作者: admin

  • $800,000 for New Shelters for the Homeless

    $800,000 for New Shelters for the Homeless

    The Belizean government has unveiled a comprehensive $800,000 initiative to address the nation’s escalating homelessness crisis. Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed the cabinet-approved plan following its presentation by Minister of Human Development Thea Garcia-Ramirez on Wednesday.

    The strategic program will establish new shelter facilities and support services across four key districts: Belize City, Orange Walk, Cayo, and Stann Creek. This multi-regional approach recognizes the widespread nature of the problem that officials describe as both “serious” and “tragic” in its social impact.

    Prime Minister Briceño emphasized the government’s moral obligation to intervene, noting that many homeless individuals struggle with underlying mental health challenges. While families often attempt to care for relatives initially, they frequently become overwhelmed by the complex needs involved, ultimately requiring institutional support.

    Funding mechanisms for the initiative remain under development, though Briceño identified enhanced Boledo revenues as a potential financing source. Collections have dramatically increased from approximately $2.5 million under the previous UDP administration to a projected $25 million in profits this year—representing a tenfold improvement that could substantially support social programs.

    The Prime Minister acknowledged that the new shelters may not completely eliminate homelessness but stressed that even incremental capacity improvements would provide critical relief to vulnerable populations. The government’s intervention marks a significant step toward addressing what has become one of Belize’s most pressing social welfare challenges.

  • Cuba updates Government Program after public consultation

    Cuba updates Government Program after public consultation

    In a significant governmental session presided over by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz detailed substantial enhancements to the nation’s governance framework. The high-level meeting marked a pivotal development in Cuba’s ongoing administrative restructuring efforts, incorporating extensive feedback from multiple national institutions and public consultations.

    The revised Government Program represents a synthesis of diverse inputs, including outcomes from nationwide public consultations, resolutions from the 11th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, and substantive conclusions derived from the sixth ordinary session of the National Assembly of People’s Power. Further contributions emerged from specialized deliberations within the Commission on Economic Affairs, creating a comprehensive policy roadmap.

    First-quarter implementation priorities include the formal publication of the updated program document, consolidation of previously approved measures, and systematic identification of territorial potential to reinforce the national Economic Plan. A key focus remains on enhancing budget revenues through optimized regional resource allocation.

    Prime Minister Marrero emphasized the critical role of extraordinary sessions of Provincial Councils of People’s Power, describing them as mechanisms for evaluating implementation efficiency at local levels. These sessions enable assessment of additional capacity for achieving program objectives through decentralized governance structures.

    Concurrently, the Council of State conducted rigorous evaluation of compliance with Law No. 158 concerning the Comptroller General of the Republic. This audit incorporated recommendations from the accountability report presented to the National Assembly in December 2022, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional transparency.

    The Council recommended intensified oversight in several strategic sectors including deficit reduction, external revenue generation, agricultural production enhancement, and reinforcement of state-owned socialist enterprises. These measures aim to address economic challenges while maintaining Cuba’s socialist development model.

  • Venezuelan teachers demand freedom for Maduro and Cilia in the street

    Venezuelan teachers demand freedom for Maduro and Cilia in the street

    In a powerful display of political solidarity, educators from across Venezuela converged for a militant Teachers’ Day march, demonstrating unwavering support for interim President Delcy Rodríguez and the current administration. The gathering transformed from a traditional celebration into a robust political rally, with participants voicing their absolute commitment to the ruling government.

    From the main platform, one teacher delivered a passionate declaration: ‘We stand resolute in our defense of the Constitution, our homeland, President Nicolás Maduro, and First Lady Cilia Flores.’ The educator further emphasized their dedication to ‘protecting free, quality education for all Venezuelans.’

    Another representative issued a call for unity among Bolivarian teachers, urging collective efforts to strengthen the nation’s educational system. ‘We will raise the banner of peace and political determination,’ the spokesperson stated, adding that they were prepared to ‘defend the Revolution with our lives if necessary.’

