Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    Indian FIDE Trainer Praful Jhaveri To Coach St Kitts And Nevis Chess Team

    A respected Mumbai-based FIDE-certified trainer and arbiter, Praful Jhaveri, has secured a major new appointment: he will serve as both head coach and team captain for the St Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation at the upcoming 46th edition of the global Chess Olympiad, the sport’s most prestigious international team competition. The 2025 Olympiad is scheduled to run from September 15 to 28 this year, hosted across multiple venues in Uzbekistan.

    Jhaveri’s path to this role opened through a strong professional recommendation from International Master Abhilash Kelkar, who previously led the same St Kitts and Nevis national squad at the 2024 Chess Olympiad. Kelkar, who had built a positive working relationship with the federation during his tenure, shared Jhaveri’s instructional chess publications with association leadership, a move that directly paved the way for Jhaveri’s selection.

    Since the appointment was finalized, Jhaveri has already begun full training work with the Caribbean nation’s young squad. In a public statement following the announcement, he noted that the team brings abundant energy and passion to the competition, while the program remains grounded in realistic expectations for the high-stakes global event. “We have already started working together, and what stands out most is the hunger these young players bring to every session,” Jhaveri said. “We are realistic about the challenge ahead of us against some of the world’s top-ranked chess nations, but our entire team is committed to putting forward a strong, respectable performance. For me, the most meaningful outcome would be seeing our unregistered players earn their first official FIDE ratings through their performance here — that would mark a major win for the growth of chess in St Kitts and Nevis.”

    The appointment marks a rare cross-regional collaboration in international competitive chess, where small island nations often partner with experienced international coaches to build their national programs and support emerging local players ahead of the biennial Olympiad.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Fall Short as Kings Survive Dramatic Rain-Reduced Clash

    A dramatic, rain-interrupted Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash in Gros Islet delivered one of the tournament’s most nail-biting conclusions, as St Lucia Kings escaped with a last-gasp three-wicket DLS method victory over Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, falling just two deliveries short of a stunning upset from the underdogs.

    The match’s fate was reshaped twice by inclement weather before the decisive final overs. When rain cut short the Falcons’ batting innings after 19 overs, the side had posted 98 runs for the loss of nine wickets. This initially set the Kings a revised target of 84 runs from 15 overs to claim the win. However, a second rain interruption just eight balls into St Lucia’s chase forced another target adjustment, slashing the required total to 52 runs from just eight overs.

    Defending this low, condensed target, the Falcons’ bowlers delivered a devastating performance that put them on the brink of a historic win. By the end of the fifth over, the Falcons had torn through the Kings’ top and middle order, reducing the table-topping contenders to a precarious 21 for six. Shamar Springer led the Falcons’ bowling charge, picking up three key wickets for only 13 runs, while Joshua James supported with two wickets for the same 13-run tally.

    It looked like the Falcons would close out the win when St Lucia slipped further to 33 for seven, still 19 runs short of the required target. But Matthew Forde, who had already dominated with the ball earlier in the match (taking four wickets for 29 runs, including consecutive strikes on Evin Lewis and Tim Robinson in the second over, plus the dismissal of Antigua’s top-scorer Rahkeem Cornwall who made 26), shifted the match momentum with a quick-fire cameo. The batter hit Springer for one four and one six, adding 11 vital runs before being bowled on the very next delivery.

    With the match hanging in the balance, Joshua Bishop and Shadley van Schalkwyk held their nerve to finish the job for the Kings. Bishop remained unbeaten on 12 runs, while van Schalkwyk hit eight not out from just three deliveries, guiding St Lucia to 54 runs for seven wickets with two whole balls still left in the final over. The narrow win sees St Lucia Kings climb to the number one position in the 2026 CPL standings.

    For the Falcons, who fell just short of a shocking upset, solid batting contributions came from Amir Jangoo (23 runs) and Alzarri Joseph, whose aggressive unbeaten 16 runs from the number 10 batting position pushed the Falcons to a total that almost proved enough to claim victory. St Lucia’s bowlers also delivered strong performances: Roston Chase finished with two wickets for just seven runs across four overs, while Bishop picked up two wickets for 16 runs to complement his later winning batting innings.

  • LETTER: Antigua Commercial Bank has being taking the piss of me for more than a month now.

    LETTER: Antigua Commercial Bank has being taking the piss of me for more than a month now.

