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  • Education Ministry Holds Thanksgiving Service, Marks International Music Day

    Education Ministry Holds Thanksgiving Service, Marks International Music Day

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries hosted its annual Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday, blending scripture, music, and reflections under the theme “Colouring Outside the Lines – Harmonised Efforts and Collaboration.” The event, held in recognition of both the school year and International Music Day, brought together students, teachers, officials, and partners at a church service attended by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and Education Minister Daryll Matthew. Matthew praised educators, parents, and support staff for their role in shaping national character, urging gratitude and joy in giving thanks. “Education is where we mold character in our young people,” he said, noting the sacrifices of teachers and parents alike. He also highlighted a teacher who has served for 50 years, calling her commitment an example of dedication to the nation. Students played a central role, with performances from schools and scripture readings by top achievers in the Grade 6 National Assessment. The Green Bay Primary School Steel Orchestra provided the offertory music, while the final hymn, “Right Hand of God,” closed the program. Ajani Edwards, a student of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, delivered the sermon titled “If My Crayon Could Speak.” Using the crayon as a metaphor, he urged the audience to think creatively while working in unity. Drawing from Joshua 1 and Galatians 5, Edwards called for courage, collaboration, and spirit-filled character in education and national life. “The crayon is in your hand. The page is open. What will you create?” he asked. Reverend Marlene Gordon-Reed led prayers for the nation’s educators and students, appealing for strength, vision, and protection for young people. “The youth of Antigua and Barbuda shall stand, shall rise in your righteousness,” she prayed. The service tied its dual themes of education and music to a broader message of harmony, with leaders stressing that unity, innovation, and faith remain central to the country’s future.

  • Antigua to Host 2025 Caribbean Dinghy Championship

    Antigua to Host 2025 Caribbean Dinghy Championship

    The Antigua Yacht Club (AYC) is set to host the 2025 Caribbean Dinghy Championship (CDC), a prestigious event sanctioned by the Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA), from October 24 to 26, 2025. This four-day regatta will bring together the Caribbean’s finest sailors for a series of competitive races and regional celebrations in Antigua, the sailing capital of the Caribbean. The championship will feature six classes: Optimist, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7, Topper Fusion (double-handed), and RS Venture (double-handed/adaptive), catering to youth, senior, and inclusive sailing categories. Dr. Clarence Pilgrim, AYC Commodore, expressed pride in hosting the event, emphasizing the club’s commitment to competitive sailing and community engagement. Team Antigua, the defending Nations Cup champions, will aim for their fifth title on home waters, supported by local fans. The 2024 edition in St. Maarten saw growing participation from teams across the region, and organizers expect an even larger turnout in 2025. Karl James MBE, OLY, Event Coordinator at AYC, highlighted the CDC as a celebration of Caribbean identity through sport, promising an unforgettable experience both on and off the water. The CDC, governed by the CSA, continues to promote sailing, sportsmanship, and youth development across the Caribbean. For more details, visit the AYC website or contact [email protected].

  • Caribbean students invited to enter 2025 YES Competition

    Caribbean students invited to enter 2025 YES Competition

    Macmillan Education Caribbean has officially announced the commencement of the 2025 Young Environmental Scientists (YES) Competition, set to kick off in October 2025. This initiative invites primary school students aged 7 to 11 and secondary students aged 12 to 18 from across the Caribbean to explore local environmental challenges and devise innovative, actionable solutions aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. The competition aims to inspire young minds to address pressing ecological issues while fostering creativity and scientific curiosity. Participants are required to form teams of four and prepare a 2–5 minute video report showcasing their research, proposed solutions, and potential impact. Supplementary visuals such as models, posters, or photographs are encouraged to enhance their presentations. Submissions will be accepted until November 28, 2025, and must be submitted via the official competition portal by a teacher, parent, or guardian. The competition will recognize both regional and country-specific winners, with prizes including workshops for entire classes and monetary vouchers redeemable at local bookstores. Katy Corderoy, Marketing Manager at Macmillan Education Caribbean, emphasized that the YES Competition is more than a contest; it is a platform for nurturing environmental awareness, critical thinking, teamwork, and scientific curiosity among Caribbean youth. The initiative seeks to amplify the voices of young environmental scientists and empower them to drive sustainable change in their communities. For further details, including competition guidelines and submission instructions, interested parties can email [email protected] or visit the entry portal at https://forms.microsoft.com/e/AVE58k4uss. Macmillan Education Caribbean eagerly anticipates the innovative ideas and contributions that this year’s participants will bring, celebrating their efforts toward a greener future for the region.

