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New Zealand climate-smart agriculture team advances resilience efforts in Dominica

A high-level technical mission focused on advancing climate-resilient, low-emission farming has wrapped up successfully in Dominica, bringing five days of collaborative work between New Zealand’s Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative and local agricultural stakeholders to a close. Running from June 22 to 26, 2026, the mission was led by Programme Manager Lee Nelson and senior Project Consultant Dr. Julian Hill, operating under the formal project banner *Advancing Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in Dominica to Increase Production and Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions*.

This partnership represents a coordinated global effort to cut agricultural greenhouse gas output, and is being executed locally by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on behalf of Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy. Funding comes from the government of New Zealand through its regional Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative (NZCSA-LAC), which contributes to New Zealand’s commitments to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), with administrative oversight handled by the Ag Emissions Centre.

Per an official statement released by IICA, the visiting delegation held high-level strategic meetings with two key stakeholders: Ryan Anselm, Permanent Secretary of Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, and Her Excellency Linda Te Puni, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). During these talks, participants reviewed finalized project findings, assessed completed deliverables, and mapped out a clear roadmap for upcoming project activities.

Permanent Secretary Anselm expressed full backing for all evidence-based recommendations laid out in the project’s final report, and reaffirmed the Dominican government’s long-term commitment to embedding climate-smart agriculture into core national policy frameworks. This includes the country’s landmark Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan and its overarching National Resilience Development Strategy.

Beyond high-level policy discussions, the mission centered heavily on capacity building for local agricultural actors, with three targeted national workshops delivered over the course of the week. The first of these, a Train-the-Trainer session focused on Land Use and Watershed Management held June 23, covered critical practical topics including soil erosion control, protection of riparian buffer zones, slope stabilization, integration of agroforestry systems, and spatial planning for expanding livestock production without harming local forest ecosystems. Attendees included representatives from Dominica’s Physical Planning department, regional agricultural extension team leaders, and faculty and students from Dominica State College.

The next day, June 24, was dedicated to direct engagement with working farmers from across Dominica’s diverse agricultural regions. This interactive session opened space for dialogue on accessible, on-farm sustainable practices such as organic mulching, contour planting to reduce runoff, active soil cover management, optimized timing for fertilizer application, and evidence-based improvements to livestock health management.

A second Train-the-Trainer workshop, focused on sustainable Agricultural Production Systems, followed on June 25. This session delved into advanced practices including split nitrogen fertilizer application to reduce runoff and emissions, on-farm manure composting to cut waste and improve soil health, improved forage production systems for livestock, protected cropping to boost yield and reduce climate risk, precision irrigation monitoring, and farm-level record-keeping protocols for accurate measurement, reporting, and verification of emissions and productivity gains.

As part of their field visit, the delegation also toured the state-of-the-art Dominica-China Agricultural Science Complex located at the North Agriculture Station in Portsmouth. This cutting-edge facility houses a high-capacity tissue culture laboratory that can produce and hold up to 500,000 disease-free plant seedlings, a dedicated seed storage and national seed bank, a climate-controlled smart greenhouse, controlled plant propagation zones, hydroponic demonstration systems, and active research test plots. As Dominica’s largest centralized seedling production hub, it also functions as a key technology exchange hub and demonstration facility, offering hands-on farmer training in modern seedling propagation and controlled greenhouse cultivation techniques.

To expand public outreach for the initiative, mission leaders Lee Nelson, Dr. Julian Hill, and Dr. Al-Mario Casimir, the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture’s project focal point, appeared on a national radio program during the visit. The segment allowed the team to share key project outcomes and explain the long-term benefits of climate-smart agriculture to the general public across the country.

This five-day mission marks the official completion of the project’s core technical assessment and planning phase. Looking ahead, IICA confirmed that the next phase of the project will prioritize scaling up local capacity through ongoing in-country train-the-trainer programs. These programs will equip agricultural extension officers and local farmer leaders with the skills and resources needed to roll out climate-smart farming practices across every agricultural region of Dominica, laying the groundwork for long-term agricultural resilience and lower national greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.

