Carib Scope

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  • Evening Stars Barbados pushes for autism support and inclusion

    Evening Stars Barbados pushes for autism support and inclusion

    Across Barbados, a quiet, community-led revolution in autism care and support is gaining momentum, driven by a mother’s personal journey and a commitment to ensuring no family affected by autism navigates their challenges in isolation. At the center of this growing movement is Evening Stars Barbados (ESB), a volunteer-led nonprofit organization established in 2025 by Sonia Maloney, whose experience raising an autistic daughter inspired her to turn personal struggle into a mission of widespread change.

    In an exclusive interview with local outlet Barbados TODAY, Maloney shared that her 13-year-old daughter’s diagnosis and the subsequent challenges of navigating existing support systems revealed critical gaps that extended far beyond her own experience. After connecting with other parents of autistic children, she confirmed these systemic shortcomings were not isolated incidents, prompting her to launch an organization that could guide families through complex processes and help them avoid the obstacles she had encountered.

    The core unmet need ESB was created to address is the lack of structured support for autistic children and their families outside of standard school hours—a gap that places disproportionate strain on low-income and single-parent households. To solve this, the nonprofit has centered its work on three key priorities: direct practical support, community education, and systemic advocacy, all while partnering with established disability organizations rather than competing with them.

    Practically, ESB offers two immediate, high-impact services: after-school programming for autistic children and respite care that gives caregivers much-needed breaks to preserve their personal and financial independence. Looking ahead, Maloney has laid out an ambitious plan to expand this practical support with an innovative cooperative model that allows neurodivergent people and parents with marketable skills to sell their crafts and products through an ESB shop, helping families retain economic stability while building community.

    Education forms the second foundational pillar of the organization, with monthly workshops open to parents, educators, and community members. Maloney noted that three-quarters of past workshop attendees have been classroom teachers, revealing a clear unmet demand for training: most educators report feeling under-equipped to support autistic students and are actively seeking evidence-based guidance to create more inclusive learning environments. The next public workshop is scheduled for April 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Black Rock Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with open registration available via the organization’s Facebook page.

    To mark Autism Awareness Month, ESB has also been conducting outreach to primary and secondary schools across the island, leading informational sessions for both parents and teachers to deepen public understanding of autism. Maloney emphasized that one of the most persistent cultural barriers to support is the stigma that leaves many autistic children invisible: many self-regulatory behaviors commonly misunderstood by the general public are simply healthy coping mechanisms for autistic people, a misconception that targeted education can correct.

    To build long-term cultural change, Maloney argues that education must start early, teaching younger generations about neurodiversity and how to support their autistic peers. On a systemic level, she is advocating for simple, inclusive changes across all Barbadian schools—not just special education facilities—including adding small sensory-friendly spaces in every classroom to give autistic students the environment they need to thrive. “Inclusion is not segregation. It is making sure every child gets what they need to be able to function,” she explained.

    While Maloney acknowledged that public awareness of autism has improved in Barbados in recent years, she stressed that widespread acceptance and comprehensive support remain out of reach for too many families. As a volunteer-driven nonprofit affiliated with the community giving network Give Back Barbados, the organization relies on ongoing support from the public, with recruitment for new volunteers open via ESB’s social media channels.

    ESB also prioritizes collaboration over competition, partnering with long-standing local groups including the Autism Association of Barbados and the Barbados Council for the Disabled to amplify existing services rather than duplicate them. At its core, the organization is built on the values of hope, dignity, and radical inclusion, with a vision of a Barbados where every autistic child is valued, fully supported, and given the space to shine. Far from waiting for systemic change to come from the top down, Maloney and the ESB community are building that future from the ground up: “We’re not waiting… we’re helping ourselves. We’re advocating for our communities,” she said.

