A dramatic late game breakdown gave Switzerland a convincing 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in a hotly contested Group B match played in Los Angeles, with all decisive goals coming in the final 15 minutes of play. What looked set to be a tight, low-scoring draw for most of 90 minutes shifted dramatically after a series of impactful substitutions from the Swiss side unlocked a stubborn Bosnia-Herzegovina defense that had held firm for more than an hour.
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PM renews CARICOM reparations call at Accra conference
On Thursday, at the NEXT STEPS 2026 High-Level Consultative Conference held in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), delivered a forceful address that renewed the regional bloc’s longstanding demand for reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade. Mottley challenged global leaders to move beyond symbolic acknowledgement of the atrocities of centuries of slavery and address the persistent, intergenerational harm the system left behind, stressing that advocates will accept “no retreat on repair”.
The Accra gathering, which builds on years of CARICOM advocacy and landmark United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemning the trafficking of enslaved Africans, brought together a cross-segment group of stakeholders: African and Caribbean policymakers, academic researchers, civil society representatives, and international partners. Attendees gathered to outline concrete steps to implement the UN resolution, turning global recognition of historical harm into tangible action.
In her speech, Mottley pointed to a striking global double standard: while the international community broadly and unanimously condemns a wide range of crimes against humanity in the modern era, it has failed to reach the same unified consensus around the historic crime of chattel slavery. “We have not found the moral courage to state unanimously across humanity that this grave crime against humanity that persisted for centuries ought to be declared so by all,” she said, adding that “That others choose to remain silent is a reflection of them, not of us.”
Mottley traced CARICOM’s advocacy for reparations back nearly a decade, framing the Accra conference as a turning point in the global movement. Reflecting on Barbados’ unflinching confrontation with its own role in the history of slavery, she noted that the island’s 1661 Slave Code predated France’s well-documented Code Noir by 20 years, and went on to serve as a template for slave laws across other Caribbean colonies and parts of what became the United States. This legal framework stripped generations of enslaved Africans of their most fundamental rights by classifying them as subhuman property, a dehumanization that inflicted harm that echoes through communities to this day. “It is the categorisation of us as subhuman. It is the categorisation of us as chattel, as property, that stripped us of our dignity first and foremost, but equally removed from us the choices that are necessary in life to truly express freedom,” Mottley explained.
Crucially, the prime minister emphasized that the global push for reparations is not rooted in animosity or a desire to deepen divisions. Instead, it is a necessary step toward collective healing for all humanity. “The language used from this platform this morning is not one of aggression, is not one of violence, but it is one of the necessities for healing for humanity,” she said, repeating the core mantra of the movement: “There should be no retreat on repair.”
Mottley also highlighted CARICOM’s updated 10-point reparatory justice plan, which was distributed to all conference attendees. The framework outlines clear, actionable demands including a formal public apology from formerly slave-trading and colonial powers, the restitution of stolen cultural artifacts, investment in public health and education initiatives targeted at affected communities, widespread debt relief for former colonial states, and direct compensation for the enduring socioeconomic impacts of slavery and colonialism.
Closing her address, Mottley urged unified action from African and Caribbean nations, warning that deliberate external divisions have long undermined progress for marginalized nations in global justice movements. “These committees, however, will only mean something if we can stay together united and not allow division yet again to be the anchor for those who want to win against us,” she said. She added that reparations must be understood not as a charitable gesture toward formerly colonized nations, but as a fundamental requirement of global justice: “Once that process is started, then it becomes easier for us to engage, not as an act of charity, as you have heard from these platforms, but as an act of justice.” Reaffirming the movement’s commitment, Mottley concluded that just as repair is always required after harm is done in any area of life, it is non-negotiable for the centuries-long crime of chattel slavery: “Our role is to ensure that there is no retreat from our requests and that we recognise that repair comes after recognition.”
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Sandals Foundation Invests Ec$38,000 In Youth Enterprise Through Entrepreneurship Edge Programme
A new push to grow youth-led economic development across Antigua and Barbuda has launched this week, backed by a EC$38,000 investment from the Sandals Foundation into the Department of Youth Affairs’ flagship Entrepreneurship Edge Programme. The official kickoff was hosted at the island nation’s Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre, marking the second consecutive year of public-private collaboration between the foundation and the youth affairs department to cultivate the next wave of local business leaders, innovators, and founders.
