Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Police Say Carnival 2026 Ended Without Major Violence

    Police Say Carnival 2026 Ended Without Major Violence

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – August 6, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an official statement celebrating the overwhelmingly successful outcome of the 2026 national Carnival, marking the annual cultural festival as one of the safest in recent memory with no major violent events or life-threatening injuries reported.

    Following the conclusion of the multi-day celebration, which draws thousands of residents and international visitors each year, police leadership emphasized that the peaceful, secure atmosphere of the 2026 Carnival was not the result of chance. It reflected a shared commitment between the general public, law enforcement agencies, and cross-sector partners to prioritize public safety while allowing attendees to enjoy the iconic cultural traditions of the event. Key flagship events including the early-morning J’Ouvert street parade and the closing Last Lap procession unfolded without disruption, a outcome police called encouraging for the island nation’s tourism and cultural sectors.

    While a tiny fraction of attendees encountered law enforcement action – a small group was arrested on charges of carrying prohibited weapons – police confirmed these isolated cases did not escalate to threaten public safety, and the vast majority of revelers voluntarily adhered to pre-event safety advisories and on-the-ground security protocols. Police administration attributes the low incident rate first and foremost to the responsible behavior of Carnival participants, who followed guidance to keep activities orderly and respectful.

    In the official statement, police leadership extended explicit gratitude to the uniformed officers who worked extended shifts throughout the Carnival season. The professionalism, relentless dedication, and on-the-ground effort of these personnel were cited as a foundational pillar of the successful outcome, with their work protecting not only attendees and local residents, but also local businesses and public and private property across the festival zone.

    Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers reserved special recognition for the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), led by Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Telbert Benjamin. Jeffers highlighted that the inter-agency collaboration between police and military personnel was seamless, with ABDF officers and soldiers providing unwavering logistical and operational support across all major events. “I am particularly pleased with the level of professionalism, discipline, and dedication demonstrated by the officers and soldiers of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force,” Jeffers said in the statement. “Their seamless collaboration with our officers played a significant role in ensuring that Carnival 2026 was celebrated in a safe and secure environment for everyone.”

    Jeffers also extended appreciation to the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, the government body responsible for organizing the annual Carnival, for its ongoing collaborative partnership. The commission’s proactive approach to coordinating with police and other stakeholders ahead of and during the event helped address potential security gaps before they could impact the celebrations, he noted. Additionally, the police administration thanked local and international media outlets for their partnership in distributing critical public safety information to attendees and residents ahead of and during the festival, helping to inform participants of security protocols and expectations.

    Looking ahead, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed its commitment to building on the 2026 Carnival’s success, strengthening ongoing partnerships with community groups, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and the public to maintain high standards of safety for future major public events. The force remains dedicated to its core mission of upholding public order and delivering a secure environment for all people who live in, visit, and do business in Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Government backs honey industry with new $1.5 million investment and branding initiative

    Government backs honey industry with new $1.5 million investment and branding initiative

    The Commonwealth of Dominica is taking bold steps to grow its burgeoning beekeeping sector, with plans to develop an official national honey brand as a centerpiece of its agricultural modernization agenda. As part of this initiative, the island’s government has earmarked an additional EC$1.5 million to scale up operations, funding the installation of hundreds of new beehives and ramping up domestic honey production.

    This new injection of capital builds on prior investments already rolled out across the country. To date, the administration has distributed 600 pre-assembled beehives, specialized beekeeping equipment, and full protective gear to apiarists working in every region of Dominica. Speaking during the official tabling of the 2026-2027 national budget, Minister of Finance Dr. Irving McIntyre confirmed that these earlier strategic investments have already doubled the nation’s total registered hive population, putting the industry on a strong growth trajectory.

    The latest EC$1.5 million allocation will advance two key priorities: rolling out hundreds of additional beehives to meet growing demand from new and existing beekeepers, and laying the groundwork for a nationally recognized Dominican honey brand that will highlight the island’s unique natural biodiversity. This investment forms a core plank of the current administration’s broader agricultural transformation strategy, which aims to shift Dominica’s farming sector away from its historical focus on raw commodity exports toward a modern, value-driven economy centered on local processing, intentional branding, and export of high-value finished goods.

