作者： admin

Antigua and Barbuda Art Week Invites Audiences to Meet the Artists Behind the Canvas

As the countdown to the highly anticipated 2026 Antigua and Barbuda Art Week crosses into its final two months, the destination’s Tourism Authority is laying the groundwork for an immersive celebration of regional creativity by launching a brand-new digital series designed to connect global audiences with the creative minds shaping the twin-island Caribbean nation’s vibrant art scene.

Scheduled to run across both islands from November 11 to 18, 2026, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week is billed as a week-long immersive festival that weaves together visual art, local culture, and grassroots creative expression under the official festival theme ‘Culture in Colour’. To build early engagement ahead of the opening event, the Tourism Authority has rolled out its ‘Meet the Artists’ video series, an intimate, ongoing project that profiles the diverse range of creative talent driving the destination’s growing art community.

The series casts a wide net across the local art ecosystem, featuring more than 10 creators spanning established professional artists, self-taught independent creators, and exciting emerging talent just breaking onto the regional scene. Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys of featured creators, exploring their unique sources of inspiration, their individual creative workflows, the defining artistic styles that set their work apart, and the untold stories behind their most notable pieces.

The first four episodes of the series, which have already been released, introduce audiences to four distinct visual artists whose work will play central roles in Art Week programming: Heather Doram M.F.A. G.C.M, Makŏ Williams, Mark Brown, and Dylan E. Phillips. The early release gives art lovers around the world a chance to familiarize themselves with the artists and their work months before the festival kicks off, forging a personal connection that goes beyond viewing finished pieces in a gallery.

Two of the featured opening artists, Doram and Phillips, will see their work take center stage in ‘Dual Thresholds’, a large-scale interactive public art installation that will be open to all festival attendees. Third featured artist Mark Brown is taking on curatorial duties for a special retrospective exhibition that showcases the creative output of both current and former art and design students from the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), shining a light on the next generation of local creative talent.

New episodes of the ‘Meet the Artists’ series will drop every Wednesday exclusively on the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s official social media and digital platforms. Fans and prospective attendees are encouraged to join the growing global conversation around the festival by sharing content and updates using the official hashtag #AntiguaBarbudaArtWeek.

When the festival officially opens its doors, the opening day celebration will be held at the historic Redcliffe Quay under the name ‘Symphony of Colours’, a multi-disciplinary event that brings together visual art, live local music, and cultural performance to kick off the week. Beyond the opening ceremony, the full 8-day festival programming includes a wide range of accessible activities for attendees of all ages, including island-wide art trails that guide visitors through creative hubs across both islands, guided art and culture bus tours, pop-up and permanent gallery exhibitions, large-scale public art installations, hands-on creative workshops for the public, and live immersive creative experiences that let audiences watch creators at work.

10 9 月, 2026
Global Exposure Initiative reaps benefits for Mavericks

Barbados-based Mavericks Sports Club has successfully concluded the second and final phase of its ambitious 2026 Global Exposure Initiative, with the organization’s Under-15 and Under-17 boys’ squads touching back on home soil Monday after a 11-day tour of Canada. This two-part international development program, which has engaged more than 120 players and coaching staff across both legs, launched in July with the first journey that brought the club’s women’s senior team and Under-12 boys’ group to overseas opposition. The initiative is rooted in a core goal: lifting the standard of domestic football in Barbados by giving emerging talent and coaching staff firsthand experience of international playing styles and methodologies.

In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY, Mavericks president Raphael Holder shared detailed insights on the program’s outcomes and the club’s upcoming agenda. The second tour, held from August 28 to September 7, centered on the Ontario region, where the squad competed in the newly launched Friendship Cup tournament alongside top youth sides including Inter Toronto, and participated in collaborative coaching workshops with local Canadian soccer leadership.

A key highlight of the tour was the opportunity for Mavericks’ coaching staff to engage directly with the Canadian Under-17 men’s national team head coach, as well as his assistant, who also serves as technical director of Milton Football Club. Though the Mavericks squads dropped all their matches in the inaugural Friendship Cup, Holder emphasized that the young Barbadian players displayed impressive competitive spirit and solid technical skill against higher-caliber opposition.

