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  • Bordelais inmates get dedicated medical unit

    Bordelais inmates get dedicated medical unit

    A landmark new on-site medical unit has officially launched at Saint Lucia’s Bordelais Correctional Facility, bringing comprehensive, accessible healthcare services to nearly 560 incarcerated people who have long faced gaps in timely, professional medical support behind bars. The purpose-built facility offers a full spectrum of care, ranging from routine primary health services and emergency medical response to long-term chronic disease management and targeted mental health support, addressing a broad range of health needs that match those of the general public.

    The opening ceremony was led by two top government officials: Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste and Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremiah Norbert, marking a collaborative cross-agency effort to improve correctional health outcomes. Moving forward, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition will take full ownership of the unit’s operations, administration, and staffing—a structural change that public health and correctional leaders expect to transform healthcare delivery for the prison population while easing strain on the island’s overstretched public hospital system.

    Speaking at the launch last week, Jn Baptiste framed the new unit as far more than an infrastructure improvement: it is a core public, legal, and ethical obligation. “With close to 560 incarcerated residents, in addition to the facility’s full staff complement, we can fairly describe Bordelais Correctional Facility as a small self-contained community,” he explained. “That means guaranteed access to medical services here is not optional. It is a public health imperative, a legal imperative, and an ethical imperative.”

    Jn Baptiste emphasized that incarcerated people face the same widespread health challenges as the broader Saint Lucian population, from hypertension and diabetes to mental health disorders and infectious diseases. Expanding on-site access to consistent, evidence-based treatment does more than uphold the human rights of incarcerated people: it also cuts unnecessary costs for the national health system and strengthens Saint Lucia’s overall public health security by preventing unaddressed health issues from spreading beyond prison walls.

    Kerwin Albert, Director of Corrections, noted that consistent, timely access to qualified medical care has been one of the facility’s most persistent long-term challenges. By integrating the new unit into the Ministry of Health’s existing infrastructure, incarcerated people will now receive care from fully credentialed health professionals, with care protocols aligned to national public health standards. “This partnership between corrections and public health strengthens accountability, drives better clinical outcomes for patients, and reduces the unnecessary burden on our public acute care hospitals,” Albert said. He added that the initiative also reinforces a core principle: healthcare is a universal human right, even for people in custody, and supporting good health is a foundational part of successful offender rehabilitation.

    Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre also highlighted the new medical unit as part of a broader government push to improve conditions at the Bordelais facility. While his administration has already delivered tangible upgrades to working and living conditions for inmates and staff, Pierre acknowledged that additional improvements are still needed. He made clear that the government’s people-centered policy agenda extends to all Saint Lucians—including those serving sentences at the correctional facility.

  • 10th day of heatwave

    10th day of heatwave

    Grenada is currently grappling with an unrelenting heatwave that has stretched into its 10th consecutive day, with extreme temperature readings recorded at Point Salines. Official meteorological data shows that daytime highs at the monitoring site have consistently topped 32.5 degrees Celsius, while even overnight temperatures remain unusually elevated, holding above 26.5 degrees Celsius.

    In response to the ongoing extreme heat event, the Grenada Meteorological Service has issued an official heat advisory for the entire country, after forecasting that the oppressive conditions will remain in place for at least the next 36 hours.

    The national weather agency is urging all residents, visitors, and local businesses to prioritize heat safety and implement necessary precautionary measures to avoid heat-related illness. Common recommendations during extended heat events include staying hydrated by drinking water regularly, limiting prolonged outdoor activity during the hottest peak daylight hours, seeking cool shelter whenever possible, and checking on vulnerable community members such as elderly residents and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

    This advisory comes as the Caribbean region has seen an increase in the frequency and duration of extreme heat events in recent years, linked to broader global climate trends. Local authorities continue to monitor temperature conditions closely and will update the public if any changes to the forecast occur.

