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  • CMC journalist dies after prolonged illness

    CMC journalist dies after prolonged illness

    Respected veteran journalist Linda Straker, the long-serving Grenada correspondent for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), has passed away at the age of 55 following a prolonged fight with multiple health complications. She died on Tuesday at Grenada’s General Hospital, where she had been admitted for ongoing treatment for more than a month prior to her death.

    Beyond her core role with CMC, Straker built a decades-long career contributing freelance reporting to a wide range of regional and international news outlets. She also took on key leadership roles within the global and local media community: she served as an executive committee member of the Media Workers Association of Grenada, and represented her home country on the board of Paris-based press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders.

    Colleagues, friends, and fellow journalists across the Caribbean have led tributes celebrating Straker’s uncompromising commitment to truthful journalism and press freedom. CMC editor Peter Richards remembered her as a fearless reporter who never shied away from asking hard-hitting questions that often pushed public figures to account, adding that her greatest source of pride was her three children. Richards shared that just one day before Straker’s death, her youngest daughter Naomi — who recently graduated at the top of her nursing class from a Cuban university — started her first day working as a registered nurse.

    In a joint statement announcing Straker’s passing, close friends Rawle Titus and Nicole Best described Straker as far more than a journalist: they called her a driving force for excellence, a consistent voice for truth, and a dedicated champion for the entire media profession. They highlighted her well-earned reputation for upholding the highest standards of accurate, ethical, and public-facing journalism, noting that she spent her career tirelessly advocating for press freedom, independent media growth, and the critical role of a free fourth estate in democratic society. A decorated journalist, Straker was honored with multiple awards throughout her career, including the regional “Best Research Journalist” honor. Her legacy, friends say, endures through the groundbreaking stories she produced, the early-career journalists she mentored, and the barriers she broke down for Caribbean reporters.

    Kenton X. Chance, the newly appointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to Taiwan, founder of iWitness News, and a former CMC correspondent who worked alongside Straker for years, recalled that Straker was a staunch and unapologetic defender of press freedom across the entire Caribbean region. Chance said that whenever she saw threats to press freedom emerging in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she would reach out proactively to coordinate action. The pair participated in multiple regional media training programs organized by the Media Institute of the Caribbean, the training arm of the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers, where Straker freely shared her decades of on-the-ground experience with emerging journalists. Chance noted that the entire region has lost one of its strongest and most consistent advocates for free media. He called on current and future generations of Caribbean journalists to draw inspiration from Straker’s work and carry her legacy forward, extending his condolences to her family and the regional media community.

  • Grenadian journalist dies after prolonged illness

    Grenadian journalist dies after prolonged illness

    The Caribbean journalism community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected voices this week, as veteran Grenadian reporter Linda Straker, the long-serving Grenada correspondent for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), passed away on Tuesday at St. George’s General Hospital. Her death came after a prolonged, public battle with multiple chronic health conditions; she was 55 years old.

    Beyond her core role with CMC, Straker built a decades-long career as a freelance journalist, contributing in-depth reporting and analysis to a wide range of regional and international news outlets. Over a month prior to her passing, she was admitted to the general hospital to treat a series of acute medical complications that would ultimately lead to her death.

    Straker was also deeply committed to advancing the journalism profession across the Caribbean and globally. She served as an elected executive member of the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), and represented Grenada as the national liaison for Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based global press freedom advocacy organization.

    In a tribute released following the news of her death, CMC editor Peter Richards remembered Straker as a fearless reporter unafraid to hold power to account. “Linda was known for asking tough questions, even evoking strong reactions from those being interviewed,” Richards said. “She was fearless and above all loved her 3 children, whom she regarded as her pride and joy.” Richards also shared a bittersweet detail about the journalist’s family: her youngest daughter Naomi, who recently graduated at the top of her class as a registered nurse from a Cuban university, began her first day of professional nursing work the very day Straker passed away.

    Two of Straker’s close friends, fellow media professionals Rawle Titus and Nicole Best, released a joint statement honoring her legacy that framed her impact far beyond individual news stories. “Linda was more than a journalist, she was a force of excellence, a voice for truth and a champion for the media profession,” they wrote.