  • ‘Moral blindness’: UK far-right pol slammed for plan to deny visas over reparations

    ‘Moral blindness’: UK far-right pol slammed for plan to deny visas over reparations

    A major diplomatic and political row has erupted after Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s far-right Reform UK party, sparked international outrage by proposing that a future Reform UK government would block all visa applications from Caribbean and African countries that demand reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The policy, which explicitly targets nations including Barbados and other former British Commonwealth states that have led global reparations advocacy, has drawn sharp condemnation from Barbadian officials, who have labeled Farage’s stance a demonstration of “profound moral blindness”.

    Despite holding just eight seats in the UK national parliament, Reform UK – an ultra-conservative, anti-immigration party that has gained significant traction among British voters – currently leads national opinion polls ahead of the UK general election scheduled to take place by 2029. In defending Farage’s proposal, Reform UK officials have described reparations demands as “insulting”, arguing that they erase the UK’s historical legacy as the first major global power to abolish slavery and enforce its ban across the Atlantic.

    That framing has been firmly rejected by leaders of Barbados’ reparations movement. Ambassador David Comissiong, deputy chair of the Barbados National Task Force on Reparations, told local outlet Barbados TODAY that Farage’s out-of-touch position will not weaken the reparations campaign – instead, it will galvanize advocates to double down on their efforts. The core goals of the reparations movement extend far beyond direct cash payments, Comissiong explained, and include targeted action: restoring stolen cultural artifacts and institutions, addressing ongoing public health disparities rooted in centuries of slavery, eliminating illiteracy across former enslaved nations, and facilitating equitable technology transfer.

    “Far from causing anyone to back off from the reparations issue, it is going to, in fact, motivate us, the reparations campaigners, to actually double down in telling the story, educating national public opinion, confronting people like Mr Farage with the hard facts and truth of that tragic history,” Comissiong said in the Friday interview. He added that Farage appears to misunderstand the massive scope of his own proposal: a visa ban would bar entry to the UK for nearly all citizens of English-speaking Caribbean and African nations, a policy that would carry severe negative consequences not just for affected countries, but for the UK and the entire Commonwealth of Nations.

    Comissiong argued that Farage’s stance reflects a stubborn historical strain of denial within sections of British society, one that refuses to acknowledge the grave crimes committed by the British Empire. “As an empire, they committed serious, serious crimes in dominating non-native people, enslaving, carrying out genocide of the native people, and constructing this terribly devilish and inhumane system of racialised chattel slavery, where they denied human status to a large segment of the human family,” he said. Centuries after abolition, this persistent refusal to confront the harms of slavery – harms whose intergenerational impacts endure to this day – and to humbly admit wrongdoing is exactly what qualifies Farage’s position as morally blind, he added. The only cure for this denial, Comissiong noted, is widespread public education about the true history of the transatlantic slave trade.

    Crucially, Comissiong emphasized that Farage’s position is out of step even with leading British institutions. He pointed to King Charles III’s public acknowledgment that a conversation about reparations is long overdue, as well as the Church of England’s formal admission of complicity in the crime of slavery, followed by a public apology and the launch of a dedicated reparative justice funding program. He also noted that prominent established British families with ties to the slave trade, such as the descendants of the Jacobeans and the Gladstones, have issued public apologies for their ancestors’ roles and launched their own reparative justice initiatives.

    In a separate exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY from his London office on Friday, Barbados’ High Commissioner to the UK Edmund Hinkson reaffirmed Barbados’ unwavering commitment to the reparations cause, even as he declined to comment on UK domestic political protocol. Hinkson stressed that Barbados fully endorses the United Nations resolution that formally classifies the transatlantic slave trade as the worst crime against humanity in recorded history. He also expressed regret that while the resolution passed with overwhelming support, endorsed by 152 of the UN’s 193 member states, the UK and all European Union nations that participated in the slave trade abstained from the vote.

    Hinkson also pushed back against a common misleading narrative in British media and political circles that Caribbean reparations advocates are demanding direct cash payments of between £18 trillion ($48 trillion) and £24 trillion ($65 trillion), an estimate of the value of forced labor extracted from enslaved people by British actors including commercial banks, insurance companies, the Church of England, and a majority of 19th-century British parliament. “Of course, none of the countries that were involved in this tremendous international crime have that money right now. We are not asking for that kind of money by itself … that is not at the forefront. We understand that the practicality of that money will not be paid,” he explained.

