Carib Scope

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  • Barbados Tridents secure major boost with five overseas signings

    Barbados Tridents secure major boost with five overseas signings

    The Barbados Tridents have officially announced their five confirmed overseas recruits for the upcoming 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), headlined by destructive South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock. The star-studded international cohort also includes South African all-rounder George Linde, Australian duo Chris Green and Daniel Sams, and world-renowned Afghan spin wizard Mujeeb ur Rahman.

    Widely regarded as one of the most explosive top-order batsmen in limited-overs cricket globally, de Kock brings a proven track record of quick starts and high-impact innings that immediately strengthens the Tridents’ opening position. His ability to take apart bowling attacks from the first over makes him a game-changing addition to the franchise’s batting lineup.

    Joining de Kock from South Africa is left-arm spin all-rounder George Linde, who adds valuable variety to the Tridents’ bowling attack while also contributing reliable lower-order batting. His dual skill set gives team management greater tactical flexibility when setting up the side for different match conditions.

    The two Australian imports each bring a mix of experience and utility to the table. Chris Green, who returns to the Trident side, is no stranger to the CPL, and he has built a reputation as one of the tournament’s most consistent and dependable off-spinners. Fellow Australian Daniel Sams is also making his way back to the Barbados franchise, bringing left-arm fast bowling expertise for death-over scenarios, plus the ability to finish tight chases with aggressive batting down the order. His contributions with both bat and ball make him a flexible option for middle-overs and closing stages of matches.

    Rounding out the group is Mujeeb ur Rahman, the Afghan spin specialist who returns to the Tridents after featuring in the side’s 2022 CPL run that ended with a spot in the tournament final. Famous for his unreadable variations and exceptional economy across all phases of an innings, Mujeeb is one of the most sought-after T20 spinners in global franchise cricket. He also boosts the squad’s depth with handy lower-order hitting, adding another layer of utility to the roster.

    The five international players will join a core group of talented West Indian domestic players led by Gudakesh Motie, Brandon King and Sherfane Rutherford. Combined, the group creates a well-balanced squad with strength across batting, spin bowling and fast bowling, as the Barbados side looks to reclaim past titles under its reinstated Tridents branding. This year’s CPL final is scheduled to be held at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval on September 20.

  • “Careful planning” increasing Guyana’s international sport profile

    “Careful planning” increasing Guyana’s international sport profile

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana – July 9, 2026 – As Guyana prepares to welcome three back-to-back major international sporting events this weekend, the South American nation has received a transformative investment in grassroots cricket that underscores its growing reputation as a competitive regional sports hub.

    On Thursday, at the youth-focused “The WI Experience at Courts” event held on Main Street in Georgetown, local retail giant COURTS (Unicomer Guyana Inc.) pledged GY$850,000 in total support to the 124-year-old Malteenoes Sports Club Cricket Academy. The donation includes a GY$500,000 cash grant alongside GY$350,000 worth of professional cricket equipment – ranging from match-grade bats and batting pads to helmets, balls and wicket stumps – to outfit the academy’s rising young players for training and competition.

    The event, a collaborative initiative between Courts, Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Guyana’s Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, was staged just two days ahead of the West Indies’ opening One-Day International against New Zealand at Providence’s Guyana National Stadium, part of a five-match series that will see Guyana host the first three matches on July 11, 13 and 16. It gave 20 selected young Guyanese cricket fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to interact informally with four current West Indies squad members, celebrating Caribbean cricket heritage and connecting the next generation of players to their sporting idols.

    Speaking at the event, Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport at Guyana’s Ministry of Sport, framed the growing flow of investments and upcoming packed calendar of international events as the intentional outcome of the government’s long-term sports development strategy. “This is not by chance. It has happened because of careful planning by the government,” Ninvalle said, pointing to this weekend’s stacked schedule that combines the West Indies-New Zealand ODI series with the motor racing GT Challenge and a FIBA international basketball tournament.

