A year after securing second place in the 2024 School’s Public Speaking Competition organized by the Lions Club, Samarah Lynch, a student from Mountain View Adventist Academy (MVAA), is still awaiting her promised EC$3,000 prize. The delay has ignited widespread concerns about fairness, transparency, and integrity in the handling of competition awards. Lynch, who dedicated weeks of preparation to achieve her runner-up position, was informed in 2025 by a representative of Flow, one of the sponsors, that she could not receive the cash prize because she was not enrolled in a local college in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Instead, she had been accepted to the University of the Southern Caribbean. This condition, which was never disclosed during the competition, came as a shock to Lynch and her family. Adding to the controversy, all other participants reportedly received their prizes without issue, further fueling frustration and disappointment. Lynch’s parents have made multiple attempts to resolve the matter with both Flow and the Lions Club, but to no avail. Reports suggest that Flow and the Lions Club reached an agreement to award Lynch her prize after the family threatened to publicize the issue on social media. However, as of now, the prize remains unpaid, with the family being repeatedly told to ‘call back.’ The incident has sparked broader discussions about accountability and consistency in managing competition prizes. Some community members speculate that the promise to pay Lynch was a strategic move to avoid negative publicity ahead of the 2025 Public Speaking Competition, which took place recently. Beyond the monetary aspect, the situation raises critical questions about principles and integrity, particularly how young people can be taught honesty and fairness when authority figures seemingly change rules at will. While the Lions Club has been praised for its commitment to youth development through initiatives like this competition, critics emphasize the importance of clear rules and honoring commitments. The hope remains that Lynch will eventually receive the prize she rightfully earned, and that this incident will serve as a lesson in upholding fairness and transparency in future competitions.
作者： admin
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Bayview launches Executive Medical Programme for preventative health screenings
Bayview Hospital, just five months after unveiling its urgent care department, is broadening its healthcare offerings with the introduction of the Bayview Executive Medical Programme. This initiative is designed to emphasize prevention and proactive health management, catering to business leaders, employees, families, and individuals seeking comprehensive health evaluations in a private and confidential environment. The programme, initially tailored for busy executives but accessible to all, features four distinct packages aimed at assessing health risks and supporting wellness goals. Each package includes a half to full-day visit to Bayview’s state-of-the-art urgent care facility, where services such as X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, and physician consultations are seamlessly integrated under one roof. Zahra Ashby, patient care coordinator at Bayview Hospital, highlights the uniqueness of the programme, stating, ‘From PSA testing and liver function evaluations to CT Calcium Scoring, 3D mammograms, and hearing and vision assessments, everything is available on-site. It’s a truly seamless and private medical experience.’ The Gold Executive Medical Package (Tier 1) offers a baseline health assessment, including physician consultations, health history reviews, vital sign measurements, and immunisation updates. Laboratory tests cover diabetes, cholesterol, urine analysis, HPV, PSA, and cardiac risk assessments. The Platinum Package (Tier 2) expands on this with kidney function tests, complete blood counts, nutritional counselling, fitness assessments, abdominal ultrasounds, chest X-rays, and 3D mammograms for women over 40. For those seeking advanced insights, the Diamond and Sapphire packages provide extensive wellness assessments, including cancer markers and specialist referrals. Bayview’s initiative positions it as one of the few Caribbean facilities offering such comprehensive preventative care in a single location, reinforcing its mission to promote longer, healthier lives through early detection and proactive care. Ashby adds, ‘We aim to empower individuals to take control of their health by combining cutting-edge technology with personalized attention, ensuring every patient leaves with clarity and confidence.’
