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  • Saint Lucia ready to ignite new era of cricket with Volcanoes

    Saint Lucia ready to ignite new era of cricket with Volcanoes

    After years of informal discussions and groundwork, one of the Caribbean’s most storied regional cricket franchises is putting down new roots. On Friday, leadership from the Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) and Saint Lucia’s Department of Youth Development & Sports formalized a landmark agreement at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, signing a memorandum of understanding that will move the professional Windward Islands Volcanoes franchise to Saint Lucia effective October 1.

    WICB President Clement Marcellin emphasized that the relocation has been in the works for far longer than the current round of negotiations, marking the culmination of multiple previous offers for Saint Lucia to host the team. Launched in 2014 ahead of Cricket West Indies’ first full professional domestic season, the Volcanoes have cycled through three previous host bases across the Windward Islands: starting in Dominica, followed by Grenada, and most recently St Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Marcellin attributed the successful finalization of the move to the relentless initiative of Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) President Wayne Auguste, crediting his bold leadership and willingness to navigate uncertainty to push the project across the finish line. “When you have brave leaders, people who are unafraid of uncertainty and will really put their best effort towards getting it done, it’s what makes life worth living,” Marcellin said in his remarks at the signing. He went on to praise the transformative potential of the relocation, noting “Saint Lucia has a lot to offer in the advancement of Windward Islands cricket, and by doing so, contribute significantly to West Indies cricket.”

    Beyond the franchise itself, Marcellin highlighted the key benefits the move will bring to emerging cricketing talent in the region. Professional coaches and senior Volcanoes players will now have regular access to the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre, where most of the academy’s rising athletes are already part of the Windward Islands development pathway. He also commended the Saint Lucia government for its consistent focus on advancing youth development through sports, a policy priority that aligned perfectly with the WICB’s long-term goals for the franchise.

    Auguste echoed that optimism, framing the partnership as a natural extension of Saint Lucia’s existing investments in elite cricket. The island established the first dedicated national high-performance cricket program in the Caribbean, a milestone that Auguste says demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to building an elite environment for athlete success. “Saint Lucia is well positioned to make the most of this partnership,” he added, noting the agreement aligns with ongoing government investment in high-performance sports infrastructure across the country.

    Saint Lucia’s Sports Minister Kenson Casimir called the Volcanoes’ arrival the next critical phase of the island’s holistic sports development strategy. Over the past five years, the current administration has poured significant resources into upgrading core cricket infrastructure, including major renovations at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground and improvements to Mindoo Phillip Park. The government has also upgraded community sports facilities in districts including Des Barras and Balata, with plans to enclose playing fields at Mon Repos and La Fargue over the next four to five years. Casimir acknowledged that some of these major infrastructure investments faced criticism when they were first announced, but argued the upgrades have now positioned the island to host elite international and regional cricket operations.

    While Casimir stressed the government supports all sports, he emphasized that cricket holds unique transformative power for young Saint Lucians. “One CPL season can change somebody’s life forever. One performance at a regional match with the Volcanoes can put you on a West Indies squad that can change your life forever,” he said. He encouraged young local athletes to commit to discipline and consistent practice, noting the franchise’s arrival will create unprecedented pathways for young Saint Lucian cricketers to advance to regional, national, and global cricket, with accompanying social and economic opportunities that can reshape their lives.

  • Free mental health support available across Saint Lucian communities

    Free mental health support available across Saint Lucian communities

    Even as Saint Lucia continues its slow progress chipping away at deep-seated stigma surrounding mental health, many residents may be unaware that low-cost and completely free mental health support is already available in nearly every corner of the island. Speaking to local outlet St. Lucia News at a recent Suicide Prevention Awareness Fair held Thursday, veteran community mental health nurse Maria Charles outlined the scope of existing services, their limitations, and how locals can access the care they need.

    As a 17-year veteran of the island’s Community Health Nursing Services, Charles helps run the free client-centred counselling program that operates out of community health centers across the country. Unlike structured clinical therapy that follows a provider-led agenda, these sessions are tailored to what each patient wants to address, putting control of the conversation firmly in the hands of the person seeking support.