  • Mohamed’s video editor asks police for hard evidence on alleged drone use near Ali’s private residence

    Mohamed’s video editor asks police for hard evidence on alleged drone use near Ali’s private residence

    On Monday, September 7, 2026, 25-year-old Dwayne Ross, a video editor employed by Guyana’s Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, formally signaled his intention to force law enforcement to produce concrete evidence to support charges that he illegally operated a drone near the private residence of President Irfaan Ali in Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Ross appeared before Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh to enter a plea on three criminal charges brought under Guyana’s Civil Aviation Act: two counts of unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle under separate statutory provisions, and a third count of operating an aircraft without official authorization. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts.

    Following the plea, Magistrate Singh granted bail to Ross, setting bail at GY$200,000 for each individual charge. As conditions of his release, Ross was ordered to surrender his passport to the court, check in with local law enforcement on a monthly basis, and return for a preliminary hearing at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court on September 30.

    In court submissions ahead of the upcoming trial, Ross’s defense counsel Eusi Anderson argued that the charges against his client are legally flawed and factually dubious, noting that Guyana’s existing Civil Aviation Act does not include a formal legal definition of a drone, undermining the validity of the prosecution’s case. Anderson formally requested the court to order the full preservation and disclosure of all evidence related to the alleged incident, which authorities say occurred on the previous Thursday. This includes all closed-circuit television footage from the area surrounding the President’s private residence, any private video recordings captured by third parties, all body camera footage generated by arresting officers, and dashboard camera footage from police vehicles involved in the stop and search.

    Prosecutors pushed back against the defense’s narrative, rejecting Ross’s claim that he was merely seated as a passenger in a parked vehicle on a roadside parapet at the time of the incident. According to the prosecution, Ross’s vehicle was only intercepted at Goed Fortuin after law enforcement conducted a high-speed chase to stop the vehicle. Prosecutors also told the court that Ross confessed to owning the drone in question during a formal forensic interview, adding that members of the presidential guard witnessed Ross standing on the access road to the residence holding a drone remote control, while the unmanned aircraft hovered roughly 30 feet above President Ali’s private property.

    Anderson disputed the prosecution’s account, telling the court that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has already offered to let law enforcement inspect the seized drone at a local police station to pull its flight log data, which the defense says will prove the drone was never flown over the President’s residence at the date and time prosecutors claim. He added that the drone in question was already broken when it was seized during a search of Ross’s Georgetown home. Anderson also noted that police conducted the warrantless search of Ross’s residence on suspicion he was hiding illegal firearms and ammunition, not drone-related evidence, and only claimed the broken drone as evidence after failing to find any weapons.

    Further procedural friction emerged in court during the hearing: when pressed repeatedly by Magistrate Singh, the prosecuting attorney was unable to state the statutory maximum penalties for the charges Ross faces. The magistrate also urged Anderson to avoid laying out full substantive defense arguments during the initial bail hearing, keeping the proceeding focused on the release application rather than the full merits of the case.

    Defense counsel also laid out his client’s version of events, stating that when police first approached a vehicle parked near a local mosque in Leonora to question individuals about reports of drone operation, Ross was seated in the back of the vehicle with no connection to any drone operation in the area. Anderson emphasized that his client never intended any harm to President Ali, never conducted surveillance of the President or his private property, and vehemently rejects all charges brought against him. “These charges are bad at law and they are wholly denied,” Anderson told the court.

  • Mico CARE Centre gets upgraded classroom for students with special educational needs

    Mico CARE Centre gets upgraded classroom for students with special educational needs

    Jamaica’s leading specialist institution for supporting learners with disabilities has unveiled a newly enhanced learning space, set to transform educational access for hundreds of students with diverse special educational needs across the island.

    The upgraded facility is located at the Child Assessment and Research in Education (CARE) Centre, a widely recognized center of excellence based at The Mico University College. Long celebrated for its groundbreaking work in child assessment, targeted intervention, and support for learners with developmental challenges, the centre has received a major upgrade to its core teaching infrastructure through a collaborative cross-sector project.

    According to official announcements from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the project was delivered through combined funding and technical support from the CDB and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with coordination and partnership from Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. The new classroom is outfitted with cutting-edge interactive learning resources and custom-designed specialized teaching tools, crafted to boost student participation, tailor instruction to individual learning profiles, and drive stronger long-term educational outcomes for neurodivergent and disabled learners.