    Beyond expansion of the beekeeping and honey sectors, the government is also moving forward with plans to construct a new multipurpose agro-processing facility that will support a wide range of local agricultural producers. The purpose-built facility will be designed to process popular local crops including root vegetables and a wide variety of tropical fruits, and will include dedicated business incubation space for small and medium enterprises producing everything from honey and artisanal sauces to homemade jams and jellies, as well as local herbs and spices.

    Administration officials argue that expanding domestic agro-processing capacity will deliver dual benefits for Dominica’s agricultural community: it will cut down on costly post-harvest losses that currently cut into producer profits, while opening up new higher-earning opportunities for local farmers and small business owners to capture more value from goods grown right on the island.

  • Sparks beat Bermuda in CAC Games netball to go third

    Sparks beat Bermuda in CAC Games netball to go third

    In a standout performance at the Ciudad Juan Bosch Sports Complex on Wednesday, Saint Lucia’s national netball team, the Piton Sparks, delivered a dominant 44-29 victory over Bermuda to lock in a medal-contending position at the Central American & Caribbean Games. Entering the match as the underdog, the side held a 2-1 win-loss record that pushes them to third place in the overall standings, a result that defied pre-tournament rankings.

    The upset is all the more notable given the gap in global rankings: Bermuda sits 10 places above Saint Lucia, at 21st compared to Saint Lucia’s 31st. But from the opening whistle, the Piton Sparks controlled key areas of the court, outperformed Bermuda in rebound battles, and got clinical production from their shooting circle to turn the tide in their favor.

    The first quarter ended in an even 10-10 draw, with both teams firing on all cylinders. Bermuda converted 83% of its first-period attempts (10 goals from 12 tries), but Saint Lucia matched every score to keep the game deadlocked. The momentum shifted definitively in the second quarter, when Saint Lucia outscored Bermuda 12-8, taking a 22-18 lead into the halftime break.

    Saint Lucia extended its dominance in the third quarter of the match, holding Bermuda to just five goals while adding 11 of their own to stretch their advantage to 33-23. Bermuda struggled to find any consistent attacking rhythm, managing only five successful conversions from nine attempts. The Piton Sparks closed out the win in the final frame, scoring 11 goals to Bermuda’s six to cement a convincing 15-point victory.

    Full match statistics highlight just how clinical Saint Lucia’s performance was. The side converted 75% of its 59 total shot attempts, compared to Bermuda’s 69% success rate (29 goals from 42 attempts). Leading the scoring charge was goal attack Dasha Eugene, who notched 22 goals from 31 attempts. Teenage shooter Neriah Charlery, hailing from Desruisseaux, turned in an outstanding performance with 15 goals from 18 attempts for an 83% accuracy rate, while captain Melika Destang added seven goals from 10 attempts to round out the scoring.

    It was not just the attack that won the game, however; Saint Lucia’s defensive unit turned in a game-changing performance to disrupt Bermuda’s attacking flow. Defender Lizzy Dorvius led the side with three key interceptions, while goal defence Jermia Martial recorded five deflections and one interception. As a team, Saint Lucia notched eight interceptions and eight deflections throughout the contest. The Piton Sparks also dominated the rebounding battle 10-3, with Eugene grabbing four rebounds alone to limit Bermuda’s second-chance scoring opportunities.

    Now, the team faces its toughest tests of the tournament as it looks to hold onto its medal position. On Thursday, Saint Lucia will take on Jamaica, one of the world’s top netball sides and recent Commonwealth Games silver medallists. A day later on Friday, they will face Barbados in a match that is widely expected to decide who takes home the bronze medal at this year’s games.

  • Saint Lucia launches National Cancer Registry

    Saint Lucia launches National Cancer Registry

    For nearly two decades, cancer has cast an unrelenting shadow over public health in Saint Lucia, holding the grim title of the nation’s leading cause of death for 16 consecutive years. Currently, the disease accounts for approximately one out of every five deaths recorded across the island, a statistic that has pushed local health authorities to pursue targeted, data-driven action to reverse the trend.

