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  • Dominican Republic confirms participation in 2026 Ibero-American Summit in Madrid

    Dominican Republic confirms participation in 2026 Ibero-American Summit in Madrid

    During an official working trip to Spain, Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Peña has formally confirmed the Caribbean nation’s participation in the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, set to take place in Madrid from November 4 to 5, 2026. The confirmation came during a scheduled bilateral meeting with Narciso Casado, who holds dual roles as Director of Relations with Ibero-America at Spain’s Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and Permanent Secretary of the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB).

    This meeting was a core component of Peña’s official agenda in Spain, which centers on deepening existing bilateral cooperation and expanding economic ties between the two countries. Beyond confirming summit participation, the pair held in-depth discussions around a potential pilot rollout of the 4T Model in the Dominican Republic. This public-private partnership initiative is specifically crafted to lift up micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by improving their competitiveness, boosting productivity, and expanding their access to both domestic and international markets.

    Per an official statement from the Dominican Vice Presidency, the 4T initiative is positioned to deliver meaningful strengthening to the MSME sector, a cornerstone of the Dominican economy that drives massive job creation and sustains broad-based national economic growth. The framework of the 4T Model is built on four foundational pillars: Talent, Territory, Transformation, and Traction, and it prioritizes aligned collaboration between government entities and private sector stakeholders to accelerate inclusive business development across the country.

    In addition to her economic and diplomatic engagements, Peña’s Spanish itinerary included a formal visit to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), one of the most influential institutions governing the Spanish language globally. During the tour, she met with Juan Luis Cebrián, a sitting RAE member and the founding journalist of Spain’s leading national newspaper El País. Accompanied by Dominican Ambassador to Spain Tony Raful and Dominican Minister Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, Peña toured the academy’s centuries-old historic library, using the occasion to underscore the deep cultural and linguistic bonds that connect the Dominican Republic to the broader Spanish-speaking global community.

  • Beijing ontvluchten: Een nieuwe bladzijde voor de jonge generatie in China

    Beijing ontvluchten: Een nieuwe bladzijde voor de jonge generatie in China

    For centuries, Beijing has stood as a global symbol of Chinese ambition, opportunity, and national legacy. From its centuries as an imperial capital to its modern role as the country’s political and economic core, the city has drawn millions of dreamers from across the nation, all chasing upward mobility and a higher standard of living. Centuries ago, imperial scholars flocked to the city to prove their worth and secure prestigious positions; in recent decades, as China experienced an unprecedented economic boom, waves of new graduates, ambitious entrepreneurs, and rural migrant workers arrived in Beijing, each betting on the city to deliver a brighter future.

  • C-SAC protocol named global finalist in the UN FAO’s 2026 AgriInno Challenge

    C-SAC protocol named global finalist in the UN FAO’s 2026 AgriInno Challenge

    A groundbreaking Caribbean-led financial mechanism designed to reward smallholder farmers for climate-friendly ecological stewardship has earned a spot among the world’s most promising agricultural innovations, cementing its place as a potential game-changer for global climate action in the farming sector.

    The Grenada-based Climate-Smart Agriculture Compliant (C-SAC) initiative was officially selected as one of only 13 global finalists for the 2026 Global AgriInno Challenge (GAC), hosted in Hangzhou, China. This recognition puts the C-SAC in the running for up to $30,000 in seed funding, as well as a high-profile opportunity to present its blockchain-powered solution at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Science and Innovation Forum in Rome this coming October.

    The innovation, developed by Steve Maximay, science advisor to the North East Farmers Organisation (NEFO), marks a fundamental shift in how smallholder farmers are compensated for their work advancing climate goals. For decades, traditional global commodity markets have paid farmers exclusively based on crop output, with no financial compensation for the on-the-ground ecological work required to meet the terms of international climate agreements. Maximay’s C-SAC tool and protocol fills this critical gap, creating a structured system to reward climate-positive farming practices.

