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  • Opposition leader challenges prime minister to national debate

    Opposition leader challenges prime minister to national debate

    As Grenada prepares for an early general election scheduled for November 5, the political landscape has intensified with a high-stakes challenge from the main opposition bloc. Emmalin Pierre, the trailblazing new leader of the New National Party (NNP), formally called on incumbent Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell to participate in an independently organized national debate on Monday, opening a new chapter of electoral confrontation ahead of the vote.

    The election, which arrives nearly three years ahead of the constitutional October 2027 deadline, follows a 2023 vote where Mitchell’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) defeated the NNP, a party that made history in Grenadian politics by securing all 15 parliamentary seats on three separate occasions. Speaking at a campaign rally in St. Mark on Sunday night, Mitchell struck a confident tone as he rallied NDC supporters. He emphasized that his administration has centered its tenure on public service, and urged voters to renew the NDC’s mandate to continue advancing progress across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. With the official campaign period now underway, Mitchell signaled an aggressive ground game, telling attendees that the focus would immediately shift to “boots on the ground” outreach to voters across the country.

    Pierre’s challenge comes amid a historic shift for the NNP: she is the first woman to lead the party into a general election, following the retirement of founder Dr. Keith Mitchell after 42 years in active politics. Speaking in a Facebook broadcast outlining her campaign platform, Pierre committed that the NNP would run a policy-focused, clean electoral contest. Rejecting calls for special consideration based on her gender, she called on voters to judge her candidacy and her party on the strength of their policy proposals and the collective track record of their team.

    Central to her opening pitch is the call for a transparent national debate, where she says she will lay out a full critique of the incumbent NDC administration’s four-year term. “I believe Grenada needs a different kind of leadership — leadership that cares, leadership that understands that behind every policy is a person,” Pierre said. The 51-year-old business management graduate and mother of two framed the upcoming election as a pivotal moment for the country, arguing that the choice before voters is not just about who holds office, but about the kind of future Grenada will build for coming generations.

    Pierre centered her opening critique on rising cost of living pressures that have strained household finances across the country. During her travels across Grenada, she said, the same consistent concern emerges from voters: everyday life is growing more unaffordable, and working families are struggling to cover basic needs. Costs for food, rent, utilities, transportation and other essentials have climbed steadily, while wages have not kept pace, leaving parents working longer hours yet still struggling to provide for their children. Young people face uncertainty about affording home ownership and building stable futures, while elderly residents are forced to stretch fixed incomes to cover basic costs.

    Pierre also accused the incumbent administration of prioritizing benefits for a narrow, connected circle of political allies, arguing that opportunity has been reserved for “a select few, those with the right connection or political affiliation” rather than all Grenadians. If elected, she pledged to serve as a prime minister for all citizens, regardless of social class, economic background or political affiliation, with a core policy goal of putting more disposable income back in Grenadians’ pockets and easing the financial strain of rising everyday costs.

    She also committed to a compassionate, accessible style of leadership, promising that she would prioritize listening to all constituents, not just during election season or when cameras are rolling, and would turn that input into tangible action. “This election is a moment of consequence,” Pierre emphasized, urging voters to hold the incumbent government accountable for unkept promises, and make their voices count when they cast their ballots on November 5.

  • Cap

    Cap

    As Haiti works to shore up its emergency response infrastructure ahead of the 2027 operational cycle, a key initiative to strengthen rescue and fire services in the country’s northern region has moved into its next implementation phase. A working delegation from Haiti’s General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC), headed by Director General Emmanuel Pierre, recently traveled to Cap-Haitien to advance the French-funded Phénix project, holding coordinated planning sessions with top local government officials.

    During the visit, the DGPC team met with Marc Présumé, the North Department’s regional delegate, and Michel Saint-Croix, mayor of Cap-Haitien, to align on project priorities. Discussions centered on three core objectives: auditing progress of already approved interventions across the North Department, aligning ongoing work streams with local government priorities, and mapping out concrete next steps for rolling out new upgrades. The talks also zeroed in on key project milestones, preconditions for launching upcoming construction and supply efforts, and long-term plans for building sustainable, high-capacity rescue and firefighting services across the department.

