作者: admin

  • Concern Grows After Three Fishermen From Urlings Fail to Return

    Concern Grows After Three Fishermen From Urlings Fail to Return

    The tranquil coastal settlement of Urlings has been plunged into profound anxiety following the unexplained disappearance of three local fishermen. The individuals embarked on their routine maritime expedition on Thursday evening and have since failed to make contact or return to shore, triggering widespread alarm throughout the region.

    In a powerful demonstration of communal solidarity, residents have initiated a digital campaign to locate the missing mariners. A public appeal containing critical identifiers has been disseminated across social media platforms and community networks. The notice features two dedicated contact lines—774-0820 and 728-5884—established for potential informants to relay any pertinent information regarding the fishermen’s whereabouts.

    Visual evidence accompanying the alert depicts a fishing craft presumed to be the vessel operated by the missing crew. The boat, identifiable by the markings “FAITH P” and registration code Y2090UL, represents a crucial element in the ongoing search efforts. Maritime experts suggest these identifiers could significantly aid recognition by fellow seafarers or coastal observers.

    As hours extend into days without communication, familial distress has reached critical levels. Relatives of the absent fishermen describe an agonizing wait for updates, with hope increasingly tempered by apprehension. Local community leaders have voiced collective concern, emphasizing the close-knit nature of their fishing-dependent society.

    While official confirmation regarding organized search operations remains pending, civilian mobilization continues unabated. Community volunteers are coordinating shoreline monitoring efforts and disseminating information across neighboring districts. The incident has highlighted both the vulnerabilities of maritime occupations and the robust solidarity that emerges during crises within coastal communities.

  • Gasoline and Diesel Prices rise RD$5 in the Dominican Republic for March 14–20

    Gasoline and Diesel Prices rise RD$5 in the Dominican Republic for March 14–20

    The Dominican government has announced a significant increase in fuel prices effective March 14-20, 2026, implementing a five-peso-per-gallon hike for both gasoline and diesel products while maintaining current pricing for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

    According to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM), premium gasoline will now retail at RD$295.10 per gallon, with regular gasoline priced at RD$277.50. Diesel products have similarly increased, with regular diesel reaching RD$229.80 per gallon and premium diesel climbing to RD$247.10.

    The most substantial increases affect specialized fuels, with avtur fuel jumping by RD$67.37 to RD$302.40 per gallon and kerosene rising by RD$73.20 to reach RD$343.80 per gallon.

    This pricing adjustment reflects ongoing volatility in global energy markets, primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Recent conflicts involving Iran have raised concerns about potential disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage handling approximately 20% of global oil exports.

    To mitigate the impact on consumers, the government has allocated a substantial subsidy of RD$1,189.8 million for the coming week. This intervention aims to cushion domestic markets from even steeper price increases that would otherwise result from international market pressures.

  • PM advocates for Baliceaux as a monument of anti-oppression

    PM advocates for Baliceaux as a monument of anti-oppression

    Prime Minister Godwin Friday has unveiled a visionary proposal to transform the historically significant Baliceaux Island into a permanent monument against oppression and imperialism. The announcement came during his keynote address at the 13th International Garifuna Conference opening ceremony in Kingstown on Wednesday.

    Baliceaux, an uninhabited island in the Grenadines chain, carries profound historical weight as the site where British colonial forces exiled approximately 5,000 Garifuna people during the 1790s. This forced relocation followed the suppression of the Second Carib War under Chief Joseph Chatoyer’s leadership in St. Vincent. Tragically, over half of the exiled population perished on the undeveloped island due to starvation, disease, and exposure to harsh elements. The surviving 2,500 individuals were subsequently resettled by British authorities to Roatan, Honduras.

    “From this horrific experience, something positive can emerge,” stated Prime Minister Friday. “We can and should elevate Baliceaux beyond being a sacred graveyard of national importance. It can become a monument that stands against oppression, imperialism, and cultural genocide—a visible reminder of humanity’s capacity for inhumanity.”