    In a landmark step toward more effective cancer control, Saint Lucia’s health authorities have officially launched the National Cancer Registry, a centralized tracking system designed to close critical gaps in cancer surveillance. The new initiative is built on existing public health work led by the country’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, which has for years prioritized accessible cancer care through free community screenings, public education campaigns promoting healthy daily habits, and widespread outreach to emphasize the life-saving value of early detection.

    Health officials characterize the registry as the long-missing core component of the nation’s cancer fight. By aggregating consistent, granular data on cancer cases across the island, the system will equip policymakers and care providers with the evidence needed to refine public health programs, adjust strategic priorities, and direct limited resources to the communities and patient groups that need them most urgently.

    Speaking at the official launch event, Dr. Michelle Francois, Saint Lucia’s national epidemiologist, emphasized that reliable surveillance is the backbone of any successful cancer control effort. “Every cancer case reported contributes to a clearer understanding of the burden of cancer, strengthens our ability to plan effective prevention and control strategies and provides the evidence needed to improve patient care and health outcomes across our island,” Francois explained.

    Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, the nation’s Chief Medical Officer, reinforced the urgent need for the new system, noting that the 16-year reign of cancer as the top cause of death is not a status quo Saint Lucia can accept. “Without accurate, comprehensive and timely data we’re really fighting this battle blindfolded,” she said.

    Chatoyer Bobb, a representative from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), one of the initiative’s key regional partners, framed the registry as a commitment to current and future Saint Lucian patients. “Every case will teach you something and every data set will inform a better decision. Every decision will bring you closer to saving lives,” Bobb said.

    Saint Lucia’s Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste echoed this framing, positioning the registry as a foundational investment that will enable more robust, impactful public health policy for years to come. “We need to focus on trends, strengthen prevention and screening, improve patient care, support research, and ensure that our resources are directed where they are needed most,” Baptiste noted.

    The National Cancer Registry is the product of collaborative effort across local, regional, and global health bodies. In addition to Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health, the project counts major partners including CARPHA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub, and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), all of which have contributed technical expertise, funding, and coordination support to bring the system online.

  • Has BTL breached the Telecommunications Act yet?

    Has BTL breached the Telecommunications Act yet?

    A controversial proposed acquisition in Belize’s telecommunications sector has triggered fresh debate over the boundaries of national regulatory and competition law, after Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) announced its board of directors had signed off on a plan to purchase 100 percent of the issued share capital of Speednet Communications Ltd., which operates under the brand name SMART. While much public discussion has centered on whether the full transaction would violate existing competition rules laid out in the Belize Telecommunications Act, a close review of publicly available information reveals that the more pressing immediate legal question centers on whether BTL has yet crossed the line prohibited by Section 42(4) of the statute.

    In its official public statement released on August 4, BTL laid out the clear step-by-step process that the proposed acquisition is currently following. The board’s initial approval only endorses the broad principle of the purchase, the company confirmed, and the move remains contingent on two key preconditions: the successful completion of ongoing due diligence, and the finalization of formal negotiations over binding contractual terms including representations, warranties, and other legal protections for both parties. BTL further clarified that once negotiations advance to the point of a draft definitive share purchase agreement, the document will return to the board for an entirely separate review and final approval before it can be formally executed. This structured sequence, laid out by BTL itself, confirms that no binding acquisition agreement had been finalized at the time of the announcement.

    To understand the ongoing legal debate, it is first necessary to unpack what Section 42(4) of the Telecommunications Act actually prohibits. The statute explicitly bars any licensed telecommunications provider from entering into or implementing any agreement, informal arrangement, or understanding whose purpose or likely effect is to substantially reduce competition in any market for telecommunications services, or related products used in conjunction with those services. Crucially, the legislation does not explicitly ban a company’s board from approving preliminary negotiations or giving in-principle consent to pursue a potential acquisition. Based solely on the details BTL has released to the public, the board’s initial approval resolution does not automatically qualify as the prohibited binding agreement referenced in Section 42(4). Whether the legal threshold for a violation has been crossed depends on non-public details, including whether BTL and Speednet have reached any binding arrangements beyond the ongoing negotiations BTL has acknowledged.

