On Tuesday, Antigua and Barbuda’s House of Representatives passed the landmark Airport Administration Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2026, greenlighting a $10 incremental increase to airport administration fees for all passengers departing the country for destinations outside the Caribbean. Prime Minister Gaston Browne told lawmakers the adjustment is a core policy step designed to strengthen regional aviation systems, upgrade critical airport infrastructure, and deliver consistent, reliable funding to key regional governing institutions. The fee hike forms a central component of a broader collective agreement reached between leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which aims to build a more predictable, sustainable financing framework for shared regional bodies, Browne explained. For years, member states across both blocs have accumulated tens of millions of dollars in unpaid institutional contributions, with Antigua and Barbuda itself carrying decades of outstanding arrears. Browne pushed for a shift toward automatic, consistent contribution payments, noting the new revenue stream will directly address the persistent funding gaps that have hampered regional institutions’ operations. Of the $10 in additional revenue generated per eligible passenger, $2.50 will be allocated directly to the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). This funding is critical to Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing push to regain Category 1 aviation safety status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a designation that would open new travel opportunities for regional carriers. Restoring Category 1 status is a non-negotiable prerequisite for regional airlines including LIAT to operate direct routes to U.S. destinations, spanning the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. mainland, Browne stressed. “Many residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands have already requested direct air connections between the territory and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as other OECS member states,” Browne said. “But that goal is impossible to achieve until we restore our Category 1 safety status.” The prime minister commended ECCAA Director Anthony Whitaker and his team for resolving the safety deficiencies that were flagged in past FAA reviews, and he expressed optimism that the authority will successfully regain the designation following a formal FAA assessment scheduled for later this year. Even if the assessment results are positive, however, Browne warned that long-term success depends on consistent, adequate financing for the regional aviation regulator. Currently, ECCAA’s existing headquarters in Antigua and Barbuda lacks the space to hire and accommodate the additional qualified staff required to maintain Category 1 standards. The guaranteed, steady revenue from the fee hike will deliver the financial stability the regulator needs to move forward with constructing a new purpose-built headquarters, he confirmed. Beyond supporting ECCAA and aviation safety upgrades, the new revenue will deliver broader benefits across the region and Antigua and Barbuda. Browne noted that the additional funds will allow the country to make more consistent, on-time contributions to OECS and CARICOM institutions, gradually reduce its longstanding arrears, fund national climate resilience projects, and ensure the country has sufficient resources for ongoing airport infrastructure maintenance. The government recently completed a $55 million project to repair and expand V.C. Bird International Airport, and the new revenue stream will protect that public investment through consistent, long-term maintenance, he added. In a key clarification, Browne emphasized that the fee adjustment will not impact passengers traveling within the Caribbean. No increase will apply to regional air travel originating or ending within the bloc; the full $10 hike only applies to passengers traveling to destinations outside the Caribbean from Antigua and Barbuda. “This does not affect regional travelers at all – there is zero increase to the regional airport charge,” Browne told assembled legislators. “This fee only applies to people traveling externally from Antigua and Barbuda, outside of the Caribbean region.”
作者： admin
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Gospel artist Karlos Cobham eyes global breakthrough with Avidity nod push
From topping Billboard charts to earning a spot on a major U.S. gospel awards shortlist, Barbados native Karlos Cobham, a contemporary gospel artist based in the United States, is capturing global attention once again. This time, he is reaching out to his community back home for support to push his nomination bid forward on one of independent gospel music’s most prominent platforms.
Cobham, who previously landed a Grammy consideration for his 2022 Billboard No.1 Christian hip-hop track *Royalty* featuring Emcee N.I.C.E., is now poised to make history as a two-category shortlisted contender for the 2026 Avidity Gospel Music Awards. Holding dual roles as CEO and flagship artist of his independent label KWEST Records, the multi-talented songwriter and producer is nominated in two high-profile categories: Gospel Rap Artist of the Year, and Gospel R&B/Hip Hop Single of the Year for his 2025 hit *Blessed*.
