SOURCED FROM CURRENT NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS
Cyprus welcomes the announcement of reaching the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Thursday.
In a post on X, he said Cyprus welcomes the announcement of reaching the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. ‘I commend the US for its leadership and its sustained diplomatic efforts to this end’, he said, adding that full implementation of the agreement ‘is now absolutely vital.’
Important issues that the EU will have to address in the near future and that will be negotiated during the Cyprus EU Presidency were at the center of the contacts that Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna held recently in Strasbourg.
According to an official press release, Raouna completed her two-day visit to Strasbourg on Wednesday, which took place within the framework of her round of contacts with the European Parliament in view of the assumption of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
During her visit, Raouna held meetings with Committee Chairs of the European Parliament, with the aim of strengthening relations and cooperation with the European Parliament, which as a co-legislator plays a decisive role in a successful Presidency of the Council of the EU.
In particular, the Deputy Minister had a meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Javier Zarzalejos, with whom they discussed the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the legal framework for the protection of children from sexual abuse, the rule of law, as well as the simplification package.
It is added that with the Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) Niclas Herbst she exchanged views on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), one of the most important files that the Cyprus Presidency will be called upon to negotiate. The Multiannual Financial Framework was also discussed in her meeting with the European Parliament Rapporteur on the MFF Siegfried Muresan.
Raouna also met with the Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis Irene Tinagli, with whom she discussed the European Affordable Housing Plan, one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency. She also said that an informal ministerial meeting on housing is planned to be held in Cyprus during the Presidency.
The meeting with the Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange focused, on the priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency in the field of trade, international trade agreements, as well as the legislative dossiers that will be promoted during the Cyprus Presidency.
During a meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) David McAllister, they discussed about EU enlargement, EU relations with the Middle East and the Gulf countries, international trade agreements, as well as the Cyprus issue.
Meanwhile during the meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Borys Budka, issues of competitiveness, energy security, research and innovation, which will concern the Cyprus Presidency, were discussed.
The Deputy Minister also met with the Chair of the Security and Defence Committee (SEDE) Marie Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, with whom she exchanged views on the EU’s defence and strategic autonomy, as well as on the Union’s role in the Middle East and the Gulf, areas to which Cyprus, as the EU Member State closest to the region, will give particular emphasis during the Presidency.
Regarding the SAFE Regulation, Ra?una underlined that the participation of third countries must be limited exclusively to like-minded states that respect the security and defence interests of the European Union and all its Member States. In addition, she informed about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. During her stay in Strasbourg, Raouna met with Cypriot MEPs, with whom she discussed current issues on the European agenda and ways to further strengthen cooperation between them in view of the Presidency.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou held bilateral meetings on housing policy issues in Geneva, on the sidelines of the UNECE Ministerial meeting on housing affordability and sustainability.
Ioannou met with Executive Secretary of UNECE, Tatiana Molcean and the Minister of Solidarity-Based Future of Slovenia, Simon Maljevac, a press release by the Ministry says.
During the meeting with the UNECE Executive Secretary they discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Cyprus and UNECE on housing policy issues, in view of the assumption of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Ioannou had the opportunity to present the priorities that the Government will promote in the first half of 2026 during the Cyprus EU Presidency and referred to the effort being made at national and European level to increase the housing stock.
Cyprus Minister also explained the initiative taken by the Republic and which was presented in the context of the High-Level Conference on Affordable Housing held under the Danish Presidency, namely to grant a special tax regime for the implementation of affordable housing programs.
During the meeting, the UNECE Executive Secretary highlighted the need to develop a single platform of common policy and best practices, as a tool for better coordination and addressing common challenges in the field of affordable and social housing.
Any solutions that will be put up for discussion, the UNECE Executive Secretary said, should be resilient and sustainable and take into account the environmental and energy dimensions.