    Two core focus areas will anchor the project’s next phase of work. First, the initiative will fund full rehabilitation of existing emergency response centers across the region, bringing aging facilities up to modern operational standards. Second, it will deliver specialized, fit-for-purpose protective and operational gear to frontline rescue and firefighting personnel, addressing longstanding gaps in equipment access that have hampered response efforts.

    The working visit also served as an opportunity to finalize pre-construction requirements for upcoming renovation work at the Cap-Haitien central fire station, which is scheduled to kick off in the coming weeks. All planned upgrades are designed to transform outdated infrastructure, improve difficult working conditions for first responders, and expand the overall operational capacity of emergency services across the North Department.

    In addition to infrastructure and equipment planning, participants discussed immediate operational priorities as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close. The group also mapped out measures to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the project transition and lay the groundwork for 2027 operational planning.

    At its core, the DGPC’s visit aims to embed the Phénix project’s interventions in a long-term strategy for sustainable capacity-building for local fire and rescue teams. By continuing the momentum of already completed work, project stakeholders will consolidate existing gains and gradually support emergency services to boost their response capabilities, ultimately delivering more reliable protection for the Haitian public.

    The Phénix project is backed by funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), and is co-implemented by Expertise France and Haiti’s DGPC, in close partnership with national and local Haitian government authorities.

  • Portuguese national trail champion Hélio Fumo leads elite field for Antigua’s first-ever 50K ultra

    Portuguese national trail champion Hélio Fumo leads elite field for Antigua’s first-ever 50K ultra

    The 2027 AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest, one of the Caribbean’s most respected endurance sports gatherings, is set to make history this April when it hosts Antigua and Barbuda’s first-ever 50K ultramarathon, bringing together a star-studded field of international champions, top regional runners, and promising young talent from across the Caribbean.

    Portuguese national trail champion Hélio Fumo will lead the elite lineup for the groundbreaking 50K race, scheduled to kick off on Saturday, April 10, 2027. A former middle-distance track athlete who turned to trail running with enormous success, Fumo boasts an 800-metre personal best of 1:50.06 and claimed the Portuguese national trail championship title in 2021. Since his transition to mountain racing, he has notched an impressive series of wins: he took first place in the 110K Centurion at Slovenia’s Ultra Trail Vipava Valley, won the event’s 63K Gladiator race, claimed victory at the 66K İda Half Ultra in Türkiye, and earned a second-place finish in the 110K race at Istria 100 by UTMB. He also placed 10th at the 2019 Trail World Championships and completed the gruelling 174K UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2025, cementing his status as one of the field’s most formidable competitors.

    Fumo will face stiff competition from a deep roster of international and regional challengers. France’s Ronan Lorré, who claimed victory at the 100K Ultra Trace de Guadeloupe in 2024 with a finishing time of 15:18:25, brings proven experience on Caribbean mountain courses to the inaugural 50K. Trinidad and Tobago’s Michael Honoré, who finished just 21 seconds behind the winner to take second place in the 2026 AUA Rohrman 25K with a time of 2:32:54, will step up to the longer 50K distance after a third-place finish in the demanding 55K Ultra Trace de Guadeloupe in 2026, proving his ability to perform over extended Caribbean trail routes. Host nation Antigua and Barbuda will be represented by Kamar Thomas, who made history with a home victory in the 2026 AUA Rohrman 25K and will now test his skills against a world-class field on his home terrain.

    Beyond the marquee 50K event, the full Trail & Swim Fest lineup features a stacked field of additional elite and up-and-coming regional talent. Two-time Guyanese national 10K champion Cleveland Thomas, sponsored by InterCaribbean Airways, will compete in the 25K race. With personal bests of 15:09 for 5K and 32:30 for 10K, plus back-to-back podium finishes at the 2025 and 2026 CARICOM 10K Road Race, Thomas adds significant regional competitive depth to the event. Fourteen-year-old Barbadian trail running prodigy Ezra Sikkens will also travel to Antigua to compete, already holding his own against seasoned adult competitors despite his young age. Sikkens won the 2026 Great Train Trail Run outright in 1:32:00.3 and took third overall at the Barbados Hill Challenge, with his participation supported by The Athlete’s Foot Barbados and Tropic Ace Antigua – two local businesses committed to nurturing young sporting talent across the Caribbean.

