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  • Open Letter to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services

    Open Letter to the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services

    A long-simmering frustration with Dominica’s public health leadership has erupted into public view, as regional reproductive health advocacy group ASPIRE has publicly called out the Ministry of Health and Wellness for years of unresponsiveness on two critical policy issues: looming abortion law reform and the pressing crisis of adolescent fertility.

    The open letter, published this week, opens with a pointed juxtaposition: the nation is currently celebrating the trailblazing career of Dr. Carissa Etienne, a native Dominican who rose to become the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) — the only leader in the institution’s history to win unanimous reappointment to a second term. Under her leadership, PAHO amplified focus on Caribbean public health needs more than any of her predecessors, a legacy ASPIRE says stands in stark contrast to the current performance of the local ministry Dr. Etienne once knew intimately.

    At the heart of the conflict is the ongoing constitutional challenge to Dominica’s existing abortion law. Should the High Court rule the current legislation unconstitutional, the Ministry of Health will immediately be required to roll out safe, accessible abortion care that balances the rights of both patients and medical staff. ASPIRE argues this ruling will leave the ministry facing a far larger, more complex challenge than simply updating service protocols: dismantling deep-rooted social stigma around abortion, a cultural force that ASPIRE says is largely amplified by institutional church influence. The advocacy group notes that politicians have long avoided confronting the church on this contentious issue, leaving critical preparation work undone.

    Mindful of the massive stakes of this impending legal shift, ASPIRE says it has extended multiple offers over several years to share its independent research findings with ministry leaders to kickstart collaborative planning for reform. To date, none of these offers have received any response.

    Beyond abortion law, the advocacy group has also pushed the ministry to take action on Dominica’s alarmingly high adolescent fertility rate, which currently outpaces the Caribbean regional average. ASPIRE presented the ministry with proven, low-barrier policy adjustments that have already been successfully implemented in five other Caribbean nations, yet again the group received no reply — not even a formal acknowledgment of receipt of their proposal.

    ASPIRE questions why a government ministry charged with protecting public health, which should prioritize timeliness and urgent action to address community needs, has been so unresponsive to civil society outreach. The group warns that without advance preparation, a court ruling will leave the ministry completely unprepared to meet its new obligations, leaving vulnerable patients without critical care.

    The advocacy group closed its letter noting that the culture of indifference and unresponsiveness now plaguing the ministry is a far cry from the public service ethos that shaped Dr. Etienne’s decades of work advancing regional public health. ASPIRE says it hopes other stakeholders receive more timely communication from the ministry, and expressed deep regret if the years of silence the group has faced reflect a broader systemic failure of Dominica’s public service.

    ASPIRE is a pro-motherhood, pro-family, pro-choice non-governmental organization registered in Dominica and four other Caribbean nations. The group works to advance equitable reproductive health policy through independent research and collaborative dialogue with civil society and government stakeholders.

  • Aquatic Centre reopens following completion of maintenance work

    Aquatic Centre reopens following completion of maintenance work

    After a month-long shutdown to address a critical faulty filtration system, the Wildey Aquatic Centre has officially resumed operations, bringing relief to local and national swimming teams that were forced to rearrange their training schedules ahead of key upcoming competitions.

    The facility was first ordered closed by Barbados’ Ministry of Health on March 12, forcing the country’s CARIFTA Aquatic Championships national squad to relocate all training sessions to the pool at Ursuline Convent. Following extensive remedial work carried out largely through community and private support, the Aquatic Centre welcomed swimmers back through its doors on Monday.

    In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Glyne Harrison, president of the Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA), outlined the new operational changes introduced to extend the facility’s lifespan and prevent future system failures. Under the updated protocols, the pool will close daily from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. for scheduled maintenance. This 75-minute window falls just before the daily peak period when dozens of club swimmers arrive for training, allowing staff to conduct system checks, adjust chemical levels — including chlorine — and let treatments fully dissipate before the facility fills with users.

    Harrison emphasized that BASA is prioritizing proactive maintenance over reactive problem-solving to avoid future unexpected shutdowns. “Our job at the association level is to face issues when they’re highlighted, and we prefer that to be proactively rather than reactively. We also make sure we operate in a way that prevents them from coming back,” he said.

