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  • Gazcue hit hard by sudden storm, dozens of vehicles affected

    Gazcue hit hard by sudden storm, dozens of vehicles affected

    On Monday afternoon, an unanticipated severe weather system characterized by torrential rainfall, large hail and destructive wind gusts barreled through Santo Domingo’s National District, leaving a trail of extensive destruction that hit the Gazcue neighborhood particularly hard. The fast-intensifying storm caught local residents off guard, triggering a series of disruptions that upended daily life across the affected area.

    Strong wind gusts reached enough force to uproot fully grown trees, sending the massive vegetation crashing onto public roadways and parked or moving vehicles. The blockages immediately snarled traffic, leaving commuters and local residents stranded for extended periods and creating chaotic, high-tension conditions across the sector. Multiple residential properties also reported substantial material damage: shattered window panes were widespread, and outdoor structures including awnings and backyard gazebos were completely destroyed by the powerful winds. Loose debris and household items were scattered across yards and streets by the gusts, adding to the cleanup burden facing the community.

    In addition to structural and property damage, the severe weather knocked out critical electrical infrastructure, leaving the vast majority of Gazcue without power immediately after the storm passed. Local utility companies quickly dispatched response teams to the area to conduct full damage assessments and begin restoration work. As of the latest updates, emergency management officials have confirmed that no storm-related injuries have been reported, though fallen tree debris continues to cause major traffic congestion throughout the neighborhood as cleanup efforts proceed.

  • Republic Bank introduceert online rekening openen via RepublicOnboard

    Republic Bank introduceert online rekening openen via RepublicOnboard

    In a major push to modernize retail banking services and enhance customer accessibility, Republic Bank has announced the launch of a groundbreaking end-to-end digital account opening platform named RepublicOnboard, announced in a recent public statement dated April 13.

    Unlike traditional account opening processes that require mandatory in-person visits to a bank branch, the new solution empowers customers to complete their entire application from any location, at any time. Every step of the journey, from initial application submission to identity verification, is conducted completely online, cutting out lengthy wait times and paperwork that have long frustrated banking customers.

    To complete their application, users simply upload digital copies of required documentation, including government-issued proof of identity, confirmation of residential address, and income information if available. Identity verification is finalized through a secure, encrypted selfie-check process that matches the user’s photo to their official identity document. Republic Bank confirmed that the new platform is directly integrated with its core banking infrastructure, a design choice that guarantees both high-level security for user data and a smooth, efficient onboarding experience. As an added convenience, customers are automatically enrolled in the bank’s existing digital banking services, including online banking and mobile banking apps, immediately after their account is approved.

    The platform offers customers a range of account options to suit different needs, including the no-monthly-fee e-free checking account, a standard giro account, and a personal savings account. The e-free option, which charges no recurring monthly maintenance costs, is expected to be particularly popular among consumers who rely almost exclusively on digital banking services and have little need for in-branch support.
    Republic Bank also emphasized that its existing ATM services will remain fully operational for customers following the launch. Account holders can still withdraw funds in both Surinamese dollars (SRD) and United States dollars (USD), with a daily withdrawal limit of SRD 20,000 that carries no extra transaction fees.

    Industry observers note that the launch of RepublicOnboard marks a key milestone in Republic Bank’s broader strategy to expand digital transformation and customer-centric service delivery across the regional banking sector. The move aligns with a global industry trend toward fully digital banking experiences, as financial institutions compete to meet rising consumer expectations for flexible, accessible financial services.

  • BAM: Safeguard Foreday Morning

    BAM: Safeguard Foreday Morning

    As Barbados’ beloved annual Crop Over festival approaches, a leading cultural organization is sounding the alarm over growing threats to one of the celebration’s most iconic centerpieces, calling for urgent regulatory action to safeguard the island’s cultural and tourism heritage.