    Instead, Hinkson outlined the movement’s core priorities, starting with a full, formal apology from the British government for the country’s role in the slave trade. Critics often argue that modern Britons should not apologize for crimes committed by their ancestors, but Hinkson countered that descendants of slave owners and traders continue to reap massive economic and social benefits from their ancestors’ exploitative actions. Beyond a formal apology, the movement’s demands mirror those laid out by Comissiong: the repatriation of stolen cultural artifacts held in British museums, targeted support to address the public health crisis that stems from the intergenerational trauma of slavery – Caribbean nations have some of the highest global rates of chronic conditions including hypertension and both types of diabetes – programs to eliminate illiteracy, support for psychological rehabilitation for affected communities, equitable technology transfer, and widespread debt cancellation for former colonial nations.

  • Michael Joseph to be given full ministerial portfolio, ABLP Leader says

    Michael Joseph to be given full ministerial portfolio, ABLP Leader says

    In a significant political development that reshapes the cabinet landscape of Antigua and Barbuda, the leader of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has formally announced that Michael Joseph will be entrusted with a complete, full ministerial portfolio, ending weeks of speculation over his role in the new administration.

    Political observers have noted that this appointment marks a key strategic move for the ABLP, which has prioritized putting forward experienced and trusted figures to lead critical government departments. Michael Joseph, who has long been regarded as a reliable party stalwart with deep roots in community advocacy, has already built a reputation for pragmatic policy approach and close engagement with grassroots constituents across the country.

    The ABLP leader made the confirmation during a recent press briefing, where he emphasized that the decision to grant Joseph a full portfolio reflects the party’s confidence in his ability to deliver on the government’s campaign promises. While the specific department that Joseph will oversee has not yet been officially disclosed, insiders close to the party suggest that it will be a key economic or infrastructure-focused portfolio, areas that the current administration has identified as central to driving post-pandemic recovery and long-term national growth.

    Prior to this announcement, Joseph had been serving in a caretaker capacity for the ministry, leading interim projects and coordinating with departmental staff to maintain operational continuity. The transition from an acting role to a full ministerial appointment is expected to bring greater stability to the department, allowing for long-term policy planning and the implementation of key infrastructure and social projects that have been pending approval.

    Political analysts point out that this cabinet adjustment also signals the ABLP’s efforts to strengthen its internal unity ahead of upcoming local electoral cycles, by rewarding party loyalty and recognizing the contributions of long-serving members. Local business groups and civil society organizations have expressed cautious optimism, stating that they look forward to seeing Joseph’s policy priorities once the portfolio is officially announced, and hope that his tenure will bring increased transparency and progress to the assigned government department.

  • NBD’s net profit for 2023–2024 signals strong financial performance, says chairman

    NBD’s net profit for 2023–2024 signals strong financial performance, says chairman

    At its 21st Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held Thursday at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall in Goodwill, the National Bank of Dominica Ltd. (NBD) announced a robust financial performance for the 2023–2024 fiscal year spanning July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. NBD Board Chairperson Urania Williams revealed the leading Dominican financial institution recorded an 18 million Eastern Caribbean dollar net profit for the period, a result that leadership framed as a major milestone amid challenging market conditions.

    In the bank’s newly released annual report, NBD provided a full transparent accounting of its outcomes and activities delivered to its core stakeholders: shareholders, employees, customers and the local Dominican community. Williams noted that the bank built on the solid foundational growth cultivated in preceding years to advance a broad organizational transformation initiative, all while navigating an increasingly complex and highly competitive regional financial ecosystem.

