Carib Scope

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  • St. Philip’s North Residents Receive Free Health Services at Annual Wellness Fair

    St. Philip’s North Residents Receive Free Health Services at Annual Wellness Fair

    After wrapping up the fourth iteration of his constituency’s popular Health and Wellness Fair, St. Philip’s North Member of Parliament Randy Baltimore has reaffirmed the critical role that preventive healthcare and intentional healthy living play in building a stronger local community.

    Now in its fourth consecutive year, the community-focused event has become a staple outreach initiative that bridges the gap between local residents and qualified healthcare providers, alongside mission-aligned partner organizations. Unlike one-off public health campaigns, the fair creates a accessible, low-barrier space for community members to access a wide spectrum of health services and evidence-based educational resources, all targeted at lifting overall public health outcomes across the constituency.

    This year’s fair cast a wide net over key health priorities, encompassing everything from general medical screenings and dental check-ups to mental health support, evidence-based nutritional guidance, and practical education on building sustainable healthy daily habits. Baltimore emphasized that the initiative was crafted to extend far beyond basic diagnostic testing. Instead, its core goal is to shift the community’s mindset toward proactive self-care, empowering residents to take long-term ownership of their physical and mental well-being.

    “From medical and dental services to mental health support, nutrition guidance, and healthy lifestyle education, our focus was never just on getting a quick check-up,” Baltimore explained in comments following the event. “It was about encouraging every single one of us to become more intentional and proactive about our ongoing health.”

    The MP extended sincere gratitude to the broad coalition of stakeholders that made the 2024 fair possible, including practicing doctors, nursing staff, public health agencies, private sector partners, local vendors, and the team of volunteer organizers who dedicated their time to the event. He also offered special appreciation to the St. Philip’s North residents who turned out to take part in the fair and utilize the free and subsidized services offered on site.

    Four years after the initiative first launched, Baltimore said the fair’s founding mission has not wavered. “Our goal remains the same, year after year: to build healthier people, healthier families, and a healthier St. Philip’s North for everyone,” he said.

  • Houses damaged, hospital flooded, roads blocked as heavy rains batter SVG

    Houses damaged, hospital flooded, roads blocked as heavy rains batter SVG

    A powerful tropical wave has swept across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, unleashing heavy rainfall that caused widespread infrastructure damage and travel disruptions by early Tuesday morning. Over the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. local time Tuesday, the small Caribbean nation recorded a total of 130.2 millimeters (5.2 inches) of precipitation, triggering flash flooding and landslides that damaged multiple residential properties across the country, including in the capital city of Kingstown.

    In response to the hazardous conditions, government officials moved quickly to adjust daily operations, announcing the immediate cancellation of all classes for Tuesday. However, contrary to a widely circulated fake notice claiming all work was suspended, senior government officials confirmed that public sector employees were still required to report to their regular duties. Senator Lavern King, who holds the information portfolio, shared the official clarification during an interview with Hot 97 FM, noting that she had coordinated directly with Public Service Minister and Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock to confirm the policy.

    “For the private sector, individual employers will issue their own guidance on whether staff need to report to work, but for all public sector teams, operations are proceeding as scheduled,” King stated. She added that Prime Minister Godwin Friday was already on the ground alongside emergency assessment teams to evaluate the full scope of damage across affected regions, and that any further adjustments to the government’s operational guidance would be released promptly if conditions change.

    King’s public clarification came after the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) issued a formal warning about the legal consequences of spreading false disaster-related information in the country. Under the 2006 National Emergency and Disaster Management Act, intentionally spreading false disaster alerts or declarations is classified as a criminal offense, carrying penalties of up to a $5000 fine and/or one year of imprisonment. NEMO also urged the public to be particularly wary of AI-generated misleading posts, reminding residents that all official announcements about service or business closures will only be released through NEMO’s verified official communication channels.

    The heavy rainfall has also forced disruptions to critical healthcare services in the hardest-hit areas. The Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that all outpatient appointments at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) and the Levi Latham Health Centre in Mespo have been cancelled, after floodwaters entered both healthcare facilities. Restricted visitor policies have also been implemented at MCMH’s Male Medical Ward and Paediatric Ward to protect patient safety. The health ministry advised that expectant mothers arriving in labour should proceed directly to MCMH’s Maternity B Ward, and shared a dedicated emergency contact number (456-1955) for residents requiring urgent medical assistance, noting that further updates will be shared as cleanup operations progress.