    “Attachment of a financial incentive is the most effective way to drive widespread adoption of climate-smart adaptation among farmers,” Maximay explained in comments on the finalist selection, which he called a landmark win for Caribbean agricultural innovation. “We have developed a proven mechanism to deliver rewards to farmers that draws on negotiated climate justice and just transition funds. This framework moves farming communities from a state of constant climate vulnerability toward tangible, long-term sustainable abundance.”

    Beyond delivering financial incentives, a core function of C-SAC is to crack down on greenwashing in climate-smart agriculture labeling. Operating as a rigorous independent auditing protocol, the system was already adopted as the official de facto climate-smart mechanism by St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) to activate long-planned Climate Premium payments for farmers.

    The C-SAC framework scores farms across five key performance domains: natural resource conservation, energy usage, on-farm safety, biodiversity support, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. To earn official C-SAC certification, a farm must achieve a minimum baseline score of 40 points out of a total 100, a threshold designed to filter out unsubstantiated claims of climate-friendly practice.

    The true transformative power of C-SAC lies in its digital infrastructure, Maximay noted. By leveraging a secure blockchain-based distributed ledger and automated smart contracts, the system eliminates administrative delays and guarantees transparent delivery of Climate Premium payments. When farmers bring their harvest to market, they receive the standard commodity price from buyers, paired with an automatic 10 to 20 percent Climate Premium top-up sent directly to their digital wallets. Unlike climate premiums passed on to local consumers, this additional payment is sourced entirely from global just transition and climate justice reserve funds, delivering support directly to grassroots farming communities without raising food costs for local buyers.

    Looking ahead, the C-SAC Caribbean Programme, led by NEFO, will represent the region on the global innovation stage as it works to scale the framework to roughly 3,000 smallholder farmers across six Eastern Caribbean nations: Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis. If successful, the model could provide a replicable blueprint for connecting global climate finance directly to small-scale producers in climate-vulnerable regions around the world.

  • Police Academy Chief Calls for Modern Training Facility to Meet Evolving Crime Threats

    Police Academy Chief Calls for Modern Training Facility to Meet Evolving Crime Threats

    During a historic graduation ceremony for the 50th Recruit Training Course at Antigua and Barbuda’s Sir Wright F. George Police Academy, Superintendent Rodney Ellis, the facility’s commandant, has issued a formal public appeal to the national government to prioritize the construction of a purpose-built, modern police training academy on the institution’s existing site. Addressing gathered recruits, officials, and stakeholders, Ellis used the occasion of the milestone graduation to highlight a critical gap in the country’s law enforcement infrastructure: the current academy building no longer meets the evolving demands of 21st-century policing.

  • Police Commissioner Apologises for Past Shortcomings, Pledges Greater Accountability

    Police Commissioner Apologises for Past Shortcomings, Pledges Greater Accountability

    At a landmark graduation ceremony for the 50th cohort of recruit trainees at the Sir Wright F. George Police Academy, Everton Jeffers, Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, delivered a rare and candid public apology to community members who have received substandard service from the force. In his remarks to 43 newly graduated officers who completed a rigorous six-month training program with an overall 95.6% pass rate, Jeffers acknowledged that the institution has repeatedly failed to meet the public’s expected standards of policing, while outlining concrete commitments to lift professionalism and institutional accountability across the force.

    Jeffers opened his address by framing public service as the non-negotiable core of policing, telling the graduating class that their new role is far more than a paid job—it is a “sacred trust” placed in them by the communities they will serve. He urged every new officer to exercise their legal authority with intentional fairness, humility, compassion and unwavering integrity, emphasizing that high-quality policing depends on consistent professionalism in every single interaction with members of the public. “There are no shortcuts to providing top quality service to the public,” Jeffers told the assembled graduates and guests. “Each complaint must be properly investigated with the highest level of professionalism, courtesy and respect for the rights and dignity of everyone.”

    Turning to the state of the broader force, Jeffers offered a frank assessment of past shortcomings that have eroded public trust. “As Commissioner of Police, I acknowledge that we may not always get everything right, and there have been times when our actions or service may have fallen short of the standards that are expected,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the entire Royal Police Force, he extended a formal apology to all those affected by inadequate or inappropriate conduct from force members: “Therefore, I use this platform to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone who may have been wronged, disappointed or offended by the action or conduct of any member of this organisation.”