9 7 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda Among CARICOM’s Least Air-Polluted Countries

New 2023 population-weighted data collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study, run by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, has mapped fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution levels across 14 member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), revealing clear geographic patterns in air quality that hold more weight than national income levels.

PM2.5, a category of tiny airborne pollutants small enough to penetrate deep into human lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, poses well-documented long-term risks to cardiovascular and respiratory health. The latest analysis places the entire CARICOM region in the low-to-middle tier of global air pollution rankings, with 2023 average annual exposure levels ranging from 5.3 micrograms per cubic meter in The Bahamas to 21.7 micrograms per cubic meter in Jamaica.

Small island nations surrounded entirely by open ocean recorded the cleanest air in the bloc. Beyond The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda posted an average PM2.5 concentration of 8.4 micrograms per cubic meter, while Saint Kitts and Nevis came in at 8.9 micrograms. Experts attribute these low readings to consistent regional trade winds, which efficiently disperse accumulated particulates out into the open ocean before they can build up to dangerous levels.

In contrast, the highest pollution levels are concentrated among CARICOM’s larger landmass and mainland economies. Guyana recorded an average of 16.9 micrograms per cubic meter, followed closely by Belize at 16.8 micrograms and Suriname at 15.7 micrograms. Local human activities drive these higher readings: regular agricultural burning, deforestation for land clearing, and growing industrial activity all add significant volumes of PM2.5 to the regional atmosphere. Most other CARICOM member states included in the study fall somewhere between these two extremes.

When compared to global pollution benchmarks, the CARICOM region’s readings count as moderate. The world’s most polluted nations report annual average PM2.5 levels that exceed 60 micrograms per cubic meter, far above the highest reading recorded in Jamaica. Even so, the analysis confirms a critical public health gap: every single CARICOM member state exceeds the World Health Organization’s strict recommended maximum guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter, meaning all regional populations face at least some elevated long-term health risk from poor air quality.

9 7 月, 2026
Billiard Kings Complete Semifinal Sweep to Secure NPPA Third-Place Trophy

On a tense Wednesday night of postseason pool action, the Billiard Kings delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over Cue Action, closing out a flawless three-match semifinal sweep and claiming the third-place honors at the 2026 National Pool Players Association (NPPA) Team Tournament. The three-game series unfolded as a study in contrasting narratives, marked by dramatic momentum shifts and standout individual performances that highlighted the intensity of elite competitive pool.

The opening clash of the series kept spectators on the edge of their seats, as Cue Action mounted a fierce late comeback from an early deficit and advanced to match point before ultimately falling by a narrow 5-4 margin in a decisive final rack. The following night, the Billiard Kings shifted into high gear, shutting out their opponents completely with a dominant 5-0 win that left Cue Action facing an almost impossible uphill battle to force a fourth match.

When the third and final match got underway, Cue Action appeared primed to mount the comeback they needed. Captain Wendy got his side on the scoreboard first, taking down the Billiard Kings’ Demolition Man in straight racks to draw first blood and spark early optimism among Cue Action’s camp. That momentum built further when Willy pulled out a tight 2-1 win over the Kings’ Marshall: after Marshall claimed the opening rack, Willy responded with back-to-back wins to push Cue Action to a 2-0 lead early in the contest.

From that point onward, however, the Billiard Kings seized full control of the table and never let go. The Kings’ Sniper kicked off their comeback with a calm, collected straight-rack victory over Randy, cutting Cue Action’s lead in half, before Killa extended the momentum by defeating Esmil 2-1 — marking the second straight night Killa had outperformed his opponent. Next, Henry secured the Billiard Kings’ first lead of the evening, outlasting Pachy 2-1 in another hard-fought battle that shifted the series firmly in the Kings’ favor.

One of the most compelling storylines of the night was the breakout performance of Grim, who has turned into one of the Billiard Kings’ most impactful postseason players after a winless regular season. Facing Cue Action’s import Alfredo, Grim dropped the opening rack before rallying for back-to-back wins to secure the point, putting the Kings one victory away from clinching the series. This win cemented Grim’s status as one of the most surprising and impressive turnaround stories of the entire tournament.

