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  • GHS student dies of cancer on her graduation day

    GHS student dies of cancer on her graduation day

    On what should have been a day of celebration and new beginnings for graduating students at St. Vincent Girls’ High School, the entire community was plunged into mourning Thursday with news that one of their own, 17-year-old Form 5 Technical student Morica DaSilva, had lost her years-long battle with stage 4 cancer just hours after being honored for her extraordinary courage.

    As family and fellow students gathered inside the school’s graduation ceremony, a plea for prayers and support for DaSilva, who had been hospitalized amid a worsening of her condition, began spreading rapidly across local social media platforms. Within hours of that post going viral, school administration officially confirmed the devastating passing of the young student.

    In a heartfelt public tribute shared to the school’s social media channels, administrators remembered DaSilva as a bright, kind young woman whose warm presence and creative spirit left an indelible mark on the entire school community. Beyond her academic accomplishments, DaSilva was an active and valued member of the school’s Loyal Hearts Ad Alta Choir, where she shared her passion for singing and performance. When she was not rehearsing or studying, she could often be found crocheting, a hobby that let her creativity shine and brought joy to everyone who knew her.

    Earlier the same day, before her passing was announced, DaSilva was posthumously awarded the Celina Cordice-Primus Award for Perseverance — a distinction created to recognize students who demonstrate extraordinary resolve in the face of overwhelming hardship. School officials called the award a fitting reflection of the grit, courage, and strength of character DaSilva displayed through every step of her cancer journey.

    “ We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Morica’s parents, family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved her,” the statement read. “During this time of profound grief, we keep them in our thoughts and prayers and hope they find comfort in the love and support of those around them. Though she is no longer with us, her memory will forever remain a cherished part of the Girls’ High School family.” School officials added that further details about DaSilva’s funeral arrangements will be released to the public once they are finalized by her family.

    The grief over DaSilva’s passing extended beyond the school walls to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union, where DaSilva’s mother Marva has long served as a member. Union president Fiona Charles-Williams personally reached out to share condolences with the DaSilva family, the school’s headmistress and staff, and the entire 2026 graduating class in a voicenote addressed to all union members.

    “… we are in sympathy and we offer condolences to Morica’s extended family and Marva’s extended family,” Charles-Williams said. “We are saddened by this loss, and we ask the Lord to give them comfort in their time of bereavement.”

  • SLBMC Launches Mandatory Ebola Preparedness Training

    SLBMC Launches Mandatory Ebola Preparedness Training

    As Caribbean nations continue prioritizing proactive public health infrastructure, Antigua and Barbuda’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has rolled out a mandatory Ebola response training program for all clinical personnel, a key step in shoring up the facility’s capacity to handle potential infectious disease outbreaks.

    The joint effort is being led by two internal hospital departments: the Infectious Disease and Employee Health Division, and the Learning and Development Unit. Unlike one-off emergency drills, this program is designed to build sustained, practical competence among frontline workers. Trainees walk through hands-on modules covering key skills ranging from early identification of suspected Ebola cases to the correct implementation of stringent infection control protocols. The curriculum also emphasizes safe patient management protocols that cut transmission risk for both healthcare staff and other patients within the facility.

    Hospital leadership stresses that this preparedness push is not a reaction to an active threat. To date, Antigua and Barbuda has recorded zero confirmed Ebola cases. Instead, administrators frame the initiative as a reflection of the medical center’s long-standing commitment to maintaining a gold standard of emergency readiness, even when no immediate danger is present.

    The rollout is proceeding in a phased approach to avoid disrupting routine patient care. The first cohort of clinical professionals has already finished the full training program, with subsequent groups of staff scheduled to complete the course in staggered waves in the coming weeks.

    Hospital officials note that continuous education and proactive preparedness are non-negotiable pillars of the facility’s broader infection prevention strategy. By equipping every clinical worker with the right knowledge and skills now, the center aims to ensure that it can mount a rapid, fully coordinated response if any infectious disease threat—including Ebola—ever emerges in the region.

