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  • At least 46 Palestinians arrested in Israeli raids in the West Bank

    At least 46 Palestinians arrested in Israeli raids in the West Bank

    Israeli military forces engaged in a series of operations across the West Bank, resulting in both violent confrontations and widespread arrests. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, soldiers opened fire on a civilian vehicle near the Awarta checkpoint adjacent to Nablus in the northern West Bank. The incident left one occupant with bullet wounds while two others sustained injuries from the subsequent overturning of their car.

    Concurrently, the Israel Defense Forces conducted extensive raids throughout multiple West Bank regions. Official Palestinian news agency Wafa documented these operations across three separate governorates. In Tulkarm Governorate, seven Palestinian individuals were apprehended across the villages of Deir al-Ghusun, Baqa al-Sharqiya, and Qaffin.

    The military operations extended to Qalqilya Governorate where five additional detentions occurred, while Hebron territory saw the most significant arrest numbers with twenty-two Palestinians taken into custody from the villages of Dura and Al-Tabaqa, alongside the Al-Fawwar refugee camp.

    These developments occur within the context of substantially increased Israeli security operations since October 2023. Official statistics indicate that Israeli forces have detained more than 12,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since the escalation of hostilities that began on October 7, 2023, marking one of the most intensive arrest campaigns in recent years.

  • Eugène van der San benoemd tot voorzitter Administratief Beroepsinstituut

    Eugène van der San benoemd tot voorzitter Administratief Beroepsinstituut

    Suriname has taken a significant step toward enhancing its administrative justice system with the formal installation of the Administrative Appeals Institute (Administratief Beroepsinstituut) on Monday. President Jennifer Simons presided over the inauguration ceremony, appointing distinguished public administration expert Eugène van der San as the institution’s inaugural chairman.

    The newly established institute will serve as a specialized advisory body to the head of state regarding administrative appeal cases. Its mandate encompasses the meticulous preparation of government policy proposals and providing strategic direction for their implementation within existing legal frameworks. The seven-member council, including a secretary, will operate independently while advising the president based on relevant legislation including the Personnel Act, Firearms Act, and Electoral Act.

    Van der San emphasized the institute’s constitutional foundation, noting that Suriname’s governance structure incorporates both judicial and administrative legal processes. “Alongside our judiciary, our state system recognizes administrative legal proceedings where the president serves as the appeals authority,” he explained during the installation ceremony.

    The institutionalization of this body represents a crucial advancement for transparent and careful execution of constitutional duties. Van der San stated that the institute provides the president with “a specialized and structured advisory mechanism” that will ensure greater accountability in administrative decision-making.

    Established for the current government’s term, the institute is expected to become an increasingly important resource for citizens seeking legal recourse, particularly in cases where traditional judicial pathways are limited or unavailable. This development marks a substantial evolution in Suriname’s administrative justice capabilities, potentially affecting how governmental decisions are reviewed and appealed.

  • Vacancy: Production Manager

    Vacancy: Production Manager

    A prominent Grenadian manufacturing enterprise has announced an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced Production Manager within its distillery operations. The organization seeks a dedicated professional ready to embrace the challenges of overseeing sophisticated bottling and blending processes while driving operational excellence.

    The successful candidate will assume comprehensive responsibility for maximizing daily production output while maintaining stringent compliance with ISO 22000 food safety standards and quality control protocols. This leadership position demands meticulous attention to detail across all manufacturing phases, from raw material verification to finished product delivery.

    Core operational duties include developing and implementing daily production schedules, optimizing workforce allocation, and minimizing equipment downtime through proactive maintenance strategies. The Production Manager will also spearhead continuous improvement initiatives, utilizing data analytics to enhance efficiency and productivity across all manufacturing segments.

    Beyond technical oversight, the role encompasses significant personnel management responsibilities. The selected individual will mentor departmental staff, foster professional development, and maintain team morale while ensuring adherence to operational protocols. Budget management constitutes another critical component, requiring the formulation of both recurrent and capital expenditure proposals.

    The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences or Engineering, with postgraduate distilling qualifications considered particularly advantageous. Certification in ISO Management Systems and Food Safety Procedures is mandatory, complemented by minimum five years’ supervisory experience within distillery operations or comparable manufacturing environments.

