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  • Young Vincentians help shape agriculture’s future through FAO-led inclusion initiative

    Young Vincentians help shape agriculture’s future through FAO-led inclusion initiative

    On June 5, 2026, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) partnered with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation to host a landmark Youth and Gender Inclusion Working Session in Kingstown, creating a dedicated space for young producers, agribusiness leaders and agricultural traders to share unfiltered insights into the challenges they face and co-design actionable solutions for a more inclusive agricultural sector.

    The convening brought 23 cross-sector stakeholders together around a common goal: centering youth and gender-responsive strategies that open new pathways for young women and men to participate, lead, and thrive across every segment of national agrifood value chains. Attendees included not only young people actively engaged in farming, trade and agribusiness, but also representatives from the national Gender Affairs Division, local civil society organizations, and senior technical staff from the Ministry of Agriculture.

    Throughout the day-long discussion, participants laid out firsthand accounts of systemic barriers that block their success, while working collaboratively to map out targeted opportunities to expand their role in the sector. Juan Cheaz, FAO’s Caribbean Gender Focal Point and Value Chain Technical Lead, opened the session by emphasizing the non-negotiable role young people and women must play in driving national agricultural transformation.

    “Young people are the core engine of innovation and systemic change in agrifood systems,” Cheaz explained. “Yet far too often, young women and men face disproportionate barriers to accessing training, securing quality employment, and stepping into leadership roles. By centering youth and gender equity in our policy and program design, we can build more inclusive pathways to decent work, and secure a stronger, more resilient future for agriculture across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”

    Permanent Secretary Colville King echoed this call, drawing attention to a stark demographic gap that threatens long-term agricultural sustainability: just 10 percent of registered farmers in the country are young people. “The future of our agriculture depends entirely on our ability to attract young people into the sector, and to ensure they have a meaningful seat at the table when we shape its development,” King noted. “We need the next generation of farmers, innovators, processors, marketers and entrepreneurs to keep agriculture sustainable and protect our national food security for decades to come.”

    Discussion attendees outlined a consistent set of interlocking barriers holding young and female producers back, including limited access to affordable financing, arable land, formal markets, reliable transportation, and skills training, as well as widespread exclusion from key decision-making processes. For many, these barriers translate directly to tangible, devastating financial losses. Young farmer Dianza Selby shared a prominent example of how lack of market access derails small-scale producers: she once lost more than 600 pounds of unsold cucumbers, after exhausting all local distribution channels including supermarkets, schools, charities and community customers.

    “My losses were significant, and it was incredibly discouraging,” Selby said. Her experience struck a chord with other participants, who shared innovative workarounds they have developed independently to cut post-harvest losses and boost profit margins. Many have turned to value-added production, turning surplus produce into shelf-stable goods like pickles and hot sauces, while others leverage public storage facilities to extend the shelf life of their crops.

    The conversation also highlighted under-tapped opportunities for growth, including youth-led entrepreneurship, expanded domestic agro-processing, strategic product branding, and scaled-up value-added production. Participants also raised concerns about gaps in transportation infrastructure and export capacity, noting that younger, less established producers and traders have far fewer resources to absorb these challenges than larger, long-standing industry operators.

    Agricultural trader Glenroy Thomas emphasized that meaningful change requires centering young people in the decision-making process from the very start, rather than treating them as afterthoughts. “If we’re making decisions that impact young people, young people need to be part of those conversations from day one,” Thomas argued.

    A core, recurring theme across all working group discussions was the urgent need for expanded, targeted support systems for young people and women entering or scaling up operations in agriculture. Attendees called for expanded mentorship programs, increased access to technical assistance, more equitable access to critical resources, and greater youth representation in national agricultural policy discussions.

    In closing, both FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring the perspectives and lived experiences shared during the session will directly inform the development and implementation of future agricultural programs and initiatives across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, sustainable and food-secure future.

  • Masked Gunman Shoots Into Vehicle, Injuring Occupant

    Masked Gunman Shoots Into Vehicle, Injuring Occupant

    In the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, a brazen shooting unfolded on Dickenson Bay Street that has left local law enforcement working to piece together the details of the attack and identify the perpetrator. A 4 a.m. act of gun violence left a man with facial injuries after a shooter opened fire directly into the car where he was sitting.