Over the next six weeks, participants will meet twice weekly for interactive training sessions led by veteran industry professionals, successful established entrepreneurs, and specialized subject matter experts. The program is built to serve a diverse group of young people, from current small business owners looking to scale their operations to aspiring entrepreneurs with early-stage ideas they aim to turn into sustainable, revenue-generating ventures. Training modules are designed to equip attendees with hands-on practical skills, long-term strategic planning capabilities, and the confidence required to navigate the complexities of today’s competitive global market, ultimately building businesses that drive broader national economic growth.
David Latchimy, General Manager of Sandals, praised the Department of Youth Affairs for its unwavering focus on youth advancement and for building a targeted platform that directly addresses the common barriers young founders face when launching and scaling new enterprises. He emphasized that the partnership extends far beyond one-time financial investment, representing a shared long-term vision to nurture homegrown entrepreneurial talent, spark a culture of innovation across the country, and give young people the concrete tools to turn their creative concepts into viable, long-lasting businesses.
Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, reiterated her department’s ongoing commitment to embedding entrepreneurship as a core career pathway for Antigua and Barbuda’s young population. “By connecting our participants with proven business leaders and opening access to the critical resources they would otherwise struggle to secure, the Entrepreneurship Edge Programme is helping us build a stronger, more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem across Antigua and Barbuda,” Samuel explained.
As the Caribbean nation increasingly prioritizes entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth empowerment as core drivers of inclusive national development, this cross-sector partnership stands as a model for effective public-private collaboration. It demonstrates how aligned cooperation between government agencies and private philanthropic organizations can create clear, accessible pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in the national economy and drive long-term sustainable growth.
The six weeks of intensive training and mentorship will conclude with the Entrepreneurship Edge Expo, a public showcase where all participants will have the opportunity to present their finished business concepts, finished products, and available services to potential investors, customers, and community partners.
Founded in March 2009 to expand on the decades of community-focused philanthropic work led by parent company Sandals Resorts International, the Sandals Foundation is a registered nonprofit charity across multiple major jurisdictions: it holds registration with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies in Jamaica, is a CRA-registered charity in Canada, operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States, and is registered with the Charity Commission for England & Wales. The organization draws on more than 40 years of commitment to supporting the Caribbean communities where Sandals Resorts operates, focusing its investment on three core impact areas: education, community development, and environmental stewardship. Critically, 100% of all public donations to the foundation go directly toward community-focused programs across the region, with no administrative deductions taken from public contributions.
The Sandals Foundation says it remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that strengthen Caribbean communities through expanded education opportunities, targeted skills training, leadership development, and broad-based economic empowerment for marginalized groups including young people.
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Strength & Conditioning Centre named after ‘Twa Ti Né’
On a meaningful Thursday ceremony in Saint Lucia, one of the nation’s most beloved and impactful sports figures, Cuthbert “Twa Ti Né” Modeste, received a permanent honor that cements his decades-long contributions to athletics and youth development: a new state-of-the-art strength and conditioning centre at Mindoo Philip Park now bears his name.
Modeste, a former athlete turned iconic coach and mentor, has spent the bulk of his life nurturing local sporting talent across the island. Through his leadership of the Survivors Track Club, he has shaped the careers of dozens of competitive athletes, including two of Saint Lucia’s most decorated Olympians: Julien Alfred, the nation’s first and only two-time Olympic medalist, and high jumper Jeanelle Scheper. For generations of young aspiring athletes, Modeste has been far more than a coach—he has been a steady guide, advocate, and source of inspiration.
The new facility marks a major milestone for Saint Lucia’s investment in high-performance sport. Mindoo Philip Park, a bustling multi-purpose venue that hosts training and competition for cricket, football, and track and field, will now offer local and national athletes a dedicated space to build strength and refine their skills. All gym equipment for the centre was donated by the government of Taiwan, making the project a collaborative effort to elevate local sport. This opening follows the recent launch of a similar strength facility at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, with a third location already planned for Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort in the coming months to support athlete development across the southern region of the island. Two full-time trainers have already been hired to oversee operations at the Mindoo Philip Park centre.
Julien Alfred, who first joined Modeste’s program at just 9 years old, was in attendance at the ceremony and shared an emotional tribute to the coach who changed the course of her career. She recalled critical moments when she considered stepping away from athletics entirely, crediting Modeste’s unwavering support for keeping her connected to the sport she loves. “I’m just really happy that Twa Ti Né is getting his flowers while he’s still here,” Alfred said. “Just seeing how much he has poured into the youth and the future generation of Saint Lucia. I came here at the age of nine, and he’s been with me throughout every single journey of my career. Even when I wanted to give up in my career, he’s been there through every single moment. At my early age, getting global medals for Saint Lucia, he’s been there.”
