标签： Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

圣文森特和格林纳丁斯

Taiwan welcomes PM Friday with military honour, state banquet

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Prime Minister Godwin Friday arrived in Taipei, Taiwan on Tuesday for an official visit, marking his first intercontinental overseas trip since he took office in November last year. He was extended a formal welcome with full military honours, capping off a day of diplomatic engagements designed to strengthen the 45-year bilateral relationship between the two sides.

Leading a nine-member official delegation, Friday was first greeted at Taipei’s airport by Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-Lung. Following the arrival ceremony, Lin hosted a private luncheon for Friday and his delegation, where the two sides held preliminary discussions on avenues to deepen cooperation and people-to-people ties ahead of higher-level talks.

Later that afternoon, Friday was welcomed with formal military honours at Taiwan’s Office of the President, where he met with Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te. Speaking at the ceremony, Friday reaffirmed SVG’s commitment to building on the four-and-a-half decades of diplomatic relations between Kingstown and Taipei, which were first established on August 15, 1981 — just two years after SVG gained full independence.

Reflecting on the evolution of the bilateral partnership, Friday noted that what began as a formal diplomatic recognition has grown into a deep, mutually beneficial alliance. “Over the years since, that initial act has blossomed into a deep and fruitful friendship. Indeed, I believe that St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan have become more than friends. We have become partners,” he said.

Friday framed this partnership through two key global contexts: the ongoing exclusion of Taiwan from many major international forums, and the unique vulnerabilities small island developing states (SIDS) like SVG face in the face of climate change, natural disasters, and cascading global economic shocks driven by conflicts thousands of miles from Caribbean shores. Over 45 years, he emphasized, the two nations have weathered shared challenges together, and the history of their ties provides a foundation — but not the limit — for future collaboration.

Outlining his administration’s core priorities, Friday stated that SVG’s central mandate is improving living standards for all Vincentians amid a challenging global economic climate. He added that this goal requires partnership with a nation that shares a commitment to people-centered development, a standard he said Taiwan has consistently met. “Taiwan has demonstrated exactly that. You have shown the world what is possible when innovation, enterprise and human talent are deliberately cultivated,” he noted, adding that Taiwan’s outsized global impact defies assumptions about the limitations of its size, powered by the resourcefulness of its people.

For four and a half decades, Friday said, Taiwan has invested in developing human capital in SVG, and in return, SVG has consistently advocated for Taiwan’s interests in multilateral bodies including the United Nations, its specialized agencies, and INTERPOL. He pledged that this support would continue and expand in the coming years.

Looking ahead to expanded economic cooperation, Friday identified four key priority sectors for targeted investment in SVG: agriculture, tourism, the blue economy (encompassing fisheries, marinas and other maritime resources), and the new economy, which includes sports, creative industries, entertainment and information technology. He stressed that even modest investment in SVG can deliver outsized gains, creating new opportunities and quality jobs for local workers, echoing Taiwan’s example of pursuing ambitious people-centered goals regardless of a nation’s size.

Highlighting SVG’s competitive advantages, Friday noted the Caribbean nation boasts a skilled workforce, extraordinary natural landscapes, a strategic regional position, and a government committed to building a pro-investment regulatory environment that supports business growth and shared prosperity. “What we do now will determine what this relationship means to the Vincentian and Taiwanese children who will inherit it. That is the responsibility of leadership: to honour what we inherit but never to be satisfied with simply preserving it. We must leave it stronger, more meaningful and more useful for those who come after,” he said.

Framing his visit as an opportunity to write the next chapter of the bilateral relationship, Friday concluded his remarks by thanking Lai and the Taiwanese people for their warm, distinguished welcome, expressing optimism about the shared work ahead. Following the formal honour ceremony, Lai and Friday held closed-door bilateral discussions to advance cooperation across priority areas. Lai later hosted a formal state banquet in honour of the SVG delegation, and the day concluded with a visit to Taipei’s iconic Shilin Night Market. Friday remarked that the vibrant local market offered a useful blueprint for the future development of Middle Street in Kingstown, SVG’s capital.

The nine-member delegation includes Friday’s wife Ave Friday, SVG Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investments and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Attorney General Louise Mitchell, Ambassador for Finance, Climate and Investment Kevin Hope, Press Secretary Danielle Veira, Research Officer Addison Thomas, and Close Protection Officers Desrick Quashie and Twana Da Silva. The trip is being coordinated by SVG’s Ambassador to Taiwan Kenton X. Chance, his wife Symantha Chance, and the staff of SVG’s embassy in Taipei. Friday and his delegation are scheduled to depart Taiwan and return to SVG on August 16.

