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Sport Summit “Cannot Simply Become Another Talk Shop”

On September 2, 2026, Belize launched its first-ever National Sports Summit, an unprecedented gathering that seeks to break the cycle of endless unproductive discussion about the struggles of local athletes and lay the groundwork for a structured national sports framework defined by clear goals, defined responsibilities, and robust accountability mechanisms.

The summit convenes a cross-section of key stakeholders, from active and retired athletes to sporting federation administrators and national policymakers, to confront a wide spectrum of long-standing systemic challenges plaguing Belize’s sports ecosystem. These issues range from deeply entrenched governance gaps and woefully inadequate training and competition facilities to widespread participation barriers that keep many young Belizeans from accessing sports, and chronically limited support systems for elite athletes looking to compete internationally.

Top national leadership took center stage at the opening of the summit, including Prime Minister John Briceño alongside several senior cabinet members: Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations; Minister of State Gilroy Usher; and Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs and Enterprise.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Briceño emphasized that the landmark summit cannot become just another unproductive talk shop rehashing problems that all stakeholders already recognize exist. “We are not here to talk in circles about challenges we have known about for decades,” Briceño stated, setting a clear tone for the summit’s outcome-focused agenda.

The Prime Minister outlined that building a clear development pathway for emerging young athletes starts with strengthening foundational governance across all levels of Belize’s sports institutions. “Good governance is the bedrock upon which every successful national sports system is built,” he explained. “Our federations, associations, government agencies, and all sporting institutions must operate with consistent accountability, full transparency, and a unified commitment to advancing the growth of our athletes. That means every allocated resource must be managed responsibly, with clear outcomes for athlete development in mind.”

Briceño stressed that long-term success in transforming Belize’s sports landscape depends on coordinated cross-sector partnership, noting that buy-in from government, independent sporting organizations, primary and secondary schools, local coaches, community groups, athletes themselves, family members, and the private sector is all required to drive meaningful change.

Beyond competitive success, the Prime Minister framed investments in sports as a multi-benefit public good: sports serve as a tool to improve national public health outcomes, prepare elite athletes to compete and win on the global stage, and unlock new inclusive economic opportunities through the fast-growing global sports tourism sector. While he acknowledged that overhauling the current system will require substantial new financial investment, Briceño did not hesitate to pledge his full support to push for increased government allocation to sports development.

“As a small developing nation, we face countless competing demands, and public resources are undeniably limited,” Briceño acknowledged. “But I am convinced that if we can make a clear, compelling case for how critical sports are to the overall development of Belize — to the long-term health of our people, and to the new economic opportunities it can unlock across every region of our country — I know our cabinet will listen, and will commit more resources to this work. I am pledging to do everything in my power to expand government investment in sports.”

The Prime Minister also noted that systemic change will require creative approaches to sports financing beyond public allocation, recognizing the broad range of fiscal constraints that small developing nations like Belize navigate as they work to expand public services and infrastructure across all sectors.

2 9 月, 2026
More Tomorrow School Closure? Ministry Responds

In response to widespread circulating rumors that More Tomorrow Primary School in Belize’s Cayo District would be permanently closed this week, the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology has issued an official written clarification to debunk the false reports.

The unconfirmed closure claims sparked significant anxiety among parents of enrolled students and local community members earlier this week, prompting urgent demands for a formal response from education authorities. Local media outlet News 5 first attempted to secure direct comment from Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, but did not receive an immediate reply to its inquiry. Shortly after, the ministry released a public statement Wednesday morning to address the growing public concern.

“There have been unfounded claims circulating that our ministry is moving to shut down More Tomorrow Primary School this week – this information is simply not accurate,” the statement read. “Rather than planning for permanent closure, the Ministry is currently holding active, constructive discussions with parents, school administrators and other members of the school community to work through the multiple challenges the institution is currently facing, most notably critical staffing shortfalls.”

Ministry officials emphasized that the core goal of these ongoing consultations is to co-develop practical, sustainable solutions that will enable all students attending More Tomorrow Primary to continue accessing consistent, quality primary education on site. No additional timeline for the conclusion of talks or further details on the full scope of challenges at the school have been released to the public as of September 2, 2026.