    Pushback against the idea that this public acknowledgment of flaws signals weakness, Jeffers reframed transparency as a critical step toward institutional growth. “While we are proud of the significant progress we have made over the years, we also recognise that there’s still room for improvement. We do not view this as weakness, but rather as an opportunity to grow, to learn and to serve better,” he explained.

    Jeffers made clear that zero tolerance will be enforced for behavior that undermines public confidence, warning new recruits that unprofessionalism, consistent lateness, and low productivity will not be overlooked under his leadership. “As a young officer, your honesty and integrity will be tested. However, I urge you to do the right thing at all times, even when no one is watching,” he cautioned.

    Closing his remarks, Jeffers reaffirmed his unwavering personal commitment to addressing systemic deficiencies within the organization. He pledged that force leadership would continue targeting weaknesses, upholding strict standards of professionalism and accountability, and working daily to deliver the high-quality service the public deserves. His overarching goal, he restated, is to build a police force that earns and retains the trust of the Antigua and Barbuda communities it serves through consistent action, transparency, and continuous improvement.

  • Commissioner Jeffers Tells New Police Officers Public Service Must Be at Heart of Policing

    Commissioner Jeffers Tells New Police Officers Public Service Must Be at Heart of Policing

    At a milestone graduation ceremony for the 50th Recruit Training Course held at the Sir Wright F. George Police Academy, Antigua and Barbuda’s top law enforcement leader has laid out clear expectations for the country’s newest class of police officers, emphasizing that public service must be the core of every officer’s career.

    Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers addressed the 43 graduating recruits, who successfully completed a rigorous six-month training program to earn their placements. With an overall 95.6 percent pass rate for the course, the graduating class marks a new generation of law enforcement officers joining the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Jeffers stressed that the new officers are not merely entering a traditional nine-to-five career, but accepting a public commitment that demands far more than just showing up for a paycheck. “Today, you’re not just simply receiving a certificate of completion. You are accepting a sacred trust,” he told the assembled graduates and guests. He framed the legal authority granted to police officers not as a personal privilege to be exploited, but as a weighty responsibility that must always be exercised for the good of the Antigua and Barbuda public.

    “From this day forward, you are the guardians of the law, protectors of the vulnerable and ambassadors of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda,” Jeffers said. “The authority you now carry is not a privilege for you to abuse, but a responsibility to exercise with fairness, humility, compassion and unwavering integrity.”

    The commissioner made clear that technical training alone is not enough to build an effective, trusted police force. The force needs officers who bring strong personal character to their work: dependability, courtesy, empathy for community members in need, and the ability to maintain composure and professional conduct even when facing high-stakes, adversarial situations. Every interaction with the public, from investigating routine complaints to responding to emergencies, must be carried out with the highest respect for the rights and dignity of all people, he added, noting there are no shortcuts to delivering quality public service.

    Jeffers also issued a firm warning that unprofessional conduct will not be tolerated within the force. Zero tolerance will apply to laziness, consistent lateness, unproductive work, and any behavior that erodes public trust in law enforcement. He acknowledged that new officers will face repeated tests of their honesty and integrity throughout their careers, and urged them to uphold ethical standards even when no oversight is present.

    In closing, Jeffers called on veteran senior officers across the force to step into mentorship roles for the new recruits, noting that early career guidance is critical to helping new officers build long, successful careers. Young officers need experienced role models to show them what ethical, effective policing looks like, and senior leaders have a responsibility to prevent new recruits from straying from the force’s core values, he said.

    He ended his address by reminding graduates that their police badge carries far more meaning than just a symbol of legal power. “Your badge represents far more than authority. It represents sacrifice, honour, courage and service. Wear it with humility. Protect it with integrity. Live worthy of it every single day,” he said.

