymakers, regulators, private sector stakeholders and development partners with evidence-based recommendations to guide decisions on the future of regional capital market integration.

The project aligns with CDB’s strategic objective of building economic resilience and supports regional efforts to strengthen financial markets, promote private sector development, and advance Caribbean integration.

Dominican Republic national sentenced to prison for passport fraud and identity theft offenses

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Dominican Republic national sentenced to prison for passport fraud and identity theft offenses

WASHINGTON, USA – David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic unlawfully residing in the United States, was sentenced today by US District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 50 months of imprisonment for passport fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2025, an individual who had been recently released from prison (the “victim”) applied for a Connecticut identification card at the Waterbury branch of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”). When processing the victim’s application, the DMV determined that there was already an active driver’s license for the victim that had been issued in 2001 and renewed multiple times.

An investigation determined that Rodriguez, who lived in Waterbury, was the unlawful holder of the driver’s license and had assumed the victim’s identity. Investigators discovered that the victim’s identity had two different FBI fingerprint profiles, and that the Waterbury Police Department had arrest records and booking photographs of Rodriguez posing at the victim.

On March 5, 2020, Rodriguez used the name, date of birth, and place of birth of the victim to apply for a US passport in Waterbury.  He received the passport and used it for travel and identification purposes.

Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 30, 2025, after he submitted the false passport to the US Department of State and falsely represented himself as the victim and as a US citizen. He has been detained since his arrest.

On April 28, 2026, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of using a passport secured by a false statement and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Rodriguez will be removed to the Dominican Republic when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by the US Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and the Waterbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant US attorney Hal Chen.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A free society is an educated society

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A free society is an educated society

By Ron Paul

A survey of 2,253 Americans conducted by Morning Consult and the Cato Institute provides some good news but also raises serious concerns about the future. The good news is that the survey indicates 55 percent of Americans believe the Constitution should put firm limits on government power and 58 percent say no political party should be trusted with too much power.

However, the survey also indicates that four in ten Americans would approve of a president they voted for “stretching” the Constitution to accomplish their goals. This is not surprising since it is common for people’s positions on presidential power to change when their candidate ends up in the Oval Office.

A disturbing result of the survey is that 53 percent of people in Gen Z (defined as those born between 1997 and 2012) have a favourable view of socialism while only 45 percent have a favourable view of capitalism. Fifty-one percent of Gen Z said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who identifies as a “democratic socialist.” This support for democratic socialism among young people means America will likely travel further down the path to totalitarianism, as younger voters respond to problems caused by government intervention in the economy with calls for more government.

Students who are not taught the history of America’s founding, including the importance of limiting government to a few well-defined functions and separating power among three branches of government and between the federal government and the states, will be less likely to support constitutional government. Similarly, young people who are not taught that prosperity comes from free markets, private property, and sound money will be more likely to believe the socialist delusion that the key to prosperity is surrendering our liberty to politicians.

The lack of education in basic economics is why many confuse our current economic system with the free market and thus blame capitalism for problems caused by the government. This lack of education also allows President Trump to get away with denouncing socialism while taking at least partial control of private companies, a policy right out of the socialist handbook.

One factor in the decline of knowledge about American history, sound economics, and the principles the American republic is the neglect of history and civics education. The federal government insists that government schools focus on preparing children for mandated reading tests, as well as emphasise science and technology education. Teaching reading, math, and science is important, but that does not justify neglecting history and economics.

Parents looking to give their children a well-rounded education that includes focus on the history and ideas of liberty may want to explore my homeschooling curriculum.

My curriculum provides students with a solid education in history, literature, mathematics, and the sciences. It also gives students the opportunity to create their own websites and Internet-based businesses. Starting in the fourth grade, students are required to write at least one essay a week. Students also take a course in public speaking.

The curriculum emphasises the history, philosophy, and economics of liberty, but it never substitutes indoctrination for education. The goal is to produce students with superior critical thinking skills.

Outcomes monitoring: why understanding the consumer experience matters and where firms should focus

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Outcomes monitoring: why understanding the consumer experience matters and where firms should focus

By Charlotte Clark

The Consumer Duty was designed to ensure firms were focussed on the outcomes that matter to their customers. Understanding the actual experiences of people and identifying potential harm are essential to delivering these improvements. So outcomes monitoring is at the heart of helping consumers to better navigate their financial lives.

Understanding these outcomes is about more than collecting data or producing reports. It helps firms identify where customers may be struggling, spot emerging risks and take action before harm occurs. Doing this well helps build consumer trust in the firms and products that they engage with.

This is why, over the past year, we’ve looked closely at how firms are approaching outcomes monitoring.

Monitoring customer outcomes: what good practice looks like

Our review found that the strongest approaches were structured, evidence-based and focused on using information to identify risks.