    According to initial accounts from the scene, the attacker was concealed by a mask and wore all black clothing, a disguise that has complicated early witness descriptions for investigators. The assailant walked up to the stationary vehicle, took aim at the window, and fired a single bullet that crashed through the glass.

    The flying shards of shattered glass from the bullet’s impact caused the facial wounds that the victim sustained. Emergency responders quickly transported the injured man to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where he has already received medical attention for his injuries. As of Tuesday, no updates have been released on his current condition, and no suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the attack.

    Local police have confirmed that they are still actively investigating every angle of the incident, working to collect forensic evidence from the scene, interview potential witnesses, and track down the masked gunman responsible for the early morning attack.

  • Double murder accused walks

    Double murder accused walks

    In a landmark judge-alone trial delivered Friday, a Maracas St Joseph man facing charges for a high-profile 2020 double homicide has walked free after a High Court justice threw out the prosecution’s core evidence as fatally unreliable.

    Warren Small, 48, who also goes by the street names “Quincy” and “Blacks”, faced four total charges: two counts of murder for Darrie Simon and Sharlene Ramkissoon, plus unlawful possession of a firearm and matching ammunition. The two victims were killed in a brazen daytime shooting on March 3, 2020, outside a mini-mart at Acono Junction, Maracas, St Joseph, a case that shook the small local community for nearly four years.

    The entire prosecution case rested entirely on the testimony of Joseph Tinto, Darrie Simon’s mother, who was present inside the mini-mart during the attack. Tinto told the court she had known Small since he was a child, and claimed she was able to identify him when the gunman’s face covering slipped for a brief moment during the shooting.

    But presiding Justice Nalini Singh outlined multiple critical flaws in Tinto’s identification that cast irreparable reasonable doubt over the prosecution’s narrative. In her ruling, Singh noted that the gunman was almost fully concealed by a hooded sweatshirt and bandana throughout the incident, meaning any glimpse of his face could only have lasted a matter of seconds amid the chaos and terror of a sudden violent attack. Compounding this issue, Tinto was positioned behind a thick glass display counter inside the store at the time of the shooting, a barrier that the court ruled further distorted and compromised her ability to make a clear visual identification.

    Singh also highlighted conflicting testimony from a second independent eyewitness, Celine Rebeiro, who not only failed to identify Small as the gunman but also described the shooter as wearing dark sunglasses — a key detail that never appeared in Tinto’s account of the incident. Beyond the problematic eyewitness testimony, the court also called out significant investigative failures by law enforcement, including the complete absence of a formal police identification parade and a failure to conduct a prompt, official reconstruction of the crime scene to verify witness accounts.

    After weighing all the evidence, Justice Singh concluded that the crown could not overcome reasonable doubt over the identity of the actual shooter, and entered not guilty verdicts on all four counts against Small, resulting in his immediate discharge from custody. Prosecutors Shervon Noriega, Rebecca Trim-Wright and Khi Cambridge represented the State during the trial, while Small was defended by court-appointed defense attorneys Colin Selvon and Anastasia Weekes.

  • Government goes digital with ‘Pearly’

    Government goes digital with ‘Pearly’

    Barbados has launched a government-backed mobile application, centered on improving civic engagement and public service delivery, marking the first major step in the country’s broader national digital modernization strategy. According to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the app – built by local Barbadian talent instead of imported generic software – will cut through red tape to speed up state agency responses and boost government accountability to everyday citizens.

    Developed by the Barbadian tech startup Touchstar Group under the guidance of lead developer Ramon Dummett, the app reimagines a beloved local cultural figure, Pearly from the classic *Bajan Bus Stop* television series, for 21st century civic life. Mottley emphasized that while national governments often prioritize large-scale economic and structural reforms, it is the small, unresolved daily community issues that shape public frustration and erode satisfaction with public services. Things like a leaking water pipe that goes unrepaired for days, with callers left stuck on hold for hours when they reach out to authorities, are exactly the frictions the new tool is designed to eliminate.