    Essential technical knowledge encompasses liquid filtration principles, packaging requirements, HACCP protocols, and Good Manufacturing Practices. Behavioral competencies should include advanced communication skills, innovative problem-solving capabilities, and demonstrated proficiency in collaborative leadership across organizational hierarchies.

    Interested professionals must submit comprehensive application packages including cover letter and CV in Word or PDF format, accompanied by three business references, to the designated email address with the specific subject line ‘Application: Production Manager’. The submission deadline remains January 12, 2025, though the organization reserves the right to modify this timeline.

    J’S HR Consultancy, acting as recruitment agent, confirms the legitimacy of this advertisement and the esteemed reputation of the hiring organization within Grenada’s business community. Additional enterprise details will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates during subsequent selection phases.

  • BHTA strengthens skills with new marketing, business development course

    BHTA strengthens skills with new marketing, business development course

    In a strategic move to enhance Barbados’ tourism competitiveness, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has celebrated the inaugural graduation of its specialized marketing and business development program. This four-week intensive course specifically targeted small accommodation providers and direct tourism service members, equipping them with advanced digital marketing strategies and brand development techniques essential for thriving in today’s data-driven tourism economy.

    The program, developed in collaboration with Flourish by Design, utilized the innovative ‘Piggies and Pickles’ framework designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises overcome branding challenges cost-effectively. Fully funded through the BHTA’s Tourism Fund, this initiative represents the association’s ongoing commitment to supporting national marketing objectives beyond traditional trade show participation.

    BHTA Operations Manager Greg Broomes emphasized the program’s strategic importance: ‘While international trade shows remain valuable, we recognize that smaller entities often lack resources for regular attendance. Equipping them with modern marketing tools enables them to amplify national marketing efforts and compete effectively in key source markets.’

    Graduates will now transition into a comprehensive year-long Group Mentorship Programme featuring quarterly expert-led workshops. This extended support system ensures practical application of learned skills and continuous professional development throughout the year.

    Program participant Barbara Thomas, Regional Manager of SunTours Caribbean, attested to the program’s transformative impact: ‘This training revolutionized our ability to communicate brand value and tell our story effectively. The knowledge gained directly enhanced our participation in the World Travel Market in London, allowing us to position Barbados as a premium destination.’

    Debbie Estwick, Strategic Brand Consultant and program facilitator, praised participants’ dedication: ‘We demystified branding and marketing management for the digital age, proving that strategic patience and smart partnerships can turn branding challenges into financial successes.’

    The initiative underscores Barbados’ broader commitment to sustainable tourism growth by empowering local businesses to become authentic brand ambassadors, ultimately strengthening the island’s position in the competitive global tourism market.

  • West Indies Oil Company Marks Christmas With Community Outreach

    West Indies Oil Company Marks Christmas With Community Outreach

    In a heartwarming display of corporate citizenship, the West Indies Oil Company Limited (WIOC) has launched a comprehensive community outreach program to celebrate the Christmas season. The initiative, which transcends conventional corporate social responsibility, demonstrates the company’s deep-rooted commitment to societal welfare during the festive period.

    The multifaceted program encompasses several charitable components designed to address diverse community needs. Company representatives have been actively distributing essential care packages containing food supplies and daily necessities to underprivileged families across local communities. Additionally, the petroleum company has organized special events and activities for children from various community centers, creating memorable experiences during the holiday season.

    Executive leadership at WIOC emphasized that this outreach reflects the organization’s core values of compassion and community support. ‘Our commitment extends beyond energy distribution to positively impacting the communities we serve,’ stated a company spokesperson. ‘The Christmas season provides a meaningful opportunity to reinforce our dedication to social responsibility and human connection.’

    The initiative has garnered positive responses from community leaders and beneficiaries alike, with many noting the significance of corporate entities maintaining strong community ties. This annual tradition has become increasingly impactful each year, with WIOC expanding both the scope and scale of their holiday outreach efforts to reach more communities across the region.

    Industry analysts observe that such community-focused initiatives represent a growing trend among energy sector companies seeking to strengthen their social license to operate while making tangible differences in people’s lives during important cultural and religious celebrations.