    The historic 50K ultramarathon will start at 5:30 a.m. from Morris Bay, Old Road, routing competitors across two unique 25K loops through Antigua’s rugged southern coastal landscape. With a total elevation gain of roughly 2,097 metres, the course will push athletes to their limits with steep ascents, technical trail sections, exposed ridgelines, hot tropical conditions, and constantly shifting terrain. Unlike standard loop courses, the second 25K features entirely new routing aside from one small shared segment, rather than repeating the opening loop. To qualify for the second loop, runners must complete the first 25K within a six-hour cut-off; athletes who miss the mark will still receive an official finishing time for the 25K distance.

    In addition to the headline 50K, the event’s trail running programme includes a 25K race with 1,185 metres of elevation gain, a 17K route with 512 metres of climbing, a 7K trail race, and an inclusive 5K run/walk open to participants of all ability levels. The multi-day festival continues on Sunday, April 11 at Carlisle Bay, with open-water swimming events (2K and 4K) and a full slate of triathlon competitions including Olympic-distance, sprint, team, mini, and youth races.

    While the addition of the 50K marks the event’s most ambitious expansion in its 15-year history, the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest remains deeply tied to the community-focused, commemorative legacy on which it was founded. The event was first launched in 2012 as a memorial to Jonathan R. Rohr, a medical student at the American University of Antigua (AUA) and passionate athlete whose legacy continues to anchor the gathering. What began as a small memorial competition has grown into one of Antigua and Barbuda’s premier endurance sports festivals, uniting elite racers, recreational athletes, young participants, volunteers, and communities from across the Caribbean and around the world. The event also honours the legacy of co-founder André Simon, a celebrated Antiguan cyclist and athlete whose courage, determination, and contributions to regional sport left an enduring mark on the Antiguan community.

    Throughout its history, the Rohrman festival has welcomed Olympians, world champions, and top international athletes while remaining open and accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels – a balance of elite competition and grassroots community engagement that remains central to its mission. The inaugural 50K ultramarathon opens a new chapter in the event’s story, showcasing Antigua’s stunning but challenging natural terrain, establishing a world-class ultramarathon challenge for the Caribbean region, and creating new opportunities for the region’s top runners to compete alongside the world’s best.

    Registration for the 2027 AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest is currently open and will close on April 1, 2027.

  • Economy : 2026-2027 Budget – The 3 Government Priorities

    Economy : 2026-2027 Budget – The 3 Government Priorities

    On September 30, 2026, Haitian authorities formally adopted the national budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal cycle, a 401.2 billion Gourde spending plan structured around three urgent, interconnected government priorities: shoring up public security and national defense, organizing long-delayed general elections to restore democratic institutions, and driving gradual economic recovery paired with expanded social protection and regional development. The budget framework was crafted to address Haiti’s most pressing crises amid a constrained fiscal landscape, balancing immediate emergency needs with long-term national stabilization goals.

    Public security and national defense stand as the budget’s top priority, reflecting the government’s recognition that restored security is a prerequisite for any progress in other sectors. A total of 73 billion Gourdes, equal to 18 percent of the entire budget, has been allocated to the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defense to advance this goal. This funding covers all core operating costs for the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), including personnel salaries and benefits, as well as critical operational supplies: food, fuel, upgraded equipment, maintenance, logistics coordination, communications infrastructure, and frontline operational support.

    Among the key initiatives financed by this allocation is the continuation of the P-4000 police recruitment and training program, which aims to add 4,000 newly trained officers to the national police force. The funding also covers contractual payments for new security equipment for the PNH, and supports the gradual expansion of the FAd’H, which targets a total active force of 15,000 soldiers over a three-year period. Additionally, the budget earmarks funds for the construction of a new national prison, a critical investment to strengthen the country’s broken criminal justice system and reduce widespread impunity for gang-related and violent crime. A core overarching goal of this security investment is to secure Haiti’s major transportation corridors, crack down on violent armed criminal groups, and create the baseline stable conditions needed for economic activity to resume across the country.

