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  • CARICOM launches Regional High School Youth in Agriculture Video Competition

    CARICOM launches Regional High School Youth in Agriculture Video Competition

    In a coordinated push to spark youth interest in Caribbean agriculture, the CARICOM Secretariat has officially launched the Regional High School Youth in Agriculture Video Competition, opening submissions for secondary schools across the 15-nation Caribbean Community. Announced by the CARICOM Secretariat on July 24, 2026, and publicized on July 27, the initiative brings together multiple leading regional and global agricultural bodies to amplify the voices and work of young people growing food and leading sustainable farming projects in their local communities.

    Organizers of the competition include the CARICOM Secretariat in partnership with the CARICOM Youth Advisory Body (YAB), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). This cross-partnership collaboration reflects broad consensus across regional institutions about the urgent need to engage the next generation in addressing regional food security and building a sustainable agricultural economy.

    Participating high schools are invited to submit a 60-second original video that highlights student-led agricultural production activities on school grounds, centers student leadership, and articulates the critical role that agriculture plays in local communities, national economies, and the broader Caribbean region. The format is designed to be accessible to student creators, allowing them to lean into creativity, digital storytelling, and personal perspective to showcase their work rather than adhering to rigid reporting requirements.

    The submission deadline for all entries is September 4, 2026. Full competition guidelines, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions are available through official CARICOM channels. Three winning entries will receive cash prizes designed to support further school agricultural initiatives: first place takes home US$1,700, second place is awarded US$1,300, and third place receives US$1,000.

    At its core, the competition is a strategic outreach effort that targets multiple key goals for Caribbean agricultural development. First, it aims to raise public awareness of the growing role of young people in the regional agriculture sector, bringing visibility to youth-led projects that often fly under the radar. Second, it creates a platform to highlight successful student-led agricultural production programs across all CARICOM member states, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing between schools and communities. Third, the initiative seeks to educate participating students and their peers about the interconnectedness of agriculture to regional food security, environmental sustainability, and broader economic growth. It also showcases the innovative techniques, new ideas, and creative approaches that make modern agriculture an engaging and impactful field. Finally, competition organizers hope to challenge outdated narratives around farming as a static career, inspiring more young Caribbean people to consider agriculture as a viable, rewarding career path or entrepreneurial business opportunity.

  • CCM-led Nevis Island Administration to Deliver First-Ever Dialysis Centre for Nevis

    CCM-led Nevis Island Administration to Deliver First-Ever Dialysis Centre for Nevis

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – July 23, 2026 – In a historic leap forward for local healthcare access, the Concerned Citizens Movement-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has announced plans to open the island’s first permanent, purpose-built dialysis centre at Alexandra Hospital, a transformative project set to eliminate the burden of off-island travel for hundreds of residents living with kidney disease.

    Unveiled by Nevis Premier Mark Brantley during his monthly press briefing, the $1.3 million U.S. initiative is a public-private partnership between the NIA, regional renal care specialist Renal Dynamics, and developers behind the proposed Destiny SSZ Project. The development marks the fulfillment of a decades-long policy goal for the island, bringing life-sustaining renal care directly to Nevis for the first time in its history.

    Brantley confirmed that all major project milestones are already on track to meet the third-quarter 2026 completion deadline. All specialized dialysis equipment has been delivered to the site, four full-time haemodialysis nurses have been hired, and recruitment for a nurse manager is ongoing. When fully operational, the facility will feature five cutting-edge dialysis treatment stations with capacity to serve up to 20 patients weekly, with patient care set to begin before the end of 2026.

    A key detail of the partnership structure has positioned the project for long-term sustainability: the Destiny SSZ Project, led by Olivier Janssens, has covered all construction costs and will fully fund operations including staffing for the facility’s first two years. To ensure ongoing high-quality care, the NIA has tapped Renal Dynamics, a firm with more than 30 years of regional expertise in dialysis equipment procurement, installation, and maintenance. The company will provide end-to-end support, from technical training for local staff to ongoing equipment upkeep, to guarantee consistent, reliable care for Nevisian patients.

    Prior to this development, all Nevisian patients requiring regular dialysis were forced to travel to the Joseph N. France General Hospital in neighboring St. Kitts to receive treatment. Currently, nine Nevisians need ongoing dialysis, with eight of those patients relying on NIA financial support to cover the cost of off-island care. Beyond the financial burden, the requirement for frequent cross-island travel placed immense logistical and emotional strain on patients and their families.

