By Antonio Dey |HGP Nightly news
Trinidad & Tobago
Prime Minister Kamla Prasad-Bissessar has publicly reprimanded her junior minister Philip Alexander following remarks that triggered a diplomatic spat with Venezuela.
Alexander, who serves as Minister in the Ministry of Housing, suggested that India might use nuclear weapons against Venezuela to protect Trinidad and Tobago after Port of Spain supported U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy warships in the Caribbean.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez swiftly condemned the comment, mocking Alexander in a Facebook post and urging Trinidad and Tobago to prioritize its citizens while rejecting Washington’s alleged resource-driven agenda.
At a press briefing, Prime Minister Prasad-Bissessar distanced her government from Alexander’s remarks. “He was totally out of line. I do not share his views. The government does not share the views expressed by the honorable minister,” she said.
Alexander has since issued a public apology via social media, pledging his full support to the Prime Minister and admitting fault. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Venezuela calls on the United Nations to investigate what it described as serial executions of its nationals by U.S. forces, who recently claimed to have bombed three drug-carrying vessels.
Dominica
President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica is set to receive the Global Inspiration Leadership Award and will be inducted into the Global Power Women Network during a ceremony in New York City.
The announcement, issued by the Office of the President, stated that the award recognizes Burton’s outstanding leadership, her commitment to advancing gender equality, and her visionary role in shaping inclusive policies.
The honors will follow her keynote address at the Global Power Women’s Conference, an annual event designed to elevate women’s voices in leadership, encourage cross-sector collaboration, and chart strategies for sustainable global growth.
United States
The White House has asked federal agencies to prepare mass firing plans in anticipation of a potential government shutdown next week.
In a sharp departure from the temporary furloughs typically seen during previous shutdowns, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has directed agencies to identify programs and activities that would lose discretionary funding beginning October 1 if Congress fails to pass a budget.
According to the OMB memo, programs without mandatory appropriations will be hardest hit. The move signals the administration’s expectation of prolonged budget gridlock as lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement.
