The export of aggregate from Studley Park Enterprises Limited (SPEL) has been hailed as a transformative development for Tobago, enabling the island to capitalize on its natural resources for the first time. Former SPEL chairman Ashworth Jack emphasized the significance of this milestone, countering claims by former prime ministers Dr. Keith Rowley and Stuart Young that the plant could not meet local demand and was thus incapable of exporting. Jack dismissed these assertions as unfounded, highlighting SPEL’s strategic plans to expand operations and maximize production.
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Operation Festive Shield launched for Xmas, Carnival
In a proactive move to combat crime during the festive season, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has unveiled its Christmas and Carnival crime prevention initiative, dubbed ‘Festive Shield.’ The program was officially launched through community walkabouts led by senior TTPS officials and local government representatives in Arima, Tunapuna, and San Juan. During the Arima event, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rishi Singh, alongside Superintendents Maynard-Wilson and McKenzie, joined Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj in engaging with residents to address their crime-related concerns.
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Cuba thanks Venezuela’s support in recovery after hurricane Melissa
In a display of international solidarity, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have joined forces to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba and Venezuela. Diaz-Canel recently visited Santiago de Cuba, where he commended the tireless efforts of local brigades and national teams working to restore essential services in the hurricane-stricken regions. He highlighted the resilience of communities in El Cristo and El Caney, describing them as ‘full of history and courage.’ Meanwhile, Venezuelan brothers, dispatched by President Maduro, have been actively assisting in recovery operations, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations. On social media platform X, Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude to the Venezuelan people for their support. Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also emphasized the importance of solidarity, noting the continuous distribution of national and international donations to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and underweight children. Provinces and municipalities have prioritized delivering basic food supplies like rice, peas, and oil to the most affected areas. Beyond material aid, Marrero underscored the Cuban people’s intrinsic value of sharing resources, acknowledging the contributions of non-state actors, businesses, and citizens. With key infrastructures severely damaged, Cuban authorities have implemented innovative measures to expedite the restoration of essential services.
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Foetus found in shallow grave in Balata
A shocking and unsettling discovery was made on November 13 in the Balata community of Babonneau, St. Lucia, where what appeared to be the remains of a foetus were unearthed from a shallow grave. The grim find quickly ignited widespread attention, with social media platforms becoming a hotbed for speculation and debate. A photograph, widely circulated and believed by many to depict the deceased infant, was later debunked by authorities as fraudulent. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and launching a thorough investigation. Sources from St. Lucia Times have confirmed that the mother of the foetus has been summoned for questioning, with the case being classified as highly sensitive. The investigation is being spearheaded by the Vulnerable Persons Unit, a specialized division equipped to handle cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.
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Teen Among Three Wanted in Jamaica for Killing of Two Policemen
A 17-year-old student is one of three individuals being actively sought by authorities in connection with the fatal shooting of two police officers on Waltham Park Road in St Andrew on Thursday night. The teenager, residing on Waltham Park Road, has been named alongside 20-year-old Macarius Munroe, also known as ‘Mackie’ from Ricketts Crescent, Kingston 13, and Junior Brown, 20, from Seaward Drive, Kingston 11. The suspects have been instructed to surrender to the police by 6 pm Friday. The victims, Constable Jemarey Gordon of CTOC and Constable Charles Stewart from the St Catherine North Division, were fatally shot during an altercation with several men shortly before 8 pm. Reports suggest that the officers were engaged in a conversation with the men at a local business when the confrontation escalated. During the altercation, one of the men allegedly drew a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking both officers in their upper bodies. The suspects fled the scene on foot. Local residents assisted in transporting the injured officers to Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), where they succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Police investigations have revealed that the three suspects are alleged members of the Dust City Gang and are reportedly involved in a car-stealing ring operating within the Corporate Area. It is alleged that the suspects stole a white 2015 Toyota Allion on Thursday and parked it along Waltham Park Road. The theft was reported to the Cross Roads Police Station. Munroe and Brown have prior criminal records; Munroe was taken into custody last May after a vehicle he was traveling in was found with a device used in car theft, while Brown was detained at the Hunts Bay Police Station earlier this year after 25 9mm cartridges and three magazines were discovered on premises he occupied.
