Barbados is entering a period of national mourning this week as political and civic leaders lead island-wide tributes to one of its most revered citizens, the late cricket icon and National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers. With a formal State funeral scheduled for next Wednesday at the iconic Kensington Oval — the ground where Sobers built much of his legendary sporting legacy — top government officials have already begun publicly honoring his decades-long impact on the Caribbean and global sport. On Thursday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley joined a growing roster of national figures in paying respects, framing Sir Garfield as one of the most transformative figures the Caribbean has ever contributed to world history. Earlier the same day, President Jeffrey Bostic became one of the first officials to sign the official condolence book at State House, kicking off the national period of tribute that will run through next week’s memorial service. Speaking to members of the press after adding her name to the condolence book, following a weekly Cabinet meeting, Mottley drew on the writings of one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated intellectuals to contextualize Sir Garfield’s standing alongside the region’s most iconic trailblazers. She turned to the work of renowned Trinidadian historian and author C.L.R. James, whose writing has long chronicled the outsized influence of Caribbean figures across global politics, culture, and sport. Mottley shared that James himself ranked Sir Garfield among the most important Caribbean leaders and creators to ever shape modern history, alongside names including revolutionary icon Toussaint L’Ouverture, American founding father Alexander Hamilton, Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey, Martinican poet and philosopher Aimé Césaire, pan-Africanist organizer George Padmore, and radical theorist Frantz Fanon. Quoting James directly, Mottley shared his assessment of the cricket legend: “Still we have made history. As evidence of what we can make of ourselves, I need only add some of the names our people from the Caribbean have inscribed on the pages of history.” She went on to recount James’ own placement of Sir Garfield at the close of that iconic list, with the historian writing: “I end this list by a name acknowledged by critics all over the world as an unprecedented, unimaginable practitioner of his particular art. I refer, of course, to Garfield Sobers.” Mottley emphasized that those words remain just as resonant today, capturing the depth and breadth of Sir Garfield’s contributions — which stretch far beyond the boundary of the cricket pitch to lift the profile of Barbados and the entire Caribbean on the global stage. As the nation prepares to formally bid farewell to one of its most beloved and celebrated sons, Mottley’s remarks echoed a widespread national sentiment of gratitude and pride for Sir Garfield’s life and legacy. To give all Barbadians an opportunity to share their respects, condolence books have been placed at official public locations across the island, opening the tribute to members of the public ahead of next week’s State funeral at Kensington Oval.
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VACANCY: Administrative Assistant- Office Of The Campus Principal
One of the Caribbean’s most prestigious higher education institutions, The University of the West Indies (UWI), has announced an open vacancy for a full-time Administrative Assistant positioned within the Office of the Campus Principal at its Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC) in Antigua. This key administrative role supports the senior leadership of the campus, and the institution is now calling for applications from suitably qualified professionals across the region and beyond.
The annual salary for this position falls between Eastern Caribbean dollars 32,519.65 and Eastern Caribbean dollars 48,735.33, commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. The role carries a diverse set of core responsibilities centered on enabling smooth operations for the campus principal’s office. Primary duties include delivering comprehensive day-to-day administrative support to the campus principal, backing up all cross-cutting administrative activities led by the principal’s office, and managing the principal’s full schedule of appointments alongside coordinating all domestic and international travel arrangements.
Additionally, the hired Administrative Assistant will oversee ongoing inventory and maintenance of all office supplies, equipment, and facilities assigned to the principal’s office, coordinate with internal office staff to advance special institutional initiatives, draft and prepare official correspondence, reports, and other institutional documentation for the office, establish and maintain organized digital and physical file systems for all office records, plan and execute logistics for internal meetings and campus special events, and carry out any other role-relevant tasks assigned directly by the campus principal.
To be considered for the position, applicants must meet a set of clear essential requirements. Candidates are required to hold at minimum an accredited bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Educational Administration, or another closely related field. They must also have a minimum of five years of professional experience providing high-level administrative support, with preference given to candidates who have previously worked in an administrative capacity at a post-secondary education institution. The institution notes that accredited academic degrees earned above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for required professional experience on a case-by-case basis.
