作者: admin

  • Police say Bridgetown shooting linked to long-standing dispute

    Police say Bridgetown shooting linked to long-standing dispute

    Barbados Police Commissioner Richard Boyce has characterized Saturday’s early morning shooting in Bridgetown as a meticulously planned retaliatory attack stemming from a prolonged feud between two opposing groups. The violent incident, which left ten individuals wounded, occurred approximately at 3 a.m. as passengers were disembarking from the party cruise vessel Dream Chaser 2.

    During a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Commissioner Boyce revealed that preliminary investigative findings strongly indicate the shooting was anything but random. “Our assessment confirms this was a calculated act of revenge,” Boyce stated. “Two factions engaged in a long-standing conflict deliberately targeted individuals exiting the vessel and opened fire.”

    Despite the severity of the event, Commissioner Boyce emphatically maintained that this isolated incident should not diminish the documented achievements of the Barbados Police Service in crime reduction. “The statistical evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates our effectiveness in combating crime throughout my tenure,” he asserted. “This single occurrence cannot invalidate the exceptional work consistently performed by our law enforcement personnel.”

    Boyce highlighted the operation’s sophisticated planning as the rationale for deploying top-tier investigative resources. “This was not a spontaneous act but a carefully orchestrated assault, which necessitates the expertise of our most capable detectives to ensure swift apprehension and prosecution of those responsible,” he explained.

    Prime Minister Mottley concurred with the Commissioner’s assessment, publicly acknowledging the police force’s success in preventing numerous potential crimes. “Countless incidents have been thwarted through proactive police work in recent years,” Mottley affirmed. “I extend my profound gratitude to the police service for their preventive efforts, particularly during the recent holiday season when additional threats were successfully neutralized.”

  • LIVE: First-Ever Dominica Music Awards

    LIVE: First-Ever Dominica Music Awards

    In a landmark achievement for neurotechnology, Elon Musk’s Neuralink corporation has successfully implanted its pioneering brain-computer interface in a human patient. The groundbreaking procedure marks a significant milestone in the company’s ambitious mission to merge human cognition with artificial intelligence.

    The revolutionary device, approximately coin-sized, was surgically placed in the recipient’s brain during a meticulously planned operation. Initial results indicate promising neuron spike detection—a critical indicator of successful interface between the implant and cerebral activity. This technological triumph represents the culmination of years of research and development following FDA approval for human trials last year.

    Neuralink’s innovative technology functions by employing ultra-fine electrodes that thread into the brain tissue, capable of both recording neural signals and potentially stimulating neurons. The primary objective of this initial trial focuses on enabling individuals with quadriplegia to control external devices through thought alone. Participants in the PRIME Study (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) will undergo extensive testing to evaluate the safety and functionality of the implant and surgical robot.

    This development positions Neuralink at the forefront of a competitive industry where several institutions have previously demonstrated brain-computer interface capabilities. The successful implantation accelerates the trajectory toward Musk’s vision of achieving symbiotic relationships between humans and AI, while simultaneously addressing critical medical needs for those with severe neurological conditions.

  • Government to introduce domestic terrorism law after shooting leaves 10 injured

    Government to introduce domestic terrorism law after shooting leaves 10 injured

    Prime Minister Mia Mottley has declared Barbados will enact comprehensive domestic terrorism legislation in response to a mass shooting incident in Bridgetown that left ten people wounded. The announcement came during an urgent press conference where Mottley characterized the early Saturday attack as an act designed to instill widespread fear and panic among citizens.

    The violent episode occurred approximately at 3 a.m. along Hinks Street and Nelson Street as passengers disembarked from the Dream Chaser 2 party cruise vessel. Medical authorities reported five victims required hospitalization, with three undergoing surgical procedures, while others received treatment and were discharged. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital implemented temporary precautionary lockdown measures during the emergency response.

    Mottley emphasized the distinction between conventional criminal charges and terrorism legislation, stating: ‘It is one thing for a person to be charged with murder; it is another thing for a person to create panic and to cause people to be the subject of terrorism and terror.’ She condemned the shooting as unacceptable behavior that would not be tolerated within the nation.

