In a proactive overnight operation, teams from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWA) undertook an extensive drainage maintenance initiative across key areas of St. John’s, Antigua. The nocturnal workforce targeted critical infrastructure along Independence Drive, Andy Roberts Street, and Sir Vivian Richards Street, extending their efforts from the V.C. Bird Monument to the Special Security Building. This strategic timing minimized disruption to daytime traffic and commercial activities while maximizing operational efficiency. The comprehensive procedure involved cutting through overgrown vegetation, removing accumulated debris and sediment, and performing high-pressure flushing of drainage channels. This initiative represents a critical component of the nation’s enhanced flood mitigation strategy, designed to improve water runoff capacity during heavy rainfall events. The government’s investment in preemptive infrastructure maintenance reflects a shift toward sustainable urban water management practices that prioritize resilience against increasingly frequent extreme weather patterns.
作者： admin
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Our Picks: Must-read books in 2026
The St. Lucia Times editorial team has released a meticulously curated selection of literary works poised to dominate reading lists in the coming year. This comprehensive guide spans multiple genres—from transformative non-fiction to immersive fiction—offering readers purposeful recommendations for intellectual growth and entertainment.
The collection opens with ‘Anansi: New & Ancient African Tales,’ a vibrant anthology featuring the legendary trickster character, with contributions from writers across the African diaspora including Saint Lucian author Dawn French. Sports Editor Terry Finisterre highlights this work as a significant cultural contribution.
In the psychological wellness category, Paul David’s ‘At Last A Life’ presents a revolutionary approach to anxiety management through acceptance rather than resistance, as noted by Multimedia Journalist Josiah St. Luce. This theme continues with Albert Ellis’s ‘How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything,’ which challenges conventional self-help methodologies.
The autobiographical selections include Rich Paul’s ‘Lucky Me,’ which explores how ordinary experiences shape extraordinary destinies, and Walter Isaacson’s seminal biography ‘Steve Jobs,’ recommended for innovators seeking to transform personal passions into global impacts.
Ancient wisdom finds its place through Marcus Aurelius’s ‘Meditations,’ described by Multimedia Journalist Kherim Nelson as a raw, practical journal of philosophical reflections from a leader bearing immense responsibility. This historical perspective contrasts with contemporary fiction like Cleyvis Natera’s ‘Neruda on the Park,’ which Digital News Editor Sydney Joseph praises for its poignant portrayal of a Dominican family confronting neighborhood gentrification.
Technology and nostalgia converge in Ernest Cline’s ‘Ready Player One,’ a science fiction novel that increasingly mirrors our technological reality. Meanwhile, ‘Running in Heels’ by Yasmin Solitahe Odlum and Barbara Jacobs Small provides comprehensive documentation of women’s political participation in Saint Lucia, particularly relevant during an election year.
Sports enthusiasts will appreciate Richard Moore’s ‘The Bolt Supremacy,’ which investigates Jamaica’s track and field dominance through historical context and training methodologies. Business leadership receives focused attention through Steven Bartlett’s ‘The Diary of a CEO’ and Patrick Lencioni’s ‘The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive,’ the latter personally endorsed by CEO & Publisher Hermina Elcock for its practical framework for organizational leadership.
Additional notable inclusions feature Albert Ellis’s psychological critique ‘The Myth of Self-Esteem,’ Austin Clarke’s political fiction ‘The Prime Minister’ exploring repatriation experiences, Tahereh Mafi’s fantasy trilogy ‘This Woven Kingdom’ with its innovative magic systems, and Jordan Peterson’s controversial but impactful ’12 Rules for Life’ addressing personal responsibility in challenging circumstances.
This curated collection represents more than reading recommendations—it constitutes a roadmap for personal development, cultural understanding, and intellectual engagement for the year ahead.
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Ring in the New Year at Christmas at the Point!
The Rotary Club of Grenada announces the final week of its acclaimed Christmas at the Point (CATP) event, inviting residents and visitors to experience the magical Monica Benoit Wonderland of Lights before the seasonal attraction concludes on January 4th, 2026. This cherished community tradition transforms Quarantine Point Recreational Park into an immersive holiday destination featuring spectacular light displays, entertainment, and culinary experiences.
From December 30th through January 4th, the park will operate daily with gates opening at 5:00 PM, offering families a final opportunity to create lasting memories. The event’s diverse programming includes open-air cinema screenings under the stars, guided Tuk Tuk tours through illuminated pathways, and a specially designed Santa’s Grotto with interactive experiences for children.
