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Van, Mini Cooper Badly Damaged in Friars Hill Road Crash
A high-impact road collision on Friars Hill Road left two common passenger vehicles, a van and a Mini Cooper, with severe structural damage following the incident. Local emergency and traffic response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported to clear debris, manage traffic flow, and document the details of the accident. While the full extent of injuries to the people involved in the collision has not been publicly released in initial updates, first responders confirmed that all parties involved received prompt on-site medical assessment before being transported to nearby care facilities if needed. Investigators from the local traffic police department have launched a formal inquiry to determine the root cause of the crash, with early leads focusing on factors including speed, road conditions at the time of the incident, and potential driver distraction. The collision caused temporary traffic disruptions along the busy Friars Hill Road corridor as crews worked to remove the damaged vehicles and repair any damage to the roadway surface. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes during the cleanup process to avoid long delays. Local transportation officials have reminded drivers of the importance of maintaining safe speeds and remaining focused on the road, particularly on high-traffic urban corridors like Friars Hill Road where sudden stops and unexpected maneuvers are common. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to compile a full report on the incident.
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Antigua and Barbuda Government in Talks With Airlines to Fill Gap Left by JetBlue
The dual-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has entered active negotiations with multiple international and regional airlines after budget U.S. carrier JetBlue made the decision to end its scheduled service to the country. The departure of JetBlue has created a critical gap in airlift capacity that serves both the vital tourism sector and local residents relying on air connections to North American markets.
Government officials confirmed that discussions are underway with a range of carriers, including major U.S. airlines and regional Caribbean operators, to secure new non-stop routes that can replace the lost capacity. Tourism, which accounts for more than 60% of Antigua and Barbuda’s gross domestic product and employs a large share of the national workforce, is heavily dependent on consistent, affordable air access to bring in visitors from the United States, one of its largest source markets.
Charles Fernandez, the country’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, told reporters that the government is confident of reaching agreements that will not only fill the gap left by JetBlue but potentially expand overall airlift to the destination. “We have had very productive initial talks with several carriers that see the long-term value of serving Antigua and Barbuda,” Fernandez said in a recent press briefing. “Our priority is to maintain competitive airfares and reliable service for both visitors and residents.”
Industry analysts note that JetBlue’s exit came amid broader industry shifts, including post-pandemic route restructuring and changing fuel costs that have led many carriers to re-evaluate their less profitable routes. Despite this, Antigua and Barbuda’s consistent investment in tourism infrastructure, including its modernized V.C. Bird International Airport and a range of new resort developments, has made it an attractive market for carriers looking to expand their Caribbean footprint. The government is also offering targeted incentives to encourage new carriers to launch service, including temporary marketing support and reduced landing fees for new routes.
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Descarte to lead strong Saint Lucia team at Windwards tournament
As the highly anticipated 2025 Windward Islands Senior Men’s Cricket Tournament approaches, Saint Lucia has announced its 14-player competitive squad, bringing a mix of experienced leadership, returning star power, and exciting youth prospects to the table. The tournament, hosted entirely in Grenada, will run from July 26 through to the final match on August 3, drawing regional teams from across the Windward Islands archipelago to compete for the regional title.
At the helm of the Saint Lucian squad is new captain Shadrack Descarte, an accomplished allrounder who earned the leadership appointment off the back of consistent, high-impact performances for both the Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Saint Lucia Kings franchise in recent regional competitions. Serving alongside Descarte as vice-captain is fellow allrounder Tarrique Edward, a young player who climbed the ranks through Saint Lucia’s youth development system and earned his first senior international cap just last year in 2024.
One of the most notable inclusions in the squad is the return of opening batsman Stephen Naitram, one of the island’s most destructive top-order hitters, who missed out on selection for the 2024 iteration of the tournament. The 31-year-old Forestierre native has been in devastating form across domestic limited-overs competitions in the past year: he turned in dominant displays in both the Dream11 T10 Blast and the Saint Lucia Premier League, and played a key role in leading the Banana Warriors to a title win at the 2024 Nature Isle T10. Naitram’s comeback fills the gaps left by the absences of current West Indies international Ackeem Auguste and former Windward Islands youth captain Johnnel Eugene.