    The Prime Minister contextualized this incident within a broader pattern of violence occurring at gas stations, residential areas, and public spaces during traditionally safe daylight hours. While police intelligence indicates the violence involves a limited number of individuals, Mottley warned that Barbados would not permit a minority to endanger the broader population.

    Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce confirmed the Major Crime Unit and Serious Organised Crime Unit are leading ongoing investigations. He publicly assured citizens they should have no fear and appealed for information cooperation from the community, defending the force’s overall crime strategies despite this high-profile incident.

    The government’s response included redirecting 87 patients to Winston Scott Polyclinic to alleviate pressure on emergency medical services. Mottley placed the shooting within the context of external geopolitical tensions and internal social challenges, reiterating her New Year’s appeal for national unity against gun violence.

    Concluding with a determined stance, the Prime Minister signaled that difficult decisions lay ahead but affirmed: ‘There shall be no retreat and no surrender’ in protecting public safety through enhanced legal frameworks.

  • Cubaanse president veroordeelt ‘staatsterrorisme’ tegen Venezuela

    Cubaanse president veroordeelt ‘staatsterrorisme’ tegen Venezuela

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has issued a forceful condemnation of United States military operations in Venezuela, characterizing the actions as acts of “state terrorism” during a mass demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana. The address came in response to recent U.S. operations that resulted in the detention of Venezuelan leadership.

    Addressing thousands of assembled citizens, Díaz-Canel asserted that the military aggression represents ‘a shocking violation of international law norms’ directed against ‘a peaceful nation that poses no threat to the United States.’ The condemnation highlights escalating tensions in Caribbean geopolitical relations.

    The development carries significant economic implications for Cuba, which depends on Venezuela for approximately 30% of its already constrained oil imports. This energy partnership has been maintained through an exchange program that stations thousands of Cuban medical professionals within the South American nation.

    Energy analysts warn that disruption to Venezuelan oil supplies could deliver a catastrophic blow to Cuba’s fragile electrical grid and energy infrastructure. Simultaneously, thousands of Cuban families expressed concern about relatives working in Venezuela, though the Cuban Health Ministry stated via Twitter that these personnel remain ‘well protected.’

    In a contrasting statement to the New York Post, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated no plans for additional military action against Cuba, stating: ‘No, Cuba will fall on its own. Cuba is doing very poorly.’ Trump further emphasized Cuba’s historical dependence on Venezuelan support, suggesting this relationship ‘didn’t work out too well in this case.’

    The diplomatic confrontation unfolds against Cuba’s severe six-year economic crisis, which officials report has triggered at least a 15% economic contraction. The nation continues to grapple with critical shortages of basic goods, hyperinflation, collapsing public services, and widespread power outages. Cuban authorities attribute these challenges primarily to intensified U.S. sanctions implemented during the Trump administration, which compounded the decades-long comprehensive trade embargo.

  • Barbados already feeling fallout from Venezuela crisis – PM

    Barbados already feeling fallout from Venezuela crisis – PM

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has confirmed her nation is experiencing direct economic consequences from the escalating Venezuelan crisis, with significant disruptions to aviation and tourism operations occurring within hours of the U.S. military intervention in Caracas.

    Addressing media at Ilaro Court on Saturday, Mottley characterized the Venezuelan situation as “uncharted territory” and warned that the predicted vulnerabilities of small states were materializing in real time. The Prime Minister revealed that Barbados had been impacted “on multiple fronts” during the preceding 24 hours, prompting an emergency National Security Council meeting shortly after 1 a.m.

    The most immediate effect was on air transportation, with 13 fully-booked inbound flights canceled overnight following airspace restrictions across eastern and southern Caribbean regions. U.S.-registered carriers including JetBlue, Delta, and United were particularly affected, while European carrier KLM also canceled services despite not operating from the United States. Three long-haul international flights were similarly grounded, though major transatlantic operators including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada and WestJet maintained normal operations.