    Even if the two parties ultimately finalize a definitive acquisition agreement, Belize’s Telecommunications Act already lays out a separate mandatory regulatory approval process that must be completed before the transaction can move forward. Section 19 of the statute requires that any licensed provider must obtain prior written approval from Belize’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) before transferring its license, ceding operational control of its business, merging with another licensed provider, or participating in a takeover. The law also grants the PUC explicit authority to reject approval requests if the commission determines the proposed transaction would undermine the core goals outlined in the Act. Those statutory goals include expanding access to reliable, affordable telecommunications services, encouraging healthy reliance on competitive market forces, driving private investment and sector innovation, ensuring fair pricing for consumers, maintaining stability across the telecommunications industry, and protecting the interests of end users, service providers, and consumers alike. This means the PUC’s role goes far beyond routine administrative processing: the commission is required to conduct a full review to confirm the transaction aligns with the legislative framework established by Belize’s parliament.

    The competition provisions contained in the Act go further than Section 42(4) as well. Part VI of the statute is dedicated to regulating market dominance and protecting consumer interests. In addition to the ban on anti-competitive agreements, Section 42 also prohibits dominant market players from abusing their market power to eliminate or significantly harm competing licensees, block new entrants from accessing the market, or discourage other licensees from engaging in lawful competitive conduct. The Act also outlines clear criteria for the PUC to use when determining if a provider holds dominant market position, including factors like current market share, pricing power, access to proprietary technology, broader market trends, and any other relevant industry dynamics.

    For its part, BTL has framed the proposed acquisition as a net positive for Belize’s telecommunications sector and the national economy. In its August 4 statement, the company outlined a range of projected benefits: the transaction would eliminate unnecessary duplication of existing telecommunications infrastructure, boost overall network reliability for end users, accelerate efforts to expand digital inclusion across the country, extend connectivity to currently underserved rural and low-income communities, and improve returns for BTL shareholders. The company also emphasized that the purchase would not require BTL to take on new debt, nor would it demand additional investment from Belize’s Social Security Board. The total estimated purchase price of BZ$80 million, BTL confirmed, would be repaid entirely through Speednet’s existing operating cash flows over an estimated 4.2-year period. BTL concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Belize, the PUC, and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure the proposed transaction is carried out in a transparent and responsible manner.

    Based on all information currently available to the public, the core legal question surrounding the proposed acquisition is not whether BTL has already completed a transaction that violates Section 42(4). BTL’s own public announcement makes clear that negotiations are still ongoing, and any definitive share purchase agreement will require a separate round of board approval before it can be signed. The next critical phases of the process will be the finalization of a binding agreement between BTL and Speednet, followed by the mandatory statutory approval process before the PUC as required by Section 19 of the Telecommunications Act. It is only after these steps are completed that the full legality of the transaction, including any potential violation of competition rules, can be fully assessed.

  • New app aims to bridge school-home communication gap, ease teacher workloads

    New app aims to bridge school-home communication gap, ease teacher workloads

    Barbados has launched a homegrown mobile application that aims to revolutionize school-parent communication while cutting down the administrative burden weighing on local educators, earning official backing from education leaders as a key step forward for the country’s national education digital transformation.

    Conceived by Barbadian co-founders Teddy Leon and Tonia Prescod, EduConnect made its official debut at Luther Thorne Primary School, and has already been adopted by five local institutions. Project organizers project that user adoption will climb to roughly 30 schools by the start of the upcoming academic year.

    Acting Deputy Chief Education Officer Dr. Denise Charles emphasized that the new tool aligns directly with the Barbadian government’s ongoing education transformation strategy, which centers on integrating technology across all layers of the country’s K-12 school system. Dr. Charles explained that the government’s broader modernization agenda is built around equipping young learners with the adaptable skill set they need to succeed in a fast-evolving global workforce, a goal that depends on connected digital solutions that bridge gaps between schools, teachers, students, families and education policymakers.

