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  • Mikey Mercer sweeps both soca monarch titles at revived finals

    Mikey Mercer sweeps both soca monarch titles at revived finals

    After six long years absent from Barbados’ iconic Crop Over festival calendar, the Banks Party Monarch Finals powered by HITZ 106.7 FM made its triumphant return to the National Botanical Gardens on Sunday evening. Despite overcast skies and constant threats of heavy rain, thousands of die-hard soca music fans poured through the venue gates starting at 2 p.m. — two hours ahead of the official performance start — armed with umbrellas, folding chairs, and unwavering enthusiasm to witness the island’s top talent compete for the sport’s most coveted monarch titles.

    The evening’s festivities opened with the Sweet Soca Monarch segment, which featured eight competing artistes pulling out all the stops to win over the crowd and judges. Mr Blood kicked off the competition with his track *Crop Over Forever*, setting a lively tone for the night, followed by Saddis with *Skyfall*, Aza with *Soca Heaven*, Khiomal with *Back To When*, Ross with *Come And Go*, and the duo SugahRhe and Freshie with *Show Me Uh Motion*. When the seventh performer, veteran soca artist Mikey Mercer, took the stage with his entry *Real Feters*, he instantly turned the venue into one massive street party. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Mercer’s raw passion and innate ability to connect with the audience had the entire crowd singing along word for word, cementing his status as the segment’s frontrunner from the first note. Skung Yung closed out the Sweet Soca round with *Chemistry* around 5:30 p.m., with the threatened rain never materializing to interrupt the celebrations.

    The second half of the night brought the high-energy Power Soca competition, which also featured eight performers vying for the title and its $100,000 grand prize. Shanta Price opened the segment with *Festival Calling*, leaning into traditional Crop Over pageantry with stilt walkers and iconic Mother Sally characters to set the festive mood. Mercer followed as the second performer with his entry *Like Ah Bajan*, and immediately locked in the crowd’s support. Clad in Barbados’ national colors, he sparked a wave of patriotic pride, with attendees chanting the country’s area code “246!” in unison throughout his opening. The veteran performer commanded the stage with a presence that few could match, once again positioning him as the clear favorite for the title.

    Other standout performances from the Power Soca round included soca icon Lil Rick’s polished delivery of *Best Ting*, which demonstrated exactly why he has remained a beloved fixture of Barbadian soca for more than 30 decades, earning sing-alongs from end to end of the grounds. Nikita brought theatrical flair to the stage with *Extraordinary*, opening with a gaming-inspired introduction before arriving on an all-terrain vehicle and transforming mid-performance from a sleek silver pantsuit into a vibrant, shaggy costume. Mr Blood took the stage with *Include Me*, while Walkes brought high-octane energy to *Roadway* alongside motorcycle props, a live drum segment, and widespread crowd participation. Shaquille GFG delivered an emotional set with *After All*, dedicating his performance to late supporters including two prominent deejays and his own father, before being joined on stage by Vincentian star Skinny Fabulous for a surprise guest appearance. Roof Deck Symphony closed out the competitive segment with a lively performance of *Pass De Glass*, arriving in matching bartender costumes to cap off the night’s performances.

    When the judges tallied their scores, the night belonged unequivocally to Mikey Mercer: the soca veteran earned a perfect 100 points in both the Sweet Soca and Power Soca segments, claiming a rare double victory that solidified his dominance of the 2024 Crop Over season. In an emotional address to the crowd immediately after the announcement, Mercer thanked fans for their unwavering support, telling the audience “I love wunna bad, bad, bad, bad.” Speaking to reporters later, he described the historic win as an overwhelming moment, and dedicated the achievement to his mother.