With the Kings holding a 4-2 lead and the finish line within reach, Jason Roberts stepped up to the table to close out the series. He delivered exactly when it mattered, defeating Cigarro in straight racks to lock in the decisive fifth point and seal the 5-2 match win. The final outcome wraps up a 3-0 clean sweep of the semifinal series for the Billiard Kings, capping off a standout postseason run that has cemented their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in the competition. After surviving a nail-biting opening match, dominating the second encounter, and closing out the series with confidence on Wednesday night, the Billiard Kings depart the 2026 NPPA Team Tournament with the third-place trophy and a massive wave of momentum heading into future competitions.

9 7 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda Urges United Regional Response to Modern Security Threats

Against a backdrop of rapidly evolving, border-defying security risks across the Western Hemisphere, Antigua and Barbuda has issued a urgent call for deepened collaborative action among all nations of the Americas, arguing that coordinated regional partnership is the only effective response to modern security challenges that no single country can address alone. The appeal came from Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, who represented the twin-island nation at the 17th Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas, held this year in Cusco, Peru. The high-level gathering brings together defense and security leaders from across the region to assess strategies for bolstering collective stability and addressing shared threats.

In his address to fellow delegates, Greene framed the conference as a critical platform for hemispheric nations to strengthen open dialogue, forge durable cross-border partnerships, and design aligned, coordinated frameworks to tackle the security concerns that touch every country in the region. He emphasized that regardless of vast differences in geography, population size, and military capabilities, all nations share three non-negotiable core obligations: protecting their citizens, upholding foundational democratic principles, and preserving regional and domestic peace.

Greene pointed out that the global security landscape has shifted dramatically in recent decades, with contemporary threats expanding far beyond the traditional military conflicts that once defined national defense agendas. Today, interconnected threats including transnational organized crime, cyberattacks and cyber-enabled criminal activity, illicit cross-border financial networks, and coordinated efforts to undermine democratic institutions have created a complex risk landscape that demands equally interconnected, coordinated responses.

“The security challenges confronting the Americas no longer fit neatly within national borders or traditional definitions of defence,” Greene told attendees. “Only through intentional, sustained regional cooperation can we effectively mitigate these risks and protect our populations.”

Speaking from the unique perspective of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Greene shared Antigua and Barbuda’s core position that long-term security and sustainable development are inextricably linked. For small island nations like his, national prosperity depends entirely on four key pillars: secure open maritime corridors for trade and transportation, reliable cross-border air travel links, resilient digital infrastructure that can withstand disruption, and robust, trusting partnerships with neighboring countries. Any disruption to these systems, he warned, generates ripple effects that spread far beyond the borders of the affected nation, destabilizing entire regions.

Greene went on to highlight the ongoing, devastating impact of transnational organized crime on the Caribbean region specifically. Criminal networks, he explained, routinely exploit the Caribbean’s vast expanses of maritime territory to traffic narcotics, illegal firearms, human beings, and illicitly gained financial assets. These criminal activities do not merely generate violence; they erode the foundations of public institutions, undermine the rule of law, and threaten years of progress in economic and social development across the entire Caribbean basin.

While Greene acknowledged that the Caribbean has not faced large-scale terrorist attacks on the scale seen in other regions of the world, he urged leaders against complacency. Governments across the hemisphere, he stressed, must maintain constant vigilance against emerging, fast-evolving risks, including violent extremism, cyber-facilitated radicalization, unregulated illicit financial activity, and the misuse of emerging digital technologies for criminal purposes.

In closing, Greene reiterated that no nation—no matter how large its military budget, how advanced its defense capabilities, or how extensive its resources—can successfully confront the full scope of 21st-century security challenges in isolation. Stronger cross-border partnerships, sustained collaborative policy, and coordinated collective action, he concluded, remain the only path to upholding lasting peace, security, and stability for all nations across the Americas.