    A teacher from Aragua state made an emotional appeal: ‘We educators demand the release of Maduro and Cilia; we want them back with us,’ though the exact nature of their absence remained unspecified in the proceedings.

    Education Minister Héctor Rodríguez provided grave context, revealing that on January 3rd, educational and scientific institutions including the National Experimental Polytechnic University of the Bolivarian Armed Forces had suffered bombings, resulting in more than 108 fatalities to date.

    Despite Venezuela’s ongoing challenges, Minister Rodriguez emphasized that millions of children and youth maintain fully guaranteed access to education at all academic levels, completely free of charge, demonstrating the government’s commitment to educational accessibility during turbulent times.

  • Peruvian Party condemns US threats against Cuba

    Peruvian Party condemns US threats against Cuba

    A prominent political faction in Peru, led by former Supreme Court President Duberli Rodríguez, has issued a formal declaration vehemently condemning recent statements from the United States administration targeting Cuba. The document characterizes the U.S. President’s approach as a form of ‘hegemonic tyranny’ that has unjustly placed Cuba in its crosshairs.

    The statement further accuses the U.S. of perpetrating an ‘assault and kidnapping in Venezuela,’ actions it deems to be in direct violation of established international norms. It posits that the current U.S. strategy, marked by what it calls ‘extortionate threats,’ is a deliberate attempt to subdue the Cuban Revolution by force—a revolution the document celebrates as heroic for its resilience over more than six decades against numerous attempts to destabilize it.

    Crucially, the Peruvian party’s communique serves as a stark warning, asserting that threats directed at Cuba resonate profoundly across Latin America. This identification, it notes, transcends mere solidarity and represents a deep-seated connection felt by the people of the region. The statement concludes with an urgent appeal for the restoration of reason and peaceful dialogue, while staunchly advocating for the fundamental principles of national sovereignty and the unequivocal right to self-determination for all nations.

  • Portsmouth mayor condemns violence ahead of community’s ‘ Possie Town Mas’

    Portsmouth mayor condemns violence ahead of community’s ‘ Possie Town Mas’

    Portsmouth Mayor Kerry Breedy-Prince has issued a firm condemnation of gun violence while assuring residents and visitors of enhanced security measures for the upcoming ‘Possie Town Mas’ carnival celebrations. The mayor’s statement comes in direct response to escalating community concerns following a recent shooting incident in the Lagoon area last week.

    Addressing public anxieties head-on, Mayor Breedy-Prince acknowledged the legitimate fears surrounding the spike in firearm-related incidents but emphasized that criminal behavior would not be allowed to define the community’s identity. “Violence has no place in our community, and it would never define who we are as a people,” she declared, reinforcing Portsmouth’s historical reputation as a town built on cultural pride, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

    The municipal government has implemented a comprehensive security strategy through coordinated efforts with multiple stakeholders. This collaborative approach involves the Dominica Police Force, community leadership representatives, and event organizing committees working in unison to bolster safety protocols. These measures are specifically designed to create a protected environment where participants can engage in carnival activities without apprehension.

    Mayor Breedy-Prince passionately described the essence of Possie Town Mas as a celebration of life, musical tradition, and communal solidarity. She explicitly rejected the notion that fear should suppress cultural expression or erase longstanding traditions. The festivities are scheduled to commence at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, with officials encouraging full public participation in what promises to be a vibrantly secure cultural experience.

  • Here’s What PM Briceño Thinks of Panton’s Meeting with Ashcroft

    Here’s What PM Briceño Thinks of Panton’s Meeting with Ashcroft

    BELIZE CITY – Prime Minister John Briceño has offered measured commentary regarding Opposition Leader Tracy Panton’s controversial meeting with British billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft, majority owner of telecommunications provider SpeedNet. While acknowledging the legitimate need for political leaders to engage with investors, Briceño specifically questioned the judgment behind selecting a yacht as the venue for such discussions.