    Charles explained that community counselling acts as an accessible first entry point for people navigating mental health challenges. Nurses on the ground are equipped to help patients manage common, mild concerns such as everyday anxiety, and can connect those requiring more intensive specialized care to appropriate clinical pathways through formal referrals. For conditions such as moderate to severe depression that require the care of a licensed clinical psychologist, Charles noted that in-house community services do not currently offer this level of specialized care. However, most patients can be referred for free treatment at the island’s central Mental Wellness Centre – though long wait times at the public facility sometimes leave patients with no option but to seek paid care from private providers. For those looking for a middle ground between free public services and full-price private care, the local organization Turning Point offers sliding-scale counselling at just $15 per session, a far more affordable alternative for uninsured or low-income residents.

    Over her 17 years working in the field, Charles has observed significant shifts in public attitudes toward mental health. Across the general population, far more people are willing to openly discuss their mental health struggles than in previous decades, a marked improvement that has encouraged more people to seek initial care. Still, notable gaps remain: men in particular are far less likely to complete follow-up care after their first appointment, a trend Charles says points to persistent gendered stigma around seeking help.

    Despite progress expanding access to basic care, the public mental health system still faces significant structural hurdles. Public services suffer from widespread under-resourcing, including a persistent shortage of practicing mental health counselors and practitioners working within public hospitals and community centers. Charles pointed to low pay and unfavorable working conditions, compared to the private sector, as key factors that discourage mental health professionals from joining the public service, perpetuating the staffing shortage.

    Even amid these systemic challenges, frontline practitioners like Charles remain committed to expanding access to affordable, compassionate care for all Saint Lucians who need support.

    ### Full List of Accessible Mental Health Support Services in Saint Lucia
    Compiled by the Community Health Nursing Services Unit under the Ministry of Health and Elderly Affairs, the following free and low-cost services are available to residents:
    1. **Free Community Health Centre Services**: A full range of mental health support is available at community health centers across the island, including home visits, diagnostic evaluations, admission screenings, emergency care, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, medication management, treatment administration, and formal referrals to specialized care. Note that some centers operate on specific clinic days each month, and a small number are currently closed; officials recommend visiting the nearest open center if your local facility is closed. Contact details and clinic schedules for all participating centers are as follows:
    – Anse La Raye: 468-7810/7800, first Tuesday of every month
    – Babonneau: 468-7723/7722, first Wednesday of the month
    – Belle Vue: 468-7977/7976, second and fourth Tuesday of the month
    – Bexon: 468-7782/7781, fourth Thursday of the month
    – Canaries: 468-7763/7761, second Tuesday of the month
    – Castries: 468-8880/8881, third Friday of the month
    – Ciceron: 468-7704/7705, second Thursday of the month
    – Delcer: 468-7757/7758, second Monday of the month
    – Dennery: 468-7664/7650, first Wednesday and third Monday of the month
    – Desruisseaux: 468-7717/7719, second and third Tuesday of the month
    – Entrepôt: 468-7936/7937, second Friday of the month
    – Etangs: 468-7768/7766, fourth Tuesday of the month
    – Fond Assau: second Thursday of the month
    – Fond St Jacques: 468-7772/7771, second Wednesday of the month
    – Grace: 468-7754/7753, every Wednesday
    – Gros Islet Polyclinic: 468-7635/7633, third Thursday of the month
    – Grand Rivière: 468-7700/7703, fourth Tuesday of the month
    – Jacmel: 468-7728/7727, third Thursday of the month
    – Laborie: second Tuesday of the month
    – La Croix: 468-7736/7738, fourth Wednesday of the month
    – La Clery: 468-8533/8531, fourth Tuesday of the month
    – La Fargue: 468-7794/7793, first Thursday of the month
    – La Guerre: 468-7743/7744, third Monday of the month
    – Micoud: 468-7956/7957, first Friday, first Thursday and second Friday of the month
    – Monday: 468-8542/8540, second Monday of the month
    – Mongouge: 468-7787/7786, third Tuesday of the month
    – Mon Repos: 468-7707/7708, first Tuesday and fourth Thursday of the month
    – Richfond: 468-7926/7027, second Thursday and third Wednesday of the month
    – Saltibus: 468-7778/7776, first Tuesday of the month
    – Soufriere Hospital: 468-7613/7603, second and fourth Thursday of the month
    – Ti Rocher, Castries: 468-7748/7746, second Tuesday of the month
    – Ti Rochier, Micoud: 468-7714/7712, third Monday and second Thursday of the month
    – Vanard: 468-7732/7733, third Monday of the month
    – Vieux Fort: 468-7988/7985, second Monday, third Friday and fourth Monday of the month