    In addition to the scheduled daily maintenance break, the facility has also been updated with new clear signage reminding all visitors of basic hygiene protocols, including mandatory showering before entering the pool. Harrison explained that natural body oils, topical creams and hair products introduced by swimmers add extra strain on filtration systems, so reinforcing these simple rules helps reduce long-term wear on the equipment.

    Most of the renovation and repair work was completed pro bono, a gesture Harrison said would not have been possible without the support of the local aquatic community. A majority of the work was funded through a trust established to honor the legacy of Angus Edghill, with additional pro bono support from local service providers who stepped up to assist the non-government facility. Harrison noted that operating the Aquatic Centre is a “mammoth task” — unlike many public sports facilities, it receives no direct government funding, and all upkeep costs are covered by membership fees.

    The reopening has been widely celebrated across Barbados’ swimming community, including by David Farmer, the veteran head coach of the recently returned record-breaking CARIFTA Games squad. Farmer said the entire swimming community is thrilled to have the facility back online, with the Sonia O’Neill International Invitational competition just five weeks away, scheduled for the third weekend of May.

    “Everybody is very excited about the fact that the pool has reopened and we are expecting strong attendances. Everybody has started training with that in mind so the pool is quite busy at this point in time,” Farmer said. He added that attendance has dipped slightly this week due to the upcoming school break, but expects numbers to return to normal once classes resume next week, bringing the facility back to its regular operational rhythm.

  • 2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    2026 China Scholarship Announcement

    A new round of applications for the 2026 MOFCOM Scholarship-CSC Programme, a fully-funded graduate study opportunity for Grenadian nationals at Chinese universities, has been launched jointly by the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Grenada. Established by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the scholarship initiative aims to nurture professional talent for developing countries while deepening bilateral educational and professional cooperation between China and partner nations around the world. This call represents the second separate application round for the 2026 intake, with a distinct timeline and process from the first opening. Candidates who already submitted materials during the first round are not required to reapply, and all prospective applicants are strongly advised to review program guidelines carefully to confirm their eligibility and submit materials under the correct application channel. To qualify for the program, candidates must meet a set of clear eligibility criteria. All applicants must hold valid Grenadian citizenship, be no older than 45 (meaning they must be born after September 1, 1981), and provide an official medical report from a public hospital confirming good physical and mental health. For Master’s degree applicants, a minimum of a completed bachelor’s degree plus at least three years of professional work experience is required, while PhD applicants must hold a completed Master’s degree from a recognized institution. All candidates must currently be employed, with priority given to division-level or above government officials, senior organizational or corporate management, and academic staff at universities or research institutions. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to complete graduate-level study in China, and must not currently be enrolled in a Chinese higher education institution or hold another active Chinese government scholarship. A full updated list of participating Chinese universities and available majors for the 2026 intake is published via an official linked portal, accessible to all prospective applicants. The MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for all selected recipients throughout their program of study. Coverage includes full tuition waivers, free access to course materials, coverage for research and field survey costs, stipends for English-medium programs, and dissertation supervision fees. Recipients also receive free on-campus accommodation during their studies, a monthly living stipend totaling 36,000 RMB per year for Master’s students and 42,000 RMB per year for PhD students (disbursed monthly based on actual time spent in China), and a one-time 3,000 RMB resettlement allowance for newly arrived students. Additional benefits include free comprehensive medical insurance for international students, a one-time round-trip international airfare between the recipient’s home country and China, and coverage for up to one additional round-trip airfare per year for annual home visits. Continued scholarship funding for multi-year programs is contingent on passing a mandatory annual performance review. All applicants are reminded that all supporting documents must be scanned using professional equipment to ensure clarity, and must be officially certified to be considered valid. A clear, step-by-step application process is outlined for all candidates, completed entirely through the official China Scholarship Council (CSC) online portal: Step 1: Access the official “CSC Study in China” website at http://www.campuschina.org, click “Scholarship Application for Students”, create an individual account, and log in. Step 2: Complete all required personal information via the “Edit Personal Details” tab, verify and save all entries, then click “Finish” to proceed to the application information section. Step 3: Select the correct program category: for MOFCOM-CSC Scholarship applicants, the required selection is “Type A”. Step 4: Enter the official agency number 00010, which is exclusively assigned to MOFCOM-CSC Programme applicants. Program category and agency number are directly matched, so incorrect entries will result in application materials not being received by processing authorities. After entering the number, the matching agency name will automatically populate on the platform. Step 5: Complete the “Language Proficiency and Study Plan” section, upload all required supporting documents as instructed, and review all entries and materials before clicking “Submit” to finalize the application. When selecting preferred higher education institutions, the platform will automatically match available universities based on the applicant’s student category, preferred teaching language, and chosen major. For additional questions about program offerings, applicants can access discipline and major catalogs via the website’s “Help” section. Step 6: After submission, no further edits can be made to personal or application information. However, before processing by authorities, applicants may withdraw their submission to make edits, but must resubmit the revised application for it to be considered. Once authorities have begun processing, withdrawals are no longer permitted. Step 7: Click “Print the Application Form” to download the completed form. The CSC recommends using either Firefox or Internet Explorer for the application process; Internet Explorer users must disable the “compatibility view mode” before editing documents. Step 8: After completing the online application, candidates must submit hard copy materials to Grenada’s official dispatching authority, the Human Resource Development Division at the Ministry of Education, as required. The CSC emphasizes that it never delegates application processing to third-party individuals or intermediary agents. All applicants are advised to submit applications directly via official channels to avoid fraud, and notes that campuschina.org is the only official platform for CSC Study in China information. Required hard copy documents include three copies of each of the following: the completed MOFCOM-CSC Programme application form (confirming online submission has been completed), a certified copy of the biodata page of a valid non-expired passport, three recent passport-sized photographs, certified copies of the highest academic diploma, certified copies of official academic transcripts, a detailed study plan or research proposal, a full curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters (one from the applicant’s current employer and one from an academic referee), a copy of the completed Foreigner Physical Examination Form (for programs longer than six months, valid for only six months from the date of examination and requiring an attending physician’s signature, official hospital stamp and sealed applicant photo to be valid), and a valid police clearance certificate issued within six months of the application submission date. All application materials must be submitted on or before the May 14, 2026 deadline. For additional inquiries about the program or application process, prospective applicants can contact the Human Resource Development Division at Grenada’s Ministry of Education via telephone at (473) 440-2737, WhatsApp at (473) 417-9762, or email at the two official addresses published by the ministry.