  • Sheila Roseau elected to membership of prestigious gender equality and human rights body at the United Nations

    Sheila Roseau elected to membership of prestigious gender equality and human rights body at the United Nations

    In a landmark development for global gender advocacy and human rights leadership, Sheila Roseau has secured a prestigious membership at one of the United Nations’ most influential bodies focused on gender equality and human rights protections. The election marks a critical milestone, both for Roseau’s decades-long work advancing marginalized communities and for the global movement to center grassroots gender justice in multilateral decision-making. For years, Roseau has been a prominent voice pushing for systemic change to address gender-based disparities, expand reproductive rights, and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups in global policy spaces. The United Nations’ gender equality and human rights body, which counts leading experts and advocates from across the globe among its members, plays a central role in setting global standards, monitoring state compliance with international human rights agreements, and shaping global agendas around gender equity. Membership in this body requires a demonstrated track record of impactful work in the field, as well as broad support from UN member states and global civil society groups. Observers note that Roseau’s election brings a fresh perspective rooted in frontline advocacy to the UN body, strengthening its ability to address evolving challenges ranging from the gendered impacts of climate change to rising backlash against women’s rights in multiple regions. Global gender justice organizations have widely welcomed the result, framing it as a positive step toward making the UN’s human rights machinery more responsive to the actual needs of communities most affected by gender inequality. As Roseau prepares to take up her role, stakeholders across the international community are looking forward to the contributions she will make to advancing the UN’s core mandates of gender equality and universal human rights for all.

  • Charles F Broome ‘A’ retains primary schools chess crown

    Charles F Broome ‘A’ retains primary schools chess crown

    The Garfield Sobers Gymnasium played host to a dramatic and tightly contested Primary Schools’ Team Chess Championship this year, where Charles F Broome ‘A’ turned in a masterclass performance to successfully defend their national title. The defending champions entered the tournament as one of the favorites to win, and they did not disappoint, taking every match they played en route to a first-place finish with a total score of 21 tournament points. Their narrow margin of victory held off a fierce challenge from St Gabriel’s ‘A’, who claimed second place with a solid 19.5 points after five rounds of competitive play.

    Heading into the final round of the multi-team tournament, the race for the championship title looked set to come down to a showdown between three leading teams. Charles F Broome ‘A’ held the top spot with 17 points, followed closely by Providence “A” at 15.5 points and St George Primary “A” at 15 points. Analysts and spectators alike predicted that the overall winner would emerge from this leading trio. In a pivotal matchup, Charles F Broome ‘A’ faced off against second-place Providence “A” — and delivered an emphatic 4-1 win that sealed their undefeated run. Victories from team members Nathan Culpepper, Daesha Rose Parris, Nia Snow Clarke and Naja Howard pushed the team over the finish line, while Caelynn Gordon of Providence “A” earned the only consolation win for her side with a defeat of Kymani Gayle.

    The battle for the third and final podium spot delivered just as much excitement for chess fans. St Jude’s and St Cyprian’s ‘B’ finished the tournament tied on 18 and a half points, forcing a tie-break to determine the final ranking. St Jude’s ultimately claimed the third-place position after the tie-break resolution.

    This year’s championship win solidifies Charles F Broome ‘A’s reputation as the dominant force in Barbadian primary school chess, marking the latest in a consecutive string of championship victories for the program over recent years.

    In total, 29 teams drawn from roughly 20 primary schools across the region took part in the 2024 championship, bringing 150 total young chess players to compete. Each participating school was allowed to field a core roster of five players, plus two reserve players who could step in for matches throughout the tournament.

    Along with team honors, the tournament also recognized standout individual performances from players across all competing schools. Nine players walked away with board prizes after winning every one of their individual matches throughout the competition. The honorees included Caelyn Gordon of Providence “A”, Liam Lowe of St Cyprian’s “B”, Naja Howard of Charles F Broome, Tyriq Goddard of St George “A”, Nia Sow-Clarke of CFB “A”, Rydun Jones-Jordan of St George “B”, Janea Clarke of St Judes, Dominic Cadogan of St Cyprian’s A, and Benjamin Luciene of St Gabriel’s “A” — who also earned distinction earlier this year as the top performer on the national Common Entrance exam. Minister of Education Chad Blackman presented the individual awards to the winning players.

  • Ghana deploys 47 health workers to Saint Kitts and Nevis under migration initiative – MyJoyOnline

    Ghana deploys 47 health workers to Saint Kitts and Nevis under migration initiative – MyJoyOnline

    In a strategic move that creates mutual benefits for two Caribbean and West Indian nations, Ghana has deployed 47 trained health professionals to the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis as part of its flagship Health Workforce Migration Initiative. Launched by Ghana’s Ministry of Health, this structured program strikes a careful balance: it creates valuable temporary international employment opportunities for Ghanaian health workers while protecting the capacity of Ghana’s own domestic public health system.