    The new centre addresses a growing public health crisis on the island, Brantley emphasized. Public health data from Nevis’s Ministry of Health already records 470 registered diabetes patients and 606 registered hypertension patients through public clinics alone – numbers that officials note do not include residents receiving private care, meaning the actual prevalence of these conditions is far higher. Both diabetes and hypertension are leading causes of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure, creating an urgent need for local dialysis capacity that has gone unmet until now.

    The facility will not only serve Nevis residents: officials noted it will also be able to accommodate additional patients from St. Kitts during periods of high demand, strengthening cross-island healthcare collaboration. Brantley expressed gratitude to the federal government of St. Kitts and Nevis for its support of Nevisian dialysis patients over the years, and reaffirmed the NIA’s commitment to expanding local healthcare infrastructure to deliver essential care closer to home.

    “This development is more than just a new building – it is a milestone that will improve daily lives, ease the burden on families, and build a stronger, healthier foundation for Nevis’s future,” Brantley said. He also urged residents to prioritize preventive care, noting that proactive management of diabetes and hypertension can reduce the risk of advanced kidney disease.

    A multidisciplinary care team including specialist dialysis nurses, a biomedical technician, and additional support staff will staff the new centre, with access to specialized nephrology consultations supported through regional medical partnerships.

  • Woman Killed in Motorcycle Collision Near Bella Vista

    Woman Killed in Motorcycle Collision Near Bella Vista

    A fatal road incident has claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman in southern Belize, leaving local law enforcement investigating a high-stakes collision that unfolded on Saturday afternoon. Tatiana Alvarado, the motorcyclist killed in the crash, was riding when her vehicle collided with a sport utility vehicle on the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway, according to initial reports from Belizean police.

    The collision took place in the stretch of highway between Mile 44 and Mile 45, just outside the community of Bella Vista Village. Police have outlined a preliminary account of the incident: 26-year-old Daunte Oliver Eden Noralez of Belmopan was operating a Ford Escape heading toward the town of Punta Gorda when he initiated a maneuver to overtake the Lifan 150 motorcycle, which was also traveling in the same direction as the SUV. It was during this overtaking attempt that the two vehicles collided, according to the police narrative.

    When first responders and law enforcement officers arrived at the crash site, they found Alvarado’s motorcycle fully engulfed in flames. No additional details on potential injuries to Noralez or other people involved have been released as of the initial reporting, and official investigations into the exact cause and any contributing factors remain ongoing.

  • Statement from the Caribbean Premier League on the passing of Charles L. A. Wilkin CMG KC

    Statement from the Caribbean Premier League on the passing of Charles L. A. Wilkin CMG KC

    The Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Caribbean’s leading T20 franchise cricket competition, has announced the passing of iconic regional cricket leader and founding committee member Charles L. A. Wilkin CMG KC, who died on July 25, 2026 at the age of an undisclosed. A highly respected attorney from St Kitts and Nevis, Wilkin dedicated more than half of his life to advancing cricket across the Caribbean, leaving an indelible mark on the development of the modern professional game in the region.

    Wilkin’s connection to cricket stretched far beyond his administrative work. A talented first-class cricketer in his younger years, he represented both Cambridge University and the Combined Leeward and Windward Islands side, building a deep, hands-on understanding of the sport that would inform his later leadership. Long before the CPL played its first match in 2013, Wilkin stepped forward as one of the founding members of the tournament’s governing cricket committee, bringing decades of regional cricket expertise and unmatched institutional standing to help shape the fledgling competition. His strategic guidance in those foundational years was critical to building the robust operational structures and competitive standards that have allowed the CPL to grow into the most prestigious and commercially successful T20 franchise league in the Caribbean.

    One of Wilkin’s most lasting contributions to his home country and Caribbean cricket was his work to bring CPL competition to St Kitts and Nevis. Drawing on his years of experience leading the redevelopment of Warner Park Sporting Complex into a world-class international cricket venue, he successfully lobbied to secure regular CPL matchups for the federation and laid the critical groundwork that allowed the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to join the CPL franchise roster. Beyond his work with the CPL, Wilkin also chaired the local organizing committee that delivered successful ICC Cricket World Cup matches in St Kitts during the 2007 global tournament, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential cricket leaders in the country’s history.