  • UWI Cave Hill mourns slain law student

    UWI Cave Hill mourns slain law student

    The tight-knit academic community at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus is grappling with devastating grief following the tragic killing of 26-year-old Daquan Roberts, a standout final-year law student on track to graduate with honors. Roberts lost his life in a drive-by shooting Tuesday night on Spruce Street in Bridgetown, The City, just weeks before the campus community was set to begin final examinations. The senseless violence has sent profound shockwaves through the institution, leaving students, faculty, and staff reeling from an unexpected and devastating loss.

    In an official statement released Thursday, university leadership confirmed that the entire campus is “deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic and senseless death.” In response to the tragedy, the institution has organized a campus vigil and public anti-gun violence walk to honor Roberts’ life and push back against the gun violence that cut his future short. Roberts enrolled in the UWI Cave Hill Faculty of Law for the 2023/2024 academic year, and quickly earned a reputation as a deeply committed, high-achieving student whose promise was evident to all who taught and worked alongside him. That bright, unfulfilled potential has made the loss even more devastating for every member of the law faculty community.

    Cave Hill Principal Professor Clive Landis acknowledged that grief has spread across all sectors of the campus, with the timing of the killing amplifying the emotional strain on students already gearing up for high-stakes final exams. “At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the family of Daquan Roberts, his friends, classmates, and all who knew him, and who are understandably affected by this loss,” Landis said. To support impacted students, the university has activated flexible provisions in its examination regulations, allowing any student unable to sit their scheduled exams to postpone them. This accommodation comes as the campus navigates a period of collective mourning unfolding mid-examination season, with the heaviest sorrow concentrated within the Faculty of Law.