Visitors can enjoy an array of local culinary offerings from food vendors while participating in karaoke sessions, live musical performances, and community games. The admission structure maintains affordable accessibility with standard rates at $5 for walk-in visitors, $10 per vehicle, and $20 for premium carload placement.
New Year’s Eve (December 31st) features special pricing with advance purchase discounts available at $20 walk-in, $50 per carload, and $70 premium access. Same-day purchases will be priced at $25, $70, and $100 respectively. This community initiative, organized by Rotary Club of Grenada, represents one of the island’s most anticipated annual family-friendly celebrations, blending holiday traditions with local culture and entertainment.
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Miss British Virgin Islands Crowned Miss Caribbean Teen Queen
In a vibrant showcase of emerging Caribbean talent, Maya Zareiah Venice Marcellin from the British Virgin Islands has been awarded the prestigious title of Miss Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Teen Pageant Queen. The event, designed to honor youth empowerment and regional pride, featured a distinguished panel of judges who were captivated by Marcellin’s exceptional composure, self-assurance, and commanding stage presence, which distinguished her amidst a highly competitive array of participants.
The competition’s organizational committee lauded her winning presentation as a perfect embodiment of elegance, confidence, and superior achievement. Securing the position of first runner-up was Miya Johnson, representing Saint Lucia, while Ailyn Tavarez Sanchez from Anguilla earned the title of second runner-up. The pageant organizers extended commendations to every contestant for their outstanding demonstration of not just aesthetic grace but also intellectual acumen, diverse talents, and a profound connection to their Caribbean heritage.
The occasion was hailed as an unforgettable testament to the potential and brilliance of the region’s younger generation. Notably, despite delivering a performance that was both powerful and favorably received by the audience, the delegate from Antigua and Barbuda did not rank among the top finalists in this year’s contest.
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Cruise missile launch exercise conducted in DPRK
North Korea has conducted a significant strategic missile test, with state media reporting the successful launch of long-range projectiles. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) detailed that the primary objective of this military exercise was to comprehensively assess the counterattack preparedness and operational effectiveness of specialized missile units.
The drill focused on enhancing personnel proficiency in rapid mobility and the precise execution of fire missions. According to official reports, the test missiles traveled for approximately 10,199 to 10,203 seconds along predetermined trajectories before accurately striking their targets in the West Sea of Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the exercises and expressed considerable satisfaction with the results. He characterized the successful test as both a practical verification and unambiguous demonstration of what he termed the ‘absolute credibility’ of the nation’s strategic counterattack capabilities and combat readiness.
Chairman Kim further emphasized that such regular testing of critical nuclear deterrent components represents a responsible exercise of North Korea’s right to self-defense. He framed these continued demonstrations of military capability as necessary measures for war deterrence amid what he described as ongoing security threats to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
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COMMENTARY: Barbuda’s Airport Must Serve the People Who Built It
A contentious development project on the island of Barbuda has become the focal point of a broader debate concerning local autonomy, post-colonial sovereignty, and economic equity. The recent inauguration of a new international airport terminal, funded and constructed by the central Antiguan government, is being met with significant resistance from a segment of Barbudans who view it as an imposition that disregards their historical land rights and self-governance.
Critics of the project argue that the modernized facility, while promising enhanced tourism connectivity and economic stimulus, was advanced without meaningful consultation with the Barbudan people. The core of the opposition stems from the island’s unique communal land tenure system, a tradition upheld for generations that stands in stark contrast to the private land ownership model prevalent on the main island of Antigua. Many residents perceive the top-down development as a strategic move to erode this system, facilitating the sale of land to foreign investors and fundamentally altering the social and economic fabric of their community.
Proponents, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s administration, champion the airport as an essential piece of national infrastructure critical for post-hurricane economic recovery and long-term prosperity. They posit that increased airlift capacity is indispensable for attracting high-end tourism, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development that will benefit all citizens of the twin-island nation.
The dispute transcends infrastructure, embodying a profound political struggle over who holds the authority to determine Barbuda’s future. It raises critical questions about the balance of power between a central government and its dependencies, the protection of cultural heritage in the face of modernization, and the true meaning of development—whether it is measured solely in economic metrics or also in the preservation of communal identity and rights. The unfolding situation on Barbuda serves as a potent case study of these enduring tensions within small island developing states.
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Suriname zet stap richting gereguleerde integratie van traditionele geneeskunde
Suriname has reinforced its commitment to incorporating traditional and complementary medicine into its national healthcare framework following participation in the World Health Organization’s second global summit on traditional medicine. The high-level gathering, convened in New Delhi, India, assembled delegates from over one hundred nations to advance the implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
The conference culminated in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which formally recognizes traditional medicine as both a shared bio-cultural heritage and an integral component of national health systems worldwide. This landmark document emphasizes evidence-based integration, rigorous regulatory standards, patient safety protocols, and meaningful engagement with indigenous communities and traditional knowledge holders.
