The island nation of Saint Lucia’s public emergency responders faced a surge of urgent calls across the 2025 Labour Day long weekend, logging an extraordinary 100 responses from 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1 through 9 a.m. on Monday, May 4, according to official service updates. Among the incidents, three stood out as life-threatening serious emergencies: two separate violent chopping assaults and a cliff-side motor vehicle crash that put a young child at risk.
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SUMUN 2026 zet jongeren centraal in debat over AI en mensenrechten
In a gathering that places youth voices front and center in global policy conversations, the 2026 Suriname Model United Nations (SUMUN) conference wrapped up its sessions focused on human rights in the age of artificial intelligence, held at the iconic National Assembly building in Paramaribo. More than 45 young delegates between the ages of 17 and 22 gathered to debate pressing international issues, putting months of preparation and specialized training on display for diplomatic leaders and foreign guests in attendance.
SUMUN is designed specifically to give emerging young leaders hands-on exposure to the fields of diplomacy, policy development, and cross-border cooperation. This year’s opening ceremony drew a lineup of high-profile guests, including Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melvin Bouva, Minister of Oil, Gas and the Environment Patrick Brunnings, as well as senior foreign diplomats: French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste and Argentinian Ambassador Emiliano Gabriel Waiselfisz.
In his keynote address to delegates, Minister Bouva centered his remarks on the critical need to include youth perspectives in global conversations that will shape their futures. Drawing on the conference’s 2026 core theme of human rights in the artificial intelligence era, he emphasized that ethical guardrails for emerging technologies can only be effective when rooted in coordinated global collaboration that includes the input of the generation that will live with AI’s long-term impacts.
Anand Gajapersad, president of the Rotary Club of Paramaribo, one of the initiative’s supporting organizations, also addressed delegates, highlighting how inclusive diversity and cross-community collaboration are foundational to solving modern global challenges. Ravi Patandin, chair of the SUMUN organizing committee, expanded on this, outlining how meaningful youth engagement in public decision-making strengthens long-term social and economic development across all nations.
Weeks before the official conference got underway, all participating students completed a rigorous six-week training program focused on building core leadership, structured debate, and public communication skills. During the simulation sessions, which mirrored the working procedures of the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly, delegates presented formal position papers and negotiated resolutions on AI and human rights before an independent panel of judges. A series of awards were granted to recognize outstanding participation, including honors for the best position paper, best delegate, and best speaker.
Following the conclusion of the conference, the Rotary Club of Paramaribo reaffirmed its admiration for the dedication and critical thinking demonstrated by all participating delegates. The organization also emphasized its ongoing commitment to supporting youth development initiatives that empower young people to contribute meaningfully to public life and global problem-solving.
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“I Miss Him So Bad”: Mother Mourns Son Killed in Crash
A quiet Saturday afternoon took a devastating turn for a Belize City family, leaving a grieving mother mourning the sudden loss of her son, one of two fatalities in a horrific multi-vehicle crash on the George Price Highway. The collision, which unfolded between mile markers 16 and 17 in the Belize District on Saturday night, claimed the lives of 24-year-old Glenn Lamb Jr. and his close friend and father figure Nelson Hemsley.
Michaela Baide, Lamb Jr.’s heartbroken mother, shared that her son had no plans to leave the family home that day. “From Thursday he said he no going nowhere,” Baide recalled in an interview. It was Hemsley’s request that convinced her son to step out that afternoon, a decision that would end in tragedy. “He never came home,” Baide said, her voice heavy with grief.
Describing her son as a gentle, respectful young man who avoided drinking, smoking and late-night partying, Baide called him her everything. “He was humble, he was my perfect child,” she said. “He gave me the world. I miss him so bad it got me down, but I think when I lay him to rest, everything will be okay. I just wish I had one more minute with him.”
Acting Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, head of Belize’s National Crimes Investigation Branch, confirmed details of the crash to reporters. First responders found Lamb Jr. and Hemsley unresponsive and trapped inside the black Ford Escape SUV the pair were traveling in. Both men were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
The collision involved three vehicles in total: the Ford Escape, a Ford van driven by Chadwick Ysaguirre, and a motorcycle operated by David Lambey. Initial investigative findings indicate the sequence of events began when the Ford Escape struck the motorcycle, before swerving across the center line into the direct path of the oncoming van, triggering a fatal head-on impact.