    Speaking at the official ribbon-cutting opening ceremony, CDB Advisor Steve Lawrence emphasized that the project turns the principle of inclusive education from a policy goal into tangible, on-the-ground reality. “This investment reflects an inclusive education system, where ‘education for all’ is not a slogan – but a demonstrated reality for the students and teachers who will together thrive in a space that will translate ambition to achievement,” Lawrence shared.

    Jamaica’s Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, also marked the milestone, highlighting the specific benefits the new facility will deliver to children on the autism spectrum. “Today, because of the work of CDB and JSIF we have this beautiful facility here. Children with autism are going to be able to get specialised care in a much nicer space,” Minister Dixon noted.

    Beyond improving daily learning experiences for students, the upgrade is projected to strengthen the CARE Centre’s full range of core services, from specialized developmental assessments to targeted intervention programs and ongoing educational support for learners and their families across the country. The initiative forms part of a broader national push across Jamaica to expand access to inclusive, accessible, and high-quality learning environments for all children, regardless of their learning needs.

    For the CDB, the project aligns with the bank’s long-standing institutional commitment to human-centered development across the Caribbean region. Officials confirmed the bank will continue prioritizing education projects across the region that advance equity, expand inclusion, and lift overall learning outcomes. The overarching mission of these investments, the bank noted, is to guarantee every child across the Caribbean has equal access to the resources and opportunities they need to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to both national and regional development.

  • Faith Edgar Wins Top 40 Spot for Belize at Miss World

    Faith Edgar Wins Top 40 Spot for Belize at Miss World

    The 2026 Miss World grand final, held this weekend in the coastal Vietnamese city of Nha Trang, has delivered a historic milestone for Belize, as Faith Edgar, the nation’s representative, has earned a coveted spot in the competition’s Top 40. Edgar secured her placement by taking home first place in the Americas and Caribbean regional round of the pageant’s iconic Beauty With a Purpose challenge, a core segment of the Miss World competition that prioritizes social impact over physical beauty.

    Edgar’s winning project, titled Smiles for Belize, was developed to address widespread gaps in access to dental care and oral health literacy across Belize’s most marginalized communities. The initiative targets children and low-income families who lack consistent access to basic dental services, working to deliver free screenings, preventive care and educational programming that empowers communities to prioritize long-term oral health.

    The final night of the competition crowned Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic as the overall Miss World 2026 titleholder. For Belize, Edgar’s Top 40 placement marks a repeat of the nation’s growing success on the international pageant stage. This achievement marks the second time in three consecutive Miss World editions that Belize has placed in the competition’s Top 40, following Elise-Gayonne Vernon’s Top 40 finish at the 2023 competition.

    Edgar’s success underscores how Belizean competitors are increasingly leaving their mark on the global pageant circuit, while highlighting the impact of community-focused development work led by young leaders across the Caribbean and Central America.

  • All-girls school reports surge in transfers

    All-girls school reports surge in transfers

    As the new academic year kicks off, Springer Memorial Secondary School – the only public all-girls secondary school on the island – is facing an unexpected but welcome challenge: it has reached full enrollment capacity after an unusually high number of transfer requests from students across other island secondary schools.

    In an interview with reporters at the opening of the 2026-2027 academic year, principal Sonja Goodridge confirmed that the institution has become a top destination for families seeking secondary education, with dozens of students transferring in from multiple local secondary schools. “I was pleased to see the numbers we have added to our rolls significantly,” Goodridge noted. “Springer is definitely a school of choice and we’ve had a lot of students transfer in.”

    Goodridge outlined two key factors driving this surge in interest. First, as the island’s only all-girls public secondary school, the institution fills a unique niche for parents who prefer a single-gender learning environment for their daughters. “I do believe that being the only all-girls secondary school on the island attracts a particular type of child,” she explained. “Parents prefer to know sometimes that their child is in a single-gender school, and I think that that has something to do with it.”

    The school’s highly regarded athletic programs have also emerged as a major draw for transferring students. Goodridge shared that many transfer applicants specifically cited Springer’s diverse athletic offerings – which include competitive volleyball and netball programs – as a core reason for their decision to switch schools. “Some of the ones that have transferred in also tried very hard to say that it’s because of our athletic programme,” she said.