Firms that were most effective did not simply collect management information; they used it to understand what was happening across the customer journey, challenge performance and drive improvements for consumers. They understood that every part of the customer journey gives an important signal.

But some firms need to do more to make monitoring proactive and outcomes-focused, demonstrate how information drives action and test whether interventions are effective.

Building frameworks that drive better outcomes

The strongest firms had clear monitoring frameworks that defined what good outcomes looked like in practice and linked those to different stages of the customer journey.

Rather than relying on broad statements or high-level metrics, they translated customer outcomes into measurable indicators and regularly reviewed whether they worked. Importantly, these firms could demonstrate a clear link between the information they collected, the decisions they made and the actions they took.

We saw proportionate examples from smaller firms. Some identified a small number of key points where customers were more likely to experience harm, using existing indicators to assess whether customers were receiving good outcomes. This shows that firms do not need complex systems or large teams to monitor outcomes effectively, provided their approach is clear, risk-based and linked to action.

But some firms’ monitoring frameworks were not sufficiently focused on customer outcomes or the risks of harm. They relied on high-level monitoring without a clear structure for identifying poor outcomes, understanding their causes or taking appropriate action.

Using data to strengthen monitoring and support

The firms with stronger approaches produced clear evidence that analysis helped to improve customer outcomes. They used data and management information to identify risks, make decisions and test whether interventions were improving outcomes. Some used indicators and thresholds to identify foreseeable harm, including customer vulnerability, unsuitable applications or financial risk.

But there are still areas for improvement in how firms use and evidence management information.

Some firms relied on reactive or poorly defined indicators, lacked clear audit trails, and could not demonstrate how data was used to identify emerging risks or assess customer outcomes. Firms should be able to show a clear link between management information, decision-making and improvements in outcomes. This includes explaining why metrics and tolerances were chosen and whether actions have been tested and are effective in reducing customer harm or friction.

Strengthen approach to third parties and distribution chains

Customers experience a product or service as a whole. They are unlikely to distinguish between the firms involved in delivering it.

That’s why effective arrangements with third parties and distribution partners remain important. Firms should understand the outcomes customers are experiencing, and get relevant information from third parties and distribution partners where needed.

We’ve seen positive examples of firms using management information, regular reviews and targeted engagement with partners to identify and address issues. This aligns with the FCA’s recent proposals on information sharing across distribution chains

Make governance count

We’ve seen stronger board and senior management engagement compared with earlier reviews.

Many firms now have clearer accountability, better action tracking and stronger governance arrangements.

However, effective governance is about more than reviewing reports.

We still want to see clearer evidence of challenge, discussion and decision-making. Boards and senior leaders should be able to demonstrate how they have scrutinised outcomes, challenged assumptions and driven improvements where needed.

Focus on outcomes, not activity

One theme runs through the strongest examples we reviewed.

They don’t just show what they monitored. They show what happened as a result.

They can identify an issue, understand its cause, take action and then assess whether that action improved outcomes for customers.

As firms continue embedding the duty, they should consider whether their monitoring gives them a clear enough view of customer outcomes and whether it leads to timely, effective action.

The firms making the strongest progress aren’t necessarily collecting more information. They’re using it more effectively to understand their customers, identify harm earlier and drive meaningful improvements.

And that’s what outcomes monitoring under the duty is intended to achieve.

‘Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled for Sustainable Revenue’

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‘Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled for Sustainable Revenue’
    • CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett at the opening session of the organisation’s 27th General Assembly and Technical Conference in Georgetown, Guyana, July 27, 2026
    • As I address you this morning, we continue to keep the Government and People of Guyana in our hearts and prayers following the M.V. Barima tragedy. On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I reiterate our heartfelt condolences to everyone impacted. CARICOM stands in solidarity with all and will continue to support in every possible way.

By Dr Carla Barnett

It is my pleasure to address the 27th General Assembly and Technical Conference of the Caribbean Organisation of Tax Administrators (COTA), a longstanding and valued institutional partner of the Caribbean Community which advances regional cooperation in tax administration. I express my sincere appreciation to the Guyana Revenue Authority for hosting this important gathering and commend COTA for convening another forum dedicated to strengthening one of the most important pillars of public sector management.

This gathering of Tax Administrators comes at a defining time for the Caribbean Community.

The Conference of CARICOM heads of government held in Saint Lucia earlier this month, continued to advance our agenda to build a more resilient, competitive and prosperous Community. We have widened the Community with the recent admission of two additional associate members – Martinique and French Guiana. We are deepening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); expanding full free movement of persons; advancing regional food and nutrition security through expansion in agricultural production; improving energy security by expanding the use of renewable energy; strengthening climate resilience and advocating reform, of the international financial system, that recognises our vulnerabilities; and pursuing sustained economic development that creates opportunity for all our people.