    Ninvalle highlighted the government’s recent investments in upgraded sports infrastructure, including the fully resurfaced South Dakota Circuit motorsports venue, as evidence of the country’s progress. Multiple refurbished, world-class facilities now position Guyana to attract large-scale international tournaments that would have been out of reach just years ago, he added. “It says that we are moving in the right direction as it relates to sport.”

    To continue this upward trajectory, Ninvalle called for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting that government investment alone cannot unlock the nation’s full sporting potential. “We need to have private support also in order to get us to our full potential,” he emphasized.

    Gillian Matthews, Managing Director of Unicomer Guyana Inc., echoed that commitment to collaborative development, framing the company’s investment as more than a surface-level sponsorship. “At Unicomer Guyana and Courts, we believe that being a good corporate citizen means more than sponsoring a jersey or a scoreboard. It means investing in the people — and especially the young people — who make this sport, and this country, what it is. That’s why our partnership with Cricket West Indies means so much to us,” Matthews said in an official press statement.

    Dario Barthley, Events Manager for Cricket West Indies, expressed gratitude for Courts’ consistent, tangible support for cricket across the Caribbean, not just in Guyana. Following the formal ceremony, young academy players had the opportunity to take photos and meet one-on-one with the visiting West Indies players, capping a day of celebration for local cricket.

    As Guyana’s cricket fever builds ahead of this weekend’s first ODI, the donation to the historic Malteenoes academy secures long-term value beyond the current international tournament, nurturing the next generation of Guyanese and West Indian cricket talent. Courts, Guyana’s leading retailer of furniture, appliances and electronics and a member of the Unicomer Group, says it will continue prioritizing youth sports development through its ongoing community outreach initiatives across the country.

  • What Will an Audit Stretched Back to 2015 Reveal of the UDP?

    What Will an Audit Stretched Back to 2015 Reveal of the UDP?

    In a significant announcement that expands the scope of ongoing corruption investigations into Belize’s defence sector, Prime Minister John Briceño has confirmed that a planned forensic audit of Ministry of Defence finances will stretch all the way back to 2015, a timeline that covers both the previous United Democratic Party (UDP) administration and his own ruling People’s United Party (PUP) government.

    Briceño first shared the expanded audit mandate during the PUP’s National Party Council meeting over the weekend, and reiterated the commitment in a CTV3 interview that was broadcast live to voters via his personal Facebook page. The move comes in the wake of the unfolding “Mira Millions” scandal, which erupted in June 2026 after former UDP national security minister John Saldivar published a series of screenshots linking defense contracts to companies owned by family members of Oscar Mira, the former PUP Minister of State for Defence. Since the scandal broke, additional documentation and corporate ownership trails have emerged that deepen questions about irregular procurement practices in the ministry.

    The extended audit places Saldivar, who led the Ministry of National Security during the UDP tenure, firmly under the scope of investigators. Briceño noted that ongoing preliminary inquiries have already uncovered alarming preliminary accounts of irregular contracting during that period, including reports that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) almost exclusively worked with a single vendor without the required public transparency and financial reporting.

    “We have been hearing some horror stories. Apparently the BDF at that time dealt mostly with one company and there were very little reporting. We will ask the Auditor General, since you are doing this, how about we go to 2015 and then we will see,” Briceño told reporters.

    The Prime Minister added that he is already dissatisfied with what has emerged from initial probes into the Mira Millions affair, as well as separate allegations of improper payments processed through the government’s simplified $10,000 low-value procurement threshold, which is designed to bypass full competitive bidding for small purchases.

    In a notable break from common political practice that sees ruling parties limit corruption audits to the previous opposition government, Briceño emphasized that his own PUP administration will not be exempt from scrutiny. He framed the broad audit as a fulfillment of the PUP’s campaign pledge to govern differently from previous administrations, arguing that endemic financial misconduct in government must end through tangible accountability measures.

    “This kind of behavior has to stop, we can’t continue this. I speak from my end, we as the PUP, we said we are going to be different. And we can’t just say it, we have to do it,” Briceño said.

