作者: admin

  • Baltimore Wins St. Philip North By-Election in Landslide

    Baltimore Wins St. Philip North By-Election in Landslide

    In a resounding electoral triumph, Randy Baltimore of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has captured the St. Philip North parliamentary seat through a decisive by-election victory. The conclusive results, finalized after the tallying of all seven ballot boxes, reveal a commanding mandate for the ABLP candidate.

    The final polling division at Newfield Primary School cemented Baltimore’s lead, contributing 149 votes to his total against 42 for his opponent, Alex Browne of the United Progressive Party (UPP), with one ballot rejected. This brought the definitive count to 924 votes for Baltimore versus 407 for Browne, establishing a dominant victory margin of over two-to-one.

    This electoral contest was necessitated by the retirement of political stalwart Sir Robin Yearwood, who concluded his distinguished parliamentary service spanning approximately fifty years representing the constituency. The transition marks a significant generational shift in St. Philip North’s political representation while maintaining continuity in party alignment.

    Baltimore’s victory ensures the ABLP maintains its stronghold in the constituency, with the newly elected representative poised to assume his legislative duties in Parliament. The electoral outcome demonstrates continued voter confidence in the governing party’s direction and provides fresh momentum for the ABLP’s political agenda.

    The comprehensive nature of Baltimore’s victory, evident from early counting trends that showed an insurmountable lead after six boxes, suggests strong constituency support for the ABLP’s platform and candidate selection process.

  • Nigerian Igbo regent to visit to strengthen cultural ties

    Nigerian Igbo regent to visit to strengthen cultural ties

    Barbados prepares to host a significant cultural envoy this week as Nigerian traditional leader Regent Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze arrives to reinforce historical connections between the Caribbean nation and its West African roots. The visit represents a deliberate effort to reclaim ancestral heritage disrupted by the transatlantic slave trade that brought thousands of Igbo people to Barbadian shores between the 17th and early 19th centuries.

    Dr. Anakwenze, who serves as regent of the Abagana Kingdom in Nigeria’s Anambra State, brings both royal authority and professional expertise as a physician and Pan-African advocate. As founding chair of the Igbo World Assembly, he represents diaspora communities across more than twenty nations. His Caribbean itinerary forms part of a broader initiative to examine cultural survivals and establish contemporary partnerships between African institutions and the Caribbean region.

    The visit’s programming includes a Thursday evening public lecture at Queen’s Park’s Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre, focusing specifically on Igbo cultural influences within Caribbean societies. The regent’s schedule also features pilgrimages to historically significant sites including the Newton Ancestral Burial Ground and the Bussa Emancission Statue, alongside stops related to King Jaja of Opobo—a Nigerian monarch exiled to Barbados by British colonial authorities in the late 1800s.

    Reverend Onkphra Wells, chair of the Pan-African Coalition of Organizations, emphasized the visit’s dual purpose: celebrating cultural retentions while building practical frameworks for future collaboration. “This creates linkages for developmental purposes across education, culture, and trade,” Wells stated, noting that Barbados’ recent transition to a republic offers new opportunities for international relationship-building.

    Notably, the visit incorporates modern technology to bridge geographical divides, with many events live-streamed to potential audiences exceeding 100 million viewers across Nigeria and the global diaspora. The delegation will additionally conduct meetings with government representatives and academic institutions including the University of the West Indies, exploring formal cooperation in cultural heritage preservation and diaspora engagement initiatives.

  • North/Northeast : Tour of the Secretary of State for Territorial Communities

    North/Northeast : Tour of the Secretary of State for Territorial Communities

    In a significant move to strengthen local governance, Haitian Secretary of State for Territorial Communities Ms. Sharina Lochard initiated an extensive consultation tour across Haiti’s North and Northeast departments on March 13, 2026. The high-level delegation, comprising Director of Local Authorities Mallew Étienne and Delegations Coordinator Ms. Elvire Jean François, embarked on this critical mission to identify pressing local needs and develop actionable solutions through collaborative governance.

    The tour’s primary objective involves establishing a comprehensive program of realistic, flagship actions to be implemented jointly by central government authorities and local administrations. This initiative specifically targets addressing the urgent and specific requirements of local populations through enhanced coordination between national and municipal levels.

    During the initial phase, the delegation participated in Special Technical Council meetings in both departments, with Minister of Public Works Engineer Joseph Almathe Pierre-Louis contributing to discussions about the political, social, and economic situations. These councils focused on three core government priorities: security enhancement, economic recovery strategies, and election preparations.

    Secretary Lochard emphasized the necessity of strengthened technical partnerships between departmental delegates, deputy delegates, and various ministry directors—particularly those from the Haitian National Police and decentralized state agencies. She specifically called for collaborative efforts to tackle structural challenges and promote sustainable development initiatives.

    Additionally, the Secretary conducted separate working sessions with Mayors, Councilors of Communal Section Administrations (CASEC), and Communal Section Administrations (ASEC) in both departments. These meetings, held at Cap-Haïtien City Hall and the Northeast Departmental Delegation in Fort-Liberté, focused on evaluating communal section operations, enhancing local coordination mechanisms, and identifying municipal priorities.