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Annual kettle appeal to ‘lend helping hand’ to hurricane-hit Jamaica
The Salvation Army has officially launched its annual Christmas Kettle Appeal in Barbados, with a special emphasis on supporting Jamaica’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. The campaign, which kicked off at Golden Square Freedom Park on Friday, marks the beginning of the island’s giving season. This year’s initiative includes a dedicated Jamaica Relief Day on Saturday, where all funds raised across Barbados and Saint Lucia will be directed toward aiding Jamaica’s recovery efforts. The fundraising target for this year’s appeal is set at $850,000. Major Robert Pyle, Divisional Commander for Barbados and Saint Lucia, emphasized the importance of collective action, stating, ‘To lift a family, a man, a woman, a boy, a girl requires many hands working together. The need is great, the work is demanding, but it is necessary.’ The campaign’s theme, ‘Lend a Helping Hand,’ resonates deeply with the regional appeal for support. Paul Bernstein, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board, highlighted the significance of the campaign, noting that it accounts for 80% of the organization’s annual income. From January to September, the Salvation Army provided food hampers to over 1,000 families, clothing and furniture to more than 12,000 people, and served over 36,000 meals. President Sandra Mason praised the organization’s transparency and compassion, while Scotiabank, the title sponsor for seven decades, reaffirmed its commitment to the cause. Major Paula Pyle also expressed gratitude to various organizations for their continued support.
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Hearing for Chantel Crump Murder Case Delayed Until 2026
The legal proceedings for Angela Mejia, the woman accused of the murder of nine-year-old Chantel Crump, have been delayed until early 2026. Mejia, currently held in custody at His Majesty’s Prison, appeared in court this week, but her committal hearing was postponed due to the absence of her attorney, Wendel Alexander. The case has now been rescheduled for February 11, 2026, leaving the accused and the public awaiting further developments. The tragic incident dates back to March 15, 2025, when Chantel’s body was discovered in bushes near her Weatherills home, shortly after she was reported missing. The case has since garnered national attention, evoking widespread sorrow and demands for justice.
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Grenadian MP endorses Stewart for Southern Grenadines
Chevonne Stewart, the Southern Grenadines candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has received a significant endorsement from Tevin Andrews, the Grenadian MP representing Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Andrews, who has deep roots in the region, publicly supported Stewart during ULP campaign events on Mayreau and Union Island. Stewart, a chief radiologist recently transferred to the Ministry of Health, is making her first bid for the Southern Grenadines seat, which has been held by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) since its creation in 1989. Andrews praised Stewart’s dedication, approachability, and hard work, emphasizing her commitment to the region’s recovery from Hurricane Beryl’s devastation in July 2024. He highlighted her active role in restoration efforts and urged constituents to consider her leadership qualities in the upcoming election. Stewart is challenging NDP’s Terrance Ollivierre, who has represented the Southern Grenadines since 2001. Andrews also commended Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ leadership in navigating multiple disasters, reinforcing the ULP’s message of resilience and progress.
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Election integrity questioned as Saint Lucia prepares for the polls
As Saint Lucia approaches its upcoming general election, allegations of voter list manipulation have reignited concerns over the island’s electoral integrity. The controversy emerged after United Workers Party candidate Elisha Norbert claimed that names of living party supporters were erroneously listed among the deceased. The Electoral Department, led by Chief Elections Officer Herman St Helen, has refuted these allegations, emphasizing their verification process involving funeral homes and obituaries. However, the dispute has intensified scrutiny on the nation’s voter verification system. House Speaker Claudius Francis has called for stricter checks, sharing his personal experience of mistaken identity due to shared names and lifestyle details. Francis, a former Electoral Commissioner, acknowledged the complexity of implementing a foolproof verification system and highlighted the need for election observers, a concern he raised as early as 2001. Saint Lucia’s legislation clearly defines election procedures and criminalizes voter fraud, including bribery, treating, undue influence, and personation. Penalties for such offenses include losing voting rights for seven years, disqualification from parliamentary candidacy, and fines up to $1,000 or a year in prison for ballot tampering. Despite these measures, recent anonymous blog accusations of voter payments and unanswered interview requests to St Helen have fueled public skepticism. With the next general election imminent, the debate over electoral transparency and accountability continues to dominate the political landscape.
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Immigration overhaul to end automatic deportation for minor offences
The Mia Mottley administration in Barbados is spearheading a significant shift in immigration policy, moving away from the automatic deportation of individuals for minor infractions such as overstaying their visit. Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams announced on Friday that the government is implementing sweeping reforms to modernize the country’s migration framework and rectify past injustices.