  • Iran begraaft vermoorde leider Khamenei te midden van massale rouw en onzekerheid

    Iran begraaft vermoorde leider Khamenei te midden van massale rouw en onzekerheid

    On July 9, 2026, one week after his assassination, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the long-serving Supreme Leader of Iran, was laid to rest in his hometown of Mashhad, near the Imam Reza shrine — the resting place he personally requested ahead of his death. The ceremony capped seven days of large-scale mourning processions held across Iran and neighboring Iraq, drawing what Iranian state media describes as the largest public gathering in the modern history of the nation.

    Millions of mourners, dressed all in black and carrying Iranian flags and framed portraits of the deceased leader, marched through Mashhad’s streets to pay their final respects. Parallel mass processions unfolded across the border in Iraq’s holiest Shia cities, with more than 2.3 million people joining the gathering in Najaf alone, demonstrating the broad regional reverence for Khamenei among Shia communities.

    Despite a previously announced temporary pause in United States military operations in the region, air strikes continued in the lead-up to the funeral, including targeted attacks on the critical railway line connecting Iran’s capital Tehran to Mashhad. Even with this ongoing violence, the burial ceremony proceeded according to the original schedule, with Khamenei’s casket processed slowly through crowded city streets, flanked by senior Iranian clerics and thousands of solemn mourners.

    One of the most widely noted absences from the ceremony was Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s son and newly appointed Supreme Leader who assumed office shortly after the assassination. He has not appeared in any public setting since taking power, with widespread speculation attributing his seclusion to injuries sustained during the same air strike that killed his father. While other members of the Khamenei family were present at the burial, the new leader’s absence has sparked growing speculation about internal power dynamics within Iran’s top leadership circles.

    International delegations from more than 100 countries traveled to Iran to attend the funeral and offer condolences, a turnout that Iranian officials framed as a powerful show of global recognition of the country’s standing, intended to project a unified national front amid escalating regional geopolitical tensions.

    Despite the united public display of mourning, Iran remains deeply divided over Khamenei’s 30-year legacy. His decades-long rule was defined by authoritarian governance, the systematic suppression of reformist political movements, and persistent nationwide economic crises that have left much of the population struggling. His assassination has thrown Iran’s future into deep uncertainty, with observers and Iranian citizens alike questioning what policy and ideological direction Mojtaba Khamenei and the new ruling establishment will take.

    For Iran and the broader Middle East, Khamenei’s funeral marks a defining turning point: the close of a decades-long era of leadership under a figure who shaped both Iran’s domestic trajectory and its role on the global stage, and the opening of a period of profound uncertainty for the nation as it grieves the loss of one of its most influential and polarizing leaders.

  • Surinaamse Brouwerij verdubbelt statiegeld op Heineken 25 cl-retourfles

    Surinaamse Brouwerij verdubbelt statiegeld op Heineken 25 cl-retourfles

    Suriname’s leading brewing company, De Surinaamse Brouwerij N.V., has implemented a major adjustment to its deposit system for returnable packaging, doubling the deposit on 25-centiliter Heineken returnable bottles from 5 Surinamese dollars (SRD) to 10 SRD. The policy change took effect on July 6, 2026, crafted to address growing challenges in the company’s circular packaging system and drive higher rates of empty bottle returns for reuse.

    The brewery explains that the increased deposit is designed to create stronger incentives for consumers, retail vendors, and hospitality businesses to return empty packaging instead of discarding it. By boosting return rates, the company can keep its reuse cycle operational, cut down on the volume of packaging waste entering Suriname’s waste streams, and reduce the need for manufacturing new glass bottles from raw materials.

    Beyond encouraging consumer behavior, the deposit adjustment is framed as a necessary response to mounting industry pressures facing the existing return system. Global supply chain trends have driven up costs for core packaging materials including glass and plastic, while exchange rate fluctuations and persistent shortages of both returnable bottles and crates have stretched the current system’s capacity. Importantly, the price hike only applies to the 25-centiliter Heineken returnable bottle; all other deposit rates for the brewery’s packaging lines remain unchanged.

    The unchanged deposit rates for other products stand as follows: 10 SRD for 100-centiliter Parbo returnable bottles, 50 SRD for 100-centiliter Parbo crates, 10 SRD for 60-centiliter Heineken returnable bottles, and 50 SRD for Heineken crates.