    “Our strategy remained anchored in five core pillars: strengthening overall financial performance, elevating end-to-end customer experience, enhancing enterprise-wide operational excellence, deepening governance and compliance maturity, and investing in our people and organizational culture,” Williams explained during the meeting. She added that the structure of the 2023–2024 annual report is fully aligned with the institution’s annual performance plan for the fiscal year, ensuring clear connection between core strategic goals, on-the-ground execution, and stakeholder accountability across both sustained finance and market performance initiatives.

    Williams emphasized that hitting the XCD $18 million net profit target is no small achievement, crediting the strong result to the bank’s clear long-term vision, consistent disciplined execution, and its skilled, dedicated team. She noted that strategic decisions implemented in prior years created the stable foundation required for this outcome, and have positioned NBD to deliver even stronger returns in the upcoming 2024–2025 fiscal cycle.

    Key strategic initiatives that drove year-over-year revenue growth centered on expanding income from new and existing product and service lines, most notably new card-based financial offerings, including full credit card services powered by the FISERV digital platform. Williams pointed out that these expansions directly align with the bank’s core priority of diversifying revenue streams to match shifting consumer and business demands across Dominica.

    Improving overall loan portfolio asset quality remains a top organizational priority for NBD, Williams confirmed. The bank has rolled out a series of targeted measures to reduce its share of non-performing loans (NPLs), with the explicit goal of bringing the NPL ratio in line with the institution’s long-term strategic target. These actions include the sale of impaired debt portfolios to external third-party collection agencies, the launch of a standardized early delinquency notification system, and the creation of formal protocols to proactively move high-risk vulnerable accounts to the bank’s in-house Recoveries Unit for accelerated intervention.

    Williams noted that these combined efforts have reinforced NBD’s longstanding commitment to prudent, risk-aware credit management, reduced the bank’s overall credit risk exposure, and strengthened the long-term sustainability of its entire loan portfolio.

    As the largest leading financial institution in Dominica, NBD reported total consolidated assets of XCD $1.77 billion, equal to roughly USD $655.9 million, as of the June 30, 2024 end of the fiscal year. Founded in 1978, the bank has centered its mission on empowering individual consumers, local businesses, and community groups across the island. It has also earned formal recognition from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) for its standout work as a responsible corporate citizen. For the 2022–2023 fiscal year, NBD reported a net profit of more than XCD $11 million, marking a more than 63% year-over-year increase in net profit for the 2023–2024 period.

  • Body Found Identified as Belize City Fisherman

    Body Found Identified as Belize City Fisherman

    On the morning of April 10, 2026, law enforcement authorities in Belize City confirmed the identity of a deceased male found earlier that day in an undeveloped area adjacent to the Port of Belize City, bringing a formal close to the hours-long search for a local fisherman reported missing just hours prior.

    When first responding to the search area, officers encountered the motionless body of an adult male, who showed clear evidence of gunshot wounds to his body. Following preliminary forensic and background checks, the victim was officially identified as 18-year-old Jaheil Westby, a Belizean fisherman who resided full-time in Belize City.

    The chain of events that led to the discovery began when Westby’s mother contacted Belize City Police at approximately 6:45 a.m. that same morning to file a missing person report. She told investigators that her son had failed to return home after a fishing trip the previous day, and that he was last spotted at around 3:00 p.m. Thursday, when he left their family residence accompanied by a 16-year-old male friend to head to a local fishing spot.

    Acting immediately on the information provided by the mother, investigative teams launched a targeted search of the coastal region where the two teenagers had planned to fish. It was during this sweep that authorities located Westby’s body in the secluded area behind the port facility. As of the latest update, police have not released additional details about the status of the 16-year-old companion or any potential suspects or motives connected to the shooting, with the investigation still in its early active phase.

  • Health Ministry on Prescription Enforcement: ‘No Interviews…Until Monday’

    Health Ministry on Prescription Enforcement: ‘No Interviews…Until Monday’

    A public debate is quickly escalating over a new policy from Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness that imposes mandatory prescription requirements for all forms of hormonal contraception, including birth control pills, patches and injections. The rule has already divided public health stakeholders, with the ministry defending the change as a critical patient safety measure while women’s reproductive health advocates warn it will cut off access for vulnerable groups across the country.