    2. **24/7 Crisis Hotline: Dial #203**: A free, confidential crisis line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone experiencing a mental health emergency. Dialing #203 from any mobile or landline connects callers immediately to a trained crisis responder.

    3. **Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)**: This free program is available to all public service workers navigating professional or personal challenges. Designed to support government employees’ well-being, it offers up to six one-hour counselling sessions addressing a wide range of concerns including job stress, emotional challenges, substance abuse, health issues, domestic violence, marital conflict, grief, medical stress, anxiety, depression, financial instability, and trauma. The service is free for all eligible government employees. To connect, contact 468-2269/2260, 285-6252, or 453-1305.

  • Eustace Marshall backs Dominica squad ahead of CONCACAF Nations League

    Eustace Marshall backs Dominica squad ahead of CONCACAF Nations League

    As Dominica’s Senior Men’s national football team ramps up its final preparations for the upcoming 2026–27 CONCACAF Nations League, national squad and South East FC midfielder Eustace Marshall has extended public congratulations to all teammates who earned their spots in the final roster.

    Marshall shared his remarks during an official press conference hosted at the Dominica Football Association (DFA) Headquarters located in Bath Estate. In his address, the midfielder emphasized that the chance to pull on the national team jersey and represent Dominica on an international regional stage is one of the greatest sources of pride any athlete can experience.

    Looking back on the exhaustive selection process that preceded the final squad announcement, Marshall noted that the road to making the roster has been grueling for all contenders. “It’s been a long month and a half of running, training, and fighting for places,” he said. “I just want to take a moment to thank every single person here for committing themselves to this team and this country. It’s a profound pride for each and every one of us that gets to wear this badge, and I’m so proud of everyone who made the final cut.”

    Looking ahead to Dominica’s opening fixtures of the tournament, Marshall made clear that the entire squad has entered its final preparation phase with clear focus and determination, particularly for the matches that will be hosted on home soil. “The boys are fully up for this challenge. We are ready both mentally and physically,” Marshall stated. “We’re going to put our best foot forward in every minute of every game, and we’re here competing to take maximum points from our opening matches.”

    The 2026–27 CONCACAF Nations League is scheduled to kick off in September 2026 and run through the final knockout rounds in March 2027. Dominica is set to play its first two group stage matches on September 24 and 27 of this year, kicking off the country’s campaign in the regional tournament.

  • Gregor Nassief–Roosevelt Skerrit dispute escalates over CBI concerns, government responses and economic policy

    Gregor Nassief–Roosevelt Skerrit dispute escalates over CBI concerns, government responses and economic policy

    A high-profile public conflict has broken out between prominent Dominican businessman Gregor Nassief and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, centered on long-simmering concerns about Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and broader government policy, with the two sides clashing directly over whether the businessman’s complaints have ever received a meaningful response.

    Nassief, who first raised alarms about the program privately for years before going public with his claims, argues that he has spent roughly seven years sending 14 separate letters to the prime minister outlining what he frames as serious irregularities in CBI operations. The dispute burst into wider public view after a June 17, 2026, letter from Nassief was leaked and circulated widely across the country. In that correspondence, Nassief alleged that CBI citizenship is being sold at discounted rates below the legal minimum thresholds set by Dominican law. He claims this practice is not only robbing the national treasury of hundreds of millions in expected revenue, but also creates an unfair, unlevel playing field for legitimate developers that have been approved to participate in the CBI programme.