    Despite the overwhelming demand, the school has been forced to turn away dozens of interested applicants due to space constraints. “We couldn’t take all,” Goodridge confirmed. “We had a lot that applied and I had to say no.” The principal emphasized that the school’s first priority is maintaining the quality of education and support for students already enrolled, adding that the institution’s mission centers on adding tangible value to every student’s educational experience. “Here at Springer we add value,” she said. “We’re the ones adding the value to what we have and that we will continue to work with those that we have as well.”

    The acceptance of additional students, including returning fifth-form students from other schools that did not offer their desired fifth-form program, has left the campus “chock-a-block”, according to Goodridge. “We really can’t hold anymore,” she stated.

    Even amid the space constraints, Goodridge expressed enthusiasm for the new cohort of students and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to integrating all new enrollees into the Springer community. Aligning with the school’s motto “Members One of Another”, Goodridge noted that the institution would work to ensure every new student feels welcome and supported from their first day on campus.

    Photos captured on the first day of the academic year show new first-form students participating in morning assembly prayer, returning fifth-form students adjusting their uniforms before classes, and Goodridge addressing the full student body to mark the start of the new term.

  • Council of Churches Wants Stricter Carnival Costume Rules

    Council of Churches Wants Stricter Carnival Costume Rules

    In the wake of Belize’s 2026 annual Road March, a prominent faith-based collective has launched a public call for clearer, more enforced rules governing Carnival participant attire, sparking new conversation around cultural tradition and public standards in the Central American nation.

    The Belize Council of Churches, in an official statement released September 7, 2026, opened by emphasizing its longstanding respect for Carnival as a cornerstone of Belizean cultural identity. The organization acknowledged that the annual celebration stands as a showcase for national creativity, artistic expression, and community connection, bringing joy and shared experience to multigenerational families across every region of the country. It explicitly noted that its request does not aim to weaken the beloved tradition, nor diminish the skill, musical talent, and handcrafted artistry that make the Carnival event a highlight of the national calendar.

    Even as it affirms its support for the celebration, however, the Council says it feels obligated to address a growing concern that has been building among segments of the Belizean public: in recent years, a growing number of Carnival participants have worn increasingly revealing attire and engaged in conduct that falls outside widely accepted standards of public decency.

    The group stresses that public celebration and upholding standards of public decency are not incompatible goals. The council argues that modest clothing is far from a rejection of festive energy; rather, it represents a core expression of both self-respect and respect for the broader community that gathers in shared public spaces during the event. It also called on all stakeholders to consider the example that current norms set for young people, as well as the broader global and domestic image of Belize that is projected during the high-profile national celebration.

    To address these concerns, the organization has put forward three key targeted recommendations. First, it is calling on Carnival organizing bodies to implement clearer, enforceable costume standards, with a particular focus on events that include minor participants. Second, it urges parents to use careful judgment when deciding whether their children will participate in festivities and what levels of exposure to overly revealing attire they will allow. Finally, it asks all Carnival participants to strike a balance between the vibrant, bold energy that defines the celebration and long-held community standards of decency.

    Beyond these recommendations, the Council has also issued a formal appeal for collaborative dialogue, inviting representatives from the Belizean government, national cultural institutions, and independent Carnival organizing committees to meet and discuss potential path forward that can preserve the cultural value of Carnival while addressing public concerns.

  • CBWO: Bank koppelt loonafspraken onterecht aan pensioen- en ziektekostenoverleg

    CBWO: Bank koppelt loonafspraken onterecht aan pensioen- en ziektekostenoverleg

    Workers at the Central Bank of Suriname have launched industrial action after bank management tied the full implementation of a binding wage ruling from the national Mediation Council to separate negotiations over employee contributions to pension and healthcare costs, according to Robby Berenstein, chair of the Central Bank Workers’ Organization (CBWO).

