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  • Cargo Operations Are Expanding At The VC Bird International Airport

    Cargo Operations Are Expanding At The VC Bird International Airport

    Antigua and Barbuda is strategically enhancing its aviation infrastructure to establish itself as a premier regional cargo hub, with significant developments underway at VC Bird International Airport. Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez has announced a multi-faceted approach that includes the introduction of new cargo operations and comprehensive feasibility studies for dedicated freight facilities.

    The expansion initiative gained momentum with the commencement of operations by 7 Air’s new cargo aircraft, which is locally managed and handled by a team of young Antiguan entrepreneurs. Minister Fernandez particularly commended these emerging professionals for their visionary approach to transforming the nation’s aviation landscape and their commitment to regional logistics development.

    This strategic move toward multiple cargo operators represents a calculated shift from the previous single-operator model, which government officials identified as potentially limiting market flexibility and competitive pricing. The introduction of additional capacity enables more dynamic market conditions, potentially leading to improved service quality and more competitive freight rates for regional businesses.

    Concurrently, a formal feasibility study is being conducted in partnership with Sassy World Cargo, represented by prominent Antiguan businessman Elliot Page. This comprehensive assessment aims to design purpose-built cargo infrastructure capable of accommodating projected volume increases while optimizing operational efficiency. The proposed facility would serve as a cornerstone for attracting international logistics partners and strengthening Antigua’s position within global supply chains.

    These cargo-specific developments complement broader airport modernization efforts, including runway rehabilitation and operational enhancements outlined in the revised master plan. The integrated approach demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating a balanced aviation ecosystem that supports both passenger travel and freight logistics, positioning the nation for sustainable economic growth through diversified aviation revenue streams.

  • Stop paying in gold, declare all to reach national target- Miners Assoc

    Stop paying in gold, declare all to reach national target- Miners Assoc

    In a significant move to bolster national gold reserves, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has issued a stern directive to mining operators, demanding an immediate cessation of using raw gold as currency for transactions and worker compensation. The call to action emerged from the association’s Annual General Meeting held Friday, where Ronaldo Alphonso was re-elected as President.

    The GGDMA’s position received strong governmental backing as the Ministry of Natural Resources concurrently released a statement reinforcing that all mining sector employees must be compensated exclusively through lawful financial channels in accordance with labor regulations. “Paying workers in gold undermines transparency, weakens declaration accuracy, and exposes workers to exploitation and unsafe practices,” the ministry emphasized, announcing plans to intensify compliance inspections with penalties for violations.

    Central to this initiative is the national target of 500,000 ounces of gold for 2025. Current declarations to the Guyana Gold Board stand at approximately 420,000 ounces, with projections suggesting a year-end total between 450,000 and 475,000 ounces—falling short of the ambitious goal. This compares to 434,067 ounces declared in 2024 and 432,113 ounces in 2023.

    The crackdown extends to eliminating the practice known as the “Blai box,” which both entities deem illegal. Miners are instructed to conduct sales exclusively through the Guyana Gold Board or authorized licensed dealers to ensure accurate national production data and fair trade practices.

    In a related development, the GGDMA membership unanimously supported stronger measures against gold smuggling, including potential blacklisting of members engaged in such activities. Alphonso committed to enhanced collaboration with government authorities to eradicate illegal gold trading operations and unlicensed buyers.

  • LADC bids farewell to 2025 with a grand show

    LADC bids farewell to 2025 with a grand show

    Havana’s cultural scene is set to dazzle as the Teatro Nacional de Cuba prepares for a spectacular ballet presentation this December. The prestigious Avellaneda Hall will serve as the stage for an extraordinary display of artistic excellence on December 13th at 7:00 PM and December 14th at 5:00 PM local time.

    This significant cultural event will feature the distinguished professional company alongside members of the Vocational Workshops and the Children’s and Youth Ballet. Audiences will witness the remarkable artistic progression of students as they demonstrate their technical mastery and perform alongside established professionals.

    The program will include revivals from the renowned repertoire of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, the acclaimed company established in 1991. Founder Lizt Alfonso, recognized as a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador for her cultural contributions, has built an institution that represents the pinnacle of Cuban dance education and performance.

    This year-end presentation offers a unique opportunity to observe the seamless transition of dancers from training to professional performance, highlighting Cuba’s enduring commitment to artistic education and cultural preservation. The event stands as a testament to the country’s vibrant dance tradition and its successful mentorship model.

  • STS Nickerie naar Georgetown voor internationaal scholenvoetbal

    STS Nickerie naar Georgetown voor internationaal scholenvoetbal

    The Surinamese Technical School (STS) from Nickerie district has commenced its journey to Guyana as Suriname’s official representative at the prestigious KFC Goodwill School Football Tournament 2025. This international U18 competition, scheduled from December 14-21 in Georgetown, marks the third consecutive year of Surinamese participation in the regional sporting event.

