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  • ABWU Meets with Costpro Workers; Renews Call for Severance Protection Legislation

    ABWU Meets with Costpro Workers; Renews Call for Severance Protection Legislation

    The sudden permanent shutdown of Costpro Supermarket in Antigua and Barbuda has left more than 100 workers abruptly unemployed, triggering urgent advocacy from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) to defend the livelihoods and legal rights of affected employees.

    On Friday morning, ABWU General Secretary David Massiah led a delegation of senior union officials in a meeting with displaced workers at the union’s Freedom Hall headquarters. The gathering focused on walking workers through their legal rights and financial entitlements tied to the mass redundancy, as well as outlining the full scope of support the union will provide throughout the claims process.

    Union leaders have given a formal guarantee to former Costpro staff that they will exhaust every possible legal channel to force the employer to meet all of its statutory obligations. This includes pursuing court action if necessary to secure all owed payments: severance pay, compensation for unused notice periods, accumulated unpaid vacation pay, and every other legally mandated benefit workers are owed.

    Affected workers have been instructed to collect and organize all key employment documentation, including formal job offer letters, recent pay stubs, and any other official employment records. This paperwork is critical to ensure accurate calculation of severance and other entitlements, speeding up the claims process once formal action begins.

    Beyond supporting the displaced Costpro workers, the ABWU used the incident to renew its longstanding push for national Severance Protection Legislation. Union representatives emphasized that the supermarket’s abrupt closure once again highlights a gaping hole in the country’s current labor protections, and that a formal statutory severance fund is urgently needed to guarantee workers’ earned benefits when companies cease operations.

    ABWU leaders noted that the union has advocated for this policy for years. Had the legislation and associated protection fund already been implemented, the 100+ affected Costpro workers would not be facing ongoing uncertainty over benefits they earned through years of dedicated service to the company.

    This is not an isolated incident in Antigua and Barbuda, the union pointed out. Precisely the same scenario of unpaid worker benefits after business closure played out previously with high-profile shutdowns including Jolly Beach Resort, LIAT (1974) Ltd, and Tranquility Bay. The union stressed that Costpro workers should not be forced to go through the same stressful, prolonged fight for earned pay that previous displaced workers have endured.

    Current national labor laws do not go far enough to protect workers’ earned benefits when companies become insolvent or permanently cease operations, according to the ABWU. No worker should ever be left in the dark questioning whether they will receive the severance and other benefits they are legally entitled to after losing their job through no fault of their own.

    The union closed by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the former Costpro Supermarket employees, stating that it will remain by their side and continue all advocacy and legal action until every single outstanding entitlement is paid in full.

  • LIVE NOW: Launch of Newtown Youth Development Program

    LIVE NOW: Launch of Newtown Youth Development Program

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  • Student-Athlete Omari Caesar continues development with Trupial Classic opportunity in Curaçao

    Student-Athlete Omari Caesar continues development with Trupial Classic opportunity in Curaçao

    Dominica’s most promising young track and field talent, Omari Caesar, is set to carry the nation’s flag onto the international stage once again as he joins 27 teammates from Portsmouth’s Aspirers Athletics Club for the 35th annual Trupial Classic in Curaçao. The 21 members of the delegation kicked off their competitions on the date of this report, marking the next major milestone in the 14-year-old’s rapidly developing athletic career.

    Fresh off graduating from Roosevelt Douglas Primary School, where he was honored with the prestigious Sportsman of the Year award, Caesar is preparing to enter secondary school this term. For the young student-athlete, this upcoming meet in Curaçao is far more than just another race: it is a chance to test his speed and endurance against some of the region’s top junior competitors, gain critical experience competing at an international standard, and refine his skills ahead of the next phase of his academic and athletic journey.

    Caesar’s path to the Trupial Classic follows a series of historic breakthroughs that cemented his status as one of Caribbean junior athletics’ most exciting prospects. Earlier this year, he earned a spot representing Dominica at the CARIFTA Games, the Caribbean’s most prominent annual junior athletics championship. In doing so, he made history as the first primary school student from Dominica to ever meet the rigorous qualifying standard set by the Dominica Athletics Association Incorporated.

    He first hit the qualifying mark at CARIFTA trials held in Guadeloupe in early March, then backed up that performance two weeks later at a meet in Martinique, where he set a new national under-15 boys’ record in the 3000m race. Beyond his international achievements, Caesar also holds two national primary school titles: he is the reigning record-holder for the boys’ Primary Schools Cross Country finals and the senior boys’ 1200m at the Primary Schools Independence Athletics Championship.

