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  • COMMENTARY: Connected by touch, breaking barriers, building bridges

    COMMENTARY: Connected by touch, breaking barriers, building bridges

    On June 27, the global community observes the first official International Day of Deafblindness, a landmark initiative established by the United Nations General Assembly to address the systemic invisibility and exclusion faced by an estimated 160 million people living with deafblindness worldwide.

    The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution proclaiming the annual observance by consensus in June 2025, selecting June 27 to honor the birthday of Helen Keller, the pioneering deafblind American author, educator and activist whose lifelong advocacy continues to inspire marginalized communities across the globe. Marking the first global recognition of deafblindness as a distinct disability separate from isolated vision or hearing impairment, the 2026 inaugural theme is “Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”, which centers the critical role of tactile communication in fostering connection and autonomy for deafblind people.

    Unlike separate hearing or vision loss, deafblindness is defined as a combined dual sensory impairment whose severity prevents either impaired sense from compensating for the other. This unique combination creates distinct barriers that are rarely addressed by generic disability support programs. According to data from the World Federation of the DeafBlind, the global deafblind population spans a wide spectrum of impairment, from moderate dual sensory loss to profound deafblindness, and accounts for between 0.2% and 2% of the world’s total population. As a largely hidden and misunderstood demographic, deafblind people face disproportionately high rates of poverty, unemployment, and lower educational attainment compared to the general disabled population and non-disabled people alike. Long excluded from national statistics, disability policies and public development programs, the community continues to face gaps in access to life-sustaining services from primary education to routine healthcare.

    The establishment of the International Day of Deafblindness aligns with broader global efforts to advance disability inclusion, anchored by the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) 2.0 for 2026-2030. The updated strategy sets clear policy benchmarks and accountability frameworks to measure and accelerate progress toward inclusive development across all UN work, spanning peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. Regional organizations are already advancing targeted action to support the deafblind community: the Caribbean Council for the Blind (CCB), a regional umbrella body based in Antigua serving CARICOM member states, partners with global institutions such as the Perkins School for the Blind to expand access to adaptive learning resources and specialized education for children with multiple sensory impairments across Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, and the Eastern Caribbean. For its part, Jamaica’s 2022 Disability Act provides legal protections against disability discrimination, enshrines equal rights across all public and private sectors, and brings the nation into alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

    The International Day of Deafblindness directly advances three core United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). In the area of education, the observance advocates for universal access to inclusive learning environments, tactile communication tools, and specialized mobility training that meet the unique needs of deafblind learners. For health, the initiative highlights the heightened risk of mental health conditions such as depression among deafblind people, driven by systemic isolation and communication barriers, and calls for expanded inclusive access to healthcare and targeted support services. On the inequality front, the day pushes for formal recognition of deafblindness as a distinct disability, expanded access to accessible voting and assistive technologies, and professional training for specialized deafblind interpreter-guides, all to remove barriers to political participation and economic autonomy.

    On this inaugural observance, author and disability advocate Wayne Campbell calls on governments and global civil society to turn the abstract principle of disability inclusion into tangible reality. Campbell argues that targeted, intentional policy action is required to address the unique needs of the deafblind community, including tailored legislation, expanded access to specialized communication and support services, widespread public education to reduce stigma and misunderstanding, and concrete protections for the fundamental rights of all deafblind people. Echoing Helen Keller’s famous words—”Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”—Campbell urges collective action to dismantle systemic barriers and build a truly inclusive global society that grants equal opportunity to all, regardless of disability.

    Editor’s note: This article reflects the personal views of the author, Wayne Campbell, an educator and social commentator focused on the intersection of development policy, culture and gender equity.

  • BREAKING: Two Teenagers Shot in South Street Attack

    BREAKING: Two Teenagers Shot in South Street Attack

    Officers from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda have launched a full criminal investigation into a late-night shooting that left two adolescent males with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds over the weekend, law enforcement officials confirmed in a public statement this week.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 9:10 p.m. local time on June 27, when emergency dispatch received multiple urgent calls reporting gunfire on South Street in St. John’s, located just outside a local tattoo parlor. First responding patrol officers were dispatched to the scene within minutes to secure the area and provide initial aid to the injured victims.

    Initial findings from the ongoing probe outline that the two teenagers were standing on the side of South Street when they encountered two unidentified men approaching from the direction of Goodwin Street. Both suspects were described by witnesses as wearing all-dark clothing, with hooded garments pulled up to fully conceal their facial features. According to preliminary witness accounts, one of the two men drew a firearm and fired multiple rounds directly toward the pair of teenagers before both suspects fled the area on foot.