    Strategic selection positioned STS Nickerie as the national delegate due to both their athletic merit and geographical significance. The team earned this distinguished opportunity by securing the district championship title in Nickerie, which shares a border with host nation Guyana. Organized by the Petra Organization, the tournament stands as one of the Caribbean’s most respected scholastic football competitions.

    The Surinamese squad, comprising 19 players under 18 years old, will compete against elite youth teams from multiple nations including Guyana, Jamaica, Brazil, and the Bahamas. Under the guidance of head coach Michel Dors and assistant coach Razack Lorenzo, the students aim to demonstrate their athletic prowess on an international platform.

    This initiative has been orchestrated by the Foundation School Sports Federation Suriname, an operational branch of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports (JOS). The participation aligns with Suriname’s national policy to enhance youth sports development through international exposure, providing young athletes with competitive opportunities that foster both personal growth and national pride.

  • Fidel Castro, focus of a conference on Cuban history

    Fidel Castro, focus of a conference on Cuban history

    Camagüey, the historic birthplace of the Cuban Constitution, recently hosted a significant academic symposium titled “Fidel Castro: A Life Dedicated to Humanity.” The event convened scholars and prominent public figures who conducted a multidimensional examination of the Commander-in-Chief’s legacy, expanding the discourse beyond national boundaries to encompass universal relevance.

    Maricela Valido, President of the José Martí Cultural Society, articulated the inseparable intellectual connection between Martí’s philosophical framework and Fidel’s revolutionary ideology. “Martí instructs us through historical triumphs to address contemporary challenges—a fundamental principle that Fidel embodied,” Valido asserted, characterizing Castro as a transformative “social educator” whose historical perspective formed the foundation for comprehensive societal development.

    The symposium featured personal reflections from MSc. Marcial Mendoza, who presented an intimate portrait of Castro as “an individual of exceptional human sensitivity.” Mendoza prompted attendees to contemplate how a leader bearing immense governmental responsibilities maintained profound connections with family, children, and comrades throughout his political career.

    Noel Manzanares contributed historical-political analysis, tracing Fidel’s strategic relationship with Camagüey dating to 1953 and examining his early conceptualization of socialist principles. Manzanares highlighted Castro’s January 4, 1959 declaration—”Homeland represents where no citizen suffers exploitation”—as a foundational philosophical statement, emphasizing how his Martí-inspired socialist vision remained resolute following the collapse of European socialist governments.

    Concluding the event, Fernando Manso, President of Cuba’s Union of Historians in Camagüey, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining scholarly forums for examining the Commander-in-Chief’s ideological legacy. Manso asserted that Fidel’s enduring relevance stems from his unique synthesis of globally-oriented strategic thinking, unshakeable political determination, and profound human empathy—qualities that established his leadership both within Cuba and internationally.

  • Policy towards Latin America and crisis with Japan mark China’s week

    Policy towards Latin America and crisis with Japan mark China’s week

    China has formally released its third comprehensive policy document outlining strategic engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), emphasizing cooperation free from geopolitical maneuvering during a period of increasing global instability. The announcement was made by Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei, who presented the framework centered on building a shared future between China and LAC nations.

    The policy paper explicitly reaffirms Beijing’s opposition to external geopolitical pressures and third-party interference in its relations with Latin American countries, while simultaneously defending China’s longstanding principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.

    Concurrently, diplomatic friction with Japan intensified following incidents involving Chinese naval exercises conducted near Japanese territorial waters. Chinese officials asserted that recent statements by Japan’s Prime Minister regarding potential military intervention in a “Taiwan contingency” constituted a violation of Chinese sovereignty.

    Beijing further issued warnings to the international community about what it characterized as a resurgence of Japanese militarism and the associated regional security risks.

    In domestic policy developments, China’s Central Economic Work Conference convened to assess economic performance projections for 2025 and establish key priorities for 2026, with particular focus on optimizing the balance between domestic supply and demand.

    Separately, China celebrated productive diplomatic dialogue with Germany, highlighting continued efforts to maintain constructive international partnerships amid complex global relations.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Signals Interest in Better Diplomatic Presence in Sweden and Japan

    Antigua and Barbuda Signals Interest in Better Diplomatic Presence in Sweden and Japan

    The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is strategically advancing its diplomatic agenda by prioritizing enhanced relations with Sweden and Japan. This foreign policy initiative emerged during the 2026 Budget Debate, where Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene identified these nations as significant partners within the government’s expanding international framework.

    Minister Greene characterized these relationships as ‘standing and developing diplomatic arrangements,’ signaling a deliberate shift toward diversifying the country’s global alliances beyond traditional partnerships. While no new bilateral agreements or diplomatic appointments were formally announced, the minister’s statements positioned both Japan and Sweden as integral components of Antigua and Barbuda’s broader geopolitical strategy.