All interested candidates must submit a complete application package that includes a filled-out UWI official employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all qualifications and professional experience, contact information (full names and mailing addresses) for three professional references (one of which must be from the applicant’s current employer), and official copies of all academic transcripts and degree certificates. Completed application packages must be submitted via electronic mail, addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department in the Office of the Campus Registrar at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.
The deadline for all submitted applications is July 31, 2026. The successful candidate will be required to officially begin their duties at the Five Islands Campus in Antigua on September 1, 2026. UWI notes that while it appreciates the interest of all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interview processes. For additional information about the campus or this vacancy, interested individuals can contact the institution at (268) 484-3900 or visit the official UWI Five Islands Campus website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.
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VACANCY: Project Technician
The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC), a growing regional higher education institution based in Antigua, has opened applications for a full-time Project Technician role within its Projects and Planning Unit, which operates under the Office of the Campus Registrar. This position comes with a competitive annual salary ranging from 32,519.68 to 48,735.33 Eastern Caribbean dollars, tailored to the successful candidate’s qualifications and professional experience.
As a key member of the campus project management team, the hired technician will report directly to the Head of Projects and Planning, with core responsibilities spanning the full lifecycle of campus development and renovation projects. Key duties include supporting project development by coordinating communication between external contractors, material and service suppliers, and internal campus stakeholders, as well as drafting critical project documentation such as design briefs and progress reports. Candidates will also be tasked with conducting on-site assessments of campus spaces and buildings scheduled for renovation or remodeling, then delivering data-backed recommendations to the project leadership team to inform decision-making.
Additional core responsibilities include supporting procurement processes for all campus projects, which involves collaborating with end-user departments to confirm requirements for public Requests for Proposals, reviewing cost estimates, vendor quotations, and project invoices for accuracy. The role also requires technical review of all project materials, including architectural drawings, design briefs, and vendor proposals, to verify technical feasibility and compliance with campus standards. Throughout the construction or renovation process, the technician will track project milestones, document meeting minutes and official correspondence, monitor budget adjustments for end-of-project reconciliation, and conduct regular on-site quality control inspections to ensure work meets required standards. The position also includes conducting periodic project assessments and audits, preparing custom reports and stakeholder presentations as requested, and completing other job-related tasks assigned by project leadership.
To be considered for the role, candidates must meet a set of mandatory qualification and experience requirements. Applicants need to hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, Business Management, or a closely related field, paired with at least three years of progressive professional experience in one of these related sectors.
Interested candidates must submit a complete application package, including a filled-out official UWI employment application form, a detailed curriculum vitae outlining all relevant qualifications and professional experience, contact information for three professional references (with at least one reference from the applicant’s current employer), and official copies of all academic transcripts and degree certificates. All application materials must be submitted via email to the university, addressed to the Manager of the Employee Success Department at the Office of the Campus Registrar, UWI Five Islands Campus, located in Five Islands, St. John’s, Antigua.
The deadline for all completed applications is July 31, 2026. The selected candidate is scheduled to begin their on-site duties in Antigua on September 1, 2026. UWI notes that it appreciates interest from all applicants, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted for further steps. For additional general information about the campus and the role, interested parties can reach the university at (268) 484-3900 or visit its official website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.
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Jeffers Appeals for Help in Solving Potters Drive-By Shooting
Authorities probing the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Leyandrew Hubbard in Potters are turning to the local community for critical support, saying that information held by local residents could be the key to unlocking a major breakthrough in the case. The violent incident unfolded on Sunday morning, when armed attackers opened fire on their targets from a moving vehicle. Hubbard was killed in the attack, while a second victim — an 18-year-old male — was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition as of the latest updates.
Speaking to reporters this Thursday, Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers confirmed that investigative teams are pursuing multiple parallel lines of inquiry to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Even as active work on the case continues, Jeffers stressed that the investigation’s timeline and ultimate success may hinge on ordinary witnesses stepping forward to share what they observed.