    In a public letter submitted to highlight unresolved customer service issues, an unnamed account holder has leveled serious criticism against Antigua Commercial Bank, claiming the financial institution has subjected them to unacceptable neglect and unfair treatment for over 30 consecutive days. The frustrated customer, who chose to share their experience publicly to draw attention to persistent gaps in the bank’s customer support system, alleges that their repeated attempts to resolve a pressing banking issue have been consistently ignored or dismissed by bank representatives. What began as a routine banking matter has evolved into a weeks-long standoff, leaving the customer without access to critical services or a clear path to resolution, and prompting them to speak out about their negative experience to warn other account holders of potential similar issues. This public complaint underscores a growing frustration among consumers in the Caribbean banking sector over declining standards of customer care and slow resolution of client concerns.

  • Agriculture Ministry Urges Farmers and Fishers to Prepare for Deteriorating Weather

    Agriculture Ministry Urges Farmers and Fishers to Prepare for Deteriorating Weather

    As a developing weather system is projected to bring hazardous conditions to Dominica starting the night of Friday, August 14, 2026, the island’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy has issued an urgent call for precautionary action from the nation’s farming and fishing communities. Expected to bring strong gusty winds and intense downpours that threaten agricultural production, maritime operations, and community safety, the system is forecast to bring the most severe impacts to the island’s eastern and coastal regions, according to official meteorological advisories.

    For agricultural producers across the country, the ministry has outlined clear, actionable steps to mitigate potential damage. Farmers are instructed to properly secure all critical on-farm assets, including heavy equipment, handheld tools, pre-built farm structures, young seedlings, and other essential supplies. Additional guidance calls for proactive measures to protect standing crops and livestock from the extreme wind and rain that will accompany the weather system.

    Miranda Laurent-Stephenson, an extension officer with the ministry, emphasized that producers working in low-lying, flood-prone areas face elevated risk. She urged these farmers to relocate all livestock to higher, safer ground before the weather begins to deteriorate, and to secure all on-site property well in advance of the storm’s arrival. The advisory also extends to operators of greenhouse facilities, who have been called on to implement all necessary protective steps to prevent structural damage to their high-investment growing spaces.

    Maritime food producers are also facing strict safety guidance: the ministry has advised all fishers and recreational boat owners to avoid all maritime travel through the duration of the weather event, as rapidly shifting ocean conditions are expected to create extremely dangerous sailing conditions. Wynnona Joseph, senior fisheries officer with the ministry, has encouraged the tight-knit fishing community to come together to support one another, helping peers moor vessels properly, secure fishing gear, and move all high-value assets to protected, safe locations away from the coast.

    Beyond the guidance issued to agricultural and fishing groups, the ministry as a whole has urged all members of the Dominican public to remain alert to changing conditions, continue finalizing personal and community preparations, regularly monitor official weather updates from national meteorological services, and follow all instructions issued by local emergency management and relevant government authorities throughout the course of the weather event.

  • Amalgamated Security Responds to Employee Concerns

    Amalgamated Security Responds to Employee Concerns

    A major security provider operating in Antigua, Amalgamated Security Services (Antigua) Ltd., has publicly confirmed that it is working through internal concerns raised by a cohort of its workers, with a public pledge to resolve all outstanding issues in an equitable and expedited manner. The company formally recognized the employee grievances in an official media statement released recently, emphasizing that it views the complaints as a high-priority matter.

    In the statement, the company noted, “Amalgamated Security Services (Antigua) Ltd. is aware of the concerns raised by a number of our employees. We take these concerns seriously and are actively addressing each case.”

    Despite acknowledging the existence of the grievances, the firm has not released any specific information about what the concerns entail, how many workers have stepped forward with issues, or any details related to the individual cases under review. No timeline for a final resolution has been shared, nor have the specific procedural steps the company is taking to investigate and resolve the issues been made public.

    Central to the company’s statement was a reaffirmation of its commitment to its workforce. The organization stressed that employee welfare and just treatment remain core organizational priorities. “The welfare, well-being and fair treatment of our employees are important to us, and we are committed to resolving these matters fairly and as quickly as possible,” the statement added.

    To avoid unnecessary speculation and unrest, the security provider has asked for patience from staff and other stakeholders as it works through the review process. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of those affected,” the company said.