Romero confirmed that the two other people involved in the crash—Ysaguirre and Lambey—are currently in stable condition. Some have already been released from medical care, while others remain in hospital for ongoing observation and treatment.
To determine if alcohol impairment played a role in the collision, investigators have sent urine samples from all involved parties for toxicology testing, and are currently awaiting the results of the analysis. Local outlet News 5 will be airing a full, in-depth report on the crash during its 6 p.m. News 5 Live broadcast tonight, with further updates as the investigation progresses.
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Greaves confident ahead of Pan Am Cycling Championships
Rising Barbadian junior track cycling talent Arielle Greaves has touched down in Veracruz, Mexico, gearing up to compete across three disciplines at the 2025 Junior Pan American Track Cycling Championships, scheduled to run from May 5 to 9.
Already building a formidable reputation on the global junior cycling circuit, Greaves is entered to compete in the sprint, keirin, and 1km time trial events at the continental championship. Ahead of the opening race day, the young athlete expressed cautious optimism and clear competitive goals for what marks her final year competing in the junior division.
“I’m incredibly excited to line up at another major international championship,” Greaves shared in pre-event comments. “My training block has been really intensive, filled with high-volume overload work and targeted speed endurance sessions. I feel really prepared and confident heading into my first races here.”
Greaves outlined two core ambitions for the tournament: first, she hopes to beat her own existing junior national record in the flying 200m, a mark she set during a 2025 competition in Lima, Peru where she clocked 11.800 seconds. Second, she aims to cap her junior career by standing on the podium. “With God’s grace, I want to end my time as a junior by bringing home medals. More than anything, I just want to improve on my last major performance,” she added. The young cyclist also shared words of encouragement for aspiring young female athletes, urging them to embrace challenge and enjoy the process. “Don’t be scared, just go for it, work hard, have fun, and the results will follow,” she said.
Greaves traveled to Veracruz alongside two support team members: team manager Deidre Hinkson and Trinidad and Tobago-based mechanic Elisha Greene. Speaking from the championship venue to Barbados TODAY, Hinkson confirmed the small Barbadian delegation had settled in smoothly ahead of competition. Local conditions have mirrored the athletes’ home climate so far, with sunny days similar to Barbados, though evenings have brought slightly cooler temperatures.
Hinkson acknowledged that the Pan American Championships will pose a stiff test, with top-ranked junior riders from cycling powerhouses across South America set to compete. “This is going to be a really competitive event – we’re up against strong delegations from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, host nation Mexico and more. We know the competition will be extremely high standard across all events,” she explained.
Despite the tough competition, Hinkson said Greaves enters the tournament in peak form after months of dedicated preparation. For the past several months, Greaves has been based in Trinidad to train, a necessary arrangement due to the ongoing lack of a dedicated velodrome in Barbados – a gap that Hinkson says puts local developing riders at a significant structural disadvantage.
“Not having a local velodrome is a major loss for our cycling ecosystem. That’s where youth development starts, and without that infrastructure, we’re automatically at a disadvantage,” Hinkson explained. “For Arielle and fellow rider Amber Joseph, that means they have to train overseas to get the high-quality track time they need to compete at this level.”
Greaves will get her championship campaign underway on May 6, opening with the 200m time trial before moving on to the 1km time trial and keirin events in subsequent days. Heading into the tournament, Hinkson said expectations for the young Barbadian are high, thanks to her consistent training and proven international experience. “She’s in great shape, she’s put in all the work, and we have high hopes for her across all three of her events,” Hinkson added.
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Man remanded on firearm, ammunition charges
A 27-year-old male resident of St. Michael, Barbados has been ordered into pre-trial custody at a state prison following his initial court appearance in a weapons-related criminal case. The defendant, Trasuon Romario Roger Alleyne, who lives in the Morris Gap neighborhood along Westbury Road, was taken into police custody and formally charged by investigators from the Barbados Police Service’s elite Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on April 30. The two charges against him include illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of 26 rounds of live ammunition.