In a formal public appeal, Jeffers urged anyone living in or passing through the area to come forward with even the most seemingly trivial details about the hours before, during, or after the shooting. Many minor pieces of information that look unimportant to members of the public can add up to critical context that helps detectives connect the dots and solve violent crimes.
“We are confident that there are people in the community who saw something, heard something, or hold knowledge that could advance this investigation significantly,” Jeffers stated. “Coming forward to share what you know could be the difference that lets us hold those accountable for this violence, and deliver justice for Leyandrew Hubbard and his family.”
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Police Commissioner to Criminals: ‘We’re Coming for You’
As the popular Carnival celebration approaches, law enforcement is ramping up its security posture across the country, with the top police official issuing a stark warning to individuals engaged in violent offending. Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers made his tough public remarks during a Thursday press briefing, which came on the heels of a recent spate of deadly shooting incidents that have shaken local communities.
Jeffers made clear that law enforcement has reached a turning point, and will no longer tolerate criminal elements sowing chaos and intimidation in residential areas. “We are tired of you coming in and driving fear in the community,” the commissioner stated bluntly. “We’re going to turn it around and reverse that fear back to you. We’re coming for you.”
To deliver on this promise, Jeffers revealed that policing leadership has crafted targeted operational strategies designed to drastically reduce the ability of violent offenders to avoid arrest and prosecution. He emphasized that anyone who chooses to engage in criminal activity during the heightened security period will find escaping law enforcement far harder than in years past. “If you decide that you’re going to come into the net, I want you to know when you come in, it’s not going to be very easy for you to get out,” Jeffers said.
The commissioner confirmed that stepped-up security operations for Carnival are already underway, with the public expected to see a growing presence of additional uniformed officers and expanded resources deployed across the nation in the coming days. Every available intelligence asset and investigative tool will be brought to bear to track down suspects, take them into custody, and ensure they face judicial consequences for their actions, Jeffers added. In a direct message to criminal actors, he warned: “You don’t go around checking police. You will be getting a visit from us, sir — not long from now.”
Beyond deploying new resources and strategies, Jeffers also made a public appeal for community participation, stressing that ongoing collaboration between residents and law enforcement remains one of the most critical tools for preventing violent incidents and solving existing cases. He urged all community members to promptly report any suspicious activity they observe to local police to help keep neighborhoods safe during the Carnival period and beyond.
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Linnets land Saint Kitts and Nevis striker for new season
As pre-season preparations ramp up for the 2026-2027 campaign, King’s Lynn Town has boosted its attacking depth with a high-profile off-season addition: 30-year-old forward Kwame Thomas, who joins the club via a free transfer from National League side Aldershot Town. The new arrival brings more than a decade of professional experience across England’s top non-league competitions, the English Football League (EFL), and Scottish football to manager Paul Caddis’ squad, marking another key piece of the club’s roster build ahead of the new season. A product of Derby County’s famed youth academy, Thomas’ professional career has taken him across the UK, with three separate spells at Aldershot Town that made him a fan favorite among the Hampshire club’s supporter base. Across his stints with the Shots, Thomas notched 14 goals in 86 total appearances, and played an integral role in the club’s 2024 Isuzu FA Trophy triumph at Wembley, where he provided the game-breaking assist for Josh Barrett’s iconic goal in the side’s 3-0 final victory over Spennymoor Town. Most recently, Thomas spent the second half of the 2025-2026 campaign on loan at Aldershot from Ebbsfleet United, bringing match sharpness to his new side ahead of the upcoming season. Thomas rose through the England youth ranks from the Under-16 level through to Under-20, sharing dressing rooms with future senior England internationals including Everton and Three Lions goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. He made his Championship debut for his boyhood club Derby in the 2014/15 season, before successive loan spells at Notts County and Blackpool paved the way for a permanent move to Coventry City in 2016. His career resume also includes stints at Solihull Moors, Doncaster Rovers, Burton Albion, and Wrexham, where he scored nine National League goals during the 2020/21 season. Subsequent moves to Sutton United and Scottish Championship side Dundee followed, with Thomas helping the Scottish club secure the