  • Fishermen: Dwindling catches as seas change, costs rise

    Fishermen: Dwindling catches as seas change, costs rise

    Barbados’s centuries-old fishing industry, a cornerstone of local nutrition, employment, and cultural heritage, is confronting an existential crisis driven by a confluence of environmental and economic pressures. Veteran fishers report severe disruptions to marine ecosystems, significantly diminishing their catches and jeopardizing livelihoods.

    At the Berinda Cox Fish Market, seasoned fisherman Victor Drayton provided a detailed account of the ecological breakdown. He explained how disrupted spawning paths are creating a generational catastrophe for fish populations. ‘When a generation of fish has a path where they go to conjugate and spawn, and that path gets blocked or changed… that generation born would not find back that navigation path,’ Drayton stated, highlighting a critical loss of instinctual marine behavior.

    This environmental degradation is compounded by past offshore oil and gas exploration. Drayton cited dredging activities as the source of ‘heavier damage to the fishing industry,’ which altered seafloor structures and accelerated the decline of key species. Fishers now report catching significantly smaller flying fish and dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), with many key species becoming harder to locate.

    The financial viability of fishing is collapsing under soaring operational costs. Skyrocketing fuel prices, limited access to duty-free fuel for long voyages, and crippling bank loans for boat maintenance are creating an unsustainable economic model. Drayton criticized ineffective bureaucratic responses, noting that while concerns are recorded in meetings, ‘no real help comes,’ leaving fishers in a perpetual cycle of debt without meaningful support.

    This sentiment is echoed across the island’s fishing communities. At the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, fisherman David Webster revealed the extreme lengths required, venturing up to 370 miles offshore to secure a catch. Michael Davis, with over 30 years of experience, described the current season as the slowest in his career, attributing altered fish migration directly to shifting ocean temperatures. Veteran fisherman Owen ‘Accra’ Coppin confirmed that finding dolphin and flying fish now demands more fuel and longer, riskier journeys.

    The collective testimony from Barbados’s fishers underscores an urgent need for decisive governmental and industrial intervention. With the sector facing irreversible decline, the community is calling for policy measures that address both immediate economic hardships and long-term ecological conservation to safeguard a vital national industry.

  • Calvin Ayre Foundation Continues Holiday Outreach at Friends of the Care Project

    Calvin Ayre Foundation Continues Holiday Outreach at Friends of the Care Project

    The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) has once again illuminated the holiday season for vulnerable children in Antigua through its cherished annual Christmas outreach program. This weekend’s event at the Friends of the Care Project and Friends Development Centre continued the Foundation’s longstanding tradition of community support during the festive period.

    Amid an atmosphere vibrant with laughter and holiday music, carefully selected students received personalized gifts in what has become a highly anticipated tradition on the Centre’s calendar. The significance of the event was further elevated by the presence of Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, who joined in the celebrations.

    A particularly poignant moment occurred when student Kuba presented CAF’s Manager and Media Relations Specialist Jamilla Kirwan with a framed, hand-drawn picture as a heartfelt token of appreciation. This gesture symbolized the deep connections forged between the Foundation and the children since the program’s inception in 2018.

    Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Calvin Ayre, Kirwan expressed warm holiday wishes to students, families, and staff, emphasizing the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Centre’s vital work. ‘The smiles on the children’s faces make it clear that moments like this matter,’ Kirwan noted, highlighting the emotional impact of the initiative.

    Beyond the immediate joy of gift-giving, the event reinforces CAF’s broader mission of community upliftment, inclusion, and compassion toward vulnerable groups. The annual celebration serves as a powerful reminder that seemingly small acts of kindness can generate profound joy and meaningful human connections, particularly during the holiday season.

  • OPINION: Diplomatic Maturity Prevails: How Responsible Engagement Secured Antigua and Barbuda’s Interests

    OPINION: Diplomatic Maturity Prevails: How Responsible Engagement Secured Antigua and Barbuda’s Interests

    In a notable demonstration of effective statecraft, Antigua and Barbuda has successfully navigated complex security negotiations with the United States, transforming potential travel disruptions into a framework of enhanced bilateral cooperation. The diplomatic breakthrough follows the U.S. proclamation of December 16, 2025, which initially raised concerns about visa validity and travel restrictions for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens.