    Beyond allegations of improper discounting, Nassief has called for sweeping, independent oversight of the program: he is pushing for a full independent forensic audit of CBI operations, and has suggested that a formal Commission of Inquiry may be required to fully resolve the issues he has raised. He has also tied his concerns to Dominica’s standing on the global stage, pointing to the country’s recent loss of visa-free access to the United Kingdom as a direct consequence of weak CBI governance, and warning of further risks to its travel and immigration relationships with the European Union and United States.

    Nassief’s criticism extends far beyond the citizenship investment program, covering a wide range of government policies that affect the Dominican economy and public life. He has raised public questions about the government’s overall economic management, state concessions and financial support for the island’s critical hotel sector, the national minimum wage, and the Alien Landholding Tax. Most recently, he has turned his attention to electoral rules, sending a new round of correspondence to Skerrit demanding reform.

    In an open letter published on August 31, Nassief doubled down on his claims that the prime minister has refused to engage meaningfully with his concerns, writing, “Fourteen letters over seven years on CBI. Eight more letters over the past six months raising electoral concerns. And still, the fundamental questions remain unanswered.” He challenged Skerrit to publicly identify which questions he has responded to, putting the onus on the prime minister to prove he has taken the allegations seriously.

    However, during a recent press conference held at the Financial Centre conference room, Prime Minister Skerrit pushed back forcefully against Nassief’s narrative that he has ignored the businessman’s complaints. Skerrit confirmed that his administration has engaged with Nassief through multiple channels: written correspondence, private WhatsApp exchanges, and in-person face-to-face meetings, though he acknowledged that the government did not respond to every single letter, nor did it engage in the way Nassief demanded. Most notably, Skerrit revealed that all of the allegations and supporting evidence Nassief submitted regarding CBI irregularities were formally forwarded to Dominica’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for official investigation.

    Skerrit also addressed the other policy concerns Nassief has raised, noting that the government held extensive discussions about hotel sector support and the businessman’s request to roll back the Alien Landholding Tax. The prime minister confirmed that after careful review, the government determined that eliminating or reducing the tax would not be fiscally prudent at this time, and declined to make the change Nassief requested.

    At the core of the unresolved standoff is one critical question that neither side has answered publicly: what exactly came of the FIU investigation into Nassief’s CBI allegations, and what conclusions, if any, did investigators reach? Nassief insists that despite years of warnings, no meaningful action has ever been taken to address the flawed practices he has exposed. For his part, Skerrit has pushed back on claims of inaction, arguing that the allegations were not swept under the rug, but instead followed proper protocol by being sent to the appropriate investigative body.

    The disagreement has now evolved far beyond a he-said-she-said over whether correspondence was exchanged. It now centers on the substantive question of whether appropriate follow-up action was taken: were the allegations thoroughly investigated, and were any findings or policy recommendations produced as a result? What began as years of private, behind-the-scenes warnings from a prominent local businessman has now become a full-blown national conversation, with broad implications for CBI governance, government transparency and accountability, national revenue security, and the long-term economic sustainability of Dominica’s development model.

  • DCOA President urges families to honour grandparents on Grandparents Day

    DCOA President urges families to honour grandparents on Grandparents Day

    As the Caribbean nation of Dominica prepares to observe Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 13, 2026, the top leader of the country’s leading ageing advocacy body is urging families and local communities across the island to turn the annual observance into a meaningful moment that honors the irreplaceable contribution of grandparents to daily life.

    Nigel Lawrence, President of the Dominica Council on Ageing, delivered a public address centered on the value of grandparents in modern society, framing these older family members as far more than just senior relatives. In his remarks, Lawrence emphasized that grandparents serve as the unshakable foundational pillar of most families, offering consistent intergenerational gifts of unconditional love, hard-won wisdom accumulated through decades of life experience, and quiet resilience that sustains communities through times of uncertainty and change.

    Lawrence pushed back against the idea that Grandparents Day should remain merely a symbolic date marked on annual calendars. Instead, he argued, the occasion should create a dedicated space for people of all ages to pause and reflect on the countless contributions and quiet sacrifices that grandparents have made to lift up their children, grandchildren, and broader community networks.

