In a groundbreaking address at the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has called for a global vision to address mental health, marking a pivotal moment for the nation and the Caribbean region. This bold declaration underscores the urgent need to confront mental illness, a crisis long marginalized in health and development agendas. As the founder of WISH – the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing – Chaneil Imhoff emphasizes that mental health is not merely a personal issue but a human rights, economic, and developmental imperative. The Prime Minister’s speech highlights the necessity of systemic change, starting with the modernization of outdated mental health legislation and the creation of a National Mental Health Plan. This plan aims to unify government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities in a coordinated effort to tackle prevention, treatment, crisis response, and stigma reduction. Immediate interventions, such as establishing a national suicide hotline and expanding community-based support programs, are critical. WISH is committed to fostering safe spaces and normalizing mental health conversations through digital platforms and school engagement. However, systemic transformation requires collective action from policymakers, professionals, educators, and faith leaders. By acting decisively, Antigua and Barbuda can not only enhance the well-being of its citizens but also inspire global leadership in mental health reform. Mental wellness must become a lived reality, ensuring dignity, choice, and access to care for all.
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Dominica and Barbados Sign Landmark Tourism Partnership
In a groundbreaking move to enhance Caribbean tourism, Dominica and Barbados have inked a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on promoting multi-destination travel experiences. The agreement, signed on October 1 at the Hilton Barbados Resort during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), marks a pivotal step in strengthening regional ties and offering enriched travel packages to global visitors. The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) spearheaded the initiative, aiming to leverage their unique attractions—Dominica as the ‘Nature Isle’ and Barbados as the ‘Gem of the Caribbean’—to attract a broader audience. The MOU establishes a framework for joint marketing, knowledge exchange, and sustainable tourism development, focusing on eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness offerings. Key areas of collaboration include curating multi-destination packages, enhancing air and cruise connectivity, and coordinating media campaigns to elevate both destinations globally. The partnership also emphasizes sustainable practices to benefit local communities and the environment. Executives from both nations, including Marva Williams of DDA and Andrea Franklin of BTMI, highlighted the mutual benefits of the alliance, stressing the importance of regional unity and creative collaboration. The agreement is expected to boost economic opportunities, improve air access, and foster cross-industry synergies, such as manufacturing, beyond tourism. A joint working group will oversee the MOU’s implementation, with biannual reviews to ensure its success. This historic partnership sets a precedent for future collaborations among Caribbean nations, aiming to position the region as a premier multi-destination hub for global travellers.
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Dominica Football Association announces selection of the Senior Men’s Football National Team
In preparation for the upcoming international matches scheduled for November and March, the Technical Staff of the Senior Men’s National Team has unveiled a roster of 36 local players. The selected athletes hail from various clubs across the region, including Dublanc FC, We United FC, Roosevelt Skerrit Bombers FC, Mahaut FC, Pointe Michel FC, Harlem United FC, East Central FC, South East FC, and St. Joseph FC. Among the notable names are Jerome Burkard, Jaheem Cuffy, Briel Thomas, Marcus Bredas, and Jervanie Xavier, alongside emerging talents such as Cobin Paul, Travist Joseph, and Savio Anselm. Training sessions commenced on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Stockfarm Technical Centre, marking the beginning of an intensive preparation phase. This initiative underscores the team’s commitment to leveraging homegrown talent and fostering a competitive edge on the international stage. The diverse pool of players reflects a strategic blend of experience and youthful vigor, aiming to deliver a robust performance in the forthcoming fixtures.
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Brian Benjamin Granted Bail Over Attempted Murder Charge
In a significant legal development, Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel has granted bail to Brian Benjamin, a 59-year-old resident of All Saints, who is facing charges of shooting with intent to murder. The case stems from an alleged attempt to murder Simon Farrell at Sanderson’s Estate. Benjamin appeared in court on Tuesday, where the magistrate set his bail at $20,000, including a $5,000 cash component and the requirement of two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, Benjamin must report to the All Saints Police Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until his next court appearance on December 4. The decision has sparked discussions about the judicial process and the conditions under which bail is granted in serious criminal cases. The case continues to draw public attention as the legal proceedings unfold.
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Kendra Beazer Named King’s Commonwealth Fellow
Kendra Chimberlain Beazer, a dedicated professional from Antigua and Barbuda, has been selected as a King’s Commonwealth Fellow under the prestigious King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme PhD Pathway. This initiative, hosted by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), is inspired by His Majesty King Charles III and aims to support individuals from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in pursuing advanced studies while addressing critical global challenges. Mr. Beazer’s PhD research will focus on advancing climate resilience, education, health, and engineering, contributing significantly to sustainable development in his home country. He will receive joint supervision from a partner university within the Commonwealth, ensuring a collaborative and impactful academic journey. The Fellowship underscores the importance of empowering professionals from SIDS to drive positive change in their communities. This opportunity not only highlights Mr. Beazer’s commitment to academic excellence but also aligns with broader efforts to address pressing global issues through education and innovation.