    Mercer explained that his 2024 campaign required months of intense preparation, including rigorous training, endless rehearsals, and full commitment from his entire team. While he entered the competition with the goal of winning, he emphasized that he never took a victory for granted. “My aim is that when they come off stage, they can say, ‘I did my best,’ and I did my best at each performance,” he noted. The veteran also praised the competition’s mix of seasoned stars and emerging young talent, saying that healthy competition pushes all artistes to grow and continues to strengthen Barbados’ thriving soca ecosystem. With a combined $200,000 in prize money from his two wins, Mercer shared that his first priorities are supporting his mother, expanding his ongoing charitable work, and growing his personal Reunion brand.

    Full competition results confirmed Mercer’s historic sweep: in Sweet Soca, Mr Blood took second place with 68 points for *Crop Over Forever*, Khiomal earned third place with 61 points for *Back To When*, and Ross placed fourth with 52 points for *Come And Go*. In the Power Soca category, Shaquille GFG took second place with 75 points for *After All*, Lil Rick earned third with 62 points for *Best Ting*, and Nikita placed fourth with 55 points for *Extraordinary*.

  • AUA Opens Transfer Pathway for Medical Students Seeking to Complete MD Degrees

    AUA Opens Transfer Pathway for Medical Students Seeking to Complete MD Degrees

    In a move designed to address growing disruptions in medical education and support students facing unexpected academic transitions, the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine has launched a structured transfer pathway that allows eligible preclinical medical students from other institutions to complete their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees at AUA.

    The new program comes amid a period of widespread uncertainty for medical students across the United States and beyond, where a number of small medical schools have closed, suspended operations, or faced accreditation issues in recent years, leaving hundreds of enrolled learners scrambling to find alternative paths to complete their training.

    AUA officials note that the transfer pathway is tailored to accommodate students who have completed at least one year of preclinical medical coursework at a recognized institution, with a streamlined application and credit evaluation process designed to cut down on unnecessary delays. Eligible students will be able to transition directly into AUA’s existing curriculum, with the opportunity to complete their remaining preclinical training before moving on to clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals across the United States.

    Unlike many other medical programs that place strict limits on transfer credits, AUA says it will conduct a comprehensive, individual review of each applicant’s prior academic work to ensure that relevant coursework counts toward their MD requirement, reducing both the time and financial investment students need to complete their degrees. The institution also notes that all graduates of AUA are eligible to apply for residency and medical licensing in all 50 U.S. states, matching the pathway available to students who began their training at the university.

    “Too many promising medical students have had their career goals derailed by circumstances outside of their control, from institutional closures to accreditation setbacks,” said AUA’s Dean of Medicine in a statement announcing the pathway. “This program is built to remove barriers for these learners, giving them a clear, supported path to becoming practicing physicians and meeting the growing demand for new clinicians across the United States.”

    Industry observers point out that the new transfer pathway also responds to a broader national need: the U.S. is projected to face a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, according to recent data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Creating flexible pathways for students who have already started their medical training helps retain talented individuals who would otherwise leave the profession, helping to ease that projected gap over time.

    Interested applicants can access detailed program guidelines and application materials through AUA’s official website, with rolling admissions for transfer students to match the timing of unexpected academic disruptions.

  • Missing Dog: Snowy Last Seen in St. John’s

    Missing Dog: Snowy Last Seen in St. John’s

    A public appeal has gone out across the St. John’s area, asking local residents to keep an eye out for a missing medium-sized female dog that disappeared recently. The dog, called Snowy, has distinct markings that set her apart: a full coat of bright white fur, paired with soft light tan ears.

    While Snowy is known to have a naturally friendly temperament, those organizing the search have noted that her unexpected disappearance has likely left her scared and disoriented. Frightened lost pets have a common tendency to retreat to quiet, enclosed spaces where they feel protected, so search organizers are encouraging residents to check out-of-the-way spots on their property that the dog may have stumbled into. This includes checking the back of overgrown yards, locked or unlocked garages, and the undercarriage of parked cars and trucks that have been left stationary for any length of time.

    Any member of the public who has spotted a dog matching Snowy’s description in recent days, or who holds any information that could help trace her location, is urged to contact the search team immediately at the phone number 785-6622. Every tip, no matter how small it may seem, could help reunite the lost pet with her worried owners.