9 7 月, 2026
Wanted man held, assisting police investigations

After a period of being at large, a man linked to severe criminal activity has been apprehended by law enforcement in Barbados, closing a key chapter in an ongoing investigation. Ian Alleyne Farrell, who went by multiple aliases including Cheese, Tallman, and Mafia, and was a resident of Apartment 1 at 156 Regency Park in Christ Church, was recently taken into police custody.

Authorities confirmed that Farrell is currently cooperating with investigating officers as they work to unpack details related to the serious criminal allegations that first put him on the wanted list. The Barbados Police Service has issued a public statement extending its gratitude to community members who shared information and supported the manhunt effort.

Law enforcement officials emphasize that public collaboration remains a critical asset in helping police resolve cases and bring individuals wanted in connection with criminal activity into custody, highlighting the successful outcome of this case as an example of that partnership in action.

9 7 月, 2026
“No Small State is Safe”: Experts at UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Forum caution Cuba’s Crisis Tests Caribbean Solidarity

At the recent University of the West Indies (UWI) Vice-Chancellor’s Forum, leading regional analysts delivered a stark warning that the ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Cuba has emerged as a defining test of collective solidarity across the Caribbean bloc. The gathering, which brought together academic experts, diplomatic representatives, and policy leaders from across the region, centered on what many attendees framed as an urgent wake-up call for Caribbean nations to confront the reality that instability in one small island state can send ripple effects across the entire region.

Panelists emphasized that Cuba, long a core member of the Caribbean community, has been grappling with a cascading set of challenges in recent years, including harsh long-term international sanctions, persistent supply chain disruptions, crippling food and fuel shortages, and a sharp decline in critical foreign exchange reserves. These pressures have not only strained the daily lives of ordinary Cuban citizens but have also sparked growing regional concerns over potential spillover impacts, from increased irregular migration flows to broader economic instability that could touch even the smallest Caribbean nations.

In a keynote address that resonated across the forum, one senior expert opened with the provocative assertion that “no small state in this region is truly safe if we allow a fellow Caribbean nation to face crisis alone.” The remark underscored a core argument advanced by many presenters: the principle of Caribbean solidarity, which has been a cornerstone of regional integration efforts for decades, is being pushed to its breaking point by the depth of Cuba’s current struggles.

Many panelists also pushed back against narratives that frame Cuba’s crisis as an isolated issue disconnected from the rest of the region. They argued that geographic proximity, shared economic vulnerabilities, and common historical experiences mean that a major crisis in any Caribbean nation inevitably becomes a regional challenge. For example, disruptions to regional trade routes, growing pressure on border management systems, and the impact of declining tourism confidence across the Caribbean are all potential spillover effects that regional leaders have not yet adequately prepared for, according to forum participants.

The experts called on regional governing bodies, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to ramp up coordinated efforts to support Cuba, both through direct humanitarian assistance and through intensified diplomatic advocacy to push for the lifting of long-standing international sanctions that have exacerbated the country’s economic woes. They also urged larger global powers and international financial institutions to recognize the unique vulnerability of small island developing states like Cuba, and to provide targeted debt relief and development support to help the country stabilize its economy.

Attendees left the forum with a shared consensus that the coming months will be a critical period for demonstrating regional unity. If Caribbean nations fail to come together to support Cuba through its current crisis, experts warned, the precedent set could undermine collective trust and solidarity across the region for generations, leaving every small Caribbean state more vulnerable to future shocks that could threaten their own stability and prosperity.

9 7 月, 2026
UPP’s Cabral Douglas calls on Dominicans to check in on family and friends following tragic death

The small community of Dominica is grappling with an unexpected tragedy that has prompted a leading political party to issue a heartfelt reminder about the importance of mental and emotional support for those around us. On July 5, 2026, the lifeless body of 35-year-old Maradona Melvon Bruno, a resident of Savanne Paille, was found inside his home located in the Lagoon neighborhood of Portsmouth.