Alleyne made his first court appearance this week on Monday, May 4, before Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick at the District ‘A’ Criminal Court No. 1. Under the island nation’s legal procedures for serious indictable offenses, Alleyne was not required to enter a formal plea during this initial hearing. Following the brief proceeding, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Alleyne be remanded to the custody of the Barbados Prison Service at the Dodds Correctional Facility, where he will remain behind bars leading up to his next court date.
The case has been formally transferred from the initial criminal court to the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, with the next procedural hearing scheduled for June 1. As the legal process moves forward, no additional details about the circumstances of the alleged weapons possession or any other context surrounding the arrest have been released by law enforcement officials as of this reporting.
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Man remanded on theft, traffic charges
A 25-year-old resident of Christ Church, Barbados, has been ordered into pretrial custody at Dodds Prison after a court appearance this week, facing a broad suite of criminal charges spanning theft and serious driving violations.
Nathan Emmanuel Malik Lovell, who lives in the Inch Marlow neighborhood of the parish, was taken into custody and formally indicted by the Barbados Police Service for offenses he is alleged to have committed over a four-day period between April 21 and April 25 this year. The charges against Lovell include the theft of a commercial motor van valued at an estimated 52,000 Barbados dollars, plus a separate count of stealing additional personal property worth $12,340. He also faces counts of possession of criminal apparatus and theft of services, commonly referred to as theft of use.
Beyond the theft-related allegations, Lovell has additionally been charged with four separate driving offenses: improper overtaking that violates road traffic regulations, failing to bring a vehicle to a stop following a road accident, operating a motor vehicle without the legally required third-party insurance coverage, and driving without holding a valid, current driver’s license issued by Barbados’ transport authorities.
Lovell made his initial court appearance on Monday, May 4, before Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick at District ‘A’ Criminal Court No. 1. Under Barbados’ criminal procedure rules, Lovell was not required to enter a plea to the indictable offenses that fall under the court’s jurisdiction. Following the brief hearing, Chief Magistrate Frederick ordered Lovell to be remanded into the custody of the Barbados Prison Service, where he will remain held at the Dodds correctional facility pending his next court date.
All of the outstanding matters against Lovell, including both the theft and traffic violation charges, have been transferred to the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, with the next procedural hearing scheduled to take place on June 1.
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US Ambassador Herschel Walker visits Nassau Cruise Port, highlights strong Bahamas–US ties
Nassau Cruise Port, one of the busiest and most prominent cruise hubs in the Caribbean, recently welcomed a high-profile courtesy visit from the United States’ 14th Ambassador to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Herschel Walker, who was accompanied by his wife Julie Blanchard Walker for the full-day site tour.
Under the leadership of Nassau Cruise Port CEO and Director Mike Maura Jr., the ambassadorial delegation was guided through the port’s active piers, core operational zones, and public visitor spaces. During the walkthrough, port leadership outlined the complex logistics that keep the facility running smoothly, including how it manages the steady flow of tens of thousands of annual passengers while upholding rigorous global service and safety standards. The tour gave Ambassador Walker an up-close look at the port’s role as a critical economic gateway connecting The Bahamas to North American and international travel markets.
A core stop on the delegation’s itinerary was the on-site Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, where the couple immersed themselves in the vibrant, centuries-old cultural tradition that forms a core part of national Bahamian identity. In photos from the visit, Ambassador Walker tried his hand at playing a traditional goatskin drum, joining in the rhythmic practice that is central to Junkanoo street parades and cultural celebrations.
Beyond operational and cultural tours, the ambassador made time to connect directly with the people that power the port’s visitor experience. He held casual conversations with local small-business vendors, in-demand hair braiders that serve arriving cruise guests, and American leisure travelers already exploring the port’s marketplace. These informal exchanges, port officials noted, underscored the deep, people-centered social and cultural bonds that have defined the U.S.-Bahamas relationship for decades.
In a press statement following the tour, Maura emphasized that Nassau Cruise Port views itself as an active steward of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. “We were honored to welcome Ambassador Walker to our facility,” Maura said. “The bond between The Bahamas and the United States is truly one-of-a-kind, and we are proud to contribute to strengthening that connection every single day. We take our responsibility very seriously: we safely welcome thousands of U.S. visitors through our gates annually, deliver a standout experience for every guest, and use our platform to showcase the very best of Bahamian culture and world-famous hospitality.”