    The pair highlighted that Straker earned her reputation across the region for her unwavering “deep commitment to accurate, ethical and impactful journalism.” Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to advance press freedom, support the growth of independent media across the Caribbean, and emphasize the critical role that a free, independent press plays in democratic society. Throughout her career, her outstanding work earned multiple industry awards, including the honor of “Best Research Journalist.”

    As tributes continue to pour in from across the global journalism community, colleagues and loved ones note that Straker’s legacy will endure through the groundbreaking stories she reported, the early-career journalists she mentored, and the barriers she broke down for women reporters in the Caribbean. “Linda’s legacy lives on in the stories she told, the journalists she mentored and the doors she opened,” friends said.

  • In loving memory of Linda Straker

    In loving memory of Linda Straker

    The media community across Grenada is mourning the loss of one of its own, following the announcement that veteran journalist Linda Straker has passed away after a valiant fight against a long-term illness. The news of Straker’s death was confirmed via a statement published by local media outlet NOW Grenada, which also included a standard legal disclaimer noting that the platform does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors to the site. The outlet added that users who encounter any abusive content on its pages can use a designated reporting tool to flag content for moderation.

    Straker’s decades-long career in local journalism positioned her as a key figure in Grenada’s media landscape, and she was affiliated with the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), a professional body that represents the interests of media professionals across the island nation. Prominent local media figure Rawle Titus, whose name is linked to coverage of Straker’s passing, is among those acknowledging her contributions to Grenadian journalism.

    Straker’s death marks the end of a career that shaped local reporting and supported the professional development of fellow media workers in the country, leaving a legacy that will be remembered by colleagues and audiences across Grenada.

  • All systems set for 11-Plus, 2 767 students sit exam Tuesday

    All systems set for 11-Plus, 2 767 students sit exam Tuesday

    One day ahead of the annual 11-Plus Common Entrance Examination, Barbados’ Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman has confirmed that all pre-examination preparations are fully finalized, with comprehensive monitoring arrangements in place to support the 2,767 registered students sitting this year’s assessment.

    Speaking at a press conference held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Blackman moved to reassure students, families and educators that every logistical detail had been locked in to deliver a smooth, low-disruption testing experience across all examination centres islandwide. Mobile monitoring teams will be deployed to visit testing sites throughout the day of the exam, and Blackman himself will kick off his on-site schedule at Deighton Griffith Secondary School to oversee the start of testing, before traveling to at least two additional secondary school centres to check on conditions and meet with examination officials as the session wraps up.

    This year’s exam marks another step in the current administration’s timeline toward the eventual abolition of the 11-Plus assessment, a long-stated policy goal, but officials have focused their messaging on supporting the cohort of students already moving through the existing transition framework. In a marked shift away from high-stakes testing rhetoric, both Blackman and Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw emphasized that the examination is not a make-or-break judgment of a student’s ability, but simply a milestone marking the transition from primary to secondary education.

    Addressing registered students directly, Blackman reframed the exam as an opportunity to showcase the work students have put in over their primary school careers, rather than a source of overwhelming stress. He encouraged young test-takers to enter their assigned centres without carrying unnecessary pressure, noting that success extends far beyond a single numerical score. “To the students themselves, tomorrow is your day. Tomorrow is your day to shine,” he said, adding that the entire ministry is proud of the work students have already completed to reach this point.

    Blackman also highlighted that preparation for this year’s exam has been a years-long collective effort, crediting primary school teachers across Classes One through Three for laying the foundational academic skills students rely on, and thanking school principals and parents for their consistent, tireless support alongside senior year educators. “The journey to this moment was a collective effort… preparation for Tuesday began long before Class Four,” he told reporters.

    Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw echoed this supportive, low-pressure messaging in her official statement, commending students for the months of hard work and perseverance they have invested in preparing for the exam. She echoed Blackman’s framing that the Common Entrance exam is only one chapter in a student’s broader academic journey, urging test-takers to approach the assessment with focus and confidence, and reminding them that a wide range of new opportunities await them in secondary school regardless of their result.

    Like Blackman, Dr. Archer-Bradshaw also recognized the critical behind-the-scenes work that brought students to this point: she extended formal gratitude to the island’s educators for their unwavering commitment to their students’ growth, noting that their dedication leaves a permanent positive impact on young people’s long-term trajectories. She also emphasized the vital role that parents and guardians play in student success, thanking families for their ongoing support and encouraging them to maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with teachers as students move into the next phase of their education.

