作者: admin

  • SPOTTED!!

    SPOTTED!!

    In the high-stakes arena of celebrity public relations, Chris Chambers stands as a pivotal yet often unseen force. As the founder of The Chamber Group, a New York-based boutique PR firm established in 2006, Chambers has meticulously crafted the images and narratives for a veritable who’s who of music and entertainment royalty. His client roster boasts iconic names including Usher, Drake, Jamie Foxx, Erykah Badu, OutKast, and Ciara, solidifying his reputation as an industry titan.

    Chambers’ journey into the world of PR began not by design, but through discovery. While pursuing a journalism major at NYU, a single workshop ignited his interest. “There were no real classes that focused on PR; at the time, the journalism department focused on English and writing,” he recalls. The pivotal turning point was an internship during his junior year at Set to Run Public Relations, a firm that worked with all the major music labels. As part of their inaugural internship program, Chambers was immersed in the fundamentals—drafting press releases, scheduling media days, and learning the core mechanics of the industry. This experience cemented his career path.

    His expertise has not gone unnoticed. A significant career milestone was his inclusion in Billboard Magazine’s first-ever ‘Power Publicists’ list in 2023, an inaugural definitive roster highlighting the music industry’s most influential artist representatives. “It always feels good to be recognised for my work, especially amongst my peers… I can honestly say it was a highlight in my career,” Chambers noted.

    The firm’s recent highlights, looking ahead to 2025, underscore its diverse and high-caliber influence. These include Usher’s prominent participation in the Met Gala and his role as the face of the Ralph Lauren fragrance “Ralph’s Club.” Further demonstrating the agency’s expansive reach beyond music, Chambers cites working with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the iconic premier ballet company, as a profound highlight. The year culminated with Grammy Award-winning rapper Future being named a face of Louis Vuitton, a major coup in the luxury fashion space.

    Reflecting on client Usher’s monumental year, Chambers attributes his success to an unwavering commitment to craft. “Usher comes from that era where performers worked on their craft to be great — not okay or good!” he states, emphasizing that this dedication ensures audiences receive a performance worth the ticket price, offering an escape from everyday life. Chambers hints at even more exciting multi-platform projects on the horizon for the superstar.

    The accompanying photographs—from on-location shoots for American Vogue with Erykah Badu to moments with fashion icon Naomi Campbell and editor Edward Enninful—provide a visual testament to The Chamber Group’s entrenched position at the nexus of music, fashion, and culture.

  • Definitive number of U.S.deportees to DA undecided, says PM Skerrit

    Definitive number of U.S.deportees to DA undecided, says PM Skerrit

    Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has clarified that Dominica has not established specific numerical commitments regarding the potential acceptance of third-country refugees deported from the United States. During a press briefing on Thursday evening, Skerrit characterized the arrangement as a contingency measure requested by the U.S. government to address immigration challenges.

    The development follows the December 16, 2025 proclamation that imposed partial visa restrictions on Dominica. Skerrit emphasized the preliminary nature of discussions, stating, “We have not decided how many people we are going to be taking. And as a matter of fact, we may never end up having anybody to come.”

    The Prime Minister framed the consideration as an act of diplomatic cooperation, noting: “We consider ourselves to be a friend to the United States and we believe that we are in a position, as small as we are, to assist the United States in addressing an issue it determines to be a national priority.”

    Crucially, Skerrit outlined several protective mechanisms within the Memorandum of Understanding between the nations. The agreement enables Dominica to reject any individuals deemed potentially problematic after thorough review. “They give you the background of these people, their criminal history, their medical history,” Skerrit explained, adding that Dominica retains absolute discretion to refuse applicants based on security assessments.

    The Prime Minister committed to public transparency, pledging that any formal requests from the U.S. would be disclosed to Dominican citizens once received by the government.

  • Security minister alleges insiders in facilitation of illegal firearm activities in Dominica

    Security minister alleges insiders in facilitation of illegal firearm activities in Dominica

    Dominica’s National Security Minister, Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore, has publicly condemned a pervasive ‘code of silence’ that he asserts is actively enabling the island’s escalating gun violence and illegal firearms trade. Minister Blackmoore, speaking at a recent press conference, expressed profound frustration with systemic hypocrisy, alleging complicity extends from local communities into both the public service and private sectors.

    The Minister articulated that this culture of silence directly facilitates individuals involved in violent crimes and the illicit importation of weapons. He described the resulting gun violence, particularly the tragic deaths of young men, as a symptom of a deeper societal malady. A critical concern highlighted was the alarming level of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators, who often operate undetected and evade apprehension.