Joining Descarte and Naitram in the group of returning key players are former West Indies Under-19 captain Kimani Melius, Windward Islands wicketkeeper Noelle Leo, veteran left-arm spinner Jaden Elibox, and fast-bowling allrounder Tyrel Chicot. The squad also showcases four first-time senior call-ups ready to make their mark at the regional level: Dominic Auguste, Joshua Cepal, Royce Paul, and Tyler Venner.
Each of the four rookies brings unique strengths to the Saint Lucian side. Cepal and Paul, two promising young fast bowlers, have been tapped to fill the bowling vacancies created by the departures of Keon Gaston and McKenny Clarke. Allrounder Venner enters the squad off a red-hot run of form at the Cricket West Indies Rising Stars 50-Over Championship, where he notched back-to-back half-centuries to cement his reputation as a rising talent. Dominic Auguste, a powerful top-order batter, also adds depth to the squad as a backup wicketkeeper.
Rounding out the 14-man roster are Windward Islands Under-19 captain and opening batsman Theo Edward, who turned in an impressive performance at the recent regional youth championship, right-arm offspinner Lee John, and left-arm medium pacer Shawnil Edward.
Leading the team’s coaching staff for the tournament is former West Indies offspinner Garey Mathurin, who takes on the head coach role. A certified Level 3 cricket coach, Mathurin brings extensive regional coaching experience, having previously worked with the Windward Islands Volcanoes senior side. Nerville Florence returns to his post as team manager, a position he has held successfully for the past two editions of the tournament.
For Saint Lucia, the road to the title kicks off early with a one-off three-day warm-up fixture against the Commonwealth of Dominica, scheduled to start this Sunday at Grenada’s Tanteen Cricket Ground. The official Super-50 Championship group stage gets underway next Thursday, where defending champions Saint Lucia will open their title defense against St Vincent & the Grenadines at Tanteen. Following the opening group match, Saint Lucia will face Dominica and hosts Grenada at La Sagesse Cricket Ground, with the tournament final set to take place on Monday, August 3 at the same La Sagesse venue.
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Community Vibes summer camp immerses children in culture and creativity
Against the backdrop of warm Barbadian summer, Community Vibes Summer Camp is filling the halls of Westbury Primary School with the sounds of drumming, the rustle of crochet yarn, and the laughter of young learners, as participants dive into a six-week immersive cultural experience running from July 13 to August 21. More than just a seasonal recreational program, the camp is designed to engage local youth with authentic Barbadian heritage while equipping them with practical, income-generating skills – culminating in public performances at the island’s annual Emancipation Day celebrations.
Curated by veteran youth program leader Glenn Harvey, who has dedicated more than 30 years to summer camp programming and five years leading Community Vibes specifically, the camp offers a diverse lineup of activities tailored to connect young people to their cultural roots. Beyond hands-on workshops in traditional crafts and performance – including crochet, African drumming, folk dance, and handcrafted jewelry making – the camp has organized four educational exploratory tours, inter-camp sporting events, and a cross-community mini carnival open to all cultural youth camps across the parish of St. Michael.
Harvey, who founded the program after years of youth work, says the camp has built a formidable legacy in competitive cultural crafts over its history, particularly in crochet. “Two years ago, we took home every top honor at the national crochet competition, including the Prime Minister’s Award. Last year, we only missed out on one trophy, claiming all the rest. This year, we’re aiming to sweep the board again,” he shared in an interview Wednesday.
The planned educational outings, dubbed “tour and picnic” by organizers, take campers to sites of historical and educational importance across the island, ending with group leisure time at popular local picnic spots to build camaraderie among participants. For the upcoming mini carnival, Harvey has partnered with the senior youth commissioner for St. Michael to invite youth from other local cultural camps to join the community event, turning it into a collaborative celebration of Barbadian youth culture. When Emancipation Day arrives, camp participants will take center stage, showcasing the dancing, drumming, and craft skills they’ve honed all summer in public street performances that mark the island’s celebration of freedom.
