Carib Scope

博客

  • Vehicle Crashes on Airport Road; Driver Unhurt

    Vehicle Crashes on Airport Road; Driver Unhurt

  • Government to Begin Construction of Two Modern Abattoirs

    Government to Begin Construction of Two Modern Abattoirs

    Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne made a key policy announcement Sunday, confirming that construction on two state-of-the-art abattoirs will get underway in the near future. This initiative forms a core component of the administration’s wider national agenda to reinforce the domestic agricultural sector and shore up long-term food security for the country’s population.

    Beyond the new abattoirs, Browne outlined that the broader development project includes two other high-priority agricultural undertakings: the Christian Valley agro-tourism initiative and a purpose-built agro-industrial park based in Diamonds. These interconnected projects are designed to transform the country’s agricultural value chain, moving beyond basic production to integrated processing, tourism and industrial activity.

    To support the full development of this agricultural hub, the government has allocated Eastern Caribbean $9 million to purchase a 5.5-acre plot of land. This property will be redeveloped into a centralized food distribution and storage facility, equipped with commercial cold storage, dedicated retail space, and purpose-built processing areas to accept fresh produce and meat from small and large-scale local farmers across the country.

    Browne emphasized that centralizing the collection and distribution of local goods through the upgraded Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) facility is a critical step to ease the country’s ongoing cost of living crisis. By creating a streamlined pathway for domestic producers to get their goods to consumers, the government aims to cut out unnecessary middleman markups and reduce household grocery costs for local residents.

    At its core, the administration’s long-term agricultural strategy centers on expanding domestic production to cut heavy reliance on food imports, while simultaneously opening new, accessible formal markets for domestic farmers and producers to sell their goods. This dual approach addresses both economic and food security priorities, Browne explained.

    When complete, the new abattoirs, agro-industrial park, and upgraded CMC hub will work in tandem to modernize Antigua and Barbuda’s entire agricultural sector, while also encouraging a cultural shift among consumers to prioritize purchasing locally grown and produced food over imported alternatives.

  • PM Browne Says Booby Alley Redevelopment Nearing Official Opening

    PM Browne Says Booby Alley Redevelopment Nearing Official Opening

    Antigua and Barbuda’s flagship urban renewal initiative, the Booby Alley Redevelopment Project, has entered its final construction phase and is approaching its official public opening, Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed in a public interview Sunday. Speaking as a guest on the locally produced Brown and Brown Show, Browne framed the transformative neighborhood project as a key pillar of the current administration’s ongoing commitment to upgrading housing access and living standards for low-income and disadvantaged communities across the nation. The prime minister’s update came in direct response to observations from show host Colin O’Neill, who pointed out that perimeter fencing around large sections of the redevelopment site had already been taken down. This visible change signals that last-minute logistical and site preparations are well underway ahead of the project’s inauguration ceremony. For decades, Booby Alley stood as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s oldest informal settlements, marked by substandard, overcrowded housing and limited access to basic infrastructure. Browne emphasized that the completed redevelopment will completely reshape the area, replacing outdated, unsafe structures with quality, permanent housing that meets modern living standards. Beyond the Booby Alley project, the prime minister noted that this initiative works in lockstep with the government’s broader national housing strategy, which includes two other core programs: the Housing Assistance Programme for Indigent People (HAPI) and a series of large-scale affordable housing developments spread across both islands of Antigua and Barbuda. According to Browne, the HAPI program has scaled up its operations significantly in recent months, now delivering multiple completed home builds every month to qualifying families. The administration has set an annual target of constructing no fewer than 50 new homes each year specifically for low-income and indigent households that lack the resources to build safe housing on their own. Looking ahead, Browne announced that a new government-owned concrete block manufacturing plant is scheduled to begin operations within the next 60 days. Once operational, the plant will allow the HAPI program to shift from constructing temporary wooden homes to building far more durable, long-lasting concrete residential structures that can better withstand the Caribbean region’s extreme weather events. At its core, Browne reiterated that all of the government’s housing-focused initiatives share a single central goal: to lift up vulnerable populations by replacing crumbling, dilapidated housing with modern, safe homes, and to expand access to reasonably priced housing options for residents in every corner of Antigua and Barbuda.