    To turn that reflection into action, the council president issued a clear call to the public: for people who still have living grandparents, take intentional time this Grandparents Day to connect in a meaningful way—whether that means an in-person visit, a warm phone call to check in, or a heartfelt embrace to express gratitude. For those whose grandparents have passed away, Lawrence encouraged honoring their legacy by upholding and living out the core values and lessons that their grandparents passed down to them through generations.

    A full audio recording of Lawrence’s full address, ahead of the September 13 observance, has been published online by local Dominican news outlets for the public to listen to in full.

  • 200 Venezolaanse vissers krijgen vergunning voor visserij in Surinaamse corridor

    200 Venezolaanse vissers krijgen vergunning voor visserij in Surinaamse corridor

    In a landmark diplomatic development during an official visit to Suriname by Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez, the two South American nations have signed a sweeping package of cooperation agreements covering key sectors from fisheries to energy, education and connectivity, deepening regional integration between the neighboring countries.

    One of the most notable commitments to come out of the talks is a fisheries access agreement that will grant fishing licenses to 200 Venezuelan fishermen from the coastal states of Nueva Esparta and Sucre, permitting them to operate in an Atlantic fishing corridor designated by Suriname. Rodríguez announced the arrangement following bilateral discussions with Suriname’s president Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, noting that the partnership is structured to deliver mutual economic benefits to both nations. Beyond creating livelihood opportunities for Venezuelan fishermen, Rodríguez explained that the deal will open new export pathways for Suriname’s popular fish species including red snapper and lane snapper to the large U.S. market and other international destinations. At the time of the announcement, no further details were released on the exact terms of access, the size and geographic boundaries of the designated corridor, or the regulatory framework that will govern fishing activity in the area.

    The fisheries deal is just one of 10 total agreements reached during the diplomatic visit, which includes nine formal cooperation documents and one joint statement signed by the two governments.

    In the aviation sector, the two countries have moved forward with concrete plans to reestablish commercial flight connections between their territories, and have agreed to grant fifth freedom rights to airlines from both nations. This regulatory change will allow air carriers to operate routes that pass through each country’s territory, opening up new route options and increasing flexibility for regional air travel. The improved air links are designed to boost bilateral tourism, with both governments committing to bring tour operators closer together and develop joint multi-destination tourism products that draw on the unique attractions of both countries. Rodríguez emphasized that beyond air connectivity, the two nations also need to expand maritime transport links between their coasts, noting that regional connectivity within South America and the Caribbean currently lags behind connections to countries outside the region. The new cooperation agreements are intended to reverse this imbalance and strengthen intra-regional ties.

    Another core pillar of the new bilateral partnership focuses on developing Suriname’s growing oil and gas sector. Venezuela, which has decades of experience in hydrocarbon exploration, production and processing, has offered to share its technical expertise with Suriname, and will provide specialized training programs for workers in Suriname’s emerging oil industry. Rodríguez specifically highlighted Venezuela’s leading energy research institute Intevep and the Venezuelan University of Hydrocarbons as key institutional partners, noting that both organizations hold advanced technological capabilities that can be mobilized to support the cooperation effort.

    Agricultural development and food security have also been prioritized in the new cooperation framework. The two countries have agreed to align their sanitary and phytosanitary regulatory standards to facilitate agricultural trade, exchange knowledge on animal genetics, and collaborate on advancing regenerative agricultural practices that support long-term sustainability.

    In the education sector, Venezuela is opening up new training opportunities for Surinamese students. The Latin American University of Medicine will open its doors to Surinamese students seeking to pursue medical degrees in Venezuela. Additional agreements have been reached for university-level training in hydrocarbons, public health, agriculture and technology, as well as expanded technical and vocational education opportunities for Surinamese learners.

    Looking ahead, the next meeting of the bilateral Mixed Commission between Venezuela and Suriname is scheduled to take place in Suriname during the first quarter of next year. Rodríguez extended a formal invitation to President Simons to visit Venezuela in the near future, and thanked the Surinamese government and people for the humanitarian assistance Suriname provided after the June 24 earthquake that struck Venezuela. She also noted that she has a long history of engagement with Suriname, having previously visited the country in past roles as an energy official and Venezuela’s foreign minister for discussions related to the Petrocaribe energy initiative.