    Traffic authorities have also warned motorists of widespread travel disruptions, reporting that multiple road blockages have cut off access in and out of Kingstown, as well as along stretches of road on the windward and leeward coasts of St. Vincent. In a social media advisory, the Police Force’s Traffic Branch urged drivers to use alternate routes where available, plan for extended travel times due to expected congestion and delays, and avoid unnecessary travel through affected regions if possible. Officials also reminded motorists to reduce speeds, maintain safe following distances, and remain alert for displaced pedestrians and obstacles on roadways, adding that traffic teams are actively monitoring conditions and assisting with movement through impacted areas.

    As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the SVG Meteorological Services reported that the tropical wave was still impacting the nation, with forecasts calling for continued cloudy to overcast conditions with pockets of moderate to heavy rain, scattered thunderstorms through midday, before tapering off to mostly cloudy skies with only a few showers. Forecasters have continued to urge residents and drivers in landslide and flash flood-prone areas, as well as communities located near rivers and streams, to remain on high alert.

    Looking ahead at the multi-day forecast, conditions are expected to stabilize gradually. A few residual passing showers are possible Tuesday evening as the tail of the tropical wave passes through the region. On Wednesday, light winds are forecast to bring warmer temperatures with occasional passing showers, while Thursday is expected to see partly cloudy skies across the country.

  • PM Skerrit pledges to deepen Dominica-China cooperation

    PM Skerrit pledges to deepen Dominica-China cooperation

    At a celebratory reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Morne Daniel to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, top leadership from Dominica has reaffirmed the Caribbean nation’s longstanding commitment to its bilateral partnership with China, while outlining a vision for expanded collaboration across key development sectors.

    Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit opened his remarks by extending warm congratulations to China on its national anniversary, and emphasized that more than two decades of diplomatic engagement have built a robust foundation of trust between the two nations and their peoples.

    “As we look ahead, I hope we will deepen that cooperation further,” Skerrit told attendees. “There is much we can continue to accomplish through knowledge exchange, workforce training, and targeted investment in the public services and economic opportunities that the people of Dominica need.”

    The prime minister went on to reaffirm Dominica’s unwavering stance as an all-weather friend to China, noting that the country will always steadfastly uphold and respect the One-China principle, a core pillar of the bilateral relationship since diplomatic ties were established 22 years ago.

    To illustrate the tangible impact of the partnership, Skerrit highlighted two landmark collaborative projects that have transformed public services in Dominica. The first is the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, where Chinese medical teams have worked side-by-side with local health care workers for years, transferring critical clinical expertise and strengthening the country’s overall public health system. Skerrit said the Dominican people remain deeply grateful for this sustained contribution to their well-being.

    In the education sector, Skerrit recalled China’s critical support following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, which destroyed school infrastructure across the island. In response, China committed funding and resources to reconstruct six damaged schools, including the new Goodwill Secondary School (GSS) and multiple community primary schools. These new facilities provide students with safe, modern learning environments and give teachers fit-for-purpose spaces to deliver instruction. Skerrit added that the upgraded GSS has also expanded access to technical and vocational education programs, equipping young Dominicans with practical skills to compete for emerging economic opportunities.

    Speaking at the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica Chu Maoming echoed Skerrit’s call for deeper engagement, noting that for 22 years, Dominica has consistently stood as a reliable good friend and partner to China in the Caribbean region. Ambassador Chu pointed out that the two nations share deep mutual trust, and hold aligned perspectives on core issues of state governance and global affairs.

    He added that China greatly values Dominica’s consistent adherence to the One-China principle, and remains fully supportive of Dominica’s efforts to pursue a national development path tailored to its own unique domestic conditions.