  • Minister Michael Joseph Meets with Health Information Division to Strengthen Use of Health Data

    Minister Michael Joseph Meets with Health Information Division to Strengthen Use of Health Data

    In a targeted push to upgrade the nation’s healthcare framework, Michael Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, has held a working meeting with the leadership and frontline staff of the Ministry’s Health Information Division. The gathering forms a key part of the government’s ongoing initiative to reinforce national health information systems, and expand the role of data in shaping public healthcare planning and high-stakes policy decisions.

    During the meeting, Minister Joseph underlined that robust, reliable health data forms the backbone of both evidence-driven policy development and high-quality, responsive healthcare service delivery. He stressed that a well-functioning health information ecosystem is non-negotiable for effective governance in the health sector.

    “Quality health information is the foundation of sound decision-making,” Joseph stated. “By strengthening our systems and improving how data is collected, analyzed, and shared, we can make better policy decisions that directly benefit the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Equally important, we want to ensure that this information is accessible to the public so that citizens are informed about the nation’s health status and can make healthier choices.”

    Participants in the meeting also explored actionable strategies to streamline the aggregation and distribution of national health statistics. Improved data handling will allow the government to detect emerging public health trends at an earlier stage, allocate limited healthcare resources more efficiently, and design targeted public health programs that directly address the unique needs of marginalized and under-served communities across the twin islands.

    Joseph further noted that expanding public access to standardized health information will not only boost government transparency in the health sector but also encourage greater active participation from residents in national health and wellness initiatives. When citizens have clear insight into community and national health outcomes, they are more likely to engage with preventive care programs and adopt lifestyle choices that improve long-term public health.

    Following the discussions, the Health Information Division publicly reaffirmed its commitment to rolling out comprehensive system modernization. The division pledged to deepen collaborative work with cross-sector stakeholders across Antigua and Barbuda’s health ecosystem to build a more resilient, accessible national health information infrastructure.

    For its part, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs says it remains fully committed to advancing the transition to a fully data-driven healthcare system. This long-term effort is designed to support more informed policy and clinical decision-making, lift overall population health outcomes, and advance the well-being of all residents across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Police recruits urged to uphold integrity amid modernisation

    Police recruits urged to uphold integrity amid modernisation

    At a landmark passing-out ceremony for the 150th recruit course at Barbados’ Regional Police Training Centre, newly minted Barbados Police Service officers received a clear, unifying message from the country’s top law enforcement and criminal justice leaders: even as sweeping technological and legislative changes redefine modern policing, integrity and public trust must remain the foundation of every officer’s duty. The event marked a historic first for newly appointed Police Commissioner Sonia Boyce, who took part in her first passing-out parade as the service’s top leader, sharing the stage with Minister of Criminal Justice Michael Lashley. Opening the formal addresses, Lashley outlined the government’s ongoing multi-pronged investments to modernize the island’s national justice system, from a completely revised firearms regulatory framework to active programs targeting persistent court backlogs and overhauling outdated case management processes. The minister highlighted that the police force itself is integrating a range of cutting-edge technological upgrades, including end-to-end digital policing platforms, data-driven intelligence-led patrol strategies, and significantly expanded forensic analysis capabilities. But he was quick to stress that technology, for all its value, can never deliver effective, long-term public safety on its own. “The greatest asset of any police organisation remains its people. Every interaction you have with a member of the public will either strengthen or weaken public confidence,” Lashley told the graduating cohort. Reminding the new officers of the significant legal and social authority they now wield, he added a timeless lesson on professional ethics: “Integrity is not demonstrated only when people are watching. Integrity is revealed by the decisions you make when no one is watching.” Drawing on his decades of experience as a criminal defence lawyer before entering government, Lashley offered practical, targeted guidance for the recruits’ upcoming investigative and courtroom duties. He stressed that rigorous adherence to procedural standards — including documenting suspect interviews word-for-word, maintaining an unbroken chain of custody for all evidence, and upholding the fundamental human rights of individuals in custody — is non-negotiable. He also urged new officers to honor and accurately log every suspect request for rest, meals, and access to legal counsel, and emphasized that preparedness, confidence, and professional demeanor in court directly shape public perception of the entire police service. Echoing Lashley’s focus on public trust, Commissioner Boyce — who also holds the role of the police force’s training director — formally welcomed the graduates to a service that is actively evolving to confront the complex, evolving threats of the 21st century. She noted that criminal activity on the island has shifted far beyond traditional property crimes like burglary, with transnational threats such as cybercrime, human trafficking, financial fraud, and harmful misinformation now ranking among the force’s top priorities. While highlighting key modernization initiatives, from widespread adoption of body-worn cameras to cloud-based digital records management, Boyce echoed the minister’s stance that policing is, at its core, a human-centered profession. “Technology can help you find a suspect, but it cannot comfort a victim. Machines can assist, but only character can inspire public trust,” she told the new officers. She added that the measure of an effective police force no longer rests solely on arrest numbers; instead, success is defined by how safe citizens feel in their daily lives and how consistently and fairly the law is applied to all members of society. During her address, Boyce also paid public tribute to Regional Police Training Centre Commandant Rodney Archer, thanking him for more than 40 years of dedicated service shaping generations of Barbadian police officers through the centre’s training programs. Turning her remarks to the graduating cohort, Boyce urged officers to embrace discipline and pursue excellence from their very first patrol, warning that their professional character will face tests during moments of public tension and personal frustration. “The uniform gives you authority, but your behaviour gives you legitimacy. Be the kind of officer who listens attentively, acts fairly, and stands courageously. Let your service be guided not by fear of discipline, but by a deep sense of duty and compassion,” she said.