    In an official press statement released this week, the CPL expressed profound sorrow at Wilkin’s passing and extended sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the entire people of St Kitts and Nevis. “Charles was more than a founding member of our organization — he was the heart of Caribbean cricket for generations,” the statement read. “His vision, dedication, and love for the game made the CPL what it is today, and his legacy will endure in every match played at Warner Park and across our tournament for years to come.”

  • Shepherd and NabI power Amazon Warriors to another win

    Shepherd and NabI power Amazon Warriors to another win

    In a dramatic display of late-innings resilience at Saturday’s ExxonMobil Global Super League clash held at Guyana National Stadium, all-rounder Romario Shepherd and veteran spinner-batsman Mohammad Nabi pulled off a stunning comeback to deliver the Guyana Amazon Warriors a narrow two-wicket victory over the winless Desert Vipers.

    Chasing a competitive 206-run target to secure their second consecutive win, the Warriors’ innings got off to a promising start, with opening batters Quentin Sampson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz putting together a solid 55-run opening stand. Sampson notched 35 runs off his knock, while Gurbaz contributed 31 to set a solid foundation for the run chase.

    But the momentum shifted sharply after the pair departed, triggering a catastrophic middle-order collapse that left the Warriors reeling at 95 runs for seven wickets by the 11th over. Shimron Hetmyer fell for a golden duck, bowled by Khary Pierre on his very first delivery, while Mohammad Haris only managed 12 runs before exiting. Rovman Powell, Gudakesh Motie, and debutant Jonathan van Lange followed suit in quick succession, leaving the innings on the brink of collapse and Vipers on the cusp of their first win of the tournament.

    That is when Shepherd and Nabi stepped up to turn the game on its head. The pair forged a crucial 91-run eighth-wicket partnership that turned the tide of the match firmly in the Warriors’ favor. Shepherd took on the role of aggressor, bludgeoning his way to a 17-ball half-century — the fastest fifty recorded in the tournament so far. He eventually departed for a fiery 52 runs off just 21 deliveries, having hammered six sixes and two fours across the ground.

    With Shepherd gone, Nabi anchored the remaining overs to seal the chase, remaining unbeaten on 40 runs off 29 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Fellow lower-order batter Dwaine Pretorius chipped in with an unbeaten 17, guiding the Warriors across the finish line in the final over with just two deliveries left to spare.

    For the Vipers, captain Shadab Khan led the bowling attack with an impressive three wickets for 40 runs, supported by Pierre who claimed two wickets for 37 runs.

    Earlier in the day, the Vipers won the toss and opted to bat first, posting a solid 205 runs for six wickets at the end of their 20 overs. Their innings got off to a rocky start, however, with Nabi claiming debutant opener Zachary Carter at extra cover and Andries Gous caught in the deep inside the first few overs. Rilee Rossouw steadied the Vipers’ innings with a measured 61 runs off 48 deliveries, which included five fours and one six to rebuild the Vipers’ total. After Shadab was run out, Kyle Mayers (35) and Bevon Jacobs (30) added valuable middle-order runs to boost the total, with Vritya Aravind finishing the innings strongly with an unbeaten 28 that included six boundaries.

    Warriors captain Imran Tahir was the standout bowler for Guyana, finishing with two wickets for 37 runs from his four overs.

    Saturday’s result pushes the Guyana Amazon Warriors to two consecutive wins at the start of the five-team tournament, while the Desert Vipers are still searching for their first win after two outings. The tournament continues Sunday with a scheduled double-header: the Perth Scorchers will face the San Francisco Unicorns starting at 10:00 a.m. local time, before the Amazon Warriors return to the pitch to face the Lahore Qalandars in the evening match at 7:00 p.m.

  • Antiguan Woman Appeals for Support as Stage 4 Cancer Treatment Costs Mount

    Antiguan Woman Appeals for Support as Stage 4 Cancer Treatment Costs Mount

    A 56-year-old Antiguan national, Lisa Kentish-Francis, is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma thousands of miles from home in Colombia, and her family has turned to the global public for critical financial support to cover the life-saving treatment she urgently needs.