“Coming into this tournament, our players were competing at a level much more intense than what they are used to back home in Barbados, and that was exactly the point of the whole trip,” Holder explained. “We designed this exposure to push them out of their comfort zones and help them raise their own game long-term. Beyond the on-pitch action, these tours let our young athletes build connections with peers from other countries, which is just as valuable as the match experience. Across both legs of the initiative, we organized a full slate of friendly matches to expose all our squads to different tactical and playing styles, and the whole program went according to plan.”

Looking ahead, the club has a full calendar of competitive and developmental events planned for the coming months. In December, Mavericks will host an expanded Under-19 international tournament as part of its new Mavericks NextGen development series, building on the resounding success of 2024’s event. This year, at least three overseas international sides will confirm their participation, and the club will also invite top scouts from international academies to attend, creating new pathways for Barbadian talent to secure opportunities abroad.

Starting in October, the club’s women’s squad will compete in the national Prime Minister’s Cup for Women, while the club’s youth age-group teams will return to action in the ongoing Barbados Football Association Youth Tournament. Beyond competitive football, Mavericks is also rolling out new off-pitch support programs for its members: the organization is working to enroll all registered players and their parents or guardians with a local banking institution to launch structured financial planning support for members, and will introduce a new health discount card to improve access to wellness services and support the overall well-being of the club’s community.

10 9 月, 2026
CCTV Footage Captures Accident in Glanvilles

A sudden accident that unfolded in the Glanvilles area has been fully captured on closed-circuit television cameras, leaving local residents and emergency responders assessing the aftermath of the unplanned incident. According to initial reports from local law enforcement agencies, the event unfolded during peak daytime hours when pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area was at its busiest. The surveillance recording, which provides clear, timestamped visual documentation of the entire sequence of events, is now serving as a key piece of evidence for ongoing investigations into what caused the incident and how it could have been prevented. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene within minutes of the accident being reported, and first responders quickly worked to extract any individuals who were trapped, provide on-site medical attention, and clear the damaged debris that was blocking public thoroughfares. So far, local authorities have not released the full details of any injuries or property damage that resulted from the incident, citing an ongoing, systematic investigation that is focused on confirming all facts before making a full public statement. Community leaders in Glanvilles have noted that this accident has sparked new conversations about the need for improved safety infrastructure in high-traffic areas of the district, with many residents calling for additional traffic calming measures and more frequent safety inspections of nearby structures. Local government officials have confirmed that they will review all findings from the accident investigation once it is completed, and consider what policy or infrastructure changes may be necessary to prevent similar events from occurring in the future. As the investigation continues, authorities are asking any members of the public who were in the Glanvilles area at the time of the accident and who may have additional information or personal observations to come forward to assist with the inquiry.

10 9 月, 2026
Five Colombians accommodated in Roseau return home

In a formal press briefing held Wednesday, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced the successful conclusion of the first iteration of his country’s third-country national resettlement arrangement with the United States, confirming that all five Colombians admitted to the Caribbean nation under the deal have voluntarily returned to their home country.

The program, which calls for Dominica to accept between five and seven third-country migrants per quarter at the request of the U.S. government, faced an early hurdle when Washington’s first candidate list failed to meet the Dominican government’s vetting requirements. Skerrit explained that Dominica’s administration requested additional background information on the individuals included in the initial submission, which U.S. authorities were unable to provide at that time, leading the Dominican government to reject the entire first slate of candidates.

A second revised list, which included the full background details Dominica required, was subsequently shared by U.S. officials. From that list, Dominica’s government selected five candidates, all of whom were Colombian nationals, and confirmed that none of the selected individuals carried any criminal records.

During their stay in Dominica, the five Colombians were housed in a local hotel, provided with three meals a day, and given full access to basic public and commercial services, Skerrit detailed. He noted that the group was even able to move about freely for leisure, including shopping trips and visits to local personal service providers such as barbers. Upon their arrival in Dominica, the government offered all five the immediate option to return to Colombia, and every person unanimously chose to repatriate, according to Skerrit. The entire process from admission to departure unfolded much faster than anticipated, the prime minister added.

As of the press conference, there are no third-country nationals currently staying in Dominica under the bilateral arrangement. To oversee the logistical and operational components of the agreement, the Dominican government has contracted the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to manage all resettlement and repatriation activities on its behalf. Skerrit also confirmed that the United States has covered all costs associated with the care and processing of the five migrants during their stay in Dominica.

