St. Vincent and the Grenadines is gearing up for a pivotal general election on November 27, as announced by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves during the Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) “Labour Strong Rally” at Richmond Hill. This marks a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape, with Gonsalves, who has been at the helm since March 28, 2001, aiming to extend his party’s historic tenure. The ULP, under his leadership, has secured five consecutive five-year terms, most recently in 2020 with a 9-6 majority. The dissolution of parliament’s 15 seats on October 28 has officially set the stage for the electoral process. Gonsalves emphasized the importance of a free and democratic choice between the ULP and the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Godwin Friday. This election is only the second since 1951 to be held in November, highlighting its rarity in the country’s electoral history. While the ULP will remain in power for three weeks beyond its constitutional term, the constitution permits the government to stay in office until February 2026 before a new election is mandated. Gonsalves previously extended his term by a week before the 2010 election. Friday, making his second bid for prime minister, has proposed a Citizen by Investment (CBI) programme to boost national revenue, a policy the ULP has historically opposed.
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LETTER: An Australian Suggests a Reflective Approach to Antigua and Barbuda’s National Day
In a thought-provoking letter to the editor, Adrian Dow, a resident of Sydney, Australia, has proposed a significant shift in the way national days are observed. Dow suggests that Australia’s national day should be divided into two distinct segments: a morning dedicated to reflecting on the nation’s historical mistakes and an afternoon focused on celebrating its achievements. This dual approach, Dow argues, would provide a more nuanced and meaningful way to commemorate the day, encouraging both introspection and pride. Dow extends this idea beyond Australia, suggesting it as a universal model for all countries. With Antigua and Barbuda on the verge of celebrating their National Day, Dow invites the people of these nations to consider adopting this balanced approach to their own national celebrations. This proposal aims to foster a deeper understanding of national history and to serve as a safeguard against the repetition of past errors.
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(OP-ED) HOME SOIL HEROES: Ophelia’s Pan-African anthem steals the show at WCMF 2025
The 2025 World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) culminated in a breathtaking finale this past Sunday, with Dominica’s own Ophelia delivering a performance that will be etched in the annals of music history. Amidst a dazzling array of international acts, it was the homegrown talent that truly captivated the audience, with Ophelia and her band delivering what many are calling the most culturally resonant and artistically profound performance of the event. The festival, held on the Nature Isle, showcased the rich tapestry of Creole music, but it was Ophelia’s Saturday night set that transformed the venue into a crucible of cultural and political expression. Dressed in a striking pink African ensemble crafted in Senegal, Ophelia premiered a stirring reggae anthem dedicated to Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré. This new composition bridged the Caribbean and Africa, celebrating shared histories of resilience and unity. Backed by Dominica’s finest musicians, Ophelia seamlessly integrated this powerful piece into her repertoire, creating a performance that was as much a political statement as a musical triumph. The audience, both in attendance and online, responded with overwhelming emotion. Social media platforms were inundated with accolades, with fans praising her as a ‘Goddess from heaven’ and hailing her performance as the best they had ever witnessed. Ophelia’s set was a masterclass in artistry, blending her classic hits with the bold, unifying message of her new work. Her band’s intricate and powerful accompaniment highlighted the depth of talent nurtured on the island. While other acts provided entertainment, Ophelia offered a moment of collective identity and global connection. The 2025 WCMF will be remembered as a testament to Dominica’s unparalleled contribution to Creole music, with its artists ready to speak to the world.
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Global action urged to lower insurance costs for hurricane-prone island states – CARICOM Secretary-General
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to address the escalating insurance costs in the tourism sector of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Speaking at the 6th Global Services Forum, held during the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), Dr. Barnett underscored the vulnerability of CARICOM’s service-driven economies to increasingly severe and frequent climate events. She highlighted that older tourism properties face significantly higher insurance premiums, while securing coverage for new investments has become nearly impossible. Dr. Barnett called for collective global action to mitigate these challenges. The Forum, themed ‘Services: A New Frontier of Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Development,’ explored the pivotal role of the services sector in fostering economic growth, job creation, and exports. Services now account for two-thirds of global GDP, with CARICOM states like The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Barbados seeing this figure rise to 75 percent. Even in more diversified economies such as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, services contribute approximately 60 percent of GDP. Dr. Barnett stressed the importance of international partnerships in bridging structural gaps and enhancing resilience. She cited collaborations with UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and international development banks as critical to strengthening institutional capacities and service provider capabilities. The Trade in Services project, a joint initiative between UNCTAD and CARICOM, exemplifies such efforts by building the data infrastructure necessary for evidence-based policymaking and transformative growth. CARICOM’s services sector encompasses tourism, financial services, ICT, professional services, entertainment, and cultural and sporting services. Dr. Barnett reiterated that targeted global support is essential to unlock the full potential of these industries and protect them from climate-related disruptions.
