A 27-year-old woman from St Michael, Barbados, has been formally charged in connection with the importation and trafficking of cannabis valued at over $35,000. Krystal Debra Harewood, residing at 2nd Avenue, Parris Gap, Westbury Road, was arrested by the Narcotics Unit of the Barbados Police Service following the alleged offenses on October 29, 2025. Harewood faces multiple charges, including possession of cannabis, trafficking of cannabis, intent to supply, and importation of cannabis. Authorities reported that the seized drugs weighed approximately 4.4 kilograms, with an estimated street value of $35,200. Harewood appeared before Magistrate Douglas Frederick in the District ‘F’ Magistrates’ Court on October 31, where she pleaded guilty to all charges. She was granted bail set at $4,000, and the case has been adjourned to the District ‘B’ Magistrates’ Court, with proceedings scheduled to resume on February 12, 2026.
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President Abinader and Adompretur boost creation of Dominican Tourism Museum
In a landmark meeting at the National Palace, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic welcomed a delegation from the Dominican Association of Tourism Press (Adompretur), led by its president, journalist Sarah Hernández. The session, described as highly productive, centered on advancing the Dominican tourism sector, with the President pledging full support for the creation of the Dominican Tourism Museum, a project spearheaded by Adompretur’s executive board. The museum aims to honor the nation’s tourism pioneers and recognize contributions from both public and private sectors that have driven the industry’s growth. Following the meeting, a dedicated Adompretur commission is set to meet with Carlos Andújar, Director General of Museums, to explore potential sites for the museum. Additionally, President Abinader agreed to formally include Adompretur in the Tourism Cabinet, acknowledging the critical role of specialized media in disseminating sector-related policies and achievements. Hernández emphasized the importance of tourism journalists in promoting policies that fuel the country’s economic, cultural, and social development. The President also expressed interest in Adompretur’s involvement in future projects focused on tourism promotion, sustainability, and education. The meeting concluded with Adompretur presenting President Abinader with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the sector. Hernández praised the President’s open-door policy and reaffirmed Adompretur’s commitment to responsible journalism that supports sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.
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15 overheidsfunctionarissen getraind in herkenning documentfraude
Fifteen officials from various Surinamese institutions, including the Military Police Corps, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and International Cooperation, the Directorate of National Security, the Suriname Police Corps, and the General Pension Fund, recently completed an advanced training program on identifying identity and document fraud. The ‘Document Security Course Advanced Level’ was conducted by the Expertise Center Identity Fraud and Documents (ECID) of the Dutch Royal Marechaussee, in collaboration with the Document Recognition Expertise Unit Suriname (DHEUS) of the Military Police Corps (KMP).
During the certificate ceremony, KMP Commander Lieutenant Colonel Roy Samuels emphasized the immediate applicability of the acquired knowledge in the participants’ respective fields. He highlighted the continuation of the project, stating, ‘More training sessions are planned, and we aim to elevate the program to a higher level.’ Samuels expressed gratitude for the partnership with ECID, led by Lieutenant Colonel Erik van Assen, which began two years ago.
Samuels further outlined the ambition to develop DHEUS into a training institute for Suriname and the wider Caricom region. ‘Our goal is to become the go-to institution for document verification and recognition. This initiative is unstoppable as it significantly benefits the nation,’ he asserted.
Van Assen pointed out that identity fraud is a widespread issue, extending beyond airports and passport issuance. He stressed the importance of enabling institutions to verify the authenticity of individuals and their documents. ECID will continue to support KMP in enhancing its capabilities to combat fraud effectively.
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New cases of malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases reported
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health reaffirmed on Thursday that no cholera cases have been reported in the country. The ministry emphasized that enhanced measures remain in place at border crossings and other entry points to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Through the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE), authorities continue to monitor and ensure timely reporting of notifiable diseases, including cholera. The ministry also urged the public to adhere to preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, consuming purified water, and eating safe food. As the governing body, the Ministry of Health is actively strengthening the nation’s response capabilities to better prepare for potential health crises. In 2024, the country has recorded 15 cholera cases, marking a 100% reduction compared to the previous week. The latest epidemiological bulletin (SE-42) also highlighted other health concerns. Four cases of malaria were reported, bringing the cumulative total to 779 confirmed cases, with no fatalities and an incidence rate of 8.97 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Leptospirosis cases remained unchanged this week, with a cumulative total of 94. Dengue cases saw a significant decline, with one new case reported this week, bringing the total to 240 confirmed cases—an 81% reduction compared to the same period last year. Respiratory diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza B Victoria, and SARS-CoV-2, continue to circulate. The bulletin also reported four maternal deaths, raising the cumulative total to 133, and 26 infant deaths, bringing the total to 1,451, a decrease from the 1,827 deaths recorded by the same date in 2024.