Looking ahead, Skerrit stressed that all future U.S. requests for resettlement will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, in line with the terms of the existing bilateral agreement and Dominica’s established vetting criteria for admitting individuals.

10 9 月, 2026
UNESCO opens WINGS Caribbean fellowship for women in science and innovation

The Caribbean region faces a range of pressing development challenges, from strengthening climate resilience to expanding inclusive digital growth — and women scientists and innovators across the area are now getting a targeted boost to advance their work and step into leadership roles through a new fellowship initiative.

The UNESCO Office for the Caribbean has officially launched WINGS Caribbean, short for Women Inspiring New Generations in Science, a fellowship program built around the unifying theme “Advancing Science. Advancing Women. Transforming the Caribbean.” The program fills a critical gap in regional support, focusing specifically on mid-career and advanced-career women scientists, a group that has historically been underserved by existing capacity-building initiatives in the region.

Two total fellowships will be awarded through the inaugural round: one focused on STEM disciplines, and a second dedicated to social impact innovation. Each award carries a $10,000 grant to support recipients’ project work over a 12-month period. Eligible applicants must be mid-career or advanced-career women working on solutions aligned with key regional development priorities. Eligible projects span a wide range of critical focus areas, including climate and environmental resilience, disaster risk reduction, digital innovation, applied scientific research, social development, public governance, social entrepreneurship, and community-engaged research. UNESCO emphasizes that it is seeking proposals that will deliver clear, practical, measurable benefits to local and regional communities across the Caribbean.

To qualify, applicants must be nationals of UNESCO Member States or Associate Members in the English-speaking and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. The program is being delivered in partnership with two leading regional academic institutions: The University of the West Indies Mona Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, which will provide technical guidance and regional expertise throughout the implementation process.

Beyond financial support for individual projects, the core mission of WINGS Caribbean is twofold: to elevate overall scientific excellence across the region, and to boost the representation and leadership capacity of women working in research and innovation. The program also aims to build a connected regional network of women scientists, whose collective work will drive long-term progress toward a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable Caribbean. This initiative builds on years of UNESCO-led work to support women and girls in science across the region, but narrows its focus to supporting established women professionals, helping them scale their research, align their work more closely to pressing local needs, and turn their scientific achievements into greater leadership influence and tangible societal change.

Applications for the 2026 round close at 11:59 p.m. Jamaica Time (UTC−5) on September 30, 2026. Full details on eligibility requirements, application guidelines, and access to the official online application form are available via the UNESCO WINGS Caribbean official application portal.

10 9 月, 2026
Trinbago Knight Riders win second straight WCPL game

In a high-stakes showdown between the final two undefeated franchises in the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Thursday, the Trinbago Knight Riders delivered a statement performance, handily defeating Jamaica Empress Women by nine wickets to claim the sole position of the tournament’s only unbeaten side.

Jamaica Empress won the coin toss and opted to bat first, a decision that quickly backfired as their batting order crumbled under relentless pressure from the Trinbago bowling attack. The side never recovered from a glacial opening to their innings, mustering just 29 runs for the loss of two wickets by the end of the mandatory six-over powerplay. The powerplay saw Irish batter Amy Hunter dismissed via run out without scoring a single run, while Australian superstar Meg Lanning only managed six runs before being forced back to the pavilion.

Reshuda Williams, batting at the number three slot, emerged as Jamaica’s only consistent run-scorer, finishing with a team-high 40 runs off 47 deliveries that included six boundary fours. Lower-order batter Chinelle Henry contributed an unbeaten 22 runs from 26 balls, while Syeda Aroob Shah’s 12 not out remained the only other double-digit score for the Empress. By the end of their 20 allotted overs, Jamaica had crawled to a total of 100 runs for eight wickets, a target that would ultimately prove far too small to defend.

Trinbago’s bowling attack was anchored by Player-of-the-Match Karishma Ramharack, who turned in a masterclass of disciplined line and length bowling to finish with figures of three wickets for just 11 runs. Laura Harris backed Ramharack up with two wickets for 10 runs, while Marizanne Kapp and star all-rounder Deandra Dottin each picked up one wicket apiece to wrap up Jamaica’s innings.