    The platform simplifies citizen reporting into an intuitive three-step process: users submit a short description of an issue, tag its exact location via the phone’s GPS, and upload photo or video evidence to support their report. Powered by automated routing technology, the system analyzes each submission and sends it directly to the relevant government department, eliminating unnecessary manual sorting and delays that slow responses. The app is built around two core features that meet distinct user needs: “Ask Pearly” centralizes access to information for 155 government entities, providing clear details on opening hours, required documentation for services, and other frequently asked questions, while “Tell Pearly” manages direct incident reporting from the public.

    Beyond civic reporting, the app integrates real-time data with the Barbados Transport Board, allowing commuters to track bus locations on live maps and access predictive traffic updates directly on their phone lock screens, cutting down on the uncertainty and frustration of waiting for public transit. Mottley even lightheartedly noted that the name “Tell Pearly” is intended to replace the frustrated four-letter words Barbadians often use when dealing with slow public service delivery, with the ultimate goal of easing public stress around accessing government support.

    The Pearly app launch kicks off three back-to-back digital transformation rollouts planned by the Barbadian government. The second initiative, BimPay, a new real-time digital payment system developed by the Central Bank of Barbados, will launch at midnight on the coming Saturday. The third app, set to launch the following week, will enable users to pay utility bills and complete financial transfers directly through WhatsApp, eliminating the need for in-person queuing at government licensing offices.

    A key point of pride for the government is that the Pearly app was developed locally, rather than purchasing a generic off-the-shelf solution from an international developer. Mottley highlighted that this decision not only supported local tech talent but also created homegrown intellectual property that can be exported as a prototype to other small island developing states (SIDS), which face many of the same public administration and service delivery challenges that Barbados does. “If you can use Barbados as the prototype to solve these problems, rest assured that there are 46 other small island states across the world that probably are experiencing similar problems,” she said, addressing the development team.

    Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology Senator Jonathan Reid echoed that praise, commending the team for taking on the risk of building a custom solution tailored specifically to Barbados’ unique needs. He noted that effective modern leadership requires a willingness to experiment, learn quickly from setbacks, and adapt, rather than relying on pre-built imported solutions that do not fit local contexts. The project originated from a practical gap identified by Roy Morris, Director of Citizenship and Engagement, who needed a more efficient system to manage the high volume of daily public complaints. Reid explained that while the initial prototype required adjustments, the team worked through technical challenges to deliver a platform that will drastically improve government response times.

    Reid added that the project serves as a model for local entrepreneurs, framing national challenges as opportunities to build innovative solutions that can have global impact. “Ultimately, we want to be a platform on which people could solve national problems but also create opportunities to create global businesses,” he said. “This could be taken—once done well—this could be taken abroad anyway, right? And it would have been a Barbadian IP with Barbadian ideas, Barbadian skills, using Barbadian data to serve the world.”

  • Seeing China, sharing civilisations: A competition bridges cultures

    Seeing China, sharing civilisations: A competition bridges cultures

    Against the backdrop of a global landscape defined by rapid transformation and growing geopolitical turbulence, the Chinese Embassy in Grenada kicked off a groundbreaking cross-cultural initiative on June 5, 2026. Held during celebrations for the second United Nations International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations, the event formally launched the ‘China In My Eyes’ Short Video and Article Competition, a project designed to connect people across two distinct cultural contexts through personal storytelling and creative expression.

    The International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations, observed globally every June 10, is itself a product of Chinese diplomatic leadership. First proposed by China during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the initiative was formally adopted and established as an annual UN observance in 2024. At a moment when clashes over cultural identity have become an increasingly pressing global challenge, the day carries a clear core message: open dialogue remains the only sustainable bridge to lasting peace, and mutual learning between different cultures acts as the guiding compass for shared human progress.

    The launch event in Grenada centered on the vision laid out in the Global Civilisation Initiative, introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023, which is built around four foundational calls to action. The first core principle is respect for the inherent diversity of global civilisations. As a nation with an unbroken 5,000-year cultural heritage that has nurtured centuries of philosophy, art, and social thought, China values its own unique cultural legacy while rejecting the harmful idea that any single civilisation can claim a monopoly on wisdom or inherent superiority over others. Every cultural tradition, the initiative argues, carries irreplaceable unique value and makes distinct contributions to the broader tapestry of human experience.