    In response, the government is implementing a multi-faceted strategy. This includes significant investment in the Dominica Police Force, equipping officers with advanced tools and technology to enhance investigative and interdiction capabilities. A key initiative involves the specialized training of 23 police officers in ballistic analysis and serial number retrieval, a program that has already yielded successes in tracing firearms intercepted at ports.

    Furthermore, Minister Blackmoore revealed the deployment of sophisticated maritime surveillance systems to meticulously monitor territorial waters. This enhanced security apparatus, now operational in the south with northern expansion planned, provides real-time tracking of all vessels, significantly bolstering border security.

    The government is also tightening regulations around legal firearm ownership. The Minister cited instances where licensed holders illegally sold weapons to third parties, a practice strictly forbidden by law. He assured the public of the government’s unwavering commitment to dismantling the networks fueling violence and ensuring national security and safety for all citizens.

  • Young writers honoured at SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards

    Young writers honoured at SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards

    Saint Lucia’s emerging literary talents took center stage at the 2025 SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards ceremony held this Wednesday. The event specifically honored eleven distinguished secondary school students who demonstrated exceptional prowess in both the Songtry Literary Excellence Awards and the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

    Denney Estava from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School emerged as the standout performer, securing the prestigious Songtry Youth of the Year overall award. The multi-talented student additionally claimed top honors in three distinct categories: Visual Arts, Global Crisis, and Poetry.

    “This recognition feels incredibly rewarding—I genuinely didn’t anticipate winning,” Estava expressed during his acceptance address. “My approach has simply been to engage actively in available opportunities like the Commonwealth essay and Songtry competitions, recognizing their potential to create transformative pathways for young individuals.”

    The awards ceremony highlighted diverse creative disciplines with category-specific achievements. Entrepot Secondary School’s Katalia Felix and St Joseph’s Convent’s Amalia Victor received Global Crisis awards for visual artworks depicting youth responses to contemporary challenges.

    Literary Arts category accolades were awarded to Merkisha Justin, Samuella Bertrand, Latoya Jadel Murray, and Iyana Aaliyah Paul for their exemplary creative writing compositions. Nathaniel Charles earned recognition in Visual Arts for demonstrating extraordinary creativity and originality.

    The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition national honors featured St Joseph’s Convent’s Melanie Alcee and Denney Estava in the under-14 division, while Iyana Aaliyah Paul (Sir Arthur Lewis Community College) and Phaedra Auguste (LHCSS) triumphed in the 14-18 category. Merkisha Justin and Malachai Bondiemaitre received bronze medals, with Samuella Bertrand achieving gold medal distinction.

    SLUDTERA, the organizing body behind both award programs, continues its mission to foster youth engagement with literary arts. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition international winners were formally announced on November 6, 2025, with this national ceremony reinforcing Saint Lucia’s commitment to nurturing young literary talent.

  • Bajans turning to Canada as new US visa policy spurs uncertainty

    Bajans turning to Canada as new US visa policy spurs uncertainty

    Recent United States immigration restrictions targeting nationals from 75 countries are projected to have minimal impact on Barbadian migration patterns, according to legal experts. Immigration attorney Samuel Legay revealed that declining interest in US migration among Barbadians has been steadily shifting toward Canada and other destinations over recent years.

    Legay explained that Canada has substantially expanded its immigration pathways, creating more accessible opportunities compared to the United States. “Within the last three or four years, more persons seek Canadian migration due to expanded programs,” Legay stated, noting that most current US-related cases involve complications with existing visas rather than new applications.

    The attorney detailed that many recent consultations concern Barbadians facing deportation, visa denials, or cancellations, often resulting from overstaying or unauthorized employment. “Immigration officers frequently discover work-related communications on mobile devices during questioning,” Legay added.

    Conversely, Canada’s system has welcomed more diverse immigration categories, including asylum seekers and LGBTQ individuals from Barbados seeking refugee status. This accessibility has fundamentally altered traditional migration routes from the Caribbean nation.

    The newly implemented US policy, announced by the Trump administration, indefinitely suspends immigrant visa processing for numerous CARICOM members including Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. The measure specifically targets family and employment-based permanent residency applications while excluding temporary tourist, business, student, or work visas.