    The two victims – a 16-year-old resident of South Street and a 17-year-old from the nearby Villa neighborhood – were quickly transported by emergency medical services to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for urgent care. Hospital officials have confirmed that while both teens sustained gunshot injuries, none of the wounds are considered life-threatening at this time. Both patients remain under close medical observation at the facility as they continue to receive ongoing treatment for their injuries.

    In a public appeal released by the Police Force’s Office of Strategic Communications, law enforcement leadership is urging any member of the public who may have witnessed the shooting, or who holds any information that could help investigators identify and apprehend the two suspects, to come forward immediately. Tipsters can reach the Criminal Investigations Department directly at 462-3913 or 462-3914, or submit anonymous information through the independent Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477). Police officials emphasized that all information provided will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality, and witnesses can choose to remain anonymous if they wish.

  • OECS Studying Cheaper Food Imports From Dominican Republic to Reduce Cost of Living, Browne Says

    OECS Studying Cheaper Food Imports From Dominican Republic to Reduce Cost of Living, Browne Says

    Against a backdrop of soaring regional living costs that have strained household budgets across small island nations, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is actively pursuing a policy shift that could bring much-needed relief to consumers: negotiating for cheaper food imports from the Dominican Republic. This initiative was publicly confirmed by Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who outlined the scope and goals of the exploratory talks in recent public remarks.

    For years, OECS member states have relied on a limited network of food trade partners, which has left the region vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, fluctuating shipping costs, and inflated pricing from traditional suppliers. The combination of post-pandemic economic aftershocks and global inflationary trends has pushed food prices sharply higher across the Eastern Caribbean, making basic groceries less accessible for low- and middle-income families and amplifying broader cost of living crises across the bloc.

    Against this challenging economic landscape, Browne explained that opening new trade channels with the Dominican Republic, a larger regional producer of a wide range of staple foods, creates a clear opportunity to cut down on import expenses. The Dominican Republic’s geographic proximity to the OECS bloc also reduces shipping distances and associated freight costs, creating additional savings that can be passed on to end consumers. Browne emphasized that bringing down food prices is a top policy priority for OECS leaders, as it directly addresses one of the most burdensome expenses facing households across the region.

    Currently, OECS trade and economic teams are conducting in-depth assessments of the proposal, evaluating everything from trade regulations and supply capacity to potential tariff adjustments that would enable the cheaper import scheme. The initiative reflects a broader push by regional leaders to diversify food import sources, enhance regional food security, and mitigate the impact of global economic volatility on small island economies. If negotiations progress successfully, the new trade arrangement could be implemented in the coming months, delivering tangible relief to consumers across OECS member countries.

  • Prescod proposes structured state support for young Barbadian writers

    Prescod proposes structured state support for young Barbadian writers

    Barbados’ cultural and literary community is pushing for systemic government intervention to address longstanding financial barriers that have stifled the growth of homegrown creative talent, with the country’s Minister of Pan-African Affairs and Heritage Trevor Prescod leading the call for direct public funding to compensate emerging young authors for their work.

    Prescod laid out his proposal during a recent public event marking the launch of *Meet Tommy*, the ninth published book from veteran Barbadian author Mario Herbert. In a direct address to local creators in attendance, the minister stressed that nurturing the island’s next generation of literary voices depends on more than just informal encouragement—it requires building structured financial pathways that allow writers to build sustainable, long-term careers from their craft.

    At the core of Prescod’s plan is a policy shift that would see state institutions, particularly public primary education bodies, formally procure creative works from local authors to integrate into school resources. This institutional demand would create a reliable, consistent income stream for writers, eliminating the uncertainty that has forced many local creatives to abandon their literary work to pursue more financially stable careers.

    “The ministry and the primary schools across this country must be able to say to Mario, ‘From this term, we want you to send books to the Ministry of Education or allocate them to the individual primary schools across Barbados. Send your invoices to the Ministry of Education,’” Prescod illustrated, framing the proposal as a small but transformative change to how public institutions approach procurement for the cultural sector. He emphasized that consistent state-backed demand would not only create immediate income for working writers but also secure long-term career viability for young people entering the literary field, adding, “We will not only talk about young people writing and selling this material within the primary school system, but we will make sure that you can continue on this journey for a long, long time.”