league title and promotion in the 2022/23 campaign. Beyond club football, Thomas has also earned senior international caps for Saint Kitts and Nevis, qualifying through his maternal descent. In his first comments since completing the move, Thomas expressed his excitement to get started with the Linnets at their home ground The Walks. “I’m very happy to have joined King’s Lynn and I’m looking forward to contributing to what I hope will be a successful season,” Thomas said. “It’s a club I’ve played against on several occasions, and I know several players who have played for the club, as well as some who are still here. They all speak very highly of the club and its supporters. I can’t wait to get started, settle in with the squad, and get up to speed ahead of the start of the new season in a few weeks.” For his part, King’s Lynn manager Caddis revealed the club had spent weeks working to secure Thomas’ signature, and praised the forward for both his on-pitch quality and off-pitch character. “We’re absolutely delighted to bring Kwame Thomas to King’s Lynn Town,” Caddis said. “He’s a player I’ve admired for a long time and someone we’ve worked extremely hard to bring to the football club over the past few weeks. Kwame is a powerful, physical centre-forward with a proven pedigree at a higher level. He brings experience, leadership and a real presence at the top end of the pitch, and I believe he’ll add another dimension to the way we want to play.” Caddis emphasized that character is as important as playing talent when new additions join the club, adding that Thomas aligns perfectly with the squad’s existing culture. “I place huge importance on the character of the people we bring into this football club. Talent alone isn’t enough,” Caddis explained. “Kwame has the personality, professionalism and values that align with the standards my staff and I demand every day, and he’ll fit seamlessly into a dressing room that has built an excellent culture. We’re building a squad that can compete competitively, but just as importantly, one that represents this football club in the right way. Kwame ticks every box, and I’m delighted to welcome him to King’s Lynn Town. I have no doubt he’ll be a real asset both on and off the pitch, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.” The announcement of Thomas’ signing comes ahead of King’s Lynn’s latest pre-season friendly, where the side will host Norwich City U23s at The Walks on the following day. The local outlet Lynn News also currently offers a twice-weekly newsletter covering all sports across West Norfolk and Fenland, with subscription information available on the publication’s official website.
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Teen uses cutlass on man attacking his mom
A 53-year-old carpenter from Redemption Sharpes, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has been convicted of assaulting his partner of 10 years, resulting in actual bodily harm, and handed a suspended prison sentence and financial penalty by the local courts. Norman Seymour, the perpetrator, entered a guilty verdict for the attack that unfolded against his 37-year-old partner Alritha Matcolm, a customer service representative who shares the same Redemption Sharpes neighborhood. The violent incident capped off a decade of toxic, conflict-ridden relationship marked by frequent abuse, with the majority of arguments sparked by Seymour’s prolonged mistreatment of Matcolm’s three teenage sons, who are currently 18, 16 and 13 years old.
According to court documents and law enforcement records, the oldest of Matcolm’s sons moved out of the family home in 2025 to escape Seymour’s targeted aggression toward him. Two years later, on March 20, 2026, the young man returned to the residence, setting the stage for a bitter confrontation between Seymour and Matcolm just 48 hours later. At approximately 9:55 a.m. on March 22, the couple’s argument over Matcolm’s son escalated dramatically, with Seymour grabbing and holding onto Matcolm’s neck as she screamed out for emergency help.
In a desperate bid to protect his mother, Matcolm’s 16-year-old son intervened in the attack, wielding a cutlass that wounded Seymour. The injury required Seymour to receive inpatient care at the Male Surgical Ward of Kingstown’s Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where he remained under observation until his discharge on April 1. Following the assault, the incident was formally reported to Police Constable 927 Patrick, an officer assigned to Kingstown’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CID). One week after the attack, Patrick placed Seymour under arrest and officially charged him with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Senior Magistrate Tamika McKenzie oversaw the case and handed down the final sentencing: an 11-month prison term that has been suspended for a period of one year, alongside a fine of EC$300. Seymour has been ordered to pay the full fine by the July 13 deadline; failure to meet this requirement will result in an automatic four-month prison sentence. Local attorney Ronald Marks represented Seymour throughout the court proceedings. Court records also confirm that a separate counter case, with Seymour listed as the virtual complainant, is still pending before the district court and has not yet gone to trial.