    Despite the policy’s breadth, Legay noted limited immediate concern among potential migrants. “The implications remain undigested within the community,” he observed, citing a prevailing wait-and-see attitude. One client reportedly secured a three-year work permit extension prior to the announcement, highlighting the advantage of early application.

    As uncertainty persists regarding the policy’s long-term effects, Barbadians continue prioritizing alternative migration destinations until clearer outcomes emerge from the US immigration restructuring.

  • Listen to 2026 Calypso on DNO

    Listen to 2026 Calypso on DNO

    The technology sector is witnessing a revolutionary leap forward as leading industry players have officially launched their next-generation artificial intelligence assistant. This groundbreaking innovation represents a significant advancement in AI interaction, moving beyond traditional text-based interfaces to embrace comprehensive multimodal functionality.

    The newly unveiled system demonstrates unprecedented capabilities in processing and synthesizing information across various formats. It seamlessly integrates visual data interpretation with advanced linguistic understanding, enabling users to interact through images, text, and voice commands simultaneously. This holistic approach to AI communication effectively bridges the gap between digital information processing and real-world application.

    Industry analysts highlight the transformative potential of this technology across multiple sectors. From enhanced educational tools that can interpret and explain complex diagrams to sophisticated medical diagnostics systems capable of analyzing medical imagery, the applications appear virtually limitless. The technology also promises to revolutionize customer service interfaces, providing more intuitive and effective problem-solving capabilities.

    Development teams emphasized the extensive ethical considerations implemented throughout the design process, including robust privacy protections and bias mitigation frameworks. The rollout follows months of rigorous testing and refinement to ensure reliability and user safety. This launch positions the technology at the forefront of the competitive AI landscape, potentially setting new industry standards for intelligent assistant systems.

    Early demonstrations showcase the assistant’s ability to contextualize visual information within complex scenarios, offering insights and responses that demonstrate a deeper understanding of content than previous generations of AI technology. The system’s launch marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of human-machine interaction, potentially redefining how consumers and professionals alike engage with artificial intelligence in their daily operations.

  • Cane growers decry extra-regional imports threatening centuries-old sugar heritage

    Cane growers decry extra-regional imports threatening centuries-old sugar heritage

    Barbados’ centuries-old sugar industry stands on the brink of catastrophic failure as local cane farmers issue urgent warnings about market destabilization from imported brown sugar. Industry leaders report that unrestricted importation of low-cost sugar from outside the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) threatens to eliminate domestic production within months, jeopardizing agricultural stability and rural employment.

    Mark Sealy, Chairman of the Barbados Sugar Industry Limited (BSIL), expressed profound concern about licensing practices that permit distributors to bring foreign sugar into the domestic market. “We understand there is brown sugar coming from outside CARICOM and competing with local Barbados sugar,” Sealy stated. “That’s basically shooting yourself in the foot — it needs to stop.”

    The economic implications extend beyond direct sales, as sugar production remains intrinsically linked to Barbados’ rum manufacturing through molasses production and contributes significantly to food security through crop rotation practices. Approximately 25% of sugar acreage alternates with food crops, creating an agricultural ecosystem now under threat.

    Sealy emphasized the market dynamics creating unsustainable pressure: “The market for brown sugar in Barbados is between 3,500 and 4,000 tonnes. If you’re bringing in cheaper sugar from countries with lower labor and fuel costs, the factory cannot compete or sell to retailers.” This price disparity creates cash flow constraints that ultimately prevent timely payments to local farmers.

    Contrary to potential justification through supply shortages, Sealy confirmed adequate domestic inventory: “There is no shortage. The factory has sugar in storage. Allowing these imports makes no sense — distributors just want a higher margin because they can buy cheaper elsewhere.”

    The situation has drawn previous governmental concern, with Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir having previously criticized “excessive sugar imports” that undermined the “beleaguered local industry.” While the Ministry continues monitoring the situation, industry representatives await concrete intervention to prevent total sector collapse.

  • Chief Magistrate Carette-George breaks down court cases for 2025

    Chief Magistrate Carette-George breaks down court cases for 2025

    The magistracy courts faced a significant challenge in managing caseloads throughout 2025, with Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George revealing a substantial disparity between filed and resolved cases. According to year-end statistics presented at Thursday’s press conference, the courts received 3,765 new matters while only disposing of 2,053 cases, resulting in a concerning increase in judicial backlog.