  • More than 800 Canadian wildfires burning as air quality alerts extend to US

    More than 800 Canadian wildfires burning as air quality alerts extend to US

    An unprecedented wave of wildfires continues to rage across Canada, sending thick toxic smoke drifting south into the United States and forcing widespread air quality warnings that stretch from the Upper Midwest all the way to the Northeast. As of Thursday, official data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre confirms 857 active blazes are burning across the country, 23 of which ignited just within the last 24 hours. The overwhelming majority of these fires remain completely uncontained, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, creating one of the most severe wildfire seasons the nation has faced in recent memory.

    The largest concentration of fires burning in northwestern Ontario has been the primary source of the dangerous smoke plumes. Thick plumes have already choked major Ontario urban centers including Thunder Bay and Toronto, while thinner concentrations of smoke at high atmospheric levels have drifted across the Great Lakes region toward New York. Forecasters say the smoke is likely to create hazy skies and unusually red-hued sunrises and sunsets across the northeastern U.S. over the coming days.

    While forecasters predict widespread thunderstorms will roll across Ontario in the next few days, experts say the expected rainfall is unlikely to be heavy enough to extinguish the large, deep-seated blazes or meaningfully improve conditions. Northwesterly wind patterns will continue pushing smoke into northern U.S. states through the end of the week and into the weekend, raising concerns that poor air quality will reach New Jersey, the host site of Sunday’s World Cup final. A shift in wind direction forecast for Monday is expected to redirect smoke plumes toward Quebec, which will bring gradual improvements to air quality across the southern U.S., according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

    As of Thursday, air quality monitoring firm IQAir ranked Detroit, Michigan as the city with the worst air pollution in the world, with Minneapolis, Minnesota and Toronto, Canada claiming the next two spots on the list. The hazardous conditions have prompted official warnings from U.S. authorities, who classify air quality in large swathes of Michigan and Minnesota as hazardous under the U.S. Air Quality Index, urging all residents to limit outdoor activity and stay indoors as much as possible.

    The cross-border pollution has sparked diplomatic friction, with four Republican U.S. House representatives from Michigan signing an open letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for more effective wildfire management. The letter expressed growing frustration, noting this is the third consecutive year Michigan has faced hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires, and that lawmakers’ patience has been exhausted. “A year has passed, the season has come around again, and nothing has changed except that our patience has run out,” the letter reads.

    U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra struck a more collaborative tone in a statement Wednesday, praising ongoing wildfire response efforts from teams in both countries. “This challenge knows no borders. The United States will continue to coordinate closely with Canada, just as we have for more than four decades of shared wildfire emergencies,” he said.