A majority of the camp’s attendees hail from nearby inner-city communities, including New Orleans, Baxter’s Road, Westbury Road, and Passage Road, providing structured, positive activity for young people during summer break. Harvey emphasized the value of the program for these youth, noting, “It’s wonderful to see kids keep their minds occupied with meaningful, varied activities, and the government has done excellent work to keep these community camp programs running.” He also praised newly appointed Youth and Culture Minister Senator Shane Archer for recent policy improvements that increased capital funding and adjusted salaries for camp directors and support staff, changes that have strengthened the program’s ability to serve youth.
For many participants, the highlight of the camp’s curriculum is the crochet workshop led by veteran instructor Sybil Fiedler, who frames the craft as both a cultural art form and an entrepreneurial pathway for young people. “Crochet is a fiber art where you turn simple string into something tangible and beautiful,” Fiedler explained to a group of new learners earlier this week, as captured in a photo by Lauryn Escamilla. “It’s an art you have to love to master.”
Walking beginners through the foundational steps of the craft, Fiedler emphasized that every complex project starts with a single chain stitch, encouraging new learners not to grow discouraged by early missteps. “Don’t let this craft master you – you master it,” she told participants. Beyond being a relaxing hobby, Fiedler notes that crochet can open up unexpected income streams for young people, especially teens. “If a friend sees a teen wearing a crocheted piece they made, they’ll often ask for a custom piece, and that’s quick extra cash they can earn on their own,” she explained. By the end of the six-week session on August 21, participants will have crafted granny square bags and a range of other handmade projects that will be displayed at the camp’s final end-of-session exhibition.
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Cricketing Legends Among Antigua and Barbuda’s Official Delegation for Sir Garfield Sobers’ State Funeral
The Caribbean cricket community is preparing to bid a final farewell to one of its most iconic figures, as the government of Antigua and Barbuda has given formal approval for a high-powered delegation of the nation’s most celebrated cricket legends to travel to Barbados for the state funeral of West Indian cricket giant Sir Garfield Sobers.
Leading the delegation are some of the biggest names in Antigua and Barbuda’s cricketing history: national hero Sir Vivian Richards, alongside fellow cricketing knights Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Curtly Ambrose, and Sir Richie Richardson. They will be joined by Dwayne George, Antigua and Barbuda’s Sports Minister and a former national cricketer, who will officially represent the dual-island nation at the ceremonial event.
Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications for Antigua and Barbuda, announced the Cabinet’s decision at the official post-Cabinet press briefing held on Thursday. In remarks to reporters, Merchant emphasized the unique standing Sobers holds in global sport and Caribbean heritage, noting that the delegation will carry the full respect and mourning of the entire Antigua and Barbuda nation to the service. “Together, they will pay the nation’s final respects to one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever known and a towering figure in Caribbean history,” Merchant told the assembled press.
In an official statement, the Cabinet highlighted that the composition of the cross-sector delegation of cricketing stars and government officials underscores the profound admiration that Antigua and Barbuda retains for Sobers. Beyond his record-breaking achievements on the cricket pitch, Cabinet noted that Sobers’ influence transcended sport, becoming a source of collective pride and inspiration that empowered generations of young people across the entire Caribbean region.
The state funeral is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 29, held at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados — a ground that has played host to countless historic moments in West Indian cricket. Prior to this formal approval of the delegation, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne had already delivered a public tribute honoring Sobers’ life and legacy. The Cabinet has also issued a directive requiring all flags on public government buildings across Antigua and Barbuda to be flown at half-staff as a mark of national respect for the late cricketing icon.
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Free green skills training by BTC to prepare 85 Dominicans for climate-resilient jobs
As Dominica advances its ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation, the Business Training Centre (BTC) has unveiled a groundbreaking eight-month training project designed to build a skilled local workforce capable of supporting the country’s fast-growing green economy. Titled Green Skills Training for Dominica’s Climate-Resilient Workforce, this initiative is made possible through full funding from the Government of Canada, delivered under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) 2026-2027 programme.
