The University of the West Indies (UWI) is set to host a pivotal Vice-Chancellor’s Forum on October 21, focusing on one of the Caribbean’s most pressing issues: the free movement of CARICOM nationals. Titled ‘Promises, Passports, and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME, and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project,’ the event will delve into the aspirations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for seamless mobility across the region. The Forum will be globally accessible via UWI TV, providing a platform for scholars, policymakers, and industry experts to engage in constructive dialogue. Despite the provisions of Articles 45 and 46 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), which aim to facilitate unrestricted movement for leisure and employment, challenges such as immigration checks persist, hindering the vision of a unified Caribbean. The discussions will explore proposals to amend the RTC and the 2025 Protocol of Enhanced Cooperation, aiming for deeper regional integration. Countries like Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are actively pursuing the goals of the CSME, making this Forum crucial for transforming promises into reality. Chaired by Professor Canute Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, and featuring remarks from UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the event will include perspectives from prominent figures such as Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dr. Indira Rampersad, Head of the Political Science Department at UWI St. Augustine Campus. UWI TV will broadcast the Forum live, allowing global participation in the discussion. Tune in at www.uwitvglobal and www.facebook.com/uwitv to watch the expert discussions and engage in a question-and-answer session.
作者： admin
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Justice Arif Bulkan Sworn In as Fourth President of the Caribbean Court of Justice
In a historic ceremony held on October 16, 2025, at the Office of the President of Guyana, the Honourable Mr Justice Arif Bulkan was officially sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The event, presided over by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, underscored the significance of the CCJ as a symbol of Caribbean sovereignty and justice. President Ali lauded Justice Bulkan’s appointment, emphasizing that the CCJ represents justice rooted in Caribbean values rather than distant colonial influences. He described Justice Bulkan as a ‘man of intellect’ and expressed confidence in his ability to bring clarity, depth, and balance to the Court. President Ali also urged CARICOM member states to fully embrace the CCJ, calling it a crucial step toward realizing the region’s independence. The CCJ President, Justice Winston Anderson, welcomed Justice Bulkan, highlighting his distinguished career in human rights advocacy, particularly for indigenous and marginalized communities. Justice Roxane George, Chancellor of the Judiciary, reflected on Justice Bulkan’s academic brilliance and his consistent excellence throughout his career. In his response, Justice Bulkan expressed his deep honor in joining the CCJ, acknowledging its role in decolonization and regional integration. With a career spanning academia, activism, and international law, Justice Bulkan’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the CCJ and the Caribbean region.
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Did you feel it? A 4.5-magnitude tremor hits San José de Ocoa
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of approximately 4.5 on the Richter scale jolted the Dominican Republic on the afternoon of October 20. The seismic event, which occurred at 3:13 p.m., had its epicenter in the Sabana Larga area of San José de Ocoa. The tremor was widely felt across Greater Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal, and several neighboring provinces. Despite the widespread sensation of shaking, there have been no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries. However, the quake did spark moments of alarm among residents, many of whom took to social media to share their experiences. Local authorities have urged citizens to remain calm and stay informed about any potential aftershocks. The incident serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity, prompting calls for enhanced preparedness measures.
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Burgers leven in angst na nieuwe luchtaanvallen in Afghanistan
Recent drone and aerial bombardments in Afghanistan have plunged the nation into heightened tension, with residential neighborhoods and bustling markets becoming primary targets. Reports from Kabul and southern provinces such as Kandahar and Paktika detail significant civilian casualties and extensive property damage. Families have fled en masse, while others remain confined indoors, paralyzed by fear. The Afghan government has accused neighboring Pakistan of orchestrating these attacks, a claim Pakistan vehemently denies, though it acknowledges “military threats along the border.” The ambiguity surrounding the perpetrators has only deepened public anxiety. Witnesses recount that the explosions occurred unexpectedly in densely populated areas, leaving children too terrified to venture outside. Schools have shuttered, and markets operate at reduced capacity. In border villages, residents seek refuge in mosques and basements, bracing for further violence. International mediators have brokered a temporary ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but observers caution that the situation remains precarious. Aid organizations struggle to access affected regions, warning of a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis if the violence persists. For the Afghan populace, feelings of insecurity and helplessness dominate, with the fear of renewed violence permeating daily life. Calls for international protection and political stabilization grow louder as the crisis deepens.
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AWS outage causes major global disruptions to businesses and online services
A significant disruption in Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday, October 20, 2025, sent shockwaves across the globe, crippling a vast array of online platforms and digital services. The outage, which commenced around 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time, impacted everything from video conferencing tools like Zoom to social media platforms such as Snapchat, as well as Amazon’s own Alexa-enabled smart devices. Initially, the issue seemed resolved, but Amazon later confirmed the problems had reemerged, leaving numerous services offline for hours. AWS engineers worked tirelessly to address the crisis, issuing regular updates to keep users informed. By 11:00 a.m., the company identified the root cause as a malfunctioning internal subsystem responsible for monitoring network load balancers. To mitigate the issue, AWS throttled requests for new EC2 instance launches and implemented additional recovery measures. By midday, Amazon reported progress in restoring connectivity and API functionality, promising further updates by 10:00 a.m. PDT. The outage highlighted the global reliance on AWS infrastructure, affecting universities, businesses, governments, and media organizations worldwide, many of which were forced offline during the disruption.