Hosted by the Avidity Recording Academy (ARA), an organization dedicated to lifting up recording artists, industry professionals and creative collaborators across the independent music sector, the 11th annual Avidity Gospel Music Awards will run from November 6 to 9 in Dallas, Texas. Built around a core mission of recognition, education and advocacy, the academy works to celebrate outstanding artistic achievement, raise industry-wide professional standards, and nurture emerging talent for the next generation. Through its focus on driving innovation across music creation, production, education and technology, ARA aims to empower independent creators to build sustainable, long-term careers in the broader global music industry.
With the first round of public voting set to close this Sunday, Cobham has issued a public call to his fellow Barbadians to back his bid by casting their votes at aviditygospelawards.com/vote. He emphasized that local support can not only boost his campaign but also cement Barbados’ growing reputation as a hub of talented gospel artists on the international music stage.
In an exclusive telephone interview with Barbados TODAY from his base in New York on Tuesday, Cobham shared that his core focus remains advancing faith through music. “Everything I do is centered on advancing God’s Kingdom and serving him,” he explained. The chart-topping artist also admitted that self-promotion does not come naturally to him. “To be honest, I find it hard to promote myself. I spend most of my time highlighting other artists on my radio show. I know marketing is a critical part of this industry, so I may end up hiring an agent to handle that side of things for me,” he said.
Notably, Cobham’s path to the Avidity shortlist mirrors his previous journey to Grammy consideration: he never actively campaigned for a spot. Just as his 2022 No.1 *Royalty* earned Grammy consideration without aggressive promotion on his part, his name landed on the Avidity awards ballot entirely without any outreach or marketing from his team. He also pointed out that many independent artists pay to be considered for award nominations, and while he was approached to do the same, he declined the offer.
With a career that already spans international stages, Cobham has performed across Jamaica, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, sharing lineups with Grammy-winning artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard and collaborating with some of the biggest names in contemporary gospel: gospel reggae trailblazer DJ Nicholas, Grammy-nominated producer and singer Canton Jones, and acclaimed rapper Dee-1. Beyond his work in music, Cobham is also the founder of KWEST International Inc, a non-profit organization focused on supporting creative and visual arts programming.
Official final nominees for the 2026 Avidity Gospel Music Awards will be announced on August 4 at 8 p.m. Barbados time, via a public livestream hosted on the Avidity Gospel Awards official Facebook page. The first round of voting is open to the general public, while the final round is restricted to voting members of the Avidity Recording Academy. In this initial phase, public votes narrow down the shortlisted candidates to determine who advances to final nominee status. Organizers have confirmed that only one vote is allowed per person, and any duplicate votes cast from the same person, device or IP address will be automatically discarded.
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Jahciba Shoy Granted Bail Pending Crown Appeal
In a development that has advanced a high-profile murder case in the Caribbean legal system, Jahciba Shoy has walked free on bail this week, days after a High Court judge threw out the murder charge against him — but prosecutors have already moved to challenge that ruling, leaving the final outcome of the case uncertain.
Shoy’s release was finalized on Tuesday, when High Court justices granted his bail application with a $10,000 surety requirement, structured to allow two independent guarantors to back the bond without an upfront cash deposit. The temporary release comes after a weeks-long period of continued custody that followed the initial dismissal of the charge: last week, the trial judge sided with the defense’s argument that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to support a conviction, but prosecutors immediately filed an official notice of appeal, which kept Shoy in detention while his bail request was processed.
The core of the defense’s case, presented by lead defense attorney Wendel Alexander, was a no-case submission that argued the entire prosecution case rested on nothing more than unfounded suspicion and unproven conjecture. Alexander maintained that no evidence presented by the prosecution met the legal standard required to sustain a murder conviction, and the trial judge agreed. In the official ruling, the judge found that the Crown, the prosecuting body in the case, had failed to establish a prima facie case that Shoy needed to answer in court, justifying the full dismissal of the murder charge.
Shoy was initially charged in connection with a fatal shooting that shook the local community in May 2023. The incident took place at the Pick ’n Mix Mart located on DeSouza Road, during an armed robbery that left 25-year-old Roudi Shmaly, a Syrian national residing in the area, dead.