The visit also served as a platform for Nassau Cruise Port to highlight three core pillars of its current operational strategy: a sustained commitment to operational excellence that meets global cruise industry standards, a dedication to centering authentic Bahamian cultural representation for visitors rather than performative experiences, and ongoing support for local small entrepreneurs who build unique, memorable interactions for arriving guests. For the U.S. ambassadorial post, the tour offered a chance to engage directly with one of The Bahamas’ most economically important infrastructure assets and reaffirm the strength of bilateral ties between the neighboring nations.
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Sealy strikes more squash gold in Canada
Just one month after lifting the trophy at the USA Masters in New York, veteran squash star Mark Sealy extended his incredible winning streak to claim another major regional title, taking top honors in the 60+ division at the Canadian Masters over the weekend. The tournament, hosted at Vancouver’s iconic Arbutus Club, saw the world-ranked number one seed enter the competition with a first-round bye in the round of 16, setting up an early showdown with Quebec’s Yves Tremblay that Sealy dominated in straight sets with final scores of 13-11, 11-7, 11-3.
Moving into the semi-final round, Sealy faced another tough competitor from Quebec: fourth-seeded hard-hitting left-handed player Marion Gagnon. The Barbadian-born athlete once again showcased his polished form, dismissing Gagnon in another straight-set victory with scores of 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 to earn a spot in the championship match. The final was a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 title game, pitting Sealy against Ontario’s second-seeded fan favorite Trent Hasse.
Sealy came out swinging in the opening two games, catching Hasse off-balance with precise placement that exploited gaps in his opponent’s court movement. He took both games comfortably with 11-6 and 11-5 scores, putting him one game away from the title. But Hasse refused to surrender, adjusting his own footwork and mounting a comeback in the third game. An off-kilter Sealy struggled to find his usual rhythm, allowing Hasse to take the third set 11-4 and force an extended match.
Regrouping during the break between games, Sealy reset his strategy and reclaimed his control of the court in the fourth set. He dominated every rally from the opening point, closing out the match 11-4 to secure his fifth career Canadian Masters title. Post-match, Sealy reflected on the momentum shift of the game: “I played really well in the first two but lost my length in the third, tried to attack too early and he took advantage. So in the break, I told myself I have to hit higher to the back and then attack to the front. I was pleased to take an early lead and close it out in four games.”
This victory marks a historic milestone for Sealy: it is the first time he has claimed both the USA Masters and Canadian Masters titles in a single competitive season. Reflecting on the achievement, Sealy shared his excitement: “I’m really happy to have won both. Been putting in a lot of movement training and improved my racket work so really pleased to get the results.” He also extended gratitude to his entire support team, including coaches Peter Nicol, Nicol Bunyan, Karen Meakins, Shawn Simpson, and wellness partners Red Zen Pilates and Surfside Wellness, who backed him throughout the season. Sealy is scheduled to return to his home island on Tuesday.
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Belize’s Journalism Prize Is a Reminder of Why It Matters
On the eve of World Press Freedom Day 2026, the University of Belize’s annual Investigative Journalism Prize ceremony unfolded at the iconic Belize City House of Culture, drawing together media practitioners, government representatives, and civil society leaders to celebrate impactful investigative work and shine a spotlight on the escalating threats facing journalists worldwide.
Opening the event, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative Michael Lund delivered a stark, thought-provoking address that framed press freedom not as a distant ideological concept, but as a foundational pillar of functional democracy and sustainable national development. Lund used the platform to sound the alarm on the growing crisis confronting journalists across every region of the globe, noting that media professionals increasingly face a cascade of threats: from targeted harassment and intimidation campaigns to crippling legal action and persistent economic instability that erodes their ability to hold power to account.
Since 1993, World Press Freedom Day, marked every year on May 3, has served as a global collective reminder that both governments and civilian societies bear a shared responsibility to protect and defend the right to freedom of expression—a right explicitly codified in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s ceremony carried extra weight, coming as independent media outlets across Latin America and the Caribbean face growing pressures to soften coverage of corruption, human rights abuses, and official misconduct.