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Standards pioneer Rhynd honoured at World Quality Day ceremony
Dudley Rhynd, the inaugural national standards director of Barbados and a key architect of the Caribbean’s quality infrastructure, was celebrated as a transformative figure in regional development during a special ceremony marking World Quality Day 2025. The event, held at the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) headquarters in Warrens under the theme “Quality: Think Differently,” brought together top officials to honor Rhynd’s enduring legacy. Latoya Burnham, CEO of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), hailed Rhynd as “a true stalwart of Caribbean quality,” emphasizing his visionary leadership and foundational contributions to regional standards. “Dudley Rhynd’s tireless efforts and unwavering belief in regional integration transformed ideas into actionable frameworks, strengthening trade, protecting consumers, and enhancing competitiveness across the Caribbean,” Burnham remarked. She noted that Rhynd’s influence extends beyond CROSQ’s creation, shaping the Caribbean’s approach to quality as both a technical concept and a cultural mindset. BNSI Chairman Ryah Brathwaite echoed these sentiments, describing Rhynd as “a visionary whose lifetime of purpose has left a lasting impact across Barbados, the Caribbean, and beyond.” Brathwaite highlighted Rhynd’s role in establishing BNSI as a beacon of excellence and his contributions to fostering regional unity through institutions like CROSQ. In his acceptance speech, Rhynd expressed gratitude to his colleagues, emphasizing the collaborative nature of his achievements. “I share these tributes with the many people who supported me along the way,” he said. Rhynd’s 33-year tenure as BNSI’s founding director until his retirement in 2006 laid the groundwork for Barbados’ and the Caribbean’s standards and quality infrastructure. His career, marked by a commitment to quality assurance and regional integration, has been widely recognized for advancing trade, consumer protection, and competitiveness.
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Registrations open for Antigua and Barbuda’s 2025 Christmas lighting contest
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries in Antigua and Barbuda has officially announced the opening of registrations for the 2025 Christmas Home and Business Lighting Competition. This annual event, deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural fabric, invites both residents and business owners to participate in a celebration of creativity and community spirit. Registration forms are available until December 17 at two locations: the Department of Creative Industries on Old Parham Road and the National Festivals Office in St John’s. The competition will feature pre-judging rounds from December 20 to 21, followed by final assessments on December 28. Winners will be revealed on the popular morning show, *Good Morning Antigua, Barbuda*, on January 5. Home entries will be evaluated across four geographical zones—East, West, North, and South—with participants enjoying incentives such as a full electricity waiver from December 15 to January 15 and duty-free concessions on lighting and decorations. Cash prizes for home participants range from EC$1,000 to EC$3,000. Businesses, on the other hand, will benefit from a 50% electricity waiver for December, duty-free concessions, and the same prize structure. The competition is designed to enhance communal bonds and highlight local ingenuity as the festive season approaches, reinforcing its role as a cherished tradition in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Thirty-five NCCU members honored at 15th anniversary awards
The National Co-operative Credit Union (NCCU) Limited commemorated its 15th anniversary with a grand awards ceremony on November 8, 2025, held at the State House Conference Room. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Her Excellency President Sylvanie Burton, the First Gentleman, and the Honourable Minister for Culture, Youth, Sports & Community Development, Gretta Roberts, to celebrate the organization’s remarkable journey and achievements.
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US Principal Officer visits Carriacou and Petite Martinique
Cindy Diouf, the Principal Officer of the US Embassy in Grenada, recently concluded a three-day visit to the sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique from October 22 to 24, 2025. This visit underscores the embassy’s unwavering commitment to American Citizen Services (ACS) outreach and infrastructure recovery in regions devastated by Hurricane Beryl, which struck on July 1, 2024, causing catastrophic damage. The hurricane’s aftermath has necessitated sustained US-supported projects and diplomatic engagement to foster recovery and resilience. During her visit, Diouf provided essential ACS services, including passport renewals and notarial assistance, while conducting courtesy visits and inspecting key recovery projects. Highlights of her trip included strengthening disaster preparedness through visits to two Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) donated by the US Southern Command, advancing community well-being with a tour of a containerised health clinic in Dumfries, Carriacou, promoting food security and education via a chicken coop project at Hillsborough Primary School, and enhancing educational infrastructure by reviewing donated library benches in Petite Martinique. Diouf emphasized that the visit was not merely about consular services but also about reaffirming the US’s commitment to supporting infrastructure and resilience initiatives that empower communities. The embassy continues to collaborate with local stakeholders across Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and mainland Grenada to promote education, health, resilience, and citizen services.
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Motorists urged to check compliance as new tint rules start Dec 1
Barbados is set to implement new vehicle tint regulations starting December 1, with authorities urging motorists to ensure compliance before the deadline. Deputy Chief Licensing Officer Lynette Williams emphasized that the updated rules, ratified earlier this year, aim to bolster road safety and aid law enforcement in crime prevention by enhancing visibility into vehicles. According to the regulations, front passenger and driver windows must allow at least 25% light transmission, rear windows and rear windscreens 20%, and front windscreens 70%. A three-percentage-point margin of error is permitted during tint testing. To assist drivers, free tint testing services are available at Oistins and the NCF car park in West Terrace. The new rules, part of the Road Traffic Act, prohibit metallic and mirrored tints and apply uniform standards to both private and public service vehicles. Visor tints must also meet a minimum 25% light transmission, with size restrictions based on windscreen height. Exemptions are available for drivers with medical conditions, provided they submit a specialist’s report. The Barbados Licensing Authority (BLA) stated that these measures aim to empower law enforcement by ensuring clear visibility into vehicles, thereby deterring criminal activity and aiding investigations. Motorists with non-compliant tints must remove them to avoid penalties once enforcement begins. Detailed information on the regulations is accessible on the websites and social media platforms of the BLA and the Ministry of Transport and Works. Authorities anticipate heightened public awareness to facilitate a seamless transition when the rules take effect.