  • ‘Building Titans’ Launches Accessible 1-Week Youth Leadership Summer Programme

    ‘Building Titans’ Launches Accessible 1-Week Youth Leadership Summer Programme

    Registration is now open for a brand-new youth leadership development summer program designed to nurture critical thinking, polished public communication, and ethical leadership among young people, ahead of welcoming its first group of participants this coming August. Titled Building Titans: Young Leaders Summer Academy 2026 (BTYLSA 2026), this intensive one-week training program is open to two groups: adolescents aged 12 to 17, and young adults between 18 and 24 years old. Throughout the program, attendees will engage in rigorous intellectual exercises that challenge conventional thinking, analyze pressing contemporary global and local issues, refine their oral communication capabilities, and unpack the core characteristics that define an effective, responsible leader.

    BTYLSA 2026 will be hosted on the Eustace Hill Campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) — previously known as ABIIT — located in Coolidge, running from Monday, August 17, 2026, through Friday, August 21, 2026.

    Kieron Murdoch, program director of BTYLSA 2026, shared that the initiative was originally structured as a two-week event scheduled for mid-August. However, organizers restructured it into a condensed five-day intensive, timed just before the start of the new school year, to accommodate existing summer events for young people including the popular Carnival season, which draws widespread youth participation.

    “Our team has curated a high-impact, five-day intensive curriculum built around three non-negotiable core pillars: leadership, public speaking, and debate,” Murdoch explained. “Outstanding leaders must be able to articulate their vision and ideas clearly to mobilize others, which makes public speaking an inherent, foundational part of our program. While many young people feel intimidated by the idea of formal debate, mastering this skill is more essential today than ever before. Debate builds rapid analytical reasoning, sharp research abilities, active listening habits, and the rare, invaluable ability to think critically under pressure in real time.”

    Murdoch went on to highlight the program’s core guiding philosophy, pushing back against common misconceptions about what leadership entails. “Far too often, young people are taught that leadership is just about climbing social hierarchies or padding a resume for college or future jobs,” he noted. “We want to help our participants understand that true leadership is not about holding a title or a position. It is about ethical leadership. It means having the moral courage to stand up for marginalized community members, defend the causes you believe in, and choose what is right over what is popular or convenient.”

    To meet the needs of different age groups, organizers will split participants into separate cohorts by age range, ensuring activities and discussions are tailored to each group’s developmental stage. For participants traveling from St. John’s, daily round-trip shuttle service will be available for those who need it, and the program will run daily from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Every attendee who successfully completes the full 5-day program will receive an official BTYLSA 2026 certificate of participation to recognize their work.

    For meals, participants have the choice to bring their own snacks and lunches, or purchase affordable meal options that will be offered on campus each day. Registration rules require that all participants under the age of 18 must be signed up by a parent or legal guardian, while young adults aged 18 and older may complete their own registration. To sign up for the academy, interested applicants can access the registration form via the program’s link and complete enrollment by submitting the form and paying the required enrollment fee.

  • Local Artists Showcased at Toronto Polo Charity Event

    Local Artists Showcased at Toronto Polo Charity Event

    The annual Toronto polo charity event this year carved out a special spotlight for the city’s homegrown artistic community, blending the elegance of high-goal equestrian competition with a curated showcase of creative works from local creators. Organizers of the fundraiser, which supports youth arts access programs across the Greater Toronto Area, made the intentional decision to center local talent this year, moving beyond the traditional focus on equestrian sport to highlight the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

    More than 30 visual artists, mixed-media creators, and craft artisans set up installations and exhibition spaces along the event’s main concourse, greeting thousands of attendees who turned out for a day of polo matches, networking, and philanthropy. Attendees had the opportunity to meet the creators, view their works in person, and purchase pieces, with 20% of all art sales donated directly to the event’s beneficiary charities.