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UWI Scientists Co-Author Study That Finds Climate Change Enhanced Hurricane Melissa’s Intensity
A groundbreaking study led by scientists from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has confirmed that human-induced climate change significantly intensified Hurricane Melissa, making it one of the most destructive storms to hit the Caribbean in recent history. The research, conducted in collaboration with the World Weather Attribution (WWA), analyzed data from Jamaica and eastern Cuba, revealing that climate change made the atmospheric and oceanic conditions behind the storm six times more likely. Hurricane Melissa, which struck the region in late October 2025, rapidly intensified from 68 to 140 miles per hour within a single day, leaving at least 75 people dead, displacing thousands, and causing billions of dollars in economic losses. The study, involving 20 researchers from institutions across Jamaica, Cuba, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Austria, utilized advanced modeling techniques to assess the storm’s rainfall, wind speeds, and environmental conditions. Findings indicate that climate change increased Melissa’s maximum wind speeds by 7% and extreme rainfall by 16%. Historical data also shows that maximum rainfall over five days in Jamaica and eastern Cuba is now 20-50% higher than in pre-industrial times. Dr. Jayaka Campbell of The UWI Mona Campus emphasized the urgency of the findings, calling for Melissa to serve as a turning point in climate action. Co-author Friederike Otto of Imperial College warned that without significant reductions in fossil fuel use, such storms will push vulnerable communities beyond adaptation limits. The UWI scientists are now working to ensure their findings inform regional negotiators ahead of COP meetings, advocating for resilient infrastructure and adaptation strategies to mitigate future disasters.
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Policymakers and Academics call for Strategic Unity on Free Movement and Regional Integration at UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Forum
At the recent Vice-Chancellor’s Forum hosted by The University of the West Indies (UWI), regional policymakers and academics convened to discuss critical issues surrounding Free Movement, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project. Held on October 21, the forum highlighted the urgent need for strategic unity among CARICOM member states to address shared demographic and economic challenges.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, a UWI alumnus, emphasized the importance of fully implementing freedom of movement across the Caribbean. He warned that hesitations or delays by member states could jeopardize long-term regional development. Dr. Gonsalves outlined several pressing challenges, including declining fertility rates, ageing populations, trade impediments due to currency exchange issues, and disparities in energy costs. He also stressed the need for increased funding for the CARICOM Development Fund, improved airspace management, and a more unified approach to foreign policy coordination.
UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles framed the push for deeper integration as both a moral and historical imperative, rooted in the shared destiny of Caribbean people. He acknowledged progress but highlighted persistent internal and external forces that hinder unity. Professor Canute Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, chaired the forum and questioned whether the promises of the 50-year-old integration treaty had been fulfilled.
Other notable speakers included Dr. Justice Anthony Gafoor, Dr. Indira Rampersad, Ambassador Anthony Hylton, and Dr. Delroy Beckford, who provided insights on legal frameworks, data-driven mobility analysis, and the need for aligning domestic laws with treaty obligations. Dr. Rampersad revealed gaps in regional data collection, while Ambassador Hylton urged greater use of the Caribbean Court of Justice to enforce CSME provisions.
The forum underscored the Caribbean’s ongoing struggle for deeper integration and the critical role of UWI in fostering regional development. With its rich history and global recognition, UWI continues to be a cornerstone of Caribbean progress, addressing both regional and global challenges.
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Fledgling NNP backs Citizenship Bill’s intent, warns against ministerial overreach
Kemar Stuart, leader of the New National Party, expressed significant reservations about the proposed Barbados Citizenship Bill during a Joint Select Committee hearing on Friday. While acknowledging the necessity of the legislation, Stuart highlighted critical flaws that could lead to potential misuse of power. He emphasized that the bill grants excessive discretionary authority to a single minister, particularly concerning the revocation of citizenship, without adequate checks and balances. Stuart argued that such provisions could open the door to arbitrary or politically motivated actions, drawing parallels to international examples where citizenship revocation has been used discriminatorily. He specifically criticized Clause 9(1)(c), which allows the minister to revoke citizenship based on vague criteria such as “speech or acts” deemed disloyal to Barbados. Stuart called for more precise language and stronger judicial oversight to prevent abuse. In response, committee chair Marsha Caddle clarified that the clause would not apply to citizens by birth, but Stuart insisted that clearer safeguards are needed for all individuals. Additionally, he cautioned against lowering citizenship standards in pursuit of population growth, stressing the importance of protecting the global prestige of Barbados’ passport.