    The second core priority laid out in the budget is the organization of national elections and the restoration of fully functional democratic institutions. To support this milestone, the budget allocates 8.6 billion Gourdes to cover exceptional electoral costs, including security operations, logistics management, institutional communication, and operational support for independent election management bodies, as well as direct support to registered political parties. This figure marks a 2.7 billion Gourde increase from the 5.9 billion Gourdes allocated for electoral preparations in the 2025-2026 supplementary budget, signaling the government’s firm commitment to holding the vote as scheduled. Additional funding has also been set aside to ensure the ongoing operations of core state institutions, including the bicameral Parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate) and the Office of the Presidency, to accommodate the turnover of elected officials following the completion of the electoral process.

    The third and final priority outlined in the budget is advancing gradual, tangible economic recovery that centers tangible benefits for Haitian communities, paired with targeted social protection investments and regional revitalization. Government planners structured the 2026-2027 budget to strike a careful balance between multiple competing demands: expanding domestic revenue mobilization, meeting urgent security and electoral obligations, expanding social safety nets for vulnerable populations, addressing critical infrastructure investment gaps, and maintaining macroeconomic fiscal discipline. In a context of severely limited national resources, the budget reflects deliberate, rigorous trade-offs between the Haitian population’s immediate social and economic needs and the long-term requirements of fiscal transparency, accountability, and sustainable stabilization. Ultimately, the spending framework is designed to guarantee continuity of core state functions, strengthen weak democratic institutions, and lay the foundational groundwork for a gradual return to robust, inclusive economic growth in the coming years.

  • Choksi’s UK Lawsuit Ends Without Resolving Alleged Abduction from Antigua

    Choksi’s UK Lawsuit Ends Without Resolving Alleged Abduction from Antigua

    A high-profile international legal saga involving fugitive Indian diamond businessman Mehul Choksi has drawn to a close in British courts, not after a ruling on the merits of his forced abduction claims, but due to procedural rules surrounding security for legal costs. The 67-year-old Choksi, who holds citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, has formally withdrawn all remaining legal claims he filed in the UK related to his 2021 removal from Antigua to Dominica. Choksi’s decision to abandon the litigation comes after the High Court struck out his claims against four of the defendants earlier this year, after he failed to meet the mandatory requirement to deposit nearly $900,000 to cover potential legal fees for the opposing parties. The case, which has been tangled in international political and legal crosscurrents for more than two years, leaves Choksi’s core allegations of a state-backed abduction unaddressed by the British judicial system, even as the businessman faces a separate, ongoing extradition battle in Belgium. According to Choksi’s account of the May 2021 incident, Barbara Jarabik, one of the defendants in the UK case, lured him to a private apartment in Antigua. Once inside, he claims he was physically attacked by unknown assailants, who then forced him onto a boat and sailed him across the Caribbean to Dominica against his will. Choksi further alleged that the entire operation was a pre-planned conspiracy orchestrated by the Indian government and multiple private individuals to remove him from Antigua, with the ultimate goal of sending him back to India to face fraud charges that New Delhi has pursued for years. All defendants named in the UK lawsuit, including Jarabik, have uniformly denied every allegation brought forward by Choksi. UK civil procedure rules require plaintiffs to provide financial security for a defendant’s legal costs when there are reasonable grounds to believe the plaintiff would be unable to pay those costs if they lose the case. In Choksi’s case, the High Court ordered him to deposit a total of approximately $896,750, calculated based on the September 2021 exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and British pound. Of that total, roughly $563,000 was required to cover costs for defendants Gurdip Bath and Leslie Farrow-Guy, while the remaining $334,000 was earmarked for Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Singh Bhandal. Court officials emphasized that this requirement was not a fine or a pre-judgment of damages; it was simply a procedural safeguard to ensure defendants would not be left out of pocket for legal expenses if Choksi’s claims failed. When Choksi failed to meet the deposit deadline, the High Court struck out his claims against the four defendants in July of this year, and additionally ordered him to cover the existing legal costs those defendants had already accrued. Rather than continue the remaining portion of his case against Jarabik and the Indian government, Choksi chose to discontinue those claims entirely. This procedural outcome means the British court system will never issue a formal ruling on whether Choksi was actually abducted, as he has repeatedly claimed. All the disputed allegations surrounding his sudden departure from Antigua remain untested and unresolved by the UK litigation. For context, Choksi had been a legal resident of Antigua and Barbuda for several years prior to the 2021 incident, when he unexpectedly turned up in the neighboring country of Dominica. After Dominican authorities took him into custody, his legal team immediately asserted that he had been kidnapped from Antigua and forcibly trafficked across the border. Choksi was later granted bail and allowed to return to Antigua to resume residence. The incident drew widespread international media and diplomatic attention because Choksi has been a top fugitive for Indian authorities, who want to try him in connection with the multibillion-dollar Punjab National Bank fraud scandal, one of the largest financial frauds in India’s modern history. Choksi has repeatedly and vehemently denied all wrongdoing related to the bank case. While the UK chapter of Choksi’s legal troubles has concluded, his global legal battles are far from over. As of the latest updates, Choksi remains in detention in Belgium, where his legal team is mounting a challenge against an extradition request that would send him back to India to face the fraud charges that first prompted Indian authorities to seek his arrest. The outcome of that extradition fight could have significant implications for both Choksi and ongoing international efforts to combat cross-border financial crime.