2 9 月, 2026
Grenada’s next major export could be technology

As small island economies across the Caribbean look to diversify their revenue streams and build long-term, resilient economic growth, one Grenadian tech leader is making the case that the nation is primed to unlock massive potential through digital innovation. Speaking at a high-profile panel during the 22nd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) and the 5th Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (CYIGF), Cameron Philbert, Managing Director and Co-Founder of local creative technology firm Digital Growth Inc., laid out a clear vision for how information and communications technology (ICT) can transform Grenada’s economic landscape.

Philbert shared the stage with fellow regional tech leaders Clevon Noel of Metarelic, Chad Fraser of Sonover, and Oluwatosin (Tosin) Ishmeal of Datanexis Technologies for the discussion titled *Beyond Connectivity: How ICT Companies Can Drive Digital Innovation, Cyber Resilience and Economic Growth in Grenada*. The panel focused on moving past the foundational goal of expanding internet access across the region to harnessing that connectivity for tangible, inclusive economic gains.

In his remarks, Philbert pushed back against the common misconception that small nations cannot compete on the global technology stage. “There is no reason the next major technology success story, even the next tech unicorn, couldn’t come from Grenada. Our size does not have to determine the size of the opportunity,” he told attendees.

For aspiring local tech founders, Philbert offered targeted, actionable advice that prioritizes impact over trendy ideas. He emphasized that emerging entrepreneurs should center their work on solving pressing, real-world problems rather than building products solely for their novelty or excitement. He also urged new founders to adopt a regional, export-focused mindset from the earliest stages of product development, rather than limiting their ambitions to Grenada’s small domestic market. “Building the technology is only half of the challenge. We have to deliberately build the channels that get that technology into other markets,” Philbert explained.

To turn early ideas into sustainable, scalable businesses, Philbert argued that Grenada needs more structured support systems for young entrepreneurs and growing ICT firms. He called for expanded investment in dedicated support pathways including business incubators, structured mentorship programs, pilot testing opportunities, and partnerships that let emerging companies test their solutions with established local and regional organizations. These ecosystems, he noted, are critical to bridging the gap between a promising concept and a revenue-generating business.

For established Grenadian businesses that have yet to fully embrace digital transformation, Philbert highlighted a untapped opportunity to boost efficiency and profitability by integrating targeted technology solutions. To help organizations identify these opportunities, Digital Growth Inc. is currently offering a complimentary digital assessment for businesses. The assessment analyzes current operations, customer engagement strategies, and growth potential, outlining clear recommendations for how technology can deliver measurable, bottom-line improvements.

Founded in Grenada, Digital Growth Inc. specializes in creative technology and digital transformation services, supporting public and private organizations across the region to leverage technology to streamline operations, build custom digital solutions, and unlock new avenues for sustainable growth.

This report was featured in NOW Grenada, which notes it does not take responsibility for contributor opinions, statements, or shared media, and provides a formal channel for reporting abusive content.

2 9 月, 2026
Copper cable stolen from new Demerara River bridge

A brazen theft of critical electrical infrastructure has thrown a last-minute wrench into commemorative plans at one of Guyana’s key river crossings, law enforcement officials confirmed this week. The Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, located along Guyana’s East Bank Demerara, was targeted by copper thieves who made off with at least 90 feet of heavy-duty industrial copper cable, according to an official statement from the Guyana Police Force.

The stolen cable is a four-conductor unit, with each conductor rated at 350 thousand circular mils (kcmil), a high-capacity specification designed for the bridge’s decorative lighting system. Local authorities estimate the total value of the stolen material at 1.62 million Guyanese dollars, not including the additional costs of repairs and service disruption.

The theft was only uncovered during preparations for a planned public tribute to neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, which was set to mark its annual Independence Anniversary. On the evening of August 31, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM, a senior electrical maintenance engineer arrived at the bridge to test a planned illumination: the entire span was scheduled to be lit up in the red, white, and black of Trinidad and Tobago’s national flag as a gesture of cross-border goodwill. To the team’s surprise, only the lighting system along the bridge’s northern span activated correctly, leaving the southern half dark.

By 9:00 AM the following day, September 1, the engineer and his maintenance crew launched a full inspection of the southern span’s wiring infrastructure. Their investigation quickly confirmed foul play: thieves had cut the copper cable and completely removed it from its protected metal trunking housing, where it was routed along the bridge structure.

