December 24, 2024

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher, says the Trinidad and Tobago Police Serve (TPS) is “disappointed” that despite all that it has done, the number of murders in the country has surpassed the 600 mark. Last year, the country recorded 577 murders and with seven days to go before the end of this year, the figure is certain to rise. Among the latest murders that now stand at 602, is that of Stacy Gopaulsingh, 36, who was stabbed to death at her home in Moruga in central south Trinidad, early on Monday. The judicial support officer (JSO), who is said to have been three months pregnant, was killed while her common-law husband, 42, grabbed their three-year-old daughter and escaped by jumping out of a window. The Trinidad South District Court employee’s body with multiple chop wounds in the living room. The laptop she used for work, a brown envelope containing TT$40,000(One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) and US$800 and the wedding bands were missing. “We have done a significantly large amount of good work,” Harewood-Christo her said in a statement, adding that the criminal element in Trinidad and Tobago “persists and continues to create opportunities for violent crimes to be committed. “They have become more brazen and indiscriminate in their desperate attempts at maintaining their criminal enterprises.” The top cop said that this will continue to be the challenge “until such time that we succeed in diverting the minds of the criminal elements in our society, especially our young men, from the commission of violent crimes to more productive activities. “We will do well to recognize that homicides is not just a TTPS issue, but a national issue, and there is therefore a role for every citizen in our endeavour to reduce this statistic. Let’s develop the courage and the confidence to do what is required.” Harewood-Christopher said the country must become “more deliberate about the type of society we want, and work resolutely, collectively and purposefully to achieve that result. “We simply cannot continue to condone criminal activities, or allow ourselves to be intimidated by the criminal elements. “The TTPS will continue to exert itself to the fullest extent to do what is required to deliver effective law enforcement to the deserving citizenry. We give our unwavering commitment in that regard,” Harewood-Christopher said.

By Jordan Valinsky, CNN New York (CNN) — American Airlines said a “technical issue” is delaying all of its flights in the United States during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. “A technical issue is affecting American flights this morning,” an airline spokesperson told CNN. “Our teams are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.” The Federal Aviation Administration posted a nationwide groundstop order for all American flights, according to an advisory notice. The FAA in a statement said American Airlines requested a nationwide ground stop but it referred all questions to the airline for more information. David Myers, a 62-year-old disaster consultant traveling from from Salisbury, Maryland, to New Orleans with a layover in Charlotte said he was first alerted to the issue at 6 am Tuesday morning. He and his wife are trying to spend Christmas with their children. “It’s Christmas Eve, so complaining doesn’t seem quite right,” Myers told CNN. “And safety always comes first. But more information at the gate would be helpful.” Customers on social media began complaining early Tuesday morning that some flights were returning to their gates and that delays are about 90 minutes. “Captain says @AmericanAir software outage preventing weight & balance calculations ‘company-wide’ with no estimate on resolution. Flights unable to depart as a result. Not a good start to Christmas Eve travel!,” a person posted on X. In a video posted from Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida, an agent is heard saying “our system is down” and they are keeping passengers on the gate. An AA representative on X said an “estimated timeframe has not been provided.” American Airlines’ (AAL) stock fell nearly 3% in premarket trading. The-CNN-Wire & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Here is today’s weather forecast according to the Barbados Meteorological Services. Weather Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Synopsis: A ridge pattern is dominant across the island. General Forecast: Mix of sunshine and clouds with a few brief scattered light showers. Haze Outlook: A plume of very thick dust haze will significantly reduce visibility across the island and marine area. Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Synopsis: A ridge pattern will be dominant across the island. General Forecast: Mix of clear skies and clouds with a few brief isolated light showers. Haze Outlook: A plume of thick dust haze will significantly reduce visibility across the island and marine area. Wind Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Moderate east-southeasterly to east-northeasterly breeze from 30 to 35 km/h (19 to 22 mph). Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Moderate east-northeasterly to easterly breeze from 30 to 35 km/h (19 to 22 mph). Marine Forecasts Today From 6:00 a.m. Moderate in open water with swells ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 meters (5 to 7 ft.). Tonight From 6:00 p.m. Moderate in open water with swells ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 meters (5 to 7 ft.). Tides, Sunrise & Sunset High Tide (First) 10:57 a.m. High tide (Second) 11:55 p.m. Low Tide (First) 4:21 a.m. Low tide (Second) 5:47 p.m. Sunrise 6:18 a.m. Sunset 5:39 p.m.