    Interim Dean of the Faculty of Law Dr Antonius Hippolyte described a somber mood across the department, noting that Roberts was universally well-liked by peers and had left an enduring positive impression on all his lecturers. “Daquan, who was a bright and promising student, will be greatly missed. I wish to extend condolences to his friends and family as they navigate this difficult period,” Hippolyte said.

    Lecturer Carla Ali offered a more personal portrait of Roberts, capturing the full range of his character beyond his strong academic transcript. “Humble in spirit and generous in nature, Daquan was always ready to lend a helping hand to those around him. He became an integral part of the Faculty’s community and a familiar presence within the Law Library,” Ali said. She highlighted that Roberts’ consistent strong grades over his academic career reflected his natural discipline and sharp intellectual ability, but emphasized that he will be remembered far more for his warmth and kindness. “his warm smile, kind heart, and engaging personality,” she said, adding “his life, though far too brief, leaves behind a legacy of diligence, humility, and compassion that will not be forgotten.”

    Ajay Gordon, president of the UWI Cave Hill Guild of Students and a three-year classmate of Roberts, shared that the pair had planned to continue their legal studies together at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago starting the next academic year. Gordon saw Roberts on campus just hours before the shooting, and noted that this marks the second time he has lost a classmate to violent death in recent years. “I remember fondly how easily he broke down difficult concepts of law to me and how passionate he was in lectures and tutorials. He always sat at the front and was intrigued by jurisprudence,” Gordon recalled. “I always remember that he would never pass by without giving me a fist bump. He was a very spiritual person.”

    Beyond academics, Roberts was deeply engaged in campus and community initiatives: he served as an ambassador and executive committee member for the UWISTAT Vice Chancellor’s Ambassador Corps, where he demonstrated consistent commitment to regional integration, volunteer service, and climate action, Gordon added.

    UWI officials confirmed that free professional counselling support has been made available to all students and staff as the community processes this devastating loss. The memorial vigil and anti-gun violence walk are scheduled for April 25 at the campus Peace Pole, a landmark installed in 2022 through an initiative by the Rotary Club of Barbados South that bears the message: “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.

    As of Thursday, law enforcement officials have not made any arrests in connection with Roberts’ killing, and detectives continue active investigations into the attack.

  • Top cop confirms link between Stoney Ground, Buccament killings

    Top cop confirms link between Stoney Ground, Buccament killings

    A wave of brazen, daylight gun violence that left three people dead across two communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has pushed the nation’s top law enforcement official to launch a full-scale operational crackdown on organized criminal activity, confirming a clear connection between the two separate shooting incidents that shocked the country over the weekend.

    Police Commissioner Enville Williams made the confirmation and announced the offensive in an official public address shared across social media channels, framing the brutal killings as a defining moment for the small Caribbean nation. In his address, Williams emphasized that the recent violence is far more than a routine law enforcement challenge—it is a direct attack on the country’s core values of peace and public safety.

    The string of violence began on the afternoon of April 10, when two men—29-year-old Enrique John, widely known by his alias Shoubu, and 22-year-old Raheem Guy, identified by sources as a close associate of John—were gunned down in the Stoney Ground neighborhood. John was killed inside a retail store at the local Russells Shopping Centre, a busy commercial hub, while Guy was fatally shot on the public sidewalk just outside the Caribbean Medical Imaging Centre, just steps away from the first shooting scene.

    Hours later, on Saturday, the body of 19-year-old Perrance Matthews, a relative of John from the Layou community, was discovered along the river defense embankment in Buccament Bay. Autopsy preliminary findings confirmed he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. One additional person was wounded in the related violence, Williams confirmed.

    In the wake of the three deaths, Williams said the nation has reached an unavoidable crossroads: “There are moments in the life of a nation that demand more than mere observation, that demand a reckoning. Today, we stand at such a crossroad.”

    Calling the open violence “a direct assault on the peace, the dignity and the very soul of this country,” Williams said the public’s growing fear—sparked by the question of whether it is even safe to walk outside in their own communities—demanded a decisive response. “This is where we draw the line, and we’ll bring everything we’ve got to the fight,” he stated.