Senior government leaders joined in the celebration, highlighting both the practical and symbolic importance of the naming. Kenson Casimir, Minister for Education, Youth Development and Sports, described the opening as “both a physical investment in our athletes and a symbolic recognition of the values that Mr Cuthbert Modeste has embodied throughout his life.” Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also serves as MP for Castries East, called Modeste an unsung hero of Saint Lucian sport, noting his quiet, consistent impact over decades. “Twa Ti Né is an unsung hero. He did a lot of work quietly, working with athletes, and he had the tenacity and the patience to allow people to develop,” Pierre said.
In a brief, humble address to attendees, Modeste expressed gratitude for the honor. “I would like to thank all those who acknowledge my objective of making little things happen. Once again, I thank everybody, and thank God. Thank you very much,” he said.
Christopher Duncan, a former athlete of Modeste’s and long-time associate at the Survivors Track Club, summed up the significance of the moment: “It is often said that a prophet is not honoured in his own land; today we proved otherwise.”
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Elmer Nah’s Sentencing Adjourned!
Three and a half years after a horrific New Year’s Eve shooting left three members of a Belmopan family dead and one injured, the long-awaited sentencing of convicted former police corporal Elmer Nah has been adjourned at the eleventh hour. Presiding trial judge Justice Nigel Pilgrim announced Thursday that he requires additional time to thoroughly review all legal and victim submissions presented to the court, pushing the final sentencing decision to 9 a.m. Friday.
Nah was found guilty on May 29 of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for the 2022 attack that targeted the Ramnarace family in their Belmopan home. The gun violence immediately claimed the lives of brothers Jon and David Ramnarace. Jon’s wife, Vivian Belisle Ramnarace, survived the initial shooting but ultimately died from her injuries later. The fourth victim, Yemi Alberto, escaped the attack with his life.
During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, prosecution attorneys and surviving members of the Ramnarace family pushed the court to deliver the maximum possible penalty: a life sentence. Their argument centered on the extreme brutality of the crime and the irreversible, lifelong harm the massacre has inflicted on the victim’s extended family and community, asserting that the severity of Nah’s actions demands the harshest punishment allowed under Belizean law.
The guilty verdict in Nah’s trial rested heavily on a pivotal piece of evidence: the testimony that Vivian Belisle Ramnarace gave prior to her death. In his May ruling, Justice Pilgrim characterized her first-hand account of the attack as consistently credible and reliable, noting that surveillance and body camera video evidence collected by investigators aligned perfectly with her description of the event. The judge also fully rejected Nah’s attempts to account for his whereabouts the night of the shooting, concluding that the former law enforcement officer had intentionally fabricated his story to mislead both investigators and the court.
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CDB launches regional initiative to explore Caribbean renewable energy grid integration
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has officially launched a groundbreaking regional technical assistance initiative designed to transform the Caribbean’s energy landscape by scaling up renewable energy adoption and integrating national electricity grids across neighboring nations. Dubbed the Caribbean Regional Electricity Grid Interconnection and Renewable Energy Scaling Technical Assistance Project (CREGI-RES), the effort marks a critical turning point in the region’s decades-long fight to break free from costly, carbon-intensive dependence on imported fossil fuels.
At the project launch ceremony, key stakeholders including Dr. Sherine Ibrahim, Sustainable Energy Specialist at CDB, and Kyle Farnum, Energy Programme Manager for the European Union, gathered to mark the start of what planners hope will become a blueprint for sustainable energy transition across the small island developing states of the Caribbean. L. O’Reilly Lewis, Director of CDB’s Projects Department, emphasized that collective regional action is the only viable path to solving shared energy challenges that no single nation can tackle alone. “Regional cooperation through this Technical Assistance unlocks opportunities individual countries cannot achieve alone. The potential benefits could be significant and now must be tested through rigorous analysis,” Lewis noted at the event.
For years, Caribbean nations have faced some of the highest retail electricity prices in the world, a burden directly tied to their overwhelming reliance on imported petroleum and coal to meet domestic power demand. Despite the region holding enormous untapped renewable energy potential—including abundant geothermal reserves, strong offshore wind resources, consistent solar irradiation, and viable hydropower sites—clean energy currently makes up only a small fraction of the region’s total installed generation capacity. CREGI-RES was developed specifically to address this gap by laying the groundwork for coordinated regional action.