    Shortly after posting a brief announcement about the policy on its official Facebook page, the ministry declined to answer further questions from media, confirming only that Director of Health Services will deliver a full public briefing on the measure next Monday. In its initial public statement, the ministry explained that the new requirement is designed to guarantee that hormonal contraceptives are only used after a full review of a patient’s unique health profile. These medications carry known health risks that can vary widely from person to person, the argument goes, so individualized medical assessment is necessary to prevent adverse outcomes.

    Specifically, ministry officials note that clinicians will screen for key risk factors including a history of blood clots or stroke, chronic high blood pressure, regular tobacco use, chronic migraines, and other pre-existing underlying health conditions before writing a prescription. To push back against early criticism that the rule will restrict access, the ministry also emphasized that valid prescriptions can be issued for up to 12 months, and routine contraceptive consultations also provide opportunities for patients to access a wider range of complementary reproductive health services.

    But the policy has already drawn fierce pushback from leading women’s health advocates, who argue the unanticipated change will undo decades of incremental progress expanding reproductive autonomy in Belize. Joan Burke, executive director of the Belize Family and Life Association (BFLA) — an organization founded in 1985 to address soaring adolescent pregnancy rates — told reporters the new mandate puts low-income, rural and marginalized women and girls in particularly dangerous positions.

    Burke’s core criticism centers on the dramatic cost increase the requirement will impose on contraceptive users. Previously, over-the-counter hormonal contraceptives cost roughly $10 on average; once mandatory doctor consultation fees are added, that total jumps to $85 or more per cycle. For women living in rural areas with limited access to affordable healthcare, or for women in abusive or controlling relationships where they do not have independent access to household funds, that cost increase acts as an insurmountable barrier to access, she explained.

    “Just imagine having to find $85 for a month, getting that $85 from the person who basically controls you every day,” Burke said. She warned that cutting off access to reliable contraception will lead to a wave of negative public health outcomes, including increased rates of unintended teen pregnancy, higher rates of preventable maternal health complications, and a rise in the number of people seeking unsafe, unregulated abortions.

    Notably, Burke clarified that BFLA does not oppose voluntary medical consultations for contraceptive users — the organization only objects to making prescriptions a legal mandate. “We are not opposed to consultation. But to have it that a prescription is required, I am not in favour of that,” she said. “We are putting so many women and girls at risk by that decision.” Burke also questioned whether the ministry conducted sufficient stakeholder consultation before rolling out the new rule, and called on policymakers to reverse course and re-evaluate the policy.

    As the debate continues to grow, the public will have to wait until Monday for further official details from the Ministry of Health and Wellness on the implementation and timeline of the new prescription requirement.

  • $10 Pills Could Now Mean $85 With Doctor’s Fees

    $10 Pills Could Now Mean $85 With Doctor’s Fees

    A new policy mandate from Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness requiring a doctor’s prescription for all hormonal contraceptives — including birth control pills, patches, and injections — has ignited fierce debate over reproductive health access across the country, scheduled to take effect ahead of 2026.

    In an official advisory released by the ministry, regulators framed the new requirement as a critical public safety measure. Officials argue that hormonal contraception carries meaningful physiological side effects and health risks, and mandatory medical oversight will ensure patients receive personalized guidance to use these products safely. The policy changes longstanding rules that allowed many hormonal contraceptives to be purchased over the counter without a physician’s approval.

    But the shift has drawn sharp pushback from longstanding reproductive health advocacy groups, who warn the rule will create crippling new barriers to care for the nation’s most vulnerable women and girls. Joan Burke, founding executive director of the Belize Family and Life Association (BFLA), an organization that has worked to reduce unintended adolescent pregnancy since 1985, called the policy a major step backward that could undo 40 years of progress expanding reproductive autonomy in Belize.