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jornalism, Juventud Rebelde, Granma, 60 anniversary
The First Granma-Rebelde International Festival, held recently, served as a vibrant platform for nearly twenty media outlets and projects aligned with left-wing parties and organizations to showcase their efforts in fostering transparent and emancipatory journalism. The event, open to the public, featured exhibition spaces, panel discussions, and interactive dialogues, bringing together journalists, intellectuals, and communicators dedicated to alternative media practices.
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Column: Het verlangen naar vreugde die nooit kwam…
In recent weeks, intense clashes have erupted along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving devastation in their wake. Danish, a 26-year-old Pakistani man, shared his harrowing experiences with his colleague Indra Toelsie. Born in 1999, Danish has never known a day of peace. His hometown, once filled with towering buildings, now lies in ruins, bombed beyond recognition. He showed Indra a video of a rocket strike in a residential area near his home, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in his war-torn region. For Danish and millions like him, uncertainty is the norm, a daily reality they’ve come to accept.
Now, in Beijing, Danish is experiencing peace for the first time. Here, he can walk freely without fear of bombs or the need to seek shelter. When Indra encouraged him to enjoy this newfound tranquility, Danish’s response was poignant: ‘I just hear enjoying, enjoying, but what is enjoy and enjoyment? I literally don’t know.’ His words reveal a deep hunger to understand what it means to truly live without fear. Danish’s journey to China, made possible by a program, has opened his eyes to a world where peace is not a luxury but a possibility.
For Indra, a native of Suriname where life is celebrated and cherished, Danish’s story is a stark reminder of the privileges often taken for granted. While many complain about minor inconveniences, Danish dreams of a life free from violence. His aspirations are not for wealth but for peace—a basic human right that remains elusive for millions. Danish’s story serves as a call to action: to appreciate the peace we have and to strive for a world where it is accessible to all. As Indra reflects, perhaps it’s time to shift from complaints to gratitude, recognizing the value of the peace we often overlook.
On Divali, Indra urges everyone to light an extra lamp—not just for Danish but for all those who live without the gift of peace.
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Tropical disturbance could develop into Storm Melissa, affecting the Dominican Republic
A tropical disturbance currently brewing over the Caribbean Sea has the potential to escalate into a tropical depression or storm within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to meteorological consultant Jean Suriel. Designated as tropical wave number 48, the system has gained strength after traversing exceptionally warm waters, enhancing its likelihood of further development. The disturbance is projected to move slowly westward, passing south of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Suriel emphasized that its sluggish pace could facilitate intensification, potentially leading to its classification as a tropical storm, which would be named Melissa. Even if it does not achieve storm status, the system is expected to impact the Dominican Republic with indirect effects, including moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly in the eastern, southeastern, southern, and border regions. The National Hurricane Center (NHC), National Meteorological Office (ONAMET), and Emergency Operations Center (COE) have been identified as critical sources for updates, as the risk of flash floods and rising water levels in rivers and ravines remains a significant concern.
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rom communication, setting up a project for the people
The inaugural Granma-Rebelde International Festival, a three-day event dedicated to fostering ideological debate and cultural exchange, concluded yesterday in Havana. The festival, which aimed to create a collaborative space for public engagement, brought together diverse projects, experiences, and communication strategies. The closing ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Yudí Rodríguez Hernández, a member of the Secretariat of the Party’s Central Committee, and Yuniasky Crespo Baquero, head of the Ideological Department. During the event, the newspaper Juventud Rebelde was honored for its 60 years of activism and dedication to Cuba’s youth. Yuniel Labacena Romero, editor-in-chief of Juventud Rebelde, highlighted the festival’s success in integrating debate, cultural expression, and community participation. Yoerky Sánchez Cuellar, editor-in-chief of Granma, announced plans for a second edition next year, emphasizing the importance of defending peace against illegal blockades and imperialist threats. The festival’s impact was evident in the quality of public interaction and the fusion of political and cultural activities, which united national and international media in a shared vision for a better world. Other notable attendees included Emilio Lozada García, Roberto Pérez Jiménez, and Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, further underscoring the event’s significance.
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News : Zapping…
In a series of recent developments in Haiti, significant events across sports, international policy, and leadership have captured national attention. On October 18, 2025, the U-17 Grenadiers football team faced an unexpected setback as striker Djuny Junior Théodore abruptly left their Spanish training camp ahead of the U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Théodore cited a promised contract from his uncle as the reason for his departure, vowing to continue his football career. The Haitian Football Federation (FHF) has yet to issue an official statement, but a complaint has reportedly been filed with Barcelona police. If confirmed as a withdrawal, this could lead to disciplinary or financial repercussions under FIFA regulations. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2794, extending sanctions on individuals and entities threatening Haiti’s peace and security until 2026. These measures include arms embargoes, asset freezes, and travel bans. In the realm of sports, the University of Technology of Haiti (UNITECH) triumphed over the American University of Modern Sciences of Haiti (UNASMOH) in a thrilling 61-59 basketball match during the Inter-university Tournament for Peace. Gabriel Marc Roosevelt was named MVP for the second consecutive time, scoring 16 points. On the leadership front, significant appointments were made across various institutions. Angeline Cherfils was installed as the new head of the National Office of Crafts (ONART), bringing her expertise in education and activism to the role. Additionally, Lyonel Labady returned as Administrative Director of the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities (BSEIPH), aiming to enhance operational efficiency and inclusive governance. These developments underscore Haiti’s ongoing efforts to address challenges and foster progress across multiple sectors.