    Event organizers noted that integrating the art showcase created a more inclusive, community-focused experience, bringing together equestrian enthusiasts, art collectors, and local families who came to support a good cause. “This event has always been about giving back to Toronto, and what better way to do that than to lift up the artists who make our city such a dynamic place to live,” said the event’s chair in a press interview ahead of the opening. “We’ve been blown away by the response from both creators and attendees – it’s clear this new pairing of polo and local art is here to stay.”

    Beneficiaries of the fundraiser, which have raised more than CAD 2.3 million over the past decade, say the added art component will help them expand after-school arts programs for underserved youth in Toronto’s inner-city neighborhoods. Many of the participating artists also shared that the event gave them valuable exposure to new audiences and opportunities to build their customer base in a city that increasingly prioritizes supporting local creative work.

  • Matthews: Important points still at stake in final ODI

    Matthews: Important points still at stake in final ODI

    West Indies Women’s national cricket team will enter the decisive third One Day International (ODI) against Ireland at Bready on Wednesday with a clear goal: lock in a full series sweep. Leading the charge is captain Hayley Matthews, who recently etched her name into West Indies women’s cricket history over the weekend at the same ground.

    In the second ODI on Sunday, Matthews put on a masterclass with the bat, smashing a 94-ball century to secure back-to-back hundreds — a first for any West Indies Women’s player in ODI history. She was joined at the crease by star all-rounder Stafanie Taylor, who notched an unbeaten century of her own. The pair’s historic batting partnership guided the Caribbean side to a six-wicket series-clinching win, putting the visitors 2-0 up in the three-match series ahead of Wednesday’s decider.

    Speaking after the victory, Matthews expressed that while the series win was a critical early milestone, the team remains focused on collecting full points to climb the ICC ODI rankings. “Series win, obviously super important, so I’m glad we could get that out of the way. At the same time, I think we came here and the points were definitely a priority,” she said. “It’s really good that we were able to get four so far with the first two wins, but there are still really important points to play for in our last match. Hopefully we can get two more on the board, and get ourselves climbing up that ladder.”

    Despite her red-hot form with both bat and ball, Matthews emphasized that team success takes priority over personal milestones ahead of the third match. When asked about the prospect of chasing a third consecutive century, the captain said she is focused on process rather than individual results. “Hopefully, look I try not to focus on the result too much, but just go through the process once again. I’m doing what I need to do and hopefully the result at the end of the day is something good,” she stated.

    Taylor, who delivered the match-winning knock in the second ODI, echoed her captain’s team-first mindset and opened up about the camaraderie that has powered the side’s early success. “I always enjoy batting with Hayley. We both understand each other when we’re out there and we support each other, because we know how each other plays. It’s always easy to bat with her,” Taylor said.

    During her unbeaten century, Taylor quietly passed a personal milestone: she became the first player to surpass 500 ODI runs against Ireland, a milestone she did not even realize she had hit until after the match. She also recalled the lighthearted moment that led to her pushing for a century in the final overs of the run chase, when West Indies needed just 11 runs to win and Taylor was stuck on 90.

    “Well for me with 11 runs (for victory) and I needed ten, I just, I said to Minnie, I don’t care about 100, I just don’t want to train tomorrow. I need a break from training, so as long as we get over the line, it means that we’re not gonna train,” Taylor explained. “But she said to me, no, you have to get your 100… I said, all right, I’m gonna try and then I, I heard the players in the dugout, they were cheering and backing me to have a go. I said, all right, I’m just gonna have a go and if it comes off, it comes off. And yeah, it did.”

    With momentum firmly on their side, the West Indies side will look to cap off their successful tour with a third straight win on Wednesday.

  • Trident ID for BIMpay payments ‘eventually’

    Trident ID for BIMpay payments ‘eventually’

    Barbados’ push toward a more integrated, inclusive digital financial system hit a new milestone this week, as Central Bank Governor Dr. Kevin Greenidge outlined the next stage of development for the country’s month-old BiMPay instant payment platform. In a press briefing Monday, Greenidge confirmed that once the platform’s first rollout phase wraps up successfully, the central bank will move to connect the BiMPay digital e-wallet directly to the national Trident ID card, a secure chip-and-PIN identification document launched nationwide in 2023.