    Burke’s primary criticism centers on the new cost burden the rule imposes on patients. Where a month’s supply of birth control pills previously cost as little as $10 purchased over the counter, the added requirement of a paid doctor’s consultation pushes the total cost to $85 or more per cycle. For low-income women, those living in remote rural areas with limited access to affordable healthcare, and women in abusive or controlling relationships where they do not have independent access to funds, this cost increase is not just an inconvenience — it is an insurmountable barrier that will cut off access to contraception entirely.

    “Just imagine having to find $85 for a month, getting that $85 from the person who basically controls you every day,” Burke explained in an interview commenting on the new rule. She warned that cutting off widespread access to reliable contraception will lead to measurable public health harms: rising rates of unintended teen pregnancy, increased maternal mortality, and a spike in deaths linked to unsafe, unregulated clandestine abortions.

    Notably, Burke emphasized that the BFLA does not oppose medical consultations for contraception — in fact, the group actively encourages women to seek medical guidance before starting any new hormonal birth control method. The organization’s objection is to the government’s decision to make a prescription a mandatory legal requirement, rather than leaving access open for patients to choose to consult a provider on their own timeline.

    “But to have it that a prescription is required, I am not in favour of that. We are putting so many women and girls at risk by that decision,” Burke said. She also questioned whether the government conducted sufficient public consultation with reproductive health stakeholders before implementing the policy, calling on officials to revisit the rule. “For a decision such as that to be made, I don’t know what level of consultation was done. Let’s rethink this.”

  • Adhin bij rouwzitting Santokhi: Politiek moet buigen voor het mens-zijn

    Adhin bij rouwzitting Santokhi: Politiek moet buigen voor het mens-zijn

    On Friday, the National Assembly of Suriname (DNA) convened a special memorial sitting to honor the life and legacy of Chan Santokhi, a sitting member of the assembly who passed away suddenly on March 30.

    Leading the tribute, DNA Speaker Ashwin Adhin delivered an address reflecting on Santokhi’s life, his public service contributions, and the lasting mark he left on Suriname’s political landscape. Adhin opened his remarks by noting that even in a chamber where political disagreements are a daily part of operations, the entire body had come together in collective reflection and mourning. “There are moments when politics must step aside, to let our shared humanity take center stage,” Adhin told the assembled lawmakers.

    The speaker emphasized that when a public figure passes, their legacy is not measured by the office they held or the power they wielded, but by the positive impact they had on fellow citizens and the broader development of the nation. He spoke on behalf of the entire National Assembly, pointing out that while differing political views are common within the body, these divisions are actually a core strength of Suriname’s democratic system.

    “Above all our differences, one unifying truth remains: we share the same nation, the same future, and the same responsibility to build it for the next generations,” Adhin said. He framed Santokhi’s life and career as an important chapter in Suriname’s modern national history, noting that every contribution to public life — whether made through periods of political struggle or national development — forms a key part of the country’s collective national narrative.

    Adhin closed his address by calling on all present lawmakers to carry on Santokhi’s legacy by continuing the work of governing with responsibility, mutual respect, and unwavering dedication to public service. “The story of Suriname does not stop. It demands that we keep building and keep serving for the good of the entire nation,” he stated. Finally, he extended the entire assembly’s deepest condolences to Santokhi’s widow Mellisa, daughter Shanylla, and the rest of his family, wishing them strength in the face of their loss.

  • U.S. moves to automatic military draft registration for eligible men starting December 2026

    U.S. moves to automatic military draft registration for eligible men starting December 2026

    A landmark shift is coming to the United States’ long-standing military draft registry system, with automatic nationwide enrollment for eligible men set to launch in December 2026. The change, first reported by CNN, comes from the Selective Service System (SSS), the federal agency tasked with maintaining a database of potential conscripts in the event of a national emergency requiring a draft.

    For decades, the SSS has relied almost entirely on voluntary self-registration by 18 to 25-year-old men, a requirement put into federal law by former President Jimmy Carter in 1980. While 46 U.S. states and territories already offered limited automatic registration tied to driver’s license applications, this patchwork system was never implemented uniformly across the country. Last month, the SSS formally submitted a proposal for full nationwide automatic enrollment to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for final review, after the policy was included as a provision in the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2025.