  • US Development Finance Corporation to Discuss Potential Financing With Antigua and Barbuda

    US Development Finance Corporation to Discuss Potential Financing With Antigua and Barbuda

    The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, announced Sunday that senior representatives from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are slated to travel to the Caribbean nation later this July for high-level talks centered on potential large-scale funding for key national development initiatives.

    In an interview aired on the local Brown and Brown Show, Browne confirmed the bilateral meeting is locked in for July 15. The discussions come as the Antiguan and Barbudan government actively pursues diverse capital sources to advance three priority sectors: affordable housing expansion, scaled-up renewable energy deployment, and major port infrastructure upgrades.

    Browne emphasized that the Caribbean nation would gladly accept DFC financing, provided the lending terms align closely with the concessional agreements Antigua and Barbuda has secured from China in past infrastructure partnerships. He laid out clear benchmarks for what the government considers a favorable funding package: a minimum 20-year repayment term, a 2% annual interest rate, and a five-year grace period before principal payments begin.

    “If they’re able to match the terms we’ve gotten from China and we can access low-cost capital, we more than welcome that investment,” Browne stated.

    The prime minister noted that Antigua and Barbuda has already reaped significant benefits from Chinese concessional financing, which has supported the delivery of multiple transformative infrastructure projects across the country. He added that the government maintains an open, non-exclusive policy toward development partnerships, and stands ready to pursue equitable lending arrangements with any international partner that can meet its terms.

    Should the DFC come forward with a favorable offer, Browne revealed the government is prepared to borrow up to $150 million to deepen the expansion of the country’s core port infrastructure. That project would build on recent upgrades to the St. John’s port, transforming it into a major regional transshipment hub serving all member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. To accommodate the projected growth in cargo volume, the expansion will require additional land reclamation work and a major increase in container storage capacity.

    Browne wrapped up by stressing that access to affordable, long-term development capital is a foundational requirement for advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s national growth agenda, while also allowing the government to maintain disciplined, prudent debt management practices that protect the country’s long-term fiscal stability.

  • Trump says he asked FIFA to review US football star’s suspension; European football slams FIFA’s decision

    Trump says he asked FIFA to review US football star’s suspension; European football slams FIFA’s decision

    A last-minute reversal of a red card suspension for U.S. men’s national team star striker Folarin Balogun ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash against Belgium has thrown the tournament into controversy, after former President Donald Trump revealed he personally pushed FIFA to review the initial ban.

    Speaking at an event in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump confirmed that he had requested a formal review of the red card ruling from FIFA, after discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whom Trump called a highly respected figure. The former president emphasized that he did not directly influence the final outcome of the review, saying “I had nothing to do with the decision” after asking for the case to be re-examined.

    Balogun, the United States’ top goalscorer at this World Cup with three tournament goals, received an automatic one-match suspension after he was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic during the U.S. team’s 2-0 win in the final group stage match. Under standard tournament rules, an automatic suspension for a straight red would have forced Balogun to miss the knockout round matchup with Belgium.

    But in an unexpected move announced Sunday, FIFA opted to suspend Balogun’s one-match ban for a 12-month period, invoking a little-used regulation that allows for discretionary suspension of certain disciplinary penalties. The ruling immediately cleared the star striker to feature in Monday night’s do-or-die tie against Belgium, which will decide which team advances to the tournament’s quarterfinals.