    Unlike fragmented, outdated communication channels that rely on manual paperwork and disjointed social media updates, Dr. Charles noted that EduConnect delivers real-time centralized access to critical information, from student attendance records and school-wide notices to individualized academic updates for parents. By automating routine administrative tasks that once consumed hours of teachers’ workweeks, the app frees up educators to redirect their time and energy to core instruction and student support, a critical gain as Barbados continues to update its education system for the digital age.

    Dr. Charles also tied the launch of EduConnect to the Ministry of Education Transformation’s broader push to embed digital literacy into the national curriculum. She noted that 21st-century careers increasingly require advanced digital competencies, and routine use of integrated education technology like EduConnect helps students build hands-on familiarity with digital tools while fostering key soft skills including critical thinking, cross-team collaboration, innovative problem-solving and adaptability. Additionally, having a centralized digital communication infrastructure in place ensures schools can maintain operational continuity during emergencies such as extreme weather events or public health disruptions, keeping families informed regardless of disruptions to in-person classes.

    The app’s origins trace back to a real-world communication gap that Prescod experienced ahead of an oncoming hurricane, Leon explained at the launch event. When Prescod struggled to get clear, timely information about whether schools would close to keep her school-aged twins safe, the pair recognized the gap that existing technology had failed to fill. “EduConnect wasn’t created just to add another app to people’s phones,” Leon said. “It came from that moment of frustration: we have all this modern technology, why can’t parents get instant, reliable alerts about school changes straight to their phones? That’s how the idea was born.”

    Leon stressed that the platform is 100% Barbadian designed, developed and built for the unique needs of Caribbean educational communities. Throughout the development process, the team anchored their work in two core questions: would this tool give teachers back time to focus on student growth, and would it empower parents to stay consistently informed and engaged in their children’s learning?

    “When teachers spend less time managing manual communication workflows, and parents have access to timely, accurate information, every stakeholder is positioned to better support each child’s success,” Leon added.

    Priced at $7 per semester per family regardless of how many children a parent has enrolled in local primary or secondary schools, the app is designed to be accessible for most households. A coalition of local Barbadian businesses including Western Wholesale, Abeds, Club Avolta and Woolworths Barbados have partnered with the initiative to offer exclusive additional discounts for both parents and educators using the platform.

  • Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League appoints Phi Edge as Official AI Prediction Partner

    Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League appoints Phi Edge as Official AI Prediction Partner

    One of the world’s most-watched T20 cricket competitions, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has announced a groundbreaking new partnership with cricket-focused artificial intelligence startup Phi Edge, naming the firm its Official AI Prediction Partner for the upcoming 2026 season. Scheduled to kick off August 7, 2026, the tournament will leverage Phi Edge’s specialized AI technology to reimagine fan engagement and deliver data-driven insights that have not been widely available to cricket audiences before.

    CPL has built a massive global footprint since its launch, drawing a cumulative broadcast and digital audience of more than 1.17 billion fans worldwide. The league boasts 2.47 million YouTube subscribers, racks up over 300 million annual tournament video views, and counts more than 10 million followers across its social media platforms, cementing its status as a leader in innovative, fan-focused T20 cricket.

    Under the terms of the multi-stage partnership, Phi Edge’s proprietary prediction engine will generate custom analysis before, during, and after every 2026 CPL fixture. The platform will produce real-time win probabilities, deep tactical breakdowns, head-to-head player matchup stats, and pre-tournament and pre-match context that will be turned into exclusive digital content to boost interaction with CPL’s global fanbase. Unlike generic sports analytics tools, Phi Edge’s system is purpose-built for cricket: it combines real-time in-match data, decades of historical cricket statistics, and relevant market data to generate ball-by-ball outcome probabilities, tracking shifting match momentum and key game moments to forecast what may happen next in every contest.