Now, the legal process will move to the Court of Appeal, where justices will review the High Court’s ruling to determine whether the dismissal of the murder charge was legally sound. The appellate court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the original dismissal or order new trial proceedings against Shoy.
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APUA Pipe Installation Works to Affect Traffic on Market Street Today
Commuters traveling through central St. John’s should prepare for minor travel delays and altered traffic patterns on Wednesday, as the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Water Business Unit launches critical pipe installation work along a key stretch of Market Street. The active work zone spans the segment of Market Street between Newgate Street and Church Street, bringing utility crews and heavy drilling equipment to the high-traffic downtown corridor. The project is being executed by APUA’s specialized Horizontal Directional Drilling team, a group trained to carry out subsurface infrastructure work with minimal above-ground disruption to local businesses and daily travel. Once completed, the installation will enable the utility to permanently retire the aging, corroded water pipes running along adjacent Newgate Street, replacing outdated infrastructure with a brand-new, more reliable water distribution connection. APUA officials have clarified that the upgrade is not an isolated maintenance task, but a core component of a broader contingency strategy designed to strengthen St. John’s municipal water supply. Currently, the capital city’s primary water source is the Grays Hill Reservoir; the new connection will add a redundant, stable supply line fed by the Fort James Reverse Osmosis Plant, boosting the city’s ability to cope with unexpected supply interruptions and meet growing demand from residents and downtown businesses. To minimize safety risks and reduce congestion, APUA is calling on all motorists and pedestrians passing through the area to exercise extra caution, slow down when approaching the work zone, and follow all directional guidance posted by on-site work crews. The authority has also issued an advance statement of gratitude to the local public, acknowledging that temporary traffic changes will cause minor inconvenience, and thanking residents and commuters for their understanding and ongoing cooperation as the utility works to improve long-term water infrastructure for the entire community.
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OPINION: If road safety is a productivity issue, so is insurance access
### Connecting Road Safety and Insurance Reform: Unlocking Productivity Growth for Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) has framed the island’s persistent road safety crisis as far more than a public safety challenge – it is a critical drag on national productivity. Addressing nearly 400 law enforcement officers recently, NCPC Director Lisa Florent-Montoute laid out stark data to back this claim: the island is now home to more than 95,000 registered vehicles, all traveling across infrastructure originally designed for a total population of just 180,000. In 2023 alone, the country recorded nearly 3,000 road accidents, over 350 of which were classified as major collisions. Every incident pulls workers out of employment, burdens households with unexpected medical costs, causes costly property damage, and in the worst cases, results in preventable loss of life.
While NCPC’s diagnosis of the productivity drain from road accidents has drawn broad agreement, one interconnected issue has rarely been tied to the crisis: the broken state of Saint Lucia’s motor insurance market. While policymakers discuss road safety improvements in one forum and rising insurance costs in another, the obvious link between the two has gone unaddressed: lasting improvement on either front cannot be achieved without fixing the other.
For everyday drivers in Saint Lucia, comparing insurance options to find the right coverage is an unnecessarily burdensome process. Requesting a quote requires long waits from providers, many of whom never follow up at all. Most drivers abandon the search after contacting two or three providers, and renew their existing policy regardless of whether it offers fair pricing or adequate coverage. Even the process of securing a single quote requires reams of time-consuming paperwork that discourages comparison shopping.
Price is far from the only challenge facing drivers. The common impulse to chase the lowest available premium often leaves drivers underinsured, because two policies with drastically different price tags can both be appropriate depending on their deductibles, coverage exclusions, and the provider’s track record for timely claim payouts. True access to functional insurance requires clear visibility into these differences, so drivers can select coverage that matches their unique risk profile – not just the cheapest option on the market. Without easy access to transparent, comparable information, most Saint Lucian drivers end up underprotected for the risks they face on daily commutes.