    The launch event, which also drew attendance from Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Adrian Forde, offered Herbert a platform to highlight the very struggles Prescod’s proposal seeks to solve. Even with nine published works to his name, Herbert detailed the steep challenges that face Barbadian authors at every stage of their careers, starting with extremely limited retail access for local titles.

    “Make no mistake, though; despite this joy, I have to say that being an author in Barbados is not easy,” Herbert shared. “Local bookstores don’t look at local authors. If not for the UWI (University of the West Indies) bookshop, most of us would have zero avenues for discovery, cultural impact, and preservation of heritage.”

    Herbert also opened up about the creative process behind *Meet Tommy*, his newest children’s book centered on an eight-year-old protagonist. He explained that crafting a compelling, relatable story for young readers required authors to step fully into the perspective of their characters: “As an author, you have to develop the art of becoming a character. That is the only way you are going to make their dramatic journey believable and relatable. Many of the things we take for granted as grown-ups are actually major problems for an eight-year-old, and I have to say that was an enjoyable sandbox to play in.”

    Despite the systemic barriers he faces, Herbert remains optimistic about his work, driven by the reward of seeing young readers connect with his physical books. He already has plans to expand the *Meet Tommy* series, following the title character through his journey from primary school to secondary education, continuing his contribution to Barbados’ growing literary heritage.

  • WISH Donates Mental Health Posters to Parham Primary School Through UNESCO-Supported Project

    WISH Donates Mental Health Posters to Parham Primary School Through UNESCO-Supported Project

    On June 26, 2026, children’s mental health nonprofit WISH marked a key milestone in its community outreach work, officially gifting a collection of custom “Be Kind to Your Mind” classroom posters to Parham Primary School. The donation is part of the organization’s long-running mission to normalize conversations around emotional health, encourage self-care practices, and expand mental health awareness among children and adolescent populations across local communities.

    The posters, developed as a core component of a WISH grant project backed by UNESCO, were presented to Parham Primary Principal Gayle Walter by WISH Founder Chaneil Imhoff. The handover ceremony took place alongside the official launch of a collaborative mural created by the Hopeful Hearts Foundation and WISH at the school campus, bringing together two community-focused mental health initiatives in one public event.

    Designed to be installed in classrooms and outdoor learning zones ahead of the new school year starting this September, the educational materials are tailored specifically to meet the developmental needs of young learners. Unlike generic mental health resources, the posters are crafted to help children build a foundational understanding of their own emotions, practice adaptive, healthy coping strategies for life’s stresses, and integrate positive, empathetic mental health vocabulary into their daily interactions at school.

    During her remarks at the handover event, Imhoff emphasized that early access to mental health tools is a critical public investment. She explained that building emotional literacy from a young age gives children lifelong skills to navigate life’s challenges, noting that many young people do not receive structured guidance around understanding and managing their feelings before they reach secondary school.

    “Children need to first understand that experiencing a full range of emotions is a completely normal part of being human,” Imhoff said. “But beyond that recognition, they need clear, accessible guidance on how to process those feelings in healthy, non-harmful ways. These posters are simple, age-appropriate reminders that hang in daily learning spaces, encouraging constant reflection on self-awareness, self-kindness, and intentional emotional regulation. If our goal is to build healthier, more empathetic communities for the future, we have to start by investing in the mental and emotional development of today’s children.”

    Imhoff also shared that the donation to Parham Primary carries deep personal meaning, revealing that the school has held a special place in her own life and her family’s multigenerational history, making this collaboration particularly meaningful for her as the founder of WISH.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Acquire Major Solar Energy Plant Within 24 Months, PM Says

    Antigua and Barbuda to Acquire Major Solar Energy Plant Within 24 Months, PM Says

    In a landmark announcement made during his weekly broadcast on Pointe FM this past Saturday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne laid out an ambitious new energy strategy for Antigua and Barbuda that places both decarbonization and broad public economic participation at its core. Over the coming 24 months, the government will move forward with the development of a utility-scale solar generation facility, projected to produce between 15 and 20 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, and open up future renewable energy projects to direct investment from ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans.

    The initiative marks a deliberate break from the nation’s past energy development model, which has historically concentrated ownership of electricity infrastructure among a small cohort of private companies. Browne stressed that the new framework is designed to democratize access to the growing renewable energy market, allowing everyday citizens to build wealth and share in the economic benefits of the clean energy transition, rather than limiting these gains to a small group of corporate stakeholders. “We want this to be a shared situation which will provide opportunity for Antiguans and Barbudans to invest in energy,” Browne told listeners, noting that the policy’s core goal is to diversify ownership across the country’s energy sector.