    Surinaamse Brouwerij has emphasized that the adjustment exclusively impacts the deposit value, not the base retail price of the beer itself. Consumers will still receive the full 10 SRD deposit refund when they return the empty 25-centiliter Heineken bottles, meaning the change does not represent a permanent price increase for end users.

    To make the new policy successful, the brewery is calling on all stakeholders—retailers, hospitality partners, and everyday consumers—to implement the new deposit rule correctly and proactively return used packaging. The company notes that a fully functional return and reuse system can only operate if every involved party contributes to the process. With this update, Surinaamse Brouwerij reaffirms its long-term commitment to responsible packaging management and maintaining a stable, reliable return system for the Surinamese market.

  • Taiwan Braces for Powerful Typhoon After Deadly China Floods

    Taiwan Braces for Powerful Typhoon After Deadly China Floods

    As communities across southern China continue the painstaking work of recovering from catastrophic flooding triggered by Tropical Storm Maysak, a far more powerful weather system — Typhoon Bavi — is barreling toward Taiwan and eastern China, with forecasters warning it could rank among the strongest storms to strike the region in more than 30 years.

    The aftermath of Maysak has already left a devastating trail: Chinese authorities confirm at least 39 people have died in the southern region of Guangxi, 26 of whom were killed when a dam collapsed near the regional capital Nanning. Nine more residents remain unaccounted for, and days of record-breaking rainfall that overwhelmed local infrastructure have forced more than 130,000 people to evacuate their damaged homes.

    Current projections show Bavi tracking just north of Taiwan before making landfall in China’s coastal Fujian Province on Saturday. The massive storm currently sustains maximum sustained winds of nearly 200 kilometers per hour and extends roughly 1,000 kilometers across the Western Pacific, making it the largest storm to threaten Taiwan since 1987.

    In response, Taiwanese authorities have activated full emergency response protocols: nearly 29,000 military personnel have been placed on standby to assist with rescue and recovery operations, residents across the island have been urged to stockpile at least three days of emergency food, water, and medical supplies, and forecasters have issued extreme rainfall warnings for remote mountainous regions that could see up to one meter of precipitation over the weekend. Hundreds of commercial and artisanal fishing vessels have already returned to sheltered ports to avoid destructive storm surges, and all commercial flight departures from Taiwan’s main Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday have been canceled to protect passenger safety.

    Meteorological experts caution that while Bavi may weaken marginally as it moves across cooler coastal waters, it will retain its status as an extreme, life-threatening storm through the weekend, bringing the risk of catastrophic wind damage, flash flooding, and deadly landslides across both Taiwan and eastern China’s coastal provinces.

    The overlapping weather disasters — ongoing recovery from Maysak paired with the impending threat of Bavi — comes as climate researchers point to long-term shifts in regional weather patterns that are increasing storm risk. Warmer ocean surface temperatures, paired with the approaching El Niño climate pattern, are expected to fuel more intense and frequent tropical cyclones across the Western Pacific in coming years.

    Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño issued a public message of solidarity via the social platform X, writing, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Taiwan as they prepare for the approaching typhoon. Wishing everyone strength, safety, and a swift recovery from any impacts.”

  • Alfred aims to extend winning streak in Monaco

    Alfred aims to extend winning streak in Monaco

    One of the most anticipated women’s 200m races of the 2025 Diamond League circuit is set to kick off Friday at Monaco’s iconic Stade Louis II, pitting three of the world’s fastest sprinters against one another in a clash that could rewrite the year’s global rankings. The showdown centers on two familiar foes: Paris 2024 Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia and Tokyo 2020 Olympic 200m gold medalist Gabby Thomas of the United States, who have faced off three times previously, with Alfred claiming her only win over Thomas at the 2023 edition of the Monaco Diamond League. Joining the elite pair is 19-year-old rising star Adaejah Hodge, a British Virgin Islands native and University of Georgia student who already holds the fastest 200m time in 2025 at 21.70 seconds. All three competitors are on track to dip under the 22-second barrier, a feat that would secure the winner the position of 2025’s world-leading sprinter in the event, with the race scheduled to get underway at 3:19 p.m. local Saint Lucian time.