    The Prime Minister emphasized that the island should serve as both a sacred space and an educational symbol that guides St. Vincent and the Grenadines away from historical atrocities. He described its potential as “a manifest expression of our national commitment to human dignity, sovereignty recognition, resilience against overwhelming odds, and equality across all races, cultures, and economic conditions.”

    Notably, the Garifuna people’s cultural resilience has received international recognition. Despite their forced displacement, they preserved their unique culture and language, leading UNESCO to declare it a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2001.

    The government is pursuing this initiative through careful consultation with stakeholders, including exiled Garifuna communities, the Garifuna Heritage Foundation, the SVG National Trust, and the Indigenous People’s Association. Minister of National Heritage Shevern John, identified as “a proud Garifuna woman,” will lead these consultations to determine the appropriate development of this sacred space.

    Friday concluded by emphasizing the universal significance of this project: “This will remember Baliceaux as a story of resilience and triumph, acknowledging the ongoing global struggles of indigenous peoples for recognition of their legitimate rights.”

  • Jomo says petitions not ‘frivolous’ but MPs likely to win

    Jomo says petitions not ‘frivolous’ but MPs likely to win

    A significant constitutional challenge is unfolding in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as two election petitions question the eligibility of Prime Minister Godwin Friday and East Kingstown MP Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble to hold office due to their Canadian citizenship. The cases, filed by Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidates Carlos Williams and Luke Browne, cite Section 26(1) of the nation’s Constitution which prohibits individuals from holding parliamentary seats if they hold “acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

    Prominent socio-political commentator and lawyer Jomo Sanga Thomas has aligned with Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves in asserting that these petitions represent serious constitutional matters rather than frivolous claims. Thomas emphasized that the interpretation of Section 26 presents a fundamental question that requires judicial clarification to establish clear parameters for political candidacy in the country.

    The legal debate centers on the relationship between Section 25, which outlines basic qualifications for representatives, and Section 26, which imposes restrictions based on foreign allegiance. Thomas noted that while he believes Friday and Bramble may ultimately survive the challenge due to peculiarities in the Vincentian Constitution, the matter warrants serious judicial consideration.

    The case will be heard by acting High Court judge Gertel Thom, a highly experienced jurist with approximately two decades of service on the bench. Legal experts including former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young have acknowledged that while similar cases have been decided across the Caribbean, the Vincentian Constitution contains unique nuances that distinguish this particular challenge.

  • Twenty-four new soldiers join St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force after historic graduation in Nevis

    Twenty-four new soldiers join St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force after historic graduation in Nevis

    In a landmark event for national security, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) has officially welcomed twenty-four new recruits following their graduation from Basic Military Course 1 of 2025. The passing out ceremony, held on March 12, 2026, at E. T. Willet Park in Nevis, marked the first time in history that such training and graduation proceedings have been conducted on the island of Nevis.

    The seven-month intensive training program—notably extended from the standard four-month duration due to initial logistical challenges—covered essential military disciplines including Foot and Rifle Drills, Land Navigation, Fieldcraft and Minor Tactics, Skill at Arms, First Aid, Internal Security, and Physical Training. The extended training period also coincided with a raise in pay for the recruits, adding another distinctive feature to this cohort’s experience.

    Several recruits received special recognition for exemplary performance. Ozan Huggins emerged as Best Overall Recruit, additionally earning awards for Best at Fieldcraft and Minor Tactics, Best at Map and Land Navigation, and Most Disciplined Recruit. John Singh was honored as Best Rifle Shot and Best Pistol Shot, while Jaheim Browne received Best at Drills, Bjorn Jones earned Best at Physical Training, and T-Kardo Browne was recognized as Most Improved.

    Acting SKNDF Commander Major Kayode Sutton commended the graduates for their perseverance, stating: “You answered a call greater than self, accepted the rigours of training, endured long hours, accepted corrections, and learnt to work as a team. Be proud of what you have accomplished, but remain humble in the knowledge that the path ahead will demand more.”

    Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Terrance Drew emphasized the significance of their commitment to national service, noting: “You have chosen a noble profession defined not by comfort but by commitment, where the measure of success is not personal gain but national pride. At the heart of that sacrifice lies our Federation’s motto: ‘Country Above Self.’”

