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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Antigua and Barbuda News !</title> <atom:link href="https://antigua.news/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://antigua.news</link> <description>Antigua News !. Blog from latest news about Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean and the World. Follow us our social media and whatsapp group.</description> <lastBuildDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 21:28:11 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-GB</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator> <image> <url>https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-Transprent-Icon-32x32.png</url> <title>Antigua and Barbuda News !</title> <link>https://antigua.news</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <item> <title>UWI’s University Council appoints Dr Dodridge D. Miller as 7th Chancellor</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/uwis-university-council-appoints-dr-dodridge-d-miller-as-7th-chancellor/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/uwis-university-council-appoints-dr-dodridge-d-miller-as-7th-chancellor/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:34:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74912</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_0"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_0 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><div id="attachment_74915" style="width: 658px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-74915" class="wp-image-74915 size-full" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Most-Honourable-Dr-Dodridge-D.-MillerChancellor-Designate-The-UWI-1068x1319-1-e1714250170597.jpg" alt="" width="648" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-74915" class="wp-caption-text">The-Most-Honourable-Dr-Dodridge-D.-MillerChancellor-Designate-</p></div></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_1"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_1 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_1 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>The University of the West Indies (The UWI) system has announced the appointment of the 7th Chancellor, The Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller, FB, FCCA, MBA, LL.M, LLD (Hon), to its highest office.</p><p>Dr Miller has been designated as the Chancellor-Designate, and he is expected to commence his seven-year tenure from August 1, 2024, succeeding Robert Bermudez, who has been serving as Chancellor since 2017.</p><p>The University Council accepted the recommendation of the Chancellor’s Search Committee to appoint Dr Miller during its virtual annual business meeting held on Friday, April 26.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_0"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_2 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/uwis-university-council-appoints-dr-dodridge-d-miller-as-7th-chancellor/">UWI’s University Council appoints Dr Dodridge D. Miller as 7th Chancellor</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/uwis-university-council-appoints-dr-dodridge-d-miller-as-7th-chancellor/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Mill Reef Fund Donates $26,000 to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/mill-reef-fund-donates-26000-to-sir-lester-bird-medical-centre/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/mill-reef-fund-donates-26000-to-sir-lester-bird-medical-centre/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:15:59 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74905</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_1 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_2"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_2 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_3 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-69426 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MINISTER-HOSPITAL.-1.png" alt="" width="768" height="432" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MINISTER-HOSPITAL.-1.png 768w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MINISTER-HOSPITAL.-1-480x270.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 768px, 100vw" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_3"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_3 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_4 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) recently received a $26,000 donation from the Mill Reef Fund, which is truly generous and substantial.</p><p>This donation is unrestricted, which means that it can be utilized wherever it is most needed, giving the hospital’s critical healthcare projects a much-needed boost.</p><p>The Head of Marketing & Communications at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, Salma Crump, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Fund for their unwavering dedication to the health and welfare of the community.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_1"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_5 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>She explained that this donation will help the Centre to continue providing high-quality medical care to the people of Antigua & Barbuda.</p><p>The Mill Reef Fund’s generosity and support are truly remarkable and further underscore their commitment to the betterment of the community’s overall health and wellbeing.</p><p>With this donation and the contributions of other donors, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre can undertake more significant projects in the future.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/mill-reef-fund-donates-26000-to-sir-lester-bird-medical-centre/">Mill Reef Fund Donates $26,000 to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/mill-reef-fund-donates-26000-to-sir-lester-bird-medical-centre/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Golden Grove Man Charged with Robbery</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/golden-grove-man-charged-with-robbery/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/golden-grove-man-charged-with-robbery/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:12:26 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Top News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74901</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_2 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_4"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_4 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_6 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-39926 alignnone size-full" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/court-e1675629464449.