    Bryan Worrell, head of the Barbados Association of Masqueraders (BAM), has renewed his organization’s appeal to national cultural authorities to protect the legacy of Foreday Morning and other signature Crop Over events, amid mounting concerns that unregulated private parties are siphoning attendees away from the flagship j’ouvert celebration. These concerns are widely shared among the roughly 40 official Foreday Morning band leaders, who have formally submitted a petition to the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and the Ministry of Culture to address the issue. Since the petition was filed, Worrell confirmed that ongoing discussions are underway to develop a formal, long-term solution to the mounting pressure on official events.

    At the core of BAM’s proposal is the creation of a national registry for official cultural events on Barbados’ national calendar. Worrell argues that key fixtures including Foreday Morning, Grand Kadooment and Bridgetown Market deserve special protected status to limit direct competition from private events. He warned that the current threat to Foreday Morning is not an isolated issue: without intervention, other major Crop Over attractions could face the same erosion of attendance in coming years.

    “What’s to say that in another year or two that Grand Kadooment doesn’t come under the same threat that Foreday Morning is?” Worrell posed in an interview with reporters. He emphasized that BAM’s objection centers on private events holding their activities on the exact same night as official Foreday Morning, which splits the reveller base and undermines the long-standing traditional celebration.

    While much of the recent public attention has focused on Twisted Entertainment, the organizer of the popular Tipsy Music Festival that launched a competing private jump this year, Worrell stressed that the problem is systemic. Over the past several years, there has been a steady rise in the number of private foreday-style events, with another new private gathering, Stain’d, announced for this year backed by Vida by Esquire (VXE) and other local partners.

    Worrell explained that two potential paths forward exist to resolve the conflict: establishing the protected national event registry, or updating national legislation to formalize protections for official cultural events. In the near term, however, BAM is focused on brokering a voluntary agreement to shift competing private events to different dates, an arrangement that would protect the livelihoods of the dozens of small businesses and band leaders that organize the official Foreday Morning celebration each year.

    Addressing a common talking point from supporters of private events – claims that official Foreday Morning is unsafe for attendees – Worrell pushed back firmly, noting that there is no empirical evidence to back up these assertions. He pointed to more than a decade without any major reported safety incidents at the official event, and outlined the layered security framework that is already in place to protect participants.

    “Each registered band has its own security, along with the police service, along with the BDF on the route, along with excellent lighting… ambulance services are there to respond, so we have everything in place that will make your event safe and sound,” Worrell explained.

    Beyond preserving cultural tradition, Worrell emphasized that Foreday Morning is a critical economic and tourism asset for Barbados, drawing large numbers of international visitors who specifically travel to the island to experience the authentic cultural event. “That’s why we feel so strongly about it…as one of the highlighted events on the calendar that it should [have] that additional protection to ensure that it lives on,” he said.

    When reached for comment on the ongoing negotiations between BAM and cultural authorities, Akil Franklin, corporate communications specialist at the NCF, declined to provide any statement on the status of talks.

  • Barbados-based publishing company to attend international children’s book fair

    Barbados-based publishing company to attend international children’s book fair

    For the first time in the 63-year history of the world’s most prestigious children’s publishing event, the Caribbean region will have an official, dedicated collective presence at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), running April 13–16 at the Bologna Exhibition Centre in Italy. Barbados-founded Beyond Publishing Caribbean, a 12-year-old independent publishing house focused on elevating Caribbean storytelling, will lead the newly formed Caribbean Collective delegation alongside two other leading regional cultural figures: Latoya West-Blackwood, founder and director of the Jamaica Book Festival, and Jeunanne Alkins, a Trinidad and Tobago-based publisher and founder of Everything Slight Pepper.

    Widely recognized as the globe’s largest professional gathering focused exclusively on children’s publishing, illustration, intellectual property rights, licensing, and multimedia children’s content, BCBF draws thousands of industry leaders, creators, and publishers from every corner of the world, offering an unmatched platform for global collaboration and exposure. Beyond Publishing Caribbean co-founder Delvin Howell emphasized that the Caribbean Collective’s invitation marks a historic milestone for the region’s creative industry, framing the participation as a transformative step forward for putting Caribbean publishing on the global map.