11 8 月, 2026
Man jailed for 40 years over chopping death in G’town

A chilling case of brutal homicide has concluded in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where 35-year-old Deron Franklyn has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the fatal chopping murder of Alwill Franklyn, which unfolded in Dickson Village in late July 2021.

Though Deron Franklyn repeatedly maintained his claim of innocence throughout the entire legal process, a 12-member jury ultimately returned a guilty verdict following a full evidentiary trial. The conviction was secured in large part due to a critical piece of forensic evidence: a cross pendant recovered from the murder scene that was matched to a photo of Franklyn wearing the identical pendant, found as the screensaver on his own cell phone.

The details of the crime, laid out by Justice Rickie Burnett during the July 24 sentencing hearing at the Kingstown High Court, paint a grim picture of the night of the killing. On July 28, 2021, the deceased’s sister, identified only by the initials I.F. to protect her privacy, saw Alwill at their shared residential yard shortly before 10 p.m. and did not encounter Deron at that time. Roughly an hour later, I.F. was woken by a disturbance, and upon investigation found the back door of her mother’s home on the same property ajar. Entering the home, she discovered Alwill lying unconscious in a pool of blood in the living room, still groaning from his injuries. She immediately placed a call for emergency assistance, and an ambulance was dispatched to the scene.

Local law enforcement, led by Police Constable Roy Carl De Freitas of the Georgetown Police Station’s Criminal Investigations Department, responded to the report of a chopping attack by 10:10 p.m. When officers arrived at the property, they found the home completely dark, and located the victim suffering from dozens of deep penetrating wounds. A district medical officer soon pronounced Alwill Franklyn dead at the scene.

During initial crime scene processing, responding officers recovered a live .38 caliber ammunition round, two broken fragments of a cutlass handle, and a silver chain holding a cross pendant, which would later become the key to breaking the case. After identifying Deron Franklyn as a person of interest, investigators arrested him and seized his mobile phone, though a search of his home turned up no direct physical evidence linking him to the killing. A post-mortem autopsy conducted by forensic officials confirmed that the victim’s cause of death was exsanguination from multiple severe chop wounds, with a total of 19 distinct wounds counted on the victim’s body.

It was not until three days after the killing that investigators made their critical breakthrough. During an initial interview on July 31, officers noticed that Franklyn’s phone screensaver was a photo of him wearing the exact cross pendant recovered from the crime scene. After obtaining a formal search warrant, investigators conducted a full digital forensic analysis of the device, and when Franklyn was re-interviewed in the presence of his then-counsel Grant Connell, he exercised his right to remain silent.

Ahead of sentencing, a full social inquiry report was compiled to assess the defendant’s background and potential for rehabilitation. The report documented that Franklyn, a father of three sons, had grown up in the care of his aunt I.F. in Dickson Village. He passed the national Common Entrance Examination and earned admission to the prestigious St. Vincent Grammar School, but was forced to drop out in Form 3 due to unmanageable financial constraints that pushed him to enter the workforce early. He later re-enrolled at Georgetown Secondary School to complete his education, and went on to hold jobs as a mechanic and maintenance worker, as well as a relief male attendant at the national Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

The report noted that while Franklyn had documented substance abuse issues with alcohol and marijuana, he also attended church regularly, had participated in counselling services during his pre-sentencing remand, and was described by community members as even-tempered, non-violent, intelligent, and well-liked by neighbors. The assessing social worker concluded that Franklyn remained a viable candidate for rehabilitation.

In crafting the final sentence, Justice Burnett set an initial starting term of 40 years in prison. He ruled that the extreme brutality of the crime – specifically the 19 separate chop wounds that left the victim suffering before death – was a significant aggravating factor that warranted a three-year upward adjustment to the sentence. Finding no other mitigating circumstances related to the offense itself, the judge then turned to the offender’s personal circumstances. He ruled that the finding of potential for rehabilitation, as outlined in the social inquiry report, was a substantial mitigating factor that offset the aggravating personal circumstances, warranting a three-year downward adjustment that returned the total sentence to 40 years.