    Compared to last year’s cohort, which saw 2,981 registered students, this year’s group is 214 students smaller, a shift that follows long-term demographic trends observed across Barbados’ education system. Still, all logistics have been adjusted to accommodate this year’s cohort, with no outstanding gaps in preparation reported by ministry officials ahead of testing day.

  • API head injured, cousin in custody after attack at her home

    API head injured, cousin in custody after attack at her home

    A senior Caribbean public media official is recovering in a hospital alongside her elderly relative, following a shocking early-morning violent break-in attack at her private residence that has left local law enforcement investigating.

    Nadia Slater, the acting director of the state-owned Agency for Public Information (API), was assaulted alongside her 70-year-old aunt at her Clare Valley home in the early hours of Tuesday, according to confirmed law enforcement sources. First responders confirmed both women suffered visible injuries in the attack, including facial and mouth wounds to Slater, before they were transported to local medical facilities for urgent care.

    Investigative details obtained by local independent outlet iWitness News outline that Slater told responding officers she was woken in the dead of night by unusual noise just outside her bedroom. When she got up to investigate the disturbance, she came face-to-face with the intruder, whom she immediately identified as her cousin, a man also sharing the Slater surname. The suspect immediately began beating Slater before moving to the adjacent bedroom where her aunt was sleeping and assaulting the older woman as well.

    After the attack, the suspect fled the residential property before officers arrived at the scene, which was called in around 3 a.m. Law enforcement investigators found a ladder propped against the rear exterior of Slater’s home, leading them to conclude the suspect used the ladder to climb through an unlocked bathroom window to gain unauthorized entry to the property. The assailant was subsequently taken into police custody not long after the attack, and remains in detention as the investigation progresses.

    The attack comes just one week after Slater found herself at the center of a high-profile public administrative controversy that made local headlines. Last week, the API sent out a media email invitation that mistakenly labeled opposition leader Ralph Gonsalves as the sitting prime minister, a gaffe that quickly sparked public discussion. Slater was placed on administrative leave shortly after the incident, which she and the agency later characterized as an accidental mistake, issuing formal public apologies for the mislabeling.

    As of Tuesday’s update, no further details on the motive for the attack have been released by investigating authorities, who have not yet commented on any potential connection between the early morning assault and the recent public controversy surrounding Slater’s role at the API.

  • Gang blamed for 24 home invasions

    Gang blamed for 24 home invasions

    In a sweeping anti-crime operation carried out last Saturday in central Trinidad, law enforcement officers shot and killed four men who investigators confirm were core members of a violent criminal cell that terrorized local communities through a weeks-long spree of coordinated home invasions. Two additional suspects connected to the ring, dubbed the “Tall Boots Crew” for their signature footwear during robberies, were taken into custody following the operation, as police continue a manhunt for other at-large members of the group.

    As of Wednesday, police have successfully identified three of the four deceased suspects: Mikhail Guiseppe of Waterhole, Cocorite; 30-year-old Davion Guiseppe of Lee Trace, North Cunupia; and Kevin John. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the fourth fatality, and have issued a public call for the man’s next of kin to come forward to claim his remains.

    Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told local media that the gang carried out attacks across five central Trinidad communities: Cunupia, Chaguanas, Freeport, Las Lomas and Longdenville. The crew’s consistent modus operandi involved striking after midnight, when residents were asleep. Members cut through residential burglar proofing to gain entry to homes, then coerced terrified victims at gunpoint to disclose where valuables were stored and even reveal which neighboring homes held high-value assets. Before fleeing the scene, the gang would steal cash, jewelry, electronics, and alcohol, and often disposed of stolen mobile phones by flushing them down household toilets to eliminate evidence.

    Investigators confirmed this pattern of criminal activity matches three back-to-back home invasions that targeted families in central Trinidad just last Thursday, where the gang managed to evade responding officers and escape unscathed. Police suspect the group operated out of a hidden base located close to their target areas, which allowed them to carry out their coordinated string of robberies over multiple weeks without detection.