    The first phase of the BiMPay rollout is currently focused on integrating all of Barbados’ licensed financial institutions and three major credit unions into the platform’s network, a foundational step that must be completed before work on the second phase can accelerate. Beyond Trident ID integration, the second phase will also see the central bank partner with the national government to fully onboard all public sector agencies, while opening the platform up to additional private financial firms and fintech companies to expand the scope of available services for Barbadian consumers and businesses.

    Greenidge emphasized that the central bank’s immediate priority is refining the platform’s core functionality and supporting its steady, sustainable growth, with two overarching strategic goals: expanding financial inclusion to bring unbanked and underbanked Barbadians into the formal financial system, and deepening the country’s financial product ecosystem to match the diversity of options available in more established global markets.

    “When that integration is complete, a wider range of advanced financial services will be accessible to Trident ID holders, leveraging the card’s built-in security features that already cut counterfeit risk and grant access to government services from anywhere in the world,” the governor added.

    This multi-phase rollout marks a key step in Barbados’ broader digital transformation of its financial sector, with officials expecting the integrated BiMPay-Trident system to streamline everyday transactions, reduce administrative friction, and attract new fintech investment to the island nation.

  • Party Monarch comeback a hit, but changes coming, says Archer

    Party Monarch comeback a hit, but changes coming, says Archer

    After a six-year hiatus, the iconic Party Monarch competition has made its triumphant return to Barbados’ annual Crop Over festival – but government officials have signaled that major changes are still ahead to secure the cultural staple’s place for future generations.

    Senator Shane Archer, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office with oversight over Youth and Culture, who is leading the government’s management of this year’s festival, announced that a full sector-wide review is already planned to modernize the competition and reinforce its long-term relevance and financial sustainability.

    Sunday’s sold-out Party Monarch Finals drew massive public support, marking the first iteration of the contest since it was put on hold in 2019. Thousands of festival-goers packed the National Botanical Gardens to watch the live performances, while hundreds more tuned into digital streams to follow the event from home.

    Archer emphasized that the decision by the current Mottley administration to revive the competition has already been vindicated by the overwhelming public response. “I’m very satisfied with both the turnout and the quality of performances across the board, especially after such a long break,” he said. “Bringing back Party Monarch was absolutely the right call for our government and our culture.”

    The turnout, Archer noted, confirms that the competition remains a deeply beloved part of Barbados’ cultural identity and a core highlight of the Crop Over calendar. “Thousands of people showed up in person to support the event, and hundreds more joined online, proving that there is still huge public demand for this key part of our festival, and our broader cultural landscape,” he explained. “Beyond the numbers, we’ve brought the conversation about Party Monarch back to the forefront, and restored a platform that many creatives and fans thought was lost for good. The quality of this year’s performances makes it clear how much extraordinary talent we have in our local creative sector, and the public’s reaction was far more encouraging than even we expected.”

    Despite the overwhelmingly successful comeback, Archer stressed that the revived competition is still a work in progress, noting that systemic changes are needed to bring the event in line with modern expectations. “This is just the first step in the journey to rebuild Party Monarch,” he said. “We know that we have to restructure key elements of the competition to modernize it, and to make sure it can thrive for decades to come.”

    Following the February 11 general election that returned the Mottley administration to power, Archer took on day-to-day responsibility for the Crop Over festival. He confirmed that the government will conduct a full audit of every aspect of the competition, hold wide-ranging consultations with creative stakeholders, industry partners and community members, and implement targeted improvements to keep the contest financially viable and aligned with the evolving direction of Barbadian cultural expression.

    Archer added that this year’s successful return has already laid a strong foundation for future improvements. “Overall, bringing Party Monarch back has been a clear success, and that gives us a solid base to keep building on moving forward,” he said.

