The World Bank is set to undertake a pivotal Implementation Support Mission in Grenada from October 23 to 24, 2025, as part of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP). This mission aims to evaluate the progress of ongoing initiatives and reinforce the execution of strategies to achieve key milestones. The agenda includes a comprehensive review of primary activities, discussions on the annual action plan and budget, and an examination of cross-cutting themes such as procurement, financial management, and environmental and social considerations. The first day will feature site visits to two beneficiary institutions—the New Life Organisation (NEWLO) and the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC)—to assess training environments and interact with faculty and students. The second day will focus on the Annual Action Plan and Budget for 2026, alongside sessions on procurement, financial management, and stakeholder engagement at the Grenada Investment and Development Corporation (GIDC) compound. The mission will also delve into Component 2 of the project, which emphasizes strengthening post-secondary institutions to deliver priority skills and foster innovation. Senior officials from Grenada’s Ministry of Education, led by the Permanent Secretary, will participate, alongside representatives from various ministries and the GIDC. The World Bank team, headed by Senior Economist Victoria Levin, will provide technical support for project management and monitoring. The OECS SKIP initiative underscores a collective commitment to enhancing post-secondary education and equipping the region’s youth with essential technical, entrepreneurial, and innovation skills, thereby fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities for employment and lifelong learning.
作者： admin
-
CDB urges stronger disability inclusion across Caribbean
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has issued a compelling call to regional governments, urging them to prioritize disability inclusion in their development agendas. Speaking at the Caribbean Disability Conference held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados in St Philip, CDB President Daniel Best emphasized that systemic barriers continue to marginalize people with disabilities, despite increasing public awareness. The four-day conference, attended by policymakers, advocates, and individuals with disabilities, aims to bolster inclusion efforts across the Caribbean. Best highlighted the findings of a 2025 regional disability assessment report, which underscored the pressing need to dismantle these barriers and ensure full societal participation for the disabled community. He pointed out that individuals with disabilities often face voicelessness, invisibility, neglect, isolation, prejudice, and abuse, while their families and caregivers grapple with emotional strain and mental health challenges. Best stressed that disability is not a distant reality but a possibility for anyone, urging collective action to address these issues. During the event, the CDB presented a cheque to the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) to fund initiatives such as assistive technologies, training, and projects aimed at improving accessibility. BCD President Patricia Padmore-Blackman lauded the support, noting its potential to drive innovation and technical advancements for people with disabilities. The CDB also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development, following the April Global Disability Summit in Berlin. Vice President of Operations Isaac Solomon emphasized the bank’s dedication to ensuring that at least 15% of national development programs incorporate disability inclusion. Best highlighted the CDB’s Special Education Needs and Inclusive Education Policy and Strategy (SEND Policy), designed to transform traditional education systems into inclusive ones. He reiterated that inclusion is not charity but justice, and the CDB will continue to provide financing for early identification, curriculum adaptation, and infrastructure to support individuals with special needs.
-
High Court grants bail to GECOM accountant on larceny charge
In a significant legal development, the High Court of Guyana has granted bail to Dikimbie Gittens, a 30-year-old assistant accountant at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), who faces charges of embezzling GY$5 million from the election management authority. Gittens, who had been in custody since his initial court appearance on September 25, was released on October 6 after his attorney, Brenden Glasford, successfully petitioned High Court Judge Jacqueline Josiah-Graham for bail. The bail was set at GY$500,000, with specific conditions attached. Gittens is scheduled to reappear in the Magistrates’ Court on November 5. Glasford argued that the magistrate’s earlier decision to deny bail was inconsistent with the provisions of the Bail Act 2022. Gittens, a resident of Onderneeming, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, is accused of larceny by a clerk or servant under the Criminal Law Offences Act. The alleged theft occurred between September 15 and 16, 2025, at the GECOM Secretariat in Georgetown. Police were alerted after discrepancies in funds intended for polling day workers were discovered. A total of 13 individuals were initially detained but were later released on station bail. The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing funds.
-
Beekeepers unite to build national brand through “Buzz to Brand” workshop
The Copper and Lumber Event Centre in Nelson’s Dockyard buzzed with activity on October 16th as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property & Commerce Office (ABIPCO), and the Antigua and Barbuda Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. (ABBC) inaugurated a two-day workshop titled ‘Buzz to Brand: Celebrating Identity and Empowering the Beekeeping Community.’ This event marked a pivotal moment for the local beekeeping industry, showcasing how intellectual property (IP) can bolster community-based enterprises and transform national products into enduring legacies.
In her opening address, Ms. Ricki Camacho, Registrar of ABIPCO, hailed the initiative as a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and transformation. She lauded the dedication of all partners and expressed gratitude to WIPO for their technical expertise and to her ABIPCO colleagues for their steadfast support. Ms. Jess Honculada, Senior Counsellor at WIPO, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to fostering inclusive development through IP. She highlighted the workshop’s alignment with WIPO’s mission to empower local industries by leveraging IP tools to promote identity, innovation, and sustainability.