    In statements to the press, the Prime Minister articulated that while dialogue with business leaders remains an essential component of political leadership, the optics of such engagements carry significant weight. “Every leader has a responsibility to meet with anybody, especially within the business community,” Briceño stated. “However, convening on a yacht inevitably raises questions about judgment. Alternative venues would have been more appropriate.”

    Despite his reservations about the setting, Briceño clarified that the substance of the meeting itself did not constitute improper conduct. He explicitly noted that opposition figures engaging with major investors like Ashcroft—whose Waterloo Group Charitable Trust controls 77% of SpeedNet—falls within正常的 political parameters.

    In response to growing criticism, Panton issued a comprehensive defense through social media channels, characterizing the scrutiny as “selective and absurd.” She emphasized that historical engagement with Ashcroft has been standard practice across both major political parties for decades. “Dialogue does not equate to endorsement,” Panton asserted. “A meeting should not be misconstrued as surrender, and conversation certainly does not imply compliance.” The opposition leader maintained that fostering relationships with key economic stakeholders remains crucial for national development.

  • Cuban institutions honor fallen combatants in Venezuela

    Cuban institutions honor fallen combatants in Venezuela

    Cuba has united in a profound display of national mourning and digital solidarity for 32 combatants who lost their lives during recent hostilities involving Venezuela. The solemn funeral proceedings, broadcast live across national television, were amplified through coordinated digital tributes from the nation’s leading cultural and academic institutions.

    At the core of the national response was a deeply symbolic ceremony where Cuban citizens and government officials gathered since dawn at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces headquarters to honor the remains of the deceased. The Cuban Fund for Cultural Assets captured the national sentiment through social media, stating: ‘The images of our leaders at the airport, paying this well-deserved tribute, reflect the pain of an entire nation and the firm resolve that their sacrifice will not be in vain.’

    The digital commemorations extended across Cuba’s cultural landscape with organizations including the Cuban Book Institute, National Council of Performing Arts, and Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry sharing excerpts and imagery from the national broadcast. Prominent cultural figures like Abel Prieto, president of Havana’s Casa de las Américas, and Yasel Toledo, head of the Hermanos Saíz Association, reinforced this collective support through virtual platforms.

    The fallen were celebrated for their internationalist values and courage, with memorial messages emphasizing that ‘their example lives forever in our memory and in our struggle.’ This coordinated response across governmental, cultural, and digital spheres demonstrates how Cuba is blending traditional mourning practices with modern digital dissemination to reinforce national unity and political resolve in the face of external pressures.

  • UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has inaugurated a groundbreaking Preceptorship Programme specifically tailored for final-year nursing students, marking a significant advancement in healthcare education methodology. This structured initiative aims to bridge the critical gap between academic preparation and professional practice through comprehensive mentorship.

    During the official launch ceremony, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph delivered a compelling address emphasizing the profound importance of hands-on mentorship in developing competent healthcare professionals. “Nursing transcends conventional professional boundaries—it constitutes a vocation demanding exceptional discipline, profound compassion, and unwavering resilience,” Sir Molwyn asserted. “This pioneering programme serves as an essential formative stage that shapes emerging nursing professionals before they enter our healthcare ecosystem.”

    The Minister highlighted the programme’s transition from primarily virtual delivery to tangible in-person engagement, noting: “UWI Five Islands Campus has revolutionized mentorship accessibility by facilitating direct interpersonal connections. This face-to-face interaction fosters authentic professional relationships, reinforces practice standards, and genuinely prepares aspiring nurses for healthcare’s practical challenges.”

    This comprehensive preceptorship framework incorporates multidimensional support systems including specialized academic direction, professional career coaching, leadership enhancement modules, and realistic clinical environment exposure. The programme’s curriculum is meticulously designed to produce graduates who enter the healthcare sector with demonstrated confidence, strong ethical foundations, and robust preparedness for contemporary nursing demands.