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="393" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_5"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_5 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_7 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>On the 26th of April, the local police arrested and charged Jahari Adams, a 27-year-old resident of Golden Grove, for robbery.</p><p>The alleged crime happened on the 19th of April, when he purportedly robbed the owner of a Mini-Mart at Herberts.</p><p>The robbery involved the theft of a cash pan with an unspecified amount of money, as well as the owner’s handbag, which contained several crucial documents, IDs, and cash.</p><p>In addition to the robbery charges, Jahari Adams was also charged with possessing 309 grams of cannabis unlawfully.</p><p>Furthermore, the police accused him of intending to transfer the cannabis, leading to a separate charge under the possession of cannabis with the intent to transfer.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_2"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_8 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/golden-grove-man-charged-with-robbery/">Golden Grove Man Charged with Robbery</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/golden-grove-man-charged-with-robbery/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Drivers Penalized for Dangerous Driving</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/drivers-penalized-for-dangerous-driving/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/drivers-penalized-for-dangerous-driving/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:01:17 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Top News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74893</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_3 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_6"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_6 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_9 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74897 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/dangerous-driving.jpg" alt="" width="392" height="220" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_7"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_7 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_10 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>The island’s traffic department conducted a series of traffic checks on major intersections on Friday, April 26.</p><p>As a result, five individuals were arrested and charged by the police with Dangerous Driving. These individuals were caught driving through the red light and were penalized accordingly.</p><p>In addition to these arrests, the traffic department issued 52 traffic tickets to drivers for various traffic violations.</p><p>These violations included Failure to Wear Seat Belts, Missing License Plates, and Heavily Tinted Vehicles. Further, several vehicles were impounded at the Government Motor Pool for unlicensed purposes.</p><p>The traffic department has appealed to motorists to drive with due care and attention on the roads.</p><p>They have urged drivers to avoid speeding and drive responsibly to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of others on the road.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_3"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_11 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/drivers-penalized-for-dangerous-driving/">Drivers Penalized for Dangerous Driving</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/drivers-penalized-for-dangerous-driving/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Two men hospitalized following accident on Factory Road</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/two-men-hospitalized-following-accident-on-factory-road/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/two-men-hospitalized-following-accident-on-factory-road/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 12:42:17 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Top News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74882</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_4 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_8"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_8 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_12 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74885 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/439599258_1532364653991810_6356226295151043484_n-e1714221839755.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="800" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_9"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_9 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_13 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>In the wee hours of Saturday morning, a serious accident occurred on Factory Road leaving two men with severe injuries.</p><p>The drivers of a Vitz and a Honda Fit were involved in the incident, which caused extensive damage to both vehicles.</p><p>In order to extricate them from the wreckage, emergency personnel had to use the Jaws of Life.</p><p>We will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.</p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74886 alignnone size-full" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/439619676_1532364637325145_5929506101709866154_n-e1714221886311.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="800" /></p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_4"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_14 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74887 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/440860271_1532364553991820_5242181297840335045_n-e1714221925599.