The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has announced the postponement of the Community Policing Townhall Meeting, which was originally set to take place at the UWI Five Islands Campus on Thursday, 27 November. The event, aimed at fostering dialogue between law enforcement and the residents of Grays Farm and Five Islands, has been delayed indefinitely. The Police Administration expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by this decision and thanked the community members for their understanding and unwavering support. A new date and time for the rescheduled meeting will be announced at a later time. The Administration emphasized its commitment to maintaining open communication with the public and ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
分类： society
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Digicel Gives Christmas Support to Victory Center After Recent Setback
In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, Digicel North West Indies has made a significant contribution to the Victory Center, a dedicated institution for children with special needs. The donation, which includes a state-of-the-art Smart TV, aims to enhance classroom instruction, therapy sessions, and interactive educational programs. These resources are essential for the center’s mission to deliver personalized, high-quality education to its students.
The initiative gained deeper meaning following a recent visit by a group of Victory Center students to the Digicel Corporate office. During their visit, the students participated in a life-skills practical session, allowing Digicel staff to connect with them on a personal level. Wenise Davis, CEO of Digicel North West Indies, expressed the emotional impact of the visit, stating, ‘It was truly heart-breaking when we heard about their challenges. We knew we had to take meaningful action to support their journey.’
Mrs. Jahmorla James-Francis, Principal of the Victory Center, expressed profound gratitude for the timely donation, emphasizing its importance in advancing the center’s educational objectives. This act of generosity aligns with Digicel’s broader commitment to fostering genuine connections within the community, particularly during the holiday season. The company’s ‘Real Connections’ initiative highlights the true spirit of Christmas—coming together to uplift and support one another.
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Airport Department activates High-Season Plan to manage holiday passenger surge
Santo Domingo – In preparation for the anticipated holiday travel influx, the Dominican Republic’s Airport Department (DA) has officially launched its comprehensive High-Season Passenger Flow Management Plan. This strategic initiative, developed through close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) and multiple airport-sector agencies, aims to optimize operational efficiency across all international airports during the busy Christmas period.
The newly enhanced guidelines received formal approval during a recent Airport Commission session, paving the way for distribution to airport operators and concessionaires for immediate implementation. DA Director Víctor Pichardo emphasized that the program’s core objective centers on delivering a secure, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for all passengers despite seasonal congestion.
Operational enhancements feature coordinated inter-agency cooperation involving Customs (DGA), Migration authorities, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), the Civil Aviation Board (JAC), and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC). Key measures include strategic staffing increases, adjusted work shifts, and various operational improvements specifically designed to manage elevated passenger volumes.
The Airport Commission, operating under the leadership of Public Works Minister Eduardo Estrella with DA director Pichardo serving as secretary, comprises representatives from Mitur, DGA, IDAC, CESAC, Migration, and two additional members appointed by the Executive Branch, ensuring comprehensive oversight of the seasonal initiative.
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Dodelijke flatbrand in Hongkong eist 44 levens; bouwdirecteuren aangehouden
A devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday has claimed 44 lives, marking one of the deadliest residential fires in the city’s recent history. The blaze, which rapidly spread through the apartment complexes, left 45 individuals critically injured and 279 others still unaccounted for. Witnesses described the flames as overwhelming, with one survivor recalling, ‘It felt like the fire was coming from all directions at once. We had no time to spare.’ Emergency exits were quickly filled with smoke, trapping many residents. The fire reportedly originated on the lower floors of one tower before spreading to adjacent buildings under unclear circumstances. Authorities have arrested three construction company employees—two directors and a technical advisor—on suspicion of gross negligence related to the building’s safety standards. Investigations revealed the use of highly flammable polystyrene panels, which blocked windows and significantly accelerated the fire’s spread. Inferior construction materials, failing to meet local safety regulations, were also discovered on-site. As the fire continued to rage on Thursday, hundreds of families anxiously awaited news of their missing loved ones at an impromptu identification center. The Hong Kong government has opened temporary shelters for displaced residents and announced a comprehensive investigation into building code compliance and oversight procedures. Housing Minister Anthony Ching emphasized the urgency of the inquiry, stating, ‘We must determine exactly what went wrong. Safety is paramount, and there will be consequences for any failures.’ The tragedy has reignited debates over the safety of older and under-construction residential buildings in Hong Kong, where high population density and limited space often lead to rushed and substandard construction projects.
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Red Shoes Project turns silence into national action call
The Red Shoes Project, a poignant initiative unveiled at the Barbados Museum, has transformed crimson-painted shoes into a stark symbol of lives lost to gender-based violence. Each pair represents a woman whose life was tragically cut short, urging the nation to confront a crisis often overlooked or concealed. The project, launched during the annual 16 Days of Activism, aims to create visual memorials in public spaces, fostering collective awareness and action against this pervasive issue.
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Quiz to inspire young minds on clean energy
The Barbados National Energy Company Limited (BNECL) concluded its inaugural Energy Quiz finals on Wednesday at its Woodbourne headquarters in St Philip, showcasing young students’ knowledge of energy and sustainability. The event, themed ‘All Things Energy, Igniting Young Minds,’ aimed to educate participants about Barbados’ clean-energy future and foster environmental awareness. The competition followed three preliminary rounds held earlier this month at Luther Thorne Primary School, Gordon Walters Primary School, and St Bartholomew Primary School. Finalists Tariq Forde, Skylar Alexander, and Kamari Burke emerged from these rounds to compete in a Jeopardy-style quiz. Categories included ‘Everything Energy,’ ‘Sustainability,’ ‘All About BNECL,’ ‘Science,’ and ‘Barbados Our Homeland.’ Skylar Alexander dominated the first round with 3,500 points, while Kamari Burke and Tariq Forde trailed behind. The second round featured topics like ‘Energy and Sustainability,’ ‘Environment and Climate,’ and ‘Barbados and Our Culture,’ with Alexander extending her lead to 4,900 points. A special intermission performance by former Junior Calypso Monarch Dynamo energized the audience, featuring songs like ‘Potential’ and ‘Bring Dem Back.’ The final bidding round reshuffled the scores, with Alexander securing first place with 5,800 points, Forde in second with 2,600, and Burke in third with 1,800. Prizes were awarded by officials from the Ministry of Energy and Business and BNECL, with Alexander receiving a trophy, a laptop, and $500. BNECL emphasized that the quiz is part of a broader initiative to educate youth about the energy sector and sustainability, aligning with its mission to empower the next generation through knowledge of Barbados’ evolving energy landscape.