    Trump publicly backed the reversal, arguing that the original red card was unwarranted. He described the on-field incident as an accidental collision between two competing athletes, saying “it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled” rather than the violent conduct that warrants a red card. He added that he opposed sidelining one of the American team’s most impactful players over what he viewed as a harsh officiating call. Shortly after FIFA announced its decision, Trump posted on his social platform Truth Social praising the governing body for “doing what was right and reversing a great injustice.”

    The decision has drawn fierce backlash from governing bodies across European soccer. UEFA, the continental governing body for European soccer, issued a scathing statement condemning the reversal as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.” The organization argued that FIFA violated its own rules by granting a discretionary exception to the mandatory automatic suspension that follows a straight red card during the tournament, saying the governing body had “crossed a red line” with the ruling.

    UEFA also warned that the decision puts the integrity of global soccer competitions at risk, as it creates a harmful precedent that could force future disciplinary cases to grant similar exceptions for other high-profile players. The Belgian Football Association has also joined the criticism, saying it was shocked by FIFA’s ruling and confirming that it is currently “investigating all potential options” to challenge the outcome. Despite the ongoing controversy, the round-of-16 match between the United States and Belgium is still set to proceed as scheduled on Monday night, with a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals on the line.

  • ABWU Attends Global Tourism Services Conference as Support Grows for Women Workers

    ABWU Attends Global Tourism Services Conference as Support Grows for Women Workers

    In late June, London played host to the landmark International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Tourism Services Section Conference, where global labor leaders and industry stakeholders gathered to map out a more equitable and sustainable future for the global tourism transport sector. Among the attendees were David Massiah, General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) and Chair of the ITF Tourism Services Section, alongside ABWU Shop Steward Briann Russell.

    Opening the two-day gathering, Massiah delivered a stark assessment of the industry’s unaddressed inequalities. He pointed out that while billions in global investment continue to pour into expanding and upgrading tourism infrastructure, the millions of working people who keep the sector running are still systematically left behind.

    “Too often, those same workers are the ones facing the greatest insecurity—informal work, low wages, unsustainable working conditions, and increasing pressure from changing business models,” Massiah told delegates, highlighting a systemic gap between industry growth and worker well-being that has persisted for decades.

    Gender equity emerged as the central priority of the 2024 conference, with discussions and policy efforts culminating in the official launch of a groundbreaking joint report by ITF and the United Nations: the *Global Report on Women in Tourism Transportation*. The comprehensive new study documents long-standing gender gaps across every stage of employment in the sector, from entry-level recruitment to senior leadership representation. It also lays out clear, actionable recommendations to help employers, governments, and unions build more inclusive, fair, and equitable workplaces across the global tourism transport industry.

    Beyond advancing gender equity, conference delegates agreed on a set of core strategic priorities to guide the sector through its ongoing transition to sustainability. These priorities include raising industry-wide Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, expanding union membership and building organizational capacity for labor groups globally, advancing safety standards for tourism destinations worldwide, and ensuring a just transition that protects worker rights as the sector shifts to lower-carbon operations.

    To advance cross-sector collaboration, the conference hosted a dedicated Tourism Industry Event that brought together trade union delegates with representatives from leading global tourism bodies. Participants included officials from UN Tourism, the University of Surrey, the World Travel & Tourism Council, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and other major industry organizations, all joining to debate shared challenges and opportunities for the global tourism sector.

    Speaking to assembled industry and organizational leaders, Massiah emphasized that no single stakeholder group can build a better future for tourism on its own. “The future of tourism cannot be shaped by any one group alone,” he said. “Governments set the framework. Industry drives investment and innovation. Workers deliver the service and the experience.”

    Following the London conference, Massiah traveled to Madrid to hold discussions at the UN Tourism Office, continuing diplomatic efforts to align labor priorities with global tourism development goals. Massiah stressed that genuine cross-stakeholder partnership is the only path to turning tourism into a powerful driver of inclusive development—especially for small island developing regions like the Caribbean, where tourism forms the backbone of national economic activity and social progress.