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FLASH : Electoral Decree Revealed, Diaspora and Women Voting Mandatory
On October 31, 2025, Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) released the 2025 Draft Electoral Decree, a comprehensive 103-page document featuring over 400 articles. The decree, which is now open for public consultation, mandates diaspora voting and ensures women’s participation in the electoral process through incentives for political parties. Political actors and civil society organizations are invited to collect printed copies of the document from the CEP offices in Pétion-ville and submit feedback by November 10, 2025. Key provisions include Article 6, which grants the CEP authority over electoral operations both domestically and in Haitian diaspora communities, and Article 140, which requires political parties to include at least one woman in their Senate candidate lists per department. Additionally, Article 138 mandates that 30% of National Assembly candidates must be women, with parties exceeding 50% receiving increased state funding. The decree also introduces discounted registration fees for women, candidates with disabilities, and those with advanced academic degrees. The draft decree will undergo revisions based on feedback before being published in the official gazette, ‘Le Moniteur.’
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Unprecedented rains hit Santiago: historical volume triples in less than 24 hours
The city of Santiago experienced a remarkable meteorological event on Thursday, October 30, when an astonishing 61.9 millimeters of rain fell within 24 hours. This figure, which triples the region’s historical average, was confirmed by Juan Salas, the executive director of Civil Defense, who labeled the occurrence as “unprecedented” in recent memory. Salas noted that previous records had never exceeded 22 millimeters, making this event truly extraordinary. The heavy rainfall, attributed to the remnants of Hurricane Melissa and an active trough over the Cibao region, led to temporary flooding in several areas, including Los Jardines, Hoya de Caimitos, and 27 de Febrero Avenue. Despite the severity of the situation, the city managed to return to normalcy within hours, thanks to the swift and coordinated response of emergency agencies and municipal brigades. This incident underscores the urgent need to enhance urban drainage systems and bolster mitigation efforts in regions susceptible to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather phenomena.
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Independence Message from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the nation on the occasion of Dominica’s 47th Independence Day, reflecting on the country’s journey of progress and resilience. Despite challenges, Dominica has emerged as a proud and forward-looking nation. The Prime Minister highlighted significant achievements, including the development of an international airport, the establishment of a geothermal plant in Laudat, and the construction of climate-resilient homes. These initiatives symbolize the nation’s commitment to sustainable development and economic growth. The Citizenship by Investment Programme has been instrumental in funding critical infrastructure, while the new Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority has enhanced regional cooperation and transparency. On October 1st, Dominica joined three other nations in implementing full free movement within the region, a milestone that strengthens Caribbean unity. Prime Minister Skerrit urged the youth to seize opportunities and contribute to the nation’s development, while expressing gratitude to the diaspora for their unwavering support. Drawing inspiration from scripture, he called for renewed unity and faith, emphasizing that Dominica’s potential is limitless when its people work together. The Prime Minister concluded with a prayer for God’s blessings on the nation and its citizens, wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day.
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Azruddin, Nazar Mohamed granted bail in US extradition case, despite claims of Venezuelan, Middle East connections
Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed were granted bail on Friday, October 31, 2025, despite a U.S. extradition request accusing them of wire fraud, money laundering, and gold smuggling. The duo, arrested earlier that day, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in Georgetown, Guyana. The U.S. government, represented by lawyer Terrence Williams via Zoom, opposed bail, citing allegations of an ‘international criminal enterprise’ with connections to Venezuela and the Middle East. Williams claimed the Mohameds could flee to Venezuela, where they allegedly have property and ties to high-ranking officials. However, defense lawyers Nigel Hughes and Siand Dhurjon argued that these allegations were baseless and unsubstantiated. Magistrate Latchman granted each defendant GY$150,000 bail, requiring them to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station. The case is set to continue on November 10, 2025, to determine if sufficient evidence exists for extradition. Outside the courtroom, Azruddin Mohamed denied all charges, accusing the Guyana government of colluding with the U.S. to prevent him from assuming his role as Opposition Leader. The defense team also raised constitutional concerns, hinting at potential appeals to the Constitutional Court.