  • Is the Government Limiting Financial Oversight amid ‘Mira Millions’ Investigation?

    Is the Government Limiting Financial Oversight amid ‘Mira Millions’ Investigation?

    As an ongoing audit into the high-stakes Mira Millions corruption investigation progresses in Belize, the country’s Public Service Union (PSU) has raised urgent alarms over a sudden, unconsulted change to the national government’s core financial tracking system that limits oversight capabilities.

    The policy change, implemented with no advance warning or public explanation of its legal basis, restricts all public service finance officers to viewing only transaction data from the specific ministry they are assigned to, cutting off their previous ability to examine cross-government spending through the central SmartStream financial management platform. According to the PSU, this restriction directly undermines efforts to uncover the fragmented spending patterns at the heart of the Mira Millions controversy.

    The Mira Millions investigation centers on hundreds of undisclosed government payments, totaling millions of dollars, made to individuals and private entities allegedly linked to current Cabinet-benched Minister of Defence Oscar Mira. Investigators have found that most of these payments were deliberately kept below the $10,000 threshold that automatically triggers heightened financial oversight, with the suspicious transactions spread across multiple government departments to avoid detection.

    PSU emphasized in its official statement that isolated individual payments can easily fly under the radar: a single $9,800 transfer appears routine on its own, but 44 such payments made across different ministries in a single day, or hundreds spread over five years, forms a clear pattern of fraudulent activity. The union argues that if finance officers are locked out of viewing data outside their home ministry, they cannot spot these deliberately dispersed red flags.

    The union does not push back on all access controls, noting that reasonable restrictions serve valid public purposes: protecting sensitive personal data such as payroll and employee records, and upholding critical segregation of duties to prevent internal misconduct. However, it stresses that a blanket ban on full cross-ministry visibility for all finance professionals, implemented mid-investigation into a major national procurement scandal, is far from a legitimate internal control.

    “A blanket removal of cross-ministry visibility from an entire professional cadre, introduced without notice, without consultation, and without any legal basis being disclosed, in the middle of a national procurement scandal, is not an internal control. It is a curtain,” the PSU statement read.

    The union also pushed back on the implicit justification that the restriction is needed to prevent unauthorized leaks of SmartStream data. If leak prevention were the actual goal, PSU argues, the appropriate response would be to review system audit logs to identify the source of leaks and pursue disciplinary action through established public service regulations — not to disable the oversight capabilities of hundreds of neutral public finance officers.

    “Disabling the oversight capacity of hundreds of officers because of the suspected conduct of a few, and describing it as information security, will convince no one,” the statement added.

    The PSU has outlined a series of clear demands to reverse the controversial policy change. It is calling for the immediate restoration of full government-wide transaction access for eligible finance officers, public disclosure of which official authorized the new restriction and what legal authority it relies on, a formal written guarantee that no public officer will face disciplinary action for reporting suspicious irregular transactions, and confirmation that key oversight bodies — including the Auditor General, Integrity Commission, and Public Accounts Committee — will retain full, unrestricted access to the SmartStream system.

    Additionally, the union has renewed its long-standing call for the stalled Protected Disclosures Bill to be brought back for debate and vote in the National Assembly. PSU argues that public officers need two critical tools to root out corruption: the ability to access full financial data to spot questionable activity, and formal legal protection when they report misconduct.

    The timing of the sudden restriction, introduced as scrutiny builds around leaks of SmartStream data connected to the investigation, has not gone unnoticed by the union. PSU says the policy sends an unambiguous warning to public servants who might otherwise come forward with evidence of corruption.

    “This measure will be read by public officers for precisely what it resembles: a warning,” the union noted.

    The first official audit report from the Auditor General on the Mira Millions investigation is scheduled for publication by the end of September 2026, and public pressure is mounting for full transparency and accountability as the probe moves forward.

  • Supa G Honoured as 2026 Living Legend

    Supa G Honoured as 2026 Living Legend

    As a highlight of Belize’s 2026 September national Celebrations, the tiny Caribbean nation has bestowed one of its highest cultural honors on homegrown music legend Supa G, naming him the year’s official Living Legend in a moving public tribute hosted in Belize City.

