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A new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Child Alert report says an ‘unprecedented’ number of children are on the run in Haiti as the number of children displaced by violence almost doubled in the past year, with 680,000 now uprooted from their homes.

The report says an alarming 3.3 million children – the highest number on record – are now in need of humanitarian assistance, and that cases of acute malnutrition, child recruitment, gender-based violence and other children’s rights violations are on the rise.

‘Children in Haiti are being displaced at a distressing pace and scale,’ said UNICEF chief Catherine Russell on Wednesday. ‘Each time they are forced to flee, they lose not only their homes but also their chance to go to school, to be safe, and to simply be children.’

The report says that decades of shocks from deadly earthquakes to political fragility and economic chaos have led to one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies in Haiti.

It says armed gangs now control over 85 per cent of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as key roads, cutting families off from food, healthcare, protection and forcing them to flee.

It added that more than 2.7 million people, 1.6 million of whom are women and children, are estimated to be living under the control of armed groups.

The report warns that the scale of displacement is unprecedented as the number of refuge sites has soared to 246 nationwide in the first half of this year alone.

In Port- au-Prince and surrounding areas, the report says classrooms have become targets and shelters and more than 1,600 schools were closed, while 25 were occupied by gangs, depriving many thousands of students the opportunity to learn.

The report says the cost of education is an additional barrier alongside gang violence and school closures.

It notes that only 15 to 20 per cent of schools are public, and even those still require families to pay for textbooks and uniforms.

UNICEF said it has treated over 86,000 children with wasting – a life-threatening form of malnutrition – and is providing healthcare to 117,000 people, reaching 140,000 people with safe water, among other actions.

Yet, the UN agency said its work remains severely underfunded, warning that, without an immediate injection of resources, critical programs will be severely constrained.

‘The children of Haiti cannot wait,’ Russell warned. ‘Like every child, they deserve a chance to be safe, healthy and to live in peace. It is up to us to take action for Haiti’s children now.’

Three West Indians who impressed on the recent tour of Nepal have been rewarded by being named in West Indies white ball teams to face Bangladesh later this month.

Former West Indies Under-19 captain Ackeem Auguste has earned his maiden call up to the ODI team, while left-arm pacer Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the T20I squad.

However, no room has been found for veterans Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder or Kyle Mayers, while the promising Jewel Andrew has also been left out.

The two teams, which will face Bangladesh in three ODIs and three T20Is between October 18 and 31 in Dhaka and Chattogram, were released by Cricket West Indies on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Auguste was the third highest run scorer on the ill-fated T20I tour of Nepal, which West Indies lost 2-1. He scored 73 runs in the three matches at an average of 36.50, including an unbeaten 41 in the last game which West Indies won by 10 wickets.

Auguste is one of three changes to the Windies’ ODI squad that recorded their first bi-lateral ODI series win over Pakistan in 33 years and their first home series triumph in 37 years, when they defeated them 2-1 back in August.

He replaces Andrew, who failed to impress on the tour of Nepal, while Alick Athanaze has been recalled in place of the injured Evin Lewis and left-arm spinner Khary Pierre replaces Matthew Forde, who is also recuperating from an injury.

Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut against India earlier this month, has earned a recall to the shorter format to support Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase in the spin department.

Head coach Daren Sammy said he was excited to continue the progression of the ODI team while exposing more players to strengthen the pool for the 2027 World Cup.

‘The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup.

‘Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for automatic qualification to the showpiece event,’ Sammy said.

‘The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level. He is a player for the future, one who has progressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year.’

Meanwhile, Jangoo, the top run scorer on the tour of Nepal with 109 runs at an average of 54.50, and Simmonds, who took four wickets in his debut series, tied for third most, have been drafted into the T20I team.

Jangoo has been selected as the second wicketkeeping option, while Simmonds also earned his place following an impressive showing in the Caribbean Premier League where he took 13 wickets.

CWI also revealed that Keacy Carty, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, along with Auguste and Jangoo had been sent to a preparatory camp at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai, India, in an effort to provide players with valuable exposure to sub-continent conditions in advance of the series.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said it was important for players to get accustomed to those conditions, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup being held in Sri Lanka and India.

‘With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much practice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka.’

‘In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year’s World Cup,’ Bascombe said.

TEAMS

WEST INDIES ODI SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.

WEST INDIES T20I SQUAD: Shai Hope (captain), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds.

West Indies Tour of Bangladesh 2025

First ODI: October 18- Mirpur, Dhaka

Second ODI: October 21- Mirpur, Dhaka

Third ODI: October 23- Mirpur, Dhaka

1st T20I: October 27- Chattogram

2nd T20I: October 29- Chattogram

3rd T20I: October 31 – Chattogram

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has admitted that while a string of bad results has seriously dented the confidence of the players, he still believes they can turn things around in the second Test which bowls off here on Friday.