    Organizers and sports officials note that opportunities for overseas competition like the Trupial Classic are invaluable for young athletes at Caesar’s stage of development. While race results are a nice bonus, the experience of competing against higher-caliber opponents, adapting to new environments, learning discipline, building teamwork, and growing confidence are the most meaningful takeaways that will support long-term growth.

    The trip to Curaçao would not have been possible without months of coordinated fundraising efforts, paired with generous support from local sponsors, athletes’ family members, and the broader Portsmouth community. Leading the 28-member Aspirers delegation is head coach Nabi Wallace, who has overseen Caesar’s training and development alongside the club’s other rising stars.

    Visit Nature Magazine, which first documented Caesar’s breakthrough run, highlighted his career trajectory as a model for grassroots sports development in small island nations. The outlet noted that his clear, structured path – from primary school athletic programs to club development, to regional competition at CARIFTA, and now to another international meet ahead of secondary school – provides a blueprint for nurturing young talent across the Caribbean.

    As Caesar prepares for the new challenges of secondary school, where competition will grow more intense and academic responsibilities will increase, sports officials emphasize that long-term development will remain the top priority. For the young rising star, the journey ahead will require continued focused training, consistent support from his family and coaching staff, steady academic performance, and intentional curation of competition opportunities to foster steady growth.

  • CCJ Clarifies Appeal Rules in Belize Electoral Boundaries Case

    CCJ Clarifies Appeal Rules in Belize Electoral Boundaries Case

    On July 10, 2026, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) published its full reasoned decision for a March ruling that clarifies critical appeal procedures in Belize’s long-running electoral boundaries dispute, siding with claimant Jeremy Enriquez and his legal counsel, Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, on two out of three linked legal applications.

    The core of the underlying dispute dates back to Enriquez’s formal legal challenge against the Government of Belize, which accuses the national government of failing to revise the country’s electoral district boundaries as required by recommendations put forward by the official Elections and Boundaries Commission. The three applications brought before the CCJ addressed distinct procedural questions arising from earlier lower court proceedings: the legal validity of a filed notice of appeal, a personal wasted costs order issued against Ramlogan, and an ex parte order granted by the High Court trial judge.

    In its first key holding, the CCJ overturned a decision by Belize’s Court of Appeal that had struck out Enriquez’s notice of appeal as legally invalid. The regional court clarified that under Belize’s Senior Courts Act, the window to file an appeal opens as soon as a lower court order is signed, entered, or formally perfected, and completion of any one of these steps meets the requirement to activate the appeal timeline. The CCJ further confirmed that the notice of appeal in question was fully valid, noting that even if it had been filed prematurely, the Court of Appeal already held the authority to correct the procedural error rather than dismissing the appeal entirely.

    Second, the CCJ vacated the personal wasted costs order that required Ramlogan to cover 50% of the Attorney General’s legal fees connected to an interim relief application. The court emphasized that a wasted costs order against a legal practitioner is not merely a standard adjustment of litigation costs, but a disciplinary action targeting a lawyer’s professional conduct. For this reason, the CCJ ruled that no extra permission to appeal the order was required. The judgment also highlighted that the High Court judge violated multiple procedural requirements when issuing the order: the judge acted on their own initiative without clearly stating the legal grounds for the penalty, failed to give Ramlogan an opportunity to defend his conduct at a required show-cause hearing, and did not provide the mandatory seven-day advance notice outlined in Belize’s Civil Procedure Rules.

    On the third application, which challenged the High Court’s ex parte order that restricted publication of certain case details and mandated Ramlogan to turn over additional information, the CCJ ruled against Enriquez. The court found that the claimant had skipped a required procedural step: under Belize’s legal framework, parties must first ask the High Court itself to vary or cancel an ex parte order before filing an appeal. The CCJ concluded that the proposed appeal had no reasonable prospect of succeeding, and therefore dismissed the application.

    As a final outcome, the CCJ granted special leave to appeal and upheld the first two successful appeals, ordering that Enriquez and Ramlogan receive compensation for their legal costs in both the CCJ proceedings and the earlier Belize Court of Appeal hearing. For the dismissed third application, costs were awarded to the Attorney General and the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

  • Local hoopers benefit from summer camp

    Local hoopers benefit from summer camp

    A groundbreaking new youth basketball development effort has kicked off its summer programming in Saint Lucia, bringing international coaching expertise to local young athletes aged 8 to 18. The program, run by local youth initiative Basketball For The Future (BFTF), hosted its first ever Elite Basketball Summer Clinic at the Vigie Multipurpose Sports Complex, helmed by BFTF head coach Ron Du Murville alongside visiting American coach Brad Seaman.