Chasing a modest target of 101 runs for victory, the Trinbago Knight Riders matched their bowling dominance with an equally clinical batting display, reaching the required total in just 11.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Opening batter Yastika Bhatia stole the show with an unbeaten knock of 57 runs off only 34 deliveries, smacking six fours and three towering sixes along the way. Bhatia shared a 35-run opening stand with Laura Harris, who scored 22 runs from 18 balls, before Dottin closed out the innings unbeaten on 22 runs off 15 deliveries to seal the win.

The dominant victory cements the Knight Riders’ position as the early tournament front-runners, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign. The side opened their 2024 run with an upset win over three-time defending champions Barbados Tridents on Saturday, September 5. The Trinbago side will return to the Kensington Oval pitch on Saturday, September 12 to face Guyana Amazon Warriors, in the first match of a tournament double-header. The second fixture of the day will see Barbados Tridents take on Jamaica Empress.

10 9 月, 2026
Sulphur City has lost a star in Selwyna

The small coastal town of Soufriere and the wider Caribbean creative industry are grappling with profound loss following the passing of acclaimed singer, songwriter, and beloved community educator Selwyna Charles. Known universally by her first name throughout her decades-long career, Charles built a reputation as a remarkably gifted yet humble cornerstone of her hometown, touching countless lives far beyond her musical contributions.

Beyond raising her own children, Charles dedicated much of her free time to mentoring young people across her community. She did not only pass on her deep passion for music to emerging artists but also imparted foundational life lessons that shaped the personal and professional paths of all those who had the privilege of learning from her. As a vocalist, her dynamic stage presence and distinctive tone commanded attention at every performance, whether she was playing intimate sets at local Soufriere resorts or headlining major national cultural events across the island.

Charles built her career performing alongside a number of the region’s most popular bands, including Rebirth 7, Matrix, and Family Affairs. It was her work with the group Future Lights, however, that cemented her legacy as a defining voice of Caribbean soca and bouyon music. The collective produced some of the region’s most enduring hits, including the fan favorites “Juke and Go Down” and “Soca Bouyon”, which remain staples of local playlists decades after their release. Long before she launched her professional music career, Charles was also an active and passionate amateur athlete, embedding her in the social fabric of Soufriere from a young age.

In the days since her passing was announced, prominent figures across the Caribbean music community have shared public tributes honoring Charles’ life and impact. Former Soca Monarch champion Mantius Cazabon was among the first to memorialize the artist, sharing a heartfelt post on social media that dubbed Charles “a legend” of the genre. Arthur Allain, another celebrated musician hailing from Soufriere, echoed that praise in his own tribute. “She was such an inspiration. The melodic soundtrack to our upbringing,” Allain wrote. “Her legacy will live on. Sing on with the angels, sulphur Queen.”

10 9 月, 2026
The OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Opens on September 10

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has officially opened the announcement for the 2026 application round of its transformative Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme, an initiative designed to tackle pressing regional workforce gaps in the digital economy. This fully funded scholarship opportunity is made possible through the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP), a multi-year initiative supported by World Bank financing, and will be delivered entirely by The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus, a respected regional leader in accessible, flexible higher education.

CARDTP’s core mission is to build robust advanced digital capabilities across the 11 member states of the OECS, responding to a longstanding challenge that regional employers have repeatedly highlighted: despite the OECS’s strong legacy of academic achievement, there remains a critical shortage of workers with specialized, industry-relevant digital skills. By investing in targeted training and certification, the project aims to bridge this gap, strengthen overall workforce readiness, and cultivate a local talent pool that can drive innovation, support new entrepreneurship ventures, and fuel inclusive economic growth across the Eastern Caribbean.

For the programme’s second cohort, applications will be accepted exclusively between September 10 and September 20, 2026. Eligible citizens across the OECS region are urged to submit their applications before the closing deadline to take advantage of the opportunity, which not only builds in-demand digital competencies but also grants participants industry-recognized certifications that can significantly boost long-term career prospects in an increasingly global, digital-first economy.

The scholarship covers an extensive range of high-demand digital fields, tailored to align with current global labor market needs. Eligible subject areas include Application Development, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Database Management and Administration, E-Learning Instructional Skills, Financial Technology and Blockchain, Graphics and Animation, Mobile App Development, Project Management, UX/UI Design, Web Development, Business Analysis, Data Security, Enterprise Resource Management (ERP), Internet of Things (IoT), Networking, Robotics, System Administration, Virtualization, and E-Commerce. This diverse selection of fields ensures that prospective students can pursue training aligned with their specific career interests and the region’s growing demand for digital services across sectors.