The West Indies head into the final Test on a four-match losing streak and have not won a Test match since defeating Pakistan in early January.

To make matters worse, their last four Test defeats have come inside three days, having lost the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs before tea on the third day.

Needing a victory to tie the series 1-1, Chase said his troops had the power to change their fortunes.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Chase said the team’s batsmen in particular just needed a big score to regain their confidence. ‘Obviously we’re down right now, but it has to change at some point, and the change will start from now, but it starts with the belief and the mindset of each and every player and to keep motivating the guys that we can still play some positive cricket and change around our downfall at the moment.

‘The guys are lacking confidence but it’s just to get that one score, to get that start and to then kick on from there,’ Chase said.

‘I just think that once you obviously get that good innings, that 100 or that big 50, that then gives you the confidence to then know that I can actually do it.’

Chase maintained that his players trusted and believed in their abilities and skills to perform at the highest level.

However, the skipper said for that to happen they needed to put the disappointing results of past series out of their minds.

‘I think everyone is confident, but when we got out there we didn’t start well as a batting unit and the pressure is on and it’s for us to soak up that pressure as batters and still find a way to score and put back the pressure onto the Indian bowlers, so I just think that is the biggest challenge for us.

‘I don’t think that we’re not confident, I just think that we need to get that start and kick on and we’ll be fine. I think the key is to stay in the present and not think too far ahead or too far back,’ Chase said.

‘You have to play each delivery on merit and play what you see, not what you think. I think that led to my downfall in the last game.so it’s just to stay positive at the crease and always look to score. Even though it’s Test cricket I don’t think you can just go out there looking to survive.’

Five Indian nationals who arrived in Grenada via a flight from Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport using fake passports were ordered removed from the island.

However, they are currently inmates at the Richmond Hill prison because they did not pay the fine as imposed by the magistrate.

A press release from the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force said on Monday, officers attached to the Immigration and Passport Department arrested and charged five Indian nationals, one male and four females, for the offence of Uttering a Falsified Passport.

The release said the charge was laid against the Indians after they all presented falsified passports to Immigration officers, to gain entry into Grenada.

The five individuals made their first court appearance here earlier this week and they all pleaded guilty to the charge.

‘As a result, they were fined EC$6000.00 each to be paid forthwith, or in default four months imprisonment,’ said the release.

A follow- up with the police confirmed that as of Friday, the five failed to pay the fine and were sent to prison.

Once the money is paid or the sentence is served, the Indians will be removed from the state as ordered by the court.

When asked if the five were suspected as victims of human trafficking an official at the Community Relations Department said ‘we do not have this information at hand.’

The Ministry of Trade has commenced stakeholder consultation that will lead to a possible ban on certain chemicals that are used in many popular sun-screen lotions.

Senior Trade Policy Analyst in the Ministry, Jomica Carbon explained that the Ministry is undertaking the consultation to support the development of a WTO-compliant and CARICOM aligned policy to ban the importation, manufacture, sale, and distribution of sunscreens containing harmful chemicals, such as; Oxybenzone, Octinoxate; Avabenzone, Homosalate; and Octocrylene, Octisalate.

‘This initiative is driven by the urgent need to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s coral reef ecosystems, which are vital to the country’s tourism-dependent economy, and to address emerging public health concerns related to these chemicals.

The proposed approach draws inspiration from international best practices, particularly the successful ban implemented by Palau, which prohibits a range of reef-toxic chemicals to preserve marine biodiversity,’ said Carbon who was speaking at a meeting of the task force this week.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim welcomed the members of the task force to the consultation noting that the goal is to take a closer look at the trade, consumer, environmental, and health implications of sunscreen products and explore the path toward a possible national policy and ban on harmful chemicals.

‘We know that sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting human skin from ultraviolet rays and in preventing skin cancer. Yet, recent scientific research reminds us that the same products designed to protect human health are now causing harm to marine life and ecosystems.

‘As noted in one study, organic UV filters have been found to bio-accumulate in corals, algae, mollusks, and marine vertebrates, leading to coral bleaching, endocrine and neurologic disruption, and other toxic effects,’ he noted.

According toPilgrim this issue is particularly pressing for Antigua and Barbuda, being a Small Island Developing State whose economy, environment, and cultural identity are intimately tied to its oceans and coral reefs.

‘The Cabinet recognised the urgency of this matter and has called for decisive policy and action. As a member of the OECS, CARICOM, and the global SIDS community, Antigua and Barbuda has an opportunity to lead on developing environmentally responsible standards and legislation in this area,’ he observed.