The consequences of this opaque market are already playing out across the island. In 2024, Guyana & Trinidad Mutual announced it would suspend issuing new motor policies due to soaring claim costs, while other providers implemented steep premium hikes. For example, third-party motorcycle insurance has risen 50 percent in just two years, jumping from $800 to $1,200. Kingson Jean, vice president of the National Association of Driving Schools, warns that price hikes will not reduce the number of vehicles on the road – they will increase the number of uninsured drivers. When working families are forced to choose between covering basic needs like food and rent and paying for insurance, coverage will almost always lose out.
Jean notes that insurers do need to maintain financial stability to meet their legal obligation to provide coverage, but the reality remains that every uninsured or underinsured driver shifts the cost of accidents onto other road users or the public sector.
A separate gap exists in NCPC’s current proposed road safety reform plan. The council has put forward a common-sense policy that would allow drivers involved in minor collisions to exchange information and file incident reports digitally, clearing congested roads quickly instead of blocking traffic for hours. However, nearly all insurers in Saint Lucia still require an official police report to process any claim, even for low-impact fender benders. This requirement is not arbitrary: police reports serve as a key check against inflated or fraudulent claims. Without aligning the new digital reporting rules with insurers’ claims requirements, drivers who follow the new process will still be forced to visit police stations days later to satisfy their insurer’s rules, defeating the purpose of the reform.
NCPC’s proposed Road Safety and Traffic Management Collaborative has the potential to close this policy gap if it is given sufficient mandate. Neighboring Barbados implemented a similar aligned reform successfully several years ago, where only major collisions now require formal police intervention.
Saint Lucia’s government and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the country’s insurance regulator, hold the authority to deliver meaningful, coordinated change. A concrete starting point would be a new requirement that forces insurers to publish their full rate cards, coverage terms, deductibles, coverage exclusions, and historical claim processing timelines in a single, accessible format that allows drivers to compare options side by side.
Regulators across the globe are already pushing for similar reforms to encourage more efficient, transparent insurance markets. For example, Nigerian regulators passed a rule last year requiring insurers to settle all valid claims within 60 days, with penalties for non-compliance. Rules like this push providers to streamline their claims processes, which directly addresses many of the cost and efficiency issues NCPC is working to solve.
It is important to acknowledge that Saint Lucia’s insurers are already facing genuine upward cost pressure that deserves policy attention, but the ask for transparency is a modest one: regardless of the final price point the market settles on, drivers deserve clear information to make informed decisions about their coverage.
None of these changes need to wait for established market incumbents to act. Saint Lucia has a small but growing community of local entrepreneurs and technologists that have already transformed how the island’s residents bank, shop, and transfer money. The insurance sector has largely sat out this digital revolution, leaving a clear gap – and a clear need – for local tech leaders to help increase transparency and accessibility for drivers, breaking the decades-old status quo held by a small handful of providers.
Closing her remarks, Florent-Montoute noted that every minute of delays reduced, every accident prevented, and every life saved adds up to a stronger, more productive Saint Lucia. This is a worthy standard to hold reform to – and that standard requires full transparency to ensure drivers can find, understand, and afford the coverage they need before an accident ever occurs.
*This analysis is from Christian Amir Wayne, founder of Breadfruit Technologies Inc., a digital motor insurance brokerage planning to launch in Saint Lucia.*
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Money Team Extend Historic Unbeaten Run to 20 Straight, Edge Titans in Championship Thriller
In the world of competitive pool, some wins transcend the scoreboard and etch themselves permanently into the annals of sporting legend. On July 14, 2026, at Larry and Perla’s Bar on Back Street, Money Team did exactly that, writing another iconic chapter into what is already being called the most dominant run in the history of the National Pool Players Association (NPPA). Against a ferocious challenge from defending champions Titans, Money Team survived a last-rack thriller to stretch their historic unbeaten streak to 20 consecutive matches, and claim a critical opening night advantage in the Elrick Pat Beazer Championship Final.
The historic streak, which has remained unbroken through every match Money Team has played since February 2026, came within just one single rack of falling. Titans pushed the undefeated side to the brink of defeat before Money Team captain Purran delivered the decisive blow in the final match of the night.
The evening opened with a long-awaited story of redemption for Money Team. Stamma, the Money Team competitor, faced off against Titans’ Cue Ball Ricky in a rematch of their early-season encounter. Their first meeting came just days after Stamma was released from hospital following a major surgery, when he competed through lingering pain to take the table. Ricky claimed a convincing victory in that first match.