    The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, who inspected the parade, Deputy Governor-General for Nevis Hyleta Liburd, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, and Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, alongside family members and friends of the graduating soldiers.

  • VS en bondgenoten botsen met Rusland en China bij VN over Iraans nucleair programma

    VS en bondgenoten botsen met Rusland en China bij VN over Iraans nucleair programma

    The United Nations Security Council witnessed a sharp diplomatic confrontation on Thursday as the United States and its Western allies clashed with Russia and China regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The heated exchange occurred during a meeting chaired by the U.S., which currently holds the Security Council presidency for March.

    The session turned contentious when Russia and China attempted to block discussions concerning the so-called 1737 Committee, the UN body responsible for monitoring and enforcing sanctions against Iran. Their effort was defeated by a vote of 11-2, with two abstentions, allowing the proceedings to continue.

    U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz accused Moscow and Beijing of protecting their ally Tehran by obstructing the sanctions committee’s work. He called for all UN member states to maintain weapons embargoes against Iran, prohibit missile technology trade, and freeze relevant financial assets. Waltz emphasized that these measures specifically target concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear, missile, and conventional weapons programs, along with its alleged support for terrorism.

    The American diplomat asserted that Russia and China are preventing a functional sanctions committee to preserve their defense cooperation with Iran, which he claimed has been repeatedly prohibited. He referenced a recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report confirming that Iran, as the only non-nuclear weapons state, has enriched uranium to 60% purity while denying access to these stockpiles.

    Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia countered that the U.S. and its allies were promoting ‘hysteria’ about alleged Iranian nuclear weapons plans that have never been confirmed by the IAEA. He characterized American military actions targeting Iran as attempts to escalate tensions throughout the Middle East and beyond.

    China’s representative Fu Cong labeled Washington ‘the instigator’ of the nuclear crisis and criticized the use of military force during negotiations, which he stated rendered diplomacy meaningless.

    Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani maintained that his country’s nuclear program has always been peaceful and that Iran does not recognize any sanctions.

    The discussion referenced President Donald Trump’s previous justification for military action, claiming that Iran would have developed nuclear weapons within two weeks had the U.S. not bombed three nuclear facilities in June. However, intelligence agencies have disputed this assertion.

    Britain and France supported reinstating sanctions, arguing that Iran’s lack of accountability regarding its nuclear activities warrants such measures. France warned that the IAEA can no longer guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran’s program and noted that Tehran has accumulated sufficient nuclear material for ten weapons.

  • Prime Minister Drew salutes the new recruits of the St. Kitts–Nevis Defence Force and urges them to serve with distinction

    Prime Minister Drew salutes the new recruits of the St. Kitts–Nevis Defence Force and urges them to serve with distinction

    In a landmark event for the Federation’s military establishment, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew presided over the Passing Out Ceremony for recruits of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Basic Military Training Course 1 of 2025. The historic gathering at Elquemedo Willett Park on Nevis on March 12, 2026, marked the first time both training completion and ceremonial proceedings were conducted on the island, signaling a new chapter in the nation’s defense infrastructure.

    Addressing the newly commissioned soldiers, Prime Minister Drew reflected on their transformative journey from civilian life to military service. “Months ago, you were civilians, each bringing your own hopes, ambitions, and expectations,” he stated, acknowledging the rigorous challenges overcome during their training. The Prime Minister emphasized how recruits had endured demanding physical, mental, and emotional trials while mastering essential values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

    Dr. Drew articulated the Defence Force’s critical position within the national security framework, describing it as “one of the most critical pillars of our national security architecture” that embodies “discipline, readiness, and unwavering loyalty.” He called upon the new soldiers to embrace the nation’s motto of “Country Above Self,” recognizing their commitment to protecting and defending the Federation.

    The ceremony featured distinguished attendees including Her Excellency Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd, who conducted the parade inspection, alongside Deputy Governor-General for Nevis Hyleta Liburd, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Nevis Premier Mark Brantley, and members of the Nevis Island Administration. Family members and friends joined in celebrating the graduates’ achievements.

    This milestone event not only celebrated individual accomplishments but reinforced the Defence Force’s enduring dedication to maintaining peace, security, and stability throughout the Federation.