Following the ruling, Franklyn was credited with 3 years, 7 months and 12 days of time already served in pre-trial detention, reducing his actual active sentence to 36 years, four months and 19 days. Crown Counsel Cornelius Tittle prosecuted the case on behalf of the state, while Ronald Marks served as defense counsel for Franklyn.

10 8 月, 2026
SVG denied chance for CPL team under ULP — James

As the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) kicked off its opening match at Arnos Vale Playing Field on Saturday, a fresh political controversy has erupted over St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ years-long quest to secure a permanent franchise in the region’s top T20 cricket tournament. Opposition Senator Carlos James, who previously served as tourism minister under the former Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration, has alleged that internal opposition sabotage derailed the country’s bid to join the CPL’s expanding team lineup.

Speaking on the ULP’s affiliated outlet Star Radio this Tuesday, James detailed the multiyear negotiation process he spearheaded when his party held national office. He recalled that during an early conversation with CPL Chief Executive Pete Russell, he turned down an initial offer to only host standalone CPL matches in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, pushing instead for a full, permanent franchise for the island nation. “I said, ‘Well, it is something that we can look at, but I want a team’”, James told listeners.

To advance the bid, James traveled to Barbados for direct talks with CPL leadership, while the ULP government secured preliminary agreements with private investors interested in backing a St. Vincent and the Grenadines franchise. Beyond the team itself, James said the deal was set to deliver far-reaching benefits for local cricket, including targeted youth development programs and a new regional sports science facility.

When the CPL moved to expand its roster by adding two new teams ahead of the 2026 tournament, St. Vincent and the Grenadines emerged as one of three final candidates alongside Jamaica and Grenada. Jamaica ultimately claimed the new franchise spot, debuting this year as the Jamaica Kingsmen, filling the gap left when the previous Jamaica-based franchise, Jamaica Tallawahs, exited the league after the 2023 season. According to James, St. Vincent and the Grenadines was widely expected to secure the second new franchise slot, but unnamed actors blocked the bid at the final hour.

James added that Cricket West Indies ultimately intervened and recommended that CPL leadership pause expansion to two new teams for the 2026 cycle, leaving St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ bid to be considered at an unspecified future date. He did not elaborate on the specific identities of those he accuses of blocking the bid, but pointed to opposition figures as the culprits.

The former tourism minister also drew a parallel to the 2025 Emancipation Cricket Festival, a domestic tournament he organized that featured a mix of international, regional, and local up-and-coming players. James noted that the event delivered unprecedented earning opportunities for local young cricketers, who got the rare chance to compete alongside elite international talent. Despite these clear benefits for local sports, James alleged that the then-opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) actively worked against the festival, writing formal letters to Cricket West Indies urging the governing body to not sanction the event.

“All of these things, there is a lot I can say — I can write a book about the nasty nature of some of the persons affiliated with the NDP and what they do behind the scenes in other forums to boycott St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” James said.

The controversy comes with a notable political backdrop: James lost his North Leeward parliamentary seat in the November 2025 general election to NDP candidate Kishore Shallow, who currently serves as president of Cricket West Indies. As of Wednesday, no official response to James’ allegations has been issued by the NDP, CPL leadership, or Cricket West Indies.

10 8 月, 2026
PM Friday leads delegation on official visit to Taiwan

Against the backdrop of a decades-long cross-ocean diplomatic partnership, Prime Minister Godwin Friday of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is set to lead an official government delegation to Taiwan, a trip timed to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two sides.

According to an official statement released by SVG’s Office of the Prime Minister, Friday and his delegation will depart SVG on Sunday this week, and is scheduled to touch down in Taipei on Tuesday local time. This visit comes 45 years to the month after the two sides first formalized their diplomatic relationship on August 15, 1981, and Friday is set to receive a formal welcome with full military honours upon his arrival, before taking part in a series of commemorative events marking the milestone anniversary.

Two key engagements stand out on the prime minister’s packed official itinerary. The first is a scheduled audience with Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, where the two sides are expected to review the decades-long bilateral relationship and explore new pathways to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors. The second major highlight is a special luncheon bringing together the visiting SVG delegation and members of the Vincentian diaspora community based in Taiwan. During the event, Friday will deliver a keynote address and field questions from the expatriate community.