  • Gordon, Robinson capture CARICOM 10K elite titles

    Gordon, Robinson capture CARICOM 10K elite titles

    The 19th annual Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 10K Run wrapped up an exciting day of competitive distance running on Sunday, July 7, hosted at Saint Lucia’s Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, which served as both the starting and finishing line for the event. The race’s signature gently undulating route created ideal conditions that produced fast finish times across all divisions, drawing more than 300 registered athletes to compete in both 10K and 5K race categories. By the end of the day, Jamaica’s Garfield Gordon and Barbados’ Carlie Robinson claimed the top honors in the men’s and women’s elite invitational divisions, respectively.

    For 29-year-old Gordon, the win marked a dramatic turnaround from his 2024 performance, where he took second place as a first-time competitor on his home Jamaican course. Running alongside Alex Ekesa, the defending champion of the open division, Gordon maintained a strong, steady pace throughout the race, crossing the finish line in 30 minutes and 58 seconds to secure the gold medal. He finished well ahead of second-place Odida Parkinson of Guyana and third-place Kamar Thomas of Antigua & Barbuda, both of whom recorded matching times of 35 minutes and 4 seconds.

    In the women’s elite invitational race, 39-year-old Carlie Robinson pulled off a thrilling come-from-behind victory to earn her first CARICOM 10K gold medal. Sitting outside of medal contention at the race’s halfway mark, the Barbadian runner found her advantage on the mostly downhill return leg from Rodney Bay Village, building up significant momentum to overtake the leading pack. She crossed the finish line in a personal best time of 39 minutes and 32 seconds, edging out 2023 champion Attoya Harvey of Guyana, who finished second in 40 minutes 24 seconds. 2025 title holder Alexia John of Trinidad & Tobago rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 42 minutes 31 seconds. This marked Robinson’s fourth appearance at the CARICOM 10K, after previous finishes of third place twice and second place once.

    “Oh my God, oh my God, I am so happy,” Robinson shared in her post-race interview. “This is my fourth CARICOM race, and I’ve been really wanting to win. I came third, I came third, I came second. I was honestly quite surprised with my time. So yesterday, we did course recon. And we realised, you all have hills in this country. We don’t have them in Barbados. And these are not the real hills? You guys were very kind to give us a ‘flat’ race today. Lots of hills, that’s definitely a weakness for me. So, I was like, I know that that doesn’t play to my strengths, but let’s see what happens. The first half of the race was very tough; that’s where most of the hill work is, and the other girls had a good gap on me. So I was working, working, working, and then I managed to pass them and have a really strong finish, which is what I was hoping for. So I came in under 40 minutes, and I’m very happy.”

    Following the race, Gordon was presented with the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy by Saint Lucia’s Minister for Sports Kenson Casimir, who stood in for CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister Philip J Pierre. Robinson received the CARICOM Secretary-General’s Trophy from Dr. Carla Barnett, CARICOM Secretary-General. Both elite champions took home a prize purse of US$1,000 for their victories.

    The open 10K division, which attracted competitors from as far as Kenya and Guadeloupe, saw Alex Ekesa—who currently resides in Trinidad & Tobago—take the men’s title in 30:24, with Cleveland Thomas of Guyana claiming second place. In the women’s open race, French competitor Sunilda Calme secured gold with a time of 38:03, finishing comfortably ahead of second-place Jelesa Wright of Guyana and third-place McKayla Olivier of host nation Saint Lucia.

    Host nation Saint Lucia claimed clean sweeps of both the men’s and women’s 5K podiums. US-based Saint Lucian athlete Asa Francis took the men’s 5K title in 17:24, followed by Lufan Fortune in second and Kenrick James in third. In a surprising standout performance, 12-year-old Danielle Lambert claimed the women’s 5K crown with a time of 24:43. She was followed on the podium by Martinique-based teen runner Janicia Joseph in second and Chrysan Florius in third.