    Ambassador Chu also recognized the solidarity extended by Dominica following a recent tragic landslide disaster at China’s Jirung port that caused heavy casualties and property damage. He noted that both Dominican President Charles Savarin (corrected from original text reference) and Prime Minister Skerrit promptly sent official messages of condolence to Chinese President Xi Jinping, a gesture that reflects the deep mutual affection and friendship between the governments and peoples of the two countries. Looking forward, Ambassador Chu confirmed China’s commitment to continue deepening mutual trust, and expanding coordination and collaborative projects with Dominica for shared benefit.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Teachers’ Union Calls for Better Working Conditions and Retention Packages

    Antigua and Barbuda Teachers’ Union Calls for Better Working Conditions and Retention Packages

    As the world marks World Teachers’ Day 2026, the president of a national teachers’ union, Casroy Charles, has delivered a clear and pointed message: symbolic celebration of educators’ contributions is not enough. Lasting change and stronger institutional support systems are required to let teachers carry out their core professional duties effectively.

    Speaking on behalf of the union’s executive leadership, Charles emphasized that praise alone cannot address the systemic challenges that educators face day-to-day. “Acclamation alone cannot sustain us,” he stated, warning that the fanfare of annual World Teachers’ Day recognition must not overshadow the pressing, unaddressed issues embedded within the national education system.

    The union has laid out three non-negotiable priorities that it says are critical to strengthening the country’s education ecosystem. First, the organization is calling for meaningful lifts to both the social and economic standing of teachers across the nation. Second, it pushes for targeted policy measures designed to retain skilled, veteran educators who bring invaluable expertise to classrooms. Third, the union demands overhauls to working conditions that would create environments more conducive to high-quality student learning, while also allowing teachers to focus on their core professional responsibilities rather than bureaucratic or structural burdens.

    Charles anchored the union’s demands in existing international guidance from the International Labour Organization and UNESCO, which have long laid out core principles for advancing quality education globally. He questioned how much longer local educators must wait for these widely accepted principles to be fully integrated into the country’s domestic education framework. While he acknowledged that incremental progress has been made in recent years, he raised pointed concerns that deep inequities within the system remain largely unaddressed, asking how far the nation has actually come in closing these gaps.

    The union also issued a broader warning to education leaders and system managers: inefficiency, ineffective institutional practices, and broken industrial relations can never serve as a strong foundation for a high-functioning education system. Even as it pushes for systemic changes from education leadership, the union urged rank-and-file teachers to remain dedicated to their noble calling, despite the shortcomings of the institutions that are meant to support and manage the education sector. “Teachers, do not sever your bond with this noble calling,” Charles encouraged educators in his message.

    In the statement, the union executive did recognize and celebrate the relentless dedication, hard work, and irreplaceable role that teachers play in shaping the nation’s future generations. The organization also acknowledged that it is critical to lift up educators’ work, and thanked education sector partners for their efforts to celebrate teachers on the annual observance. That said, the union made clear that settling for incremental, non-substantive improvements would not just erode educators’ professional standing, it would also put the nation’s broader social progress at risk.

    Charles closed his message with a call for broad public support for the union’s efforts to elevate the status of teaching. He tied the professional well-being and success of educators directly to the long-term future of the country, arguing that investment in teachers is investment in national development. Notably, the 2026 World Teachers’ Day message did not include specific details about proposed financial compensation increases, a clear timeline for implementing the union’s three priorities, or references to ongoing specific employment negotiations.

  • Minister Michael Joseph Participates in Pre-COP31 Activities in Tuvalu

    Minister Michael Joseph Participates in Pre-COP31 Activities in Tuvalu

    As the United Nations climate summit season approaches, a critical high-level pre-conference gathering has kicked off in Tuvalu, bringing together regional leaders and international partners to amplify the urgent climate challenges facing low-lying Pacific island nations. Among the delegates in attendance is Michael Joseph, who holds multiple cabinet portfolios for Antigua and Barbuda covering health, wellness, environment, and civil service affairs.

    The core mission of Pre-COP31 is to center the voices of climate-vulnerable regions that are already bearing the brunt of rising sea levels and extreme weather, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. Organizers designed the on-island program to give visiting leaders direct, firsthand exposure to Tuvalu’s ongoing efforts to build climate resilience and transition to clean energy. Delegates have toured a range of key projects, from utility-scale solar farm installations that cut the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, to active scientific research sites monitoring coastal change, to newly reclaimed coastal land developed as a mitigation strategy, and the iconic Funafuti causeway.

    The gathering opened with culturally rooted welcome events that centered intergenerational climate action, featuring performances by youth climate representatives and a traditional community welcome ceremony that honored the shared stakes of all attending nations. One of the program’s highlighted field visits was to Vili Tavita, widely known as David’s Drill, a historic geological borehole research site that underscores Tuvalu’s decades-long commitment to scientific research into its unique environmental and geological conditions — research that continues to inform the nation’s climate adaptation planning today.