In the wake of this devastating loss, the United Progressive Party (UPP) has publicly extended its deepest condolences to Bruno’s family, friends and loved ones. Speaking in an official statement on the party’s behalf, UPP International Secretary Cabral Douglas shared his sympathy for all those impacted by the passing, while urging Dominican communities across the country to turn this tragedy into a catalyst for greater care and connection.

In a moving address, Douglas emphasized, “I would like to extend a special gesture of solidarity to his family, his daughters, and his parents. We want you to know that you carry the full support of this community and the Dominican people. This moment should also be a chance for all of us to reflect on what it means to show up for the people around us.”

Douglas went on to note that small acts of kindness can carry enormous weight for people fighting internal battles. “Sometimes somebody needs a hug, sometimes somebody needs a quick phone call, and sometimes all they need is just a simple acknowledgement that they exist to feel loved, a sense of belonging, and respect,” he explained.

Remembering Bruno, Douglas described him as a young, ambitious and talented individual who still had his entire life ahead of him. He added that the tragedy has exposed a quiet truth many people overlook: even as Bruno interacted with his community daily, he was quietly struggling with deep loneliness.

“You can look at a man’s face, but you can never see what lives in his heart,” Douglas said of the painful loss. He framed the incident as a critical “wake-up call” for people across the country to prioritize checking in with the people in their lives, rather than assuming everything is fine based on outward appearances.

“Sometimes all it takes is reaching out and asking: Is everything alright? How are you really doing today? Can I help you with anything?” he said. “Deep feelings of negativity, insecurity and inner pain can fade when people have a strong support network to lean on. What many people don’t realize is that those struggling don’t always cry out for help — it can be anyone, even the person who seems fine on the surface.”

Douglas closed his statement by reinforcing that this tragedy serves as a universal reminder: anyone can be fighting inner battles, even when there are no obvious outward signs of struggle. He encouraged all members of the public to carve out time to check in on family members, friends, and neighbors in their local communities.

9 7 月, 2026
‘We Will Survive’: Pierre responds to EU’s visa-free travel warning

The 51st Heads of Government Meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) concluded without any formal discussion of regional Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, despite escalating tensions over a recent ultimatum from the European Commission targeting one of the bloc’s member states. The European Union’s executive arm recently issued a mandatory order to Antigua and Barbuda, demanding the Caribbean nation terminate its CBI initiative by June 2028. The Commission made clear that even if the program meets all proposed governance and security standards, the country will still face the consequence of losing visa-free access to the entire Schengen Area if it fails to comply.

When pressed by journalists to address the EU’s stance on the sidelines of the summit, CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre confirmed that CBI never appeared on the official meeting agenda. He explained that the decision to exclude the issue from plenary discussions stemmed from the fact that CBI programs are not operated by every CARICOM member state. Only five Caribbean nations currently run CBI schemes: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis. Instead of bringing the topic to a full regional debate, these five countries have already formed a working group to coordinate their response to the concerns raised by the European Commission, Pierre said.

As part of that coordinated effort, the CBI-operating states have worked diligently to align their programs with international best practices, and have fulfilled every compliance requirement requested by the EU to date, Pierre emphasized. However, he also offered a pragmatic assessment of the region’s position, acknowledging that Caribbean nations have limited leverage if the EU chooses to revise its immigration and visa policies unilaterally. “Regardless of what we do, if Europe does not want us to have a CIP programme, that’s what is going to happen. Each country has its own domestic policies,” he told reporters.

Despite the uncertain outlook, Pierre struck a resolute tone, highlighting the Caribbean region’s long history of overcoming external economic and political shocks. He drew a parallel between the current CBI dispute and earlier challenges, when the Caribbean lost decades of preferential trade treatment for its banana and sugar exports on the European market. “We’ve been there before. We took all the steps as far as our bananas were concerned, and we still lost [preferential] treatment for our bananas… We’ve gone there before, and we’ve always survived. I’m sure we will continue to survive,” Pierre said. His remarks frame the current standoff as just the latest test of regional resilience, rather than an insurmountable crisis for the Caribbean’s CBI industry.