    Under the strategic direction of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders engaged in high-level discussions with U.S. State Department officials. Rather than adopting confrontational tactics, the diplomatic mission focused on constructive negotiation aimed at safeguarding national interests while acknowledging U.S. security priorities.

    The negotiations yielded significant protections for Antigua and Barbuda citizens. The United States confirmed it would honor all existing visas, providing immediate assurance to students, business travelers, tourists, and families with pre-2025 visa approvals. This guarantee eliminated concerns about revoked visas and protected substantial personal investments in travel and education plans.

    For future travel arrangements, both nations agreed to align biometric systems as a practical security enhancement rather than a punitive measure. Ambassador Sanders emphasized that while technology would be harmonized, the travel process for citizens would remain fundamentally unchanged—a key concession achieved through diplomatic dialogue.

    The successful outcome highlights the effectiveness of professional diplomacy in creating mutual trust between nations of disproportionate size and influence. U.S. State Department officials demonstrated receptiveness and good faith engagement, reflecting the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship built over decades.

    This achievement underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity to engage global powers from a position of respect and principled partnership rather than weakness. The resolution reaffirms the nation’s commitment to being a responsible international partner while steadfastly protecting the rights and interests of its citizens.

  • Asberth News Network founder Asbert Williams dies

    Asberth News Network founder Asbert Williams dies

    The Caribbean media landscape is mourning the loss of Asberth Williams, founder of the Asberth News Network (ANN), who passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. Family representatives confirmed his passing to iWitness News, marking the end of an era in independent journalism. Williams celebrated his 50th birthday just two months prior to his death, leaving behind a legacy of innovative news reporting. Williams launched ANN in November 2017, building upon his established reputation as a compelling media personality known for his distinctive social media commentary and grassroots street reporting. His collaborative work included production agreements with iWitness News, through which he developed his signature man-on-the-street segments that resonated with audiences across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. His contributions to digital media were formally recognized on multiple occasions when he received the Best Social Media Personality award in Searchlight newspaper’s Best of SVG people’s choice awards, cementing his status as a influential voice in the region’s media ecosystem.

  • Port truckers see import surge as Bajans look abroad for cheaper goods

    Port truckers see import surge as Bajans look abroad for cheaper goods

    A significant pre-Christmas surge in personal import activity at Bridgetown Port indicates a growing trend among Barbadian consumers seeking alternatives to high local prices by sourcing goods directly from international markets, according to port personnel.

    Port truck drivers report substantially increased workload in recent weeks, predominantly driven by household import volumes rather than commercial shipments. One driver interviewed noted the dramatic uptick in activity, stating that personal imports have exceeded last year’s holiday season volumes considerably.

    “The Christmas period has brought tremendous increase in import activities,” the driver reported. “Individual households are generating the majority of port logistics work through their consistent importation of barrels, boxes, and various household goods rather than large corporate consignments.”

    The driver directly attributed this consumer behavior shift to Barbados’ cost of living challenges, suggesting that residents find international sourcing more economically viable than purchasing from local retailers. “With local prices at current levels, households are strategically opting to procure desired items from overseas markets to maximize their purchasing power,” he explained.

    While acknowledging occasional processing delays due to customs clearance procedures, the driver confirmed that deliveries generally proceed efficiently even during the seasonal rush when documentation is properly prepared.

    The aggregation of seemingly small individual shipments—typically one or two barrels per household—creates substantial cumulative volume that sustains employment for truckers, freight forwarders, and clearing agents throughout the holiday season. From the driver’s perspective, while commercial enterprises import larger single consignments, the frequency of personal imports significantly outweighs business deliveries in overall port activity.

    Additionally, port workers have observed increased vehicle imports, though they emphasize this observation comes from direct operational experience rather than official statistics. This automotive import trend similarly reflects household efforts to optimize financial resources during economically challenging times.

    Despite the intensified workload and extended hours, the seasonal import surge has provided welcome financial benefits for workers throughout Barbados’ port logistics sector.