On November 14, the Port of Scarborough in Tobago rolled out a vibrant welcome for 700 visitors aboard the Azamara Quest cruise ship, marking the start of a bustling 2025/2026 cruise season. The visitors were greeted with a unique artistic installation featuring murals of Tobago’s rich cultural heritage and a colorful hopscotch design, created by students and teachers from Scarborough Secondary School. The project, themed ‘Games We Used to Play,’ aimed to engage tourists with traditional Tobagonian pastimes such as snakes and ladders, marble pitching, draughts, and kite-flying. The initiative, completed in under a week, was a collaborative effort led by Port of Scarborough Executive Manager Dion Lawrence, Estate Constable Nichola Mohan, and the school’s art teachers. Lawrence emphasized the importance of community empowerment and corporate social responsibility, trusting Mohan, a self-taught designer, to bring the concept to life. Mohan expressed her desire to showcase Tobago’s heritage and promote the island as a premier tourist destination. Jeanine Crouch, an art teacher at Scarborough Secondary, highlighted the students’ excitement and the cultural enrichment they gained from the project. Mohan is already planning for next year’s cruise season, with new themes to further enhance the visitor experience.
分类： society
-
Pastor prays for murdered cousin’s killers
The community of Windsor Park in California, Couva, gathered on November 13 to bid farewell to Vishnu Lalla, a 63-year-old livestock farmer remembered for his kindness, love of nature, and unwavering work ethic. Lalla’s life was tragically cut short when he was kidnapped from his home on November 8 and found dead in a forested area off Brechin Castle Road the following day. He had been shot in the head, and his grey Toyota Hilux was discovered burned, with a ransom demand of $100,000 made for his safe return. A 9mm shell casing was found at the scene, and investigations have led to the detention of a policeman and two civilians suspected of involvement in the crime. The funeral, held at Lalla’s home, was officiated by Pastor Ralph Sawh, who prayed for justice and comfort for the grieving family. Lalla’s sister Molly, who lives abroad, delivered an emotional tribute, recalling their deep bond and her brother’s selfless nature. Nephew Ishwar remembered Lalla as a father figure who lived with a big heart, always making time for others. The body was later cremated at the Waterloo Cremation Site, leaving the community to mourn the loss of a man who touched many lives with his generosity and love.
-
WATCH: Stranded in Wakefield
Residents of Wakefield district in Trelawny, Jamaica, are facing severe isolation and hardship after heavy rains exacerbated the flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa. The community, already grappling with the aftermath of the hurricane, now finds itself nearly cut off from the outside world. Three main entrances are impassable for most vehicles, leaving residents reliant on large vans that charge exorbitant fees for transportation. Sharon Morris, a local resident, lamented the dire situation, stating that food supplies are scarce and shared among neighbors. Fayon Ellis, another resident, described how the flooding has trapped them, making it impossible to travel to nearby towns like Falmouth or Montego Bay. The Observer team, which visited the area, had to navigate makeshift routes to access the community, encountering significant flooding along the way. Leonie Clarke and her son Rodwayne highlighted the longstanding drainage issues that have worsened the flooding, with water unable to escape due to poorly designed infrastructure. While some residents use a makeshift bridge to move within the community, the roads ahead remain blocked. Rodwayne emphasized that the problem could be resolved with proper drainage work before the next rainy season. The lack of clean water has become a pressing concern, with residents fearing the health risks posed by contaminated water and the inability to access medical help in emergencies. Mae Allen expressed her desperation, suggesting that only a helicopter could rescue them. Despite relief efforts by organizations like World Central Kitchen and The Jamaica Guangdomg Association, essential supplies had not reached Wakefield by the time the Observer team departed.
-
‘Tinder Swindler’ Simon Leviev freed in Georgia
TBILISI, Georgia — Simon Leviev, the infamous con artist whose elaborate romance scams were chronicled in the Netflix documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, has been released from custody in Georgia after German authorities withdrew their extradition request. Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, had been detained for two months following his arrest on September 15 at Batumi airport on an Interpol red notice issued by Germany.
-
No More Paper! SSB Plans to Go Fully Digital with Sickness Benefit Claims
The Social Security Board (SSB) has announced a significant shift in its operations, moving all sickness benefit claims to a fully digital platform starting December 1st, 2025. This transition will require all claims to be submitted online through the My Social Security portal, marking the end of paper-based submissions for this benefit.
Vaessa Vellos, SSB’s Communications and PR Manager, explained that the decision follows nearly a year of internal testing and user feedback. ‘We believe the system is now robust enough to take this next step in our journey towards full online submission for sickness benefit claims,’ Vellos stated.
Previously, the process involved manual form filling, visits to HR departments, doctor consultations, and in-person document submissions. The new system streamlines this by allowing employees, employers, and doctors to complete their portions of the claim electronically. ‘Now, you control the narrative. With your portal account, you can handle all aspects of the claim online,’ Vellos added.