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Those innocent young people
HAVANA – The haunting memory of November 27, 1871, continues to cast a profound shadow over Cuba’s historical consciousness, marking one of the most tragic judicial miscarriages in the nation’s colonial history. On this date, eight young medical students—most still in their teenage years—faced a firing squad for crimes they never committed, their lives extinguished by Spanish colonial authorities in an act that would become symbolic of colonial oppression.
The sequence of events began innocuously when first-year medical students gathered at the San Dionisio Asylum amphitheater adjacent to Espada Cemetery, awaiting their anatomy professor. When the instructor failed to appear promptly, several students ventured into the cemetery grounds—an action not prohibited—where some engaged in minor mischief including climbing onto a corpse transport cart. The most trivial act, plucking a single rose from the garden by 16-year-old Alonso Álvarez de la Campa, would ultimately carry fatal consequences.
Spanish authorities fabricated charges accusing the students of desecrating the burial niche of Gonzalo de Castañón, a Spanish journalist who had advocated for the extermination of Cubans. Despite conclusive evidence proving the vandalism predated the students’ presence, colonial officials proceeded with a sham trial. The accused ranged from 16 to 21 years old, with Carlos Verdugo not even present in Havana during the alleged incident.
At 4:20 PM on that fateful November afternoon, three volleys of gunfire ended the lives of eight promising young scholars. Their executions were compounded by the additional killing of five Abakuá men who attempted to rescue the students, amplifying the tragedy’s human toll. Contemporary accounts describe how the victims’ parents succumbed to grief and helplessness, while the students themselves faced their final moments bewildered by the unjust accusations against them.
Now commemorated 154 years later, this episode remains etched in Cuba’s national memory as both a testament to colonial brutality and a symbol of resilience. Annual ceremonies honor the students’ legacy, ensuring that new generations understand the price paid by those who fell victim to unjust power.
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DGA publishes new Traveler’s Manual for tourists and Dominican citizens
The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) in the Dominican Republic has launched an innovative Traveler’s Manual designed to transform the border crossing experience for both international visitors and returning citizens. This comprehensive guide provides detailed clarification on customs regulations, specifically identifying which personal items can be imported or exported without incurring taxation. The initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing tourist satisfaction and strengthening the nation’s competitive position in the global tourism market.
The newly released manual offers exhaustive specifications regarding permissible items and quantity limits for personal luggage, encompassing categories such as pharmaceutical products, recreational equipment, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, beauty products, nutritional supplements, and food items. It further establishes clear guidelines for duty-free purchases and gift allowances. The document emphasizes financial regulations, particularly the requirement to declare currency exceeding $10,000 USD, and mandates the use of the digital e-Ticket system for all travelers. Additionally, it provides directions for obtaining necessary permits for restricted items through the VUCE online platform.
Important prohibitions and restrictions are prominently highlighted within the manual, including fresh produce, controlled substances, uncertified electronic devices, and any items intended for commercial distribution. The guide also contains specialized sections addressing the importation of pets, animal feed products, and assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential traveler needs.
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Bulletproof Vehicle Controversy Hits Free Zone
A heated debate has emerged in Belize following the discovery of a bulletproof SUV parked within the Corozal Free Zone. The vehicle, a 2021 Land Rover Defender equipped with ballistic protection, was imported under a temporary permit granted to Jose Vela, a prominent figure in the Free Zone’s operations. The permit, issued in October, allowed the vehicle to enter Belize duty-free but restricted its use to the Zone. However, the approval process has come under scrutiny, with reports suggesting that top officials, including the Commissioner of Police and the former Minister of Defense, were involved. None have publicly acknowledged their role in authorizing the permit, prompting an ongoing investigation by Customs. Vela, who survived a targeted shooting in September near Paraiso Village, is believed to have acquired the vehicle as a precautionary measure. Prime Minister John Briceño has stated that there is no law prohibiting the import of bulletproof vehicles, emphasizing that such measures are common among businesses and individuals seeking enhanced security. Nonetheless, the incident has raised significant concerns about border security and regulatory oversight in the region.
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Brian Chiac is Remanded for Attempted Murder of His Estranged Partner
A harrowing incident of domestic violence has sent shockwaves through the Belize Coast Guard. Brian Chiac, a Coast Guard officer and native of Big Falls, has been remanded in custody following allegations of attempting to murder his estranged common-law wife, Jessica Pou. The violent altercation occurred in the early hours of Monday on Gibnut Street in Belize City, leaving Pou hospitalized with multiple stab wounds. Chiac was arraigned on charges of Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, and Wounding, and has been denied bail. He will remain at the Belize Central Prison until January 12, 2026, while Pou seeks protection through the Family Court. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, expressed profound disappointment and embarrassment over the incident, emphasizing that such behavior is not condoned by the Coast Guard. Bennett assured that Chiac would face both criminal and administrative disciplinary processes, with the Coast Guard ensuring that the case is adjudicated without any consideration of his affiliation with the organization.