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Gonsalves neither supports nor opposes gratuity bill
On a Tuesday parliamentary sitting, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves delivered an extended, technically detailed analysis of the Daily Paid and Minor Salaried Officers (Compassionate Gratuity) Bill, 2026 — but declined to state a clear position on whether he supported or opposed the proposed legislation. Despite Parliament ultimately moving forward to pass the bill, Gonsalves warned that his unaddressed concerns over the policy would remain a persistent “running sore” for the country’s public sector.
The newly enacted law extends one-time compassionate gratuity payments to low-income, non-pensionable public sector workers when they retire or die while in active service. While government Members of Parliament and two sitting opposition senators, Carlos James and Keisal Peters, confirmed their public support for the bill, Gonsalves deliberately avoided committing to a clear yes or no stance, weaving equal parts praise and criticism through his hours-long parliamentary address without aligning with either side of the debate.
“Those who want to say whether I support or I oppose, you have heard me, and the people have heard me,” Gonsalves stated as he closed his remarks, noting that the legislation serves two core purposes: it codifies a longstanding informal practice stretching back more than 25 years, and makes targeted adjustments to that existing framework that he characterized as both positive and harmful.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a trained lawyer and former prime minister, Gonsalves framed the policy as a sui generis, one-off law crafted specifically for the underserved group of non-pensionable public workers, but emphasized that it cannot be interpreted or implemented separately from the country’s existing Protection of Employment Act and Pensions Act. He acknowledged that codifying the 25-year informal practice of granting compassionate gratuity is a positive step, and praised the legislation for removing the previous 26-year cap on reckonable service, extending the maximum eligible service period to 33 and one-third years — a change he called explicitly commendable.
“To the extent that this bill codifies existing practice … I am pleased, and to the extent that it improves in certain areas on existing practice, I’m pleased,” Gonsalves said. Still, he repeatedly pushed back on a number of provisions that he argued leave low-paid workers worse off than they should be.
One of Gonsalves’ core criticisms centers on the legislation’s payment formula. When the practice of granting compassionate gratuity first began, governments adopted the two weeks pay per year of service formula laid out in the original Protection of Employment Act. However, that legislation was updated in 2004 to introduce a more generous sliding-scale formula for severance pay: two weeks per year for workers with 2 to 10 years of service, three weeks per year for 11 to 25 years, and four weeks per year for any service exceeding 25 years. Gonsalves argued the new gratuity bill should have adopted this more worker-friendly formula as well, but instead retained a flat two weeks per year of service regardless of tenure.
Gonsalves conceded that it is fair to point out his own administration, which was voted out of office in November after 25 consecutive years leading the government, never made this adjustment during his time in office. Even so, he insisted that now that Parliament has chosen to formalize the longstanding practice in legislation, it has a responsibility to “do better” for the low-income workers the bill is designed to support.
The Opposition Leader also raised objections to the bill’s seven-year minimum service requirement for gratuity eligibility. He noted the threshold appears to be copied directly from the Pensions Act, which sets similar requirements for pensionable public workers, but argued the rule is poorly suited to non-pensionable employees, who lack the job security that pensionable workers enjoy and can be dismissed far more easily by supervisors.
Another major point of contention is Clause 9(2) of the bill, which grants the responsible minister discretionary power to reduce or fully withhold a worker’s gratuity if the minister finds the worker guilty of negligence, work irregularity, or misconduct. Gonsalves distinguished this problematic provision from Clause 9(1), which clarifies that the bill does not create an absolute legal right to gratuity and preserves existing powers to dismiss workers without compensation — language he called standard, aligned with Section 5 of the Pensions Act, and acceptable.