Unlike many purely ceremonial diplomatic visits, this trip places a sharp focus on advancing economic progress that aligns with SVG’s national development goals. A core event on the schedule is an investor roundtable, which will connect members of the SVG delegation with potential investors from Taiwan to explore new investment opportunities in the Caribbean nation.

Beyond economic and investment discussions, Friday and his delegation will also hold a series of official working meetings focused on issue areas including agricultural development, the blue economy, technological advancement, sustainable development and other key priorities outlined by the SVG administration to drive inclusive economic growth and expand job opportunities for local citizens.

In comments ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Friday emphasized that the trip serves both to celebrate a long-standing friendship and chart a course for future cooperation. SVG gained full independence from the United Kingdom in October 1979, making the 45-year bilateral friendship almost as old as the nation itself. “Forty-five years is an important milestone, but this visit is also about looking forward,” Friday noted in the official release. “We value the friendship that has developed between our countries, and we now have an opportunity to build on that foundation in ways that create greater opportunities for our people and support the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Joining the prime minister on the eight-day official visit are a delegation of senior government officials, security personnel and family members, including his wife Ave Friday, Attorney General Louise Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investments and Diaspora Affairs Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Ambassador for Finance, Climate and Investment Kevin Hope, Press Secretary Danielle Veira, Research Officer Addison Thomas, and two close protection officers, Desrick Quashie and Twana Da Silva. During Friday’s absence from the country, Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock will serve as acting prime minister to handle day-to-day governance affairs. The entire delegation is scheduled to return to SVG on August 16 following the conclusion of all scheduled engagements.

9 8 月, 2026
Man jailed for gun under pillow killed 1 week after release

Just seven days after walking free from prison following a years-long sentence for illegal weapons possession, 30-year-old Akeem Ferdinand of Rockies, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was shot and killed in his home community on Thursday. His violent death marks the latest in a growing wave of deadly gun violence that has pushed the small Caribbean nation’s annual homicide count to 31, according to local law enforcement.

Police confirmed in an official statement released Friday that officers were dispatched to Rockies at approximately 8:05 p.m. Thursday after receiving multiple calls reporting the sound of gunfire in the area. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Ferdinand, a local labourer, suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds across his body. A medical professional attended the scene and pronounced Ferdinand dead shortly after arrival, authorities confirmed, noting that a post-mortem examination will be carried out in the coming days to confirm the exact cause of death. As of Friday, investigations into the shooting remain ongoing, with no suspects named or motives publicly disclosed.

Ferdinand’s death has put him back in the public eye, echoing repeated headlines he generated throughout his life, which included repeated run-ins with the law over illegal weapons charges. His most recent incarceration dated back to 2022, when he was handed a 75-month prison sentence for a 9mm pistol authorities found under his pillow during a 2021 search warrant execution. The search, carried out as part of an ongoing burglary investigation, found Ferdinand and a 15-year-old girl naked and asleep in his bed. Along with the unlicensed pistol, officers seized 19 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 552 grammes of cannabis that Ferdinand was accused of possessing with intent to distribute. He received an additional 24-month sentence for the illegal ammunition, ordered to run concurrently with his weapons sentence, and was fined EC$1,500 to avoid extra prison time for the cannabis charge. When officers first discovered the weapon, Ferdinand responded, “Jah! Boy, I ain’t even remember that dey dey,” but declined to answer further questions during formal police questioning. During a 2022 trial break, he made headlines again after expressing shock that a woman had posted a photo of herself posing with his unlicensed weapon on Facebook.

That 2022 sentence came just months after Ferdinand completed a five-year prison sentence for a prior illegal weapons conviction. In 2017, he was originally handed a six-year sentence for possession of an unlicensed Uzi pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition, a sentence that was reduced to five years on appeal. At that 2017 sentencing, Ferdinand blamed alcohol for his offense, telling the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, “If I wasn’t drunk that night, I wouldn’t ah come across that gun.” When a magistrate asked if alcohol led him to find the weapon, Ferdinand clarified, “It make me pick it up and walk with it when I should ah leave it there.”

Ferdinand’s killing comes just 24 hours after another high-profile fatal shooting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On Wednesday, 52-year-old Michael Jackson, a resident of Yambou, was shot and killed by a police officer in Mesopotamia during an investigation into a reported theft of funds from a local bingo event. Authorities allege Jackson brandished a cutlass when the responding officer approached him to recover the stolen money, leading the officer to open fire.