    Seaman brings decades of elite youth basketball experience to the collaboration: he leads Team EbLens, one of the top-ranked Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball programs across New England, and also serves as a coach at Kingswood Oxford Prep in Connecticut. Based out of West Hartford, Seaman’s programs field competitive teams for both boys and girls from fourth through 12th grade, with a core mission centered on refining fundamental on-court skills, building cohesive team dynamics, and creating more exposure opportunities for aspiring young players to catch the eye of college scouts.

    The joint clinic was structured to meet the needs of athletes across all skill levels. Younger, new participants received hands-on instruction covering core basketball fundamentals, while older, more experienced players got the chance to refine advanced techniques and elevate their existing abilities. Far from just a one-off summer camp, the initiative is designed as a foundational step to open long-term athletic and academic pathways for Saint Lucian youth, including the chance to compete in high-profile AAU tournaments based in the United States.

    Du Murville, speaking to local outlet St Lucia Times, outlined the core goals of the clinic: sharing specialized technical training, including plyometric footwork techniques he learned during his time training in the U.S., with the next generation of local players. He expressed surprise and delight at the enthusiasm young participants brought to every session, noting even during scheduled water breaks, many young athletes returned to the court early to practice their shooting before drills resumed.

    For the more advanced older athletes, Du Murville explained that coaching focused on more granular, position-specific technical details, and the group has embraced the new training wholeheartedly. “I think it’s with every basketball player; their strength is able to learn. They want to get better. Their shot form looks pretty good. They’re athletic and fast, and they can get to the rim,” Du Murville said of the group. Up to this point in the clinic, coaching staff have covered core skills including ball handling, reading and coming off ball screens, and pre-shot preparation technique. Du Murville also left participants with a full set of structured drills to continue practicing throughout the rest of the summer, ensuring athletes can keep progressing after the visiting coaches wrap up their time in Saint Lucia. He praised the local BFTF coaching staff for their work preparing athletes for the clinic ahead of time.

    The professional connection between Du Murville and Seaman grew organically through BFTF alumni: former program participants who earned U.S. college basketball scholarships introduced the two coaches, laying the groundwork for the current partnership. Looking ahead, Du Murville’s next major goal is to assemble a team of Saint Lucian athletes to compete directly in U.S. AAU tournaments.

    “What we’re really getting into is to see our level of skill level of our kids down here and see what’s the availability to actually have a team to travel overseas and participate in these AAU tournaments that tend to be taking over the basketball landscape in America and kind of creating a lot of opportunities for these young 15- to 17-year-old athletes that try to pursue their basketball dreams,” Du Murville explained.

    Du Murville emphasized that developing elite-level basketball talent is a long-term process that requires buy-in and dedication from all stakeholders, from the athletes themselves and their coaching staff to parents, Saint Lucia’s national basketball federation, and government entities. He noted that the inaugural clinic operated with very limited sponsorship support, but remains optimistic that with expanded investment and backing, Saint Lucia can cultivate world-class competitive players in the coming years.

  • Weatherills Hotel Earns World Culinary Awards Nomination for Caribbean’s Best Brunch Venue

    Weatherills Hotel Earns World Culinary Awards Nomination for Caribbean’s Best Brunch Venue

    A beloved hospitality gem based in Antigua and Barbuda, Weatherills Hotel has earned a prestigious spot in the international culinary spotlight, securing a nomination for the 2026 title of Caribbean’s Best Brunch Venue through the globally recognized World Culinary Awards.

    This nomination places the locally rooted hotel alongside a select group of the Caribbean’s top dining contenders, competing for the annual award that celebrates outstanding achievement across the region’s food and hospitality industries. Unlike generic industry honors, the World Culinary Awards specifically highlight venues that push creative boundaries and deliver consistently exceptional guest experiences, making the nomination a notable milestone for the entire Antigua and Barbuda culinary community.

    In an official statement following the nomination announcement, leadership at Weatherills Hotel emphasized that the international recognition is a direct reflection of the relentless effort, unwavering commitment and shared passion of every member of their team. From head chefs crafting innovative, locally inspired brunch menus to front-of-house service staff and behind-the-scenes support teams, every employee contributes to building unforgettable dining moments that keep both local residents and international travelers returning again and again.