  • Trust is the trade union’s currency

    Trust is the trade union’s currency

    For decades, trade unions have been anchored on a foundational pillar that rarely receives mainstream attention but defines their entire ability to deliver for workers: trust. This intangible bond starts with a core expectation from rank-and-file members: that their elected leadership will prioritize their needs, communicate honestly, and deliver tangible outcomes that improve working conditions. Beyond the member-leader dynamic, this web of trust extends outward to connect unions, their membership bases, and company management, creating the productive working relationship that underpins all successful labor organizing work. When trust is intact, collective bargaining proceeds with open dialogue, workplace conflicts are resolved efficiently, and both the workforce and the employer benefit from long-term operational stability. A stable labor environment, in turn, supports consistent production, higher employee retention, and reduced operational disruption for businesses of all sizes.

    This critical bond of trust does not form by accident; it depends on consistent adherence to a set of core guiding principles, starting with unwavering good faith. Every action taken by union leadership must align with the best interests of members and the broader organization, with no room even for the perception of self-serving decision-making. It must be clear to all stakeholders that personal gain never drives policy or operational choices within the union.

    Collaboration, rather than adversarial confrontation, is widely recognized as the most fundamental pillar of sustained trust. When leaders prioritize conflict over partnership, they erode confidence far faster than almost any other misstep. Undermining cross-stakeholder relationships breeds confusion about inconsistent actions, erodes public and member confidence, and ultimately creates a damaging irony: the very interests and wellbeing of union members that leaders are meant to protect get pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

    Alongside intentional collaboration, authenticity and full transparency are non-negotiable to prevent trust from breaking down. For productive relationships between unions and employer management, union leaders must be included in problem-solving and decision-making processes from the earliest stages, not called on only to rubber-stamp choices that have already been finalized without their input. Building and retaining trust between all parties requires consistent, transparent communication, even when sharing difficult news, uniform application of workplace policies across all employee groups, and a shared commitment to collective goals that benefit both workers and the business.

    This approach is particularly critical for external relationships between unions and employers, including government agencies that set labor policy. Framing union representatives as collaborative partners rather than inherent adversaries has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective strategy to prevent costly, disruptive labor disputes from emerging in the first place.

    Existing industrial relations research has identified six core actionable practices that boost trust across all labor organizations: consistency in actions, proven competence in delivering results, open ongoing communication, empathetic recognition of worker concerns, full transparency around decision-making, and clear accountability for missteps. When union and management leaders master these six behaviors, they create the conditions for cross-team relationships that run smoothly, foster open communication, and overcome shared challenges through collective problem-solving.

    These core principles also align closely with the widely adopted five Cs of trust, a popular leadership and relationship framework that outlines the core traits of a trustworthy stakeholder. The five Cs break down as: competence, meaning the ability to deliver on promised outcomes; consistency, meaning predictable, reliable actions that stakeholders can count on; care, meaning demonstrating genuine empathy for the needs of all parties; candour, meaning a commitment to honest, straightforward communication at all times; and character, meaning unwavering personal and institutional integrity. This analysis comes from Dennis De Peiza, a veteran labor and employment relations consultant at Regional Management Services Inc.

  • Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Athletic Association Salutes Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones

    Two of Antigua and Barbuda’s most prominent international track and field athletes, Cejhae Greene and Soniya Jones, have received formal recognition and heartfelt tributes from their national governing body, the Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), for their ongoing work flying the country’s flag on the global sports stage. In two separate public statements released by the association, both athletes were celebrated for the core personal traits that have defined their athletic careers: unwavering dedication, relentless perseverance, and deep commitment to their respective disciplines. For veteran sprinter Cejhae Greene, the ABAA’s praise highlighted a career-long track record of competing with immense national pride and exceptional athletic excellence. “Over the course of your career, your commitment to the sport, your ability to bounce back from every obstacle you have faced, and your consistent drive to compete against the best athletes in the world have cemented your status as one of the most important figures in the history of Antigua and Barbuda athletics,” the association shared in its statement. The ABAA emphasized that Greene’s athletic journey serves as a powerful case study for emerging young athletes across the twin-island nation, illustrating the transformative impact of discipline, persistence, and wholehearted dedication to one’s goals. “As you continue forward in your athletic path, we encourage you to keep chasing your ambitions with the same fire and determination that have made your career what it is today,” the statement added. The association also extended recognition to Soniya Jones, marking another successful season of international competition where she represented Antigua and Barbuda. Jones was commended for her steady determination, consistent performance at the global level, and incredible physical and mental strength, with the ABAA noting that her regular participation in top international competitions has been a key driver of her ongoing growth as an athlete. “Season after season, you have continued to sharpen your skills, deliver stronger results, and represent our nation with pride and outstanding distinction,” the association said of Jones. Looking ahead to her future competitions, the ABAA added that “there are still new heights to reach, and more unforgettable achievements to create in the years ahead.” Closing out the tributes, the governing body extended its well wishes to both athletes: it expressed hope that Greene will go on to achieve even more excellence and hit meaningful new career milestones in upcoming competitive seasons, while it encouraged Jones to keep building on her progress, deliver breakthrough performances, and secure greater athletic success in her future competitions.