Police investigators have narrowed the window of the incident to a nine-day period between midnight on August 23, 2026, and 9:00 AM on September 1, 2026. The decorative lighting system, which draws power from an on-site generator installed beneath the bridge, was last confirmed to be fully operational on August 23, when it was used for a previous colored illumination display.

Forensics teams have already processed the crime scene, documenting the damage and capturing photographic evidence of the theft. Investigators are currently reviewing all closed-circuit television footage from cameras near and on the bridge to identify potential suspects and track their movements before and after the incident. Initial assessments confirm the bridge’s decorative lighting system consists of energy-efficient LED fixtures mounted to steel poles along the structure’s high span, all reliant on the stolen high-capacity copper cable to function.

The incident is the latest in a regional trend of rising copper theft, driven by the commodity’s high market value and demand from scrap metal markets, which often leaves critical public infrastructure facing costly repairs and service disruptions.

2 9 月, 2026
UWI scholars among 2026 Yidan Prize laureates for early childhood education

As the world-renowned Yidan Prize marks its 10th year of elevating transformative education innovation, three pioneering researchers have been named the 2026 recipients of the prize’s Education Development honor, with two hailing from The University of the West Indies (The UWI).

The 2026 laureate announcement was made public at an official press conference hosted in Hong Kong, capping a decade of the foundation’s work identifying and supporting global education changemakers. Chaired by Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills, the prize’s independent Judging Committee selected Emeritus Professor Susan P. Walker, Senior Lecturer Dr Susan M. Chang-Lopez, both of The UWI’s Caribbean Institute for Health Research, and Emeritus Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor of University College London for the 2026 Education Development award.

The trio was recognized for their groundbreaking work developing Reach Up, an evidence-based early childhood development intervention tailored to children from birth to age four, with a specific focus on vulnerable communities. Unlike costly, one-size-fits-all early childhood programs, Reach Up centers on low-cost, culturally flexible activities integrated into daily family routines. It equips caregivers with practical skills and confidence to interact with young children through responsive conversation, play, and engagement — interactions that directly boost children’s long-term cognitive growth.

Today, the Reach Up model has been adopted across more than 21 countries spanning the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, integrated into national health, education, social protection, and humanitarian aid systems. A core feature of the program is its open-access design: all curricula and supporting materials are available to users for free, and the framework undergoes continuous evaluation and iterative adaptation to meet the unique needs of local communities around the globe.

The 2026 Yidan Prize also awarded its Education Research Prize to Professor Paul W. Glewwe of the University of Minnesota. Glewwe was honored for his influential research unpacking how socioeconomic status, health, and nutrition intersect to shape educational outcomes. Through rigorous methodological work including large-scale randomized controlled trials, Glewwe’s findings have directly informed evidence-based education policy design in more than 15 developing nations.

Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the prize, Dr Charles Chen Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize Foundation, emphasized the award’s enduring mission. “The work and collective impact of our laureates over the past decade have made the Yidan Prize a lighthouse to illuminate pathways forward in global education,” he said. “Every laureate strengthens this commitment, brings transformative ideas, and expands the ways in which we shape the future of education.”

Each 2026 Yidan Prize laureate receives a total award of HK$30 million (approximately $3.83 million USD), split equally between a personal cash prize of HK$15 million and a HK$15 million project fund to support continued work in education innovation and research. The 2026 Yidan Prize Summit is scheduled to run in Hong Kong from December 3 to 5, with the official awards ceremony set to take place on the summit’s closing day.

2 9 月, 2026
Trump’s Face Featured on New $1 Coin Marking America’s 250th Anniversary

