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  • Mt Pleasant look to cut JPL deficit

    Mt Pleasant look to cut JPL deficit

    The Jamaica Premier League enters a decisive phase with three rescheduled matches poised to dramatically reshape the standings ahead of the final weekend. All eyes focus on the Edward Seaga Sports Complex where second-placed Mount Pleasant FA aims to narrow the gap to league leaders Montego Bay United to just three points with a victory against struggling Tivoli Gardens in today’s 3:30 pm encounter.

    Mount Pleasant, currently tied on 45 points with third-placed Racing United but trailing Montego Bay United by six points, carries a formidable nine-game unbeaten streak against their west Kingston opponents. However, the St Ann-based squad faces offensive concerns, having scored two or more goals in only three of their last fourteen matches. With key striker Warner Brown battling fitness issues, the scoring burden has fallen primarily on Raheem Edwards (12 goals) and Daniel Green (5 goals).

    The matchup presents a classic contrast: Mount Pleasant’s title aspirations versus Tivoli Gardens’ desperate fight against relegation. Tivoli has managed just one victory in their previous nine outings, plummeting to 10th position while conceding nine goals in their last four matches alone.

    Thursday’s double-header features equally compelling contests. At Ferdie Neita Park, fourth-placed Portmore United hosts surging Waterhouse FC, who arrive with just one loss in their last ten games. Simultaneously, defending champions Cavalier SC welcome bottom-dwelling Molynes United to Stadium East, buoyed by a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over Racing United last Sunday.

    These rescheduled fixtures will complete the second round ahead of the weekend’s final matches, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the Jamaican top-flight season.

  • Top Hill tragedy

    Top Hill tragedy

    A profound tragedy has shaken the Top Hill district of Manchester, Jamaica, following the death of a ten-week-old infant allegedly drowned by his mother, a 20-year-old woman with a documented history of mental illness. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, sending waves of grief through the small community and raising urgent questions about mental healthcare support systems.

    According to Deputy Superintendent Luhas Daniels, acting commander for the Manchester police, the young mother was enrolled in a mental health program at the time of the incident. The tragedy unfolded after the child’s father left for work in a nearby field, leaving the woman alone with their son, Mateo Forbes, who was born on December 21, 2025.

    The sequence of events turned horrific when the mother reportedly contacted the infant’s father to confess she had drowned their child in a five-gallon bucket of water. Emergency mental health services responded swiftly, taking the woman into custody and transporting her to a medical facility for treatment.

    Geoffrey Forbes, the infant’s paternal grandfather who is also known as Leon, expressed profound shock and community-wide mourning. ‘The whole community grieve, because is the first this ever happen in the district,’ Forbes told reporters, adding that some residents were openly weeping upon learning the news. He revealed troubling background context, noting the woman had previously set fire to his son’s house and had a pattern of disappearing for weeks at a time across multiple towns.

    Neighbor Joan Thomas echoed the community’s disbelief, recalling that just the previous evening, the couple had been making plans to christen the baby later this month. ‘The woman and her boyfriend were talking and he said he is going to the bush to draw five bags of carrots to send her to do her hair,’ Thomas recounted, emphasizing that the mother had previously shown attentive care for her child.

    The incident has left the child’s father devastated, with family members particularly concerned about his emotional state as he assisted police with paperwork at the local station. Funeral home personnel from Lyn’s Funeral Home were seen at the scene Tuesday afternoon, removing the infant’s body as the community struggled to process the devastating loss.

  • ABEC Introduces Transparent Ballot Boxes for Upcoming Electoral Processes

    ABEC Introduces Transparent Ballot Boxes for Upcoming Electoral Processes

    ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – In a landmark move for electoral transparency, the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) has officially mandated the use of transparent ballot boxes for all future elections, commencing with the upcoming by-election in St. Philip North on March 16th, 2026. This strategic decision marks a significant departure from the traditional opaque boxes, positioning the nation at the forefront of electoral best practices.

    The initiative is a cornerstone of ABEC’s broader campaign to reinforce the integrity of the democratic process, eliminate concerns over ballot tampering, and cultivate unwavering public trust. Supervisor of Elections, Ian S Hughes, articulated that this transition is a direct response to international standards, serving as a tangible and effective mechanism to ensure visible accountability from the commencement of voting through to the final tally.

    Ambassador Arthur G.B Thomas, Chairman of the Commission, provided unequivocal assurance that the fundamental principle of voter secrecy remains sacrosanct. He clarified that the transparency applies solely to the container, not the contents, enabling officials and observers to verify that ballots are collected legitimately without any compromise to the confidentiality of an individual’s vote.