Achieving these objectives, however, requires more than sound policies and technical capability to implement. It requires that governments possess fiscal capacity to invest in development, respond to ever-increasing crises, and deliver essential public services. Particularly in this period when international development cooperation is increasingly uncertain, sustainable development, more than ever, depends on more reliable, resilient and home-grown sources of financing long-term growth and prosperity.

For the Caribbean Community, this is particularly challenging. Our member states face structural vulnerabilities associated with small size, openness of our economies and, consequently, high exposure to external economic shocks, and increasingly destructive and more frequent weather events such as storms, floods and droughts – fuelled by climate change. These realities place considerable pressure on public finances at precisely the time when governments must increase investment in resilient infrastructure, healthcare, education, food security, citizen security, digital public services and climate adaptation.

Domestic resource mobilisation is, therefore, not simply about raising revenue. It means creating the fiscal space necessary for governments to invest in resilience, protect vulnerable populations, and advance the sustainable development of our countries and region. It is also fundamental to strengthening economic sovereignty and reducing our vulnerability to external shocks. Within this context, the work of the COTA is even more relevant.

Since its establishment in 1971, COTA has consistently exemplified the spirit of strong and dynamic intra-regional cooperation and collaboration in tax administration. For more than five decades, COTA has served as the Community’s principal technical forum for tax administrations to exchange knowledge and experience, build professional capacity, and develop common approaches to advance improvements in revenue administration across Member States. By fostering collaboration, strengthening institutions, and promoting sharing of best practices, COTA has played an important role in enhancing public sector governance across the Region, and advancing the broader development objectives of the Caribbean Community.

The continued advancement of the CSME depends on harmonised policies and regulatory frameworks, and on strong public institutions that give practical effect to regional decisions. Public institutions that promote transparency, fairness, certainty and efficiency are essential to foster economic confidence and support regional integration. Effective tax administrations facilitate legitimate cross-border commerce, strengthen investor confidence, reduce unnecessary compliance burdens, and contribute to a more competitive and integrated regional economic space.

COTA has become an important component of the institutional architecture, supporting regional integration through cross-border collaboration on the administration of the Intra-CARICOM Double Taxation Agreement, promoting technical cooperation and knowledge sharing among Member Administrations, and its longstanding commitment to continuous professional development and institutional strengthening.

The international tax environment continues to change. New and evolving standards relating to tax transparency, including exchange of information, beneficial ownership, digitalisation and the taxation of multinational enterprises continue to reshape the global fiscal landscape. For small developing states with limited administrative resources, keeping pace with these changes requires continuous institutional strengthening, investment in human capital, and sustained regional cooperation collaboration. COTA has become one of the principal vehicles for regional engagement with international partners, fostering cooperation, building technical capacity, and amplifying the collective voice of CARICOM Tax Administrations.

Distinguished guests, the theme of this Conference “Future-Ready CARICOM Tax Administration: Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled for Sustainable Revenue“, appropriately recognises that technology is an increasingly important tool in modern revenue administration. Digital technologies, advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence offer significant opportunities to improve taxpayer services, strengthen voluntary compliance, identify fraud more effectively, and enable revenue authorities to make better use of limited resources. At the same time, tax administrations must contend with challenges, such as cybersecurity risks, rapidly evolving technologies, and the need to bridge digital divides within and across the region.

In CARICOM, our ability to pool expertise, exchange practical experiences and develop innovative solutions, provides a basis for building institutional capacity together more effectively than any member state could achieve alone. This collaborative approach has defined COTA for over half a century and will remain essential as our revenue administrations continue their digital transformation.

Your deliberations over the next few days will no doubt generate practical insights and actionable recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency and resilience of tax administrations across CARICOM. Such recommendations could help to ensure sustainable revenue flows to support the region’s development priorities and long-term economic resilience.

Future-ready tax administrations will not only strengthen revenue collection; they will strengthen governance, improve investor confidence, reinforce fiscal resilience, and help provide the foundation on which a more integrated, competitive and sustainable Caribbean Community can continue to be built.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Caribbean has never lacked ambition. Time and time again, our Region has demonstrated that, despite our individual size, we can achieve great things when we combine our expertise, our experience and our collective resolve. COTA stands as one of the enduring examples of that conviction.

As you begin your deliberations, I encourage you to be candid in your discussions, practical in your recommendations and continue to build on that legacy by embracing innovation that serves our people, strengthens our institutions and advances the sustainable development of our countries and our Community.