The SSB aims to process and pay sickness benefits within three business days under the new system. ‘Isn’t their time more valuable than standing in line?’ Vellos remarked.
For those less comfortable with technology, Vellos assured that customer service agents are available to assist with navigating the portal. The board currently processes approximately 5,600 sickness claims each month, with over 70,000 users already registered on the portal. SSB also plans to move retirement and maternity benefits online in the near future.
-
Antigua and Barbuda to Establish Agro-Industrial Park to Strengthen Food Security
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled plans to establish an agro-industrial park aimed at enhancing food security and expanding local agricultural production. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced that two potential sites—Old Road and Christian Valley—are under consideration for the project. The development will feature agro-processing facilities, a feed mill, and model homes constructed using sustainable materials. Merchant emphasized that the park will play a pivotal role in reducing the nation’s dependence on imported animal feed while promoting value-added processing in the farming sector. Speaking at a post-briefing session on Thursday, he highlighted the project as a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to foster a self-sufficient and resilient agricultural economy. The initiative underscores the government’s dedication to food sustainability and rural development, marking a significant step toward long-term economic and environmental resilience.
-
Resort ordered to pay $29,000 over unfair dismissal tied to hairstyle
An Antigua resort, Mill Reef Club, has been mandated by the Industrial Court to compensate a former receptionist, Andre Thomas, with over EC$29,000 for his wrongful dismissal nearly three decades ago. The court found that the 1998 termination, prompted by Thomas’s refusal to change his hairstyle, violated his constitutional rights and breached principles of good industrial relations. Thomas, who had been employed at the resort for six years, was suspended and subsequently fired after a new European manager insisted on altering his appearance. Notably, the court highlighted that there were no prior complaints about Thomas’s hairstyle and that the resort lacked a formal grooming policy. The judges deemed the dismissal “frivolous and extreme,” criticizing the resort for denying union representation and failing to investigate the matter adequately. Additionally, the destruction of employment records by the club undermined its defense during the proceedings, which commenced in 2011. Thomas was awarded EC$29,325.60, covering lost income, damages, and legal costs, with the payment deadline set for 17 November 2025.
-
All Saints Road Repairs Moving Forward as Testing and Surveys Continue
The much-anticipated rehabilitation of All Saints Road is progressing steadily, with preliminary testing and groundwork now in motion, as confirmed by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant. Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Merchant revealed that the project was a key topic of discussion in this week’s Cabinet meeting. A joint venture between a Canadian engineering firm and a local partner has already initiated testing activities on the road.
Merchant elaborated, ‘They have commenced preliminary work, including testing and surveys. In certain sections of All Saints Road, teams are conducting ground surveys and cutting out patches for testing purposes.’ The comprehensive reconstruction plan will not only address the road surface but also modernize underground infrastructure by removing outdated APUA pipelines and installing new ones.
The project will cover a significant stretch of approximately 11 to 12 miles, extending from the VC Bird bust in St. John’s to English Harbour. To ensure minimal disruption to traffic, the team is preparing strategic traffic diversions. Merchant emphasized, ‘Mobilization will begin shortly, and the transformation of All Saints Road will soon be evident.’ He also assured that the Cabinet would provide further updates next week as additional project details are finalized.
-
Second Seven Seas Plant to Come on Stream This Weekend, Adding Two Million Gallons Daily
The government’s second Seven Seas desalination plant is poised to commence operations this weekend, significantly enhancing the national water supply by adding approximately two million gallons of water daily. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced the imminent launch during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, emphasizing the facility’s role in improving water accessibility across the island. The plant’s initial production phase will include rigorous testing and system adjustments, meaning immediate improvements may not be apparent to residents. Communities in the northern regions, including Hodges Bay, Coolidge, New Winthorpes, Barnes Hill, Blue Waters, and Cedar Valley, are expected to benefit from the increased water output. This initiative is a critical component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to bolster water reliability, particularly in drought-affected areas, and is part of broader infrastructure upgrades overseen by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).
-
Over 400 Government Buildings to Be Repainted, Building Repair Fund Launched
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled an ambitious national beautification project aimed at revitalizing the country’s infrastructure. The initiative will involve the repainting of over 400 government-owned buildings, starting with state offices in the capital, St. John’s. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, revealed that the Cabinet has allocated a substantial budget for this endeavor, which aligns with the administration’s broader transformation and modernization goals. Merchant emphasized that the project is expected to inspire private sector participation, encouraging businesses to refurbish their properties as well. The initiative is complemented by the establishment of a Building-Repair Fund, designed to finance the restoration and maintenance of public offices nationwide. This fund will address the structural needs of government properties, ensuring their long-term sustainability. The beautification campaign is part of extensive preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda will host. Officials believe these efforts will enhance the nation’s appearance and infrastructure, showcasing its readiness to welcome international delegates.