    Looking at the field’s current form, Thomas matched Hodge’s 21.70-second season best just last month, and her personal best of 21.60 seconds set three years ago still ranks her as the fourth-fastest women’s 200m sprinter in history. Alfred, whose personal best of 21.71 seconds dates back to the 2024 London Diamond League, has already clocked 21.86 seconds in the 2025 season, putting her well within striking distance of the top spot.

    Beyond the raw stats, Alfred has opened up about her intentional approach to mental wellness and work-life balance as she prepares for her fourth career appearance on Monaco’s track. The 25-year-old Olympic champion acknowledged that her relentless drive to compete and win often leads her to push too hard, so she has built a routine of returning to her home country of Saint Lucia every month to reconnect with family and friends, decompress from the pressures of professional track, and reset mentally. This visit to Monaco holds particular personal meaning for Alfred: her first professional Diamond League race took place at Stade Louis II in 2023, where she took second place in the 200m behind Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson. She has since claimed back-to-back 100m titles at the Monaco Diamond League in 2023 and 2024, and this year she is focused on adding a 200m win to her record, as well as breaking the 22-second barrier.

    After a four-week break focused on targeted training and rest, Alfred says she is entering the race in peak physical and mental condition. “I’m really excited to go out here and just see where I’m at after resting for the past four weeks,” she told reporters ahead of the event. “Since turning pro, I’ve been here multiple times. I ran my first Diamond League here, so I’m just really excited to race again. I feel good. I’m in really great shape. I went back for the past four weeks and really worked on what I had to work on. I’m in great shape physically and mentally as well, so I’m really excited to race tomorrow.”

    Looking ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, Alfred confirmed that she will skip the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, citing a scheduling conflict. Her focus remains fixed on two major upcoming events: the Diamond League Finals and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships. When asked about the high-profile Ultimate Championships, Alfred said she approaches every major competition the same way to avoid performance anxiety. “I just try to look at major championships as just another race to just not psych myself out. But I’m really excited to go out there and compete to my fullest abilities,” she explained. The sprinter added that she maintains the same competitive drive regardless of whether the season is marked as a championship year or not. “I try to approach the season the exact same way as I would during a championship year, so I don’t think it’s super hard for me. I’m a very competitive person. I want to always put my best foot forward, to always go out there and just try to win. So I try not to relax and not think of it as a relaxed year and a non-championship year.”

  • Government Approves US$50,000 for Injured Police Officer’s Treatment

    Government Approves US$50,000 for Injured Police Officer’s Treatment

    A senior Caribbean law enforcement officer will receive life-changing emergency medical care overseas after the national cabinet approved nearly $50,000 in public funding to cover his treatment and emergency transport. Senior Sergeant Jeffrey Benjamin, who sustained severe leg injuries in a recent road traffic collision, is scheduled to be airlifted to Trinidad and Tobago this Friday, July 10, in a last-ditch effort to save his injured limb from amputation.

    Of the total approved funding, $40,000 has been allocated through the country’s existing Medical Benefits Scheme to cover the cost of Benjamin’s treatment and inpatient care at Trinidad’s Southern Medical Services facility. An additional $8,104 has been earmarked to cover the full cost of chartering an air ambulance, a critical requirement to safely move the injured officer between islands for specialized care. Government officials confirmed that a portion of the overall medical expenditure is expected to be recovered through existing insurance coverage held by the officer, reducing the net cost to public funds.

    The emergency funding agreement was formalized during a recent meeting between Acting Prime Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin and representatives of the national Police Welfare Association, which has advocated for rapid support for the injured officer. Senior government officials confirmed that cross-ministerial coordination to arrange the overseas treatment has been underway for weeks, with both Health Minister Michael Joseph and Education Minister Daryll Matthew playing key roles in organizing logistics and securing approval for care at the Trinidad facility.