Over the course of the project, technical teams will conduct a comprehensive feasibility assessment of a range of integrated energy solutions. Key areas of analysis include the potential for cross-border submarine electricity interconnections, targeted upgrades to aging transmission infrastructure, and strategies to speed up the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy technologies across the region. The assessment will also quantify how integrated regional energy systems could deliver tangible benefits to consumers, including lower monthly electricity bills, more reliable power supply, reduced vulnerability to volatile global fossil fuel price swings, and strengthened resilience to extreme climate events that increasingly threaten small island energy infrastructure.
To guide the initiative, CDB will appoint a dedicated full-time Grid Interconnection and Renewable Energy Scaling Advisor, who will lead the development of a detailed actionable regional roadmap. The roadmap will address core barriers to progress, including inconsistent regulatory frameworks, gaps in institutional capacity, and challenges in building competitive regional power markets. The project will also establish cross-cutting thematic working groups and host a series of inclusive stakeholder engagement activities, including regional workshops and country-level dialogue sessions, to identify and resolve regulatory and policy barriers that have historically deterred clean energy investment. A central priority of these efforts is to create an enabling policy and market environment that can attract large-scale long-term private sector financing for renewable energy and grid projects.
Total funding for the $1.5 million technical assistance project comes from multiple global development partners, aligned around shared climate and energy goals for the Caribbean. CDB is contributing core financing through its Special Funds Resources, with additional support coming from the European Union Caribbean Investment Facility (EU-CIF) Geothermal Risk Mitigation Programme, France’s Agence Française de Développement, and the Government of Canada through its Sustainable Renewable Energy Generation (SuRGE) programme. Implementation of the project is scheduled to run through early 2028, with the first draft of the comprehensive regional roadmap expected to be released for public consultation in 2027.
CDB officials note that the ultimate success of the initiative will depend on the findings of rigorous technical, environmental, financial, and social assessments, as well as subsequent buy-in and investment commitments from participating Caribbean governments and international funding partners. If realized, the project’s recommendations are expected to deliver widespread benefits including expanded renewable generation capacity, reduced regional carbon emissions, more affordable electricity for households and businesses, improved climate resilience, and new job opportunities in the fast-growing clean energy sector.
CREGI-RES is a flagship initiative under CDB’s Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilience Transition 2030 (ASERT-2030) Framework, and aligns directly with the development bank’s core strategic priority of expanding green energy investment across all its Borrowing Member Countries. The project also aligns with the broader energy transition agenda of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and supports the region’s collective climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, reinforcing the Caribbean’s ambition to take a leading role in the global transition to low-carbon sustainable energy systems.
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Panton: “Political Leadership is Not a Licence to Enrich Yourself”
On June 18, 2026, a major political controversy has erupted in Belize’s Belize District, as Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has publicly called for the immediate resignation of sitting Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira. The demand comes following explosive allegations that Mira steered lucrative government contracts to business entities and individuals connected to his own immediate family.
Panton laid out her accusations during an appearance on the popular local morning current affairs program *Open Your Eyes* on Thursday, where she outlined a clear stance on ethical governance for public officials. She emphasized that holding elected political leadership does not grant any official permission to use public office for personal, familial or associated corporate financial gain.
“Being a political officer or being elected to political leadership is not a licence to enrich yourself, to enrich your family, to enrich companies that are affiliated with your family,” Panton stated during the interview. She added that occupying any public office comes with a sacred responsibility to safeguard public funds, warning that misusing political authority for private gain is a fundamental betrayal of the public trust.
Panton went on to cite what she says is concrete evidence backing the corruption allegations contained within the Belize government’s own SmartStream financial tracking system. According to her, the system’s records show 44 separate payments were processed to a family member of Mira on a single day. Panton called this clear-cut nepotism, and argued that this kind of activity lies at the core of deep-rooted public corruption in the current administration.
In addition to calling for Mira’s removal from cabinet, Panton also criticized what she frames as a complete lack of response from senior ruling party officials, including Belize’s Prime Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Finance. She expressed public outrage over the silence from top government leadership, saying every Belizean citizen has the right to be angered by the lack of accountability.
“Oscar Mira must go. He must resign. He must be removed from cabinet,” Panton declared, issuing a public call to action for all Belizean citizens and good governance advocates to stand with her in demanding accountability for the alleged malfeasance.
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Tourism growth should not outpace utility planning, NURC chief warns
At the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s annual general meeting held on Wednesday, June 17, Skeeta Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC), delivered a critical address calling for a fundamental shift in how the Caribbean island approaches tourism growth. Gibbs issued a clear warning that utility networks cannot be treated as an afterthought in tourism expansion, arguing that robust infrastructure must be embedded at the core of all future development planning.