    The findings from this initial consultation phase will be formally submitted to the Minister of the Interior for review and subsequent presentation to the Council of Ministers, marking a structured approach to addressing Haiti’s local governance challenges.

  • Officer Shot Reportedly Amid Georgeville Land Dispute

    Officer Shot Reportedly Amid Georgeville Land Dispute

    A law enforcement response to a longstanding territorial conflict in Georgeville turned violent on Monday afternoon, resulting in the shooting of a police sergeant. The incident occurred in the Maya Ranch vicinity near Mountain Pine Road at approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 16, 2026.

    Sergeant Dalon Kelly, identified as the wounded officer, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdominal region during the intervention. Emergency services transported him promptly to Western Regional Hospital, where medical personnel reported his condition as stable while continuing treatment.

    Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the detention of one male suspect and the seizure of a nine-millimeter handgun believed to be the firearm used in the assault. The individual remains in custody as detectives continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

    Local inhabitants revealed that the Maya Ranch area has been embroiled in protracted land ownership controversies for several months, with mounting tensions between conflicting parties. The violent escalation represents a significant deterioration of what residents describe as simmering disputes over property rights and territorial claims.

    The targeting of a police officer responding to a civil disturbance has heightened concerns about community safety and the potential for further violence. Law enforcement agencies emphasize that their investigation remains active and ongoing as they work to determine the full sequence of events and potential additional participants.

  • Police Charge Luewin Link For Murder of Clinton Pou

    Police Charge Luewin Link For Murder of Clinton Pou

    Authorities in Belize City have achieved a significant development in their investigation into the fatal shooting of Clinton Pou last Thursday, with formal charges now filed against twenty-one-year-old Luewin Link. The Belize District resident faces multiple criminal counts including murder, attempted murder, and charges related to causing dangerous harm.

    According to Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, who serves as Staff Officer, the investigation points toward the killing being connected to the earlier homicide of Edward “Scrubby” Saldano. Police are operating on the theory that Pou’s death represents a retaliatory action within an ongoing cycle of violence between opposing factions.

    Investigative findings indicate Link was acting in concert with Ryan Barnett, who was subsequently killed during a police pursuit following the incident. The concept of “joint enterprise” has been cited by authorities as they piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack.

    While no additional suspects are currently being sought, ASP Smith emphasized that the investigation remains active. Law enforcement officials continue to review available evidence, including potential surveillance footage from the area, though the weapon used in the shooting has not yet been recovered.

    The case highlights ongoing concerns about retaliatory violence in the community, with police working to establish clear motives and connections between recent incidents. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as they continue their investigative work.

  • Paus Leo roept media op om het lijden van de oorlog te laten zien

    Paus Leo roept media op om het lijden van de oorlog te laten zien

    In a powerful address to Italian television journalists from TG2 on Monday, Pope Leo issued a stark warning against media coverage that glamorizes warfare or serves as a propaganda tool for those in power. The first American pontiff emphasized the critical role of journalists in presenting the authentic human cost of conflicts rather than sanitized versions that resemble video game narratives.

    “Within the dramatic circumstances of war, such as those we are currently witnessing, information must guard against the risk of descending into propaganda,” Pope Leo stated during the meeting. He made a direct appeal for reporters to “show the true face of war and narrate it from the victims’ perspective, ensuring it doesn’t become merely a video game.”

    The pontiff stressed that journalists have a fundamental responsibility to “verify information thoroughly, preventing news from becoming a megaphone for powerful interests.” While not explicitly naming specific conflicts, his comments came amid intensified calls from the Vatican for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating U.S.-Israeli military engagement with Iran.

    This warning echoes earlier criticism from Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, who recently condemned a White House social media video that intercut actual war footage from Iran with scenes from video games and action films, calling the presentation “disgusting.” Pope Leo’s Sunday remarks had already characterized the violence in the conflict as “horrifying atrocities,” representing some of his strongest language on the subject to date.

    The Vatican’s position reflects growing concern about how modern conflicts are portrayed in media and the potential desensitization of global audiences to the real human suffering caused by warfare.

  • Another Belize City Shooting; Residents Run as Bullets Fly

    Another Belize City Shooting; Residents Run as Bullets Fly

    BELIZE CITY – A violent shooting incident disrupted the Sunday evening tranquility in a residential neighborhood of Belize City, leaving a 24-year-old culinary professional wounded and prompting urgent police response. The episode unfolded on Faber’s Road Extension in close proximity to Grace Primary School, triggering panic among residents as sustained gunfire erupted approximately at 6:45 PM on March 15, 2026.

    Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene where multiple assailants aboard motorcycles initiated a barrage of gunfire, discharging more than a dozen rounds. The targeted individual reportedly returned fire during the exchange. The violence culminated with Eric Mahler, a local cook, sustaining gunshot injuries and requiring emergency medical transport to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.).