  • St Joseph’s Convent Grenville boosted by computers from Team RUBIS

    St Joseph’s Convent Grenville boosted by computers from Team RUBIS

    In a significant move to enhance educational opportunities, St Joseph’s Convent in Grenville has received two new desktop computers from Team RUBIS, a gesture that promises to transform the learning experience for its students. This donation underscores RUBIS’ steadfast commitment to fostering education and innovation, particularly in addressing the pressing issue of limited access to technological resources for academic research and IT preparation. Areen Lewis, Accounts Executive at RUBIS, emphasized that this initiative aligns seamlessly with the company’s core values of technological advancement and educational empowerment. ‘RUBIS is dedicated to evolving with technology and equipping the next generation with the tools they need to excel in a digital world,’ Lewis stated. She further highlighted that this contribution is part of RUBIS’ broader strategy to invest in education and nurture innovation, ensuring students are well-prepared for academic success and future careers. Miguel Fortune, Vice Principal of St Joseph’s Convent, expressed profound gratitude for the donation and urged students to maximize the potential of this gift. ‘Use this as a gateway to your future,’ he advised, emphasizing the transformative power of technology when utilized wisely. This initiative not only bridges the digital divide but also opens new avenues for students to explore and achieve their full potential.

  • 16 schools face off in 2025 Grenlec Debates

    16 schools face off in 2025 Grenlec Debates

    The 2025 Grenlec Debates have entered a critical phase as 16 secondary schools advance to the Round of 16, following an impressive preliminary round. This year’s competition, centered on the theme ‘Mental Health and Wellness in the Digital Age,’ highlighted the exceptional talent and dedication of Grenada’s student debaters. Over three days, participants demonstrated remarkable preparation, confidence, and insight in addressing contemporary issues. Venilia Noel, coach of Bishop’s College, praised her team’s performance, attributing their success to rigorous training and teamwork. The Round of 16 will shift focus to a new theme, ‘Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Sphere,’ promising engaging discussions on how technology is transforming education. Grenlec has commended all participating schools and extended best wishes to the advancing teams. Highlights from the preliminary rounds will be broadcast on October 4 and 5, with full coverage available on Grenlec’s YouTube channel throughout the season.

  • Latin America, Caribbean face risk of 165,000 preventable deaths without stronger primary health care

    Latin America, Caribbean face risk of 165,000 preventable deaths without stronger primary health care

    A groundbreaking report released by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Lancet Regional Health Americas Commission has issued a stark warning: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) could face up to 165,000 preventable deaths if primary health care (PHC) systems are not significantly strengthened. The report, unveiled during the 62nd Directing Council Meeting of Health Ministers at PAHO headquarters in Washington, DC, underscores the dire consequences of failing to build resilience into the region’s health infrastructure. Health shocks, such as pandemics or natural disasters, could lead to catastrophic human and economic losses, including up to 11,300 maternal deaths, 10,000 child deaths, and over 149,000 deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The societal costs of such disruptions are estimated to range between $7 billion and $37 billion. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO, emphasized that resilience in PHC is not optional but essential for health security, social stability, and economic growth. The report also highlighted the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LAC region, which accounted for nearly 30% of global deaths. Jaime Saavedra, World Bank Director of Human Development for the region, stressed that strengthening PHC is one of the most pressing health challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean. The Commission has issued a series of recommendations aimed at mitigating the impact of future health crises and bolstering economic resilience through improved PHC systems.