    Contrary to some potential interpretations, the prime minister clarified that the plan does not sidelined existing energy operators. Current market players, including the Antigua Public Utilities (APC) and major private groups such as Eagle and the Hadid Group, are fully welcome to participate in bidding for stakes in the new solar project and future renewable developments. Browne emphasized that the policy is not intended to displace existing operators, nor is it rooted in animosity toward any current market leaders. “I say this with no hostility towards Eagle or towards the Hadid group of companies,” he explained. “The members of the Hadid family and I get on pretty well. We haven’t had any issues, but I speak truth to power, and ultimately my responsibility is to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. No friendship, no interests supersede the interests of the people.” APC could even emerge as the single largest investor in the new solar plant depending on its available resources, Browne added.

    The new large-scale solar facility is positioned as a complementary addition to the government’s ongoing transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG), which Browne framed as a pragmatic mid-term transition fuel. As Antigua and Barbuda scales up its renewable energy generation capacity over time, LNG will serve as a lower-emission alternative to the diesel and heavy fuel oil that currently dominate the nation’s energy mix, delivering immediate reductions in both consumer electricity costs and national carbon output. Browne outlined that the broader energy transition strategy will deliver two core, interconnected benefits for residents: “a reduction in price compared to using diesel or heavy fuel, and similarly there’s going to be a reduction in our carbon footprint.” This dual approach aligns with the government’s long-term goal of cutting the nation’s reliance on imported fossil fuels while expanding and strengthening the country’s overall electricity infrastructure.

  • BDF deploys advance party to Venezuela

    BDF deploys advance party to Venezuela

    In a coordinated response to the recent humanitarian crisis triggered by seismic activity in Venezuela, an advance contingent of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) has entered the South American nation to lay the groundwork for a full-service field medical hospital. The mission marks a significant gesture of regional solidarity between Caribbean and Latin American nations in the wake of natural disaster. The deployment, which departed Barbados this past Friday, included not only the specialized advance military medical team but also the island nation’s ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas Clarke, alongside diplomatic representatives from the Venezuelan Embassy stationed in Barbados. Currently, the advance group is focused on completing critical early-stage tasks, including thorough on-site infrastructure evaluations and cross-agency coordination with Venezuelan local authorities. Full deployment of the complete field medical hospital unit remains on hold pending the completion of necessary formal administrative approvals from Venezuelan governing bodies. The operation, confirmed by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), underscores Barbados’ commitment to regional disaster response cooperation. The deployment of the mobile medical facility is expected to fill critical gaps in healthcare access for communities impacted by the earthquake, which often leave local medical systems overstretched or damaged in the aftermath of seismic events.

  • EU Threatens to End Visa-Free Access for Antigua and Barbuda and OECS by Year-End, PM Says

    EU Threatens to End Visa-Free Access for Antigua and Barbuda and OECS by Year-End, PM Says

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is facing a critical diplomatic challenge, after Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed the European Union has issued a warning that the country could forfeit its visa-free travel access to the Schengen Area by the end of 2024. The core of the EU’s objection centers on scrutiny of Antigua and Barbuda’s long-running Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, a policy that grants citizenship to foreign individuals in exchange for qualified economic investment in the country.

    Speaking during an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM over the weekend, Browne outlined that his administration is moving swiftly to ramp up high-level diplomatic outreach, with the explicit goal of arranging a direct meeting with EU officials to reverse the proposed policy change. “The European Union has threatened that they could withdraw their visa-free access, potentially by the end of the year,” Browne told listeners. “We don’t know for sure they will, but we’re trying to have a high-level engagement with them to see if we can actually reconsider their position.”

    The prime minister put forward a compromise proposal that he argues balances the EU’s stated security concerns with preserving the decades-long visa-free arrangement Antigua and Barbuda has enjoyed. Rather than eliminating visa-free access entirely, Browne said his government believes implementing an electronic travel authorization system would address European security needs while maintaining the current travel arrangement. “We have the view that an electronic travel authorization should be sufficient,” Browne said. “We think that it’s a sensible thing to do to maintain the good relations that we’ve had over the years and not to throw the baby out with the bath water.”