8 8 月, 2026
NASCAR star Rajah Caruth returns to SVG for historic homecoming

Rising NASCAR star and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ appointed Sporting Ambassador Rajah Caruth is set to return to his home country for a high-profile public homecoming visit between August 12 and 16, according to an official announcement from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA).

One of the most promising young talents in global motorsport, Caruth has centered his Vincentian heritage throughout his rapid professional racing ascent, leveraging his growing global platform to draw new international attention to the small Caribbean island nation as a travel and cultural destination.

In its official press release announcing the visit, the SVGTA framed Caruth’s homecoming as a dual-purpose milestone: a celebration of the driver’s groundbreaking professional achievements, and a chance to motivate the country’s next generation of aspiring athletes, while putting the archipelago’s natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, and renowned hospitality on display for audiences across the Caribbean and the wider world.

The entire multi-day visit will be filmed and distributed by TEMPO Networks, a regional media organization that holds official partnership status with both Caruth and the SVGTA. Per the tourism authority, TEMPO’s regional and global media channels will amplify coverage of Caruth’s return, highlighting the nation’s deep cultural roots, unique heritage sites, and top-tier tourism offerings to lift the country’s profile in key international travel markets.

Caruth is scheduled to touch down at Argyle International Airport on Wednesday, August 12, where SVGTA officials will host a formal VIP welcome ceremony for the ambassador. Immediately after his arrival, credentialed members of the press will gain access to a brief welcome press conference in the airport’s VIP lounge.

Right after the press engagement, Caruth will join a ceremonial motorcade led by members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Race Car Association. The procession will travel to Barrouallie, the coastal hometown of Caruth’s mother and the community that forms the core of his Vincentian family heritage.

Barrouallie will host a lively community street celebration in honor of Caruth’s return, bringing together local residents, long-time supporters, and visiting fans to recognize one of the country’s most successful global sporting representatives. The public event will feature traditional Vincentian cultural performances, live musical entertainment, interactive community activities, and dedicated meet-and-greet opportunities for fans to connect with Caruth, all centered on celebrating national pride and shared heritage.

On the second day of his visit, Thursday August 13, Caruth will lead an inspirational public symposium at Kingstown’s Peace Memorial Hall, kicking off at 10 a.m. local time. The symposium will bring together secondary school students, young athletes, aspiring industry professionals, and local motorsport fans for an open conversation about the values of perseverance, intentional purpose, and achieving success against the odds. The SVGTA has encouraged all interested attendees to register for the event in advance via its official digital portal.

Shafia London, CEO of the SVGTA, emphasized that the homecoming visit carries far more meaning than a simple celebration of one athlete’s career success. “Rajah is a proud Vincentian whose story proves what young people can achieve when they show up with hard work, dedication, and belief in themselves,” London explained. “We hope his journey inspires Vincentians both at home and living around the world, while giving us a valuable platform to share the culture, warmth, and one-of-a-kind experiences that make St. Vincent and the Grenadines such an extraordinary destination.”

8 8 月, 2026
SVG sailors show progress at CAC Games

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Sailing Association is highlighting the remarkable breakthrough performance of two young national athletes, Scarlett Hadley and Kai Marks Dasent, who carried the country’s flag at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in the competitive i420 Class sailing regatta.

Though the promising duo narrowly missed securing a spot on the podium, their accomplishments at the regional tournament carry extraordinary weight for the small island nation’s growing sailing program, association officials emphasized in an official press statement.

Over the course of 12 tightly contested races, Hadley and Dasent went head-to-head with some of the most seasoned sailing competitors across the Caribbean and Central America. Throughout the event, the pair showcased steady grit, unshakable resilience and dramatic improvement race over race, ultimately closing out the regatta in sixth place overall. The finish came down to the final leg, with the SVG team just falling behind their counterparts from Barbados in a razor-thin battle for fifth position.

What makes the sixth-place finish all the more impressive, association officials noted, is the extremely limited preparation window the team had in the i420, a two-person dinghy class. The pair had only trained together in the boat for a few months ahead of the CAC Games, marking their first ever international competition as a doubles team. Just qualifying to compete at this elite regional level was counted as a landmark win, requiring months of exceptional commitment of time, physical training and personal dedication from both young athletes.