    This principle of diverse coexistence finds tangible expression in the cultural landscape of Grenada, where vibrant traditions such as soca rhythms during the annual Spicemas festival and the iconic Jab Jab ritual – where participants coat themselves in oil and black paint to symbolize centuries of resilience, resistance, and renewal – thrive as living expressions of local identity. A traditional Chinese dragon dance and a Grenadian Jab Jab performance may differ sharply in form and history, but both respond to the same fundamental human needs: creative self-expression and collective belonging.

    The second core call of the Global Civilisation Initiative is to advance and protect the common values shared by all humanity. Beneath the surface of differing customs, languages, and traditions, people across every culture hold the same universal aspirations: peace, sustainable development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom. These values are not the exclusive property of any single civilisation; they are the shared birthright of every person on Earth. A soca artist writing lyrics about overcoming intergenerational hardship and a classical Chinese poet penning verses about social harmony may use different languages, rhythms, and literary devices, but their words resonate with the same core human experiences. A young Grenadian student dreaming of a better future and a young Chinese scholar pursuing advanced research are far more alike than they are different; their native languages may set them apart, but their shared hopes for tomorrow are nearly identical. The International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations makes clear that embracing these shared values does not require abandoning unique cultural identities. When people recognize that all humans share the same desire for peace and progress, they stop seeing cultural difference as a threat – and start seeing others as reflections of themselves.

    The initiative’s third core principle is a call to prioritize both the inheritance of cultural heritage and the innovation of cultural expression. As President Xi Jinping has emphasized, communities must protect tangible cultural heritage – from historic villages to distinctive architectural landmarks that give a place its unique identity – while also safeguarding intangible cultural traditions passed down through generations. At the same time, communities must pursue creative transformation and innovative development to keep these traditions alive for new generations. China has put this principle into practice in recent years: for example, the hit action role-playing game *Black Myth: Wukong* has reintroduced the centuries-old legend of the Monkey King to global audiences through cutting-edge digital game design, bridging ancient myth and modern technology. In Grenada, similarly, beloved traditions like Spicemas and Jab Jab remain vital cultural touchstones because they have adapted to incorporate new musical styles and resonate with younger generations while remaining rooted in their historical origins. The shared lesson for both nations is clear: communities can honor the lessons and heritage of the past without being chained by it, and remember their origins while continuing to imagine new paths forward.

    The fourth and final core call of the Global Civilisation Initiative is for expanded, people-centered international exchanges and cross-cultural cooperation. 2026 marks a meaningful milestone for China-Grenada relations: it is the 21st anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Over the past two decades, people-to-people connections have grown steadily: more than 3,200 Grenadians have traveled to China to participate in professional and educational training programs, and 251 Grenadian students have received full Chinese government scholarships to pursue higher education in China. At the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), the local Confucius Institute continues to offer access to Chinese language learning and cultural programming for local residents, building people-level connections year-round. Just last year, Grenada’s Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob was invited to participate in the Liangzhu Forum in China, one of the world’s leading international gatherings focused on cross-civilisation dialogue.

    To build on this decades-long foundation of exchange, the Chinese Embassy launched the ‘China In My Eyes’ competition. The initiative invites all Grenadians – with a particular focus on students, working journalists, and independent content creators – to share their personal perspectives on China through original short videos and written articles. Participants are free to explore any topic that resonates with them, from the ancient grandeur of the Great Wall to the dynamic energy of Shanghai’s city streets, from the bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine to the lasting impact of a Chinese teacher who changed their life. While the competition offers generous cash and material prizes to honor outstanding creative work, organizers emphasize that the core goal is not to reward winning entries, but to foster open dialogue. Every submission, regardless of its topic, represents a small but powerful act of cross-cultural connection. Through the personal perspectives of Grenadian participants, China shifts from an abstract, distant concept on the other side of the world to a living, human story. And through these shared stories, the geographic and cultural distance between the two peoples continues to shrink. Participants are not just entering a competition – they act as grassroots cultural ambassadors, shaping how their generation in Grenada sees China, and how Chinese people see Grenada.

    As the event made clear, the Global Civilisation Initiative provides a clear global roadmap for cross-cultural coexistence, the UN International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations serves as an annual reminder of the urgent need for this work, and the ‘China In My Eyes’ competition turns this vision into a tangible, local platform for action. Ultimately, however, meaningful cross-cultural connection depends not on institutions or governments alone, but on individual people. Through this competition, every Grenadian has the opportunity to help build a bridge of creativity and mutual understanding, turning the ideal of inter-civilisation dialogue into concrete action, and celebrating the decades-long friendship and shared future between the people of China and the people of Grenada.