This time, however, Stamma was fully fit, healthy, and hungry to reverse the result. He dominated the contest, sweeping Ricky in two straight racks to hand Money Team an early 1-0 lead on the night.
Titans refused to let the early setback shake them, and responded immediately. Caribbean Pool Ambassador Scarface, the Titans’ talented international import, demonstrated exactly how he earned his standout reputation in the sport. After taking the first rack against veteran competitor Bandmaster Ringo, Scarface looked set to close out a comfortable win. Ringo fought back hard to level the match, but a devastating accidental scratch in the deciding rack gifted Scarface the win, tying the overall team score at 1-1.
Money Team quickly reclaimed the advantage through Keon (KT), who secured a straightforward straight-rack victory over Charbel to push the score back to 2-1 for the unbeaten side.
The high-caliber play continued as Titans captain Bad took on in-form Money Team competitor Michael. Both players have turned in exceptional performances throughout the 2026 season, but Bad delivered a masterclass captain’s performance when his team needed it most, putting together one of the night’s best displays to win in straight racks and level the overall score once again at 2-2.
Once more, Money Team answered the Titans’ challenge. Antonio fell to hometown favorite Ses in the opening rack – Ses, who hosts regular Sunday tournaments at Larry and Perla’s, knows the venue’s tables better than nearly any other player on the roster. But Antonio kept his composure, refused to panic, found his rhythm, and won the next two consecutive racks to push Money Team back ahead 3-2.
Titans were far from done, though. Nalda, who has seen limited playing time through the 2026 season, stepped into one of the campaign’s biggest moments and delivered a standout performance. After taking the opening rack against Inshan, Nalda watched his opponent fight back to level the match, before closing out a calm, controlled win in the deciding rack to tie the overall score at 3-3.
Momentum shifted firmly to the defending champions after that. Peck defeated Money Team’s Comeback Kid in straight racks, pushing Titans ahead 4-3 – their first lead of the entire night, putting them just one rack away from ending Money Team’s historic, months-long unbeaten streak.
With the streak hanging in the balance, all pressure fell to Money Team’s Terry, who faced off against Chapo in the next match. Terry carried the expectations of his entire team, desperate to keep their historic run alive. Chapo looked poised to close out the match and secure the historic upset for Titans, but championship events are often won by competitors who refuse to break under pressure.
Terry took the opening rack, before Chapo fought back to level the match at 1-1. With everything on the line, Terry held his nerve in the deciding rack to win the match, pulling Money Team level at 4-4 and setting up a winner-take-all final showdown between the two team anchors.
Everything came down to the final match: a 20-match unbeaten streak and the opening night of the championship final all hinged on one final race to victory. Money Team anchor Purran took on Titans anchor Edwards.
There would be no upset fairy tale for the defending champions on opening night. Purran understood exactly what the high-stakes moment required. Calm, composed, and clinical in his play, the Money Team captain delivered a dominant final performance, securing the deciding victory to preserve the most remarkable unbeaten streak the NPPA has ever seen.
The final score stood at Money Team 5, Titans 4. Twenty consecutive matches without a defeat. Another chapter of sporting history written.
For Titans, the opening night defeat will leave a lasting sting, but their performance proved beyond any doubt that they have the talent and grit to push the sport’s most dominant team to the absolute limit. As defending champions, they showed tremendous fight to keep the multi-game championship series very much alive heading into the next round of play.
For Money Team, however, Tuesday night’s win was about far more than just another notch on the win column. It was about defending a growing legacy that is already being talked about as one of the greatest in pool history.
Twenty consecutive wins is no stroke of luck. It is the product of consistent high-level play, incredible resilience, championship-caliber composure, and an unshakable belief that even when everything is on the line, they can find another level of play when it matters most.
The streak lives on. And for the moment, the history of the NPPA still bears the colors of Money Team.