    Under the new framework, the federal government will handle all registrations automatically by pulling verified information from existing federal databases, eliminating the need for individual action to meet the legal requirement. Administration officials frame the change as a cost-cutting and efficiency measure, designed to boost compliance rates and streamline the SSS’s administrative operations.

    The shift has reignited public debate around conscription amid rising global tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran. However, multiple official sources have emphasized that the new registration system is in no way linked to the current conflict, and the policy received bipartisan support months before hostilities with Iran escalated. Legal experts quoted by The Hill also note that even if the White House sought to activate a draft, President Trump cannot enact such a change unilaterally. Any reinstatement of active conscription would require explicit congressional legislation amending the Military Selective Service Act.

    The U.S. has not operated an active military draft since the end of the Vietnam War, when it transitioned to an all-volunteer military force in 1973. The U.S. Military’s official online portal confirms that no active draft is in place today, and the SSS registry only exists as a contingency for extreme national emergencies.

    Even without an active draft, registration remains a mandatory legal requirement for nearly all male citizens and male immigrants between the ages of 18 and 25, who must register within 30 days of turning 18 or entering the U.S., according to Time. Failure to comply carries severe penalties: it is a federal criminal offense that can result in fines up to $250,000, prison sentences of up to five years, and loss of access to federal benefits including student aid, job training programs, and government employment. Non-compliance can also jeopardize immigration status and applications for U.S. citizenship. Currently, the requirement still only applies to men; women are exempt from registration but eligible to enlist voluntarily.

    In late March, reporting from The Guardian argued that any actual reinstatement of the draft remains highly unlikely, framing it as a major political liability for President Trump ahead of upcoming elections. Trump himself publicly pushed back on speculation in a June 11 post on Truth Social, rejecting a Washington Post report citing a former defense department official that claimed he was considering mandatory military service. “The Story is completely untrue. In fact, I never even thought of that idea,” Trump wrote.

  • ECAB Donates to the Sir Richie Richardson 3rd Annual Charity Golf Day

    ECAB Donates to the Sir Richie Richardson 3rd Annual Charity Golf Day

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Ahead of the upcoming 3rd Annual Sir Richie Richardson Charity Golf Day, regional financial institution Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) has pledged a $6,000 contribution to support the event’s community-focused mission. Scheduled to tee off tomorrow, April 11, 2026, at Antigua’s iconic Cedar Valley Golf Club, the annual fundraiser is the brainchild of legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Richie Richardson, and has grown into a cornerstone of local charitable giving since its launch.

    This year, all proceeds from the tournament will be split between two high-impact local organizations: the Bright Minds Project, which delivers targeted support to children living with disabilities and youth from low-income, underprivileged backgrounds across Antigua and Barbuda, and the Striving for Excellence Antigua Golf Academy, a developmental program dedicated to nurturing young local golf talent.

    In a statement announcing the donation, ECAB representatives emphasized that the contribution reflects the bank’s longstanding commitment to advancing local community development. “The Sir Richie Richardson Charity Golf Day is far more than a simple sporting competition—it is a powerful, community-driven platform that creates tangible, life-changing change for people across our islands,” the statement read. “At ECAB, our core mission centers on investing in the future of the communities we serve, and this event aligns perfectly with our goal of expanding opportunities for youth development across Antigua and Barbuda.”

    Sir Richie Richardson expressed his gratitude for ECAB’s continued partnership, thanking the bank for its generous support of the 2026 iteration of the event.

    The 2025 tournament delivered impressive results, raising roughly $70,000 for beneficiary organizations. That success not only expanded the reach of the supported charities’ programming but also reinforced the critical value of cross-sector collaboration between corporate entities and local community groups to address pressing social and developmental needs. Organizers expect this year’s event to draw a large field of participants and spectators, building on past momentum to deliver even greater support for the two 2026 beneficiary groups.