    Browne emphasized that the EU’s scrutiny is not isolated to Antigua and Barbuda, noting that other Eastern Caribbean states that run similar investment migration programmes are also facing the same threat of restricted travel access. He pointed to a recent precedent, where Ireland ended visa-free travel arrangements for a number of Caribbean nations, and acknowledged that even with intensive diplomatic work, a total discontinuation of Schengen visa-free access remains a possible outcome. “We can anticipate that, despite our best efforts, these visa-free arrangements may be discontinued,” he said.

    However, even if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, Browne made clear that the CBI Programme will remain a core part of the country’s economic strategy, describing it as an indispensable pillar of Antigua and Barbuda’s public finances. “What I will say here, under my leadership and certainly under the Labour Party’s governance of this country, with or without those visa-free arrangements, our CIP programme continues,” Browne stated. “It is too important a source of non-tax revenue to give it up.”

    Addressing questions about the integrity of the country’s CBI Programme, Browne pushed back against criticism, arguing that while no global immigration system can claim to be 100 percent free from abuse, Antigua and Barbuda’s due diligence processes are on par with, and in many cases stronger than, those used by much larger developed nations. “We are pretty sure that we have strengthened our programme and that it does not represent any significant risk to any country,” he said. “Nothing is foolproof… I believe that our programmes are better run than theirs.”

    Browne also rejected the widespread claim that Caribbean investment migration programmes represent a unique global security risk, pointing out that many of the same European countries that criticize the region’s programmes operate their own investment-based immigration pathways for foreign nationals. “I can say definitively in the case of Antigua and Barbuda, our programme is run with integrity,” he said. “I’ve never once overturned any case that was actually rejected by the CI Unit. We have allowed the unit and the board to operate independently.”

    He added that Antigua and Barbuda’s small geographic size and close-knit population actually makes it far harder for individuals with criminal intent to hide within the country, compared to larger nations. “If anything, our CIP programmes are helping these larger countries to unearth the criminals,” Browne said. He also noted that legitimate high-net-worth individuals seeking to travel to Europe are already able to secure direct visas from European nations regardless of their Caribbean citizenship status.

    The prime minister also called out what he described as a clear double standard in how the international community treats Caribbean CBI Programmes, arguing that the region is unfairly tarred with a broad brush when any concerns about investment migration arise. “The unfortunate thing about it is that they keep dubbing us with the same brush,” he said.

    Looking forward, Browne reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to strengthening international security cooperation, saying the country is willing to introduce additional targeted safeguards to address EU concerns. These proposed measures include mandatory biometric screening for all CBI applicants and expanded information sharing agreements with foreign governments. “If we can collaborate and make sure that we have the biometric exam for these CIP citizens and that we can share information, if anything, it will help them to unearth these criminals,” he added.

  • UWI Seismic Research Centre urges preparedness after major Venezuela Earthquakes

    UWI Seismic Research Centre urges preparedness after major Venezuela Earthquakes

    Recent back-to-back major earthquakes near Venezuela, paired with a separate seismic event between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, have sparked widespread public concern across the Caribbean. Leading regional seismic monitoring body, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) — tasked with tracking earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis across the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean — has released a detailed technical analysis to address growing public questions about the seismic activity.

    According to UWI-SRC Director Dr. Erouscilla P. Joseph, the large energy released by Venezuela’s magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 earthquakes has altered stress across the entire Caribbean Plate, which has coincided with a small uptick in regional seismic events recorded by the centre. While all seismic activity in the area falls within the broad Caribbean-South American plate boundary, Dr. Joseph emphasized that the Venezuela quakes and the separate Grenada-Trinidad and Tobago event stem from distinct tectonic processes. As of current assessments, there is no evidence linking all three events to a single shared fault system. Though large quakes can shift stress in surrounding regions, she noted, establishing a direct causal link between separate seismic events remains extremely challenging.

    Dr. Joseph contextualized the size of the Venezuela earthquakes: a magnitude 7.5 event qualifies as a major quake with regional significance, but tremors of this scale occur somewhere across the globe nearly every year. While the 2025 Venezuela event ranks among the larger quakes recorded worldwide this year, it does not fall among the most powerful seismic events of the past decade. What makes this sequence unusual, she explained, is its location near heavily populated areas and the extremely close timing of the two major quakes: the magnitude 7.2 tremor was followed just 39 seconds later by the 7.5 event. This pattern is rare, she noted, but not unprecedented — it points to a complex rupture process involving multiple fault segments that released massive amounts of stress over just one minute. Preliminary mapping confirms the quakes occurred within the active Caribbean-South American plate boundary, home to major fault systems including the El Pilar–San Sebastián fault and its associated offshore structures. Detailed investigations are still ongoing to pinpoint the exact fault segment responsible for the rupture.