    “This is a historic event, where for the first time the Caribbean will have such presence in this space,” Howell shared. “It is a large step towards presenting Barbadian and Caribbean publishing to the world.”

    Founded in 2012, Beyond Publishing Caribbean has built its reputation on producing high-quality comics and illustrated novels rooted in authentic Caribbean experiences, while holding its work to the same production and storytelling standards as major international publishing houses. At BCBF, the company will showcase its full catalogue of titles, highlighting three standout works that demonstrate the breadth of Caribbean storytelling:
    – *Loose Change*, an action-packed battle comic series set in a Caribbean business school, designed to teach financial literacy and encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurship;
    – *Crossroads*, a gritty, socially conscious title that explores urgent community challenges including gun violence, bullying, and domestic abuse, a project previously supported by the United States Embassy to drive public awareness;
    – *Offset*, a genre-bending comic inspired by traditional Caribbean folklore, set in an alternate-universe version of Barbados.

    The Caribbean Collective will exhibit in BCBF’s popular Comics Corner, a dedicated space for graphic storytelling that will place the regional creators alongside some of the biggest names in the global comics industry, including major players Image Comics, Boom Studios, Kodansha, Viz Media, and Scholastic. Howell said the opportunity to exhibit alongside these industry giants is a major validation of Caribbean creative talent, and the team plans to leverage the platform to build lasting professional connections with international publishers, agents, and creators.

    Beyond Publishing Caribbean has previously showcased its work at regional cultural events, including participating in the Creative Caribbean delegation at CARIFESTA 2025, but Howell noted that BCBF marks the company’s first official exhibiting slot at an international publishing event of this scale. From its earliest days, the press has centered a simple but powerful mission: to compete with top international titles while remaining unapologetically rooted in Caribbean culture, unique characters, and local ways of life.

    “From the beginning, Beyond Publishing Caribbean has made the global standard of storytelling, production and artwork our bare minimum,” Howell said. “We aimed to compete with any major title from overseas while also being true to our culture, characters and way of life.”

    First launched in 1963, the annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair has grown into the cornerstone event of the global children’s publishing industry. The 2026 edition of the fair has already announced its visual theme, “Faces, Features and Portraits”, as the event continues to evolve to reflect shifting trends in children’s media and storytelling.

  • Pinelands, Bulls, Lakers, Celtics in winners’ row

    Pinelands, Bulls, Lakers, Celtics in winners’ row

    The latest matchweek of the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association’s Premier League delivered four distinct outcomes across the Sunday fixture slate, with dominant performances and standout individual scoring taking center stage at the Barbados Community College host venue.

    Opening the day’s competition, KFC Pinelands secured a lopsided 18-point win over NSC Tridents, finalizing the score at 78-60. Adriel Brathwaite anchored Pinelands’ offensive output, leading all teammates with 19 total points, while the squad boasted four players hitting double-digit scoring totals. Forward Carl Thorpe chipped in 18 points, and both Rachad Hall and Khenti Morris added 14 points each to round out the balanced offensive attack. For the defeated Tridents, Zane Gaskin put up a team-high 18 points, with Bronson Gibson-D’ermo contributing 12 points in the losing effort.

    In the afternoon’s second matchup, Burger King Clapham Bulls pulled away for a comfortable 107-85 victory against Warrens All Stars. Brothers Rasheed Maynard and Simeon Maynard turned in matching 16-point performances to pace the Bulls’ winning effort. Even though Warrens All Stars guard Delan Willie recorded the highest individual scoring total of the entire game with 21 points, his side could not overcome the Bulls’ coordinated team play and fell short by 22 points.