    The commissioner announced that the entire constabulary would shift from routine patrol to an absolute operational offensive against criminal networks. “We are focusing every lawful resource on this, and from here forward, our actions will speak louder than any words. We will be mobilising the machinery of the state to hunt down those who believe they can act without consequence,” Williams said.

    He issued a direct warning to both the perpetrators of the violence and anyone who aids them, saying: “To the criminal elements who believe they can transform the society into private hunting grounds, your arrogance is your undoing. Anyone who provides a roof, a vehicle or a wall of silence for these killers, you are not bystanders. You are accomplices to the destruction of your own country.”

    Williams added that law enforcement will dismantle the entire criminal infrastructure supporting the gun violence, using the full force of the law to target every person involved. He described the pattern of gun-related lawlessness as a dangerous cancer that must be stopped before it spreads to every town and village across the country, noting that national safety depends on the courage of everyday citizens.

    Acknowledging that the public’s anger and anxiety over the violence are completely justified, Williams called on residents to break their silence and share any information they have with authorities. “If you possess a single fragment of information, a name, a sighting, a whispered plan, bring it forward. Do not let misplaced loyalty become the solder under which more of our sons and daughters are buried,” he urged, warning against private retribution.

    “Vigilantism is not justice. It is the fuel that feeds the fire. Let the law be your shield and the police your sword,” he said. Williams also asked the public for patience in the coming days as the expanded operation unfolds, noting that all actions are being taken to protect the public good.

    To make it easier for residents to submit tips, the country’s Criminal Investigations Department and major crime units have posted dedicated hotlines—456-1801 and 457-1211—for anonymous tips. In the coming days, authorities will also launch a new QR code system that will allow residents to share information securely and freely, with all identities protected under the strictest confidentiality protocols.

    “This is the hour for our national resolve. This will not be defined by the violence of a few, but by the unity of many,” Williams said. “We will reclaim our streets, we will restore our peace, and we will ensure St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains a land where law and order are absolute.”

    As of the latest update, authorities have already made two arrests in connection with Perrance Matthews’ death. Rosia John, Enrique John’s mother, and 19-year-old Augustas Matthews, another Layou resident, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. Rosia John additionally faces charges of cocaine possession and drug trafficking. Both suspects are scheduled to make their first court appearance later this Friday.

  • DEM: Be prepared for more than natural disasters

    DEM: Be prepared for more than natural disasters

    As the Caribbean island nation of Barbados prepares to enter the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season running from June to November, emergency management officials are calling on the country’s critical tourism and hospitality industry to expand its disaster planning beyond traditional hurricane and flood response to address a broader spectrum of evolving hazards.

    The call to action was delivered by Simon Alleyne, a programme officer with Barbados’ Department of Emergency Management (DEM), during the official launch of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA)’s 2026 Emergency Management Workshop, hosted at The Crane Resort in the parish of St. Philip. Alleyne emphasized that while most hospitality preparedness efforts have long centered on natural hazards, the modern risk landscape demands preparation for man-made threats as well.

    “In our current social context, emergencies are not limited to the damage caused by natural disasters,” Alleyne told reporters on site. “We could face a scenario where armed intruders attempt to gain access to a hotel property. That means alongside regular evacuation drills, the industry must also develop and practice robust lockdown protocols. Hoteliers need to have clear, actionable plans to secure their properties, protect guests, and keep staff safe if an armed assailant seeks to cause harm.”

    Barbados sits in a geologically active region that exposes the island and its key tourism sector to a wide range of overlapping hazards that can strike at any time, even during the traditional hurricane window, Alleyne stressed. Beyond hurricanes and flooding, the island faces potential threats including volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Given that tourism is one of the backbone sectors of Barbados’ national economy, a robust, all-hazards preparedness framework is non-negotiable, he added.

    Alleyne went on to outline that effective preparedness relies on three core pillars: proactive planning, regular hands-on training, and cross-sector collaboration. The goal of his workshop presentation, he explained, was to reorient hoteliers to the value of documented, tested emergency plans, regular small-scale drills and evacuation exercises at individual properties, and leveraging BHTA’s existing public information networks to share best practices across the industry. “Hotels have so much to learn from one another when it comes to refining their emergency planning approaches,” he noted.