    In addition to podium awards, the event also presented the inaugural Elma Gene Isaac Award to Esmond Reid, Jamaica’s ambassador to CARICOM. Special recognition was also given to the youngest competitors, Adam Ramdatt and Nadel Joseph, as well as the oldest participating runners, Wendell Samuel and Sherri Sayers.

    Sunday’s running event was held as a precursor to the upcoming Fiftieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, tying regional sport to the bloc’s major diplomatic gathering.

  • FAO training equips Dominican farmers with modern irrigation and crop management skills

    FAO training equips Dominican farmers with modern irrigation and crop management skills

    In a targeted push to strengthen Dominica’s agricultural sector and boost long-term farmer livelihoods, more than 50 local producers and agricultural stakeholders have completed hands-on training focused on advancing vegetable output through cutting-edge irrigation, fertigation, and nutrient stewardship practices. Organized jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, the June 2, 2026, practical workshop was hosted at the One Mile Agricultural Station in Portsmouth, drawing 56 participants that included 29 women and 27 men. Attendees represented a cross-section of the island’s agricultural ecosystem, from smallholder farmers and government extension officers to representatives of sector-supporting organizations.

    This training forms a core component of FAO’s ongoing regional initiative, “Improving livelihoods through diversified high-value vegetable crop production in selected agroclimatic zones,” a program designed to help small-scale and commercial producers across Dominica adopt climate-smart, modern production technologies. A key deliverable of the project is the development of 16 demonstration sites across the island’s diverse agroclimatic regions, each showcasing advanced production models ranging from open-field sustainable farming to upgraded greenhouse structures, anti-pest net houses, and improved water and nutrient delivery systems. These demonstration hubs are designed to act as accessible, practical learning centers for local producers and extension staff, with the long-term goals of driving higher crop productivity, cutting resource waste, and lifting household incomes for farming communities.

    Led by two seasoned FAO technical specialists – Horticulture Specialist Marcko Theodoracopoulos and Plant Production and Protection Specialist Anne Desrochers, who also served as the project’s Lead Technical Officer – the workshop centered on immediately actionable skills that participants could apply on their own farms right after the training. Attendees gained hands-on experience installing and maintaining drip irrigation infrastructure, formulating and applying soluble fertilizers accurately, and building custom fertigation schedules aligned with specific crop growth stages and unique on-site field conditions.

    A core focus of the training was the correct operation and calibration of Venturi fertilizer injectors, low-cost, low-maintenance devices that leverage water pressure to evenly distribute fertilizer solutions through existing irrigation lines. Through a combination of technical lectures, live on-site demonstrations, and guided group practice, participants also worked through solutions for common on-farm challenges, including clogged irrigation lines, uneven water distribution, improper fertilizer mixing, and adapting nutrient and water schedules to shifting crop needs and weather conditions.

    Desrochers emphasized that the project’s impact extends far beyond just providing new equipment and infrastructure. “The project is not only providing irrigation, fertigation and protected-cultivation technologies. It is also ensuring that farmers and national technicians have the practical knowledge required to operate these systems effectively and make sound decisions based on crop stage, soil and field conditions,” she explained. “This combination of appropriate technology and strengthened technical capacity is essential for improving productivity, using water and fertilizers more efficiently, and building more resilient vegetable-production systems in Dominica.”

    Local agricultural stakeholders echoed Desrochers’ positive assessment of the training. Joanne Williams, Extension Officer for Dominica’s West Agricultural Region, noted that the new skills she gained will directly benefit the farmers and school agricultural programs she supports across the region. “This training provided me with valuable new knowledge that I can apply in the field and share with the schools and farmers I support, particularly to help them reduce production costs while improving profitability,” she said.

    Jeffrey Bruney, a farmer and agri-entrepreneur who operates Kubuli Farms, added that access to this hands-on technical training fills a critical gap for local producers. “This training was essential because it introduced farmers to new fertilizers and production systems, helping us to use these technologies effectively, apply the knowledge at our own farms and share it with other farmers,” he said.