    Francois Vainker, CPL’s Media and Business Development Director, emphasized that the partnership aligns with the league’s longstanding commitment to innovating the spectator experience. “We are delighted to welcome Phi Edge as the Official AI Prediction Partner of the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League,” Vainker said in a statement announcing the deal. “CPL is committed to innovating the fan experience and Phi Edge is pioneering the use of AI to create new forms of digital storytelling and entertainment for cricket fans. We’re excited to develop intelligent and entertaining digital match experiences together that engage fans and open up new commercial opportunities.”

    For Phi Edge, the collaboration marks a major milestone and a high-profile validation of the company’s specialized AI product, which was built by a team of pioneers in sports data and artificial intelligence under parent firm Phi 1.618. “This partnership represents an important milestone for the company and a significant endorsement of everything our team has been building,” said Eamonn Wilmott, Chairman and CEO of Phi Edge. “Cricket has the world’s most knowledgeable and passionate supporters, yet the way fans follow the sport has changed remarkably little in the digital age. We believe AI can transform how the game is experienced by analysing the moments that matter and predicting what might happen next. CPL has consistently been one of the most progressive organisations in world cricket, making it the ideal partner for the launch of Phi Edge.”

    The partnership will go live in the days leading up to CPL’s opening match on August 7, with Phi Edge set to deliver continuous AI-powered predictions, insights, and analysis across the entire tournament. Fans will be able to access all AI-generated content directly through the Phi Edge platform, bringing a new layer of interactive insight to the 2026 CPL season.

  • CARDTP advances digital transformation through Moodle training

    CARDTP advances digital transformation through Moodle training

    From July 28 to 30, Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, played host to a targeted capacity-building workshop focused on the Moodle open-source learning management platform, organized by the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP). The event was designed to equip representatives from across government agencies with the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to leverage digital learning tools for more effective training delivery, cross-agency knowledge sharing, and ongoing professional development within the public sector.

    Facilitated by learning technology specialist Silkie Prescott-Mc Kree, with on-the-ground support from Ashena Bowman, the three-day workshop moved beyond theoretical introductions to deliver hands-on, practical guidance covering every core aspect of using and administering the Moodle platform. Unlike generic tech training, the curriculum was tailored specifically to the needs of public sector stakeholders, covering key functions from foundational course creation and content management to user permission administration, interactive assessment tool deployment, and evidence-based strategies for boosting learner engagement. Every participant left the event with direct, practical experience that will allow them to immediately apply their new skills in their respective agencies.

    Moodle, a free, open-source learning management system, was selected for the project because of its flexible, customizable framework that creates an interactive digital learning ecosystem. On the platform, learners can access centralized training materials, join structured online courses, complete graded assessments, and engage with a full library of digital learning resources on demand. For the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, widespread adoption of Moodle across the public service is expected to remove barriers to accessing training, expand the reach of capacity-building initiatives, and improve the overall quality of professional development opportunities for public servants.

    Attendees at the workshop included official representatives from a range of partner government agencies, all of whom gained the specialized skills required to develop, manage, and deliver their own digital learning content moving forward. Beyond technical skill-building, the event also fostered greater cross-agency collaboration between participating stakeholders, while emphasizing the critical importance of building sustained internal technical capacity to ensure digital solutions like Moodle continue to deliver long-term value after the initial CARDTP project implementation phase concludes.

    According to an official press release from the project, the Moodle Platform Training Workshop marks another key milestone in CARDTP’s ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional digital readiness across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and supporting the national government as it advances its broader digital transformation agenda. Through targeted investments in accessible digital tools, core infrastructure, and human capacity development, CARDTP is working to build a public sector that is more efficient, better connected, and fully enabled to leverage digital technology to serve citizens.

    CARDTP itself is a major national digital development initiative funded by the World Bank, and implemented by the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through the dedicated Project Implementation Unit housed within the Ministry of Finance. The project’s broader mandate covers a range of priority digital transformation areas, including expanding access to digital public services, streamlining government operational processes, strengthening national cybersecurity frameworks, advancing inclusive digital skills development, and increasing access to technology-enabled solutions for both citizens and local businesses.