In the meeting with the Slovenian Minister the agenda focused on the increase in European funding for the implementation of affordable housing programs, as a central pillar of the European Plan for Affordable Housing under development.
Ioannou and Maljevac agreed that the European Affordable Housing Plan can be the basis for the development of a European housing strategy, with targeted policies, tailored to the specific needs of the Member States.
The Minister of the Interior extended an invitation to Maljevac to participate in the Informal Ministerial Meeting to be held in Cyprus in May 2026, where the roadmap for the integration of affordable housing into the Cohesion Policy 2028-2035, as an independent thematic priority, will be defined.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on the practices implemented by the two countries at national level to manage the housing problem. Common challenges were discussed, such as AirBnBs, the increase in investment interest in the real estate sector etc, the press release by the Ministry read.
Maljevac informed the Cyprus Minister about the new incentive program implemented by Slovenia, aiming to strengthen the affordable rental market, and referred to the actions implemented in Cyprus, through the Cyprus Land Development Corporation, to increase affordable housing options, mainly to cover socio-economically vulnerable groups of the population.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Thursday set November 6 and 7 as the dates to hear the case of the Trinidad and Tobago-based political analyst, Derek Ramsamooj, challenging the conduct of the State of Suriname following his detention in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country in 2020.
Newly appointed CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson, said the judges were looking forward to see all parties ‘at the seat of the court sixth and seventh November and yo try this matter at the time’.
He said that a case management (CMC) was held in January this year, in which the CCJ issued certain orders regarding the filing of documents.
‘The timetable has been complied with, we have all of the documents in hand including.CARICOM (Caribbean Community) an amicus brief .responding to specific questions raised by the court.
The CCJ President said that the witness statements have also been received, adding that the meeting on Thursday ‘was to make sure that we have everything arranged for the trial to take place on the sixth and seventh of November and in particular we wanted to ensure hat we have he order in which the witnesses will give their evidence’.
Ramsamooj, 64, who holds both Trinidad and Tobago and British passports, was summarily detained in Paramaribo in October 2020, and was not allowed to leave the country until September 2022. He suffers from a range of medical issues including diabetes, hypertension and severe coronary artery disease.
A presiding judge had ordered the authorities in Suriname to return his passports, noting that Ramsamooj had, at all times, demonstrated a willingness to support due process, and had consistently stated his desire to clear his name through the legal routes.
The analyst, who has worked in several Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, was told by Suriname police on October 6, 2020, that they only wanted a statement to support an enquiry into operations at the Surinamese Post Savings Bank (SPSB).
Ramsamooj had conducted customer surveys for the SPSB, as well as bank employee surveys, in addition to conducting two country risk assessments of Suriname in his capacity as an analyst and researcher. The activities were paid for by the financial institution.
The CCJ, which was established in February 2001 replacing the London-based Privy Council, also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of the Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement.
In his application to the CCJ, Ramsamooj is seeking a number of relief measures including a declaration that Suriname infringed his right to freedom of movement as well as a right to provide services.
In addition, Ramsamooj wants a declaration that Suriname infringed his right not to be discriminated against on the ground of his nationality as well as a declaration that the Suriname breached its obligations under Article 9 of the Revisted Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) that governs the 15-member regional integration movement, CARICOM.
The lawyers for the political analyst said that Suriname failed to ensure that their client was not subjected to arbitrary imprisonment and/or denial of Counsel and/or denial of adequate medical attention and/or discrimination on the ground of nationality and/or the several rights identified in the Charter of Civil Society.
In addition Ramsamooj is seeking damages and cost.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has asked the United Kingdom to exempt the territory from sanctions to breach its debt ratios as part of plans to expand the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport.
Wheatley recently confirmed that has written to the UK government seeking clarity and support for the multimillion-dollar project, which aims to boost the territory’s economic development and tourism potential.
‘As it pertains to what we hope to be supported on by the United Kingdom government, I’ve written to the United Kingdom government, and one of the matters that I’ve raised with them initially, as it pertains to support for the airport expansion, has to do with ratios,’ Wheatley stated.