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LIAT Launches Guadeloupe–Montego Bay Service
The Caribbean regional travel landscape has taken a major step forward with the launch of LIAT’s first-ever direct air service connecting Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and Montego Bay, Jamaica — a development that has earned enthusiastic praise from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority as a transformative boost to regional connectivity and collective tourism growth.
At launch ceremonies marking the new route’s debut, Shermain Jeremy, director of Caribbean and Latin America markets for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, emphasized that the service delivers widespread benefits across the entire Caribbean bloc, rather than delivering isolated gains to just the two endpoint destinations.
“This route is not Guadeloupe’s gain or Jamaica’s gain—it is the region’s gain,” Jeremy stated explicitly during her remarks.
She went on to explain that the new fixed-route service redefines Guadeloupe’s role in the Caribbean travel ecosystem, establishing the island as a central gateway for multi-destination Caribbean itineraries. By cutting down on connection times and travel complexity, the new link makes it far simpler for international and regional visitors to build extended trips that include multiple island nations, among them Antigua and Barbuda.
Jeremy also used the occasion to outline a shared vision for the future of Caribbean tourism, arguing that long-term, sustainable growth for the region depends on cross-destination collaboration rather than cutthroat competition for the same visitor base.
“That is the future of Caribbean tourism: not competing for the same visitor, but sharing them,” she added.
In closing, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority extended formal congratulations to LIAT and all of its industry partners on successfully expanding regional air connectivity, a move that lowers barriers to entry for travelers looking to explore the diverse array of destinations that make up the Caribbean. Industry observers note that stronger air links across the region are expected to drive longer average visitor stays, higher collective tourism spending, and more resilient revenue streams for smaller island nations that rely on travel as a core economic pillar.
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ULP candidate completes PhD months after election defeat
Eight months after falling short in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) 2025 general election, a Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate has achieved a major academic milestone, earning a doctorate from a top Taiwanese university through a long-running scholarship program.
Darron Rodan John, 35, a Biabou-based figure who ran as the ULP’s South Windward constituency candidate in the November 2025 vote, successfully completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a specialized focus on information management. The confirmation was shared in an official social media post by the Embassy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines based in Taiwan.
According to the embassy’s announcement, John passed his dissertation defense on Wednesday earlier this month. His research work, titled “Determinants of Digital Banking Services Adoption among College Students in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” centers on high-priority themes for small developing economies: digital transformation, adoption of modern information systems, digital banking, electronic records governance, e-governance, and the role of technological innovation in driving inclusive growth for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
John’s educational journey in Taiwan stretches back nearly a decade, beginning in 2017 when he received a full scholarship from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He started his studies by completing Mandarin language training in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, before relocating to Hualien, a scenic city on Taiwan’s eastern coast. There, he completed his undergraduate degree and Master of Science at National Dong Hwa University, before advancing to the PhD program at the same institution.
In comments shared by the embassy, John reflected on the transformative impact of his time in Taiwan, noting: “Over the years, Taiwan has played an invaluable role in my academic, professional, and personal growth, shaping me into the person and scholar I am today.” John, who centered his 2025 election campaign in part on highlighting the bilateral relationship between SVG and Taiwan, called his PhD one of the most significant achievements of his academic career.
“This achievement is the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and lifelong learning,” he said. “Above all, I give all praise, honour, and glory to God, whose grace, wisdom, strength, and perfect timing sustained me throughout this journey. What began as a dream many years ago has become a reality through His unfailing faithfulness.”
John’s graduation ceremony was held in early June, and he expressed particular gratitude that his sister and niece were able to travel to Taiwan to join the celebration. “Their presence made this achievement even more meaningful, and I will always cherish those memories,” he added.
Beyond his personal circle, John extended appreciation to multiple stakeholders: the government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the government and people of Taiwan, the leadership and faculty of National Dong Hwa University, his academic advisors, mentors, and all supporters who offered guidance and encouragement throughout his studies.
“This achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the enduring educational and diplomatic partnership between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan,” John emphasized. Looking ahead, he plans to leverage his specialized expertise to advance research, drive digital transformation, and support sustainable development across SVG, the broader Caribbean region, and other Small Island Developing States.