    “This nomination stands as a defining milestone for our entire team, and it affirms the hard work, dedication and passion that every member of our team brings to work each day to craft memorable dining experiences for locals and visitors alike,” the hotel shared in its statement.

    Beyond honoring the work of Weatherills’ team, the nomination also puts a much-deserved spotlight on the broader culinary landscape of Antigua and Barbuda on a regional global stage, showcasing the incredible quality and rich diversity of food experiences the island nation has to offer.

    To help push Weatherills Hotel over the finish line, members of the public, including travelers who have enjoyed the venue’s brunch offerings and local culinary enthusiasts, are invited to cast their vote in support of the nomination. Voting is open to all members of the public worldwide.

    If Weatherills Hotel goes on to claim the top honor, it will mark another major international accolade for Antigua and Barbuda’s fast-growing culinary tourism sector, which continues to emerge as a key driver of economic growth and visitor interest in the region.

  • CARICOM leaders outline regional measures to help ease rising cost of living

    CARICOM leaders outline regional measures to help ease rising cost of living

    Leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have announced a sweeping package of coordinated national and regional initiatives to counter the relentless surge in cost of living across Caribbean nations, following the conclusion of their 51st annual Heads of Government Conference in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. Held from July 5 to 8 under the official theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” the four-day gathering placed the affordability crisis at the top of the regional policy agenda.

    According to an official press release from CARICOM, leaders framed the current cost of living spike as a crisis driven largely by external geopolitical tensions that have rippled through global commodity and energy markets, pushing household expenses out of reach for many vulnerable communities across the region. In response, governments have agreed to a multi-pronged strategy that combines immediate national relief measures with long-term regional integration reforms designed to cut systemic costs.

    Key actions outlined by the bloc include cuts to import taxes on fuel, targeted adjustments to freight pricing, regulatory overhauls to reduce the cost of intra-regional cargo movement, expanded investment in local renewable energy infrastructure, and a fast-tracked plan to launch a regional passenger and cargo ferry service.

    CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J. Pierre emphasized that the entire summit was centered on delivering tangible improvements to the daily lives of Caribbean people. “Our discussions over the past four days were guided by one central objective – ensuring that CARICOM delivers results that people can see and feel in their everyday lives,” Pierre told reporters during a post-summit media briefing. “During our deliberations, Heads of Government focused on the issues that matter most to the people of the Region. We agreed to strengthen regional cooperation to protect consumers, improve affordability, and explore additional measures that can provide relief to vulnerable households. We also agree to strengthen consumer protection and work together to address rising prices across the Community.”

    Acknowledging that every CARICOM member state is grappling with the impacts of inflation, Pierre noted that the summit created a critical space for leaders to share successful policy approaches already implemented at the national level. “Every island is suffering from an increase in the cost of living,” he said. “We decided to share the experience among ourselves. Several islands have taken certain measures to reduce the cost of living in their various islands. But there is one factor we have no control over, which is the price of fuel.” As one example of national action, Pierre shared that Saint Lucia has already eliminated value-added tax on a selection of essential consumer goods to ease household burdens.

    Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who is leading the advancement of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), outlined the sweeping relief measures her government has rolled out, including a dedicated cost-of-living allowance for pensioners and a 30% increase in general welfare payments. She also highlighted a digital consumer tool that allows shoppers to compare prices across retailers in real time, promoting competition and helping households find lower prices for everyday goods.

    Mottley identified the planned regional ferry service as a game-changing reform that will cut intra-regional transportation costs and ultimately lower prices for consumers across the Caribbean. She revealed that pilot discussions are already underway with leaders from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago to test the model using one of Trinidad and Tobago’s existing ferries, while the private sector moves to acquire additional vessels for full expansion. “We are now about to enter discussions, Prime Minister [Godwin] Friday from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister [Kamla] Persad-Bissessar, and myself as lead on CSME, to see how best we can utilise one of the Trinidad vessels as a proof of concept while the private sector procures,” Mottley explained. She added that all required regulatory work for the pilot is on track to be completed within three months, while full procurement of additional private-sector vessels could take up to 12 months.

    Mottley also confirmed she has taken responsibility for advancing updated treaty arrangements to secure mutual recognition of commercial driver licenses and cargo insurance across member states, a reform that will cut red tape and reduce costs for cross-border road cargo movement. The pilot project will also assess what infrastructure upgrades are needed at regional ports to support more efficient ferry operations.

    Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar highlighted that regional cooperation can also cut household costs in the critical sector of healthcare. She announced that Trinidad and Tobago is ready to offer access to services at its national prosthetic centre and specialized children’s hospital at discounted rates for citizens from other CARICOM states, while also sharing the expertise of its trained medical specialists with neighboring countries. “We’re talking about cost of living. And in this respect, in the medical field, if we partner together, again, we can bring down the cost of living,” she noted.

    Outgoing CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Terrance Drew stressed that reducing long-term energy costs must remain a top regional priority. He called for accelerated investment in all forms of domestic renewable energy – including solar, wind, geothermal, and wave power – to insulate Caribbean economies from volatile global fossil fuel prices, stabilize electricity costs for households, and put the region on a more sustainable economic path. Renewable energy, he underscored, “can really help, from our perspective, to transform the Caribbean, to transform the Region, and help us get on a sustainable path of really managing the cost of living of all of our people here in the Region.”

  • Bayview Hospital appoints Marilyn Patrick as hospital administrator

    Bayview Hospital appoints Marilyn Patrick as hospital administrator

    Bayview Hospital, one of Barbados’ leading private healthcare facilities, has announced a key leadership appointment that will shape its next phase of expansion: decorated nurse, military commander and former national nursing regulator Major Marilyn Patrick will take up the post of Hospital Administrator effective June 2026.

    Major Patrick brings to the top administrative role one of the most diverse and accomplished healthcare careers in the Caribbean nation, with more than 35 years of experience spanning frontline clinical care, military medical command, national regulatory governance and hospital operations. Her professional trajectory is marked by continuous growth and cross-sector experience that sets her apart from typical healthcare leadership candidates.

    A graduate of the Tercentenary School of Nursing, Major Patrick began her dual career in military and civilian healthcare early, spending more than 10 years as a medical officer with the Barbados Defence Force before completing advanced officer training at the United Kingdom’s prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. She went on to command the Defence Force Field Medical Unit, a rapid-disaster response unit that can deploy across the Caribbean region to support emergency relief efforts, all while pursuing advanced postgraduate education. She holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Science in International Management from the University of the West Indies, and a Master of Science in Ergonomics and Human Factors from the University of Derby in the UK.

    From 2019 to 2023, Major Patrick chaired the Barbados Nursing Council, where she led a landmark effort to update the country’s decades-old nursing legislation. The resulting amendments to the Barbados Nursing Act and Nursing Rules brought sweeping, long-overdue changes: they formally recognized the role of nurse practitioners for the first time, added official status for previously unacknowledged nursing specialties, and expanded the legal scope of practice for nurses across the country, a reform that has reshaped nursing care delivery in Barbados.

    Major Patrick is no stranger to Bayview Hospital, having been part of the facility’s leadership team since 2016, most recently serving as assistant hospital administrator. In comments following her appointment, she framed the new role as a continuation of her decades-long commitment to patient-centered care.

    “Stepping into the role of hospital administrator at Bayview is both an honour and a tremendous responsibility,” she said. “I see this position as another opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, families, staff, and the wider community. If, at the end of my tenure, I can say that I helped leave Bayview stronger than I found it, then I will consider that a successful legacy.”

    Major Patrick has already outlined three core priorities for her first term leading the hospital: strengthening and standardizing the facility’s internal policies and procedures; investing in the development of middle management through targeted mentoring and professional training; and centering all operational decision-making around improving patient outcomes. She also plans to leverage Bayview’s recent physical and service expansion to deliver a more integrated care experience for patients. The expansion has added a full urgent care centre, expanded diagnostic and laboratory services, a dedicated ambulance fleet, and a patient shuttle service, creating what Major Patrick calls a true one-stop healthcare model.

    “Patients now have direct access to multidisciplinary physicians and, if needed, can seamlessly access laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, surgery, or hospitalisation — all without navigating multiple facilities,” she explained. “That is more efficient, more coordinated, and far less stressful for patients and their families.”

    Outside of her formal healthcare and military roles, Major Patrick has a 20-year history of community volunteer work with Kiwanis Barbados Central, including two terms serving as club president. Her leadership philosophy, forged across decades in nursing, military service and regulatory work, is rooted in the principle of service first.

    “Whether leading in nursing, regulation, or healthcare administration, I’ve always believed that leadership is about serving others, empowering teams, and making decisions that ultimately improve the lives of the people we are called to care for,” she said.

    Bayview Hospital Board Chairman Peter Harris said the appointment is both a recognition of Major Patrick’s proven track record and a strategic choice to guide the facility through its upcoming period of growth. He noted that her steady leadership and unwavering professionalism during her time as acting administrator already earned her the full confidence of the board.