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CARICOM SG calls on global support to lower insurance costs for islands vulnerable to hurricanes
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has issued a compelling call for international cooperation to address the mounting insurance costs plaguing the tourism industry in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Speaking at the 6th Global Services Forum during the 16th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16), Dr. Barnett underscored the severe vulnerabilities of CARICOM’s service-driven economies to climate-related disruptions. She emphasized that rising insurance premiums for older tourism properties and the near-impossibility of securing coverage for new investments pose significant threats to the region’s economic stability. The forum, centered on the theme “Services: A New Frontier of Economic Transformation for Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” highlighted the services sector’s critical role in driving global GDP, which accounts for approximately two-thirds of economic output. In CARICOM nations like The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Barbados, services contribute up to 75% of GDP, while even more diversified economies such as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica rely on services for around 60% of their economic activity. Dr. Barnett also addressed the tourism sector’s heightened anxiety during extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Melissa, and stressed the need for preparedness and resilience. She advocated for strengthened international partnerships with organizations like UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and international development banks to bridge structural gaps and enhance institutional capacities. One key initiative highlighted was UNCTAD’s Trade in Services project, which focuses on building data infrastructure to support evidence-based policymaking. The CARICOM services sector spans diverse industries, including tourism, financial services, ICT, professional services, and entertainment. Dr. Barnett reiterated that targeted global support is essential to unlocking the sector’s potential and safeguarding it against the escalating impacts of climate change.
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Prime Minister’s Cup knockout round kicks off at Gall Hill
The knockout stage of the Prime Minister’s Cup is set to deliver thrilling encounters as the competition intensifies at Gall Hill, St John. With no room for error, teams will battle for a spot in the grand final on Independence Day at Kensington Oval, where a $100,000 prize awaits the champion. The Round of 16 kicks off with a David versus Goliath clash between Division 2 side Technique FC and the formidable St Andrew Lions at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Alleged kidnapping victim rescued at construction site in Pares
A 23-year-old man from Hatton was rescued on Sunday night following a harrowing ordeal at a construction site in Pares Village. The incident unfolded when the man’s 18-year-old sister received a distressing WhatsApp message on Sunday evening, alerting her that her brother had been kidnapped. The message reportedly included his precise location, which proved crucial in the rescue operation. The young man had left home earlier that day for work, but when his sister returned to their Hatton residence around 10:30 p.m., she discovered he had not returned. Upon checking her phone, she found the alarming message and immediately contacted the police. Authorities swiftly organized a search party and, using the location information provided, tracked the missing man to a house under construction in Pares Village. According to sources, the 23-year-old informed investigators that he had been hired to carry out construction work at the property. However, when he attempted to leave the site around 6:45 p.m., a 36-year-old man allegedly brandished a weapon, held him against his will, and prevented him from leaving. The suspect was subsequently arrested at the scene and is currently assisting police with their investigations.
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Parental consent also protects abusers
Mandatory parental consent, often perceived as a safeguard for children, can paradoxically trap them in abusive households. While this provision is beneficial in nurturing environments, it becomes a tool of oppression in dysfunctional families. In such homes, sexual cruelty, fear, and suppression replace care and trust. Alarmingly, these ‘households of hell’ are more prevalent than society acknowledges, cutting across all social strata. Parental consent is frequently misused to preserve family image rather than protect children, allowing abusers to operate unchecked. In one Eastern Caribbean country, 18.6% of women reported childhood sexual abuse, a likely underreported statistic. Removing mandatory parental consent would grant adolescents legal access to healthcare professionals, empowering them and improving the reporting and prosecution of predators. The Age of Civil Responsibility Bill does not alter the legal age of consent, undermine trustworthy parents, or favor predators; instead, it makes abusers more vulnerable. Advocates urge the government to strengthen and proceed with the bill to protect children.
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Govt accelerates $20bn energy transformation plan
Barbados is poised to embark on a transformative renewable energy journey, as the government accelerates its Energy Transition Investment Plan, a multibillion-dollar initiative expected to save the island $16 billion over the next decade and generate thousands of green jobs. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds announced the plan in Parliament on Tuesday, emphasizing its potential to reshape the nation’s energy landscape and economy.
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Support for Jamaica in the aftermath of Melissa
During the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in October 2024, Saboto S Caesar, Minister of Agriculture in St Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced post-disaster support for Caribbean nations. This call to action comes in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which devastated several countries, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, in July 2024. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has responded by launching a climate resilience portal, designed to provide critical information on hurricane preparedness and recovery efforts. This initiative aligns with the CRFM’s mandate to support member states in their post-disaster recovery processes. Additionally, the CRFM has urged its community to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28, 2024. With maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, Melissa tied as the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, causing catastrophic damage to both national infrastructure and personal property. The CRFM has pledged to collaborate with the Caribbean community and Jamaican residents to expedite recovery efforts and rebuild affected areas.