    The case breakdown reveals distinct patterns across different legal domains. Traffic violations dominated the docket with 1,324 filings and 653 dispositions, representing the highest volume category. Criminal matters followed as the second most numerous with 866 new cases and 581 resolutions. The civil division handled 897 filings against 360 completed cases, while family court addressed 182 maintenance and affiliation matters alongside 278 dispositions.

    Notably, the juvenile court demonstrated exceptional efficiency by disposing of 33 cases despite receiving only 19 new filings. However, other specialized courts showed less favorable ratios: domestic violence cases saw 188 filings against 58 resolutions, domestic relationships matters had 46 new cases with only 7 completed, and child protection cases recorded 40 filings with 21 dispositions.

    Financially, the court system generated substantial revenue through enforcement actions, collecting $788,715.80 in fines and ticket payments between July and December 2025.

    To address mounting backlogs, the judiciary has implemented several operational reforms. Night court sessions resumed in September 2025, operating from 2 PM to 9 PM to handle both criminal and civil trials. Additionally, case management hearings are scheduled to commence in January 2026 following the return of the assigned magistrate from vacation. These pretrial assessments will evaluate case readiness and determine suitability for night court proceedings, aiming to minimize unnecessary adjournments and maximize judicial efficiency.

    The Coroners’ Court has expanded its schedule to three weekly sessions (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) while establishing a dedicated courtroom for daily operations from Monday through Friday. Chief Magistrate Carrette-George expressed particular concern about inquest cases, where 183 filings yielded only 62 dispositions in 2025, citing juror procurement and summons service challenges as primary obstacles to timely resolutions.

  • Resurfacing Of West Indies Oil Road To Proceed After APUA Pipeline Replacement

    Resurfacing Of West Indies Oil Road To Proceed After APUA Pipeline Replacement

    A vital infrastructure enhancement project on Antigua’s West Indies Oil Road is advancing through a coordinated inter-agency effort. The Ministry of Works has initiated comprehensive repairs on the crucial thoroughfare connecting Friars Hill Road and Marble Hill Road, unveiling a critical need for simultaneous utility upgrades.

    During preliminary roadwork assessments, construction crews identified multiple compromised sections of the water distribution network. These defects were promptly reported to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), triggering an immediate technical evaluation. Utility engineers conducted thorough inspections that revealed extensive corrosion and structural deterioration in the existing pipelines, rendering them operationally unreliable.

    APUA has consequently prioritized the complete replacement of these aging water lines before road resurfacing can commence. This proactive approach ensures long-term infrastructure stability by addressing subsurface utility integrity prior to surface restoration. The sequenced operational timeline mandates that Public Works crews will execute final road resurfacing operations only after APUA successfully completes all pipeline installation and testing procedures.

    Government officials have publicly acknowledged the temporary inconvenience caused by these essential works, emphasizing their critical importance to community infrastructure resilience. The Ministry of Works and APUA have jointly requested public cooperation and patience throughout the project duration, highlighting that the temporary disruption will yield significant long-term benefits for water service reliability and transportation safety in the region.

  • BWU tells GAIA to shape up or face industrial action

    BWU tells GAIA to shape up or face industrial action

    The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has declared an uncompromising position regarding unresolved labor disputes at Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), warning that persistent violations of workers’ rights will provoke severe industrial responses. Deputy General Secretary Dwaine Paul conveyed to Barbados TODAY that the union stands prepared to authorize additional work stoppages if longstanding employee concerns remain unaddressed.

    Paul emphasized that commercial and operational priorities must not override fundamental worker health, safety, and welfare protections. The union is currently engaged in active negotiations with Goddard Catering Group (GCG) ground services management regarding multiple staff complaints, primarily concerning outstanding wage payments. While some constructive dialogue has occurred, both parties have scheduled a crucial meeting on January 19 to pursue final resolutions.

    The labor representative revealed that the BWU intends to convene comprehensive meetings with all airport divisions to assess working conditions throughout the facility. Paul noted that problematic conditions—including excessive heat exposure, substandard facilities, and inadequate working environments—represent systemic failures rather than isolated incidents. He stressed that employers bear both legal and moral responsibilities to address these issues promptly.

    Tensions previously escalated on November 27 when approximately 50-75 GCG employees initiated industrial action during the airport’s peak traffic day, disrupting services for nearly 8,000 passengers. The stoppage concluded after management provided written commitments addressing key negotiation points. Paul cautioned that similar actions could spread across other airport employers if systemic issues persist, emphasizing that worker welfare cannot be sacrificed for financial considerations.