  • Minister Duggins pledges St. Kitts and Nevis’ role in sustainable agriculture

    Minister Duggins pledges St. Kitts and Nevis’ role in sustainable agriculture

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — In a significant declaration during the 2025 Agriculture Open Day, Agriculture Minister Samal Duggins affirmed St. Kitts and Nevis’ dedication to spearheading sustainable agricultural practices. The event, held as part of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), saw Duggins emphasize the nation’s readiness to contribute to global sustainability efforts in agriculture. ‘The road will be long, and the challenges will be tough,’ Duggins acknowledged, ‘but St. Kitts and Nevis is committed to playing a pivotal role in this crucial endeavor.’ This pledge aligns with the government’s broader sustainable island agenda, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency across all sectors. The CWA, focusing on bolstering the region’s agricultural sector, underscores the importance of collaboration and persistence. Duggins highlighted the ’25 by 2025′ initiative, a regional effort to reduce the Caribbean’s $3 billion annual food import bill by 25% by the end of this year through increased local food production. In St. Kitts and Nevis, partnerships with regional and international stakeholders have already yielded positive results, with significant growth in the fishery and crop sectors. Duggins stressed the need for sustainable and inclusive growth, particularly by engaging young farmers to ensure future resilience. The two-day Agriculture Open Day, hosted along the Kim Collins Highway, serves as a platform to showcase these advancements and foster further collaboration.

  • Young Environmental Scientists Competition now accepting student submissions

    Young Environmental Scientists Competition now accepting student submissions

    In a groundbreaking development, researchers have unveiled a cutting-edge AI-powered image recognition system that promises to revolutionize the way we process and analyze visual data. The technology, which leverages advanced machine learning algorithms, has demonstrated unprecedented accuracy in identifying and categorizing images across diverse domains. This innovation is poised to have far-reaching implications, from enhancing security systems to improving medical diagnostics and streamlining industrial processes. The breakthrough comes at a time when the demand for robust image recognition solutions is surging, driven by the proliferation of digital content and the increasing complexity of visual data. Experts believe that this new system could set a new benchmark in the field, paving the way for more sophisticated applications in the future. The research team behind the project has emphasized the importance of ethical considerations and data privacy, ensuring that the technology is developed and deployed responsibly. As the world continues to embrace digital transformation, this AI-powered image recognition system is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.

  • STATEMENT: CARICOM adoption of  UN Security Council resolution 2793 on Haiti

    STATEMENT: CARICOM adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2793 on Haiti

    A recent image link has been widely circulated across various social media platforms, including Twitter, Pinterest, and others. The image, hosted on a news platform, has garnered significant attention due to its unique identifier and timestamp. The link, which directs users to a specific image stored on a news server, has been shared, tweeted, and pinned by numerous users. This widespread sharing highlights the growing trend of visual content dissemination in the digital age. The image’s accessibility and the ease of sharing it across multiple platforms underscore the importance of visual media in modern communication. The exact content of the image remains unspecified, but its widespread circulation suggests it holds relevance or appeal to a broad audience.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Declares October National Anti-Litter Month, Launches Nationwide Cleanup Campaign

    Antigua and Barbuda Declares October National Anti-Litter Month, Launches Nationwide Cleanup Campaign

    In a decisive move to tackle environmental degradation and public health concerns, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has designated October as National Anti-Litter Month. This initiative is part of a broader National Cleanup Campaign (NCC), a collaborative effort led by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) and supported by multiple government agencies and community stakeholders. The campaign aims to address critical issues such as improper waste disposal, derelict vehicles, abandoned houses, and illegal dumping sites, which have been identified as significant threats to the nation’s well-being. A rapid assessment conducted by the ABDF revealed alarming statistics, including 31 derelict vehicles, 31 abandoned houses, and 2 illegal dump sites in just one sector of St. John, highlighting the urgent need for action. The NCC is being implemented in three strategic phases: preparation, execution, and sustainability. During the preparation phase, priority sites are being mapped, notices issued, and equipment secured. The execution phase involves a nationwide cleanup, starting in St. John and extending to all communities, including Codrington, with leadership from government ministers. The sustainability phase focuses on publishing results, promoting school-based environmental programs, and establishing regular community cleanups to ensure long-term impact. To foster public engagement, schools are organizing student activities to promote anti-litter practices, while national influencers, including soca artists and sports personalities, are participating in a marketing campaign to raise awareness and inspire community involvement. The Cabinet has praised the ABDF for its leadership, the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) for its operational support, and the various ministries, schools, NGOs, and citizens contributing to this collective effort. Citizens are urged to actively participate in this month-long initiative and beyond, with the goal of fostering a lasting cultural shift toward environmental stewardship. ‘Together, we can protect our health, preserve our environment, and strengthen national pride,’ the Cabinet emphasized.