He explained that the runway extension would cost ‘several hundreds of millions of dollars,’ which would put the territory beyond its permitted borrowing thresholds.
‘Based on our ratios, we would fall outside of our ratios as it pertains to debt. So one thing that we are seeking from the United Kingdom is confirmation that those won’t be considered a breach of the ratios,’ he explained.
The BVI’s borrowing limits are governed by the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, an agreement between the UK and the territory that sets strict fiscal rules, including debt-to-revenue ratios. The arrangement requires approval from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for large public sector loans or guarantees.
Wheatley said discussions are ongoing with the UK about how these protocols affect the Virgin Islands’ capacity to fund major infrastructure.
‘We are engaged with the United Kingdom as well as it pertains to the protocols for effective financial management and how they affect our ability to be able to engage in economic development as we seek to expand our economy,’ he added.
The Premier did not disclose a specific timeline for the airport project or the source of financing, though he recently met with potential investors in ports and infrastructure while in the UK.
The airport expansion has been a long-standing goal of successive governments to accommodate direct international flights and larger aircraft, but it has faced repeated delays due to financing constraints and concerns about the impact on public debt.
The Ministry of Finance has not yet announced how the exemption request will be assessed or whether approval will be granted by the UK.
Cricket legend Brian Lara was honoured with a lifetime achievement award during the 2025 CEAT Cricket Rating Awards on Tuesday.
Tyre manufacturers CEAT devised the cricket rating system in 1995, and Lara won the CEAT Cricketer of the Year award one year later.
The 56-year-old Lara, who holds the world record for the highest individual Test match score of 400 not out, was presented with the award by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar.
Brian Lara (right) poses with his CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to him by Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar (centre).
In a post on social media, CEAT praised Lara for his outstanding career.
‘Some careers set records; a few set horizons.
‘Tonight, we honour Brian Lara with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award – a salute to craft, charisma, and a legacy that continues to guide how greatness is imagined,’ the CEAT post said.
Former Indian leg-spinner, BS Chandrasekhar also received a lifetime achievement award.
English star batsman Joe Root won CEAT’s International Cricketer of the Year award, with his countryman Harry Brook copping the men’s Test Batsman of the Year award in a year which has seen him scoring over 500 runs at the Test level at an average of 53.90.
The Test Bowler of the Year award went to Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya.
The top One-Day International (ODI) awards went to the Kiwi pair of Matt Henry (ODI Bowler of the Year) and batting star Kane Williamson (ODI Batsman of the Year).
The T20 International Bowler of the Year award went to Indian leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, with Indian teammate Sanju Samson getting the honours as the top T20 International Batsman of the Year.
In other awards, South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma received an award for his exemplary leadership in leading the Proteas to a World Test Championship title win over Australia in June, while Indian stalwart Rohit Sharma received a special memento for leading his country to the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy earlier this year.
The Indian pair of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma won the respective Women’s International Batter and Bowler of the Year awards.
Senior Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives have written to President Donald Trump demanding the list of designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) provide evidence for recent military strikes in the Caribbean Sea.
‘Per your administration’s sparse reporting to Congress, you have determined that certain cartels are ‘non-state armed groups,’ that you have ‘designated them as terrorist organizations,’ and that you have ‘determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States”, the representatives said.
‘However, your administration has not identified any of the specific organizations you have determined to be included as designated terrorist organizations, nor the criteria or process used for making such determinations,’ they added.
‘You have also failed to specify the authority under which the administration is able to designate affiliates of certain drug trafficking organizations as enemy combatants for the purpose of undertaking lethal strikes,’ the ranking Congressional representatives continued. ‘We request that you immediately provide a list of all designated terrorist organizations to Congress, along with the associated determination criteria or methodologies used.’
They said that the flow of illicit drugs into the United States has caused a ‘horrific public health crisis that must be addressed.