  • Electrician fined for trespassing on Lethem aerodrome

    Electrician fined for trespassing on Lethem aerodrome

    Updated Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 7:22 a.m. by Denis Chabrol

    In a landmark enforcement of Guyana’s civil aviation safety rules, a local man has become the first person convicted of unauthorized trespassing on a hinterland aerodrome, just 10 days after national aviation regulators issued urgent public warnings about unsafe activity around the country’s remote airstrips.

    Forty-three-year-old Leonard Pompey, an electrician residing in Culvert City, Lethem, Central Rupununi, entered a guilty plea to one count of trespassing on the Lethem Aerodrome, a violation of Section 83(1) of Guyana’s Civil Aviation Act. Presiding over the case at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Omadatt Chandan imposed a fine of GY$300,000. Pompey will face three months of imprisonment if he fails to pay the penalty within the required timeframe. The charge carries a maximum penalty of GY$1 million in fines and six months behind bars, underscoring the severity of aviation safety violations under Guyanese law.

    The conviction comes on the heels of a joint public appeal from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Aviation Operators Association of Guyana (AOAG) calling for heightened public accountability around all national airstrips and runways. The warnings were triggered by a disturbing incident reported in late May, when unidentified actors deliberately placed large rocks across the entire length of the Lethem Aerodrome runway. Regulators labeled the act as an unacceptable threat to aviation operations and the lives of passengers, crew, and remote communities that rely on Lethem’s air link for essential access to goods and services.

    Despite the urgent push for improved public safety awareness, a long-standing administrative gap has left required aerodrome warning signs gathering dust in the compound of the former Ministry of Public Works in Kingston’s Wight’s Lane for multiple years. The oversight comes amid a recent government restructuring that moved aviation oversight from the Ministry of Public Works to the newly created Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation.

    In the wake of the conviction, the GCAA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public safety, urging all Guyanese to treat every aerodrome as critical safety infrastructure. The authority asked community members to report any suspicious activity or threats to aerodrome operations directly to regulators, including anonymous reports via the GCAA’s dedicated safety hotline at 608-4222. “The safety of the travelling public remains our highest priority,” the agency stated.

    AOAG officials have emphasized that hinterland airstrips face far greater safety risks than major international hubs, making unauthorized activity especially dangerous. Most of Guyana’s remote runways are short, narrow, and unpaved, meaning pilots already operate with extremely limited safety margins, particularly during periods of heavy rain or poor visibility. Every foot of usable runway is critical for safe takeoffs and landings, and even small hazards can drastically increase the risk of a catastrophic crash.

    The association says it continues to receive frequent reports of reckless and dangerous behavior across airstrips nationwide. Common violations include motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians crossing active runways while aircraft are approaching or departing; leaving debris, glass bottles, and other foreign objects on runway surfaces; deliberately or accidentally placing stones and other obstacles on landing strips; using active runways as public thoroughfares or shortcuts; causing permanent damage to runway surfaces and shoulders from repeated vehicle traffic, which creates ruts, erosion, and narrows the usable landing area; and even law enforcement personnel using active runways for recreational games.

    “While these actions may seem trivial to people who do not work in aviation, they create life-threatening hazards for pilots, passengers, and entire remote communities,” the AOAG noted in its public warning. “A single discarded bottle, loose stone, uneven rut, or unexpected vehicle crossing can cause a pilot to lose control of an aircraft, trigger a propeller strike, blow a landing gear tire, cause irreparable structural damage, or result in a deadly crash. The consequences of these irresponsible acts are often irreversible.”

    Beyond the immediate risk of injury and death, such incidents can destroy aircraft valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, disrupt critical regional services, and leave long-lasting economic and social impacts on communities that depend on air travel for access to healthcare, education, and supplies. Irresponsible runway use also drives up operational costs across the entire Guyanese aviation sector: aircraft repairs, unplanned maintenance, flight delays and cancellations, insurance claims, and infrastructure repairs all ultimately raise the cost of air services for the hinterland residents who rely on them most.