  • Aerodom joins government in blue carbon climate effort

    Aerodom joins government in blue carbon climate effort

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark environmental partnership, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has joined forces with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI to launch the nation’s first aviation-sector promoted blue carbon initiative. The collaborative effort, formalized through a signed letter of intent, establishes a pioneering pilot project dedicated to preserving coastal and marine ecosystems while simultaneously advancing climate action objectives and biodiversity conservation.

    The innovative program will investigate mechanisms to enhance ecosystem conservation, boost climate change resilience, and potentially incorporate environmental initiatives into voluntary carbon markets. Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez emphasized the critical importance of coastal and marine ecosystems to the national economy, noting their vital support for tourism, maritime commerce, and fishing industries—all sectors facing escalating pressures from climate change and habitat degradation.

    Project implementation will commence with a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating technical, environmental, and regulatory frameworks. Damien Stephan, representing the airport operator, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with parent company VINCI Airports’ decarbonization strategy, which encompasses expanded renewable energy utilization and support for environmental solutions.

    Government authorities characterized the agreement as a significant advancement toward developing nature-based climate solutions while strengthening environmental governance and sustainable development initiatives throughout the Dominican Republic.

  • Liberty Caribbean celebrates newly SCTE-certified technicians

    Liberty Caribbean celebrates newly SCTE-certified technicians

    MIAMI, FL – March 13, 2026 – Liberty Caribbean, operating under the Flow, Liberty Business, and BTC brands, has achieved a significant milestone with three technicians earning prestigious certifications from the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE). This accomplishment represents the first concrete success of the company’s Technician Pathways initiative launched in 2025.

    The newly certified professionals include Amraz Hosein from Trinidad & Tobago and Lamar Uffer from Jamaica, both achieving Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) certifications, and Antwon Walter from the Cayman Islands, who earned the Broadband Wireless Specialist (BWS) credential.

    Dominic Boon, Vice President of People at Liberty Caribbean, emphasized the program’s significance: ‘Technicians form the backbone of our operations—they scale poles, restore services after severe weather events, and maintain critical connectivity for our communities. Their success establishes a new benchmark for technical excellence and professional pride across our organization.’

    The Technician Pathways program represents a substantial organizational investment in regional workforce development, combining structured training, mentorship, and examination preparation with practical on-the-job coaching. The initiative aims to professionalize field roles, elevate service standards, and create clear career progression opportunities for technical staff.

    To date, 583 technicians have enrolled in the program and are actively pursuing SCTE credentials. Beyond immediate service improvements, certified technicians will be positioned for advanced roles, mentoring responsibilities, and participation in cross-market technical projects, creating sustainable career advancement opportunities within the telecommunications sector.

    The achievement underscores Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to aligning Caribbean technical standards with global benchmarks while reinforcing a culture of continuous skills development that benefits employees, customers, and the broader regional community.

  • Santo Domingo Malecón to host giant-screen viewing for Dominican Republic vs. Korea

    Santo Domingo Malecón to host giant-screen viewing for Dominican Republic vs. Korea

    Santo Domingo’s municipal government, led by Mayor Carolina Mejía, has partnered with Panorama Media Group to organize a major public viewing event for the upcoming World Baseball Classic game. The Dominican Republic’s highly anticipated matchup against South Korea will be broadcast live on multiple giant screens at Plaza Santo Domingo this Friday at 6:30 p.m.

    The initiative comes as a direct response to the overwhelming turnout of baseball enthusiasts who gathered at the same venue to watch the Dominican team’s previous game against Venezuela. Building on that success, organizers have prepared enhanced facilities including security personnel, portable restrooms, and food vendors to ensure a comfortable and festive atmosphere for all attendees.

    Mayor Mejía enthusiastically encouraged capital residents to attend wearing national team merchandise and Dominican flags to show support for their undefeated squad. The Dominican team has advanced convincingly through the tournament’s initial round and is widely regarded as a top contender for the championship title. This complimentary public viewing event aims to foster community spirit and celebrate the nation’s deep-rooted passion for baseball while providing families with an accessible entertainment option.