    As Pre-COP31 activities proceed, delegates will next visit a series of coastal adaptation project sites, before convening for a high-level Sautalaga dialogue at the Sir Tomasi Puapua Convention Centre. For Antigua and Barbuda, Joseph’s participation underscores the Caribbean nation’s longstanding commitment to collaborative engagement with regional and global partners on issues of climate resilience, proactive adaptation, and advancing the shared policy priorities of all vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) ahead of the official COP31 climate summit.

  • Antigua and Barbuda to Reopen Geneva, Switzerland, in 2027

    Antigua and Barbuda to Reopen Geneva, Switzerland, in 2027

    The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has formally announced its plan to resume operations at its Geneva diplomatic mission in 2027, marking a key step in rebuilding its international diplomatic presence after overcoming persistent operational challenges related to personnel shortages.

    Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene publicly reaffirmed the government’s commitment to this initiative during a formal reception this Monday, held to welcome the newly appointed non-resident ambassador of Switzerland to Antigua and Barbuda.

    Greene emphasized that the government places considerable strategic and diplomatic value on maintaining a permanent diplomatic footprint in Geneva, a major global hub for international organizations and multilateral diplomacy. As such, the administration has earmarked the re-establishment of the mission to take place within the 2027 fiscal year.

    Preparatory work for the embassy’s reopening is scheduled to ramp up following a major high-profile diplomatic event hosted by Antigua and Barbuda next month: the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a gathering that will bring dozens of global leaders to the island nation.

    In response to the announcement, Switzerland’s newly appointed non-resident ambassador expressed a warm welcome to the plan, confirming that Bern stands ready to deepen bilateral engagement with Antigua and Barbuda and provide all necessary support to facilitate the smooth return of the diplomatic mission. The ambassador also noted that he had already held preliminary discussions about the logistics of the reopening with diplomatic colleagues based in Geneva.

    At this stage, Greene has not disclosed a specific official opening date for the mission, nor has he released detailed details about the long-term staffing framework that will be put in place for the reopened embassy.

  • PM Browne Warns Pelican Court Tenants Could Face Eviction for Drug Dealing

    PM Browne Warns Pelican Court Tenants Could Face Eviction for Drug Dealing

    Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced strict regulatory measures for the upcoming Pelican Court housing development, confirming that tenants caught engaging in illegal activity – most notably drug trafficking – will face immediate eviction from the government-owned property. Speaking during a recent recording of his weekly public program, the *Browne and Browne Show*, on Saturday, Browne revealed that governing rules for the 150-unit residential community are currently being drafted, as the government works toward the planned handover of the development to residents in January 2027.

  • CHOGM Outreach Programme Visits More Than 50 Schools Across Antigua

    CHOGM Outreach Programme Visits More Than 50 Schools Across Antigua

    The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has wrapped up a far-reaching outreach initiative that has brought interactive programming and global dialogue opportunities to more than 50 primary and secondary schools spread across the Caribbean nation of Antigua. Designed to connect young local learners with the broader values and global mission of the Commonwealth organization, the programme has delivered a range of tailored activities that align with the country’s existing educational priorities while introducing new perspectives on international cooperation, youth leadership, and sustainable development. Organizers worked closely with Antigua’s Ministry of Education to coordinate the school visits, ensuring that sessions were accessible to students across rural and urban communities, and that content aligned with age-appropriate learning outcomes for different grade levels. Activities included interactive workshops on youth civic engagement, panel discussions with young community leaders from across the Commonwealth, and informational sessions that highlight the role of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared challenges like climate resilience, economic equity, and access to quality education. Many school administrators and teachers have welcomed the initiative, noting that it provides students with unique opportunities to engage with global issues that directly impact their future, beyond what is typically covered in standard classroom curricula. For students, the programme has opened doors to new networking opportunities and resources that can support their own leadership and development projects within their local communities. The outreach effort forms part of a broader suite of pre-summit engagement activities leading up to the official CHOGM meeting, which brings together heads of government from across the 56-nation Commonwealth bloc to discuss collective action on key global and regional issues. Organizers say the focus on youth engagement in Antigua reflects the Commonwealth’s longstanding commitment to centering young people in decision-making, recognizing that today’s students will be the leaders tasked with addressing future global challenges. Moving forward, plans are in place to extend the impact of the programme by creating ongoing digital resources for participating schools, connecting Antiguan students with peer learners across other Commonwealth nations to continue collaborative learning projects. This multi-phase approach ensures that the outreach initiative delivers long-term value to the Antiguan education community, rather than serving as a one-off engagement event.