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Castle Bruce Police strengthen community ties through district patrols
Law enforcement teams based at the Castle Bruce Police Station are pressing forward with targeted community-focused programs designed to lift public safety standards and build closer, more collaborative bonds with local residents and business operators across the district.
A public statement released by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) confirmed that two serving officers – Corporal Earl George and Constable Valmond – recently conducted a highly visible uniformed mobile patrol throughout the Castle Bruce area. This patrol formed a key part of the station’s long-term proactive strategy, which prioritizes pre-emptive crime reduction and consistent engagement with the communities it serves.
Over the course of the patrol, the officers stopped at a wide cross-section of local commercial establishments, ranging from retail stores and casual dining spots to local bars and independent street vending operations. They held face-to-face discussions with business owners and on-site managers to address a range of safety concerns, walk proprietors through practical enhanced security protocols, and refresh operators on the mandatory operating hours outlined in their official business licenses.
In a move to strengthen long-term partnerships between police and local commercial stakeholders, the officers distributed up-to-date emergency contact details to every business they visited. This step ensures that proprietors can reach law enforcement directly and without delay should a critical incident or emergency arise on their premises. Beyond community outreach, the team also provided critical operational support to two bailiffs from the neighboring Roseau District, Bailiff Emmanuel and Bailiff Hector. The assistance included helping to locate individuals named in court documents, serving official legal summonses, and executing a series of outstanding warrants within Castle Bruce’s jurisdictional boundaries.
The CDPF reported that the proactive outreach effort was met with overwhelmingly positive responses from the local business community. The majority of proprietors who interacted with the officers welcomed the increased visible presence of law enforcement in the area, and openly expressed their gratitude for the ongoing support and consistent engagement from the Castle Bruce Police Station.
Per the police force’s official statement, initiatives of this kind deliver far-reaching benefits to the entire district. They create a solid foundation for ongoing cooperation between law enforcement agencies and members of the public, help cultivate mutual trust between police and community members, and contribute to measurable improvements in overall public safety for everyone who lives, works, and visits Castle Bruce.
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Exportverbod op Surinaamse drijfnetvis naar VS opgeheven
After months of targeted collaborative reforms to meet international marine conservation standards, Suriname’s coastal driftnet fishing industry has formally regained access to the lucrative United States market. The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a positive Comparability Finding for Suriname’s driftnet fishery, officially lifting the export ban that had been placed on Surinamese fish and fish products from this sector.
Local fishing industry groups including the Visserscollectief (Fishermen’s Collective) and the Suriname Fisherfolk Organization have welcomed the decision, noting that it preserves access to a critically important export market for the South American nation’s fishing sector. Representatives of the groups emphasize that this positive outcome was not achieved without significant coordinated effort. Over the past year, industry stakeholders worked closely with Suriname’s Deputy Directorate of Fisheries to bring operations into full alignment with requirements set by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The path to reinstatement began after Suriname received a negative compliance finding in 2025, which triggered the imposition of the export ban. In response, government and industry partners developed and rolled out a joint action plan aimed at strengthening marine mammal protection and advancing sustainable development across the fishing sector.
As core components of this reform plan, multiple evidence-based measures were implemented in partnership with Suriname’s Fisheries Service. One key intervention was the installation of acoustic pingers on all commercial fishing vessels operating in the driftnet fleet. These devices emit warning signals that deter marine mammals from approaching fishing nets, drastically reducing the risk of entanglement, a key concern cited in the original negative finding. Additionally, stakeholders pushed forward the adoption of mandatory Vessel Monitoring Systems, which enable real-time tracking and regulatory oversight of fishing activities to ensure compliance with sustainable fishing rules.
Mark Lall, spokesperson for the Visserscollectief, underscored that the positive ruling is the direct product of joint commitment across fishermen, fisheries regulators, statistics and research teams, and all other involved stakeholders. “This outcome proves that collaboration between government and the private sector delivers tangible results,” Lall explained. “By taking shared responsibility and implementing concrete, effective measures, we have demonstrated that Suriname’s fishing industry meets all required international standards. This is a victory not just for our sector, but for the entire country of Suriname.”
Industry groups project that the restoration of U.S. market access will deliver far-reaching benefits for Suriname’s national economy and fishing community. The decision is expected to safeguard thousands of existing jobs in the sector, protect critical export revenue streams, and create a more stable foundation for the long-term sustainable growth of Suriname’s coastal fishing industry.