By: ANTONIO DEY | HGP Nightly News|
Empower, Educate, Elevate: CARICOM Marks 10th Anniversary of Girls in ICT Day
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The CARICOM Secretariat is gearing up for a major regional milestone this Thursday, April 23, as it leads celebrations for the 10th International Girls in ICT Day. Under the theme “Empower, Educate, Elevate: Building a Future-Ready CARICOM with Girls in ICT,” the initiative aims to bridge the digital gender gap by inspiring young women to pursue careers in the high-growth technology sector.
- Digital Architects: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett will lead a series of virtual sessions focused on moving girls from digital consumers to “architects” of technology, with a specific focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coding.
- Youth Leadership: The event will feature a “Youth Spotlight,” allowing regional ambassadors to engage directly with industry professionals to discuss breaking barriers in STEM fields.
Airspace Reopening: UN Welcomes Thaw in Haiti-Dominican Republic Relations
NEW YORK / SANTO DOMINGO — The United Nations has officially welcomed the decision by the Dominican Republic to reopen its airspace to Haiti starting May 1, 2026. The move follows a significant bilateral dialogue held at the CODEVI Industrial Park on the border last Friday.
- Humanitarian Corridor: UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric noted that the resumption of flights between Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien is vital for the movement of humanitarian staff and medical supplies.
- Restoring Ties: The airspace had been shuttered since March 2024 due to the collapse of security in Haiti. Diplomatic authorities from both nations expressed gratitude to the UN and the Anti-Gang Task Force (FRG) for helping stabilize regional conditions enough to allow for this economic and humanitarian reopening.
International: Louisiana Shaken by “Heinous” Domestic Mass Shooting
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA — The United States is mourning its deadliest mass shooting in over two years after a 31-year-old father, Shamar Elkins, killed eight children in a pre-dawn attack on Sunday.
- The Tragedy: The victims, aged 3 to 11, included seven of Elkins’s own children and his nephew. The shooting spanned two homes in the Cedar Grove neighborhood; most of the children were reportedly asleep when the attack began.
- Survival and Sacrifice: Two women—Elkins’s wife and ex-wife—remain in critical condition after being shot in the head. In a harrowing escape, one woman and her 12-year-old daughter survived by jumping from a roof.
- The Suspect: Elkins died following a high-speed pursuit into Bossier City that ended in a confrontation with police. Investigators confirmed the motive was tied to a domestic dispute, noting the couple was due in court for a separation hearing the very next day.
- Illegal Firearm: Authorities have since arrested 56-year-old Charles Ford for illegally providing the rifle used in the shooting, as both Ford and Elkins were legally barred from possessing firearms due to prior convictions.