By contrast, he argued Clause 9(2) transplants a misconduct provision designed for pensionable workers into a completely different employment context where it serves no just purpose. Pensionable public workers have strong job protections, and dismissal requires lengthy, complex procedural steps, so reducing pensions as a disciplinary consequence makes sense in that framework. For non-pensionable workers, however, supervisors already have the authority to dismiss workers with basic notice or payment in lieu of notice, making the discretionary ministerial power “wholly unnecessary” that should be removed from the law entirely.
Gonsalves also expanded on concerns already raised by the two opposition senators who support the bill, backing their call for the legislation to outline a clear, low-cost administrative appeal process for workers who disagree with gratuity decisions, rather than forcing workers to pursue costly, time-consuming civil court claims. He additionally proposed that similar gratuity protections should be extended to non-pensionable workers employed by statutory bodies and public enterprises, a change that could be implemented by adding appropriate cross-reference language to the new law.
Toward the end of his address, Gonsalves connected the debate over the gratuity bill to broader conversations about public sector pension reform, warning that the long-term fiscal sustainability of the country’s overall public pension system is at risk. He noted that some currently eligible public workers can receive combined pension payments from the National Insurance Scheme and the state that add up to as much as 116% of their final working salary.
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Quorumproblemen overschaduwen unanieme aanname VN-protocol tegen doodstraf
On Thursday, Suriname’s National Assembly reached a unanimous vote to approve the country’s accession to the United Nations protocol opposing the death penalty, but the landmark legislative proceeding was marred by persistent quorum issues and widespread absences among elected representatives.
The session was delayed from its scheduled start time, and was forced into an unexpected mid-proceeding suspension after headcounts confirmed fewer than the constitutionally required 26 members were present in the chamber. The disruption sparked sharp rebuke from both National Democratic Party (NDP) parliamentary leader Rabin Parmessar and acting assembly chair Ivanildo Plein, who called on absent lawmakers to uphold their democratic responsibilities to constituents.
The suspension occurred even as Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath prepared to present a formal oral statement to the chamber. Acting Chair Plein, standing in for the vice-chair, was required to halt proceedings mid-introduction. “Minister, I have to suspend this meeting temporarily, because I do not have the required number of members on the floor at this moment. I am suspending before you begin reading your oral act,” Plein stated publicly. Lawmakers were summoned back to the chamber, and proceedings only resumed once the minimum quorum was met.
Following the resumption, Parmessar doubled down on his criticism of chronic absenteeism, noting that the morning session had already been delayed by the same quorum failure. “We have a massive backlog of work to complete for the people of this country,” Parmessar said, adding that poor attendance is drawing negative public attention amid ongoing public discourse over assembly member compensation. He urged political party leaders, who nominate parliamentary candidates, to hold their elected members accountable for consistent attendance and active engagement. He also extended public recognition to the lawmakers who maintain regular participation in both committee and plenary sessions.
A leaked pay slip for assembly members, published alongside the report, shows that a Suriname legislator earns a gross monthly salary of 132,139 Surinamese dollars. After mandatory deductions totaling 37,262.04 SRD, the net monthly payout comes to 94,876.96 SRD. The gross compensation package includes multiple pre-approved allowances for representation, housing, security, vehicle use, and telecommunications expenses.
Responding to the criticism, Progressive People’s Party (VHP) leader Asis Gajadien clarified that three VHP members were out of the country on official business, and all remaining members of his caucus were in attendance for the vote. Plein emphasized that his call for better attendance applies to all 51 members of the assembly, including himself. “Showing up just to sign the attendance sheet and leaving immediately is not the job. The work is staying and contributing to the nation’s business,” Plein said, clearing the way for Minister Monorath to continue his address.
In the final vote, the bill to approve accession was passed unanimously with 31 members in support, backed by every parliamentary caucus in the assembly. Accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights formally embeds Suriname’s abolition of the death penalty into binding international law. Suriname first removed the death penalty from its civilian penal code in 2015, and eliminated it from military criminal law in 2021.