    The celebratory Living Legends Concert, held on the evening of Wednesday September 9, 2026 at Lord Rhaburn Plaza, brought together dozens of local and regional artists to honor Supa G’s decades-long contribution to Belizean music. The event centered on a special tribute segment where collaborating artists performed reimagined versions of Supa G’s most beloved hits, turning the venue into a collective celebration of his decades-spanning career.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Belize’s Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca highlighted the extraordinary scope of Supa G’s impact, noting that the artist has built a 30-plus-year legacy that extends far beyond Belize’s borders. “Supa G has been crafting incredible music for more than three decades,” Fonseca shared in his opening remarks. “Just a few months back, he marked his 50th birthday — which means he has devoted most of his life to creating art that Belizeans from all walks of life cherish.”

    Fonseca further emphasized that Supa G’s appeal has crossed regional and international boundaries, boasting a loyal fanbase that spans Central America, Mexico, the entire Caribbean basin, and North America. What began as a local Belizean music career has grown into a cross-regional cultural brand that puts Belizean art on the global map, he added.

    Even with steady rain falling throughout the outdoor event, thousands of fans and guests turned out to share in the celebration, a show of support that moved the honoree deeply. In a heartfelt Facebook post published after the concert wrapped, Supa G opened up about the emotional weight of the honor.

    “Last night touched my heart in ways I can’t fully put into words,” he wrote. He extended particular gratitude to the fellow artists who reworked and performed his catalog for the tribute, saying he would long cherish the experience of hearing his own music reinterpreted through their unique artistic voices. “Belize, I felt your love,” he concluded. “Thank you for honoring me. Thank you for celebrating with me.”

    The recognition as 2026 Living Legend cements Supa G’s status as one of the most influential Belizean musicians of his generation, closing a milestone year that already included his 50th birthday celebration and renewed recognition of his cross-regional cultural impact.

  • Schools adjust routines to protect students in hot weather

    Schools adjust routines to protect students in hot weather

    As record-breaking persistent heat continues to blanket the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia, educational institutions across the country have rolled out a series of targeted adjustments to their daily policies and infrastructure to protect student health and maintain safe learning environments. The unrelenting high temperatures have pushed school administrations to rethink long-standing rules around water access, classroom routines and even school uniforms to keep learners comfortable, hydrated and focused on their studies.

    At Saint Mary’s College, a leading secondary education institution, principal Neal Fontenelle outlined the sweeping changes his team has implemented in response to the heat wave. Long-standing rules that previously restricted water access to pre-school hours and scheduled break times have been lifted entirely. Today, students are permitted to step out of class for water whenever they feel thirsty, and administrators have prioritized keeping the campus canteen consistently stocked with sufficient water supplies to meet rising demand.

    The campus already benefits from several natural and built cooling features that have helped mitigate extreme temperatures: large floor-to-ceiling windows that promote cross ventilation, working ceiling fans in every classroom, and mature shade trees scattered across school grounds. When temperatures climb particularly high, some teachers have even moved lessons outdoors to hold class under the cover of these cool, leafy canopies. When it comes to uniforms, Fontenelle noted that the school’s current standard attire already leans into lightweight fabrics: white cotton-polyester blend shirts for daily wear, and moisture-wicking Dri-Fit materials for physical education classes, which he says have performed exceptionally well in the heat. If temperatures continue to climb, the administration is open to adopting even lighter uniform options, though no immediate changes are planned. Widespread installation of air conditioning across the entire campus, he added, is not a feasible option due to the enormous upfront and operational costs, as well as concerns that prolonged exposure to cold air-conditioned environments would leave many students uncomfortable. Fontenelle emphasized that both local school budgets and government funding are already stretched thin by other critical infrastructure priorities, making full campus air conditioning unworkable for the foreseeable future.