WASHINGTON — A brand-new $1 legal tender coin bearing the portrait of former U.S. President Donald Trump hit the market on Wednesday, launching as part of nationwide celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The U.S. Mint, the federal agency responsible for producing the nation’s circulating currency, developed the 2026 special issue specifically to honor 250 years of U.S. nationhood, confirming the commemorative piece holds full legal tender status across the country. The obverse, or front, of the coin displays Trump’s portrait alongside two traditional phrases featured on nearly all U.S. coinage: “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” It also bears the commemorative date range “1776 ~ 2026” to mark the span of American independence from the founding of the nation to the current semiquincentennial milestone. The reverse side showcases the official Presidential Seal, which centers on an eagle clutching an olive branch and a set of arrows in its talons, with the number “250” prominently displayed on the eagle’s shield to highlight the anniversary. All coins in this issue were manufactured at the U.S. Mint’s Philadelphia facility. While the coin carries a distinct gold-toned finish, the U.S. Mint has clarified that it contains no solid gold; its core composition is primarily copper, with an outer layer made from a blend of zinc, manganese and nickel to create the gilded appearance. Pricing for collectible purchases of the coin is structured in bulk quantities: a roll of 25 coins is available for $61, while a 100-coin bag retails for $154.50. To add extra appeal for coin collectors, the U.S. Mint produced a limited run of just 250,000 special variants marked with a “July 4th” mint mark. These special coins were struck on Independence Day itself and have been randomly inserted into the rolls and bags distributed to buyers, creating a sought-after chase item for collectors. The decision to feature a still-living former president on the coin has sparked immediate controversy, as longstanding federal law generally prohibits living current or former presidents from being depicted on official U.S. currency. However, reporting from the Associated Press confirms that the U.S. Treasury Secretary holds discretionary authority to approve exceptions for special limited-edition commemorative coin issues, clearing the way for the Trump-themed coin to move forward. The 2026 Trump coin is just one part of a broader multi-year series of redesigned circulating and commemorative coins being released by the U.S. Mint to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration of its 250th year of independence.

2 9 月, 2026
Charles smashes 78 to power Patriots past Tridents

On Tuesday, September 1, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) delivered one of its most memorable matches of the 2024 campaign, as explosive Saint Lucian batsman Johnson Charles propelled the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to an upset victory over the Barbados Tridents with a sensational 48-ball knock of 78 runs.

Charles, a veteran of Caribbean domestic cricket who joined the Patriots this season after spending multiple years representing the Saint Lucia Kings, delivered his standout performance at Warner Park, a venue long known for producing high-scoring encounters. The match shaped up as a daunting run chase for the Patriots after Tridents wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock cracked a century, lifting his side to a formidable total of 217 runs. Tasked with leading the home side’s response, the CPL’s all-time leading run-scorer rose to the occasion, hammering seven towering sixes and six crisp boundaries to keep the Patriots on track for victory.

Charles’ game-changing innings was not without its moment of high drama, however. Early in his knock, he appeared to edge a full toss delivery into the hands of the catching team, and the third umpire initially upheld the on-field decision to rule him out. As the batsman began walking back to the pavilion, the third umpire reversed his ruling, overturning the out decision and allowing Charles to resume his innings.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Charles downplayed the controversy, saying he had immediately believed the delivery qualified as a no-ball based on the point of contact. “Some controversies just liven up the game, and it’s all up to the umpires,” he noted, brushing off any tension around the decision.

The knock marked a welcome return to peak form for the opening batsman, who had endured a slow start to the tournament, failing to register significant scores in his first outings. Entering the match, the Patriots sat near the bottom of the league standings, desperately needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Charles acknowledged his delayed contribution to the side’s campaign, saying: “I’m a bit late to the party. I’ve been seeing the ball pretty big, and I’ve been in good form. Confidence is high, but it was just not coming through, and that’s cricket. But I’m happy I’m back and doing good things for the team. Even if I’m late to the party, I’m just hoping I can put the team in a very good position.”

The Patriots will wrap up their home leg of the tournament just two days later, when they face Charles’ former franchise, the Saint Lucia Kings, in a highly anticipated clash on Thursday.

2 9 月, 2026
Hammock Cove Raises Over $20,000 for Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary

A top-tier luxury getaway on the Caribbean island of Antigua, Hammock Cove, has hit an impressive fundraising milestone for local animal welfare, pulling in more than $20,000 to support the island’s donkey sanctuary run by the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society. Resort leadership attributes the campaign’s overwhelming success to the generosity and enthusiastic participation of its guests, who turned a community outreach initiative into a major boost for animal care across the island.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward covering critical needs for the donkeys housed at the sanctuary. This includes consistent access to nutritious food, safe and comfortable shelter, regular veterinary check-ups and emergency medical care, updated on-site safety protocols to prevent injury, and regular socialization and enrichment activities to support the animals’ physical and mental well-being.