  • National Parks Authority to Enhance Security within Falmouth Harbour

    National Parks Authority to Enhance Security within Falmouth Harbour

    Falmouth Harbour, a popular public space used by both local residents and out-of-town visitors, is set to receive a comprehensive set of security and safety upgrades as the National Parks Authority (NPA) ramps up efforts to elevate the overall visitor experience and boost on-site safety. The initiative, which targets long-standing gaps in visible security and low-light visibility across the harbour area, is scheduled to kick off construction in October 2026. Under the approved upgrade plan, a brand-new permanent security booth will be constructed at the Falmouth Harbour car park. This new facility will enable on-duty security personnel to maintain a constant, visible presence across the high-traffic parking area, addressing past concerns about inconsistent security coverage in the location. Complementing the new security outpost, the NPA will also roll out an expansion of the site’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) network, adding new cameras across multiple high-foot-traffic zones to extend monitoring coverage across the entire harbour area. Additionally, the authority will carry out systematic upgrades to the existing outdoor lighting system, a change designed to cut down on dimly lit spots and improve overall visibility, especially after sundown when evening activities are common in the area. These planned improvements are not a one-off project, but rather the latest step in the NPA’s long-standing institutional commitment to upkeeping safe, inviting, and professionally managed public spaces across all land and facilities under its jurisdiction. As the construction and installation work gets underway next year, the NPA has publicly expressed gratitude in advance for the patience and cooperation of all groups that use the harbour, including local residents, visiting tourists, on-site business operators, and other relevant stakeholders. The authority noted that temporary disruptions during construction are unavoidable, but the long-term benefits of the upgrades will deliver lasting improvements to everyone who frequents Falmouth Harbour for years to come.

  • Ministry Urges Public to Wear Pink and Prioritise Breast Health This October

    Ministry Urges Public to Wear Pink and Prioritise Breast Health This October

    October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month across Antigua and Barbuda, and the nation’s Ministry of Health has launched a targeted public campaign positioning proactive breast health as a top priority for all residents, with early detection and rapid medical intervention as its core guiding messages.

    Beyond educational outreach, the campaign includes a collective solidarity initiative: the ministry is urging all members of the public to wear pink each Friday throughout October to stand in unity with individuals and families impacted by breast cancer. Health Minister Michael Joseph emphasized that this annual observance is far more than a symbolic gesture, stressing that it should prompt lasting behavioral change around personal health management. He encouraged every resident to take time to familiarize themselves with the normal state of their bodies, and to seek medical care immediately if any abnormal changes are detected.