Minister Monorath emphasized that the death penalty is an absolute, irreversible punishment; if new evidence emerges that proves a wrongful conviction after execution, there is no way to undo the harm. He added that accession to the protocol reaffirms Suriname’s ongoing commitment to protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms. The protocol also requires member states to submit regular public reports detailing measures they have taken to maintain abolition and comply with the agreement’s terms.
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SVG-branded InterCaribbean aircraft a ‘flying ambassador’
On a historic Thursday, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) celebrated a major milestone for both its tourism industry and national identity with the official unveiling of a custom-branded InterCaribbean Airways aircraft. Named the “Spirit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” the plane prominently displays the country’s national flag, and officials frame the initiative as a transformative step forward for destination marketing and collective national pride.
Shafia London, Chief Executive Officer of the SVG Tourism Authority, emphasized that the branded aircraft carries far more meaning than just increased marketing visibility. For London, the collaboration represents a powerful tangible symbol of mutually beneficial partnership, enhanced regional connectivity, and aligned shared ambition between the national tourism body and the regional airline. She outlined that sustainable tourism relies on two non-negotiable pillars: first, developing an attractive destination that sparks travelers’ interest, and second, guaranteeing reliable, accessible access for those visitors. Reflecting on the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, London recalled that traveling to and from SVG required immense patience, meticulous advance planning, and frequent compromise from visitors and industry operators alike. She credited InterCaribbean with directly addressing this challenge by expanding its regional route network and growing its on-the-ground presence in SVG, fundamentally improving access to the island nation.
Every flight operated by the branded aircraft into SVG’s Argyle International Airport delivers widespread economic opportunity across nearly every segment of the local economy, London noted. From hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and taxi services to tour guides, local attractions, small-scale farmers, fisherfolk, artisans and independent small businesses, the increased visitor flow created by improved connectivity ripples through communities across the islands. As the SVG Tourism Authority enters what London calls “a new era of destination marketing,” this strategic partnership ensures that when potential travelers are inspired to visit SVG, accessibility no longer stands as a barrier — it becomes a seamless possibility.Tourism Minister Kishore Shallow positioned the unveiling of the branded aircraft as a deliberate, bold declaration that SVG is claiming its space in the highly competitive Caribbean tourism marketplace. “The ‘Spirit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ is a declaration that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is taking its rightful place in the Caribbean marketplace — a bold statement,” Shallow stated. Every flight that carries the nation’s flag across the region acts as a moving invitation for travelers to explore SVG, experience its local culture, and consider investment opportunities in the country, he added.
Shallow tied the launch of the branded aircraft to what he described as remarkable, accelerating momentum across SVG’s entire tourism sector. He pointed to a string of recent and upcoming high-profile activities, including international viral promotion of the country from content creator IShowSpeed, the SVG Sailing Week event (sponsored in part by InterCaribbean), the One Fest celebration on Canouan Island, and the launch of two new targeted marketing campaigns: “Love SVG” and “Go Grenadines”. Looking ahead, Shallow teased a forthcoming public-private partnership with Global Ports Holding to expand SVG’s cruise tourism sector, and confirmed a packed calendar of upcoming events, including Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket matches scheduled for August 7 to 9, which will include a “real surprise” yet to be announced to the public. Already, the sector is seeing strong results: hotel occupancy has surged across the country, with every room booked during the recent Vincymas festival and all accommodations already sold out for the upcoming CPL fixtures.
Shallow acknowledged that SVG does not have the large marketing budgets of some of its larger, more established regional competitors. But he explained that the government and Tourism Authority are closing this gap through intentional strategic planning, targeted institutional strengthening, and efficient, strategic use of limited public resources. He highlighted the recently restructured and strengthened Tourism Authority, now led by new board Chair Shelly-Ann Fraser and CEO Shafia London, noting that the agency is working to maximize the impact of every staff member and every dollar of public investment allocated by the prime minister and cabinet. The push to expand cruise tourism through the Global Ports Holding initiative is a deliberate strategy to increase the number of ship calls to SVG and boost passenger spending, and Shallow reported that global cruise industry stakeholders have responded to the plan with significant enthusiasm.