    “On behalf of the Board of Management and as Chairman of Bayview Hospital I extend our sincere congratulations to Major Patrick on her appointment as Hospital Administrator,” Harris said. “As Bayview Hospital embarks on an exciting period of growth and new strategic initiatives, we are proud to have Major Patrick leading our administrative team.”

  • Aspirers Athletics Club realizes long-held dream with arrival in Curaçao for Trupial Classic

    Aspirers Athletics Club realizes long-held dream with arrival in Curaçao for Trupial Classic

    After 12 months of rigorous grassroots fundraising, grueling training regimens, and unwavering collective determination, 28 members of Portsmouth-based Aspirers Athletics Club—including 22 competing athletes—have safely touched down in Curaçao. The team is set to represent the Caribbean nation of Dominica at the 35th annual Trupial Classic, one of the region’s most prestigious long-running track and field competitions. What began as an ambitious competitive goal, however, carries far deeper meaning than athletic glory, rooted in a promise to a beloved late friend.

    For head coach Wallace, the journey to Curaçao was never just about competing. More than 10 months before the team’s arrival, he made a vow to Ruthsel Martina, a close friend and former fellow coach with deep ties to Curaçao’s Trupial athletics community, that he would bring an Aspirers team to the classic. Martina, who once hosted Wallace during his own training stints outside Dominica, passed away in November 2025, months before the event could take place. Instead of fading, the promise became Wallace’s core driving force to make the trip a reality.

    “Since I am someone who believes in keeping a promise made, my energy went into overdrive to ensure my word was kept even if my friend had passed on to be with the Lord,” Wallace shared in a public statement. He emphasized that the team’s presence in Curaçao is as much a celebration of Martina’s life as it is a competitive outing: “Aspirers being here in Curaçao is more than the competition, but to celebrate the life of a dear friend to Aspirers, with the Trupial athletics family.”

    The milestone would not have been possible without widespread support from across the Caribbean community. Regional airline Winair stepped in as a key sponsor, cutting travel costs dramatically and ensuring every selected athlete could afford to make the journey, no athlete was left behind due to financial barriers. During the team’s transit stop in St. Martin, Nasha Carbon—mother of young Aspirers athlete Omari Carbon—and her local team organized a free, nourishing lunch for the entire traveling delegation to help them recharge before the final leg of their trip.

    After a year of grinding daily training sessions for athletes and nonstop fundraising work by club leadership, the moment of competition is finally here. An update from Coach Nabi confirmed that 21 of the 22 selected athletes will compete on the opening day of the classic, joining hundreds of runners and track athletes from across the Caribbean region. For the small Portsmouth-based club, the trip already marks a major victory: it is the culmination of months of community collaboration, and it gives emerging Dominica athletes the chance to gain valuable international competitive experience while carrying forward a promise to a friend gone but not forgotten.

  • Fisheries Division Sets Fisheries Laws Training for Local Fishers

    Fisheries Division Sets Fisheries Laws Training for Local Fishers

    In St. John’s, Antigua, the local Fisheries Division has announced a forthcoming training session focused on national fisheries laws and regulations, scheduled to take place on Friday, July 17. This event forms a key component of the division’s long-running Fisher Professional Development Training Programme, an initiative designed to standardize industry knowledge and formalize professional qualifications for working fishers across the country.

    The two-hour session will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the meeting facility located within the Point Wharf Fisheries Complex on Lower North Street, a central, accessible location for most local fishing operators. According to an official public notice released by Chief Fisheries Officer Ian Horsford, completion of this regulatory training module is a non-negotiable requirement for two critical professional milestones for local fishers: first, securing a valid, government-issued local fishing license, and second, advancing professional status from a trainee fisher to a fully certified professional fisher.

    Division officials note that the training is specifically targeted toward two groups of industry workers: newly registered fishers who are newly entering the profession, and veteran, experienced fishers who have not yet fulfilled the mandatory training requirement to meet updated industry standards. That said, organizers have emphasized that any working fisher in the region who wishes to refresh their knowledge of regulatory requirements is welcome to attend, provided that vacant space remains available in the meeting room after pre-registration closes.

    Interested individuals looking to secure a spot in the session are instructed to reserve their place in advance by contacting the division via phone at 462-1372. Participants are also reminded to have their official Fisher Identification documents on hand when completing their registration to speed up the check-in process. Fisheries Division representatives reaffirmed that this training is just one part of the division’s ongoing, sustained effort to raise professional standards across Antigua’s fishing industry through consistent skills and knowledge development programming.