    Maritime operations faced parallel challenges, with Barbados—as the closest major tourism hub to Venezuela—managing four cruise ships already in port and anticipating a fifth vessel requiring maintenance. Port capacity for overnight berthing underwent urgent review, with some vessels potentially needing to anchor offshore and utilize tender services. Approximately 2,000 cruise passengers faced potential disruption from flight cancellations, while 73 travelers were directly stranded by the cancellation of a Conviasa flight scheduled to return to Caracas.

    The government has activated a coordinated response involving law enforcement, immigration, tourism authorities, port operations, airport management, and the Barbados Defence Force. Officials are collaborating with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association to identify accommodation for stranded passengers, with hotel capacity remaining adequate due to canceled arrivals preventing new visitors from entering the country.

    Prime Minister Mottley additionally addressed concerns about Barbadian citizens potentially delayed overseas following Christmas travel, assuring families that authorities were “on top of helping with your relatives who may be stranded.”

    Regarding Barbados’ diplomatic position, Mottley emphasized commitment to regional consultation through CARICOM and adherence to international law, stating: “Venezuela is our friend, the United States of America is our friend. The Caribbean Community has been the entity we have chosen as a matter of first principles to align our foreign policy with.” She confirmed participation in an emergency CARICOM Heads of Government meeting convened at approximately 5 a.m., which produced a regional statement, though not all leaders could attend due to the timing.

    While some regional airspace closures had been lifted in Curaçao and French territories, Mottley cautioned that stability remained contingent on further developments within Venezuela, describing the situation as “a moving target” that would require continuous public updates.

  • Canadian politicians decry US attack on Venezuela

    Canadian politicians decry US attack on Venezuela

    Canadian political leaders expressed sharply divergent views regarding reported U.S. military operations in Venezuela, creating a notable split in foreign policy perspectives. The development followed confirmation from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding American intervention in the South American nation.

    Interim New Democratic Party Leader Don Davies took to social media to condemn the alleged operations, characterizing them as “a flagrant violation of international law and the rules-based system that the United States claims to support.” Davies urged the Canadian government to “strongly condemn this attack and call for an immediate end to the US aggression against the sovereign state of Venezuela.”

    Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet echoed these concerns, warning that the United States appeared to be “acting as a policeman at the risk of ignoring international law.” Blanchet specifically criticized the purported use of military force that “endangers the lives of civilians” and the reported kidnapping of Venezuelan leadership, even while acknowledging questions about their legitimacy.

    In contrast, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre broke with international legal conventions by expressing support for American bombings in multiple Venezuelan states and the alleged capture of constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

    The political division emerged alongside President Trump’s press conference statements explicitly acknowledging U.S. interests in Venezuelan oil resources. During the briefing, Trump made clear that countries failing to align with White House directives regarding Venezuela would face consequences, signaling a firm stance on international compliance with American foreign policy objectives.

  • No reports of Barbadians injured in Venezuela, says Mottley

    No reports of Barbadians injured in Venezuela, says Mottley

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a public assurance regarding the safety of Barbadian citizens in Venezuela amid the rapidly evolving political situation following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

    During a press briefing held on Saturday, Prime Minister Mottley revealed that she has maintained direct communication with Barbados’ Ambassador to Venezuela, Aquinas Clarke, since the early hours of the morning when news of the operation broke. Mottley emphasized that Ambassador Clarke, leveraging his military background, has demonstrated exceptional composure and leadership in managing the situation on the ground.

    “We have received no evidence or reports indicating injuries to any Barbadian nationals currently in Venezuela,” Mottley stated, expressing gratitude for the safety of her country’s citizens despite the volatile circumstances.

    The Prime Minister characterized the situation as highly fluid, noting that her government maintains continuous contact with diplomatic personnel as events continue to develop. Mottley disclosed that she had conducted another conversation with Ambassador Clarke immediately prior to addressing media representatives, reinforcing Barbados’ commitment to remain actively engaged as the political landscape evolves.

    The government’s response highlights the careful monitoring of international crises and the protective measures implemented for citizens abroad during periods of geopolitical instability.