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="800" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/two-men-hospitalized-following-accident-on-factory-road/">Two men hospitalized following accident on Factory Road</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/27/two-men-hospitalized-following-accident-on-factory-road/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Man found guilty of raping ex in jealous rage</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/man-found-guilty-of-raping-ex-in-jealous-rage/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/man-found-guilty-of-raping-ex-in-jealous-rage/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:48:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Antigua and Barbuda]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Top News]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74878</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_5 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_10"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_10 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_15 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-39926 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/court-e1675629464449.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="393" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_11"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_11 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_16 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>A 36-year-old man has been found guilty of one count of rape involving his ex-lover.</p><p>He was on trial for two counts of rape but was only found guilty of one on Thursday.</p><p>The incident for which he was convicted took place on July 22, 2019.</p><p>According to the victim, she was sexually assaulted by an accused who was enraged by the suspicion that she was involved with someone else.</p><p>The woman told the court that they dated for about six months in 2019 and the incident occurred about a month after they broke up.</p><p>The 32-year-old woman stated that on the day in question, she received a call from the accused, from an unfamiliar number.</p><p>He informed her that he had something for her, and believing that it was the $30,000 she lent him, she agreed to meet before work.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_5"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_17 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p>When they met, she got into the darkly tinted car he had rented and was compelled to turn off her phone and surrender it.</p><p>He then took her to an empty lot in Bendals where he assaulted her, accusing her of being involved with someone else.</p><p>She denied the accusation but he still punched and choked her.</p><p>He eventually had sexual intercourse with her against her will.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/man-found-guilty-of-raping-ex-in-jealous-rage/">Man found guilty of raping ex in jealous rage</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/man-found-guilty-of-raping-ex-in-jealous-rage/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Venice rolls out a tourism tax charge to counter overcrowding</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/venice-rolls-out-a-tourism-tax-charge-to-counter-overcrowding/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/venice-rolls-out-a-tourism-tax-charge-to-counter-overcrowding/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:46:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74873</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_6 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_12"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_12 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_18 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74876 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-26-at-1.35.36-PM.jpeg" alt="" width="599" height="399" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-26-at-1.35.36-PM.jpeg 599w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-26-at-1.35.36-PM-480x320.jpeg 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 599px, 100vw" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_13"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_13 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_19 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><em>by Mick the Ram</em></p><p> </p><p>A new ruling is set to shake up the tourist trade in the Italian city of Venice. Anybody choosing to visit as a day-tripper, excluding those who live in the local Veneto region, will be required to pay a charge of five euros, if there stay is between the hours of 8am and 4pm.</p><p>Overnight stays do not come into the equation due to the fact that a tax will have already been added to their bill of accommodation. Nevertheless, they will be need to register their presence to request an exemption to the fee.</p><p>In essence, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/venice-begins-charging-entry-fee/index.html#:~:text=From April 25, day visitors,five euros on certain days.&text=Anybody visiting Venice as a,8 a.m. and 4 p.m.">anybody entering Venice on dates that the fee is being charged will have to either carry a ticket or have about them an valid exemption</a>. The only people that that can escape either paying the fee or undertaking a registration will be those who are residents of the city, or those who were actually born there.</p><p>Starting on 25 April, the <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/04/25/venice-entry-fee-here-are-all-the-dates-when-youll-have-to-pay-to-visit-in-2024">charge will be in place</a> on peak weekends and other days for 29 specified days, up to 14 July. This is effectively a pilot scheme, and on the completion of the trial period, the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, will review the feedback on the project and make a decision moving forward.</p><p>Naturally there have been lots of opposition, with many protest marches planned near the city entry points.</p><p>This ruling is ahead of a another new limit that is being introduced in June, which will see tourist groups visiting the city, reduced to a maximum of 25 people, in an effort to reduce the pressure of mass tourism in the centre.