For Hammock Cove, this successful fundraiser is far more than a one-off charity project. It represents a core pillar of the resort’s longstanding commitment to local community partnership programming, which centers on protecting vulnerable animal populations and expanding accessible care for creatures across Antigua. By centering guest engagement in the initiative, the resort has also built greater awareness of local animal welfare needs among visitors from around the world.

Officials from the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society have publicly lauded Hammock Cove for its remarkable contribution, awarding the resort the enthusiastic title of “ROCKSTAR” for its dedication to the sanctuary’s mission. The organization extended formal thanks to the resort and its guests for their ongoing support of animal protection work in the dual-island nation.

2 9 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda’s Kelesha Antoine Heads to Poland for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

A prominent Antigua and Barbuda football official is set to bring her expertise to one of the game’s biggest youth global tournaments, with a landmark appointment that puts her Caribbean region’s refereeing development work in the international spotlight.

Kelesha Antoine, who leads referee operations for the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), will travel to Poland this fall to serve as a FIFA Referee Fitness Instructor for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The ABFA publicly confirmed the new international assignment in an official announcement Wednesday, highlighting Antoine’s longstanding commitment to growing refereeing talent both at home and across the Caribbean community.

The 2026 edition of the tournament, which brings together 24 of the world’s top under-20 women’s national teams, will kick off on September 5 and conclude with the final match on September 27 across host venues in Poland. For Antoine, this latest role builds on a years-long career of regional and global leadership in referee development: she currently serves as the ABFA’s Head of Refereeing, holds seats on referee committees for both the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), and is formally listed by FIFA as Antigua and Barbuda’s national referee coordinator.

Notably, Antoine will travel directly to Poland from her most recent regional assignment: the CFU U-14 Challenge Series, where she supported the youth tournament as an administrator and lead instructor for the CFU’s ongoing referee development initiative. This is not her first time serving as a FIFA fitness instructor at major professional development programming, either. She previously led fitness training for regional referee development courses, including the CFU Next Generation Referee Course, one of the region’s flagship programs to grow new young refereeing talent.

In its statement this week, the ABFA extended formal congratulations to Antoine on the prestigious appointment. Association representatives noted that her work continues to raise the bar for refereeing standards across the entire Caribbean, while also showcasing Antigua and Barbuda’s specialized sports leadership expertise on the global football stage.

2 9 月, 2026
$25,000 Fine for Bringing Unapproved Pesticides Into Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda’s Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) has issued an official public reminder outlining strict regulatory frameworks governing all stages of handling hazardous chemical and pesticide products, reinforcing its legal mandate under national legislation to protect public safety and environmental health.

Powers and responsibilities for the PTCCB are clearly established under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act, Act No. 12 of 2008. This legislation grants the board broad authority to oversee every step of the lifecycle of pesticides and toxic chemicals, spanning importation, storage, manufacturing, distribution through sales channels, transport, end-user application, and final disposal. Beyond these core oversight functions, the board is also tasked with key administrative duties including the review, approval, issuance, and revocation of product registrations, operational licenses, and import/export permits.

In its public announcement, the PTCCB emphasized that every commercial and personal activity related to importing, selling, or using pesticide and toxic chemical products falls under the board’s regulatory purview. No activity can be conducted without prior formal review and official approval from the agency. Violations of these regulatory requirements are classified as criminal offenses under the 2008 Act. Any individual or entity found non-compliant is subject to summary conviction, with penalties including a maximum fine of $25,000, up to 12 months of imprisonment, or both sanctions imposed concurrently.

A key additional reminder targeted at commercial importers clarifies that all pesticide and toxic chemical products being brought into Antigua and Barbuda must complete the full registration and approval process before any shipment departs for the country. To avoid serious negative outcomes including customs detention of shipments, full confiscation of consignments, and formal criminal prosecution, the PTCCB urges all importers to proactively engage with board staff well in advance of shipping. This early engagement allows importers to confirm that their intended products are officially registered with the PTCCB and that all required import licenses have been secured before entering the country with the products.

To support regulatory compliance and crack down on unregulated activity, the PTCCB is calling on all members of the public to assist with enforcement efforts. Any suspected cases of illegal sale or use of unregistered pesticide or toxic chemical products can be reported directly to the office of the Registrar of Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals.

2 9 月, 2026