    “Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a critical annual reminder that we cannot afford to neglect our health,” Joseph stated in official comments. He added that residents should proactively schedule conversations with their primary healthcare providers to discuss personalized breast cancer screening plans, aligned with their individual risk factors and health histories.

    To empower the public to identify potential concerns early, the Ministry of Health has also outlined key warning signs that require medical assessment. These include the development of a new lump or thickening in the breast tissue, unexpected changes to breast size or shape, visible alterations to breast skin or nipple appearance, and unusual discharge from the nipple. Officials have strongly advised anyone who notices any of these concerning changes to seek prompt evaluation, rather than delaying care out of uncertainty or hesitation.

    Joseph also extended a call for community-wide engagement: he urged residents to use the awareness month as an opportunity to start conversations with family members and friends about the importance of screening, and to offer tangible support to anyone currently navigating a breast cancer diagnosis. Echoing the minister’s message, the Ministry of Health noted that the symbolic act of wearing pink should be paired with meaningful action: expanding personal awareness of breast health, opening up conversations about screening and early detection, and extending support to those affected by the disease across the islands.

  • Dominica thrashed 8-1 by Guyana as head coach takes responsibility

    Dominica thrashed 8-1 by Guyana as head coach takes responsibility

    Dominica’s pursuit of upward momentum in the 2026 CONCACAF Nations League suffered a devastating setback Sunday, as the country’s senior men’s national team fell to an overwhelming 8-1 defeat at the hands of Guyana in a match hosted in Puerto Rico.

    The Bouyon Boyz, as the Dominica side is commonly known, were already on the back foot by halftime, having conceded four unanswered goals to their Caribbean rivals. Any hopes of a second-half comeback faded quickly as Guyana added another four goals after the break, with Dominica only able to pull one goal back via a strike from Reon Cuffy – the only consolation of the lopsided fixture.

    In an official post-match press statement released by the team, head coach Kurt Herd openly accepted full accountability for the disappointing result, acknowledging that his tactical directions to the squad directly shaped the game’s poor outcome for Dominica.

    “I’ll take responsibility because I told the boys to go and play football,” Herd said in post-match comments. “And they attempted to play football, probably overplay, and shot themselves in the foot a little bit.”

    As the team’s deficit grew larger throughout the 90 minutes, Herd explained that the squad lost its tactical organization and on-pitch discipline, creating a downward spiral that the side could not pull out of.

    “After that, heads go down, we’re not making the runs, we’re not tracking runners, the boys start to make silly decisions on the field, and ultimately we let ourselves down very badly there tonight,” he added.

    Beyond the immediate performance on the pitch, Herd drew attention to deep, long-standing structural challenges that undermine Dominica’s national football program, pointing to gaps in preparation infrastructure and systematic player development.

    “We’re dealing with amateur football players, technically aren’t good enough, physically not good enough, and I almost feel like I’ve been sent into a gunfight with a teaspoon, to be honest,” he said. “But I hold my hands up, and I take the blame for that.”

    The lopsided defeat has left Dominica in a precarious position in League B of the CONCACAF Nations League. The team will need to pick up maximum possible points in its remaining fixtures to climb out of the relegation zone and avoid dropping to a lower division in the next tournament cycle.

    Despite the heavy loss, Herd emphasized that the squad must extract critical lessons from the result and mount a strong response in upcoming matches. He also reaffirmed that as head coach, he is ready to bear the criticism that comes with poor results, a responsibility he says comes with the role.

    “We have to recognise the challenges facing the group,” he said, adding that as coach, “I’m always the face of it as the coach, so it’s me that takes the brunt of it, and rightly so.”

    Herd also addressed the unexpected absence of key starting forward Troy Jules from the match squad, revealing that Jules informed him the night before kickoff that he would refuse to represent Dominica for as long as Herd holds the head coach position, due to a professional disagreement between the two.

    “Unfortunately, Troy, just a difference of professional opinion,” Herd explained. “Troy last night made himself unavailable, said that he no longer wanted to represent the national team under my tenure, which is fine, I respect that.”