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BWU slams delay in transfer of stakes to workers
The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) is urgently seeking clarity on the future of the restructured sugar industry and the fate of long-promised benefits for workers who have been the backbone of the sector. According to exclusive reports from Barbados TODAY, years of assurances that former and current sugar workers, particularly those in the cane fields, would become part-owners in a new cooperative regime have yet to materialize.
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VIDEO: Roadworks Continue in All Saints, Lightfoot, and Cedar Grove
The Ministry of Works in Antigua and Barbuda has announced the commencement of extensive road maintenance projects in several key areas, including All Saints, Lightfoot, and Cedar Grove. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and infrastructure quality, addressing long-standing concerns from residents and commuters. While the upgrades are expected to bring long-term benefits, the Ministry has advised the public to anticipate potential delays and plan their travel accordingly. Visual documentation, including photos and videos, has been shared by the Ministry to keep the community informed about the progress. This proactive approach underscores the government’s commitment to improving public infrastructure and ensuring smoother transportation networks across the region. Additionally, the Ministry has encouraged local businesses to leverage digital marketing opportunities through the nation’s most visited news platform, highlighting the intersection of public works and economic development.
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Dominican postal service and city hall issue commemorative stamp honoring Salomé Ureña on 175th birthday
The Dominican Postal Institute (Inposdom) and the National District Mayor’s Office jointly unveiled a limited-edition postage stamp on Tuesday, commemorating the 175th anniversary of Salomé Ureña de Henríquez, a revered poet and educator who revolutionized higher education for Dominican women. The unveiling ceremony, held at the Fray Antonio de Montesinos monument, was attended by prominent cultural figures, education leaders, philatelists, Inposdom Director Erick Guzmán Núñez, and Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía. Guzmán Núñez emphasized that the stamp is not merely a collectible but a tribute to Ureña’s enduring legacy as a symbol of national identity and a testament to the state’s commitment to gender-inclusive education. Mayor Mejía praised Ureña for her role in dismantling social barriers and laying the groundwork for the nation’s educational system. The commemorative stamp, designed by architect Alejandro Vignieri and printed by Litografía Ferrúa, features a square format (40 × 40 mm) on tropicalized gummed paper with perforation 13½. Limited to 10,000 copies, each stamp carries a face value of RD$75.00. The launch included the first-day cancellation and signed first-day covers, marking the official introduction of the stamps into national circulation. Salomé Ureña, who founded the Instituto de Señoritas in 1881, trained the country’s first generation of female teachers and significantly influenced Dominican literature and pedagogy. Her maxim, ‘To educate a woman is to prepare, with her, a family; and to educate families is to build the nation,’ continues to resonate. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Inposdom and the National District Mayor’s Office to preserve Dominican cultural heritage and promote philately as a tool for collective memory and civic education.
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Shooting death investigation underway in Bayville
Authorities in Bayville, St. Michael, are actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday night, claiming the life of 36-year-old Akil Hinds. The incident unfolded around 10:10 p.m. when Hinds, seated on the bonnet of a vehicle, was approached by a masked assailant who opened fire, striking him multiple times. Despite being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a private vehicle, Hinds succumbed to his injuries. This tragic event marks the second shooting in Bayville within a week, following an attempted murder last Thursday where a taxi driver was shot in front of his young child. The police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or Hastings-Worthing Police Station at 430-7614 or 430-7615. Investigations are ongoing as the community grapples with escalating violence.
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Grow, Unite, Build, Africa — GUBA diaspora awards to make historic Caribbean debut here
In a groundbreaking move, Barbados has been selected as the host for the prestigious GUBA Awards and Trade & Investment Conference in 2024. This marks the first time the event, which celebrates African excellence and fosters diaspora connections, will be held in the Caribbean. Organized by the GUBA Foundation, the initiative underscores a renewed commitment to strengthening ties between Africa and the Caribbean. The event’s founder, Lady Dentaa Amoateng, emphasized the symbolic and strategic importance of this decision, highlighting its role in reclaiming shared heritage and fostering collaboration. The GUBA Awards, which stand for Grow, Unite, Build, Africa, were established 16 years ago in the UK to honor African achievements and reconnect the diaspora. This year’s edition aims to celebrate excellence while promoting trade, culture, and investment opportunities between the two regions. During a visit to Shirley Chisholm Primary School as part of World Teachers’ Day celebrations, Lady Amoateng spoke passionately about the need to restore historical connections disrupted by slavery and migration. She also announced a chartered flight from Ghana and Nigeria to Barbados on November 9, a historic step toward improving direct travel links. Lady Amoateng’s visit to the school was equally significant, as she shared her personal journey to inspire students, reminding them that ‘nothing is impossible’ with determination and dreams.