  • Several Barbadians in action as the CAC Games continue

    Several Barbadians in action as the CAC Games continue

    As the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games entered another full day of competition in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, Barbadian athletes delivered a mixed bag of results across multiple disciplines, with one standout qualifying performance highlighting a day of mixed fortunes for the Caribbean nation’s delegation.

    The highlight of Wednesday’s action came from the athletics track, where rising Barbadian sprinter Kelia Bentham secured her place in the women’s 200m final after posting a new season-best time in her semifinal heat. Competing in the second of three semifinal rounds, Bentham crossed the finish line in second position with a time of 23.20 seconds, a personal seasonal best that earned her a spot in the sport’s marquee final round.

    Bentham’s breakthrough was countered by early exits for two other Barbadian sprinters in the men’s 200m semifinal stage. Aragorn Straker clocked 21.22 seconds to finish sixth in his second semifinal heat, falling short of the time needed to advance. In the third men’s 200m semifinal, Kuron Griffith posted a 20.67-second run to take fourth place, also missing out on qualification for the final.

    Beyond sprinting events, Barbadian shooters competing in multiple women’s shooting qualification rounds also posted solid but non-qualifying results. In the women’s 25m pistol qualification, Tesonna Alleyne finished 14th in the precision segment and moved up to ninth in the rapid fire segment, not enough to advance to the final round. For the women’s 10m air rifle qualification, three Barbadian shooters took home mid-to-back rankings: Brodella Ramchere placed 14th, Camara Williams 20th, and Calleah Walcott 21st respectively.

    In racket sports, Barbadian competitors faced tough losses across draw matches on Tuesday and Wednesday. Men’s singles table tennis athlete Tre Riley was knocked out in the round of 32 by Venezuela’s Raymundo Medina, who secured a straight-set victory with scores of 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6. On the squash court, two Barbadian pairs fell to Guatemalan opponents in Tuesday evening matches: the men’s doubles duo of Khamal Cumberbatch and Darien Benn lost 11-6, 11-1 to Josue Enriquez and Alejandro Enriquez, while the mixed doubles pair of Amanda Haywood and Darien Benn fell 11-7, 11-2, 11-2 to Guatemala’s Jose Toscano and Winifer Bonilla.

    In team sports action on Tuesday, Barbados’ national netball team suffered a 61-39 defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago, marking the team’s second match of the tournament after an opening round 56-25 win over Bermuda. Other English-speaking Caribbean teams found more success in the same round: St. Lucia earned a 49-22 win over host nation Dominican Republic, while Jamaica recorded a dominant 79-19 victory over Bermuda.

    In other athletics action, skateboarder Tarryn Alleyne secured a spot in Wednesday’s men’s street skateboarding final after finishing sixth out of 10 competitors in the preliminary round. For the 400m semifinal rounds held Tuesday evening, two Barbadian athletes failed to advance to the final: Desean Boyce finished sixth in the third men’s 400m semifinal with a time of 52.35 seconds, while Asia Foster took fourth in the second women’s 400m semifinal in 53.32 seconds, both falling short of the required rankings to move forward.

  • Essay I: Van Zee naar Land – Wat Suriname zelf moet weten over de Nieuwe Raffinaderij en Gas-to-Shore

    Essay I: Van Zee naar Land – Wat Suriname zelf moet weten over de Nieuwe Raffinaderij en Gas-to-Shore

    Over the past five years, Suriname’s offshore waters have delivered an energy windfall unmatched in the nation’s entire modern history: more proven oil and natural gas reserves have been discovered off its coast than were accumulated in all preceding decades combined. This geological bounty positions the small South American nation at a crossroads, where intentional policy choices will determine whether these resources translate into long-term, inclusive sustainable development, or remain a raw commodity export that delivers limited benefit to ordinary Surinamese people. In the first installment of a six-part series, veteran petroleum and energy advisor Marcel P.T. Chin-A-Lien breaks down why a new onshore refinery and a Gas-to-Shore (GtS) pipeline project are critical to unlocking the full potential of Suriname’s energy reserves for all citizens.