    Details of the post-operation arrests paint a clear picture of how the crackdown unfolded. One of the two captured suspects lives on Sampson Road, just a short distance from many of the gang’s crime scenes. The second arrested man, known by the alias “Three Pop”, was already listed as a high-priority person of interest for law enforcement prior to the operation. One of the captured suspects hid in dense woodland for several hours after the operation, contacting his family by cell phone to beg for legal representation so he could surrender without being harmed. He was ultimately taken into custody without any violence or injuries reported.

    In an official audio statement released Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith noted that preliminary investigations tie the Tall Boots Crew to approximately 24 reported home invasion cases across Trinidad’s Central Division and surrounding neighboring areas. ACP Smith used the operation as an opportunity to issue a stark warning to individuals, particularly young people, who may be considering entering a life of crime.

    “There is no reward in criminality. The life of crime inevitably leads to negative consequences, loss of freedom, loss of opportunities, and in many instances, loss of life,” Smith said. “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service urges you to make better choices and choose a path that contributes positively to your future and your community.”

    Smith emphasized that public partnership remains critical to the TTPS’s efforts to reduce crime and hold offenders accountable, calling on all residents to work with police to build safer, more secure communities across the country. “Public co-operation remains a critical component in our crime prevention and detection efforts. The TTPS reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to gang activity and organised crime,” he said.

    “We will utilise all available legal measures and resources to dismantle criminal networks and bring offenders to justice. We will not allow a small group of individuals to disrupt the peace and security of law-abiding citizens,” Smith added. He urged residents to stay alert to suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, and to report any unusual behavior or unknown individuals to the nearest local police station or through the service’s dedicated confidential crime hotlines.

    Smith confirmed that the investigation into the Tall Boots Crew remains ongoing and is still at a sensitive stage, with multiple suspects still at large. He noted that investigators are following up on every credible lead connected to the gang’s network, and that additional public updates will be released as the case progresses.

  • Glitch causes hours-long delay at Licensing offices

    Glitch causes hours-long delay at Licensing offices

    A widespread service disruption hit driver licensing and vehicle transaction services across all Licensing Division offices in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, after a technical failure at the territory’s official data service provider knocked systems offline for nearly three hours. The outage began shortly before offices opened to the public at 8 a.m., triggering long waits, public frustration, and last-minute emergency outreach from transportation authorities.

    Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke confirmed to local outlet Express that he received an initial alert from the division’s Information and Communications Technology department at approximately 7:45 a.m. alerting him to the connectivity failure. By the time Clarke was notified of the issue, in-house ICT teams and external technical consultants from Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) had already launched an investigation into the root cause.

    Technical teams ultimately traced the outage to a failed firewall or hardware device hosted at the TSTT data centre, which cut off critical connectivity to a core cluster of operational servers. The failure directly impacted the division’s two highest-volume public services: driver’s licence renewals and all general vehicle-related transactions.

    Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour later confirmed in a statement to Express that the technical glitch had been fully resolved, with normal service restored across all national licensing locations by 11 a.m. Clarke added that teams had the issue fully fixed as early as 10:45 a.m.

    Authorities moved quickly to mitigate public disruption as soon as the outage was confirmed: by 8 a.m., the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation had published public alerts warning residents of expected delays, and on-site staff at all licensing offices were instructed to proactively notify walk-in visitors of the service interruption. By noon on the day of the outage, Clarke said most affected visitors had returned to complete their transactions after the restoration.

    When asked to estimate the total number of residents impacted by the outage, Clarke noted that an exact count was not available, as licence expiration dates are spread throughout the year, leading to naturally staggered daily visits to licensing offices. Still, many frustrated residents took to social media to share their negative experiences, with some reporting they had begun waiting in line as early as 4 a.m. to secure their appointments. Multiple members of the public criticized the Licensing Division for recurring technical issues that disproportionately impact customers, with one woman questioning whether staff would still adhere to standard 11 a.m. lunch schedules despite the backlog of waiting visitors.