</p><p><strong><em>Next step after ship ban</em></strong></p><p>UNESCO and other environmentalists have been putting pressure on the city’s authorities with regards to overcrowding and got a response when the city relented and banned big cruise ships from sailing past St Mark’s Square and on through the Giudecca canal.</p><p>They will see this latest move as a further positive step to easing growing damage to its delicate ecosystem.</p><p><strong><em>Advisors offering assistance</em></strong></p><p>There were plenty of signs on show advising arriving visitors of the new €5 fee outside the main railway station and other points of arrival, on the opening day of the trial.</p><p>Around 200 stewards are on hand to offer assistance to people unaware of the new charge and explain the process of <a href="https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/04/25/venice-entry-fee-here-are-all-the-dates-when-youll-have-to-pay-to-visit-in-2024">downloading a QR code</a>, with a dedicated booth set up for those not equipped with a smartphone.</p><p>Random checks are are expected to be carried out with fines of between €50 and €300 understood to be likely for anyone transgressing.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_6"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_20 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><strong><em>Over 100,000 register on opening day</em></strong></p><p>A spokesperson for the mayor’s office announced that <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/venice-begins-charging-entry-fee/index.html#:~:text=From April 25, day visitors,five euros on certain days.&text=Anybody visiting Venice as a,8 a.m. and 4 p.m.">113,000 visitors registered for the first day</a>, with in the region of 80,000 of those doing so in advance and roughly ten percent actually paying the fee.</p><p>Of the exemptions, approaching 40,000 were hotel guests, with a further 4,000 being family or friends of residents. The council confirmed that they had inspected the credentials of nearly 14,000 individuals.</p><p><strong><em>Protests making a point</em></strong></p><p>Locals are not overly impressed, with hundreds participating in a protest at Piazzale Roma, the entry point by road to the city. A smaller protest took place near the train station with Venetians confronting the mayor on the matter.</p><p>Ruggero Tallon, one of the main protest organizers said they were against the mayor’s idea of a closed city, calling it a “medieval tax” and saying it was “against freedom of movement.” They also pointed out that with 49,000 inhabitants, there were actually more beds for tourists than for residents.”</p><p><strong><em>Action has been needed</em></strong></p><p>The need is for more incentives to encourage visitors to stay longer by offering greater hotel discounts. In June, the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-68898441">new group reduction plan</a> will kick in, as will the use of loudspeakers, just a couple of other moves designed to make a visit more comfortable and appealing.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/venice-rolls-out-a-tourism-tax-charge-to-counter-overcrowding/">Venice rolls out a tourism tax charge to counter overcrowding</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/venice-rolls-out-a-tourism-tax-charge-to-counter-overcrowding/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Army horses receive surgery for serious injuries</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/army-horses-receive-surgery-for-serious-injuries/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/army-horses-receive-surgery-for-serious-injuries/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:40:28 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74868</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_7 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_14"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_14 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_21 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74871 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.54.02-PM.jpeg" alt="" width="615" height="472" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.54.02-PM.jpeg 615w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.54.02-PM-480x368.jpeg 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 615px, 100vw" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_15"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_15 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_22 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><em>by Mick the Ram</em></p><p> </p><p>Following the shocking scenes in central London on Wednesday 24 April when Household Cavalry horses threw their riders and bolted resulting in several collisions, it has emerged that two of the animals were <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2024/04/25/horses-got-loose-london-ok-two-serious-condition-20714697/">seriously injured</a> and required surgery.</p><p>Seven horses in total were spooked by loud construction noise, with the two that were badly injured fleeing nearly 6 miles from the location of the incident.</p><p>Three soldiers and a cyclist were hospitalised and two of the servicemen remain under observation with their condition described as stable, the third was discharged. There was no information released on the cyclist.</p><p>A spokesperson said the two injured horses were operated on and one had subsequently been <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/25/blood-soaked-horse-serious-condition-injuries-london/">transferred to an equine hospital</a>. One of them was the white horse which was disturbingly seen to be drenched in blood, although his condition did appear to be slightly more positive.</p><p>It was earlier confirmed that this particular horse, named Vida, has a history of being spooked, prompting questions as to why he was still being made to partake in activities he seemingly was uncomfortable with.</p><p>Thousands of animal lovers have signed a petition to get the two injured horses retired after they hopefully recover from their serious injuries.