    The third contest of the day saw Island Care Ambulance Service hold off a late push from PremiumFit Bears to claim a 71-61 win. The winning squad got a double-digit scoring boost from guard Tyreke Harewood, who dropped 18 points, and forward Keefe Birkett, who added 13 points to secure the 10-point victory. Despite a career-best outing from PremiumFit’s Antoine Winter, who scored a game-high 32 points, the Bears could not overcome a lack of consistent supporting scoring and dropped the fixture.

    Closing out the Sunday game schedule, C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics defeated Fusionz Boutique Station Hill Cavaliers by a 16-point margin, closing the game out at 94-78. Swingman Theo Greenidge led all Celtics scorers with 28 points, while guard Kiserian Adams contributed 20 points and forward Deroni Hurly added 18 points to the winning total. Deveron Knight topped the scoring chart for the Cavaliers with 19 points in the loss.

  • ANN: Dominica sits on top of Windward Under-19 cricket after two matches

    ANN: Dominica sits on top of Windward Under-19 cricket after two matches

    DOMINICA, ROSEAU – As the 2026 WINLOTT/Windward Islands Under-19 Cricket Tournament unfolds on home soil, Dominica has surged to the top of the tournament standings following the completion of the first two rounds of group play. After earning two wins from their two opening matches, the host side currently holds a total of 4 points alongside an impressive net run rate of 2.695, putting them clear of competing teams at the early stage of the tournament.

    The battle for the second position on the leaderboard has been a tight contest between Saint Lucia and Grenada. Both teams have posted identical results through their first two matches, picking up one win and one loss apiece to leave them tied on 2 points each. The tiebreaker of net run rate ultimately placed Saint Lucia in the second spot, as the side holds a positive net run rate of 1.682, far outperforming Grenada’s negative net run rate of minus 1.188.

    This early tournament lead marks a strong opening showing for the young Dominica side, as they look to maintain their form through the remainder of the regional youth cricket competition, with more matches scheduled to determine the overall tournament champion in the coming rounds. [Photo: Shamel Hillaire (centre) celebrating the fall of another wicket, credit to WINLOTT – Robertson S. Henry]

  • He Won Over $300,000 in Mega Bingo

    He Won Over $300,000 in Mega Bingo

    A lucky yet methodic bingo player has walked away with a life-changing $370,000 Mega Bingo jackpot, crediting his long-term patience rather than pure random luck for the huge windfall, announced on April 13, 2026.

    After mandatory tax deductions, the winner takes home a net sum of approximately $315,000, a payout that has already reshaped his near-term financial plans. In a reflection on his winning strategy, the player shared that he has held fast to the same ticket number combination for years, even through a long break from playing the game.

    “I started purchasing Mega Bingo tickets when the game first launched, but I took an extended break from playing before I came back to it,” he explained. “Ever since I returned, I’ve bought the same exact ticket every time without ever changing the numbers. That consistency paid off in the end.”

    Now that the jackpot is secured, the winner says he has no plans to rush into reckless spending. Instead, his top priority is using the funds to support his mother and other loved ones who have supported him over the years. He emphasized that he intends to avoid impulsive financial decisions, noting that unplanned spending can drain even a large windfall faster than many people expect.

    As of press time, the report of the win has garnered more than 200 views from readers following the story.

  • We Live in a Hurricane Belt: “Every Year Could be Disastrous”

    We Live in a Hurricane Belt: “Every Year Could be Disastrous”

    Against a backdrop of escalating climate-driven hazards that have made the Caribbean one of the most disaster-prone regions on Earth, Belize took a critical step forward on April 13, 2026 to reinforce its emergency preparedness with a new digital initiative. In an official handover ceremony, 30 Samsung tablets were delivered to frontline disaster management agencies, equipping on-the-ground responders with modern tools to confront the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

    Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), one of the key partners backing the initiative, outlined the transformative role the new devices will play during active crises. Unlike traditional paper-based assessment methods that delay data sharing and analysis, these tablets will allow officials to gather actionable, on-location information in real time as emergencies unfold. “They’ll be capturing geo-referenced photos, building footprint observations, and rapid assessments during storms, floods, and other emergencies,” Young explained. Beyond the mobile devices, the project also delivers high-resolution satellite imagery, customized digital maps, and detailed vulnerability assessments that highlight high-risk communities across Belize, giving planners and responders clearer insight into where threats are most acute.