Addressing a critical gap in skilled labor for green sectors, the free programme will provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-accredited training across six high-demand technical fields. These areas cover core green economy segments: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), solar and thermal energy system installation, land surveying and construction cost estimation, construction project administration, green vehicle technology for motorbike mechanics, and digital green skills including cybersecurity and data entry management.
In an official statement released by BTC, Managing Director Lucia Stedman emphasized that Dominica’s national climate resilience targets cannot be achieved without a workforce equipped with the right specialized technical capabilities. This programme, she noted, delivers more than just skills training: it will open new employment pathways for 85 young Dominicans while directly building the skilled talent pool the country needs to deliver on its long-term sustainable development vision. Stedman also extended formal gratitude to the Government of Canada for its financial partnership and commitment to Dominica’s climate goals.
The initiative is open to all eligible candidates between the ages of 18 and 45 residing across any part of Dominica. To advance gender equity in green technology sectors, BTC has mandated that at least 60 percent of participants in the Digital Green Skills track will be women, creating more inclusive access to high-growth career opportunities for underrepresented groups.
All six training modules will run for three months each, led by experienced local instructors who hold recognized industry and teaching credentials. After successfully completing their programme, participants will earn an internationally recognized CPD certification, which is widely accepted by employers across the Caribbean and globally. BTC will also provide dedicated job placement support to graduates, leveraging its existing network of industry partnerships with local employers across green sectors.
The full training schedule will run from July 2026 through February 2027, concluding with a formal Green Economy Graduation Ceremony scheduled for February 19, 2027. All 85 graduates will be recognized for their achievement at the ceremony. Applications for the programme are open now, and interested candidates can access and download application forms directly through the official BTC website.
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Antigua and Barbuda Advances Plans for Spanish as Second Language
The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is advancing a bold proposal to expand Spanish language education across all its primary and secondary schools, a plan that will require the recruitment of up to 20 additional qualified Spanish teachers over the coming years. The staffing requirement is a core component of the Education Sector Implementation Plan covering 2026 to 2030, a comprehensive policy document that Education Minister Daryll Matthew officially presented to the national Cabinet for review this Wednesday.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing the following day, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant shared that preliminary demographic and program planning estimates point to a need for between 18 and 20 new teaching staff to fully launch and sustain the expanded initiative. To formalize this demand, the plan explicitly recommends the development of a targeted national staffing strategy that will outline recruitment pathways, qualification requirements, and employment terms for the incoming educators.
Unlike a new introduction of Spanish to national schools, the initiative aims to build on an existing foundation: Spanish is already included as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s standard K-12 curriculum. The policy overhaul seeks to strengthen inconsistent existing instruction, standardize learning outcomes across all institutions, and build what government officials describe as a cohesive, equitable, and sustainable national Spanish education framework. A key priority of the plan is aligning local Spanish learning benchmarks with globally recognized language proficiency standards, ensuring that students graduate with skills that are validated and recognized internationally.
The proposal addresses concerns about the status of other foreign language offerings, clarifying that French will retain its place as a core component of the country’s National Modern Language Programme. The plan’s explicit language reaffirms a commitment to expanding Spanish education while simultaneously preserving and protecting French language instruction for students who choose to study it.
To support successful implementation, the Ministry of Education is also planning to pursue targeted technical assistance from international partners including Spain, the Dominican Republic, and other global language education stakeholders. This planned collaboration will focus on three key areas: ongoing professional development for current and new Spanish teachers, refinement of the national curriculum to meet updated standards, and logistical support for rolling out the programme across all schools over the multi-year timeline.
The expansion is set to roll out gradually over a three-year period, with the speed of rollout adjusted to match individual schools’ readiness to adopt the new framework and the progression of student cohorts through the education system. As of Thursday, Cabinet has initiated its review of the policy brief but has not yet announced a final decision on approval.