The strong showing from Hadley and Dasent is just one visible sign of the rising momentum behind SVG’s national sailing development program, the association said. Even as the CAC Games wrapped up, another young SVG sailor is already competing on the global stage: 14-year-old Joshua Weinhardt is currently representing the country in the ILCA 4 Class at the Youth World Sailing Championships being held in Denmark.

Following his conclusion of competition at the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic, Kai Marks Dasent will immediately depart for Denmark to join the global field competing in the ILCA 6 World Championships next week. The back-to-back international appearances mark an unprecedented busy and high-profile period of global representation for SVG sailing.

In its statement, the SVG Sailing Association expressed widespread pride in the entire ecosystem that has supported this recent run of success, from competitive athletes and elite coaches to recreational fun sailors, volunteer event organizers and community supporters. “Every international appearance helps place St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the global sailing map and inspires the next generation of sailors from across our islands,” the release read.

To grow the program further, the association issued an open invitation to community members of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, whether they are interested in sailing for recreation, competitive racing, personal skill development, or pursuing a professional career in the sport. Interested parties can reach the association via email at [email protected] for more information on how to participate.

7 8 月, 2026
Defending champs in difficult spot in Bequia basketball tourney

The 24th Annual Bequia Basketball Tournament got off to a dramatic opening week, with reigning First Division champions Court Kings facing an unexpected uphill battle after dropping their first two matches of the competition. The most high-profile upset came in Wednesday’s headline matchup, where challengers East Blazers dominated from the opening tip-off to secure a lopsided 60-44 win over the defending title holders. East Blazers built an insurmountable 13-point advantage by halftime, holding a 32-19 lead that Court Kings never recovered from.

The victory was fueled by a historic performance from Jermaine John, the tournament’s reigning Most Valuable Player and a standout national team player. John put on a clinic, finishing the contest with a massive double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, paired with 3 assists and 6 steals to cement his status as one of Bequia’s top competitive basketball talents. Supporting his standout effort was Joeel Baptiste, who added 14 points, 8 rebounds, one assist and 7 steals before fouling out in the final quarter, turning in an all-around impactful performance for the winning side. For Court Kings, the loss marks one of the rockiest starts to a title defense in the tournament’s recent history, leaving the 23rd edition’s champions needing to string together critical wins in upcoming fixtures to retain their crown.

The senior men’s matchup capped a full two days of competitive action across all age divisions at Clive Tannis Hard Court, where emerging young athletes and veteran players alike delivered thrilling entertainment for packed stands of spectators. Wednesday’s game day opened with action in the Under-12 Division, where the Ninjas cruised to a comfortable 12-3 victory over the Falcons, led by Chase Kydd’s game-high 6 points. Next up was the Under-16 Division, which delivered a tightly contested nail-biter that saw the Golden Knights edge out the Titans by a single point, 12-11. Jeremy Hunte led the Golden Knights to victory with a well-rounded stat line of 5 points, 3 rebounds, one assist, 6 steals and one block. Even in defeat, Titans forward Aaden Dennie turned heads with an impressive all-around performance, matching Hunte’s 5 points while notching 3 rebounds, a staggering 15 steals and one block.

Originally scheduled youth division fixtures from Sunday were pushed back to Thursday after heavy rain made the court unplayable, giving fans a full extra day of competitive basketball. In the Under-12 division, expansion side the Grinches pulled off an exciting overtime win against the Seagulls, after the two rookie teams finished regulation tied at 4-all. Symon Miller scored all six of his team’s points, including the game-deciding basket in overtime, to lock in a 6-4 win for the Grinches. The Under-16 division saw the Titans bounce back from their Wednesday one-point loss to secure a 12-8 win over the Hornets, with Ray “Rainbow” Joseph leading the charge with an elite all-around line of 8 points, 6 rebounds, one assist, 14 steals and 3 blocks. Tevaughn Lloyd was the top performer for the losing Hornets, finishing with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks.

Officials from the Bequia Basketball Association say they have been overwhelmingly pleased with the opening week of the 2024 tournament, praising the outpouring of community support and strong spectator turnout across all age divisions. In an official press statement, the association highlighted that the large turnout of family and community members cheering on youth division competitors was particularly encouraging, reinforcing the critical role the tournament plays in growing grassroots basketball development across the island. “The Association remains committed to growing the sport of basketball in Bequia by providing meaningful opportunities for young athletes while maintaining a competitive and entertaining senior competition,” the statement read.