    Jules was subsequently removed from the match squad, with Herd stressing that the roster change was not rooted in personal conflict. “Not anything personal, Troy’s a great guy, but certainly a difference of professional opinion,” he said.

    Dominica will now enter a months-long break from international play before turning its focus to the November 2026 international match window. That will be the squad’s next opportunity to collect critical points and keep its League B campaign and hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

  • CCJ to sit in Saint Lucia for the first time

    CCJ to sit in Saint Lucia for the first time

    For the first time since its founding 21 years ago, the Trinidad-headquartered Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will bring its travelling judicial proceedings to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia. The landmark sitting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8, 2026, will also serve as the official opening of the CCJ’s 2026/2027 judicial year, marking a new milestone in regional judicial access.

    Travelling sittings are a longstanding outreach initiative of the CCJ, designed to bring court proceedings directly to member states that are party to the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice. Prior to this historic Saint Lucia visit, the court had held these on-location sessions in four other regional nations: Barbados, Belize, Guyana, and Jamaica. Saint Lucia’s invitation to host follows the country’s 2023 accession to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction, making it the fifth member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to join the court’s appellate jurisdiction framework.

    The core mission of the CCJ’s regional travelling program is to demystify the judicial process for Caribbean citizens by giving them firsthand opportunity to observe the court’s work in action. Aligned with the court’s institutional goal of delivering “accessible, efficient and substantive justice for the people and states of the Caribbean Community”, the programme delivers both practical and community-focused benefits. Beyond public education, on-location sittings cut down on travel expenses for legal representatives and litigants who would otherwise need to travel to the court’s base to participate in proceedings.

    CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson emphasized the program’s role in rooting the regional court in Caribbean community life. “These sittings enable the people of the region to see us, interact with us, and realise that we are in fact their kith and kin, and part and parcel of the fabric of their society,” Anderson explained in an official statement from the court.

    During the 2026 Saint Lucia sitting, the full seven-member CCJ bench will convene to hear three separate appeals originating from Saint Lucia, Guyana, and Belize respectively, and will also deliver final rulings on two additional pending matters from Belize. For those unable to attend the proceedings in person, the CCJ will make a live stream of the sittings available to the public via its official website, social media channels, and its public YouTube page. Full details of the case schedule and hearing information are already posted in the Schedule of Court Sittings section of the CCJ website for public reference.

    In addition to judicial proceedings, the court’s leadership will carry out a series of formal courtesy meetings with Saint Lucia’s top government and judicial leaders during their visit. Scheduled calls include meetings with Acting Governor-General Felix Finisterre, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Price Findlay, Attorney General Leslie Vincent Mondesir, and Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet.

  • SLBMC Pharmacy Now Open 24 Hours a Day

    SLBMC Pharmacy Now Open 24 Hours a Day

    Starting October 4, a major shift in pharmaceutical access has launched at Antigua and Barbuda’s flagship public health facility, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, with the rollout of a full 24-hour, seven-day-a-week pharmacy service.

    Prior to this change, patients and local residents faced widespread inconvenience when needing prescription fills outside of standard business hours, especially for emergency care cases. Patients discharged from the hospital’s Emergency Department after midnight, or residents who developed unexpected medication needs when private and community pharmacies were closed, often had to wait hours to get their required prescriptions filled, creating unnecessary health risks.

    This expanded service eliminates that gap. Unlike many hospital-restricted pharmacy programs, the new round-the-clock service is not exclusive to patients receiving inpatient or outpatient care at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Any member of the general public can bring a valid prescription issued by a licensed external healthcare provider to have it filled at the facility’s pharmacy.

    Hospital administrators note that the core goal of this initiative is to build a reliable, always-available supply chain for critical medications that meets the public’s needs at any time of day or night. The pharmacy is conveniently located on the medical centre’s second floor, just steps from the main reception desk, to help first-time visitors quickly locate the service.

    For a small island community that previously lacked overnight pharmaceutical options, the rollout marks a meaningful upgrade to local public health infrastructure, addressing a long-unmet need for after-hours prescription access.