    Officials also moved quickly to refute circulating public claims that government agencies had deliberately delayed processing the assistance for the officer. They clarified that the Trinidad-based hospital only finalized its acceptance of Benjamin as a patient and issued its official treatment invoice this Wednesday, just two days ahead of the scheduled airlift, meaning no unnecessary hold-ups occurred in the approval process.

  • UWI forum examines Cuba crisis, calls for stronger Caribbean cooperation

    UWI forum examines Cuba crisis, calls for stronger Caribbean cooperation

    Against a backdrop of mounting global geopolitical tension and economic pressure on Cuba, The University of the West Indies (UWI) recently brought together leading diplomats, academics and policy specialists for a high-level virtual forum focused on unpacking the multifaceted crisis facing the island nation and its implications for the entire Caribbean region. Held on June 25 under the banner of the university’s Vice-Chancellor’s Forum series, the event titled “Perspectives on the Current Cuban Crisis: Issues, Impact, and Imperatives” aimed to bridge academic analysis, diplomatic insight and on-the-ground perspective to frame a collective regional response.

    Chaired by Ambassador Gillian Bristol, director of UWI’s Latin American-Caribbean Centre (LACC) who served as programme chair for the gathering, the discussion was co-moderated by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies Professor Canute S. Thompson and Professor Don D. Marshall. In opening remarks delivered on behalf of UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Thompson emphasized that the regional public university does not position itself as a detached bystander to pressing global and regional challenges. “We are not passive observers; we are activists,” he stated, reaffirming the institution’s longstanding commitment to confronting issues that shape the future of Caribbean nations.

    Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Tania López Larroque, framed the root of the country’s current struggles in the context of 60-plus years of punitive U.S. sanctions. She noted that restrictions on economic, commercial and financial activity have been sharply ramped up since the start of this year, directly undermining access to basic necessities including food, fuel and life-saving medicine, while blocking critical foreign investment. Larroque rejected claims that sanctions serve the interests of the Cuban people, and called for renewed global commitment to multilateral cooperation and unwavering respect for sovereign national self-determination.

    International relations scholar Professor Andy Knight of the University of Alberta characterized the current global order as an “interregnum,” a period of transition where long-accepted international norms are facing growing erosion. He warned that the erosion of sovereignty and non-intervention principles in the case of Cuba sets a dangerous precedent that threatens all small developing states. “If the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention are compromised… no small state can presume it will remain protected,” Knight argued, urging regional leaders to take a clear, principled stand in defense of Cuba.

    Dr. Miriam Nicado, rector of the University of Havana, offered a firsthand account of the crisis, describing the country’s economic and diplomatic isolation as “a strangling.” She detailed the crippling impact of persistent electricity shortages on Cuba’s higher education sector, particularly disrupting online learning initiatives. Even amid these challenges, Nicado highlighted the ongoing UWI-Havana Centre for Sustainable Development as a powerful example of productive regional collaboration that continues to deliver shared benefits.
    Professor Emerita Jessica Byron-Reid reflected on more than half a century of partnership between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Cuba, recalling the island nation’s enduring contributions to regional education and public healthcare systems across the Caribbean. She emphasized that the region can never fully repay the debt of solidarity it owes to Cuba, arguing that the current crisis presents a critical opportunity for CARICOM to reciprocate that longstanding support.

    UWI St. Augustine’s Dr. Indira Rampersad offered analysis of Cuba’s ongoing reform agenda, which includes 176 targeted economic adjustments. Rampersad noted that the reforms represent a deliberate effort to expand market-oriented policy flexibility while retaining the country’s core socialist political framework, drawing comparisons to the successful development models pursued by China and Vietnam.
    Professor Bert Hoffmann of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) confirmed that the current reform package is the most ambitious and far-reaching Cuba has undertaken in its modern history. However, he stressed that meaningful economic recovery will remain out of reach unless the country regains access to global banking systems and sees meaningful relief from sanctions, which continue to deter all major foreign investment flows.

