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  • Saint Lucia suffer penalty heartbreak in Concacaf qualifier

    Saint Lucia suffer penalty heartbreak in Concacaf qualifier

    Saint Lucia’s Under-20 men’s national team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in their opening Group C match of the Concacaf Under-20 Men’s Qualifiers against Antigua & Barbuda. The closely contested match took place on Monday, February 23rd at the Complejo Deportivo FCRF-Plycem in San Rafael de Alajuela, Costa Rica.

    The decisive moment arrived in the 35th minute when Antigua & Barbuda’s Jamaican-based midfielder, Brandon Satchell, capitalized on a fortunate rebound. A dangerous cross from the right flank by Vaughn Jackson proved too hot to handle for Saint Lucian goalkeeper Tyrell Vidal. The ball spilled into the center of the penalty area, where Satchell was perfectly positioned to poke it home, securing the lead for the young Benna Boys.

    Antigua & Barbuda nearly doubled their advantage just before halftime. Their captain, Kayonte George, who plies his trade with Finn Holsing in Germany, unleashed a spectacular curling effort that beat the goalkeeper but agonizingly struck the far post.

    The most dramatic moment came deep into stoppage time for Saint Lucia. With merely ten seconds remaining in regulation, captain Eymani Butcher was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Ivan Grant inside the penalty area, earning a crucial spot-kick. However, substitute Kallis Mondesir’s subsequent penalty attempt sailed high over the crossbar, denying the Piton Boyz a last-gasp equalizer. The final whistle confirmed a heartbreaking start to the campaign for Saint Lucia.

    The team will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next Group C fixture against Dominica scheduled for Friday.

  • Urgent Appeal for Type A+ Blood for Inspector Gwendolyn Gomes

    Urgent Appeal for Type A+ Blood for Inspector Gwendolyn Gomes

    The Sir Lester Bird Medical Center in Antigua has declared an urgent requirement for Type A+ blood donations, issuing a critical public appeal to address a severe shortage. Inspector Gwendolyn Gomes has been prominently involved in amplifying the call to action, emphasizing the immediate and life-saving impact potential donors can have.

    The hospital’s campaign, underscored by the stark message ‘URGENT BLOOD NEEDED,’ highlights the constant demand for specific blood types to support emergency surgeries, treat patients with chronic illnesses, and manage trauma cases. The call for Type A+ donors suggests a particular and pressing depletion of this blood type in the national supply. The simple yet powerful slogan, ‘YOU CAN HELP SAVE A LIFE!’, is designed to motivate the community to step forward and contribute.

    This public health initiative underscores the vital role of voluntary blood donation in maintaining a robust and responsive healthcare system. The involvement of a community figure like Inspector Gomes aims to bolster credibility and encourage widespread public participation. The appeal is directed at all eligible donors, especially those with the needed blood type, to visit the medical center and donate without delay to help stabilize the critical blood reserve.

  • PRESS RELEASE: Cuba denounces new aggressive escalation by the United States and reaffirms its determination to defend its sovereignty

    PRESS RELEASE: Cuba denounces new aggressive escalation by the United States and reaffirms its determination to defend its sovereignty

    In a forceful address to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla issued a stark warning about what he characterized as a new global dictatorship spearheaded by the United States. Speaking at the High-Level Segment of the Council’s 61st session in Geneva on February 23, 2026, Rodríguez Parrilla condemned what he described as a philosophy of dispossession and the normalization of force that undermines the post-World War II international order.

    The Cuban diplomat asserted that beyond ideological divisions, all nation-states now face existential threats from policies of aggression, interventionism, and resource competition. He specifically highlighted the struggle over strategic assets including hydrocarbons, critical minerals, rare earth elements, water resources, biodiversity, and commercial trade routes as flashpoints for potential conflict.

    Rodríguez Parrilla reserved particular criticism for American economic policies, labeling tariffs as instruments of aggression and condemning the extraterritorial application of U.S. laws. He characterized attempts to subject global affairs to the jurisdiction of American courts as a fundamental violation of state sovereignty and international legal norms.

    The address focused significantly on a January 29 executive order from the U.S. president that Rodríguez Parrilla described as imposing collective punishment on the Cuban people. He asserted this policy deliberately seeks to create a humanitarian catastrophe through an energy blockade, asking rhetorically whether the international community would allow ‘a great power to attempt to destroy a small, peaceful nation under the crude pretext of national security.’

    Despite these challenges, the Foreign Minister emphasized Cuba’s determination to defend its self-determination, independence, and constitutional order through national unity and consensus. He outlined the nation’s resilience measures, including leveraging its educated population, robust healthcare and education systems, agricultural resources, water reserves, mineral wealth, and domestic energy production capabilities. Rodríguez Parrilla noted Cuba produces nearly half of its consumed crude oil and is expanding its solar energy investment program as part of its strategy to prevent humanitarian crisis through self-reliance.