    In addressing public anxiety about increased major earthquake risk for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Joseph confirmed that aftershocks are expected near the original Venezuela quake zone, and some of these aftershocks may be felt in parts of Trinidad and Tobago. However, she stressed that there is currently no data to support an elevated risk of a major local quake directly triggered by the Venezuela events. “The public should not be alarmed, but they should be prepared,” Dr. Joseph said, noting that all Caribbean nations sit in a geologically active seismic zone, and major events like this serve as a critical reminder of the need for ongoing readiness.

    Shortly after the earthquakes, a regional tsunami warning was issued, but it was quickly canceled after specialists analyzed data from coastal monitoring stations and deep-ocean tsunami detection systems. Assessments found no evidence of a significant tsunami forming, with forecasted wave heights remaining far below dangerous thresholds.

    Currently, UWI-SRC researchers are conducting a full post-event analysis, examining the quake’s source characteristics, rupture sequence, aftershock distribution, ground shaking patterns, and potential seafloor displacement. Data from regional seismic stations, GPS networks and sea-level sensors is being integrated to refine future regional seismic hazard assessments.

    Dr. Joseph also outlined what a similar magnitude earthquake near Trinidad and Tobago would mean: the level of damage would depend on multiple factors, including the quake’s depth, distance from population centers, local soil conditions, and the resilience of local infrastructure. Older buildings constructed without modern seismic engineering standards face far higher risk of damage than newer, code-compliant structures, and a strong local quake could disrupt critical services including power, water and transportation networks. For this reason, Dr. Joseph emphasized, continuous investment in updated building codes and public preparedness remains a priority for the region.

    Responding to viral social media videos showing people running outdoors during the Venezuela quake’s intense shaking, Dr. Joseph noted that flight instinct is natural during a terrifying event, but moving while the ground is shaking greatly increases the risk of injury from falling debris, broken glass or collapsing building parts. The internationally recommended safety protocol, she reminded the public, is to Drop, Cover and Hold On until shaking stops. Once the ground stabilizes, people can calmly evacuate to open, safe areas away from damaged structures if necessary.

    UWI-SRC is urging all members of the public across the Eastern Caribbean to use this event as an opportunity to update their emergency preparedness: this includes learning and practicing earthquake safety protocols, identifying safe spots in homes and workplaces, securing heavy furniture and appliances that could topple, assembling emergency supply kits, and reviewing family evacuation and communication plans.

    “It is natural to feel concerned when a major earthquake affects a neighboring country with which we share such close ties,” Dr. Joseph said. “The SRC remains fully committed to monitoring seismic activity across the region and delivering timely, accurate information to help individuals, communities and governments make informed decisions.”

    She added, “This earthquake is a reminder that while we cannot prevent earthquakes, we can drastically reduce their impacts through preparedness. The goal is not to live in fear, but to be ready.”

    UWI-SRC maintains continuous 24/7 monitoring of seismic activity across the Eastern Caribbean, and publishes real-time updates via its official website and social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). The centre encourages all residents to follow these official channels for accurate information and to update their preparedness plans in light of the recent event.

  • PM Browne Says LNG Dispute With U.S Firm Resolved, First Ship Expected Within 30 Days

    PM Browne Says LNG Dispute With U.S Firm Resolved, First Ship Expected Within 30 Days

    After weeks of tense negotiations and high-stakes disagreements between the Antigua and Barbuda government and private contractors on the country’s landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure project, a last-minute compromise has cleared the path for the first cargo of LNG to arrive on national shores within one month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. Speaking in an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM over the weekend, Browne broke down the origins of the conflict, which traced back to unforeseen complications during critical dredging work required to widen and deepen shipping channels to accommodate large LNG tankers. Initial geotechnical surveys had incorrectly characterized the seabed as composed entirely of sand, but crews encountered large formations of solid, extremely dense rock that drastically slowed progress. The government first deployed its domestic dredging firm Blue Ocean to complete the work, but when the company was unable to overcome the geological obstacles, international contractor Dutch Dredging was brought in – and still faced persistent challenges that extended the project timeline far beyond initial projections.