In a riveting speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley highlighted the unprecedented escalation in the number and calibre of assault weapons in the Caribbean and called for global peace. She says the weapons end up in the hand of criminals, wreaking havoc on society and the criminal justice system, particularly in small island states in the region.

Minister of Energy Senator Lisa Cummins is assuring the public there was wide consultation on the development of the Electricity Supply Bill 2024. She told the Upper Chamber today that preparation of the draft Bill began in 2019 and involved an extensive and inclusive consultative approach. She added a consultant was hired to collate that information which was collected from the public sessions. Senator Cummins says the process was exhaustive but in March this year they were still not satisfied that everyone’s views were incorporated. She also commended Sir David Simmons for his drafting experience and the legal briefs which he wrote for them, as well as the meetings he held to ensure the Bill was not a fly-by-night piece of legislation.

The executive body of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados has thrown its full support behind the recently established National Advisory Council on Citizen Security. However, General Secretary Dennis de Peiza has called for a clear plan to be implemented, noting the time for talking is long gone. He says the violent crime problem which continues to plague the nation is not a political or police problem, but instead a societal one, which is also fast becoming a public health issue.