  • WEATHER UPDATE (6:00 AM, 15 August): Vigorous tropical wave continues to affect Dominica; Flash Flood Watch remains in effect

    WEATHER UPDATE (6:00 AM, 15 August): Vigorous tropical wave continues to affect Dominica; Flash Flood Watch remains in effect

    Dominica is facing ongoing severe weather impacts from an active tropical wave that will continue to affect the island nation through the overnight hours, with multiple weather warnings and safety advisories currently in place for local residents and mariners.

    Forecasters warn the system will bring hazardous conditions including strong gusty winds, churning rough seas, and scattered pockets of moderate to heavy rainfall paired with thunderstorms, with the most intense activity expected during Thursday morning. To account for elevated flood and landslide risks, a Flash Flood Watch will remain active across the country until midday Thursday.

    Emergency management officials have issued urgent guidance for residents to prioritize preparedness. Those living in low-lying or steep terrain areas that are historically vulnerable to flash flooding, landslides, and falling rock debris are instructed to stay constantly alert for changing conditions and enact all necessary precautionary measures. Additionally, residents have been told to secure any lightweight, loose outdoor items that could be lifted and turned into dangerous projectiles by the system’s strong gusts.

    Marine conditions are expected to remain particularly dangerous through the coming days. Forecasts call for rough to extremely rough seas across Dominica’s coastlines, with wave heights expected to peak Thursday morning at roughly 10 feet along the island’s west coast and surge as high as 13 feet along the more exposed east coast. A Small Craft Warning remains enforced for all small vessels due to high winds and treacherous sea conditions, and will stay in effect until 6:00 a.m. local time Sunday. Mariners have been strongly advised to stay anchored in safe port until conditions improve.

    Beyond marine workers, the general public has received clear guidance to avoid risky coastal activity. Officials warn people to stay far from beaches and zones where large breaking waves are crashing ashore, and anyone who lives near or travels along coastal roadways should maintain constant vigilance for unexpected rising water or debris.

    In a separate update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center, forecasters are actively tracking a second tropical wave located in the central tropical Atlantic. The system currently carries a medium probability of developing into a named cyclone over the next seven days as it moves westward across the basin. Residents of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, including Dominica, and regional mariners are instructed to continue monitoring official weather updates from the Dominica Meteorological Service for any changes to the system’s track and intensity.

  • Indonesië: Krachtige 7.7 aardbeving bij Flores, minstens 38 doden

    Indonesië: Krachtige 7.7 aardbeving bij Flores, minstens 38 doden

    A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has claimed at least 38 lives on Indonesia’s Flores island, leaving widespread destruction and triggering urgent rescue efforts across the affected region. The seismic event struck at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday, with its epicenter located roughly 68 kilometers northwest of the coastal city of Ende, in East Nusa Tenggara province.

    Three strong aftershocks, measuring magnitudes 5.9, 5.6, and 6.1 respectively, hit the area within hours of the main quake, compounding the initial damage. The earthquake left a trail of destruction across multiple districts, damaging hundreds of residential homes, commercial warehouses, and public government buildings. Landslides triggered by the shaking have blocked key arterial roads, cutting off access to remote hard-hit communities and significantly hampering rescue and relief teams as they work to reach trapped survivors.

    As of the latest update from local disaster management authorities, the 38 confirmed fatalities are spread across four cities on Flores. Two people remain trapped under collapsed building rubble in the nearby Manggarai region, with rescue crews working around the clock to extract them alive. “Our absolute priority right now is locating any survivors trapped beneath debris,” explained Fathur Rahman, head of the local rescue unit based in Maumere. Many impacted zones remain inaccessible due to landslide debris and damaged critical infrastructure, slowing the progress of search operations.