</p><p><strong><em>Months of training</em></strong></p><p>The horses of the Household Cavalry are expertly trained by the Army for many months and deliberately ridden on the streets of London to get them used to heavy traffic and desensitise them from loud noises, including gun salutes and military bands.</p><p><strong><em>Very rare incident</em></strong></p><p>Lt Col Matt Woodward, commanding officer of the Mounted Regiment, said the unit exercise around 150 horses on roads and in parks every morning, but unfortunately after building materials were dropped from height right next to them on a quiet side road, it caused several to be spooked and the ensuing shock led to several <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68895233">bolting and unseating riders</a>.</p><p>He thanked emergency services and the public for their help, adding: “Thankfully, considering the frequency of exercise and numbers of horses involved, this type of incident is extremely rare, we continue to strive to minimise the risk of this recurring.”</p><p>He reiterated a message they often put out to the public to refrain where possible, from making loud noises around our the horses.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_7"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_23 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><strong><em>All horses under observation after incident</em></strong></p><p>A spokesperson for the Army said: “Of the seven horses which were spooked, five tried to bolt and four – Vida, Quaker (the most seriously injured), Trojan, and Tennyson – managed to brake loose.”</p><p>They added that the horses that did not have surgery spent the night under observation receiving the highest standards in care and would be assessed throughout the day, but they were <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/loose-london-horses-runaway-cavalry-latest-b2534460.html">expected to return to duty</a> “in due course”.</p><p>With regards to Vida, the bloodied white horse, it is understood that he was the horse that caught a soldier on the head with a kick during the King’s Coronation last year. Usually Household Cavalry horses are black, however the regiment’s state trumpeters always ride white or grey horses, the role that Vida plays.</p><p><strong><em>Sanctuary plea for injured horses</em></strong></p><p>The petition that was quickly set up is continuing to see its numbers grow, with animal lovers predictably upset at the distressing images.</p><p>The <em>Animal Rising</em> group said: “These magnificent animals were so frightened that they ran through the streets of London, injuring both people and themselves. It is clear that these horses do not belong in the army, and they deserve a better life.”</p><p>They called for the horses to be taken to a sanctuary where they would be able to live out the rest of their lives in peace</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/army-horses-receive-surgery-for-serious-injuries/">Army horses receive surgery for serious injuries</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/army-horses-receive-surgery-for-serious-injuries/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Worldwide cyber gang busted</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/worldwide-cyber-gang-busted/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/worldwide-cyber-gang-busted/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:37:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74862</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_8 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_16"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_16 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_24 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p style="text-align: center;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74860 alignnone size-full" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM.jpeg" alt="" width="614" height="345" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM.jpeg 614w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM-480x270.jpeg 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 614px, 100vw" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74865 alignnone size-full" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-7.45.13-AM-e1714167489260.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_17"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_17 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_25 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><em>by Mick the Ram</em></p><p> </p><p>Law enforcement agencies, including the Metropolitan Police have been celebrating the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68838977">dismantlement of a criminal cyber gang</a> who had been using a technology service to facilitate fraudulent text messages, leading to theft from victims on an industrial scale.</p><p>Detectives have been making scores of arrests around the world, including London, with 37 people so far taken into custody. Victims have been contacted and given advice as to what steps should be taken.</p><p>More will follow as investigators seized the email addresses of 800 criminals who had been paying up to £300 a month to use the gang’s site – LabHost service. This helped scammers, even lacking in technical skills, to bombard victims directly with messages designed to trick them into making online payments at fake websites, appearing to be legitimate.</p><p>It had the consequence of enabling the criminals to steal identity information, including card numbers and pin codes, with police estimating that LabHost had made over a £1m in profits, meaning the sums stolen would inevitably run into the hundreds of millions of pounds, or more.</p><p><strong><em>Two year operation</em></strong></p><p>The arrests made followed a <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/metropolitan-police-cyber-fraud-arrests-labhost-phishing-b1152218.html">two-year operation</a> involving the Met and law-enforcement in 17 other countries. Worldwide over 70 different properties were searched and in the UK arrests were made at several airports, including Luton and Manchester.</p><p>The criminals are known to have stolen more than 480,000 card numbers and 64,000 Pin codes, in an act referred to in the criminal worlds as “fullz data”.