    Throughout the discussion, participants united around a call for intentional regional engagement rather than the risk of turning away and ignoring the crisis. Byron-Reid outlined a clear path forward for CARICOM, urging the bloc to prioritize preserving the Caribbean as a neutral zone of peace, protecting Caribbean citizens residing in Cuba, delivering targeted humanitarian relief, and backing Cuba’s efforts to rebuild its economy. Echoing this call, Knight noted that the Caribbean’s collective response to Cuba’s crisis will ultimately shape the region’s own standing and future in the global order.

    To translate the forum’s call for action into tangible support, UWI used the closing of the event to announce the launch of its One-UWI Humanitarian Effort, led by the university’s School of Graduate Studies and Research. The initiative is calling on staff, students, alumni and institutional partners across all five of UWI’s campuses to make financial contributions to fund essential supplies for the Cuban people, with donations open through an online fundraising platform until September 30.

  • Nine Antiguans Nominated for the 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards in Sint Maarten

    Nine Antiguans Nominated for the 2026 Caribbean Baking Awards in Sint Maarten

    The Caribbean’s most anticipated celebration of baking craftsmanship is gearing up for its 2026 edition, with Antigua and Barbuda set to bring strong local representation to the upcoming Caribbean Baking Awards (CBA) Festival Weekend. Scheduled to take place in Sint Maarten, the three-day industry gathering has announced that nine standout bakers and pastry specialists from the dual-island nation have earned nominations for this year’s prestigious honors.

    Organized by the Caribbean Baking Awards, the annual festival has grown into one of the region’s leading events that ties together baking excellence, culinary tourism, youth skill development, and cross-regional connection. Uniting talented baking professionals from every corner of the Caribbean under the unifying theme “One Caribbean Baking Together,” the event aims to highlight the unique culinary identity of the region while fostering collaboration across borders.

    The weekend of activities opens with the high-stakes Ultimate Bake-Off Competition, where six teams from across the Caribbean will go head-to-head in a live, timed baking challenge. The contest will push participants to showcase not just technical mastery and creative flair, but also their ability to infuse traditional Caribbean flavors into their creations, giving audiences a true taste of regional culinary heritage. Members of the public are welcome to attend all open activities, offering baking enthusiasts a chance to witness world-class skill up close.

    A key highlight of the festival is the Youth Baking Showcase, a dedicated platform designed to lift up the next generation of Caribbean baking talent. The program gives young aspiring bakers the opportunity to display their work to industry leaders, build connections, and inspire more young people to pursue long-term careers in the baking and pastry arts.

    The event will wrap up with the exclusive Caribbean Baking Awards All-White Gala, a formal evening that honors the region’s top bakers, pastry chefs, cake designers, culinary business owners, and industry trailblazers for their extraordinary contributions to growing the Caribbean baking sector.

    To ensure the competition adheres to global industry standards, judging will be led by a diverse international panel of seasoned culinary experts. The panel includes Chef Nadine Anthony from Antigua and Barbuda, Chef Dominic Dart with roots in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, Chef Kareem Brooks of Sint Maarten, and a special celebrity guest judge, Chef Lincoln Alexander, from the United States.

    Shanda Webster-Glasgow, founder and CEO of the Caribbean Baking Awards, emphasized that the steady stream of participation and support from Antigua and Barbuda underscores the country’s deep dedication to advancing culinary excellence and its expanding influence across the regional baking industry. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate the nine nominees representing Antigua and Barbuda this year. Their passion, creativity, and dedication continue to raise the standard of Caribbean baking, and we look forward to welcoming them to Sint Maarten as we celebrate the very best our region has to offer,” Webster-Glasgow said.

    Local residents of Antigua and Barbuda who wish to attend the festival and cheer on their hometown nominees can purchase tickets for the Saturday Ultimate Bake-Off Competition and all associated public festival activities via the official ticketing link: https://www.ticketpulse.events/event/aef2d955-8381-4d49-b5a5-2212b8db77a2/caribbeanbakingawardsfestivalweekend2026fruitopia. For those interested in attending the invite-only All-White Gala, reservations can be made through the official Caribbean Baking Awards channels. Once a reservation is submitted, a member of the CBA organizing team will reach out directly to the guest with an official payment link to finalize their booking.