Recapping the 2025 general election results, John lost his bid to hold the South Central Windward seat for the ULP, a constituency the party has controlled since 1994. Voters ultimately elected Andrew John, a retired first-time candidate from the opposition New Democratic Party, to the seat. Following the election, Darron John returned to Taiwan to finalize work on his doctorate, bringing his nearly 10-year educational journey in the country to a successful close.
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UWI Five Islands Guild Congratulates Student on Regional Pageant Victory
A regional pageant celebrating plus-size women has brought home a historic victory for Antigua and Barbuda, as Milove Fontaine, a student at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, claimed the coveted title of Miss Elegantly Plus Caribbean Queen 2026. Following her win, the UWI Five Islands Guild of Students has publicly released an official statement to celebrate Fontaine’s trailblazing success at the competition, which was hosted in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
In the statement, the student governing body lavished praise on Fontaine for upholding the reputation of her home nation Antigua and Barbuda throughout the regional contest. Officials noted that she carried herself across every stage of competition with extraordinary grace, unshakable confidence, and unwavering excellence, standing out among a field of competing contestants from across the Caribbean.
Fontaine’s win extended far beyond the overall crown: the UWI student also dominated the contest’s sectional awards, taking home five additional honors that highlight her versatility and skill as a competitor. Her haul of secondary awards includes the titles of Top Model 2026, People’s Choice, Best On-stage Interview, Best Ambassadorial Presentation, and Best Evening Wear, marking one of the most dominant showings in the recent history of the pageant.
“The Guild of Students celebrates this remarkable achievement and extends our heartfelt congratulations to Milove,” the statement reads. Organization leaders went on to emphasize that Fontaine’s relentless dedication to preparation, effortless poise under pressure, and standout performance throughout the pageant have filled not just all of Antigua and Barbuda with national pride, but the entire campus community of UWI Five Islands as well. Many community members have already shared messages of support for Fontaine on social media, celebrating her win as a milestone for body positivity and student achievement in the region.
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Cuba’s stroomnet stort opnieuw in: derde landelijke black-out in 10 dagen
Cuba has entered another period of widespread national crisis after its entire national power grid collapsed completely early Tuesday local time, leaving nearly 10 million Cuban residents without access to electricity. This outage marks the third full-scale nationwide blackout to hit the Caribbean island in just 10 days, and the fifth such major event recorded across the country in 2026.
According to Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the Cuban state-owned national power authority, the full system collapse began around 11 a.m. local time. The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines later confirmed via social media platforms that all segments of the country’s interconnected power system had been completely taken offline.
The repeated energy failures unfold against the backdrop of Cuba’s worst economic downturn in decades, a crisis that has been sharply exacerbated by a U.S.-imposed oil boycott that has cut off the island’s most critical energy supply lines. The U.S. trade embargo on oil shipments to Cuba deepened already severe fuel shortages across the island, pushing Cuba’s aging, outdated power grid – much of which was originally installed in the 1960s and 1980s – beyond its operational breaking point.
The latest U.S. oil restrictions were implemented in January this year, shortly after the ousting of Venezuelan former president Nicolás Maduro. For decades, Venezuela served as Cuba’s primary supplier of heavily subsidized crude oil, a partnership that kept the island’s energy system running for generations. Following the U.S. imposition of the new boycott, Mexico also halted all fuel exports to Cuba under U.S. diplomatic pressure.
Data from the International Energy Agency shows that as recently as 2023, Cuba only produced roughly 40 percent of the total oil its population and economy consumed annually, leaving the country overwhelmingly dependent on foreign energy imports to meet domestic demand.
U.S. government officials have stated that the sanctions are explicitly designed to increase pressure on Cuba’s communist-led government to schedule free democratic elections and release hundreds of political detainees held in Cuban custody.
The recurring, widespread blackouts have fueled growing public discontent across the island over the past two weeks. Just last week, spontaneous protests broke out in multiple neighborhoods across Havana, where residents banged pots and pans in coordinated demonstrations to demand the immediate restoration of power. During the previous round of national blackouts earlier this month, full power restoration across all regions of Cuba took more than 24 hours to complete.