To allow local sports fans to attend the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket matches hosted at Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the association has canceled all tournament fixtures this coming weekend. Tournament play is set to resume on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., with three confirmed games on the schedule: an Under-12 matchup between the Seagulls and Ninjas, an Under-16 rematch between the Golden Knights and Titans, and a Second Division contest between Rising Stars and Apex Elite.

7 8 月, 2026
SVG among top beach destinations in the Americas

A newly released 2026 ranking from leading global travel industry outlet Travel And Tour World (TTW) has cemented St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)’s reputation as one of the Western Hemisphere’s most sought-after coastal getaways, placing the Caribbean archipelago at number 22 on the outlet’s prestigious list of Top 30 Beach Travel Destinations across the Americas and Caribbean.

What makes this placement particularly notable is that SVG outranked no fewer than seven better-known regional and international coastal destinations, including major Caribbean favorites Barbados, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Saint Barthélemy, as well as South American coastal hub Peru and Central America’s Honduras.

Published to the public on Saturday, the global ranking was constructed through a rigorous, multi-level assessment methodology that grades destinations across six non-negotiable core criteria: natural coastal beauty, health and diversity of local marine ecosystems, visitor accessibility, commitment to sustainable tourism development, quality of local tourism infrastructure, and aggregate overall visitor experience.

In its official evaluation, TTW emphasized SVG’s one-of-a-kind multi-island appeal, praising the nation for its collection of untouched islands, quiet secluded shorelines, and world-class serene Caribbean sailing opportunities that set it apart from more crowded, commercialized regional destinations.

The report spotlighted 10 standout coastal locations across SVG’s archipelago that earned it the high ranking. These include Princess Margaret Beach on Bequia, celebrated for its fine powdery white sand; Tobago Cays, a crystal-clear marine reserve famous for allowing visitors to swim alongside wild sea turtles; Salt Whistle Bay Beach on Mayreau, an iconic postcard-perfect shoreline lined with sweeping palm trees; Macaroni Beach on Mustique, renowned for its unspoiled surf breaks; and Young Island Beach, a gold standard for intimate, luxury coastal getaways.

Rounding out the list of featured destinations are Friendship Bay Beach, Lower Bay Beach, Cane Garden Beach, Indian Bay Beach, and Chatham Bay Beach, which together showcase SVG’s wide range of coastal offerings, from unique dark volcanic sands and calm sheltered swimming bays to quiet, remote escape spots far from mass tourism crowds.

Shafia London, chief executive officer of the SVG Tourism Authority, called the global ranking a confirmation of what seasoned travelers and sailing enthusiasts have known for decades: St. Vincent and the Grenadines delivers a pure, authentic coastal experience that cannot be matched anywhere else in the region.

“To be ranked 22nd across the entire Americas and Caribbean region, and to place ahead of many larger, heavily commercialized tourism markets, is a testament to our longstanding commitment to preserving our pristine marine environments and delivering sustainable, high-quality experiences for every visitor,” London added.

The SVG Tourism Authority noted that this prestigious recognition arrives at a moment of strong growth for the nation’s tourism sector, as SVG continues to solidify its standing as the leading hub for luxury travel, eco-tourism, and maritime heritage tourism across the Southern Caribbean.

Founded in 2009, Travel And Tour World is a leading global digital travel platform that distributes content to more than 25 million readers through 104 regional editions. The outlet is widely recognized as a trusted source of authoritative industry insights and research for both travel sector professionals and discerning travelers around the world.

7 8 月, 2026
VIDEO: Farmer charged with murder over shooting death

A fatal shooting in a small local community has resulted in a licensed cannabis cultivator being placed behind bars ahead of a preliminary investigation into the death of a fellow resident. Law enforcement authorities have taken 33-year-old Rhyse Henry, a farmer based in Dickson Village, into custody and formally charged him with the murder of 35-year-old Clydon Cato, a local laborer who also resided in the same community. The shooting incident that claimed Cato’s life occurred on Saturday inside the village.

Following the shooting, investigators conducted several days of inquiries before formally levelling the murder charge against Henry on Wednesday. The accused made his first court appearance on Thursday at the Serious Offences Court, where a judge denied his bail application. As a result of the ruling, Henry has been ordered to stay in prison custody until his preliminary inquiry gets underway, which will lay the groundwork for any upcoming trial proceedings in the case.

6 8 月, 2026