    Beyond the air quality crisis impacting densely populated urban centers hundreds of miles south, the wildfires have already caused severe disruption and damage to remote northern Ontario communities. Hundreds of residents from local First Nations communities have been forced to evacuate their homes, with shared footage showing many fleeing the isolated region by small boat. Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige confirmed in a public statement that dozens of residential homes and community buildings have suffered extensive damage from the advancing flames.

    The danger of the blazes was highlighted in dramatic footage released Wednesday that showed a freight train completely surrounded by roaring wildfire flames near Armstrong, Ontario, after the crew became trapped. Canadian National Railway quickly confirmed in a subsequent statement that all workers on the train were safely rescued via emergency response, and that rail operations through the affected region have been temporarily paused to allow for fire response and safety assessments.

  • Rocks Group Appoints Antiguan Chef Christopher Terry As Group Executive Chef

    Rocks Group Appoints Antiguan Chef Christopher Terry As Group Executive Chef

    Antigua-based hospitality collection Rocks Group has announced a high-profile leadership appointment that marks a homecoming for one of the Caribbean’s most accomplished culinary talents: native Christopher Terry has stepped into the role of Group Executive Chef, tasked with steering the overall culinary vision and daily operations across all five of the group’s restaurant concepts — Sheer Rocks, Catherine’s Café, Rokuni, Fat Urchin, and Roca.

    With nearly two decades of professional experience earned at some of the world’s most exclusive luxury resorts and hospitality destinations across three continents, Terry is returning to his home island after building a decorated international career that took him from regional Caribbean properties to elite dining venues in North America, and most recently, the high-end resort landscape of the Maldives.

    Terry’s culinary journey first began on Antigua, where he completed his initial training at the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute before moving to the United States to advance his culinary education at Florida’s prestigious Johnson & Wales University. Over the years that followed, he held senior culinary leadership roles at iconic global properties including The Nautilus Maldives, Amanyara in Turks & Caicos, Hammock Cove Antigua, Sandals Barbados, Florida’s Ocean Reef Club, and Jumby Bay Island. Through every step of his career, he has built a reputation for four core pillars of his work: delivering unforgettable, tailored guest experiences, developing creative, boundary-pushing menus, mentoring emerging culinary talent, and intentionally weaving local, seasonal Caribbean ingredients into refined, world-class dining concepts.

    The appointment is a meaningful full-circle moment for both Terry and Rocks Group founder Alex Grimley. The two first worked together decades earlier at Antigua’s Carlisle Bay resort, where Grimley held the role of Head Chef as Terry was just launching his professional culinary career. Their reunion comes at a key inflection point for Rocks Group, which is currently in a period of evolution and expansion of its culinary footprint across Antigua.

    “Chris embodies every core value our hospitality group was built on,” shared Rocks Group Chief Operating Officer Carl Habel in a statement announcing the appointment. “He is extraordinarily talented, deeply passionate about his craft, and brings unmatched experience from some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality properties. Most importantly, he is Antiguan. His career path is an incredible example of local talent reaching global success, then choosing to bring that hard-earned expertise back home to support his community.”

    Habel added that the group is particularly enthusiastic about Terry’s ability to lift up the next generation of local hospitality workers, alongside his expected contributions to culinary creativity and operational leadership across the group’s venues. For Terry himself, returning to Antigua offers a unique opportunity to give back to the regional hospitality ecosystem that launched his career, and contribute to a group that has long been a trailblazer for Caribbean dining.

    In his new role as Group Executive Chef, Terry will lead culinary innovation and development across all Rocks Group restaurant concepts. He will work hand-in-hand with individual restaurant teams to continuously elevate the guest experience, while upholding the group’s commitments to quality, creativity, and sustainable sourcing — with a sharp focus on celebrating Caribbean ingredients and nurturing local culinary talent. The appointment itself underscores Rocks Group’s longstanding dedication to investing in people, growing accessible hospitality careers for local workers, and supporting the ongoing expansion of Antigua’s dynamic, fast-growing culinary sector.