</p><p><strong><em>Younger element more at risk</em></strong></p><p>Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens made an interesting point by saying that surprisingly it was more likely that younger people who grew up with the internet were the most likely to fall for the “phishing” scam.</p><p>She also said people are more likely to be a victim of fraud than any other crime and that LabHost had given those non-skilled criminal minded individuals the perfect platform to commit their fraudulent behaviour.</p><p><strong><em>Tens of thousands of victims</em></strong></p><p>In the UK alone, it is believed that <a href="https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2024/04/18/police-apprehend-global-cyber-gang-implicated-in-large-scale-fraud/#:~:text=Police bust cyber gang accused of industrial-scale fraud around the world&text=The Met Police, a long,leading to theft from victims.">upwards of 70,000 victims</a> were tricked into giving out their personal details online. Police say that around a third of these have been identified, and will receive subsequent text messages warning them which fake online payment services and shopping sites could have taken their money.</p><p>They will receive assistance from a special page set up on the Metropolitan Police website for crucial advice moving forward, although officers were able to offer some reassurance that personal details found in a dump of data, obtained from LabHost, have now been “secured”.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_8"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_26 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><strong><em>Latest in a line of successful take-downs</em></strong></p><p>It has been quite the process with the gang’s activities first discovered back in 2022 by the <a href="https://cyberdefencealliance.org/">Cyber Defence Alliance</a>, a small team of investigators funded by UK financial bodies to infiltrate criminal networks on the dark web.</p><p>There has been successes previously with the taking down of the crime service operation known as “iSpoof” in November 2022, with its founder, 35-year-old Tejay Fletcher, who was responsible for fraud totalling in excess of £100m, now serving a 13 year prison term.</p><p>Then in February of this year, the <a href="https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/national-crime-agency/">National Crime Agency</a> took down “LockBit” who were described as the world’s most harmful cyber-crime group, having been known to have cost victims billions of pounds.</p><p><strong><em>Awareness first line of defence</em></strong></p><p>Adam Pilton, Cyber Security Consultant at <a href="https://cybersmart.co.uk/">CyberSmart</a> called the successful “take-down” as a “fantastic result for UK and international law enforcement.”</p><p>He said the amount of work put into the operation should not be underestimated and encouraged people to always report any phishing emails they spot, as it helps to build an intelligence picture, leading to these sort of results.</p><p>He pointed to the continued evolution of AI as an even bigger reason to build cyber defences, but maintained that awareness was still actually the very first line of defence</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/worldwide-cyber-gang-busted/">Worldwide cyber gang busted</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/worldwide-cyber-gang-busted/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Spanish PM suspends public duties after court opens inquiry into his wife’s business dealings</title> <link>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/spanish-pm-suspends-public-duties-after-court-opens-inquiry-into-his-wifes-business-dealings/</link> <comments>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/spanish-pm-suspends-public-duties-after-court-opens-inquiry-into-his-wifes-business-dealings/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Editorial Staff]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:34:07 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[World]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://antigua.news/?p=74857</guid> <description><![CDATA[]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="et_pb_section et_pb_section_9 et_section_regular" > <div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_18"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_18 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_27 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-74860 alignnone size-full aligncenter" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM.jpeg" alt="" width="614" height="345" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM.jpeg 614w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-5.32.10-AM-480x270.jpeg 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 614px, 100vw" /></p></div> </div> </div> </div><div class="et_pb_row et_pb_row_19"> <div class="et_pb_column et_pb_column_4_4 et_pb_column_19 et_pb_css_mix_blend_mode_passthrough et-last-child"> <div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_28 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><em>by Mick the Ram</em></p><p> </p><p>A court has launched a probe into the private business dealings of Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, prompting him to <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/spains-sanchez-suspends-public-duties-to-reflect-on-future">suspend his public duties</a> and consider his future in the leading governmental role.</p><p>The preliminary proceedings against Ms Gómez relate to accusations aimed at her regarding possible corruption, founded on a series of stories published by news organisations, most notably El Confidencial.</p><p><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/0844ee97-9e73-4e8f-850a-9b24dea9c9f7">Anti-corruption campaigners Manos Limpias</a> (Clean Hands) were responsible for filing the complaint, but with links to the far right and involvement in a number of controversial high-profile court cases in recent years, there is a suggestion of alternate motivations at play.</p><p>Mr Sánchez has promised to appear before the media on Monday 29 April to announce his decision moving forward, after what he called a period where he will “stop and reflect” whether it would appropriate to remain in the job as PM.