    Unlike unregulated migration of medical personnel that can leave source nations understaffed, this program operates under a formal managed migration framework. All participating health professionals sign fixed-term contracts that require them to return to Ghana once their overseas assignment concludes. For this cohort heading to Saint Kitts and Nevis, contract lengths are set between two and three years, after which the workers will rejoin Ghana’s national health sector to apply the skills they gain abroad.

    Ahead of the group’s departure from Accra International Airport, many of the deployed health workers shared their enthusiasm for the unique opportunity. They expressed eagerness to deliver high-quality clinical care to patients in Saint Kitts and Nevis while showcasing the expertise and professionalism of Ghana’s health workforce on a global stage. The workers also extended gratitude to the Ghanaian government for developing the platform, framing the assignment as a transformative chance to advance their professional growth and clinical skills.

    Senior Ghanaian government officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and Deputy Minister of Health Grace Ayensu-Danquah, attended the send-off ceremony at the airport to formally bid farewell to the deployed team.

    Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Ayensu-Danquah reaffirmed the government’s expectation that all 47 professionals would return to Ghana at the end of their two-year contracts. She highlighted that the program includes significant benefits for participating workers, including competitive compensation, improved working conditions, and other financial and professional incentives that make the overseas assignment attractive.

    Ayensu-Danquah characterized the bilateral arrangement as a clear win-win for both Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Beyond filling immediate staffing gaps in both nations’ health systems, the initiative exposes Ghanaian health workers to global clinical practices and specialized international training, equipping them with advanced experience that will strengthen Ghana’s health sector when they return home.

  • Corporate Sponsors Boost Entrepreneurship Training for Barbuda Students

    Corporate Sponsors Boost Entrepreneurship Training for Barbuda Students

    Barbuda’s next generation of young innovators is gaining unprecedented access to practical business skills, thanks to a growing wave of corporate sponsorships investing in local entrepreneurship training programs. For years, students on the small Caribbean island faced limited opportunities to explore self-employment and business creation, with most secondary and post-secondary institutions focusing on traditional career pathways that left little room for innovative, homegrown business ideas. Today, that narrative is shifting as local and international companies step in to fund curriculum development, bring industry mentors into the classroom, and provide small seed grants for student-led prototype projects.

    The programs, embedded in both secondary schools and the island’s community training centers, cover core skills ranging from business plan development and digital marketing to financial management and supply chain logistics. Unlike generic classroom lectures, the training is designed around Barbuda’s unique economic context, encouraging students to build businesses that leverage local assets such as sustainable tourism, artisanal crafts, blue economy initiatives, and local agriculture. Corporate partners not only provide funding, but also send active business leaders to work one-on-one with students, offering real-world insights that cannot be found in textbooks.

    Program organizers report that early outcomes have exceeded expectations, with more than 60% of participating students reporting increased interest in starting their own ventures after graduation, compared to just 15% before the expanded programs launched. For the island of Barbuda, which has worked to rebuild its local economy following major climate disasters in recent years, developing a new cohort of young entrepreneurs is seen as a critical step toward building more resilient, self-sufficient economic growth. Local education officials note that the corporate sponsorship model has created a sustainable partnership that aligns the private sector’s goal of nurturing future talent with the community’s goal of expanding economic opportunity for young people. Moving forward, partners plan to expand the program to reach every secondary school on the island by 2026, and add a annual student business pitch competition that will connect top ventures with additional regional investment opportunities.

  • Workers At Hammock Cove Set To Benefit From Union Representation

    Workers At Hammock Cove Set To Benefit From Union Representation

    Workers at Hammock Cove Resort & Spa, a luxury Caribbean property under the Elite Island Resorts umbrella, have formally voted to recognize the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) as their official collective bargaining agent, closing a years-long push for formal worker representation at the resort and delivering tangible gains for its entire staff.

    This milestone was cemented earlier this week, with the resort’s workforce gathering Wednesday for their first official collective meeting with ABWU leadership following the union’s official certification. Attendees heard opening remarks from Kem Riley, ABWU President and Senior Industrial Relations Officer, who walked attendees through the next steps for worker representation and the terms of the newly agreed collective bargaining framework.

    Riley confirmed that resort management has formally agreed to adopt all existing provisions laid out in the master collective bargaining agreement that already covers all other Elite Island Resorts properties across Antigua and Barbuda. This alignment brings Hammock Cove workers in line with their peers across the group, standardizing working conditions and benefit guarantees across the brand.