    After an initial stem cell transplant failed to stop the cancer’s progression, Kentish-Francis is now gearing up for a second, specialized transplant procedure that medical professionals say represents her best shot at long-term recovery. However, this second chance at life comes with a staggering price tag that her family cannot cover independently.

    According to family statements shared with Antigua Newsroom, Lisa’s existing medical insurance only covers a fraction of the total procedure costs. The hospital bill for the second transplant alone is estimated at $96,000, leaving a major gap in the funds required to move forward with the care. To close this financial shortfall, the family launched a public fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform, setting a public target of $60,000 to cover the remaining treatment expenses.

    On the campaign page, Kentish-Francis’ family remembered her as a warm, generous, and compassionate woman who has spent her life lifting up those around her. A devoted mother, she has had the constant support of her son Devontae, who has stayed by her side through every step of her long cancer journey.

    “As of this past Sunday, the campaign had drawn contributions from roughly 60 supporters, bringing the total raised to just over $10,000. The family confirmed that every dollar donated will go directly toward covering Lisa’s transplant costs and associated medical care, with no funds diverted to other expenses.

    For community members who are unable to contribute financially, the family is asking for support in two other key ways: sharing the fundraiser across social networks to expand its reach, and keeping Lisa in their thoughts and prayers as she fights this aggressive form of cancer.

  • Nieuw boek pleit voor mondiale Surinaamse natie en grotere rol diaspora

    Nieuw boek pleit voor mondiale Surinaamse natie en grotere rol diaspora

    On Saturday, a groundbreaking new book rethinking the role of Suriname’s globally dispersed diaspora was officially presented, putting forward a bold vision that redefines what it means to be the Surinamese nation beyond territorial borders. Authored by mr. dr. Lachman Soedamah, the publication *Diasporavisie 2050 – From territorial state to global Surinamese nation* argues that communities of Surinamese origin living abroad should no longer be treated as separate groups outside the country, but instead recognized as an integral core of the broader Surinamese national identity.

    Soedamah’s work outlines a long-term development roadmap that centers the diaspora as a key driver of Suriname’s economic growth, social progress and democratic deepening. Rejecting the traditional framing of Suriname’s national boundaries as ending between the Corantijn and Marowijne rivers, the author emphasizes that the true Surinamese community includes millions of people with Surinamese roots scattered across every region of the world.

    To back up his proposal, Soedamah draws on successful case studies from a range of countries including Cape Verde, India, Israel, Portugal, Italy and France. These examples illustrate how nations around the globe have actively integrated their diaspora populations into national development efforts, unlocking benefits ranging from foreign direct investment and cross-border knowledge sharing to increased political engagement.

    The book puts forward a series of concrete policy recommendations designed to strengthen ties between Suriname and its global diaspora. Key proposals include the formal adoption of a national Diaspora Vision 2050 framework, modernization of Suriname’s existing PSA (Personal Assistance for Disabled Persons) scheme that benefits diaspora families, the establishment of a dedicated National Diaspora Council, and reserved parliamentary representation for diaspora communities through a separate electoral district. The plan also calls for expanded collaboration across economic, cultural and social sectors between the home country and Surinamese living abroad.

    Soedamah stresses that a fundamental shift in perspective on the diaspora is long overdue for Suriname. “The Surinamese diaspora is not a loss for the country, it is strategic capital,” he explains. “When we can structurally connect the diaspora’s knowledge, experience, global networks and investment capital to Suriname, we will unlock a new developmental force that transcends national borders.”

    Beyond outlining policy, the book aims to contribute to the growing national and international debate on Suriname’s future and the diaspora’s rightful place in that future. It is targeted at policymakers, political leaders, academic researchers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders invested in driving sustainable, inclusive development for the entire Surinamese nation.

  • Twin Brothers Shot in Unitedville, One Killed

    Twin Brothers Shot in Unitedville, One Killed

    Belizean law enforcement agencies have launched two parallel investigations into separate shooting incidents that occurred over the weekend, leaving one person dead and two others wounded across different regions of the country.

    The first and most fatal of the two attacks unfolded on Saturday evening at around 8:34 p.m. in the western community of Unitedville. According to official police accounts, 25-year-old twin brothers Denvoy Bartley and Delroy Bartley were gathered with a group of people socializing when an unidentified male attacker stepped out from dense nearby brush and opened fire on the crowd, unleashing multiple rounds toward the assembled group.