    Other schools across the island have rolled out similarly creative, low-cost adaptations to support student well-being. At Aux Lyons Combined School, a second-grade teacher named Ms Pierre has set up a dedicated “hydration corner” in her classroom, giving students free access to water at any point during the school day, rather than only during scheduled breaks. Administrators at the school have also launched public health campaigns urging students to drink water regularly, and teaching them to report heat-related symptoms immediately to teaching staff — including dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, extreme fatigue and fainting.

    At Ave Maria Girls’ Primary School, principal Valerie St Helene-Henry confirmed that the ongoing heat wave has already begun to impact student health and learning outcomes across the island. She explained that the severity of heat impacts varies by school, depending on factors including the school’s location, building design, ventilation quality, and time of day. So far, St Helene-Henry says she has received multiple reports of students fainting, experiencing excessive thirst and perspiration, and struggling with fatigue — all symptoms of heat exposure that make it far harder for students to concentrate and for teachers to lead effective lessons.

    To counter these impacts, Ave Maria Girls’ Primary has added extra scheduled water breaks throughout the day, encouraged all students to bring personal reusable water bottles from home, and shortened 40-minute physical education sessions to 30 minutes to reduce the time students spend being active in high temperatures. Like Saint Mary’s College, the administration is open to adjusting uniform requirements if heat conditions worsen, potentially switching to lightweight, breathable fabrics and lighter color garments that absorb less heat. Any uniform changes, St Helene-Henry stressed, will preserve the school’s unique institutional identity and will only be implemented after full consultations with parents and other key education stakeholders.

  • Alfred keen to end 2026 on an Ultimate high

    Alfred keen to end 2026 on an Ultimate high

    The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, kicking off this weekend in Budapest, is poised to deliver one of the most electrifying track and field showdowns of the year, as Olympic 100m gold medalist Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia looks to cap off a career-defining season with a historic victory on Saturday.

    At 25 years old, Alfred enters this landmark new competition fresh off a string of breakthrough performances that have cemented her status as one of the world’s top sprinters. This weekend’s race not only represents a chance to add another accolade to her 2026 resume but also marks the first running of the Ultimate Championship, a revamped elite competition first announced in 2024 that reimagines global track and field events by limiting fields to just 28 hand-picked events, with athletes selected based on a combination of world titles, Diamond League crowns, global rankings, and wildcard entries.

    All eyes will be on the highly anticipated 100m rubber match between Alfred and American reigning world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, a rivalry leading track and field publication Citius has labeled “the best rubber match of the year.” The two sprinters have split recent head-to-head results: Jefferson-Wooden claimed victory over Alfred at a meet in Silesia last month, but just weeks later in Zurich, Alfred handed Jefferson-Wooden her first 100m loss in two years by the narrowest of margins. Citius notes that of all the races on the Ultimate Championship schedule, this 100m showdown stands out as the most anticipated, thanks to the pair’s closely matched skill and evenly split recent history. While Jefferson-Wooden went undefeated through all of 2025 and most of 2026, Alfred holds the most recent win, setting the stage for a tight race this weekend.

    Alfred will begin her quest for the title in the second 100m semifinal, which gets underway at 1:10 p.m. Eastern Caribbean Time, with the final scheduled to follow at 2:38 p.m. She will line up in lane 5 of the second semifinal, opposite lane 7 for Jamaican Diamond League 100m champion Tina Clayton. Also joining Alfred and Clayton in this heat are Canadian national record holder Sade McCreath and American sprinter Tamari Davis. In the same semifinal, Jefferson-Wooden will face off against 2023 Budapest world champion Sha’Carri Richardson and European champion Amy Hunt.

    For Alfred, a win in Budapest would cap off what is already the most impressive season of her professional career. This year alone, she has set new personal bests in both the 100m and 200m; her 200m time ranks as the third-fastest ever run by a woman, and she now claims a spot in the all-time top 10 for the 100m. She already holds a silver medal from the World Indoor Championships in the 60m and claimed the 200m Diamond League title in Brussels earlier this summer.

    The three-day Ultimate Championship will bring 381 elite athletes from 65 national athletic federations together to compete across its trimmed 28-event schedule. Several long-distance events including the 10,000m and steeplechase, along with men’s triple jump and women’s hammer throw, were excluded from the inaugural event’s elite lineup.