    The DEM official also highlighted major technological advancements that have boosted the island’s hazard forecasting and emergency response capabilities, spearheaded by the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS). BMS has upgraded its monitoring infrastructure, including radar systems, that allow for faster data collection and more timely responses to everything from hurricane alerts to earthquake and tsunami warnings. Alleyne specifically called out the growing use of drone technology for post-disaster damage assessment, noting that aerial imagery and mapping allow response teams to quickly survey areas impacted by storm surge, flooding, or hurricane damage to prioritize relief efforts.

    He also drew attention to BMS’ expanded national multi-hazard early warning system, which is designed to ensure hazard alerts reach all segments of the Barbadian population. Warnings are now distributed via multiple channels: mobile phone notifications, radio broadcasts, and television alerts. For hearing-impaired residents and visitors, television alerts include on-screen text and sign language interpretation, a step that aligns with broader efforts to center accessibility in all emergency planning.

    Alleyne commended local hotels for already integrating accessibility considerations into their emergency protocols, but noted small, actionable adjustments can further improve outcomes for disabled guests. Simple measures such as offering accessible ground-floor accommodation to guests with mobility impairments can make a major difference during evacuations, he explained, since elevators often go out of service during emergencies, requiring disabled guests to be assisted down staircases. He added that accommodation providers and on-site caregivers must coordinate closely to ensure no person with a disability is left behind during an emergency evacuation or response.

    Beyond the tourism industry, Alleyne issued a call to action for all Barbadian households to take proactive steps to prepare for the coming hurricane season and potential hazards. He urged communities to prioritize pre-season cleanup work, including clearing clogged drains and gutters, removing overgrown vegetation from public rights of way, and assembling emergency supplies that go beyond the usual stock of canned goods. Households should keep essential tools such as hammers and nails on hand, alongside adequate bottled water, portable battery packs for electronic devices, and cash – a critical resource if power outages disable digital payment systems.

    Alleyne also encouraged families to assemble personalized emergency “grab bags” for every member of the household, accounting for the specific needs of children, elderly relatives, and even household pets. Finally, he reminded property owners that having up-to-date home and property insurance is a core component of long-term disaster resilience, helping families and businesses recover more quickly after a major hazard event.

  • ‘We do not take this friendship for granted,’ Taiwan tells SVG

    ‘We do not take this friendship for granted,’ Taiwan tells SVG

    As the 45th anniversary of official diplomatic relations between St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Taiwan approaches on August 15, senior diplomatic representatives from Taiwan have emphasized that the island nation deeply values its long-standing alliance with the Caribbean state, stating that the friendship is not taken for granted.

    The milestone commemoration took center stage on Wednesday at a public event in Arnos Vale, where a joint ceremonial parade was held by the 2026 Midshipmen Cruising and Training Squadron of Taiwan’s Navy and the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.

    Addressing attendees at the gathering, Fiona Fan, Taiwan’s top envoy to Kingstown, framed the anniversary not as a mere formal commemoration, but as a celebration of a deep, unbreakable connection built over four and a half decades through reciprocal sincerity, mutually beneficial collaboration, and consistent mutual respect between the two sides.

    Fan highlighted the symbolic weight of the Taiwanese Navy squadron’s 50-day transoceanic journey, which took the vessel across the West Pacific Ocean and through the Caribbean Sea to reach SVG. She described the voyage as a tangible demonstration of courage, unwavering commitment, and steadfast resolve, adding that for Taiwan, the journey underscores a core conviction: peace is not a passive, guaranteed state. Instead, it must be actively protected, preserved, and reinforced through collective resilience and a commitment to global responsibility.

    Positioning Taiwan as a responsible actor in the international community, Fan asserted that the island remains a consistent force for positive global good, dedicated to advancing peace, stability, and widespread prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. She noted that the 45-year partnership has evolved far beyond standard diplomatic engagement, delivering tangible, transformative development outcomes for SVG over the decades. These outcomes include key national infrastructure projects that Taiwan has supported through donations and concessional loans, such as the Argyle International Airport, the Rabacca Bridge, the country’s national library, and the ongoing expansion of the Arnos Vale acute care hospital.