    Berenstein emphasized that these two issues are completely unrelated. The union is willing to hold discussions on proposed employee contributions, but rejects management’s demand that those discussions conclude before the Mediation Council’s wage adjustment, one-time lump sum payment, and transport allowance increase are implemented. Citing the union’s position, Berenstein told reporters that workers have now paused their work duties, demanding the Mediation Council’s final ruling be followed exactly as written.

    The dispute stretches back to earlier this year, when CBWO tabled an initial demand for a 35% wage increase for central bank staff. When negotiations between union representatives and bank leadership hit an impasse, the case was referred to the Mediation Council to resolve the deadlock. The independent body ultimately issued a ruling calling for a tiered structural wage increase, ranging from 14% to 16% depending on an employee’s monthly income bracket.

    Under the terms of the ruling, workers earning a monthly salary up to 30,000 Surinamese dollars (SRD) will receive a 16% raise. Staff earning between SRD 30,001 and SRD 90,000 will see increases of 15.5% and 15% in successive income brackets, while employees in the highest earning category (above SRD 90,000) will receive a 14% increase. On average, the overall wage adjustment across all staff sits at approximately 15.1%, per the Mediation Council’s calculations. The ruling also mandates a one-time lump sum payment, with values tied to income brackets: workers in the lowest tier receive one and a half months of salary, which scales down to 1.25 months, one month, and 0.75 months for the highest earning group. Finally, the ruling requires existing transport allowances to be increased by 12%.

    During the mediation process, bank management proposed introducing employee contributions for pension and healthcare costs; currently, CBWO says these costs are not deducted from worker salaries. However, the Mediation Council explicitly declined to set any contribution percentages as part of its final ruling, instead stating that this topic must be addressed in separate, future talks between the two parties. CBWO argues this means the discussion over pension and healthcare contributions should not be a precondition to implementing the agreed wage adjustment, and that any negotiations on contributions should take place within the framework of regular collective bargaining already outlined in the existing collective labor agreement (CLA) between the union and the bank.

    Berenstein noted that the debate over contributions is not simply a question of how large a percentage workers will pay. If employees are required to contribute to these benefits, the union wants clarity on what improvements or guarantees they will receive in return, particularly around the quality of healthcare coverage and pension benefits. This fundamental disagreement over the sequencing of implementation and negotiations has resulted in the current deadlock.

    To date, the central bank has already issued the lump sum payment and increased transport allowances by 12% as required. However, management has only implemented an 11.4% average wage increase, retroactive to January 1, 2026. CBWO rejects this adjustment, saying it does not align with the 14% to 16% tiered increases outlined in the Mediation Council ruling. Berenstein accuses management of deliberately delaying full implementation to force the union to agree to the contribution terms first, saying leadership is attempting to implement the ruling on its own terms rather than following the Mediation Council’s directive.

    While management has not publicly stated that it considers the Mediation Council ruling non-binding, and has repeatedly said it intends to implement the ruling, the core of the conflict centers on how implementation should proceed. According to Berenstein, the existing CLA between CBWO and the central bank explicitly states that any final ruling from the Mediation Council is binding on both parties. While legal experts may disagree on the general binding status of such rulings, the union says the CLA explicitly makes this ruling binding in this specific case.

    Berenstein warned that allowing employers to unilaterally reinterpret and alter Mediation Council rulings would set a dangerous precedent for labor relations across Suriname. CBWO has called on the national government to intervene and monitor the situation. The union leader stressed that work stoppage is not an end goal for CBWO, but a necessary tactic to force management to honor the terms of the ruling. The Mediation Council has called on both parties to meet and discuss the issue on Monday evening, and CBWO has agreed to attend the meeting.

    At that meeting, Berenstein says the union’s core message will be that the ruling must be implemented “to the letter and the spirit.” Following Monday’s talks, the union leadership will present the outcome of the meeting to a general assembly of CBWO members on Tuesday, who will then vote on what further industrial action, if any, will be taken moving forward.

  • Vacancy: Multi-Skilled Carpenter

    Vacancy: Multi-Skilled Carpenter

    Greython Construction, a construction firm operating in Grenada, has announced an open search for a dependable, experienced multi-skilled carpenter to join its growing project team. The company is looking for a versatile professional who can deliver high-quality, efficient work across a full spectrum of carpentry specializations, from foundational structural work to custom finishing touches.