  • Prime Minister Friday joins regional leaders for 50th CARICOM Heads Conference in St Kitts and Nevis

    Prime Minister Friday joins regional leaders for 50th CARICOM Heads Conference in St Kitts and Nevis

    ST. KITTS AND NEVIS – Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is participating in the landmark 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government, joining fellow regional leaders in critical deliberations aimed at shaping the Caribbean’s future trajectory. The summit, convened under the chairmanship of St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, carries the ambitious theme “Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM.

    The historic gathering brings together heads of government from across the Caribbean Community to address pressing regional priorities including enhanced economic cooperation, sustainable development initiatives, food security measures, climate resilience strategies, regional security frameworks, and the accelerated strengthening of Caribbean integration mechanisms.

    Prime Minister Friday’s involvement demonstrates his administration’s steadfast commitment to advancing St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ interests within the regional integration movement while fostering collaborative partnerships to tackle shared challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities. His participation includes active engagement in plenary sessions and bilateral discussions with regional counterparts on matters of mutual interest, all directed toward fortifying cooperation throughout the Community.

    The conference’s opening ceremony, held at the Marriott Dome in Frigate Bay from 4:00 PM local time, marks the commencement of this significant diplomatic event. NBC Radio provided live coverage of the ceremonial proceedings, allowing citizens across the region to witness this pivotal moment in Caribbean diplomacy.

  • ‘Money Is Such a Heavy Topic’: Faith & Finance Opens Dialogue for Women

    ‘Money Is Such a Heavy Topic’: Faith & Finance Opens Dialogue for Women

    A transformative financial literacy event specifically designed for women successfully convened this week, bringing together over 25 participants. Organized under the banner ‘Faith & Finance,’ the gathering provided a comprehensive platform addressing longstanding barriers to financial education through direct resource access and proven strategic methodologies.

    The event was meticulously curated by Sharlene Skinner and Sergin David of Bloom Events, focusing on delivering practical knowledge across multiple financial domains. Key workshop topics included intelligent investing principles, strategic utilization of insurance products, actionable saving techniques, and real-world success case analyses. Uniquely, all financial lessons were contextualized within faith-based frameworks, redefining money management as an essential component of personal stewardship.

    Highlighting the program was a powerful keynote address by veteran business leader Alice Orie, who recounted her remarkable entrepreneurial journey beginning at age 13. Her narrative detailed how small business initiatives became survival mechanisms during her family’s financial struggles. With over four decades of business experience, Orie shared candid insights on navigating professional pitfalls, overcoming intense public scrutiny and gossip, and achieving sustained success. Her presentation extended beyond inspiration to include practical investment approaches, accessible saving methods, and the central role of faith in maintaining holistic success.

    The educational experience was further enhanced by Ashwini Singh, investment analyst at event sponsor UTC Global Balance Fund, who conducted an intensive workshop on budget decoding. Singh demonstrated practical techniques for optimizing salary allocation across expenses while creating realistic saving structures. Complementary expertise was provided by Sagicor representatives Deborah Raoul and Sherlon Leon, who elucidated how various insurance instruments could be leveraged to advance long-term financial objectives.

    The event proved particularly impactful for women primarily in their thirties and beyond, facilitating fundamental financial literacy development. Reflecting on the gathering, co-organizer Sharlene Skinner told St. Lucia Times: ‘Money remains a profoundly heavy topic. We critically need more spaces like this for understanding monetary nuances and improving our stewardship capabilities. This afternoon visibly demonstrated growing awareness and mindset shifts—precisely Faith & Finance’s purpose.’

    Bloom Events confirms this inaugural gathering represents merely the beginning of this initiative, with subsequent events already in active development stages.

  • Caribbean Leaders Meet Amid U.S. Actions in Region

    Caribbean Leaders Meet Amid U.S. Actions in Region

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders convened in St. Kitts this week for a pivotal four-day summit addressing pressing regional challenges and international relations. The gathering, hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, assembled representatives from all 15 member states following extensive diplomatic preparations to ensure comprehensive participation.

    The summit occurs against a backdrop of significant geopolitical developments, with U.S. foreign policy decisions creating substantial regional repercussions. Recent American actions including the political isolation of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and restrictions on Cuban access to Venezuelan petroleum resources have generated considerable debate throughout the Caribbean basin.

    Deputy Secretary General Dr. Armstrong Alexis indicated that leaders prepared for substantive dialogue on complex geopolitical matters affecting the region and global community. The potential attendance of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offers Caribbean diplomats a direct channel to communicate their concerns to Washington policymakers.

    Adding to regional tensions, the summit commenced just one day after U.S. military forces conducted a maritime strike against a suspected narcotics trafficking vessel in Caribbean waters, resulting in three fatalities. This military action, combined with existing policy measures, has created a complex diplomatic landscape for CARICOM members to navigate as they seek to balance regional cooperation with international relations.

  • Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    A former payroll specialist at Jumby Bay Resort Ltd has initiated legal proceedings in the Industrial Court, claiming wrongful termination and reputational harm following a payroll miscalculation during the peak 2024 holiday season. The complainant, an eleven-year veteran of the luxury establishment, had advanced from Accounts Payable Clerk to Junior Accountant before assuming payroll responsibilities in May 2024.