  • Police: Man was paid to kill craftsman

    Police: Man was paid to kill craftsman

    Investigators probing the fatal shooting of Tobago-based craftsman Sean Parisienne have concluded the killing was a contract hit connected to a brutal chopping attack that took place in the region last year. Three men, all hailing from communities in Tobago East, are currently in police custody facing questioning tied to the high-profile slaying. The first suspect, a resident of Argyle, was apprehended by law enforcement on the very night of the murder last Friday. A second suspect, from Goodwood, Tobago, remains in detention as the investigation unfolds, while the third accused is also held for questioning. Law enforcement officials told local outlet Express on Wednesday that investigators maintain strong confidence in solving the case, with ongoing intelligence-driven inquiries pushing the investigation forward. The shooting unfolded just after 7 p.m. last Friday at the Gardenside car park on Gardenside Street in central Scarborough. According to official police accounts, an unidentified gunman approached Parisienne and fired multiple rounds at him before making a quick escape from the location. The brazen attack was carried out in plain view of dozens of bystanders in the busy commercial area, triggering widespread panic among members of the public who were nearby. First responders confirmed that Parisienne was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. His murder marks the fourth recorded homicide in Tobago since the start of the calendar year. Curtis Williams, chairman of the Tobago division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, told reporters he was in Scarborough conducting business at the time of the attack. Williams described the public killing as shocking, saying that the incident raised urgent questions about rising violence in the area. He noted that the neighborhood where the shooting occurred is a well-known high-crime block in local parlance, and argued that law enforcement has an urgent obligation to step up oversight in the region. Williams emphasized that local authorities cannot afford to allow crime to spread unchecked across Tobago. He called for immediate proactive action, saying officials should not wait for violence to escalate before intervening. Williams added that police should conduct regular patrols and checks on these so-called known high-crime blocks, and move to dismantle criminal networks operating in these areas before more violence occurs.

  • Caribbean POSH Marks a Decade of Elevating Caribbean Women—Nominations Now Open

    Caribbean POSH Marks a Decade of Elevating Caribbean Women—Nominations Now Open

    Against the backdrop of global Female Founders Month celebrations, a transformative regional movement is marking a major milestone: Caribbean POSH, the pioneering network dedicated to lifting up Caribbean women at home and across the global diaspora, is celebrating a full decade of driving visibility, connection, and recognition for female leaders across the Caribbean.

    Founded by visionary leader Janette Brin, the organization grew from a simple but urgent observation: Caribbean women building businesses, innovating across sectors, and leading community change were systematically overlooked, lacking accessible networks and mainstream recognition for their work. What began as a small initiative to fill that gap has evolved into a dynamic, cross-border movement that unites women across dozens of island nations and diaspora communities around the world. Through intentional storytelling, curated professional and community events, and targeted strategic opportunities, Caribbean POSH has broken down geographic barriers that long isolated female innovators across the region.

    “From its very start, Caribbean POSH existed to make sure Caribbean women are seen, supported, and positioned to lead on the global stage,” Brin shared in reflecting on the organization’s 10-year journey. “What we’ve built over the past decade is far more than an annual gathering. It’s a thriving community where collaboration grows, unheard stories are lifted up, and the impact of Caribbean women’s work can no longer be ignored.”

    This year’s landmark anniversary celebration will center on the annual Caribbean POSH Weekend and ICON Woman Awards, which organizers say will be the most impactful iteration in the program’s history. The 2026 event will highlight how far the movement has come: today, Caribbean women are no longer building their ventures and initiatives in isolation, but working collectively to reshape global perceptions of the region and drive inclusive economic and social progress.

    Over the past 10 years, Caribbean POSH’s impact has stretched across three core areas: amplifying underrepresented Caribbean women’s voices on both regional and international stages, fostering cross-island and cross-border collaboration between on-island leaders and diaspora communities, and building intentional spaces for recognition, professional connection, and leadership development. As global conversations about gender equity, female representation, and equitable global influence continue to expand, Caribbean POSH has emerged as a leading voice reshaping narratives about the Caribbean: framing the region not as a peripheral economic player, but as a hub of excellence, innovation, and collective female power.

    To cap off the anniversary year, Caribbean POSH has officially opened public nominations for the 2026 ICON Woman Awards, inviting community members across the globe to put forward exceptional Caribbean women making meaningful contributions across four key areas: business, leadership, creative industries, and community impact. Organizers frame nominations themselves as a critical act of recognition, creating an opportunity to lift up women whose transformative work has yet to receive the regional and global celebration it deserves.