    Looking ahead to the next chapter of bilateral cooperation, Fan shared that the two sides are set to explore new collaborative frontiers, including advances in smart agriculture, expanded access to improved healthcare, tech-driven innovation, targeted programming for youth and women’s empowerment, and the development of sustainable, community-centered tourism. Fan outlined Taiwan’s core vision for the partnership: a future where ongoing joint work continues to lift living standards and strengthen local communities across both nations.

    Amid widespread global geopolitical uncertainty, Fan noted that the enduring bilateral partnership sends a powerful message that resonates far beyond the borders of SVG and Taiwan. She extended sincere gratitude on behalf of Taiwan’s government and people to SVG for its long-standing, unwavering support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in key international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and Interpol. Reaffirming the value Taiwan places on the alliance, Fan stated: “We do not take this friendship for granted. We honour it, we cherish it, and we remain committed to being a reliable partner, sharing knowledge, contributing expertise and working hand in hand for global well-being.” She closed her remarks by expressing hope that the friendship will continue to stand as a beacon of hope, a symbol of shared resilience, and a promise of a brighter shared future for the people of both nations.

    Speaking at the same event, Rear Admiral Ming-feng Chen, commander of the Taiwanese Navy training squadron, echoed these sentiments, noting that the joint military parade serves a dual purpose. Beyond showcasing the discipline, precision, and capability of both participating forces, the event is first and foremost a celebration of 45 years of deep friendship between two nations separated by thousands of miles of ocean but united by shared commitments to the values of freedom and democracy. Chen added that the joint performance by the Taiwanese Navy military band and the SVG police force band further highlights the deep harmony and shared alignment between the two countries. He concluded by thanking the government and people of SVG for their warm hospitality extended to the squadron during its visit, and offered a toast to the enduring, unshakable bond between the two nations.

  • Lovell Urges Voters to ‘Give UPP a Chance’

    Lovell Urges Voters to ‘Give UPP a Chance’

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares for its upcoming general election on April 30, United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate Harold Lovell has launched a forceful campaign push in the All Saints West constituency, positioning the ballot as a make-or-break moment for transformative governance. Speaking to a fired-up crowd of supporters at a recent campaign rally, Lovell laid out a clear call to action for local voters: oust the sitting administration and give his party the chance to lead the region forward.

    Lovell’s rally remarks blended impassioned appeals for political turnover with targeted critiques of the incumbent government’s failures to address long-running local grievances. Top of his list of complaints is the crumbling state of All Saints West’s transportation infrastructure, which he condemned in blistering terms. “The road situation is atrocious, abominable! Horrible!” he told the crowd, arguing that the current government has left critical routes in disrepair for years. He went on to accuse administration officials of rushing superficial, last-minute road repairs ahead of the vote to cover up their years of inaction, dismissing the efforts as a hollow political stunt. “They are trying to do in three weeks what they could not do in three years,” Lovell said, pushing back against the government’s last-ditch outreach. Instead of patchwork fixes, he pledged that a UPP government would deliver a structured, long-term overhaul of local infrastructure, including upgraded drainage networks and a holistic, comprehensive plan for regional roads and highways.

    Access to basic public healthcare also emerged as a central pillar of Lovell’s campaign messaging in the constituency. He highlighted the prolonged closure of a local community clinic, which has been shuttered for six full months, leaving local residents without convenient access to primary care. The closure, he emphasized, has created unnecessary hardship, pain and logistical disruption for thousands of constituents who rely on the facility for routine medical care.

    Beyond fixing infrastructure and restoring public services, Lovell centered much of his address on expanding economic opportunity, particularly for the constituency’s young population. He argued that many local residents, regardless of age, are hungry for a fair shot at economic success that does not depend on political connections or favoritism from the sitting government. “All they want is an opportunity… and that’s what the United Progressive Party is all about,” he explained.

