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09/01/2026

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09/01/2026

UN forecasts global economic growth of 2.7% this year, down slightly from 2025

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Updated 7:26 PM EST, January 8, 2026

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations is forecasting that the global economy will grow by 2.7% this year, slightly lower than last year’s estimate, citing the impact of higher U.S. tariffs, economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions.

U.N. economists predicted that growth would edge up to 2.9% in 2027. That’s still well below the average 3.2% growth between 2010 and 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hurt economies around the globe. The estimate for 2025 is 2.8%.

“A combination of economic, geopolitical and technological tensions is reshaping the global landscape,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday in a statement, “generating new economic uncertainty and social vulnerabilities.”

But the U.N. economists said there was “unexpected resilience” to the sharp increases in U.S. tariffs last year. This was supported by solid consumer spending and easing inflation, which helped sustain growth, but they cautioned that underlying weaknesses persist.

According to the U.N.’s World Economic Situation and Prospects report, growth in Europe, Japan and the United States is projected to hold broadly steady.

In the United States, the U.N. said growth declined from 2.8% in 2024 to an estimated 1.9% in 2025, “as strong consumer spending and AI-related investment were partly offset by weak residential and commercial construction.”

The U.N. projected a very small rise in U.S. economic growth this year to 2%, and it forecast that growth will edge up to 2.2% in 2027.

Japan’s economy is forecast to grow by 0.9% this year and by 1% in 2027 — below the 1.2% growth estimated for 2025, the U.N. said.

“Private consumption is expected to recover gradually, while exports — particularly of automobiles — will likely remain constrained by higher United States tariffs and policy uncertainty,” the economists said of Japan.

The European Union’s economic growth is forecast to decline from 1.5% in 2025 to 1.4% in 2026 “as higher U.S. tariffs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty dampen exports,” the report said. But it projected growth will increase to 1.6% in 2027.

On a more positive note, the U.N. said some large developing economies, including China, India and Indonesia, are expected to continue to see solid growth.

Prospects for many low-income and vulnerable countries are expected to remain less favorable, the economists said, though they projected growth in the world’s least developed countries will rise from an estimated 3.9% in 2025 to 4.6% in 2026 and 5% in 2027. They singled out stronger economic performances in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

In East Asia, the U.N. said, economic growth is projected at 4.4% this year, down from 4.9% last year. China’s economy, the world’s second largest, is forecast to grow by 4.6% in 2026 and 4.5% in 2027, below the estimated 4.9% expansion in 2025.

“A temporary easing of trade tensions with the United States — including targeted tariff reductions and a one-year trade truce — has helped stabilize confidence,” it said.

In Africa, modest economic growth is projected, from an estimated 3.9% in 2025 to 4% in 2026 and 4.1% in 2027, the report said. “However, high debt and climate-related shocks pose significant risks,” it said.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, while “the outlook remains broadly resilient,” growth is projected to decline slightly from an estimated 2.4% in 2025 to 2.3% in 2026 before edging up to 2.5% in 2027.
https://apnews.com/article/un-global-economic-forecast-tariffs-tensions-growth-64933d8d1c531bb002497537f7a6a122

09/01/2026

St. Kitts and Nevis to Introduce Physical Residency Requirement in 2026 CBI Overhaul

09/01/2026

Government Clarifies Scope of US–SKN Transfer Arrangement

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew has confirmed that St. Kitts and Nevis has negotiated and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States of America regarding the potential…

08/01/2026

REV-UP SLU DAILY NEWS
Police Report Isolated Incidents During Assou Square New Year Celebrations

Police say the New Year celebrations at Assou Square were largely peaceful, despite a handful of incidents that required law enforcement intervention over the holiday period.

Providing an update, WSPC Zane Romulus reported that one of the more serious incidents occurred on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day.

“At 4.45 p.m., the Special Operations Team conducted a search of an individual along Bourbon Street. During the search, the officer recovered a pistol and 13 rounds of ammunition from a pouch on the individual,” Romulus said.

She added that the suspect was taken into custody and that “charges are expected to be refiled later this week.”

Police also detailed the arrest and charging of a 27-year-old man following a disturbance during a stage performance. Romulus said 27-year-old Don Clery of Banse, Laborie allegedly climbed onto a stage and refused to step down.

“He was subsequently arrested, but during the process he attempted to strike a police recruit, resisted officers, swore and kicked a sergeant. And he also damaged his shirt,” Romulus stated.