    Sunday’s finals closed on a high note when local performer Mikey Mercer made history by claiming both the Sweet Soca Monarch and Power Soca Monarch titles with perfect scores from the judges, capping off the comeback event with a high-energy finish that delighted the crowd.

  • High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash and Arrests Following Reported Swetes Home Invasions

    High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash and Arrests Following Reported Swetes Home Invasions

    A string of burglary incidents targeting residential properties in the quiet village of Swetes has concluded in a dramatic high-speed police pursuit, a vehicle collision and the capture of multiple alleged intruders, details of which have emerged from accounts shared by a local resident connected to one of the targeted homes.

    The break-in at the first resident’s home unfolded shortly before 12 p.m. on Monday, when the intruders gained forced entry by damaging the deadbolt lock on the property’s back door. At the time of the incursion, one of the homeowner’s adult daughters was alone inside the residence. According to the account, the suspects immediately confronted the young woman, demanding that she hand over all available cash and gold jewelry before making their escape. Stolen from the home was a small sum of 165 Eastern Caribbean dollars, as well as an Apple iPhone, the resident confirmed.

    In the days following the incident, the homeowner discovered that their property was not the only one targeted that day. At least two additional residences in the Swetes village area were hit by the same group of intruders, and one neighbor has since publicly confirmed that their home was also robbed in the coordinated string of break-ins.

    Law enforcement moved quickly to track down the alleged perpetrators, and later that same evening, officers located the suspects and initiated a high-speed vehicle chase through populated areas of Swetes. During the chaotic pursuit, the suspects, who were traveling in a silver sedan, lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a residential perimeter fence. Attempting to evade capture, the group abandoned the wrecked car and fled the scene on foot into nearby vegetation, but responding police officers were able to quickly surround and apprehend all suspects involved.

    As of the latest updates, official sources within the local police department have not yet released an official public statement confirming the details of the reported break-ins, the chase, or the subsequent arrests. The resident connected to the first targeted home, who has spoken publicly about the incident, expressed profound relief that their daughter escaped the terrifying encounter without any physical injury. They have also issued a public appeal to all members of the Swetes community, urging anyone who holds additional information that could assist local police with their ongoing investigation to reach out to law enforcement authorities immediately.

  • SVG, India sign MoU on public health advancement

    SVG, India sign MoU on public health advancement

    On July 10, in Kingstown, the capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a landmark public health cooperation agreement was signed between the Caribbean island nation and India, marking a new milestone in bilateral health engagement and expanding India’s growing health partnership with the broader Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

    The signing ceremony saw Daniel Cummings, SVG’s Minister of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy, join Subhash Prasad Gupta, India’s High Commissioner to SVG, to formalize the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which codifies both nations’ shared commitment to advancing global public health through collaborative expertise exchange and harmonized regulatory frameworks.

    As outlined in an official press statement issued by India’s High Commission in Suriname, a core provision of the new agreement is SVG’s official recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia. This regulatory alignment is expected to deliver widespread practical benefits: it will simplify cross-border import procedures, streamline product registration processes, and strengthen quality assurance protocols for Indian-made pharmaceutical goods entering SVG. Ultimately, these changes will make it far easier for SVG residents to access affordable, high-quality generic medications that meet international safety and efficacy standards.

    Beyond regulatory cooperation, the MoU opens the door for SVG to adapt and implement a program modeled after India’s successful Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) initiative. Launched by the Indian government, PMBJP operates a network of dedicated outlets across India that provide low-cost generic medications to millions of people, particularly those from low-income and marginalized communities. Replicating this model in SVG would create a sustainable infrastructure for expanding affordable access to essential medicines across the Caribbean nation.

    The partnership is rooted in India’s longstanding global health philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates to “the world is one family.” This vision aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which prioritize universal access to affordable healthcare and the promotion of well-being for all people across the globe. The agreement also forms part of a broader set of health cooperation commitments that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined for CARICOM, highlighting India’s ongoing efforts to expand equitable health access across developing nations through south-south cooperation.