    Framing the upcoming election as a clear choice between two futures — one of persistent government dependency and one of widespread empowerment — Lovell asserted that a UPP administration would prioritize raising overall quality of life for All Saints West residents while building sustainable pathways to long-term economic independence for all members of the community. With less than a month remaining before polls open, the race in All Saints West is shaping up to be a key battleground in the broader national election, as both parties scramble to win over undecided voters.

  • Pringle Pledges Urgent Talks with WIOC, Bus Operators on Fuel Relief if Elected

    Pringle Pledges Urgent Talks with WIOC, Bus Operators on Fuel Relief if Elected

    With Antigua and Barbuda’s general election just around the corner, United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Jamale Pringle has made soaring fuel prices a cornerstone of his campaign, promising to kick-start urgent negotiations with key energy and transportation stakeholders within days of taking office if his party secures victory.\n\nSpeaking to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters at a recent UPP campaign rally, Pringle emphasized that the skyrocketing cost of living – driven in large part by steep increases in gasoline and grocery prices – has created a crisis for ordinary citizens that demands immediate, decisive government action. “From working commuters to small business owners, everyone is feeling the squeeze of rising gas and food costs, and this election has turned on this urgent struggle,” Pringle told attendees. He stressed that addressing household and business cost burdens would sit at the top of his administration’s policy agenda should UPP win the April 30 vote.\n\nUnder Pringle’s proposed plan, a UPP government would launch direct talks immediately after inauguration with the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC), the state-owned national petroleum entity, to audit current fuel pricing structures and explore actionable mechanisms to pass relief directly to consumers. Beyond energy sector negotiations, Pringle also committed to holding dedicated consultations with bus operators and other public transportation stakeholders. For months, public transport providers have raised alarm over how persistent high fuel costs have squeezed their profit margins, forcing many to consider raising passenger fares that would further shift burden to working people. These dialogues, Pringle noted, will feed into a broader fuel relief package designed to ease pressure on both transportation operators and daily commuters.\n\nWhile Pringle stopped short of releasing specific details on the size, funding structure, or exact eligibility requirements of the proposed relief package, he made clear that the core goal of the policy would be to reorient the country’s existing energy framework to deliver more tangible, direct benefits to ordinary citizens, rather than solely supporting institutional or corporate interests.\n\nThe pledge comes as fuel and energy costs have emerged as the defining political issue ahead of the general election, with households across the income spectrum and businesses of all sizes consistently naming transportation and energy expenses as the top driver of growing cost-of-living pressures. Pringle framed the planned fuel consultations as one piece of a wider UPP policy agenda focused on rolling back cost-of-living challenges, noting that any fuel-specific relief would be paired with broader economic support policies to lift financial strain across the country. As the island nation prepares to head to the polls on April 30, the promise of immediate action on fuel prices has cemented cost of living as the central battleground for competing parties.

  • Nissan Juke Stolen in Ottos as Owner Appeals for Public Help

    Nissan Juke Stolen in Ottos as Owner Appeals for Public Help

    A vehicle theft incident in the Ottos neighborhood has sparked a public appeal for information, as the owner of a stolen compact SUV works with local authorities to track down their missing property. The stolen car, identified as a 2012 dark brown Nissan Juke with licence plate A 75508, was taken from an address on Craven Road between the late hours of the previous night and the early hours of the current day, according to initial reports. With no major leads emerging in the immediate aftermath of the theft, the vehicle’s owner has reached out to community members for help, asking anyone who may have spotted the distinctive SUV or noticed suspicious activity around Craven Road overnight to share what they know with law enforcement. Local officials have backed this appeal, issuing guidance for residents who encounter the stolen vehicle: if spotted, community members are advised not to confront any potential thieves, instead take a discreet photo to confirm the vehicle’s identity and immediately notify police of its exact location. As of the latest update, law enforcement has not released additional details about the incident, including whether there are any persons of interest or what may have motivated the theft. Authorities have urged all local residents to remain alert to suspicious activity in the area, and encouraged anyone holding even small pieces of information that could support the recovery of the stolen Nissan Juke to step forward. Vehicle theft remains a common community concern in many residential areas, and officials note that public vigilance and cooperation often play a critical role in helping recover stolen property and holding perpetrators accountable.