    The one-day workshop was part of a broader five-day FAO technical mission to Dominica, conducted from June 1 to 5, 2026. Immediately following the training, FAO specialists and local government counterparts traveled to project beneficiary demonstration sites across the island to assess pre-installation preparations for new irrigation and fertigation infrastructure. During the site visits, the joint team evaluated key site characteristics including land preparation progress, water access, drainage capacity, field layout, and planned infrastructure placement. The assessments also mapped any remaining site preparation work and outstanding material requirements, allowing the team to finalize timelines for infrastructure installation.

    Looking ahead, FAO reaffirmed its long-term commitment to collaborating with Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the island’s vegetable sector. The organization says it will continue to support the development of a sustainable, climate-resilient, market-focused agricultural industry through ongoing technical training, access to context-appropriate technologies, and sustained partnership with local farming communities.

  • Doden en meer dan 100 gewonden bij gevechten in gevangenis Sri Lanka

    Doden en meer dan 100 gewonden bij gevechten in gevangenis Sri Lanka

    A violent riot that broke out at a high-security prison in Negombo, a coastal city roughly 35 kilometers north of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, has left at least 20 people dead and more than 100 others wounded, local law enforcement and media sources confirmed this week. The unrest first erupted on Sunday and continued into Monday, marking one of the deadliest prison incidents in the country in recent years.

  • Dominica Council on Ageing to host forum on seniors’ legal rights and protection

    Dominica Council on Ageing to host forum on seniors’ legal rights and protection

    Aging populations across the Caribbean face growing challenges around protection of personal rights, access to essential services, and prevention of abuse — and the Dominica Council on Ageing (DCA) is stepping forward to address these gaps with a upcoming public forum focused on empowering older residents and their support networks.

    Scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the conference room of the Dominica Public Service Union, the open forum is targeted at a broad audience: current senior citizens, individuals approaching retirement, professional caregivers, and family members of older adults. Unlike closed, invitation-only policy events, this gathering is open to all interested members of the public, with no admission fee charged to remove barriers to access.

    In an official press release announcing the initiative, the DCA laid out two core objectives for the panel discussion. First, the event aims to deliver clear, accessible education on a range of critical issues that impact the daily lives of older Dominicans. These topics span foundational needs including healthcare access, long-term financial security, safe and affordable housing, and the fundamental right of seniors to make their own personal decisions about their care and lives.

    Second, the forum is designed to spark constructive dialogue and collective action to improve existing governance for older residents. Organizers noted that the discussion will push for reviews and updates to current legal frameworks that protect older persons, with a specific focus on closing gaps that leave seniors vulnerable to financial exploitation, physical abuse, and neglect. The ultimate goal of these reforms is to guarantee that older adults’ personal wishes and civil rights are fully respected across all areas of life.

    To ensure the discussion is informed by diverse, expert perspectives, the DCA has assembled a cross-disciplinary panel of professionals to lead the conversation. Participating experts include two practicing attorneys, Singoalla Blomqvist-Williams and John Elue Charles, who will bring legal insight into existing rights and safeguards; psychiatrist Dr. Nadia Wallace, who will address mental health and autonomy issues; representatives from two major local financial institutions, the National Bank of Dominica (NBD) and the National Co-operative Credit Union (NCCU), who will cover financial protection topics; Mary-Therese Junkere, representing the Pharmaceutical Society of Dominica (PHARCS); and Ainsworth Irish, a representative of the DCA itself.

    Organizers emphasize that the forum will deliver more than just information: it will also serve as a launching pad for sustained advocacy. By equipping seniors, their families, and community leaders with knowledge of existing rights, the DCA hopes to build a broader movement for stronger protections that uphold three core values for older Dominicans: dignity, personal safety, and independent living in later life. The council has urged all relevant community groups, including senior organizations and caregiver networks, to attend and contribute to the discussion.