Related: CARICOM tax administrators meet in July: Guyana finance minister, CARICOM secretary-general to speak at opening session 

Taiwan opens Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office

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Taiwan opens Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office

 TAIPEI (TaiwanToday) – The Latin American and Caribbean Trade Office (LACTO) opened for business July 24 in Taipei City, marking another milestone in the robust relations between Taiwan and its allies in the region.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (MOFA) the ceremony was attended by foreign minister Lin Chia-lung and Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López of Guatemala, Ambassador Katherine Vanessa Meighan of Belize, Ambassador Donya Lynex Francis of St. Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Darío Filártiga Ruiz Díaz of Paraguay and Ambassador Kenton X. Chance of St Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Rovin Fevrier, chargé d’affaires of Saint Lucia’s embassy in Taiwan.

Lin said LACTO is built on 30 years of experience and success at the Central America Trade Office, and is charged with promoting trade, investment, tourism and industrial cooperation between Taiwan and the six regional allies.

Going forward, the MOFA’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Economic and Trade Office will coordinate government resources and provide one-stop services to allies in the region and work closely with LACTO to promote mutually beneficial projects, the minister added.

The ministry said it will team up with LACTO and organise exhibitions, promotional events, fact-finding tours and matchmaking sessions to help allies promote their products in Taiwan, and assist local firms expanding their presence in Latin America and the Caribbean.

African tripartite partners advance policy pathways for decent work in displacement at regional meeting

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African tripartite partners advance policy pathways for decent work in displacement at regional meeting
    • The International Labour Organization along with governments and employers’ and workers’ organisations, discussed more inclusive labour markets benefiting refugees and host communities during a regional forum.

NAIROBI, Kenya, (ILO News) – Governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations from five African countries have agreed on policy priorities to strengthen access to decent work for refugees and host communities at the close of the PROSPECTS Africa Forum on Decent Work and Forced Displacement.

The Forum was convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO), one of the five agencies implementing the PROSPECTS Partnership and the partner leading its work on employment, labour market governance, skills development, enterprise development and social dialogue.

Held in Nairobi from 21 to 23 July 2026, the Forum brought together tripartite delegations from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda, as well as representatives of regional institutions, development partners and the PROSPECTS Partnership.

Participants exchanged experiences on employment policy, skills development, social protection, digital transformation and regional cooperation. They also examined how social dialogue can help countries build stronger and more inclusive labour market systems in displacement-affected contexts.

The country teams tested and refined their country policy pathway proposals through a peer policy clinic, with a focus on feasibility and links to ongoing national reforms.

“Refugees and host communities participate in one labour market. Parallel systems are neither effective nor sustainable. National employment, skills, enterprise, labour inspection and social protection systems should include refugees and deliver better services for all,” he added.

The Forum also underlined that training alone is often insufficient to secure employment. Skills-development programmes need to respond to employer demand and connect participants with work-based learning, apprenticeships, recognition of prior learning and employment services.

Speaking at the Forum, Abdelmoneim Awad, director general for external relations, ministry of human resource and social welfare, Sudan, said:

 “Our priority is to build consensus among ministries, institutions, employers, workers, communities and refugees so that we can develop integrated policies that promote equity, inclusion and shared national goals.”

Social protection and labour protection emerged as important foundations for economic inclusion. Participants noted that effective protection systems can help people manage risks, invest in skills, seek employment, establish enterprises and move from informal to formal work.

While digital technologies, artificial intelligence and platform work can expand access to employment and markets, participants stressed that investment in connectivity and digital skills must be accompanied by suitable policies, regulations and protections for workers.

Representing the voice of workers, Richard Bigriwa, secretary general, National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU), Uganda, said:

“Workers are among those most vulnerable to displacement. We remain committed to working with governments and employers to support refugees and host communities, and we hope PROSPECTS can be extended to more countries across the region.”

Employers’ representatives emphasised the importance of aligning skills systems with labour market demand and strengthening the role of enterprises in work-based learning, job creation and economic inclusion.

“The way forward is to continue working together. Productivity creates profitability, and profitability creates opportunities to employ both local workers and refugees. With the ILO’s continued support and partnership, we can turn these opportunities into lasting results,” said Dr Dawit Moges Alemu, president, Confederation of Ethiopian Employers’ Association.

Regional institutions, including the East African Community, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Southern African Development Community, also considered how cooperation across borders can complement national reforms. Areas identified for further collaboration included labour mobility, recognition and portability of qualifications, portable social protection, cross-border digital work and common standards.

The Forum further emphasised that refugees and host communities should remain actively involved in the design, implementation and review of policies affecting their employment and livelihoods.

The outcomes will inform the remaining period of the second phase of PROSPECTS, which runs from 2024 to 2027 and places increased emphasis on policy coherence, institutional change and the sustainability of results.

“The ILO is ready to accompany you in strengthening national systems towards inclusive labour markets that provide decent work for all,” said Agossou as he closed the Forum.

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