    Notably, the shooting occurred merely hundreds of yards from an active police precinct, raising questions about public safety mechanisms. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, serving as Staff Officer, confirmed the immediate launch of a comprehensive investigation. Law enforcement personnel documented the crime scene, collecting ballistic evidence including numerous expended shells.

    ASP Smith disclosed that investigators have obtained critical surveillance footage from the vicinity, currently undergoing meticulous analysis to identify perpetrators. While confirming Mahler’s non-fatal injuries, police authorities declined to specify whether the victim participated in the exchange or if legally armed civilians responded to the attack.

    The incident has generated substantial community apprehension, with residents expressing concerns about potential retaliatory violence given the alleged proximity between feuding parties. Police officials have committed to providing subsequent updates to media outlets as the active investigation progresses.

  • Catamaran Death Update: Harman Dead from Fall

    Catamaran Death Update: Harman Dead from Fall

    Belizean authorities have concluded their investigation into the death of Canadian sailor Thomas David Harman, determining the 72-year-old died from injuries sustained in a fall aboard his catamaran. The incident, which left the vessel adrift in Caribbean waters, has been classified as accidental pending further review by Canadian officials.

    According to Acting Superintendent Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for the Belize Police Department, the post-mortem examination revealed Harman succumbed to “multiple blunt force traumatic injuries due to a fall from height.” The investigation suggests the experienced sailor may have fallen from the boat’s mast or rigging while underway.

    Belizean forensic teams processed the scene and collected evidentiary materials before transferring jurisdiction to Canadian authorities. ASP Smith emphasized that while no foul play is currently suspected, the comprehensive evidence package enables Canadian investigators to pursue additional lines of inquiry should they deem necessary.

    The maritime mystery began when Harman’s unmanned catamaran was discovered drifting off the Belizean coast. Local authorities conducted the initial investigation as the vessel was found within Belize’s territorial waters, though standard maritime procedures delegate further investigation to the victim’s flag state or country of citizenship.

    Canadian officials will now review the evidence to determine whether to close the case as accidental or initiate a criminal investigation. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have acknowledged receipt of the case files but haven’t yet announced their next steps.

  • 3-Year-Old Wanders from Home, Found Drowned a Mile Away

    3-Year-Old Wanders from Home, Found Drowned a Mile Away

    A devastating incident in Punta Gorda has culminated in urgent public safety appeals from law enforcement authorities following the drowning death of three-year-old Asher Mejia. The tragedy unfolded on March 16 when the toddler apparently wandered from his residence unnoticed, eventually being discovered in coastal waters near St. Peter Claver School approximately one mile from his home.

    According to official statements from Punta Gorda Police Staff Officer Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, emergency responders transported the child to medical facilities where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. Preliminary investigations indicate that around 11 a.m., family members initially believed Asher had accompanied siblings to a nearby store. His disappearance was only recognized when the siblings returned without him, triggering intensive but ultimately futile search efforts.

    This heartbreaking event represents the third such incident within approximately fourteen months, following previous drowning fatalities involving six-year-old King Shakel Wade in South Creek Canal during 2024 and six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, whose solitary movements were captured on surveillance footage before his discovery in waters behind Hangar in February 2025.

    Law enforcement officials emphasize the alarming pattern and are advocating for enhanced community vigilance. ASP Smith highlighted that Asher’s considerable distance from home suggested extended unsupervised travel through public areas, creating multiple opportunities for intervention by observant citizens. While investigative materials have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for potential legal review, police stress that broader societal responsibility exists beyond parental supervision alone.

    With Easter approaches increasing children’s presence in residential areas, authorities are imploring citizens to actively safeguard unsupervised minors encountered in public spaces, particularly very young children or those with diverse abilities who may require additional protection.

  • Belize Prepares Bid to Bring Joseph Budna Home

    Belize Prepares Bid to Bring Joseph Budna Home

    The Central American nation of Belize has reignited diplomatic efforts concerning the Joseph Budna case, marking a significant development in cross-border judicial cooperation. Prime Minister John Briceño’s administration is preparing to formally request Guatemala transfer Budna—currently detained in a Guatemalan prison since his controversial abduction and handover at Arenal in August—to complete his sentence on Belizean soil.

    This initiative represents the first major update in months regarding Budna’s situation, which had previously raised substantial concerns about transnational law enforcement protocols. Prime Minister Briceño confirmed his government will present the matter to Cabinet for ministerial discussion, seeking to establish a government-to-government agreement mirroring existing prisoner exchange arrangements Belize maintains with Mexico.

    “We do that with Mexico from time to time, prisoner exchanges, and the agreement is that they have to spend the time in jail,” stated Briceño. “I don’t know how many years he has left in his case over there, so if he has ten more years, for instance, we’ll give assurances to the government of Guatemala that he will spend the time in jail here. So it’s to bring him back.”

    The potential transfer hinges on Belize providing formal assurances regarding Budna’s continued incarceration, ensuring no reduction in his sentencing would occur through the jurisdictional transfer. This diplomatic maneuver places the matter squarely back within the government’s purview, potentially setting precedents for future cross-border judicial cooperation in the region.