Suriname’s multidisciplinary delegation included officials from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Labor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, and the National Assembly. The nation used the platform to reaffirm its phased, responsible approach to integrating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine within its healthcare architecture.
On the sidelines of the summit, Surinamese representatives engaged in bilateral discussions with Indian counterparts to explore enhanced cooperation in traditional medicine. India has expressed willingness to provide technical support in regulatory development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange, with particular attention to Suriname’s multicultural demographic landscape.
This participation signals accelerated parliamentary consideration of Suriname’s draft legislation on the Regulation and Development of Traditional and Integrative Medical Systems Industry. The move aligns with broader policy initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, regulated, and inclusive application of traditional medical practices across the nation’s diverse population.
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St Kitts and Nevis welcomes Nigerian volunteers to enhance the island’s education sector
In a significant bilateral cooperation effort, five education specialists from Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) have arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen the Caribbean nation’s educational capabilities in mathematics and fundamental sciences. The volunteers were formally welcomed during a ceremony at the Joseph N. France General Hospital on December 29, 2025, by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley.
This educational contingent forms part of a larger deployment of seventeen Nigerian volunteers, with twelve additional professionals designated for healthcare sector assignments across the twin-island federation. All volunteers will serve two-year terms supporting critical development initiatives.
Dr. Hanley emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, noting that the initiative exemplifies the enduring diplomatic relationship and mutual commitment to advancing educational and health outcomes for citizens of both nations. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Senior Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, who oversees foreign affairs, highlighting the high-level governmental support for this international cooperation.
Beyond the current volunteer deployment, officials revealed that expanded educational collaboration is under discussion between the two governments. Potential areas for future partnership include specialized support for autism education, disability programs, and scholarship opportunities for Kittitian and Nevisian students seeking higher education in Nigeria.
The volunteer program represents a concrete implementation of South-South cooperation principles, where developing nations exchange technical expertise and resources to address common challenges without relying solely on traditional donor countries.
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India expresses concern over attack on Putin’s residence
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the critical importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve ongoing hostilities and secure enduring peace in Eastern Europe. In a recent social media statement, the leader urged all involved nations to maintain focus on negotiation efforts and refrain from actions that could jeopardize these delicate peace processes.
This appeal for calm coincides with serious allegations from Russian officials. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reported that Ukrainian forces launched a significant aerial assault involving 91 long-range attack drones targeting President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in the Novgorod region during the night of December 28-29. According to Lavrov, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed all incoming drones, with no casualties or property damage resulting from falling debris.
The timing of this alleged attack has drawn particular attention from Moscow. Lavrov highlighted that the incident occurred during intensive negotiations between Russian and American diplomats working toward a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. In subsequent remarks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova delivered a strongly worded condemnation during an appearance on Rossiya 1 television. She characterized Kyiv’s leadership as ‘a genuine, bloodthirsty terrorist regime with neo-Nazi foundations’ and promised that Ukraine would face consequences for what she described as acts of terrorism.
The juxtaposition of India’s call for diplomatic resolution with Russia’s accusations against Ukraine highlights the complex international dimensions of the ongoing conflict and the challenges facing peace negotiations.
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The Oscars are moving to YouTube
In a groundbreaking move that ends a nearly 50-year broadcasting tradition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the Oscars will transition from ABC to YouTube beginning in 2029. This landmark multi-year agreement, spanning from the 101st Academy Awards through at least 2033, represents one of the most significant distribution shifts in entertainment industry history.
The strategic partnership moves the prestigious awards ceremony from traditional broadcast television to YouTube’s digital platform, eliminating the cable subscription requirement in favor of a free, globally accessible live streaming experience. This fundamental restructuring of the Oscars’ distribution model specifically targets younger audiences who have increasingly abandoned traditional television viewing in favor of digital content consumption on mobile devices and computers.
The transition reflects the Academy’s response to declining ratings for traditional awards shows amid intense competition from streaming services and social media platforms. YouTube’s extensive global reach, viral content capabilities, and real-time engagement features provide the Oscars with unprecedented access to international viewers and demographic groups that had become increasingly disconnected from the traditional broadcast model.
This platform migration signifies more than merely changing broadcast partners—it represents a complete reimagining of how one of entertainment’s most iconic events connects with modern audiences in the digital age.