‘Stemming that flow is an essential mission that has no military solution,’ they said. ‘Congress has authorized the executive to interdict and prosecute drug trafficking, including military support for such law enforcement-led interdiction efforts.
‘At the same time, interdiction must be paired with serious efforts to reduce demand,’ added the congressional members, noting that Trump recently ordered four lethal military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea, ‘based on determinations that they were affiliated with entities you have designated as drug trafficking organizations and trafficking narcotics.’
They said the US Congress has the sole constitutional responsibility to declare war and to authorize the use of force, and that Trump has failed to secure such authorization for these strikes.
‘Further, the administration’s severe lack of transparency and failure to share critical information with Congress prevents Congress from conducting constitutionally ordained oversight of the Executive Branch,’ the letter said.
In addition, it said that the president has not provided Congress with details regarding the intelligence associated with these strikes nor has the administration provided significant details with respect to the legal justification for these strikes ‘beyond vague assertions of Article II powers.
‘The President’s Article II powers are significant, but they are not limitless,’ the letter said. ‘It is our understanding that the Department of Defense has determined strikes against designated terrorist organizations are legal on the basis of a legal opinion produced by the Department of Justice.
‘We ask that you provide that legal opinion to Congress immediately,’ it added. ‘We look forward to receiving the list of designated terrorist organizations and the Department of Justice legal opinion.’
On Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate blocked a measure by Senate Democrats that would prohibit Trump from using military strikes
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed that a request for the temporary installation of radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport was received from the Government of the United States.
‘The Ministries of National Security, Legal Affairs and Foreign Affairs are carefully assessing the request and reviewing the request in technical consultations, in coordination with the Grenada airports Authority and other relevant agencies.’
The statement said the Government of Grenada is carefully reviewing the request in accordance with established national procedures.
‘Any decisions will be made only after all technical and legal assessments are completed. We wish to assure our citizens that any decision taken will be guided by Grenada’s sovereignty, public safety, and national interest, including the protection of our tourism industry, the traveling public, and the country’s economic well-being.’
The statement added that the Government will continue to keep the public informed as developments unfold.
This development comes as military tensions in the southern Caribbean continues to mount as the United States is seeking to ramp up pressure on Venezuela in a new war against drug trafficking.
On Monday it was announced that President Donald trump has called off efforts to reach a solution with Venezuela .
Grenada is regarded as a strategic location for Washington’s manoeuvres , being located approximately 100 miles from Venezuela.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says Jamaica has become one of the first countries in the region implement clear rules for how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in its courts.
In making the statement on Tuesday, Sykes said the guidelines are designed to ensure that AI enhances justice delivery without undermining fairness, accuracy, or integrity.
He said the rules apply to the Supreme Court, the Revenue Court, the High Court and the Circuit Divisions of the Gun Court.
Acknowledging that there is a growing use of AI in the preparation of legal documents, the Chief Justice called for this to be responsible, secure and transparent to ensure that the integrity of the judicial process is maintained.
He noted at there are numerous benefits of Generative AI.
‘It will enhance efficiency and enhance court operations. It will also simplify the preparation of legal submissions, reduce clerical delays , ease the filing process and support self representative litigants. Court staff will also use AI to improve document management, can scheduling and information retrieval. Ensuring proceedings are faster, more accurate and transparent. For ordinary Jamaicans, these changes mean faster access to justice, clearer processes and a system that works for everyone.’
The Chief Justice has also urged attorneys to thoroughly review documents done with the assistance of AI before submission to the court.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday confirmed that a request for the temporary installation of radar equipment and associated technical personnel at the Maurice Bishop International Airport was received from the Government of the United States.
‘The Ministries of National Security, Legal Affairs and Foreign Affairs are carefully assessing the request and reviewing the request in technical consultations, in coordination with the Grenada airports Authority and other relevant agencies.