  • Hof brengt rechtspraak en legalisatie dichter bij inwoners Marowijne

    Hof brengt rechtspraak en legalisatie dichter bij inwoners Marowijne

    Starting this Monday, residents of Marowijne district in Suriname no longer need to travel long distances to the capital Paramaribo to access judicial services, after the nation’s High Court of Justice formally launched a new periodic court site and legalization desk in Albina. This expansion marks the latest phase of the judiciary’s broader decentralization push, which previously brought local court services to Moengo and Brokopondo.

    Under the new service model, court sessions will be held in Albina on the first Monday of every month. The court’s Legalization Department will also process official document authentication for local residents on the same recurring schedule. The core goal of this initiative is to close the gap between judicial institutions and rural communities, and expand access to legal services outside of Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo.

    The new site was officially opened during a formal unveiling ceremony attended by key national and local stakeholders. Marowijne District Commissioner Marvin Vyent opened the event by expressing gratitude to the High Court of Justice and all partner stakeholders that made the expansion possible. He issued a clear call to local administrative officials, district council members, and community leaders to proactively spread awareness of the new services across all neighborhoods and villages in the area.

    “It is our duty to inform every citizen, in every village and every street, that justice has been brought right to their doorstep. We must ensure people know these services are available here,” Vyent emphasized during his remarks. He added that low-barrier access to judicial care also plays a key role in supporting peace, public order, and broad social development across the entire Marowijne district.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Justice and Security Harish Monorath framed the new Albina site as a tangible outcome of strong cross-sector collaboration. He extended thanks to the President of the High Court of Justice, sitting judges, ministry staff, local district leadership, and council members for their combined work to prepare the new court location and bring the project to completion.

    “Bringing justice close to home is a shared moral obligation for all of us,” Minister Monorath stated.

    High Court President Iwan Rasoelbaks echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to expanding accessible justice across the country. “Wherever citizens live, work, raise their families, run businesses, and face legal challenges, judicial services must be visible and within reach,” Rasoelbaks said.

    With the launch of the Albina site, Suriname’s judiciary now operates a new permanent periodic court location in the eastern region of the country, extending the benefits of decentralized legal services to thousands of previously underserved rural residents.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Delegation Participates in NCD Training in China

    Antigua and Barbuda Delegation Participates in NCD Training in China

    A high-level delegation from the Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has traveled to China to take part in a specialized professional training program focused on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a growing global public health challenge that disproportionately impacts small island developing states.

    The training initiative, which brings together health policymakers, clinical practitioners and public health experts from both nations, is designed to share evidence-based strategies and cutting-edge practices for addressing leading NCDs including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions. According to preliminary details shared by organizers, the program combines interactive classroom instruction, site visits to leading Chinese healthcare institutions, and hands-on workshops focused on building sustainable local capacity for NCD surveillance, early diagnosis and community-level management.

    For Antigua and Barbuda, which has seen rising rates of chronic non-infectious diseases in recent decades linked to shifting population demographics and lifestyle changes, the partnership represents a key opportunity to strengthen its national public health infrastructure. Small island developing states across the Caribbean often face unique barriers to addressing NCDs, including limited healthcare resources, constrained funding for public health programs, and a lack of specialized training for local health workers. This collaborative training program, built on long-standing diplomatic and development cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda, aims to bridge those gaps by fostering knowledge exchange and tailored capacity building that aligns with the specific health needs of small island nations.

    Participants from the Antigua and Barbuda delegation have highlighted that the insights gained from the training will help inform updates to the country’s national NCD strategic plan, improve access to early screening services for at-risk communities, and reduce the long-term health and economic burdens posed by chronic diseases. The event also underscores the growing global commitment to multilateral cooperation on public health priorities, with low- and middle-income countries and small island states collaborating across regions to address shared health challenges.