  • Grenadian creatives to attend 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival

    Grenadian creatives to attend 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival

    The Caribbean island nation of Grenada is poised to step onto the global animation stage for the first time, with three of its homegrown creative talents set to showcase original, culture-driven projects at the Annecy International Animation Festival and MIFA Market — the world’s most prestigious gathering for animation professionals and storytellers.

    The trio of artists — Jassim Thomas, Robert Finlay, and Alleyne Gulston — are all graduates of the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs (GOCA)’s first-ever Animation Accelerator programme, an initiative developed in partnership with local animation studio AnimaxFYB Studios to nurture emerging creative talent and connect it to international opportunities.

    For Francis Y Brown, founder and creative director of AnimaxFYB Studios, the moment marks far more than a simple milestone for the tiny island nation. Rather, it is a tangible demonstration of Grenada’s long-term commitment to building a sustainable creative economy. “This isn’t just a one-off appearance; it’s intentional investment made visible,” Brown explained. He pointed out that the depth and originality of the projects selected for the accelerator, all rooted in Grenada’s unique cultural heritage and local imagination, prove that a strong creative foundation already exists on the island. GOCA’s accelerator programme fills a critical gap, he added, by building the forward-thinking infrastructure that bridges local talent to global markets, speeds up skills development, and integrates local storytellers into the international animation ecosystem. “This is how enduring creative industries are built: through intentional investment, global exposure, and the courage to share our culture beyond national borders,” Brown said.

    Orlando Romain, advisor overseeing Grenada’s creative economy portfolio, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the strength and diversity of submissions GOCA received for the inaugural accelerator programme highlight the untapped potential of the country’s creative sector. “This is why we remain committed to making strategic investments in our creatives and the broader creative ecosystem that supports them,” Romain said. “These investments open doors for our artists to access international markets and take their careers to the next level.” He extended congratulations to all participants of the first accelerator cohort, and offered special well wishes to Thomas, Finlay, and Gulston as they prepare to represent Grenada in France.

    Each of the three selected animators is bringing a project that draws deeply from Grenadian and Caribbean cultural roots to share with the global audience at Annecy.

    Thomas, whose project *Isle of Tales* will bring centuries of Grenadian and Caribbean oral storytelling traditions to animated life, said the opportunity carries profound personal and professional meaning. “As a Grenadian creative, this opportunity allows me to share stories inspired by our culture, folklore, and traditions with an international audience,” he explained. Thomas said he is eager to learn from top industry professionals, build connections with creators from across the globe, and highlight the unique richness of Caribbean storytelling through animation.

    Finlay, the creator of *The Golden Nutmeg*, said his project began as a passion project driven by a desire to create something that captures the unique richness, mystery, and storytelling spirit of the Caribbean region. “To now have that vision acknowledged on an international platform is something I am extremely grateful for,” Finlay said. What excites him most, he added, is the chance to immerse himself in one of the world’s most respected animation industry gatherings, connect with inspiring creators from all corners of the globe, and continue pushing the boundaries of what Caribbean animation can achieve as a Grenadian artist.

    Gulston, whose character-driven project *Macee, Wha Go?* has been years in the making, called his selection both a tremendous honor and a defining milestone in his creative career. A graphic designer, visual artist, and illustrator by trade, Gulston noted that visual storytelling has always been the core of his work. “Having the opportunity to showcase a character concept I’ve carried with me for many years on such a prestigious international stage is incredibly rewarding,” he said.

    Gulston specifically credited GOCA and AnimaxFYB Studios for their investment in local talent through targeted training initiatives, including the Toon Boom 2D Animation training that gave him the skills to move his concept from an early idea to a showcase-ready project. Beyond professional growth, he said the trip to Annecy is an opportunity to stand alongside his fellow Grenadian creatives to share the island’s unique stories and perspectives with the world.

    “Grenada may be a small island, but we have powerful stories to tell, unique perspectives to offer, and a rich creative spirit that deserves to be seen and celebrated,” Gulston said. He expressed hope that the trio’s appearance at Annecy will not only position Grenada as a emerging hub of creative storytelling but also open new professional doors for future generations of Grenadian artists, inspiring young creators to pursue their dreams and share their work with global audiences.

    The Annecy International Animation Festival and MIFA Market is scheduled to bring thousands of animation professionals, studio executives, and independent creators from more than 100 countries together this year, offering emerging talent unmatched access to industry networks, distribution opportunities, and skill-building workshops.

