Work visas for foreigners may be reduced next year when Donald Trump takes over as president of the US. Photo credit: Earhustle411.com. – Advertisement – In fiscal year 2024, U.S. immigration authorities approved over 97% of H-1B visa applications, the second-highest rate in a decade, according to the National Foundation for American Policy. However, this success may decline under President-elect Donald Trump if his administration reinstates stricter immigration policies, affecting businesses that depend on skilled foreign workers, especially from India. The H-1B program, created in 1990, allows U.S. companies to hire foreign specialists in fields like technology and healthcare. With 85,000 visas issued annually, Indian workers typically claim over 70%. Supporters argue the program brings top global talent, while critics claim it undercuts U.S. workers. Controversial cases, such as Disney replacing U.S. staff with foreign workers, have fueled these debates. However there is little doubt that the US needs many...

A ship on a dark ocean. CARICOM is talking about regulations that will reduce marine gas emissions and pollution. Photo by Matthew Ansley on UnSplash. – Advertisement – A CARICOM group met on December 18 to talk about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. This was the first meeting of the Maritime Technical Working Group (MTWG) since it was set up after a transportation meeting in June. Mr. Richmond Basant from Trinidad and Tobago led the group. They discussed plans to cut emissions in a fair way for all and had a presentation about managing oceans responsibly, which is important for the Region’s blue economy. Dr. Wendel Samuel, a CARICOM leader, said these talks were very important for the Region. The meeting aimed to update members, share ideas, plan CARICOM’s next steps, and include experts from The University of the West Indies and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre, who help...

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew. – Advertisement – Basseterre, St. Kitts – After a period spanning five (5) days, from the presentation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ 2025 Budget Address by the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on December 16, to the rebuttal by Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, the Honourable Mark Brantley, and debates by parliamentarians, The Appropriation (2025) Bill, 2024, with total estimates for 2025 of EC$ 1. Billion for recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and net lending, was passed into law on Friday, December 20, 2024. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew. With a total recurrent capital and net lending charges on the consolidated fund of EC $1,009,136,484  and a total provided by law of EC $117,942,371, the Bill made provisions for the Governor-General; Parliament; Audit Office; Justice and Legal Affairs; Prime Minister’s Office; National Security, Citizenship and Immigration; International Trade,...

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Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, highlighted these achievements during the NIA’s 2024 Budget Debate on December 05, emphasizing the administration’s unwavering focus on sustainable agricultural development.   “In 2024, we remained cognizant of our mission to focus heavily on food security and food sovereignty and to do so in a sustainable manner. All of our efforts have been geared at empowering our farmers and fishers and subsequently increasing production.”   Hon. Evelyn shared impressive statistics reflecting this year’s success, particularly in watermelon production.   “Watermelon production increased by 92.5 percent when compared to 2023. It moved from 73,031 pounds to 140,610 pounds. Figures don’t lie; figures give hard evidence. Times gone by, we used to see just red watermelon on the market. Not anymore. We are seeing red, we are seeing yellow, we are seeing seedless [varieties]…We continue to move forward with this production,’ he...