</p><p><strong><em>PM to take time to decide future</em></strong></p><p>The Spanish leader, who began a new term late last year having put together a fragile parliamentary majority following an inconclusive election, shared his feelings on his X account in which he said in a statement that he needed to decide “whether I should continue to lead the government or renounce this honour”.</p><p>Continuing, he said that the seriousness of the attacks that he and his wife were receiving <a href="https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2916691-spains-sanchez-suspends-public-duties-to-reflect-on-future">merited a measured response</a> and he needed to pause and legitimately ask himself if it was all worthwhile “despite the mud” that the right and far right were trying to turn politics into, but insisted that his wife would defend her honour and work with the judiciary.</p><p>To give himself some breathing space he made the decision to step away from public duties, but the man who has been in power since 2018 when he replaced a conservative leader – ironically felled by corruption allegations – added: “This attack is unprecedented and so serious and so crude that I need to stop and reflect with my wife”.</p><p><strong><em>Series of allegations made</em></strong></p><p>The court in Madrid made the decision to fully investigate the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68887669">claim against Ms Gómez</a>, but did not provide further details as the case is sealed and preliminary. It is understood that the PM’s wife is accused of “influence-peddling and business corruption”.</p><p>The suggestion has been made by Miguel Bernad, head of Clean Hands, who are essentially a self-styled civil servants’ labour union.</p><p>He accuses Ms Gómez of receiving favours from private businesses that won government tenders and were awarded subsidies as a result of her benefiting from her personal status as wife of the prime minister and allegedly secure sponsors for a university master’s degree course that she ran.</p></div> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_image et_pb_image_9"> <a href="https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9976d23n3hAzoqv60Z?loadIn=defaultBrowser"><span class="et_pb_image_wrap "><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1390" height="1366" src="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png" alt="" title="Antigua.News Whatsapp Channel" srcset="https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel.png 1390w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-1280x1258.png 1280w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-980x963.png 980w, https://antigua.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Antigua-News-Whatsapp-Channel-480x472.png 480w" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) and (max-width: 1280px) 1280px, (min-width: 1281px) 1390px, 100vw" class="wp-image-63581" /></span></a> </div><div class="et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_29 et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light"> <div class="et_pb_text_inner"><p><strong><em>No charges brought so far</em></strong></p><p> </p><p>The news site El Confidencial published a report suggesting that a research hub that Ms Gómez represents had a relationship with businessman Javier Hidalgo and she met him in person when he was negotiating a Covid rescue package with the government. Air Europa airline, of which Mr Hidalgo’s father is chairman, apparently ended up receiving a package reportedly worth €475 million.</p><p>They also reported that Ms Gómez signed letters supporting a consortium’s successful bid for government contracts worth €10.2 million.</p><p>The opposition have naturally leaped all over the stories and have been using them to lay into Mr Sánchez with a series of attacks over several weeks, but it is important to recognise that just because an investigation has been given the go-ahead, it <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2024/04/24/spanish-prime-ministers-wife-investigated-over-corruption-claims/">does not mean that Ms Gómez has been charged</a>, or indeed named as a suspect in the case.</p><p><strong><em>Failed lawsuits</em></strong></p><p>Mr Bernad and his Clean Hands organisation, have previously presented a numerous lawsuits against politicians for corruption, and it has to be pointed out that in the vast majority of cases they have failed to gain embellishment.</p><p>These unsuccessful suits have included ones brought against a judge who was seeking to investigate human rights crimes during the Spanish dictatorship and against children’s TV programme Los Lunnis for allegedly violating the honour of minors by depicting two puppets of the same sex getting married. They also failed to have King Felipe’s sister, Princess Cristina, convicted for tax-related crimes.</p><p><strong><em>Remaining dignified</em></strong></p><p>During a parliamentary debate, Mr Sánchez made just a fleeting reference to the developing story about his wife, saying only that “despite everything, I still believe in my country’s justice system.”</p><p>His allies also sprung to his defence by casting further doubts on Mr Bernad, painting the proceedings as simply another part of continuing efforts by the opposition to weaken the coalition government.</p><p>Justice minister Félix Bolaños described it as “yet another false claim”, whilst Deputy PM, María José Montero, said the government would not allow these “Trumpian practices to undermine democracy in Spain, which has been built with so much effort.”</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div><p>The post <a href="https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/spanish-pm-suspends-public-duties-after-court-opens-inquiry-into-his-wifes-business-dealings/">Spanish PM suspends public duties after court opens inquiry into his wife’s business dealings</a> first appeared on <a href="https://antigua.news">Antigua and Barbuda News !</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://antigua.news/2024/04/26/spanish-pm-suspends-public-duties-after-court-opens-inquiry-into-his-wifes-business-dealings/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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