    To guarantee a seamless implementation, ABEC has committed to deploying comprehensive training programs for all electoral staff and independent observers. This preparatory measure is designed to ensure that every procedure associated with the new transparent boxes is executed with the highest degree of professionalism and respect for the electoral process.

  • HR Leader Calisha Spencer Selected as Presenter for International LOUD26 HR Conference

    HR Leader Calisha Spencer Selected as Presenter for International LOUD26 HR Conference

    In a significant recognition of Caribbean professional excellence, Antiguan human resources authority Calisha Spencer has been chosen as a featured presenter at the internationally acclaimed LOUD26 Conference. This exclusive gathering convenes pioneering HR specialists, innovative thinkers, and transformative organizational leaders from diverse global industries.

    Spencer’s invitation marks both an exceptional career achievement and a moment of national pride for Antigua and Barbuda, showcasing the nation’s growing influence in global business leadership circles. Renowned for her assertive and contemporary approach to corporate leadership, Spencer has established herself as a strategic catalyst for organizational change. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, human capital management, policy formulation, and structural reinforcement, enabling enterprises to revolutionize their workforce strategies and corporate environments.

    Her scheduled LOUD26 address, titled “One Size No Longer Fits All,” will examine HR’s transformation into a strategic force driving institutional performance, cultural metamorphosis, and economic advancement. Spencer has consistently championed the paradigm shift viewing Human Resources not as administrative support but as fundamental to business viability and national progress.

    “This platform transcends individual recognition,” Spencer stated. “It embodies the substantial contributions Caribbean experts deliver globally. Our specialized knowledge, inventive approaches, and guidance merit international recognition.”

    The timing coincides with the imminent celebration of International Women’s Day, accentuating the expanding prominence of Caribbean women in authoritative positions. Spencer’s professional journey includes vigorous advocacy for career advancement initiatives, youth development programs, and contemporary leadership benchmarks throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

    In addition to her HR consultancy and hospitality sector background, Spencer facilitates vision boarding workshops and contributes HR commentary, motivating both nascent professionals and seasoned executives to pursue decisive, empathetic, and purposeful leadership.

    As Spencer prepares for her LOUD26 appearance, she exemplifies how Antiguan influence transcends geographical boundaries—possessing worldwide resonance and visionary ambition.

  • Grenada advances national biodiversity targets and financing solutions

    Grenada advances national biodiversity targets and financing solutions

    Grenada has taken significant strides in advancing its environmental agenda through a comprehensive national workshop focused on biodiversity conservation. The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted the pivotal gathering on February 25, 2026, at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.

    The workshop assembled a diverse coalition of stakeholders spanning government ministries, civil society organizations, statutory agencies, private sector representatives, and community groups from across Grenada’s regions, including Carriacou and St. George’s. This multidisciplinary participation underscored the nationwide commitment to addressing ecological challenges.

    Central to the discussions was the critical examination of Grenada’s draft national biodiversity targets and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms to support their implementation. The workshop forms an integral component of the GEF-funded Early Action Support Project, administered by UNDP through the Biodiversity Umbrella Programme for Grenada.

    Key thematic outcomes emphasized the necessity of national ownership and multi-stakeholder collaboration in fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants highlighted that legislative enforcement, conservation initiatives, and public awareness campaigns constitute fundamental pillars for achieving measurable progress by 2030.

    UNDP Multi-Country Coordinator Dr. Jenna Blackwood reaffirmed the organization’s continued support in revising Grenada’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) while developing sustainable financing frameworks. Environmental Specialist Aria St Louis, representing the Permanent Secretary, characterized the consultation as igniting “a flame for bold action” to preserve Grenada’s natural and cultural heritage.

    Minister Kerryne James emphasized the importance of establishing scientifically-grounded, scalable targets, stating: “What we are developing here is a national action framework, a governance instrument, a financing roadmap, and ultimately a tool for accountability.” The Minister warned against policy inertia given the “accelerating climate and ecological risks” and commended efforts to address implementation mechanisms, including sustainable biodiversity financing.

    Technical discussions encompassed ecosystem restoration, invasive species management, protected area expansion, and community participation strategies. These were complemented by analyses of Grenada’s biodiversity financing landscape, identifying challenges in domestic resource mobilization and proposing innovative financial solutions.