    Among the most noteworthy provisions for workers is a scheduled 50-cent hourly wage increase set to take effect on July 1, 2026, a win that will raise base pay for all hourly employees at the property. The agreement also formalizes the resort’s obligation to uphold public holiday pay entitlements, codifying a rule that guarantees workers either a full day of pay or an alternative paid day off if they are scheduled to work on a recognized public holiday—closing a gap in previous informal workplace policies that left many workers undercompensated for holiday shifts.

    In addition to wage and scheduling protections, Riley highlighted the value of the joint ABHTA/ABWU Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, which is now available to all Hammock Cove workers. He emphasized that the plan is designed to be affordable for working households, extending coverage not just to employees, but also their immediate family members, addressing a key unmet need for many resort workers who previously lacked access to affordable family healthcare.

    Closing the meeting, Riley reaffirmed the union’s ongoing commitment to advocating for Hammock Cove staff. He noted that the certification of the union and adoption of the collective agreement is just the first step, and that ABWU will continue to work with workers to negotiate further improvements to working conditions, compensation, and overall quality of life for all employees at the resort.

  • Trump Administration Mobilizes Robust Response to Tragic Venezuelan Earthquakes

    Trump Administration Mobilizes Robust Response to Tragic Venezuelan Earthquakes

    In the immediate aftermath of a series of destructive earthquakes that struck Venezuela overnight, the United States has moved quickly to mobilize life-saving resources, rolling out a whole-of-government emergency response to support affected populations. Within hours of the disaster, former U.S. President Donald Trump authorized an extensive package of support that combines direct financial aid, on-the-ground search and rescue operations, and close collaboration with Venezuela’s interim authorities to meet the urgent needs of communities impacted by the quakes.

    Senior officials from the U.S. Department of State, which is leading the federal response effort, have underscored that the first 24 hours following a major natural disaster are the most critical for saving lives in the Western Hemisphere. To that end, the department has deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which includes two elite urban search and rescue units tasked with locating and extracting survivors trapped under rubble. Back at the department’s Washington D.C. headquarters, agency leaders have established a dedicated Venezuela Earthquake Response Task Force to synchronize relief efforts across public and private sector partners, conduct rapid needs assessments, and deliver consular support to any U.S. citizens affected by the disaster.

    Beyond immediate search and rescue operations, airlift capacity, and cross-agency coordination, the U.S. is making $150 million in emergency humanitarian assistance available to Venezuelan populations through experienced implementing partners. The package breaks down into $50 million in new bilateral grants for frontline organizations already operating in Venezuela, including World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, Catholic Relief Services, International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration, and the World Food Programme. An additional $100 million is being contributed to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Venezuela pooled humanitarian fund, expanding the scope of coordinated relief across affected areas. Department of State staff are also supporting partner organizations with logistics planning and official liaison with interim Venezuelan governance bodies.

    The response effort draws heavily on close coordination with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), leveraging the military’s unmatched logistical and operational infrastructure to speed the movement of response teams, rescue equipment, and life-saving aid into hard-hit zones. For large-scale natural disasters like this earthquake sequence, securing reliable logistics to move personnel and supplies into affected areas is the top operational priority. DoW will deploy both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft to provide specialized mobility support, enabling response teams, U.S. government personnel, and implementing partners to conduct damage assessments, locate injured survivors, and deliver critical emergency supplies.

    The interagency coordination cell activated by the State Department integrates expertise from across multiple federal agencies, with DoW providing dedicated support to secure logistics pathways, access pre-positioned military assets in the region, and deploy forward personnel to cut down on response time and boost operational effectiveness. The Venezuela Earthquakes Response Task Force, stood up within hours of the first quake, brings together specialists from the State Department’s Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response, Bureau of Consular Affairs, DoW, and other federal partners. Task Force leadership is made up of senior experts with direct experience managing past regional disasters, including Hurricane Melissa, ensuring immediate operational readiness and proven crisis leadership.

    The deployed DART brings global-class disaster response expertise, technical and programmatic guidance, on-the-ground operational leadership, and real-time coordination to the response effort. Made up of veteran disaster specialists from across the State Department, the team’s core mandates include conducting on-the-ground condition assessments, prioritizing the most urgent unmet humanitarian needs, and leading overall U.S. government response activities. DART members are working alongside existing State Department assistance staff and U.S. Embassy diplomatic personnel to synchronize efforts with local authorities and international partner organizations.