    Japan maintains its status as a longstanding ally, with Greene emphasizing continued active engagement across trade, development, and diplomatic channels. The relationship represents a stable partnership that the government seeks to further strengthen through enhanced international cooperation.

    Similarly, Sweden features prominently in the nation’s evolving European engagement strategy. Though specific collaborative initiatives remain undefined, Greene’s commentary confirms Sweden’s position within Antigua and Barbuda’s calculated expansion of its diplomatic network across European markets.

    This diplomatic repositioning occurs alongside broader governmental efforts to establish new international postings and visa agreements. The administration increasingly frames foreign policy as a multidimensional tool for economic opportunity, citizen mobility, and national development—particularly crucial for small island states navigating an evolving global landscape.

    While timelines for concrete developments with either nation remain unspecified, Greene’s parliamentary address unequivocally communicates the government’s commitment to extending Antigua and Barbuda’s international reach through strategic partnership diversification.

  • Thorne: Govt ignoring ‘murderously high’ cost of living

    Thorne: Govt ignoring ‘murderously high’ cost of living

    In a scathing address to Barbados’ House of Assembly, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne launched a fierce critique against the government’s economic management, accusing officials of ignoring what he described as economically devastating price levels and systematic price gouging practices. Thorne asserted that escalating living expenses are driving countless Barbadian families into severe financial hardship.

    During parliamentary debates on the Economic Diversification and Growth Fund Bill, Thorne challenged the administration’s narrative of economic progress, stating that ordinary citizens remain excluded from purported growth benefits. He emphasized that persistent inflation and continuously rising retail prices consistently outpace wage increases for working-class Barbadians.

    Thorne characterized routine grocery shopping as a ‘nervous exercise’ for households struggling with budgetary pressures. He insisted the government bears direct responsibility for addressing both the tangible economic suffering and widespread consumer anxiety gripping the nation.

    The opposition leader further warned that many Barbadians perceive themselves as victims of unjustified retail mark-ups, demanding the administration ‘educate itself’ about the reality of price gouging experiences throughout the country. Thorne’s comments highlight growing tensions over economic policy as legislators consider new fiscal measures.

  • Palestinian group criticizes global response to Israeli crimes

    Palestinian group criticizes global response to Israeli crimes

    The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has issued a stark condemnation of the international community, declaring a systemic collapse of the legal and moral frameworks purportedly upheld by global powers. The leftist organization characterized the ongoing situation as a profound moral failure, highlighting what it describes as the complete disintegration of the values the world claims to defend.

    According to the group, the humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip has escalated to intolerable levels. This assessment comes after more than two years of sustained Israeli military operations, compounded recently by the devastating impact of Storm Byron. The convergence of conflict and natural disaster has exacerbated the already dire conditions for the civilian population.

    The PFLP’s statement detailed the immense scale of suffering, drawing attention to the plight of over one million internally displaced persons. These individuals, the group emphasized, are trapped in a vicious cycle of severe hunger, rampant disease, and exposure to harsh weather conditions without adequate shelter or protection.

    In response to this escalating catastrophe, the PFLP has issued an urgent appeal to international mediators and guarantors involved in ceasefire negotiations. The organization is demanding immediate and concrete action to pressure Israel into permitting the unrestricted entry of critical humanitarian aid. This aid includes essential supplies such as fortified tents for shelter, food provisions, and medical resources necessary to address the growing health crisis.

  • Rejection of US attacks and threats highlights in Colombia

    Rejection of US attacks and threats highlights in Colombia

    The People’s Confederation of the Western Caribbean (CPCW) has issued a forceful condemnation of recent military operations in Caribbean waters, denouncing both the lethal bombings and a direct threat made by former US President Donald Trump against Colombian leader Gustavo Petro. The statement emerged from the Second Summit of the Peoples of the Western Caribbean, hosted on San Andres Island, which established the CPCW as a regional diplomatic body.

    The Confederation’s declaration highlighted that the aerial bombardments have resulted in approximately 100 extrajudicial fatalities, primarily affecting civilian fishermen whose livelihoods are now jeopardized by ongoing military actions. The CPCW demanded an immediate cessation of all threatening operations and called for comprehensive investigations into the events, accompanied by appropriate sanctions and reparations for victims and affected communities.

    A significant portion of the statement addressed what it termed ‘unacceptable threats’ against Colombia’s democratically elected president. The Confederation called for absolute respect for President Petro’s physical and moral integrity, referencing direct statements from Donald Trump suggesting Petro would be ‘next’ in line for aggression similar to that directed against Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro.

    In response to these developments, President Petro attributed Trump’s comments to a fundamental misunderstanding of South American realities. The Colombian leader articulated substantive policy disagreements with US approaches toward Palestine, Caribbean relations, Venezuela, and strategies for combating organized crime. Petro particularly challenged the effectiveness of missile strikes against small boat operators, arguing that such tactics primarily impact impoverished fishermen rather than actual drug traffickers who operate luxury vessels near global hubs like Dubai and Madrid.