The night’s top honor, a $10,000 grand prize, was awarded to the team from 7 News/Tropical Vision Ltd. for their explosive investigation *Taken: The Budna Abduction and the Police Cover-Up*. The three-person reporting team—Jules Vasquez, Brian Castillo, and Denver Fairweather—was recognized for their months-long work exposing a case of official malfeasance that had previously been hidden from public view.
Two other investigative teams were named finalists and awarded $5,000 each for their outstanding work. Greater Belize Media’s News Five outlet earned recognition for *Stella Maris Child Drowning*, an investigation led by senior reporter Paul Lopez, with contributions from Hipolito Novelo, Darrel Moguel, George Tillett, Joel Wesbey, and Marion Ali. The third finalist came from independent outlet Climate Spotlight, where reporters Marco Lopez and Andre Habet were honored for their deep dive into marine conservation policy, *Marine Protected Areas Are Everybody’s Business*, which examined public access to and stewardship of Belize’s critical coastal ecosystems.
Organizers also confirmed that the fifth iteration of the annual prize ceremony will be held on May 8, 2027, extending the initiative’s commitment to supporting independent investigative journalism in Belize for another year.
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TAMCC students participate in film casting and lighting workshop
A groundbreaking cross-border film collaboration between creative teams from Grenada and New York is bringing transformative, on-the-job film industry training to emerging local creatives and students at Grenada’s T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), marking a major step forward for skills development and cultural exchange in the Caribbean island’s growing creative sector.
Hosted on the TAMCC campus on April 27, the inaugural combined casting call and production lighting workshop drew roughly 25 participants, spanning TAMCC arts students and early-career film production practitioners based in Grenada. Unlike traditional classroom-based training sessions, this event was structured as a fully functional working production set, merging hands-on technical instruction with live, real-time casting activity to give participants an immersive look at actual industry workflows.
Throughout the workshop, attendees got direct access to professional-grade camera and lighting equipment, working side-by-side with experienced filmmakers to set up gear for acting auditions. This practical approach allowed participants to build skills that go far beyond textbook learning, giving them tangible experience that many emerging creatives in small creative ecosystems rarely get access to early in their careers. One participant, J. Mitchell, shared enthusiastic feedback after the session, noting, “I would definitely recommend this to my friends, and if there is an opportunity in the future to come back and showcase my skills, I would absolutely return.”
The workshop was far more than a standalone training event: it served as an integrated introduction to end-to-end filmmaking. Participants got the chance to light auditioning talent, observe on-set direction from industry professionals, and learn how different production roles collaborate to bring a project to life. By the end of the session, attendees walked away with a holistic working overview of the entire filmmaking process, from performance direction to technical execution.
Leading the workshop was Karl Bigby, a New York-based cinematographer and filmmaker with Faceless Studios, who brought years of international industry experience to guide local participants. The full initiative is organized through a partnership between multiple regional and international groups: MProjekts Creative Group, helmed by Grenadian creative leader Meschida Philip, took point on coordinating the program and building the partnership with TAMCC’s Department of Arts, Humanities, and General Studies, while the Forrester Creative Renaissance Fund provided coordination and community engagement support. All core producing partners share deep personal and cultural ties to Grenada, a choice that anchors the entire project in authenticity and a commitment to long-term growth for the island’s creative community, rather than a one-off extractive production.
The workshop is just the first phase of a broader co-production collaboration between the Forrester Creative Renaissance Fund, Faceless Studios, MProjekts Creative Group, and the Grenada Film Company. The partnership is currently supporting two original short films, *Cutting Dead Ends* and *Sunday*, which are now in active pre-production. Both projects center Grenadian actors and creatives, with a mixed local and international crew bringing the stories to life.
The collaboration will run through April to July 2026, spanning pre-production, principal photography, and structured on-set shadowing and paid internship opportunities exclusively for TAMCC students. This extended engagement ensures that local emerging creatives get ongoing learning opportunities across every stage of the production process, building a pipeline of skilled talent for Grenada’s future film sector.