    The successful candidate will take on a wide range of responsibilities spanning both rough and finish carpentry work. Core tasks include constructing structural framing for walls, floors, and roofs that aligns with official construction plans and local building codes. Finishing work will cover installation of trim, baseboards, moulding, stair systems, doors, custom cabinetry, and specialty hurricane-rated window and door assemblies that meet strict high-wind impact safety standards. The role also requires proficiency in full tile installation for floors, walls, backsplashes, and shower spaces, including all pre-installation surface preparation, layout, setting, grouting, and final finishing. Additional duties include constructing, installing, and repairing custom furniture, built-in storage units, shelving, and custom millwork, as well as addressing unplanned on-site issues ranging from material shortages to design conflicts to unexpected site conditions.

    To excel in this position, candidates must meet a clear set of required qualifications. A minimum of three years of proven experience working as a general or multi-skilled carpenter is preferred, alongside comprehensive knowledge of carpentry techniques, material properties, and industry best practices for both rough and finish work. Prior hands-on experience installing impact-resistant hurricane-rated windows and doors — including proper flashing, sealing, and anchoring protocols — is required, as is previous experience with full tile installation, including substrate preparation and waterproofing. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to accurately read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and project specifications, work to tight measurement tolerances, and safely operate a full range of hand tools, power tools, and professional measuring equipment. A solid working knowledge of local building codes, high-wind construction requirements, and workplace safety regulations is mandatory. Physically, the role requires the ability to regularly lift and carry materials weighing 50 pounds or more, work at height on ladders and scaffolding, kneel, climb, and stand for extended periods, and work outdoors in variable weather conditions across multiple job sites. Additional required qualifications include a valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, a track record of reliability and punctuality, the ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and strong communication and problem-solving skills.

    The company notes several preferred qualifications that will strengthen a candidate’s application. These include formal trade qualifications, completion of an official carpentry apprenticeship, or industry-recognized certifications, experience working on both residential and commercial construction projects, manufacturer-specific training or certifications for hurricane-rated window and door systems, additional skills in related trades such as basic plumbing, electrical rough-in, drywall installation, or waterproofing, familiarity with modern sustainable building materials and practices, and current First Aid/CPR certification or specialized health and safety training for high-risk work such as working at height or confined spaces.

    In exchange for the right candidate’s expertise, Greython Construction offers a competitive compensation package, with hourly rates or annual salary aligned to the candidate’s level of experience. The role also provides regular steady project work with opportunities for overtime, and placement in a supportive team environment with potential for long-term professional growth within the company.

    Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, and the application window will officially close on September 29, 2026. Interested candidates are required to submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae via email to ebobb@greythoncom, with the subject line formatted exactly as “Multi-Skilled Carpenter — Vacancy”. The company notes that while all applications are appreciated, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further screening and interviews. This posting is published with a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, which notes that the outlet is not responsible for the content or claims presented in third-party contributed job postings, and provides a channel for users to report abusive content if needed.

  • Man charged with assaulting Health Minister Lisa Cummins

    Man charged with assaulting Health Minister Lisa Cummins

    A 56-year-old resident of St. Michael, Barbados, is facing criminal charges after an alleged altercation with the island nation’s top health official, according to local law enforcement. Michael Alphonsa Harris, who lives at Seales Avenue in the Goodland neighborhood of St. Michael, was taken into custody and formally charged by investigators from the Criminal Investigations Department based at Black Rock, the Barbados Police Service (TBPS) confirmed in an official statement.

    The two counts brought against Harris include one charge of assault against Minister of Health Senator Lisa Cummins, and a second count of using threatening language against the cabinet member. The alleged incident that led to these charges took place on September 5, though TBPS has not released additional details about the context or circumstances of the encounter out of respect for the ongoing legal process.

    Following his processing, Harris has been scheduled to make his first court appearance before the District ‘A’ Criminal Court this coming Monday, where the case will formally enter the judicial system. As of the latest police update, no additional information about bail conditions or potential witnesses has been released to the public.