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Slow over-rate costs Windies after thrilling ODI win
A stunning, last-gasp two-wicket win for the West Indies over New Zealand in the decisive fifth One Day International has been overshadowed by an official penalty: the side has received a five percent match fee deduction for falling foul of international cricket’s over-rate regulations. The issue of slow over rates has dogged the West Indies men’s team in recent months, marking a persistent problem that has now resulted in formal disciplinary action despite the side’s positive result on the field.
Played as a day-night fixture at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval on Tuesday, the final match of the five-game series delivered a dramatic climax, with the West Indies pulling off a late comeback to secure the win. However, the victory was not enough to overturn the series deficit, with New Zealand holding on to claim an overall 3-2 series win after taking four of the first five matches.
Fresh off the ODI clash, the West Indies side is now making a swift transition to red-ball cricket, shifting all preparation to their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. The first Test of the series is scheduled to get underway this Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with the regional side looking to put the over-rate controversy behind them and focus on claiming a series win in the longer format.
The penalty was handed down by Javagal Srinath, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, the body responsible for overseeing on-field disciplinary matters in international cricket. Match officials ruled after the game that Shai Hope’s side finished the match one full over short of the required minimum over rate after accounting for standard time allowances built into match regulations.
Under Article 2.22 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which outlines penalties for minimum over-rate violations, players face a five percent fine to their match fee for every over their side falls short of the required target in the allotted playing time. Team captain Shai Hope entered an immediate guilty plea to the offence and agreed to accept the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal disciplinary hearing following the conclusion of the match.
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Airport-to-River Dock Road in Barbuda to Be Completed Within Eight Weeks
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a timeline for a key infrastructure upgrade on the island of Barbuda, announcing that construction on a critical two-mile roadway linking Barbuda’s international airport to River Dock will get underway in the near future, with a projected completion window of just eight weeks from the start of work.
The announcement came Thursday via Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, who shared details following a Wednesday Cabinet meeting that included a progress briefing from Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump and senior leadership from the Ministry of Works. The briefing focused heavily on the government’s island-wide national road improvement initiative, with particular focus placed on upgrade projects across Barbuda.
“Cabinet was officially informed that the high-priority road connecting the airport to River Dock will commence shortly, and is scheduled to be finished within two months of breaking ground,” Merchant stated during the official post-Cabinet press briefing.
While Merchant declined to name the selected construction firm or share an exact groundbreaking date, he confirmed that the chosen contractor already has a well-established footprint and proven operational track record across both Antigua and Barbuda. This local presence, he explained, is designed to streamline the mobilization of heavy construction equipment and skilled labor, eliminating unnecessary holdups that often delay infrastructure projects delivered by out-of-region firms.
To further ensure project integrity, the government has appointed an independent third-party monitor to oversee every stage of construction. This monitor will be responsible for upholding accountability, maintaining full transparency throughout the process, and verifying that all work meets international and local engineering standards.
The airport-to-River Dock upgrade is just one component of a broader infrastructure rehabilitation initiative covering multiple roadways across Barbuda. Collectively, these projects are targeted at boosting transportation connectivity for local residents and business operations, laying the physical groundwork for long-term economic and social growth across the smaller island of Antigua and Barbuda.
The full national road programme across the country is backed by EC$100 million in bonds issued to a consortium of domestic financial institutions, paired with a US$33 million development loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Merchant confirmed that all financing arrangements are moving forward according to schedule, a development that is expected to speed up road rehabilitation work across both Antigua and Barbuda.
According to updates from the Financial Secretary shared with Cabinet, all funding mechanisms are on track, with disbursement of the CDB loan expected to be finalized within a matter of days once the final outstanding contractual requirements are fulfilled. Senior leadership at the Ministry of Works also told Cabinet that pre-construction preparatory work is already ongoing to ensure all projects funded through both the bond and loan can be executed on schedule.
To wrap up the meeting, Cabinet issued a formal directive to relevant public officials to accelerate the implementation timeline for all projects, so that local communities can begin benefiting from safer, more reliable road infrastructure as quickly as possible.