  • FRO Fest 2026 set for vibrant return to St. Kitts and Nevis on June 20 – WIC News

    FRO Fest 2026 set for vibrant return to St. Kitts and Nevis on June 20 – WIC News

    One of the Caribbean’s most beloved regional cultural and entrepreneurial festivals is preparing for a lively stop on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, with FRO Fest 2026 set to kick off a full day of celebration at National Heroes Park on Saturday, June 20. Built at its core to lift up small businesses and creative minds across the Caribbean, this year’s gathering centers on the theme “Sunflower & Curls,” a framing that prioritizes joyful creative self-expression and tight-knit community spirit.

    Organizers have teased an immersive experience for all attendees, describing the park as transforming into “the ultimate beauty playground” for the event. From interactive curl-focused stations and seasonal cultural activities to live product demonstrations from local makers, the day will blend learning, connection, and nonstop energy, with organizers urging guests to arrive early to take in every offering.

    A sprawling regional marketplace will sit at the heart of the festival, welcoming hundreds of expected attendees from both the local community and the tourism sector. More than 100 vendors from across Caribbean territories will showcase a diverse range of handcrafted and locally made goods, including natural hair care formulations, artisanal skincare, handmade apparel, bespoke jewelry, one-of-a-kind crafts, and holistic wellness products. For small business owners, the gathering is far more than a sales opportunity: it provides a rare platform to connect with new regional customers, build brand recognition across island markets, and grow their ventures beyond their home territories.

    Beyond the marketplace, guests will have access to a full slate of free programming throughout the day, including live musical performances from local artists, curated fashion shows highlighting Caribbean designers, interactive beauty workshops, and family-friendly activities. Local food vendors will also be on-site serving up a wide selection of authentic Caribbean comfort dishes and refreshing tropical beverages to keep attendees fueled throughout the celebration.

    FRO Fest first launched in 2018 in Trinidad and Tobago, and has grown exponentially from its small origins to become a signature multi-island touring event, with successful editions hosted across more than a dozen Caribbean territories to date. Beyond supporting local economic growth, the festival has carved out a reputation for advancing core values of self-love and regional cultural pride, turning each stop into a community-wide celebration of Caribbean identity.

    The 2026 touring iteration of the festival has already wrapped up successful stops in Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada, drawing thousands of attendees across the two islands. After the June 20 gathering in St. Kitts and Nevis, the tour will continue onward to its next stop in Barbados, continuing its mission to lift up creatives and small businesses across the region.

  • Five arrested, guns seized after violent home invasion, robbery

    Five arrested, guns seized after violent home invasion, robbery

    Authorities in Guyana have taken five suspects into custody and recovered two unregistered .32 caliber pistols following a brazen early-morning armed home invasion and robbery in the GoodHope community, located along East Coast Demerara. Regional police made the announcement in an official statement released to the public on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 3:45 a.m. on Monday, when seven armed attackers targeted the residence of a 49-year-old self-employed man. Police records show the gang arrived at the property carrying an arsenal of weapons, including two firearms, cutlasses, and knives, according to witness accounts. After repeatedly striking the residence’s front door, witnesses reported hearing multiple loud blasts that investigators have classified as suspected gunfire. The attackers then forced their way inside the home, catching the sleeping family off guard.

    During the home invasion, the victim, his wife, and one of their daughters were physically assaulted by the suspects, according to preliminary investigative reports. After subduing the family, the intruders ransacked nearly every room of the property, stealing a cache of personal property including an assortment of jewelry, two mobile phones, an undisclosed amount of cash, and critical personal identification documents. As of Wednesday, the total monetary value of the stolen items has not yet been finalized.

    The victim managed to evade the attackers and alert local law enforcement shortly after the robbery. Responding police officers immediately arrived at the crime scene to secure the area and provide assistance, before escorting all three injured victims to the Enmore Regional Hospital for mandatory medical evaluations and treatment for their injuries.

    Following days of coordinated investigative work, law enforcement personnel executed a targeted search warrant at a property in Phase Two, GoodHope on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. During the search, investigators made a key discovery: the two .32 pistols were concealed inside a blue cookie tin stored at the location.