Individuals interested in applying can access the official application form, review full details on programme offerings, confirm eligibility criteria, and learn step-by-step guidance for the application process through the official portal linked in the original announcement.

10 9 月, 2026
OECS opens applications for advanced digital skills scholarships

Residents of eight member territories across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) now have the chance to gain industry-aligned advanced digital training through a new round of fully supported scholarships, launched to close regional digital skill gaps and boost participation in the global tech economy.

Application windows for the 2026 cohort of the OECS Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme opened September 10 and will remain open through September 20, 2026, the OECS Commission announced in an official press statement. The initiative is funded as part of the World Bank-backed Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP), and all training will be delivered by The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus. CARDTP’s core mission is to expand access to high-level digital capability building across the Eastern Caribbean subregion.

This second intake of scholars, called Cohort II, comes after the successful completion of the programme’s inaugural cohort earlier in 2026, which saw more than 200 participants earn industry-recognized certifications. Eligible applicants hold citizenship in any of the following OECS territories: Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla.

The scholarship programme covers an extensive list of in-demand technology and business-aligned specializations. Core technical fields include full-stack web development, mobile and native application development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics, database administration, UX/UI design, fintech, blockchain, graphics design and digital animation, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), enterprise network administration, system architecture and virtualization, and data security. For professionals seeking to transition to digital-focused business roles, the programme also offers training in digital marketing, e-learning instructional design, project management, business analysis, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and e-commerce strategy.

Regional officials note that the programme is designed to address two pressing challenges facing the OECS: a widespread shortage of workers with specialized advanced digital skills, and low workforce readiness for digital-first roles. By upskilling local workers, the initiative aims to foster a new generation of tech-focused innovators and entrepreneurs that can drive inclusive, long-term economic growth across the subregion.

All training focuses on practical, hands-on skill building aligned with current international industry demand, meaning participants graduate with competencies that open doors to regional employment, cross-border remote work opportunities, and global career advancement. Beyond individual career outcomes, the programme feeds directly into a larger regional strategy to build the OECS Digital Skills Bank, a searchable, centralized talent pool of certified advanced digital professionals. Regional leaders expect this formal talent pool will help attract new technology-focused foreign direct investment, strengthen the overall capacity of the regional workforce, and improve the Eastern Caribbean’s overall competitiveness in the fast-growing global digital economy.

Both the OECS Commission and the UWI Global Campus have reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding access to digital skills training that equips local citizens to participate fully in the global digital economy, and to support ongoing digital transformation efforts across every participating OECS member territory.

Eligible candidates can access full programme details, official eligibility criteria, application instructions, and the official application form via the scholarship programme’s dedicated online application portal.

10 9 月, 2026
Suspect Arrested After Stolen Quad Recovered Near Tyrells

A major break in a recent quad bike theft case has seen local law enforcement take one man into custody, after the stolen off-road vehicle was located in a remote area just hours after it was taken from a private property. The theft, which occurred at a residence in Herbert’s, was captured on home surveillance footage in the early hours of Thursday, and the stolen machine – a 2024 model green-and-black Yamaha Raptor 700, a popular high-powered all-terrain vehicle – was eventually recovered in bushland near Tyrells, off Olney Frederick Road.

Surveillance recordings from the original theft confirmed that two individuals were involved in removing the quad bike from the property, with the incident taking place between 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. local time. Acting on investigative leads, officers tracked a suspect to the recovery site, where body-worn and police cruiser footage captured the officer taking the man into detention. According to sources close to the investigation, the suspect was discovered attempting to pull the stolen all-terrain vehicle out of thick roadside shrubbery when law enforcement arrived.

Prior to the recovery, the registered owner of the quad bike had publicly posted a $2,000 reward for any information that would help recover the vehicle or identify the people responsible for the theft. As of the latest update from responding agencies, law enforcement has not yet released any official confirmation about whether investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest a second person of interest connected to the theft. A full video of the recovery operation is available for public viewing via the news outlet’s original portal.

10 9 月, 2026