According to police, Clery was taken to the Vieux Fort Police Station, where he made threatening remarks towards an inspector. On Sunday, 4 January 2026, he was formally charged with two counts of threatening words, counts of assault on police officers, damage to property, use of obscene language and resisting arrest.

In a separate operation not directly linked to the Assou Square festivities, Romulus outlined a major drug enforcement action carried out in the south of the island. He said that on Monday, 29 December 2025, officers attached to the Gangs, Narcotics and Fi****ms Unit Southern Detachment, along with officers from the Choiseul Police Station, executed a search warrant at the premises of 41-year-old Delecus Alphonse of Choiseul.

“During the operation, three cannabis plantations were discovered. Over 5,000 cannabis plants were rooted, and over seven kilograms of cannabis were recovered from his residence,” Romulus said. Alphonse was arrested and later charged with possession of a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply, and cultivation of a controlled plant.

He appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux fort on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, where he was granted bail in the sum of $9,600 cash or suitable surety.

As part of his bail conditions, Alphonse must report to the Schroeder Police Station every Saturday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., surrender all travel documents, and not leave the country without the court’s permission. He is scheduled to reappear before the Second District Court on 11 February 2026.

Police say investigations into all incidents are continuing as they maintain their presence at public events to ensure the safety and security of patrons.

08/01/2026

REV-UP SLU DAILY NEWS
Minister Danny Butcher Tours Southern Schools as New Term Gets Underway

The Government of Saint Lucia is reaffirming its commitment to providing schools with supportive and well-prepared learning environments, as Minister in the Ministry of Education, Danny Butcher, toured several educational institutions in the south of the island at the start of the new school term.

The visits were aimed at assessing readiness following the Christmas break and gauging morale among students, teachers and administrators. According to Minister Butcher, the overall picture was a positive one.

“The ministry saw it fitting to really go to all of the schools, as many schools as possible, to really assess the readiness of the school, with students coming back from the Christmas celebrations,” he said. “And my general impressions is I’m very impressed. The principals, the teachers, the students, everybody seemed ready.”

While noting that minor issues were identified at some schools, the minister stressed that none were of serious concern.

“We have no major, major issues. I mean you get the ordinary problems at each school which we documented and which we will take care of in the upcoming weeks as quickly as possible,” he explained. He added that the enthusiasm of educators was clear. “You get the general impressions from our teachers and principals that they’re ready, ready to work. They enjoyed Christmas and they are ready to work.”

The tour also carried personal significance for Minister Butcher, particularly during stops in Vieux Fort.

“At some level it would have been a bit emotional and Vieux Fort Comprehensive for me is very very close to my heart. Vieux Fort Primary as well because I attended Vieux Fort Primary,” he shared.

“So that would be slightly emotional to see your colleagues and to interact with your colleagues.”

He said the reception he received from staff was especially encouraging.

“The most beautiful thing about it is how welcoming they are to you and the level of expectation that they have from you really, really motivates you,” he noted.

Minister Butcher also paid special attention to Vieux Fort Special Education School, praising the dedication of its staff despite ongoing challenges.

“What is really, really motivating is how the teachers at Special Ed and the administration at Special Ed, how they continue to work very, very well, considering they don’t have the best conditions, but still they work very, very well,” he said.

The ministry says the feedback gathered during the visits will guide efforts to address identified needs promptly, as schools settle into the new term.
revupslu.com

08/01/2026

REV-UP SLU DAILY NEWS
Forestry and Police Launch Probe After Viral Video Shows Killing of Protected Boa Constrictors

The Forestry Department has launched a joint investigation with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force following the circulation of a disturbing viral video showing two individuals brutally killing at least five Saint Lucian Boa constrictors, locally known as Tete Chien.

The Saint Lucian Boa constrictor is an endangered species, protected under national wildlife legislation. Authorities have confirmed that the killing, consumption or exploitation of the animal is a criminal offence and that those responsible will face the full force of the law.

Assistant Chief Forestry Officer Piyus Haynes confirmed that progress has already been made in identifying those involved.

“We have collaborated with the police and that person, the one whose face was shown on the video, has been identified and we are just collaborating with the police in order to effect an arrest whenever he is located,” Haynes said.

He stressed that the penalties for harming protected wildlife are severe.

“It is an offence. Persons can be charged up to $5,000 per animal, per offence, and you can even be in prison for up to 12 months for committing such criminal acts against our wildlife,” he explained.