    The workshop revealed persistent challenges including capacity constraints, data deficiencies, and limitations in current financing flows that must be addressed to ensure long-term implementation success. Participant feedback will inform the finalization of national biodiversity targets and ongoing assessments of sustainable financing options, contributing to an updated NBSAP aligned with Grenada’s Sustainable Development Plan 2035 and the Convention’s Global Biodiversity Framework vision of “living in harmony with nature.”

  • Mexico Women thrash Saint Lucia in Concacaf qualifier

    Mexico Women thrash Saint Lucia in Concacaf qualifier

    The Mexican Women’s National Team delivered a formidable performance on Monday, securing an emphatic7-0 victory against Saint Lucia in a CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying match held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The encounter demonstrated Mexico’s offensive dominance from the initial whistle, placing the host nation under immediate defensive pressure despite the support of a local crowd.

    Mexico’s scoring initiative commenced in the 18th minute with Rebeca Bernal expertly heading the ball into the net from a corner kick. The lead was swiftly extended by veteran striker Charlyn Corral, who found the target with a precise right-footed finish, establishing a 2-0 advantage by halftime.

    The second half saw an escalation in Mexico’s relentless attack. An own goal by Saint Lucia’s Ellaisa Marquis in the 52nd minute further compounded the home side’s challenges. Corral secured her brace—marking her ninth goal in the 2026 qualifying campaign—in the 64th minute, highlighting her clinical form.

    Additional goals followed in quick succession: Alexia Delgado unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box in the 69th minute, Nicolette Hernandez added a sixth in the 87th, and Diana Ordonez capitalized on a loose ball during stoppage time to finalize the commanding 7-0 result.

    Despite the lopsided scoreline, Saint Lucian goalkeeper Renala Francis received commendation for a series of exceptional saves that prevented a more severe outcome. Head coach Francis McDonald acknowledged in a post-match press conference that the tactical approach was centered on defensive containment and damage limitation against a superior offensive opponent.

    Saint Lucia, positioned second from bottom in the group standings, will seek to regroup before their upcoming fixture against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on April 19.

  • Five Cruise Ships Bring 18,000 Passengers to Antigua in Single Day

    Five Cruise Ships Bring 18,000 Passengers to Antigua in Single Day

    The Antigua Cruise Port witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of maritime activity as five premier cruise liners—Grand Princess, Norwegian Epic, Britannia, Explora I, and Celebrity Eclipse—converged simultaneously at the harbor. This unprecedented event facilitated the arrival of approximately 18,000 passengers into St. John’s within a 24-hour window, creating a vibrant surge of economic and social engagement throughout the capital and its surrounding regions.

    This massive convergence underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s ascendant status as a preeminent hub within the Caribbean cruise circuit. The strategic docking of such a formidable fleet highlights the destination’s robust infrastructure and its compelling appeal to major industry operators.

    Economic reverberations were felt instantly across the island’s commercial landscape. Throngs of visitors dispersed to acclaimed coastal and cultural sites, including Dickenson Bay, Valley Church, and the historic Nelson’s Dockyard. This dispersal catalyzed a significant uptick in business for local taxi services, guided tour operators, retail establishments, and beachfront vendors. Industry analysts and tourism stakeholders emphasized that this single-day influx provided a substantial financial injection, particularly vital for the sustainability and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the local tourism economy.

    The event is not an anomaly but rather a testament to the sustained upward trajectory of the island’s cruise sector. The consistent ability to attract vessels from leading global cruise lines signals strong recovery and continued momentum post-pandemic, positioning Antigua and Barbuda for a potentially record-breaking tourism season.

  • Caribbean poetry contest winners announced by Macmillan Education

    Caribbean poetry contest winners announced by Macmillan Education

    Macmillan Education Caribbean has unveiled the distinguished winners of its regional ‘Language Tree New Branches’ Poetry Competition, highlighting exceptional literary talent across the Caribbean educational landscape. The prestigious contest attracted 99 remarkable submissions spanning 13 nations, organized into three distinct categories: Primary School Students, Lower Secondary School Students, and Educators.

    The competition showcased impressive participation metrics with 30 young primary poets, 21 lower secondary students, and 48 educators contributing original works exploring diverse themes including natural environments, culinary traditions, cultural festivals, marine life, and meteorological phenomena. Julia Sander, the presiding competition judge, noted the exceptional quality across all categories, particularly praising the inventive linguistic expression, creative originality, and palpable joy evident in the submissions that made the selection process notably challenging.

    In the Primary School category, Celine Rolle from St. Andrews Anglican School in Exuma, Bahamas claimed top honors with her culinary-themed poem ‘Let’s Make Tropical Conch Salad,’ celebrated for its vibrant sensory imagery, masterful poetic techniques, and dynamic rhythmic quality. Bahamian student Bethany Barr secured second position while third place was jointly awarded to Antoinette Kissoon (Trinidad and Tobago) and K’Ronjae Liburd (Nevis).