Mr. Gregory Bailey, Director of Agriculture, representing the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored the indispensable role of bees in sustainable agriculture and food security. He described beekeeping as more than an economic activity—it is a philosophy of environmental stewardship. ‘Sustainability,’ he remarked, ‘entails producing in ways that safeguard our environment, nurture our communities, and secure our future.’ He also noted that pollination is critical to over 75% of flowering plants and nearly 35% of global food production, underscoring the vital contributions of beekeepers to agriculture and biodiversity.
The workshop also featured an Entrepreneurial Exhibition, curated by Mr. John Mussington, Chairman of the Barbuda Council and a Barbudan beekeeper, and Ms. Taril Walker Bowen, Vice President of the ABBC. The exhibition showcased a variety of locally crafted products, including honey-based goods, handmade candles, and artisan creations, highlighting the ingenuity of local entrepreneurs and the versatility of beekeeping by-products. The day concluded with a honey tasting session, allowing attendees to savor the distinct flavors of Antigua and Barbuda’s locally produced honey.
Due to adverse weather conditions, the first day of the workshop ended at 12:30 p.m. and was set to resume on October 17th, continuing the dialogue on empowering the beekeeping sector through innovation, collaboration, and identity.
-
Earthquake Felt Near Antigua and Barbuda
A minor earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale was detected northeast of Antigua and Barbuda on the evening of Monday, October 20, 2025. The seismic event, recorded by the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre, occurred at approximately 9:09 p.m. local time. The tremor originated at a depth of 20 kilometers, with its epicenter pinpointed at coordinates 17.99°N, 62.43°W. This location places the quake approximately 117 kilometers northwest of St. John’s, 83 kilometers northeast of Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, and 135 kilometers north of Brades, Montserrat. Although some residents in Antigua experienced a brief shaking, there have been no reports of structural damage or injuries. The UWI Seismic Research Centre emphasized that the data was automatically generated and remains preliminary, awaiting further analysis by experts. Antigua and Barbuda is situated in a seismically active region of the eastern Caribbean, where moderate tremors are not uncommon due to the ongoing interaction between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
-
BWA grapples with $100m owed as disconnections rise, some stay off water grid
The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal water connections as it grapples with a staggering debt exceeding $100 million, largely attributed to unpaid bills. Acting CEO Christopher Mapp disclosed in an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY that the authority is investigating suspected cases of unauthorized water access by both residential and commercial users who were previously disconnected for non-payment.
-
National Thanksgiving Service on November 23
The Government of Barbados, under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security, and the Third Sector, is set to host the annual National Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 23. The event will take place at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, commencing at 10 a.m. This year’s ceremony is themed ‘Transforming Our Nation Through Faith, Hope, and Love,’ emphasizing the values that underpin national unity and progress. Among the distinguished attendees will be Her Excellency the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; and Chief Justice The Most Honourable Leslie Haynes. They will be joined by a host of government officials and dignitaries, reflecting the significance of the occasion. The service, organized by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), aims to foster a sense of collective gratitude and shared purpose among citizens.
-
Tariff rift opens a window for Barbados tourism
In the midst of geopolitical tensions between the United States and Canada, smaller nations often find themselves navigating the ripple effects. However, for Barbados, this turbulence has unveiled a unique opportunity to strengthen its tourism sector. The recent tariff war and cooling diplomatic relations between the two North American giants have disrupted traditional travel patterns, prompting Canadians to seek alternative destinations. Barbados, with its century-long ties to Canada, is poised to capitalize on this shift.
-
CWI Thanks West Indies Legends for Supporting “Mission India” Corporate Engagement Tour
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has publicly acknowledged the invaluable contributions of cricket legends Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, and Brian Lara during their recent “Mission India” Corporate Engagement Tour. The initiative, spearheaded by CWI CEO Chris Dehring and Chief Commercial Officer Rupert Hunter, aimed to forge new sponsorship and broadcast partnerships in India, a crucial market for West Indies cricket. The tour, which coincided with the West Indies men’s test series in India, saw the legends actively participate in a series of high-profile meetings, luncheons, and dinners with potential sponsors and media executives. Their involvement not only generated significant enthusiasm but also reignited global interest in the West Indies cricket brand. A standout event was a golf day featuring the legends, which brought together key stakeholders, including players and team management, in a relaxed yet impactful setting. Dehring emphasized the profound influence of the legends, stating, ‘Their presence reminded everyone of the legacy they built and the respect West Indies cricket still commands.’ The tour underscored the enduring power of West Indies cricket’s heritage and its ability to inspire and connect across all levels of society. CWI expressed its deepest gratitude to the legends for their unwavering commitment to the sport and their role in shaping a stronger future for West Indies cricket.
-
Eighty People Trapped in Cerro de Maimón Mine Collapse
Maimón, Dominican Republic – A significant incident unfolded at the Cerro de Maimón mine on Tuesday afternoon, where 80 workers were trapped following a structural collapse. The mine, operated by the Dominican Mining Corporation (Cormidom), is located in Monseñor Nouel province. As of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, no injuries had been reported, and rescue operations were swiftly initiated to ensure the safety of those affected. Cormidom confirmed that communication had been established with the trapped workers, who were reported to be in good health and safe. Specialized technical and rescue teams are currently focused on stabilizing the affected area to facilitate the safe extraction of the workers. The company emphasized its collaboration with relevant authorities and adherence to established emergency protocols. Cormidom also pledged to maintain transparent communication, providing regular updates as the situation progresses.