9 7 月, 2026
Education Ministry Launches 2026 School Uniform Grant Programme

A new initiative aimed at removing financial barriers to equitable education access has been officially announced by Antigua’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Set to roll out for the 2026 academic year, the 2026 School Uniform Grant Programme will deliver targeted financial support to qualifying households struggling to cover the cost of mandatory school uniforms for their children.

The application window for the grant program is scheduled to open on July 13, 2026, and will remain open through a seven-week period ending on August 28 of the same year. All interested eligible applicants must submit their completed applications in person at the Antigua Multipurpose Center before the final deadline passes, with no late submissions expected to be accepted.

In a formal statement accompanying the program announcement, ministry officials outlined the dual core goals driving the initiative. First, the program is designed to guarantee that every student across the nation can step into the new academic year with the required basic materials and proper attire. Second, it seeks to ease the growing financial strain that uniform costs place on low- and middle-income households ahead of each back-to-school season.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to begin the school year with confidence,” the ministry’s statement read. “This initiative reflects our continued commitment to supporting families while investing in the education and future of our nation’s children.”

Program administrators have reiterated that all eligible applicants should prioritize submitting their applications well in advance of the August 28 closing date to avoid any last-minute processing delays. For additional questions about eligibility requirements, required documentation, or application procedures, community members can contact program staff directly at 727-2427.

9 7 月, 2026
Independent lawmaker urges wider insurers’ investment portfolio

As Caribbean nations enter another Atlantic hurricane season, an independent Barbadian senator is pushing the island’s government to expand ongoing financial sector reforms to address unaddressed risk concentration in the domestic insurance industry. Independent Senator Andrew Mallalieu, a seasoned real estate executive, made the case for liberalizing foreign investment rules for local insurance carriers during Wednesday’s parliamentary debate on the Protection of Depositors Bill, arguing that current restrictions leave the entire country vulnerable to systemic climate-related financial shocks.

Mallalieu stressed that the core principle of risk diversification, which is explicitly embedded in the new depositor protection legislation, should be extended to the insurance sector to strengthen the country’s overall financial stability. While he voiced appreciation for the Senate’s collective prayers for Barbados to avoid devastating hurricane impacts this year, he emphasized that spiritual preparedness must be paired with pragmatic policy changes to reinforce the island’s economic resilience against extreme weather.

The senator highlighted a critical, overlooked mismatch in the current regulatory framework: Barbadian insurance companies that underwrite hurricane coverage for local properties are currently restricted from diversifying their investment holdings outside the island. This means their investment portfolios are concentrated entirely in domestic assets that would lose value in the same catastrophic hurricane event they are contracted to cover. If a major storm devastates the island, insurers would face simultaneous collapse in asset values and a surge in payout claims, creating a systemic risk that could destabilize the entire financial sector.

Mallalieu pointed out that domestic insurers already follow a risk-spreading model for underwriting, ceding roughly 90 percent of their coverage risk to overseas reinsurance companies to avoid overexposure to local disasters. He argued that the same logic should apply to investment portfolios, calling on regulators to give insurance carriers far greater flexibility to invest premium dollars in offshore assets that are not correlated to local climate or economic shocks.

Drawing a direct parallel to the Protection of Depositors Bill, Mallalieu noted the legislation is designed to separate insured deposits from avoidable institutional risk, a consumer protection principle that equally applies to insurance policyholders. He illustrated the risk of inaction with a simple example: an insurer that underwrites a home in the parish of St George cannot reliably back that policy with another domestic property asset in St Philip, because a single major hurricane would damage all local real estate assets across the island at once.

Closing his remarks, Mallalieu urged policymakers to frame the Protection of Depositors Bill as an opening for broader, system-wide financial reform rather than a standalone piece of legislation. “I’m encouraging us to look broadly, see the greatness of this bill and extend it to insurance companies and all forms of insurance,” he said, framing the reform as a critical step to protect both consumers and the broader Barbadian economy from avoidable climate-related financial risk.

9 7 月, 2026