Haynes also addressed reports that the animals were killed for consumption, warning that this practice is both illegal and dangerous. “Persons ought not to be eating this [tête chien]. As a matter of fact, persons do not even know whether or not these wild animals, bushmeat, whether or not there are any zoonotic diseases that they can contract from eating of these wild meat,” he said.

He added that the Forestry Department does not support or tolerate such behavior.

“We will not encourage folks to be eating Bowa. It is an offence. It is against the law. And those persons and those communities that are involved in the eating of Tete Chien should distance from that,” Haynes stated.

The Assistant Chief Forestry Officer also condemned the extraction of fat from the boa, commonly referred to as snake oil, describing the practice as cruel and unlawful. “Persons have been extracting the fat from under the skin of the boa and they call it the snake oil. The way that they do it is unsustainable and it is also inhumane and it is wrong,” he said.

According to Haynes, the process often leads to the animal’s death. “Persons would use any sharp implement, razor blade or scalpel or whatever, and they would dissect the animal. They would cut through the animal’s skin and most likely that might result in the animal’s death because it is not done in the correct way,” he explained.

He warned that those involved in such activities will also be held accountable. “That again is an offence. So persons who are involved in the extraction of the animal’s fat, the boa’s fat, should also desist from such activity because we do not tolerate these kinds of activities,” Haynes said.

Authorities are urging the public to report any information related to the incident as investigations continue, while reminding citizens that the protection of endangered species is a shared national responsibility.
revupslu.com

08/01/2026

Harddrive [Thurs, Jan 08] (Hosted by: Keena & Andre Paul)

Special Guest: Janice Dupal

07/01/2026

Caribbean bishops had repeated plea for peace ahead of U.S. attack on Venezuela

(OSV News) – Just a few days before the Jan. 3 U.S. strikes on Venezuela, the Catholic bishops of several Caribbean nations had repeated their earlier plea for peace while expressing support for the Venezuelan people, amid a pre-attack buildup of U.S. military in the region.

07/01/2026

07/01/2026

Saint Lucia has lost a consummate professional and a powerful voice in journalism. Lissa Joseph was more than a journalist, she was a woman of integrity, principle, grace and unwavering commitment to her craft. She carried herself with quiet strength and dignity and earned deep respect through her fairness, diligence and her constant quest for truth. Her work informed, challenged and uplifted and her legacy will live on in the standards she set and the lives she touched.

Lissa was fearless in her reporting yet always respectful and courteous to those she questioned and interviewed. She was unafraid to ask the hard questions in pursuit of her dogged determination to get the truth on any issue which she covered as she was committed to presenting her viewers with fair and balanced reporting.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to know and interact with her over many years and I applaud her brave and selfless service to her country. She did what was right even when it was difficult to do so and even when she came under threat for pursuing certain stories. Her passing leaves a massive void in the news landscape in Saint Lucia. I extend heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May she rest in peace, knowing her contribution mattered and that her shining light will never be forgotten🙏🏼

07/01/2026

REV-UP SLLU DAILY NEWS
Cuba Condemns U.S. Military Operation After 32 Nationals Killed in Venezuela

Cuba has confirmed that 32 of its nationals died during a large-scale United States military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, sparking outrage in Havana and raising serious regional security concerns.

Cuban Ambassador to Saint Lucia Yenielys Linares said Cuba has “condemned, energetically, what happened in Venezuela with the kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife and also the invasion to that country.”

The operation, which took place in Caracas on 3 January 2026, saw U.S. forces seize Maduro and transport him to New York for prosecution on narcoterrorism and related charges.

Ambassador Linares confirmed that 32 Cubans were killed during the U.S. action.

“Thirty-two Cubans died there,” she said, adding that the losses “violate everything that is in the charts of the United Nations.”

Cuban government statements also noted that their personnel “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism” while defending Venezuela’s security, according to state media releases published by Havana.

Linares made clear that Cuba’s solidarity extends to those left behind. “Not only the embassy, the entire Cuban people is supporting all the relatives or the families of the Cubans that died there,” she said, underscoring the national impact of the casualties.

In response to the killings, Cuba declared a period of national mourning and has vowed to demand peace and solidarity from the international community.

“We demand peace, demand the solidarity,” the ambassador said.

Linares also signaled that diplomatic channels will be active in the coming days.

“Those are actions that need to be done between the embassies, between the governments, the actions that need to be published will be published in due time,” she stated, indicating that further communication and official responses may follow.

The deaths of the Cuban nationals have added to the intense backlash against the U.S. intervention, with critics arguing the action breached international law and escalated instability in Latin America.
revupslu.com