The city of Damascus at night. President Assad allegedly left on a night flight to Moscow. Photo by T Foz on UnSplash. – Advertisement – The U.N. secretary-general called for calm and the avoidance of violence Sunday following the unexpected fall of Syria’s Assad regime to rebel forces. “After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize a historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future,” Antonio Guterres said in a statement. “The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy will be working with them towards that end.” Geir Pedersen, his envoy, stated that the country is at a “watershed moment” in its history. He urged the avoidance of bloodshed and the preservation of unity during this transition. “This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward...

The New York Police Department are looking for this man to help them with their enquiries. A $50,000 reward is available. Photo by New York Crimestoppers. – Advertisement – Brian Thompson, 50, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot in the back on Wednesday while heading to a conference. Police suspect the attack was deliberate. On Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams stated that authorities are closing in on the suspect, who remains at large despite extensive searches and the use of facial recognition technology. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s capture. This is unusual, because the FBI is a federal agency and murder is usually treated as a state-level crime in the United States. Questions have been asked about the magnitude of this reward, considering that New York Mayor Eric Adams has said that investigators already have a name, but are unwilling to release...

Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Stéphan Valentin on UnSplash. – Advertisement – On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Guyana and South Korea signed an Air Services Agreement at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. This deal will help airlines from both countries offer flights between them and other nations. The agreement was signed by H.E. Ambassador KIM Jinhae, South Korea’s representative to the Caribbean Community Secretariat, and Bishop Juan Edghill, Guyana’s Minister of Public Works. The agreement includes key points such as granting rights, recognizing certificates and licenses, user charges, and tariffs. Minister Edghill said the agreement gives airlines from both countries a chance to expand their routes and improve air connections. He also added that the Guyanese government has been working hard to connect the country to various continents through direct flights. He emphasized that the arrival of new airlines in Guyana is the result of their efforts to improve the aviation...

Aerial view of the Bahamas by Fernando Jorge on UnSplash. The Bahamas would prefer to have the image of a fun vacation spot than of a narcostate. – Advertisement – The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, DEA Administrator, announced charges against 13 people including senior Bahamian police officers for cocaine trafficking and weapons offenses. The charges involve a large drug smuggling operation supported by corrupt Bahamian government officials, including members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). The indictment, involving 13 defendants, has disrupted the Bahamian government. Although the police commissioner has resigned, even though he personally is not accused of any wrongdoing, and the situation has caused political parties to blame each other, raising concerns about the country’s preferred  image as a tourist and investment hotspot rather than as a narcostate. Two of the accused, ELVIS NATHANIEL CURTIS (RBPF Chief Superintendent) and...

Much of medicine depends on blood tests, but patients in the US often do not know if their insurance company will pay for them. Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp on UnSplash. – Advertisement – Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was killed outside a New York hotel this week, shocking the nation and igniting fresh outrage against the trillion-dollar health insurance industry. Known for its controversial “prior authorisation” policies, UnitedHealthcare has long faced criticism for denying claims, leaving many patients without necessary treatments. Protesters have publicly condemned such practices, with rallies like one in Minnesota this past July drawing participants from across the U.S. to demand change. “Prior authorisation” lets insurers review and approve treatments before covering them, often creating hurdles for patients. Unai Montes-Irueste of the People’s Action Institute explained that many protesters had firsthand experience with denied claims. This frustration has intensified following Thompson’s death, which police believe may have...

– Advertisement – St. Lucia – The economy is on track to grow by 4.3% in financial year 2024/25, registering a fourth consecutive year of GDP growth above 3% since Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre came to Office in July 2021. Following consecutive years of economic declines, from 3.4% in 2017 to 2.9% in 2018 and 0.7% in 2019, Saint Lucia suffered its steepest GDP drop during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 at -24.4%. Saint Lucia needed strong leadership and the right mix of viable economic policies responsive to the needs of our citizens, businesses and investors to reverse the decline and put our economy back on the right track. Prime Minister Pierre and his Cabinet of Ministers, supported by a broad team of public servants, stopped the economic decline by introducing fiscal policies that improved revenue collection paired with economic policies that unleashed a historic post-COVID rebound. As a result, Saint Lucia’s GDP leapt from...

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew. – Advertisement – Basseterre, St. Kitts — During the presentation of findings from the 90-Day Campaign Against Crime and Violence, December 4th 2024, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew made a compelling appeal to citizens and leaders alike to approach crime as a societal issue rather than a political one. His remarks underscored the importance of camaraderie and collective responsibility in addressing crime and violence in the Federation. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew. “Crime is not a political tool,” Dr. Drew stated firmly. “It is a national issue that transcends political affiliations. To tackle it effectively, we must remove partisanship and focus on the shared goal of creating a safer St. Kitts and Nevis for all.” The Prime Minister highlighted the unique inclusivity of the 90-Day Campaign, which saw participation from representatives of all political parties, faith-based organizations, and community groups. He emphasized...

Lizzo at the 2019 American Music Awards. Photo by Cosmopolitan UK on Creative Commons 3.0 license. – Advertisement – Singer-rapper-performer Lizzo has won a key decision in a legal case involving a stylist who accused her team of racial and sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment during a 2023 tour, and of failing to pay overtime. A federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that Asha Daniels, a wardrobe assistant, could not sue Lizzo personally, identifying the singer’s touring and payroll companies as her employers. However, the case is not all over, because Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc remains a defendant in the case and the company is shown in legal documents to be at least part-owned by Melissa Viviane Jefferson, which is Lizzo’s legal name. US District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha dismissed all seven claims against Lizzo and her tour manager, Carlina Gugliotta. The judge also partially dismissed some...

A centerpiece of the Ministry’s 2025 agenda is the completion of the Alexandra Hospital Expansion Project. Senator Nisbett acknowledged past delays but reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to completing the project. “I take this time to fully acknowledge the delay of the Alexandra Hospital Expansion Project and take the opportunity to reaffirm my Ministry’s commitment to bringing the vision to fruition,” she stated. “This commitment is evidenced by the EC$12 million budgeted for 2025. Now that we have secured the required BOQ [quantity surveying] documents, we have engaged the Republic of China (Taiwan) and other technical partners to propel this project forward.” The expansion will house critical facilities, including the laboratory, radiology, physiotherapy units, an operating theatre, pharmacy, additional wards, and administrative spaces. Senator Nisbett emphasized that the Ministry’s focus remains on delivering quality care, stating, “Our progress in health must be measured by the quality of care available, not in...

Jamaica could be looking for a President before the end of 2025. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has not indicated whether he is interested in running for that position. – Advertisement – Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, announced that the review of the Bill to amend Jamaica’s Constitution is almost complete. She said that Parliament is scheduled to vote on the bill next week before the Christmas break, starting a process that could lead to a public referendum and the abolition of the monarchy. Speaking to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, December 3, Mrs. Malahoo Forte shared that six updated drafts of the Constitution (Amendment) (Republic of Jamaica) Bill have been prepared. These drafts were developed after reviews by the Constitutional Reform Committee, the Ministry, the Attorney General, and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. The proposed Bill includes 36 clauses, a new Chapter 9(a), a new...