Four talented young Barbadians are poised to showcase their ingenuity at the prestigious FIRST Global Robotics Challenge, an international STEM competition that mirrors the spirit of the Olympics. This year’s event, scheduled from October 29 to November 1 in Panama, will bring together high school students from across the globe to demonstrate their prowess in designing and programming robots capable of executing intricate tasks. Team Barbados, led by seasoned electronics and electrical technology teacher Matthew Douglas, has been diligently preparing for the challenge. Douglas, with over 25 years of experience and a passion for nurturing young innovators, praised the team’s exceptional time management and unwavering dedication. The competition will feature robots performing tasks such as collecting and shooting soccer balls into scoring zones, maneuvering larger balls into slots, and even climbing ropes—a true test of engineering precision and collaborative effort. Among the team members is Jean-Pierre Pilgrim, a 14-year-old prodigy from Queen’s College, who has already excelled academically in English, Mathematics, and Information Technology. Pilgrim, an avid computer and gaming enthusiast, expressed confidence in the team’s hard work and preparation. Makai Beckles-Lewis, a 15-year-old from Combermere School, is equally enthusiastic, looking forward to experiencing diverse cultures in Panama. Kurt Hazell, a 16-year-old athlete from the same school, shared his excitement and nervousness about his first international competition. Nathan Douglas, a 15-year-old from The Lodge School, is drawn to the mechanical aspects of robotics, while 13-year-old Christopher Smith from St. Winifred’s School is eager to learn from his older teammates. The team departed on Monday, ready to make their mark on the global stage.
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Long Bay Brewing Marks Milestone with Eye on Regional Market
The Long Bay Brewing Company, a proud Antiguan-owned enterprise, recently opened its doors to the public, commemorating three successful years of beer production under the Barrett Group. During an open house event held on Tuesday, attendees were treated to an exclusive tour of the brewery and had the opportunity to sample its diverse range of beers, including lager, IPA, and stout. Originally catering to hotels and bars, the company has now ventured into the retail market with a new line of canned beers, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
In addition to its product expansion, Long Bay Brewing has solidified its brand presence through strategic sponsorships of major events such as Carnival 2025, Caribana in Barbuda, and The Melting Pot Show. Francis, a representative of the company, emphasized that these sponsorships reflect the brewery’s deep connection to community and celebration. “Long Bay Beer is more than just a product; it’s a symbol of our cultural heritage and shared joy,” he stated.
Currently, the brewery distributes its products island-wide, producing up to 2,000 cases weekly, with the potential to scale up to 3,000 cases. While the primary focus remains on the local market, Francis hinted at broader regional aspirations. “We take immense pride in brewing our beers right here in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said. “Our vision is to create a brand that proudly carries the Antiguan name across the Caribbean, showcasing our craftsmanship and dedication to quality.”
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Thorne: Govt masking worsening hardship with ‘pretty talk’
Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne has launched a scathing critique of the Mia Mottley administration, accusing it of employing ‘pretty talk’ to create ‘illusions of prosperity’ while many Barbadians grapple with economic hardships. During a heated debate in the House of Assembly over the Barbados National Energy Company (Transfer and Vesting of Assets) Bill, Thorne highlighted the growing disparity between the government’s confident rhetoric and the stark realities faced by citizens. He argued that despite ministers’ claims of economic progress, the benefits are not translating into tangible improvements in the lives of families, small businesses, and street vendors. Thorne urged lawmakers to witness the struggles firsthand by visiting Swan Street, where vendors are fighting to survive rather than thrive. He dismissed the government’s narrative of national prosperity as a ‘cruel joke,’ emphasizing that the people of Barbados are enduring significant suffering. Thorne also criticized the administration’s reliance on buzzwords like ‘sustainable,’ ‘resilient,’ and ‘whole-of-country approach,’ which he described as empty slogans devoid of substance. He warned that the government’s refusal to acknowledge the hardships faced by citizens risks deepening public apathy and eroding trust in leadership. Thorne concluded that speeches alone cannot alleviate the economic pressures weighing on Barbadians, calling for more concrete actions to address their struggles.
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Tourism Figures Show Seasonal Slowdown but Steady U.S. Market Growth
The tourism sector in Antigua and Barbuda continues to exhibit its characteristic seasonal trends, with the summer months presenting persistent challenges for hoteliers. According to the latest data from the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association (ABHTA), average hotel occupancy in August 2025 stood at 60.4 percent, a slight increase from the 59.9 percent recorded in the same month the previous year. However, September witnessed a notable decline, with occupancy dropping to 42 percent compared to 46.2 percent in 2024.
For the first seven months of 2025, stay-over arrivals reached 205,893, marking a modest rise from the 205,004 visitors during the same period in 2024. The United States remains the dominant source market, contributing over half of all stay-over tourists, with arrivals increasing to 115,599 from 109,016 in 2024. The United Kingdom follows as the second-largest market, with 44,007 arrivals, up from 42,152 the previous year. Canada, while ranking third, experienced an 18 percent decline, with 17,578 visitors compared to 20,660 in 2024.
Despite the seasonal dip, industry leaders perceive the marginal year-on-year improvements as a sign of steady resilience in Antigua and Barbuda’s core tourism markets, even amidst global travel uncertainties.