    In Nagekeo, the district closest to the earthquake’s epicenter, roughly 2,000 residents have been evacuated to higher, safer ground to avoid further risks. Mobile communication signals have been disrupted across large swathes of the impacted area, creating major delays in information gathering and damage assessment. Local officials have issued repeated warnings urging residents not to return to damaged or structurally compromised buildings, due to the persistent threat of additional aftershocks that may hit in coming days.

    Shortly after the main earthquake, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an urgent tsunami warning for all coastal areas adjacent to the quake zone. The warning was later lifted after monitoring confirmed no dangerous sea level anomalies had developed, but the agency still advised residents to avoid low-lying beach areas and river banks and stay on higher ground as a precaution. BMKG has announced it will continue continuous monitoring of sea levels in the region out of an abundance of caution.

    Preliminary estimates indicate more than 500,000 people on Flores experienced violent shaking from the quake, while millions more across adjacent regions reported moderate to strong tremors. With many structures damaged or destroyed, the full extent of human harm and economic damage is still being counted as survey teams work to reach cut-off areas.

    Indonesia sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone marked by frequent tectonic movement that makes the nation highly vulnerable to major earthquakes and tsunamis. In 1992, a similarly powerful earthquake off the coast of Flores triggered a devastating tsunami that killed an estimated 2,500 people.

    Despite the ongoing challenges of blocked routes, disrupted communications, and lingering aftershock risks, rescue operations are continuing at full pace. Local disaster management officials say they are prepared for additional aftershocks that may persist over the next several days, and have pre-positioned emergency supplies to support displaced residents.

  • Felisha ready to fight come Monday

    Felisha ready to fight come Monday

    A major labor dispute has erupted at Trinidad and Tobago’s Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), after dozens of employees gathered in protest outside the authority’s St Joseph headquarters on Friday, reacting to a months-long negotiation impasse that ended abruptly when senior management walked out of scheduled talks.

    The demonstration, organized by the Public Services Association (PSA), the union representing WASA workers, follows a breakdown in discussions covering two expired collective bargaining periods: 2014–2016 and 2017–2019. PSA President Felisha Thomas told reporters that the standoff escalated when WASA’s Human Resources Director and her entire negotiating team abandoned talks around midnight Thursday, and failed to show up for any follow-up discussions on Friday.

    When local newspaper the Express visited the protest site just after 1 p.m. Friday, Thomas was delivering an impassioned address to the crowd of workers, who had maintained a presence at the headquarters for more than 24 hours at that point. She warned that the union would ramp up its protest action if management refused to return to the table and address worker demands in good faith.

    “As it stands now, we have waited a long time for a meaningful response from leadership, and there has been nothing,” Thomas told the assembled workers. “It’s Friday, so we are leaving the compound this afternoon to rest over the weekend. But make no mistake: first thing Monday morning, we will be back right here, and we will stand by our word.” She called on workers to come prepared on Monday, asking attendees to wear comfortable sneakers and their official green PSA union jerseys to show solidarity.

    Thomas pushed back on what she framed as management’s tactic of outwaiting protesting workers, asking the crowd: “They are trying to wait for you to get tired of this fight. Will you get tired? Are you willing to fight to the end?” The workers responded in unanimous agreement, shouting their support for continued action.

    In an interview with the Express after the address, Thomas noted that the HR team’s walkout was unprecedented in her tenure as union president. “This is the first time I have ever seen management walk away from the negotiating table and refuse to return, and even worse, there has been no comment or proposed path forward from senior WASA leadership or government officials,” she said.

    Discussions for the new collective agreements first kicked off at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Thomas explained. She added that the union had only just learned that contract proposals the union put forward all the way back in January 2024 had never been shared with WASA’s board of directors or forwarded to the Ministry of Public Utilities to get the formal approvals needed to reach a final deal. The union has repeatedly demanded that the HR Director immediately escalate the proposals to the board and ministry to move talks forward, Thomas said.

    As of Friday, Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath had acknowledged the dispute, confirming to the Express via WhatsApp that he had formally requested a full briefing from WASA leadership on both the status of negotiations and the full set of concerns raised by the PSA and its members.

    Thomas emphasized that the union and its membership are prepared for a prolonged standoff to secure a fair deal for workers, noting that more union members are expected to join the protest on Monday to amplify their demands. “When we return on Monday, we will be stronger than we are today, with more workers — all workers — standing together, to make it clear that WASA employees must be treated as a priority,” she said.