    The Lower Secondary division crowned Shakeir Tafarie Thomas of Antigua Grammar School for his environmentally conscious poem ‘Nature,’ which artfully contrasted natural beauty with human environmental impact while concluding with optimistic resolution. Second place was awarded to Denae Tehya Laelle Bontiff (Antigua and Barbuda) with third position going to Adryanna Fowler from Jamaica.

    Educators demonstrated equally impressive poetic prowess with Sasha Maynard of Charles E. Mills Secondary School (St. Kitts and Nevis) earning first place for ‘Christmas in Saint Kitts,’ which brilliantly intertwined religious significance with cultural celebration through sophisticated rhythmic and rhyming structures. Jamaican educator Ambrosia Oladele secured second position while Cheyenne K. V. Maynard (St. Kitts and Nevis) received third place recognition.

    All winning entries have been commemorated in a special limited-edition anthology published by Macmillan Education, serving as a testament to the region’s creative educational excellence. The competition organizers extended congratulations to all participants, reaffirming the event’s mission to enhance literacy standards, stimulate creative expression, and foster enduring appreciation for poetic arts throughout the Caribbean community.

  • VIDEO: Teen charged over stabbing of Alia McDowall

    VIDEO: Teen charged over stabbing of Alia McDowall

    A St. Vincent court has granted EC$15,000 bail to 17-year-old Doriel Duncan of Bethel High School, who faces charges of wounding with intent following the November 2024 stabbing incident that resulted in the death of fellow teenager Alia McDowall. The alleged victim, a 17-year-old student-athlete from Central Leeward Secondary School, succumbed to complications from her injuries at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital last Sunday after multiple hospitalizations.

    The judicial proceedings saw Duncan, a Barrouallie resident, released without entering a plea to the indictable charge. The court imposed specific bail conditions requiring her to report to the Barrouallie Police Station twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The case is scheduled to resume on April 2 with the commencement of a preliminary inquiry.

    Legal complications have emerged due to the timing of the charges. The ‘year-and-a-day’ rule in Vincentian law prevents prosecutors from upgrading the charges to murder or manslaughter following McDowall’s death. This legal technicality has drawn sharp criticism from the victim’s family, who expressed frustration with the investigative process.

    Family members revealed to iWitness News that police failed to conduct follow-up investigations during McDowall’s hospitalization and showed minimal engagement with the case. ‘The system and the authorities need to do better,’ stated a close female relative of the deceased. ‘A case like this should not require families to track down developments themselves. The complete lack of communication and follow-up while Alia fought for her life has undermined our confidence in achieving justice.’

    The case has raised questions about police procedures and legal limitations in serious assault cases that result in delayed fatalities, highlighting broader concerns about judicial responsiveness in violent crime investigations.

  • Saint Lucia still in the dark on deadly U.S. strike

    Saint Lucia still in the dark on deadly U.S. strike

    Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has revealed that his government remains without critical details regarding a controversial U.S. military operation that resulted in three fatalities near Saint Lucian waters on February 13th. The incident, described by American forces as a “lethal kinetic strike” targeting suspected drug trafficking routes, has generated significant regional unease and diplomatic tensions.

    The operation gained personal significance for Saint Lucia when local fisherman Ricky Joseph was reported missing following the attack, with his family suspecting he might have been aboard the targeted vessel. This development has transformed the incident from a distant security matter into one with direct human consequences for the island nation.

    During recent CARICOM Heads of Government meetings, Prime Minister Pierre engaged in bilateral discussions with U.S. representatives, emphasizing regional security cooperation and specifically raising questions about the February incident amid growing public concern. “I will hasten to tell you that we got no more information on what happened in the waters of St Vincent and Saint Lucia,” Pierre stated during a March 2nd pre-Cabinet press briefing.

    According to the Prime Minister, U.S. officials maintained their firm stance on preventing drug trafficking through Caribbean waters, stating they “work on intelligence” and that such operations are conducted for “a reason.” American authorities have characterized those killed as “narcoterrorists,” though no public evidence linking the vessel or its occupants to drug trafficking has been provided.

    The missing person case has prompted local investigation, with Saint Lucian police recovering what appeared to be fishing vessel remains off the coast of Micoud. While authorities are examining potential connections between the debris and Joseph’s disappearance, no official link to the U.S. military operation has been confirmed.