    Young emphasized that technical equipment alone cannot deliver lasting improvement. To ensure long-term impact, the initiative includes structured training for at least 40 local officials, building sustained capacity within Belize’s disaster response ecosystem. When fully rolled out, project organizers estimate the benefits will reach hundreds of frontline workers directly, and thousands of at-risk community members indirectly, by cutting response times and improving the accuracy of emergency resource allocation.

    Cordel Hyde, Belize’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, used the ceremony to underscore the urgent climate reality that makes investments like this non-negotiable for his small coastal nation. Located squarely within the Atlantic hurricane belt, Belize faces the constant threat of catastrophic extreme weather, with risks growing worse each year due to climate change. “We live in a hurricane belt. Every year could be disastrous, literally every year or multiple times per year,” Hyde warned. He went on to outline the full scope of compounding threats Belize now confronts with increasing regularity: crippling droughts that undermine drinking water security, out-of-control wildfires, destructive river and coastal flooding, deadly landslides, and accelerating shoreline erosion that eats away at valuable coastal land and community infrastructure.

    Hyde cited data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that puts the region’s long-standing disaster risk into stark perspective: of the 511 major disasters that have impacted small island developing states since 1950, roughly two thirds have occurred across the Caribbean. To date, these events have claimed more than 250,000 lives across the region, leaving a legacy of destruction and economic instability that persists for decades after each event. For Belize specifically, nearly 40.5% of the national population resides in low-lying coastal zones, putting hundreds of thousands of people directly in the path of storm surges, hurricane winds, and coastal erosion. “With 40.5% of our population living in coastal zones, strengthening community-level disaster preparedness is a must,” Hyde added.

    The digital handover is part of a broader project titled “Strengthening Data Management Foundation for Disaster Risk Preparedness in Belize”, a joint collaboration between the CCCCC and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The primary agencies set to benefit from the new tools and training are Belize’s National Climate Change Office (NCCO), the Lands and Survey Department, and the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the country’s lead agency for coordinating emergency response during large-scale disasters. This investment marks a key milestone in Belize’s ongoing efforts to build climate resilience and protect vulnerable communities from the growing impacts of global climate change.

  • ABLP Barbuda Candidate Kendra Beazer Pledges People-Focused Development After Nomination

    ABLP Barbuda Candidate Kendra Beazer Pledges People-Focused Development After Nomination

    As Antigua and Barbuda gears up for its upcoming general election on April 30, Nomination Day has marked a key milestone for the Barbuda constituency, with Kendra Beazer officially securing the spot as the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) nominee. Fresh from completing her nomination formalities on Monday, Beazer opened up about what the moment means to her and the island community, framing the nomination as the start of a transformative new era for Barbuda. Speaking in an official public statement, she shared that she feels deeply humbled and privileged to carry the ABLP banner into the upcoming electoral contest. At the core of Beazer’s campaign platform is a people-centered vision that ties together three foundational pillars: preserving the island’s unique cultural and historic heritage, advancing inclusive social development, and lifting up local community interests. She laid out clear priorities for her term ahead: protecting Barbuda’s long-held legacy, creating new pathways for empowerment among the island’s young population, expanding and upgrading public services that meet the growing needs of Barbuda’s senior residents, and collective action to build greater community resilience across the island. Beazer emphasized that sustainable, meaningful progress for Barbuda cannot be achieved through top-down planning alone. Instead, she argued, any long-term development strategy must be rooted in the shared values of local residents and built on consistent, meaningful involvement from across the Barbuda community. “With collective leadership and community spirit, we will ensure Barbuda’s development is rooted in dignity, opportunity, and hope,” Beazer said, reinforcing her commitment to collaborative governance. Beazer’s nomination is part of the wider candidate selection process that wrapped up on Nomination Day, where contenders across all of the country’s electoral constituencies, including the Barbuda seat, secured their places on the April 30 ballot. When election day arrives, registered voters across Antigua and Barbuda will head to the polls to select their parliamentary representatives for the new term, with the Barbuda contest set to be a key race to watch in the national election.