  • Venezuela will resist, will not be a colony, says consul in Uruguay

    Venezuela will resist, will not be a colony, says consul in Uruguay

    Montevideo witnessed a significant demonstration of solidarity as protesters gathered before Venezuela’s diplomatic headquarters, voicing strong opposition to perceived U.S. military interventions. The rally, organized by Uruguay’s PIT-CNT labor union alongside various social organizations, featured prominent speaker Sassone who characterized recent American operations as “an unprecedented military action by the United States in terms of violating constitutional and international law.”

    Sassone further asserted that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is effectively held hostage by invading U.S. forces, demanding his immediate liberation. The demonstration gained additional support from the Association of Cuban Residents in Uruguay, which issued statements condemning what they termed “imperialist aggression” against Venezuela.

    The Cuban association’s communiqué specifically urged Cuban expatriates in Uruguay to join both Uruguayan citizens and other organizations in the capital-based protest. According to their published text, the gathering aimed to repudiate “US interference and intervention in our sovereign countries” while simultaneously expressing “solidarity and support for the brotherly Venezuelan people, who will not be alone in their struggle for freedom and self-determination.” The event represents growing Latin American concern over external involvement in regional affairs.

  • Cuba’s UPEC classifies attacks against Venezuela “oil thirst”

    Cuba’s UPEC classifies attacks against Venezuela “oil thirst”

    The Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) has issued a forceful condemnation of what it characterizes as unprecedented American aggression against Venezuela. In an official statement, the organization accused the United States of launching direct attacks against multiple Venezuelan regions including Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira before allegedly orchestrating the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who have reportedly joined what UPEC describes as the “endless list of the disappeared under imperial auspices.”

    The statement frames these events as validation of historical warnings about what it terms “Northern voracity,” asserting that current actions exceed even the imperial brutality documented during José Martí’s era. UPEC further contends that recent developments have effectively shattered Latin America’s carefully constructed “Zone of Peace” initiative, which sought to maintain regional harmony despite political differences.

    In particularly scathing rhetoric, the journalists’ association referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s symbolic renaming of the Defense Department as the “Department of War,” suggesting this semantic shift foreshadowed current events. The statement sarcastically proposed that Trump would merit a “Nobel Prize for War” while criticizing the actual Nobel recognition given to Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, whom UPEC implied celebrates violence disguised as pacifism.

    The organization concluded with a reaffirmation of Cuba’s unwavering solidarity with Maduro and the Bolivarian people, declaring that imperial oil interests cannot override regional aspirations for peace and self-determination. “Latin America and the Caribbean refuse to be anyone’s backyard,” the statement emphasized, “but insist on being their own garden.”

  • Venezuelan Vice President demands iImediate release of Maduro

    Venezuelan Vice President demands iImediate release of Maduro

    Venezuela has activated a national state of emergency following what government officials describe as an act of imperialist aggression. The decree, originally signed by the president, was formally announced by the vice president during a nationwide radio and television address. She subsequently delivered the emergency order to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice for immediate implementation.

    According to the vice president, this armed incursion represents a severe rupture in bilateral relations with the United States. She revealed that President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were reportedly captured during the operation, characterizing the event as a savage attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the early hours of the morning.

    The government asserts that the true objective behind the aggression is the seizure of Venezuela’s substantial energy, mineral, and natural resources. Officials have called upon the international community to recognize this alleged resource grab, with the vice president emphasizing that “the world must know this.”

    In response to the crisis, Venezuelan citizens have reportedly taken to the streets following mobilization calls from leadership. The vice president reiterated the president’s previous warning that any threat to his safety would trigger widespread civil mobilization, workplace activism by militant groups, and full deployment of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.

    The government claims significant international support from nations including China, Russia, and various countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The vice president added that global governments are reportedly shocked that Venezuela has become the target of an attack with what she characterized as “Zionist undertones.”

    The entire National Power of Venezuela has been activated to defend what officials describe as the nation’s Bolivarian heritage and sacred duty to protect national independence.