    The two urban search and rescue teams activated for the response draw trained personnel from the Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, fire departments. As core components of the DART deployment, these units are the U.S. government’s primary international search and rescue assets, with each team including highly qualified personnel: career firefighters, emergency physicians, structural engineers, and certified canine search specialists. Both teams previously deployed in response to Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, where they conducted damage surveys across impacted areas of Jamaica, cleared debris to open access routes for relief convoys, and supported the transportation of emergency supplies to vulnerable communities.

    DoW elements, including U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), are working in lockstep with the DART to deliver life-saving support in close coordination with local partners, leveraging SOUTHCOM’s longstanding regional presence to ensure rapid, sustained operational backing for the relief effort.

    Consistent with the Trump administration’s stated priority of protecting the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas, the State Department is working around the clock to provide consular support to U.S. citizens and their family members in earthquake-affected areas. The department has launched a dedicated Venezuela Earthquakes Information webpage to host the latest updates on the U.S. response, and U.S. citizens in Venezuela are directed to the STEP.state.gov portal to receive real-time safety updates from the U.S. Embassy and review the department’s official Travel Advisory for Venezuela.

    In closing, the U.S. government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting Venezuela through recovery from the devastating disaster, noting that officials will continue to identify and deploy additional meaningful assistance throughout the ongoing crisis response period.

  • Shenelle Benjamin Honoured with 2025 WOW Factor Award for Health and Wellness

    Shenelle Benjamin Honoured with 2025 WOW Factor Award for Health and Wellness

    A dedicated registered nurse from Antigua and Barbuda’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has earned one of the Caribbean nation’s most prominent honors for frontline healthcare workers, after being selected as the 2025 recipient of the WOW Factor Award for Health and Wellness.

    Shenelle Benjamin’s recognition stems from her longstanding commitment to patient-centered compassionate care, a philosophy that has shaped every interaction she has with the people under her care. Colleagues and award judges alike highlighted her consistent effort to ensure every patient leaves their appointment or hospital stay feeling seen, respected, fully supported, and valued as an individual rather than just a medical case.

    Award organizers noted that Benjamin has built her decades-long nursing career around a core belief: that exceptional customer service is the foundation of effective healthcare. For Benjamin, meaningful, empathetic connection with patients and intentional advocacy for their needs are not add-ons to her role—they are central to what it means to be a good nurse.

    In responding to the announcement of her award, Benjamin shared that the honor carries deep personal as well as professional meaning. She described it as a reflection of both the professional milestones she has achieved throughout her career and the personal growth she has experienced along the way. She also made a point to acknowledge the unwavering support of her family, which she says has allowed her to show up fully for her patients every day.

    Beyond her own achievement, Benjamin emphasized that the WOW Factor Awards play a critical role across Antigua and Barbuda: they inspire working professionals in every industry to chase excellence, take pride in their work, and nurture the passion that drew them to their fields in the first place.

    Award organizers officially extended their congratulations to Benjamin following the announcement, reiterating their praise for her consistent commitment to improving patient outcomes and lives, and her unwavering pursuit of the highest standards of care across the Antigua and Barbuda healthcare system.

  • Jeannette Bowery Wins 2025 WOW Factor Award for Sales and Marketing

    Jeannette Bowery Wins 2025 WOW Factor Award for Sales and Marketing

    For over two decades, Jeannette Bowery has built a distinguished career in the automotive sector, holding dual key roles at Hadeed Motors Ltd. Based out of the company’s Bowery location, she serves as the firm’s Sales Coordinator while also overseeing the critical Vehicle Preparation Department. This dual responsibility has given her a unique vantage point across the customer journey, from initial sales engagement through to final vehicle handoff.

    This month, Bowery’s consistent commitment to outstanding customer experience has been recognized with a prestigious honor from the WOW Factor Awards. Award organizers highlighted that Bowery has cultivated an industry-wide reputation for service excellence rooted in four core professional practices: rigorous professionalism, transparent and clear communication, intentional active listening, and a sustained focus on centering individual customer needs in every interaction.

    Beyond delivering one-off positive customer experiences, Bowery has prioritized long-term relationship-building with clients, a strategy that has seen her consistently outpace performance targets and exceed customer expectations. This track record has not only won the loyalty of her clients but also earned her widespread respect from peers within Hadeed Motors and fellow professionals across the broader automotive industry.

    In a statement announcing the award, the WOW Factor Awards extended formal congratulations to Bowery on the achievement, singling out her sharp leadership, rare professional versatility across two distinct departments, and unwavering dedication to service quality. Organizers noted that her work continues to set a elevated industry benchmark for excellence in both automotive sales and customer care.