SVG Prime Minister Godwin Friday described the custom-branded aircraft as a “branded flying ambassador” for the nation, and a highly visible expression of collective national identity. “Wherever it flies throughout the Caribbean, it will carry the spirit and beauty of our country with it,” Friday said. Every landing and departure of the aircraft sends a clear message that SVG is open for business, eager to welcome visitors from across the region and beyond, he added. The prime minister reiterated that tourism remains a foundational pillar of SVG’s economy, supporting jobs, entrepreneurs, farmers, fisherfolk, artisans and families across the country’s multi-island territory. To unlock the full economic potential of the tourism sector, he explained, the government must prioritize building strategic private-sector partnerships, upgrading critical infrastructure, and improving overall accessibility for visitors.
Friday noted that reliable regional air connectivity remains one of the most persistent shared challenges across the Caribbean, a topic regularly raised and discussed at CARICOM summits, and that SVG holds specific responsibility for advancing transportation cooperation across the bloc. In this context, he welcomed InterCaribbean as a critical partner in improving regional travel access and commended the airline for aligning with the national vision of promoting the SVG brand across the entire Caribbean region.
Trevor Sadler, CEO of InterCaribbean Airways, traced the airline’s rapid growth from its origins as a small local operation based in the Turks and Caicos Islands to its current position as a leading regional carrier serving 24 destinations across 18 Caribbean countries. The airline has steadily expanded its fleet and capacity over the years, evolving from small 9- and 15-seat aircraft to 30-seat Embraer 120s, then adding 50-seat Embraer 145 jets to its fleet in 2018, and today operating 11 modern ATR aircraft. Sadler announced that the airline is on the cusp of introducing eight new 76-seat Embraer 170 jets, which offer twice the flight range of the existing Embraer 145 fleet and will open up opportunities to expand into new untapped markets across the region.
With the addition of the “Spirit of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines” ATR to the fleet, Sadler confirmed the aircraft will operate across the entire Caribbean, with intentional scheduling to ensure frequent flights into Argyle International Airport. The distinctive branding also acts as a natural conversation starter, he pointed out: with SVG’s flag displayed on the nose and tail of the aircraft, “we hope everyone who’s not familiar with that flag is going to take a moment to ask the question… and now get curious about coming here.” A core part of InterCaribbean’s mission is hiring local team members from the islands it serves, Sadler highlighted, pointing to three new Vincentian employees joining the airline — including Faith Exeter, who will serve as head of public relations and partnerships, and Alston Samuel, who takes on the role of head of base maintenance — as examples of the airline’s commitment to local inclusion in its growth.
Prime Minister Friday framed the partnership with InterCaribbean as part of a broader, whole-of-government strategy to upgrade SVG’s transportation and tourism infrastructure. He outlined ongoing investment to optimize operations and facilities at Argyle International Airport, including recently completed upgrade works. The government has also approved and planned major improvement projects for the smaller airports serving Canouan, Union Island and Bequia, building on construction work that has already begun. Beyond air infrastructure, the government plans to upgrade local roads, seaports, tourist attractions and visitor amenities across the islands. “World-class destinations require world-class infrastructure and top-notch service,” Friday said, adding that quality service must be understood as rooted in professionalism, not servitude.
Friday tied the growth of tourism to the government’s overarching four-pillar national economic strategy, which prioritizes agriculture, tourism, the blue economy — including commercial fishing, the yachting sector, and the Otley Hall Marina and Shipyard — and the new economy, encompassing information technology, sports, crafts and the creative industries. Closing the event, Friday urged all Vincentians to feel a sense of national pride when they see the branded aircraft traveling across the region. The plane embodies “our warmth, our history, our aspirations, and our resilience as a people,” he said, and concluded, “We take a back seat to no one.”