  • Jazz ‘n Creole 2026 unveils star-studded lineup for15th Edition in Portsmouth

    Jazz ‘n Creole 2026 unveils star-studded lineup for15th Edition in Portsmouth

    Dominica’s most beloved cultural music celebration, Jazz ‘n Creole, is preparing to mark its 15th anniversary this spring, with event organizers officially revealing a packed lineup of local fan favorites and acclaimed regional performers that promises a one-of-a-kind experience for attendees.

    The Discover Dominica Authority, the event organizer backed by the Government of Dominica which serves as this year’s presenting sponsor, has confirmed the full details of the gathering: the festival will kick off at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 3, hosted at the scenic open-air location of Cabrits National Park in the northern city of Portsmouth.

    In an official press statement, the authority emphasized that Jazz ‘n Creole has grown into a key cultural and economic driver for Dominica’s northern region, consistently drawing international and domestic visitors alike and holding its place as a highlight of the island’s annual events calendar.

    This year’s talent roster brings together a dynamic mix of local Dominican artists, regional Caribbean acts, and internationally recognized performers. Headlining the festival are Jamaican reggae and jazz icon Tarrus Riley alongside his renowned group The Blak Soil Band, with legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser also joining the Jamaican contingent. Classic American R&B group The Manhattans will also take the main stage as international headliners. Representing Dominica’s thriving homegrown music scene are fan-favorite acts including Michele Henderson, Lili Octave, Khadija Joseph, Phael, Janea Jackson, the Riddim Knockarz Band, and the Swingin’ Stars.

    Under this year’s curated theme “Afro Elegance”, the festival will run across the entire afternoon and evening, designed to offer a fully immersive cultural experience beyond just musical performances. Organizers note that guests can expect a seamless blend of smooth jazz sounds and rhythmic Creole-influenced music, all set against the natural backdrop of Cabrits National Park, with carefully selected cultural displays and activities woven into the day’s schedule.

    Beyond the main concert at the national park, a full slate of fringe activities will be hosted across Portsmouth and surrounding nearby communities. Event officials are encouraging all attendees to extend their stay and explore the full range of outdoor and cultural experiences Dominica has to offer, including guided river excursions, world-class snorkeling and diving adventures, horseback riding tours, visits to the island’s famous waterfalls, immersive chocolate plantation tours, rum distillery tastings, and relaxation on Dominica’s unspoiled scenic beaches.

    The 15th anniversary iteration of the festival will also shine a spotlight on Dominica’s rich Creole culinary traditions, handcrafted local art, and maintain the event’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming, family-friendly gathering. Organizers have invited all attendees to embrace the “Afro Elegance” theme by wearing clothing that draws inspiration from African and Afro-Caribbean cultural heritage, adding an extra layer of collective celebration to the day.

    Marva Williams, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority, noted that this year’s festival continues the event’s core mission: elevating Portsmouth as a top regional weekend travel destination while creating valuable opportunities for local Dominican artists to perform alongside globally recognized talent.

    For attendees planning to join the celebration, tickets are available for purchase online via the official festival website at www.dominicafestivals.com. Physical paper tickets can also be purchased in person at multiple locations: the Discover Dominica Authority’s main office on Great Marlborough Street in Roseau, as well as Depex Color Lab, Bullseye Pharmacy, and Waters Edge in Portsmouth.

    Anyone seeking additional updates or more detailed information about the full festival schedule can visit the official website or follow the “Dominica Festivals” accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest announcements.