    Two suspects, a 21-year-old day laborer and a 33-year-old taxi driver, both residents of the GoodHope Squatting Area in East Coast Demerara, were taken into custody immediately following the search. Both remain in police custody as of Wednesday, helping investigators piece together details of the robbery and the gang’s broader activities. Subsequent follow-up inquiries led law enforcement to three additional co-conspirators, who have also been taken into custody. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify the two remaining attackers who have not yet been apprehended.

  • Taxes on rum and sweet drinks still too low, Health Authorities say

    Taxes on rum and sweet drinks still too low, Health Authorities say

    Two new reports released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) deliver a stark warning for the Americas: current health taxes on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are insufficient to drive meaningful reductions in consumption, even as the region grapples with some of the highest global intake rates of these products and a growing burden of preventable noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

    Titled *Taxes on alcoholic beverages in the Americas* and *Taxes on sweetened beverages in the Americas*, the analyses find that average tax levels across the region consistently fall below global benchmarks, undermining what public health experts widely recognize as one of the most cost-effective interventions to improve population health. When broken down by product category, the median total tax burden on beer in the Americas hits just 25.5%, compared to a global median of 29.4%. For spirits, the regional average tax rate lands at 31.5%, well under the global median of 38.7%. For SSBs, the median tax burden equals only 17.1% of a product’s final retail price—slightly below the global median of 17.8%—with one-third of all regional nations imposing no tax whatsoever on sugary drinks.

    PAHO’s data underscores the urgent gap between policy and public health need: the Americas, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, already lead the world in per capita consumption of both alcohol and SSBs. The average adult in the region consumes 7.8 servings of sugary beverages per week, nearly three times the global average of 2.7 servings.

    Elevated consumption of these products is directly tied to a cascade of severe negative health outcomes that strain regional health systems. Higher intake is linked to rising rates of overweight and obesity, which currently affect 67.5% of adults in the region, as well as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple forms of cancer, liver disease, and a range of other NCDs. For alcohol, harmful use is additionally connected to increased rates of preventable injuries and violence.

    Well-designed health taxes serve a dual public policy purpose: they discourage consumption of products proven to harm health, while generating stable public revenue that governments can allocate to underfunded health and social priorities. Targeted taxation also delivers long-term preventive benefits, such as delaying the onset of alcohol use among adolescents, cutting rates of dangerous heavy drinking, and reducing overall SSB intake that drives obesity and chronic illness.

    Despite these proven benefits, the reports outline critical structural flaws holding back policy effectiveness across most of the region. Many nations maintain artificially low tax rates, limit the scope of taxed products, or fail to update tax levels regularly to account for inflation—all of which erode the long-term impact of these measures. A key gap in coverage is the exclusion of less obvious sugary products, including sugar-sweetened dairy drinks and processed fruit juices, which pushes consumers to shift their purchases to these untaxed alternatives and blunts the public health impact of existing tax policies.

    That said, the reports do highlight small but meaningful progress from a handful of regional nations in recent years. Barbados and Colombia have rolled out new targeted taxes on unhealthy products, while Dominica has raised tax rates across tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages.

    “In many countries of the Americas, existing taxes have not been designed in line with international best practices and remain too low to meaningfully influence consumption patterns, reduce exposure to health risks, or generate the level of health and fiscal gains that effective health taxes can deliver,” said Dr. Anselm Hennis, Director of PAHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases.

    To unlock both maximum health improvements and fiscal benefits, PAHO is calling on regional governments to strengthen their health tax frameworks through four key reforms: implementing intentional, well-structured tax design, setting tax rates at levels sufficient to change consumer behavior, expanding coverage to include all sugar-added products that pose health risks, and building in automatic regular adjustments to account for inflation. The organization also emphasizes the need for consistent policy enforcement, ongoing outcome monitoring, and evidence-based iterative reform to ensure taxes deliver on their core goal of reducing harmful consumption and improving population health.

    “PAHO is committed to providing technical support to Member States to strengthen the implementation of health taxes, an evidence-based measure that contributes to reducing risk factors and protecting population health,” Dr. Hennis concluded.

    The reports were presented in May during a public webinar hosted by PAHO in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, and they contribute to broader regional and global efforts to track how fiscal policy can be aligned to meet public health targets.