The framework for the scope of work presented by Corbin indicates that October 2025-January 2026 has been set aside for meetings of the task force; February to March, 2026, Circulation of draft policy and feedback collection; April, 2026, final policy revision and submission to Cabinet; mid-2026, has been earmarked for policy implementation pending the approval of the Cabinet.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has welcomed the ceasefire announcement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group, secured through the efforts of the United States, supported by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.

‘ We join the positions expressed by the UN Secretary-General, France, China, and Saudi Arabia in calling for an immediate, sustainable halt to hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access,’ the Govenrment said in a statement on Thursday.

‘This ceasefire is a hard-won pause that must lead to full humanitarian relief, restoration of essential services, the release of all hostages and detainees, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza. This is the necessary basis for restoring durable security and stability.’

The Govenrment has called on all sides to use ‘this fragile opening to establish a credible political path toward a just and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.’

‘Antigua and Barbuda will work to support these steps, consistent with international humanitarian law,’ the statement added.

Long time football administrator Gwen Salmon has expressed her delight having been named to FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee.

Salmon is one of the country’s longest serving football executives, who has held the position of vice-president of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) since 2011, and is also the current president of Greenbay Hoppers FC.

Gwen Salmon

One of the many responsibilities of the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee is to oversee the FIFA Women’s Development Programme, which aims to provide all 211 member associations with the opportunity to apply for and access additional resources and specialist expertise to develop women’s football at a national level.

Salmon, who will serve on the Committee from 2025 to 2029, said the appointment was a testament to her hard work and that of the ABFA.

‘This appointment means a great deal, not just personally, but for women’s football in Antigua and Barbuda and across our region.

‘It has been a long journey filled with hard work, challenges and moments of having to reset and rebuild our programmes especially here in Antigua and Barbuda. But through teamwork, working with FIFA, CONCACAF and CFU, we have made tremendous progress,’ Salmon said.

‘This appointment is a reflection of that collective effort of everyone who has played a part in advancing women’s football in our region.’

Salmon said she was looking forward to advancing women’s football throughout the region.

‘As the appointment is very recent, I am still waiting for full details of my specific role and responsibilities on the committee.

‘However, I understand that the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee plays a key part in guiding and advancing the global growth of women’s football. I am eager to contribute wherever I can to share experiences from our region, learn from others and help strengthen the structure that supports women and girls in football worldwide,’ Salmon said.

Regional carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL), has been recognised for its service and has been named as the Caribbean’s Leading Airline Brand for 2025 at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards.

This is the 9th consecutive year that Caribbean Airlines has won the award.

The World Travel Award acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries; and is globally recognized as the hallmark of quality in global travel and tourism.

According to a statement, through its expansive route network, dedicated service, and commitment to regional integration, Caribbean Airlines continues to elevate the standard for aviation excellence in the region, and the latest accolade reaffirms the airline’s unwavering commitment to delivering value, reliability, and a uniquely Caribbean experience to its customers.

In addition to the top honour, Caribbean Airlines has also won awards for the Caribbean’s Leading Airline, Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew and Caribbean’s Leading In-flight Magazine.

Over the past year, the airline has expanded its network into the French Caribbean, now connecting 28 destinations across North and South America and the wider Caribbean. It has also introduced innovative enhancements to its airport baggage handling systems and refined its product offerings to better meet evolving customer needs.

The award comes at a time when there appears to be major management changes taking place at Caribbean Airlines, with the company’s CEO recently announcing his resignation.

Trinidad and Tobago has officially been granted an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licence from the United States Treasury Department to pursue the development of the Dragon Gas project.

Attorney General John Jeremie, made the announcement about the cross border project on Thursday at the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

The licence, which permits Trinidad and Tobago to engage in cross-border energy collaboration with Venezuela, follows a formal request submitted on May 19 by the United National Congress government.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had previously signaled that the licence was imminent, noting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had approved the request, although no timeline had been confirmed until now.

Jeremie, in responding to questions from the media, did not disclose the terms and conditions of this latest development but expressed confidence that it would be beneficial for T and T.

However, he said it differs from the last OFAC licence in that this one is being given in stages.

The first stage, which runs for six months until April 2026, is for negotiations with the Venezuelan government that would set commercial targets for US companies.

He added that the targets are ‘reasonable’ and attainable.

He also did not share what role Shell plays in this latest development and what role the energy giant is continuing to play in the deal.

On December 21, 2023, the Venezuelan government issued a 30-year licence to the NGC (National Gas Company) and Shell to develop and export natural gas from the Dragon gas field to T and T.

The OFAC played a key role in granting this licence under the then Joe Biden administration.

The Dragon gas field, situated in shallow waters between Venezuela and Trinidad, is crucial for replenishing feedstock for Trinidad, a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), ammonia and other gas-based products.