    University administrators emphasized the programme’s alignment with institutional commitments to educational excellence and student achievement. “This initiative represents targeted educational reinforcement at the most crucial phase of our students’ professional development,” a campus official stated. “We ensure our graduates depart not merely with qualifications, but with genuine readiness for healthcare’s practical realities.”

    The launch event assembled government representatives, academic leadership, faculty members, nursing students, and healthcare sector partners, demonstrating collective dedication to cultivating a highly skilled, compassionate nursing workforce for Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region.

  • REOI: Solar for All Programme

    REOI: Solar for All Programme

    The Grenadian government has formally initiated its ambitious Solar for All Programme through the Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy (MCRERE). This national program represents a strategic effort to democratize access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy solutions, with particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable households and small-scale agro-processors currently experiencing energy insecurity.

    The ministry has issued a comprehensive Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) targeting professionally established solar photovoltaic installation companies. This solicitation aims to create a pre-qualified roster of competent firms that may subsequently be invited to submit detailed proposals or competitive quotations for specific installation projects under the program’s framework.

    Successful contractors will be responsible for delivering end-to-end solar solutions, including comprehensive site assessments, customized system design, and complete installation services. The technical scope encompasses grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar PV systems within the 1kWp to 6kWp capacity range. Additional responsibilities include executing all necessary electrical works, installing mounting structures, and ensuring full system commissioning. Contractors must coordinate with Grenlec (Grenada Electricity Services) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission for necessary inspections and grid interconnection procedures where applicable.

    The eligibility criteria establish rigorous standards for prospective applicants. Companies must maintain legal registration in Grenada, possess valid National Insurance Scheme certification, and demonstrate verifiable experience in solar PV installations over the past five years. Additional requirements include employing adequately trained and certified technical personnel, maintaining comprehensive liability insurance coverage, and exhibiting familiarity with local regulatory requirements for permits and interconnections.

    Interested firms must submit concise Expressions of Interest through the government’s E-Procurement portal before the strict deadline of 4:00 PM on Friday, January 30. The submission package, not exceeding 15 pages excluding annexes, should comprehensively address the company’s profile, relevant experience, technical capabilities, and organizational capacity. The government explicitly reserves the right to accept or reject any submissions, annul the process, or modify the program scope without incurring liability.

    This initiative marks a significant advancement in Grenada’s renewable energy transition, potentially establishing a new benchmark for sustainable energy access in the Eastern Caribbean region.

  • Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Antigua’s backyard gardening movement gained significant momentum on January 15th as enthusiastic gardeners assembled at the Agricultural Extension Division (AED) office on Valley Road. The gathering marked the commencement of the crop-growing segment within the national Plant2Plate Competition, a government-backed initiative designed to transform residential spaces into productive agricultural plots.

    The event witnessed high-level governmental participation with Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, alongside Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher, personally overseeing the seedling distribution process that began promptly at 9 a.m. The substantial turnout demonstrated robust governmental endorsement for community-based agriculture and enhanced household food production capabilities.

    Participants queued systematically to receive their starter plants, signaling their official entry into the competition that champions sustainable farming practices at the domestic level. Program organizers emphasized that the initiative serves multiple purposes: promoting nutritional awareness, fostering greater self-sufficiency, and encouraging environmentally conscious cultivation methods among residents.

    The AED efficiently coordinated the distribution mechanism while providing comprehensive technical guidance to ensure participants could successfully establish and maintain their crops. Officials reported an exceptionally smooth operation with gardeners departing fully equipped and knowledgeable to commence immediate planting operations.

    The distributed seedlings encompassed a diverse array of produce including beetroot, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, lettuce, thyme, chives, celery, kale, arugula, eggplant, and Chinese cabbage—carefully selected varieties suited for Antiguan growing conditions.

    This seedling distribution event represents a crucial preliminary phase in the broader Plant2Plate Competition, which ultimately seeks to strengthen national food security by empowering citizens throughout Antigua and Barbuda to cultivate fresh, nutritious produce within their own living environments.