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Jamaicans wake to devastation as hurricane causes floods, power cuts and splits city in two
Jamaica awoke to a grim reality this morning as Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to hit the island in modern history, left behind a trail of devastation. Nearly three-quarters of the country is without electricity, and extensive flooding has submerged entire communities, particularly in the western regions. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a ‘disaster area,’ emphasizing the ‘devastating impacts’ on infrastructure, including hospitals, homes, and businesses. While no fatalities have been confirmed, the true scale of the destruction remains unclear due to crippled communication networks. Local officials described the aftermath as resembling ‘the scene of an apocalypse movie,’ with floodwaters reaching the roofs of two-story homes and rescue teams struggling to reach trapped families. Montego Bay, a tourism hub, was split in two by floodwaters, and the agricultural heartland of St. Elizabeth, known as Jamaica’s breadbasket, faces significant crop losses. Hurricane Melissa, which intensified rapidly due to abnormally warm Caribbean waters linked to climate change, has now moved on to Cuba, leaving Jamaica to grapple with the monumental task of recovery. The country’s catastrophe bond offers some hope for rebuilding, but the immediate challenges are immense.
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Bajan students in Jamaica accounted for as Hurricane Melissa batters island
All 41 Barbadian students in Jamaica have been confirmed safe and securely accommodated as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall on the island. Ambassador to CARICOM, David Comissiong, provided this assurance on Tuesday, just before the hurricane struck with unprecedented wind speeds of 185 miles per hour and heavy rainfall. While 26 students were evacuated on short notice, others remained safely sheltered at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus and a hotel in Kingston, the island’s capital. Comissiong emphasized that the situation in Kingston, where most students are based, remained stable, with Barbados’ honorary consul in Jamaica maintaining constant communication with the students. Some students were flown back to Barbados via a special flight arranged by the government, though the tight timeline of just four hours meant not all could be accommodated. Rakeia Mayers-Parris, Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Student Association of Jamaica (BSAJ), recounted her experience of receiving a last-minute call for an afternoon flight back home. She praised the government’s swift action, noting that those unable to evacuate were provided safe accommodations at hotels. Despite reports of infrastructure damage and flooding at the UWI Mona Campus, Comissiong assured that the Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with both students and Jamaican authorities. The BSAJ expressed profound gratitude to the government and all individuals involved in ensuring the students’ safety, highlighting the efforts of Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, Director General of Foreign Affairs Donna Forde, and Honorary Consul Winston Bayley.
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Three Earthquakes Recorded Near Antigua and Barbuda
The northeastern Caribbean experienced a sequence of moderate earthquakes between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, as reported by the UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC). This latest seismic activity adds to a series of tremors that have recently affected the region. The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 3.9, occurred at 10:04 p.m. local time on October 28, approximately 52 kilometers north of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, at a depth of 22 kilometers. A second tremor, measuring 3.8, was recorded at 12:13 a.m. on October 29, located 261 kilometers east-southeast of Antigua, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The third and most powerful quake, with a magnitude of 4.1, struck at 2:42 a.m., about 282 kilometers east of Antigua, also at a depth of 10 kilometers. All events were automatically detected by the SRC’s monitoring systems, which noted that these initial readings are provisional and may be updated following further analysis. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damage or injuries. The SRC has encouraged residents who felt the tremors to share their experiences to aid in ongoing research and analysis.
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Health Ministry Continues Prescription Glasses Distribution This Week
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment, and Civil Service Affairs has announced the continuation of its prescription glasses distribution program. The initiative, which began earlier this week, will run from Wednesday, October 29, to Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Ministry of Health Headquarters on High Street, St. John’s. Distribution hours are scheduled as follows: October 29 and 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This follows the successful distribution of over 200 pairs of glasses in the initial phase, with a total of more than 500 pairs expected to be distributed by the program’s conclusion. The Ministry encourages all individuals who were prescribed glasses during the Health Fair held in June 2025 at the Multi-Purpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre to collect their eyewear during the specified hours. Recipients are reminded to bring a valid form of identification. This initiative underscores the Ministry’s commitment to promoting equitable access to healthcare and enhancing the quality of life for all citizens through vision care and outreach programs.
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Pharmacy at St Philip Polyclinic to close October 31 to November 5
The pharmacy at the St Philip Polyclinic will be temporarily shut down from Friday, October 31, 2025, through Wednesday, November 5, 2025, to allow for essential renovation works. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has announced that normal pharmacy operations are scheduled to resume on Thursday, November 6, 2025. During this period, patients who typically utilize the St Philip Polyclinic Pharmacy for prescription refills or other pharmaceutical services are advised to visit any other polyclinic pharmacy or out-patient clinic pharmacy. To ensure seamless service, patients should carry their identification cards and empty medication containers. The Ministry expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and extended gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding as they work to enhance the facility for improved service delivery.
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Room for debate as Uber enters Barbados
Uber officially debuted its ride-hailing services in Barbados last Tuesday with a high-profile event at the Hilton Barbados. The launch introduced three key offerings: Uber Taxi, Uber Reserve, and Uber Hourly. Uber Taxi allows passengers to book rides to their desired destinations, while Uber Reserve enables users to schedule trips up to 90 days in advance or as close as 30 minutes before pickup. Uber Hourly provides the option to hire a driver by the hour, catering to tourists needing airport transfers or island tours.