    The controversy emerged when several staff members reported missing overtime compensation and allowances in their December 2024 earnings. During this period of heightened operational demands, the payroll clerk allegedly received instructions from management to circumvent standard verification protocols and submit payroll data directly to senior executives. The payroll received subsequent approval from both the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance before bank processing.

    An internal audit later identified a computational error within the payroll software as the root cause. All impacted employees received full restitution in the subsequent payment cycle, with all financial shortfalls rectified at least thirty days prior to the clerk’s dismissal.

    Despite the prompt resolution and absence of fraudulent intent, the resort suspended the employee without pay—a decision later revoked—before conducting disciplinary hearings in February 2025. The meetings culminated in immediate termination without severance packages or corrective measures.

    Legal representatives from W.G. Alexander & Associates argue their client derived no personal benefit from the incident and note that no disciplinary measures were applied to the senior managers who authorized the flawed payroll. The filing further contends that defamatory rumors implying financial misconduct circulated unchecked among staff, with management failing to issue clarifying statements to protect the employee’s professional reputation.

  • Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Barbados is initiating a comprehensive national dialogue to confront its escalating traffic congestion crisis, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley declaring the current rate of vehicle growth “unsustainable” for the island nation. The announcement came during Monday’s ceremony renaming the St Patrick’s roundabout in honor of former Christ Church East MP Sir Richard Cheltenham, where the continuous flow of traffic throughout the event served as a stark demonstration of the problem’s urgency.

    Prime Minister Mottley revealed startling statistics showing Barbados’s vehicle population has surged from approximately 40,000 fifty years ago to about 180,000 today—a transformation she described as dramatically changing the country’s landscape. “I don’t think a single minute has passed without traffic approaching the roundabout,” Mottley observed during the ceremony, using the moment to highlight the critical need for intervention.

    The upcoming consultations will create platforms for citizens from all backgrounds to contribute to developing long-term solutions as Barbados grapples with its overburdened road network. Mottley emphasized that while infrastructure improvements like road widening and overpasses will form part of the strategy, the challenge requires more fundamental changes to how Barbadian society and economy are structured.

    Central to this discussion will be reimagining public transportation, which the Prime Minister stated “cannot be a luxury, but must be a basic right if this country is to function efficiently.” The government’s approach recognizes that physical expansion alone cannot solve the congestion problem and that broader systemic changes are necessary for sustainable transportation solutions.

  • Pierre attending CARICOM summit in Basseterre

    Pierre attending CARICOM summit in Basseterre

    Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis – Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia is participating in the landmark 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), taking place from February 24 to 27. The high-level gathering, themed ‘Beyond Words: Action Today for a Thriving, Sustainable CARICOM,’ brings together regional leaders to address a comprehensive agenda of critical issues.

    The summit’s deliberations will focus on advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), a cornerstone of regional economic integration. Additional priority topics include the urgent need for enhanced climate financing mechanisms, bolstering regional security frameworks, and the ongoing pursuit of reparations. Discussions will also encompass pressing hemispheric and global developments affecting the Caribbean bloc.

    This meeting holds particular significance for Saint Lucia, which is poised to assume the rotating chairmanship of CARICOM later this year. In an official statement, the Saint Lucian government affirmed its commitment to ‘work collaboratively with regional partners to support the implementation of decisions and to sustain momentum on key regional objectives.’

    The formal proceedings commenced with an opening ceremony on the afternoon of February 24. To ensure transparency and public engagement, the CARICOM Secretariat has established a dedicated digital hub (https://caricom.org/50hgc), providing comprehensive resources including the full program, detailed thematic briefs, media materials, speaker biographies, and live streaming access to both the opening ceremony and the concluding press conference.

  • Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    The Kalinago Council has announced the development of a groundbreaking permit system designed to regulate access and activities within the Kalinago Territory by non-community members. This strategic initiative represents a significant step toward reinforcing indigenous sovereignty and preserving cultural integrity in the Caribbean region.

    Under the proposed regulatory framework, all external visitors seeking to enter or reside within the territory must obtain formal authorization from the Kalinago governing body. The council clarified that this measure forms part of a comprehensive strategy to assert the Kalinago people’s inherent rights as traditional guardians of their ancestral lands.

    Council representatives emphasized that the system aims to create a balanced approach that welcomes constructive engagement while ensuring environmental protection and cultural preservation. “Our primary objective centers on protection rather than exclusion,” a council spokesperson noted. “We maintain an open stance toward respectful interaction but must simultaneously guarantee that our community’s welfare, security, and ecological resources remain uncompromised.”

    The forthcoming regulations will establish clear guidelines governing entry procedures, duration of stays, and approved activities within the territory. Notably, the system will incorporate streamlined processes for educational programs, research initiatives, and collaborative ventures that align with Kalinago cultural principles and comply with the provisions of the Kalinago Act.

    The council is actively engaging community members and stakeholders throughout the policy development phase, encouraging participatory dialogue as the implementation timeline progresses. This consultative approach reflects the administration’s commitment to transparent governance and community-centered decision-making.