    Denvoy Bartley suffered multiple penetrating gunshot wounds from the attack. Emergency responders rushed him to the Western Regional Hospital, but medical staff pronounced him dead upon his arrival at the facility. His twin brother Delroy also sustained gunshot injuries in the attack, though medical updates confirm he is currently in stable condition as he receives treatment. As of Monday, investigating officers have not released any information about potential motives for the targeted attack on the twin brothers, nor have they announced any arrests or identified persons of interest in connection with the shooting.

    The second violent incident took place less than 12 hours later in Belize City, where a 19-year-old construction worker was injured in a drive-by style shooting. Authorities identified the victim as Arnize Young, who was shot while walking along Cemetery Road in the early hours of Sunday morning at approximately 5 a.m. Police reports confirm that two male suspects riding a motorcycle approached Young and fired multiple shots in his direction, striking him before fleeing the scene. Young was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and doctors have confirmed that his injuries are not considered life-threatening. Investigations into this second shooting are also ongoing, with no motives or suspects disclosed to the public as of yet.

  • BREAKING: Antigua and Barbuda Junior Carnival Postponed to Wednesday Due to Severe Weather

    BREAKING: Antigua and Barbuda Junior Carnival Postponed to Wednesday Due to Severe Weather

    Organizers of the 2026 Antigua and Barbuda Junior Carnival have announced a last-minute postponement of the popular children’s cultural event, originally slated for Sunday, July 26, 2026, citing ongoing hazardous weather and active thunderstorm systems across the region.

    In an official public statement released on Sunday by the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, the governing body explained that the decision came after a comprehensive review of both current weather patterns and forecasted conditions, including the growing risks posed by sustained rainfall to the planned parade route and adjacent public gathering areas.

    After careful evaluation, the Commission concluded that moving forward with the event as originally planned would put the health and safety of all attendees at unnecessary risk. This group includes the young participating performers, accompanying adult chaperones, family members in the audience, and general community visitors who planned to attend the celebration.

    “The safety and well-being of our children and the broader public has always been, and will remain, our top priority in planning all national festival events,” the statement read.

    In line with this safety-first commitment, the Commission has set a new date for the rescheduled Junior Carnival: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with the event kicking off at 1:00 p.m. local time.

    Organizers acknowledged that the sudden schedule change will disrupt months of work put in by participating families, youth performance groups, costume design teams, and countless other stakeholders who have invested significant time, energy and resources into preparing for the event. The Commission expressed sincere regret for any inconvenience this unavoidable adjustment has caused, and extended gratitude to the public for their ongoing patience, understanding and cooperation as organizers take necessary precautions to protect community safety.

    The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission closed its statement by noting it remains eager to welcome young participants and community members to the rescheduled celebration next week, where it anticipates delivering a fun, safe and memorable Junior Carnival experience for all in attendance.

  • Met Office Says No Flood Warning in Place Despite Trough Bringing Heavy Rain

    Met Office Says No Flood Warning in Place Despite Trough Bringing Heavy Rain

    A low-pressure trough system is currently driving unstable atmospheric conditions across Antigua, Barbuda, and the broader Leeward Islands, bringing dense cloud cover, frequent thunderstorm activity and sustained periods of intense rainfall that have put local officials on alert. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued an urgent advisory calling on all residents to maintain the highest level of caution amid the ongoing adverse weather event.

    Meteorological officials warn that the persistent unsettled conditions carry significant safety risks for the public. Heavy downpours are already cutting visibility across large swathes of the islands, creating slick, dangerous driving conditions on both urban and rural roads, especially in regions that have recorded the highest rainfall accumulations. In response to these hazards, authorities have issued a clear appeal to all motorists to reduce speed, allow extra stopping distance, and avoid unnecessary travel for the duration of the system’s passage over the islands.

    As of the latest update, the meteorological service has not issued formal flood watches or warnings for the territory. However, forecasters have stressed that this status could change rapidly: if current high-intensity rainfall continues, a formal flood advisory will be activated to alert at-risk communities to potential flooding of low-lying areas.

    According to current meteorological projections, the trough system is expected to begin moving away from the region, with conditions forecast to steadily improve through the course of this afternoon and into tonight. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has confirmed that it will maintain continuous monitoring of the weather system and issue timely updates to the public as new information becomes available.