    Nominees are evaluated based on three core criteria: demonstrated leadership and innovation in their chosen field, measurable positive impact within their local or regional communities, and a public embodiment of the strength, resilience, and excellence that defines Caribbean female leadership. Interested nominators can submit entries through the official Caribbean POSH website at https://caribbeanposh.com/wkd/icon-awards-2026/.

    Today, Caribbean POSH operates as a multi-platform ecosystem dedicated to advancing its core mission of elevating Caribbean women through increased visibility, expanded professional opportunity, and cross-community connection. Beyond its annual flagship weekend and awards program, the organization runs digital media initiatives and ongoing community programming that works year-round to position Caribbean women as influential, essential contributors to global business, culture, and innovation.

  • Deputy Premier, Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, Natural Resources, et al. Nevis Island Administration Agriculture Awareness Month 2026 Address

    Deputy Premier, Honourable Eric Evelyn Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, Natural Resources, et al. Nevis Island Administration Agriculture Awareness Month 2026 Address

    Nevis, May 5, 2026 – Deputy Premier Eric Evelyn, who also serves as Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, Lands, and Natural Resources for the Nevis Island Administration, has officially opened the 14th annual Agriculture Awareness Month, marking the initiative’s 13-year legacy since its launch in 2013.

    Since its inception, the month-long event has held three core objectives: shining a public spotlight on agriculture’s foundational role in Nevis’ ongoing development, highlighting the sector’s major recent progress, boosting morale among agricultural ministry staff, and strengthening collaborative ties between the Department of Agriculture, industry partners, working farmers, and the broader Nevis community. A key ongoing priority of the campaign that will be amplified again this year is encouraging local residents to embrace the mantra of “eat what we grow, grow what we eat” to strengthen local food systems.

    This year’s observance builds on the overwhelming success of the 30th iteration of the Nevis Agri Expo, the sub-region’s leading agricultural showcase held March 26–27, 2026. With uniformly positive feedback from attendees and participants across the two-day event, organizers say Agriculture Awareness Month is designed to extend that momentum into sustained industry advancement.

    The 2026 campaign centers on the theme “Rooted In History, Utilizing Land and Sea”, which reflects the sector’s deep ties to Nevis’ national identity. Agriculture was a core pillar of Nevis’ early economic growth, and the modern industry has evolved steadily to retain its outsized importance for the island’s continued development today. The theme also underscores the dual focus of this year’s activities: maximizing the potential of Nevis’ two critical agricultural resources – terrestrial land and coastal marine ecosystems.

    Evelyn emphasized that sustainable, climate-smart management of limited land resources is now a non-negotiable priority for the sector. As land becomes increasingly scarce, he noted that responsible land use, paired with integrated modern technology, is essential to boosting optimal yields for both crop and livestock production. Equally important, he added, is the science-based management of marine resources, which provide critical dietary protein for Nevisians and support livelihoods for hundreds of local fishers. Sustained, conservation-focused practices are required to maintain and grow healthy marine stocks for future generations, he said.

    The 2026 Agriculture Awareness Month kicked off with an opening church service on May 3 at Charlestown’s Wesleyan Holiness Church, with organizers extending thanks to the congregation for their warm hospitality and blessing for the month’s activities. A full slate of community and industry-focused events will run through the end of May:
    – May 13: A collaborative training workshop on sweet potato weevil management, hosted in partnership with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
    – May 18–22: Enhancement and improvement works for Charlestown’s Memorial Square
    – May 20: Two concurrent events – a technical workshop on small ruminant management, and an open house hosted by the Vet and Livestock Division
    – May 26–29: Free distribution of fruit trees and seedlings to local residents
    – May 6–29: A special discounted promotion for commercial farmers and backyard gardeners on biostimulants and select seed varieties

    Evelyn urged all local farmers to take advantage of the training opportunities and participate actively in the month’s activities, extending well wishes to all stakeholders ahead of the observance. “During this Agriculture Awareness Month, let us continue to build on the gains we have made in the agriculture sector. Let us continue our food security drive. Let us support local, let us eat local,” he said, closing with a blessing for the industry, its workers, and the island of Nevis.

    This report is based on an official press release distributed to local media outlet SKNVibes.com, which published the address in its original unedited form.