Carib Scope

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  • Ryan Walters: Excessive taxation worsening living costs

    Ryan Walters: Excessive taxation worsening living costs

    In a vigorous address to constituents at St Stephen’s Hill, Democratic Labour Party candidate Ryan Walters launched a comprehensive critique against the ruling Barbados Labour Party administration’s fiscal policies. The St Michael North West contender asserted that since assuming power in 2018, the government has systematically diminished workers’ disposable income through multiple revenue-generating measures while failing to honor campaign commitments.

    Waters articulated a direct connection between taxation levels and citizen purchasing power, contrasting current policies with the BLP’s previous stance that nations cannot tax themselves out of economic recession. He particularly highlighted the Health Services Contribution Levy implemented shortly after the party took office, characterizing it as an immediate reduction in take-home pay for all National Insurance Scheme contributors.

    The opposition figure provided substantial financial estimates, claiming the health levy has extracted approximately $530 million from workers between 2018 and 2025. This substantial sum, Walters emphasized, represents missed opportunities for households to address essential needs including groceries, education expenses, and basic survival costs.

    Further criticism targeted the garbage and sewage contribution levy, described as an additional financial burden on both households and small businesses totaling an estimated 570 million Barbados dollars. Walters maintained these combined fiscal measures have significantly exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis while the administration attributes economic challenges solely to global factors.

    The address specifically condemned the government’s unfulfilled manifesto promise to reduce Value Added Tax, noting the rate has remained stagnant at 17.5 percent since May 2018. Walters characterized VAT reduction as the most effective immediate relief mechanism for consumer expenses, particularly regarding supermarket purchases and daily expenditures.

    Concluding with policy alternatives, the DLP candidate pledged his party would implement VAT reduction upon assuming office, positioning this commitment as a central component of their strategy to restore citizens’ spending power and alleviate financial pressures.

  • On the next Mas & Melody DNO exclusive interview with reigning Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute

    On the next Mas & Melody DNO exclusive interview with reigning Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute

    Reigning Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute delivered an emotionally charged and deeply personal interview this week on Dominica News Online’s flagship carnival program ‘Mas & Melody.’ The celebrated artist offered unprecedented access into her world, discussing both her artistic evolution and profound personal challenges with remarkable candor.

    Stoute’s conversation touched on the recent passing of her father, revealing how this significant loss has shaped her creative process and personal perspective. The calypso queen disclosed her ongoing work on a therapeutic literary project—a healing book that serves as both personal catharsis and potential guidance for others navigating grief.

    Beyond her personal journey, Stoute elaborated on her musical development, detailing the artistic evolution that has cemented her status within Dominica’s vibrant carnival scene. Her insights provided a unique window into the creative mindset of a performer at the peak of her craft while facing life’s most difficult challenges.

    The interview stands as a testament to the resilience of cultural artists who balance public celebration with private hardship. Stoute’s willingness to share her complete journey—from triumph to tragedy and back again—represents a significant moment of humanization within the often-glamorized world of carnival performance.

    Viewers can anticipate the next installment of ‘Mas & Melody’ scheduled for broadcast tomorrow evening, exclusively on Dominica News Online platforms.

  • Grenada signs hospital financing agreement with OPEC Fund

    Grenada signs hospital financing agreement with OPEC Fund

    In a significant development for Caribbean healthcare infrastructure, Grenada has formalized a major financing arrangement with the OPEC Fund for International Development to accelerate its flagship medical modernization initiative. The $30 million agreement, signed during the Latin America and the Caribbean International Economic Forum 2026 in Panama City, represents the initial disbursement within a broader $60 million financial framework established in December 2025.

    The signing ceremony, attended by Grenada’s Minister for Finance Honourable Dennis Cornwall and Project Polaris Sponsor Ambassador Andrea St Bernard, marks a pivotal advancement for the Hope Vale Medical City development. This comprehensive healthcare transformation project aims to establish a state-of-the-art medical facility that will serve as the cornerstone of Grenada’s revamped health ecosystem.

    Ambassador St Bernard emphasized the agreement’s transformative potential, stating: ‘This partnership enables the transition from extensive planning phases to concrete implementation. We are building not just a modern hospital facility, but laying the groundwork for an integrated, patient-focused healthcare system that will benefit all citizens of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.’

    The Project Polaris initiative represents Grenada’s ambitious strategy to enhance medical service delivery, expand access to contemporary healthcare technologies, and establish a resilient health infrastructure capable of meeting the nation’s evolving needs. The government acknowledged the OPEC Fund’s ongoing collaboration in supporting national development priorities and improving health outcomes for the Grenadian population.

  • Temporary closure of the Grenville Fish Market

    Temporary closure of the Grenville Fish Market

    The Ministry of the Blue Economy and Marine Affairs has announced a temporary operational pause at the Grenville Fish Market scheduled for February 2-3, 2026. This strategic closure will enable comprehensive training programs focused on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Standards and Protocols for market personnel.

    In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the initiative aims to elevate food safety protocols and ensure full compliance with both national and international regulatory requirements. The training curriculum is designed to enhance handling procedures, storage practices, and overall hygiene standards within Grenada’s fish market operations.

    Regular market activities will recommence on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, following the completion of the educational sessions. Ministry officials have expressed appreciation for public understanding regarding this necessary interruption to standard services.

    The implementation of these enhanced safety measures demonstrates the government’s commitment to public health protection and quality assurance in seafood distribution. Such programs contribute significantly to maintaining Grenada’s reputation for food safety excellence and potentially strengthening export capabilities.

  • Dominica Cricket Academy Receives $67,500 Boost from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots – DBS Radio

    Dominica Cricket Academy Receives $67,500 Boost from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots – DBS Radio

    In a significant move to bolster Caribbean cricket development, the Dominica Cricket Academy (DCA) has secured a substantial financial contribution of $67,500 from the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots franchise. The investment, facilitated by Patriots director Mahesh Ramani, reinforces an ongoing collaborative partnership dedicated to strengthening cricket infrastructure and talent cultivation on the island.

    Senator Oscar George, Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, formally acknowledged the contribution, emphasizing the academy’s critical role as Dominica’s premier cricket development program. “This partnership represents a shared commitment to sporting excellence,” stated Senator George. “The academy serves as our primary mechanism for identifying, nurturing, and developing the next generation of elite cricketing talent while promoting sustained competitive excellence.”

    The funding is strategically allocated to support the academy’s operational sustainability and program expansion initiatives. This financial boost will directly enhance training facilities, coaching resources, and competitive opportunities for young athletes. The investment underscores a growing trend of cross-territory collaboration within the Caribbean Premier League ecosystem, where established franchises actively support emerging talent pipelines in neighboring nations.

    This development signals a strengthened commitment to regional sports development, potentially creating a model for other CPL franchises to contribute to cricket’s grassroots growth across the West Indies.

  • Grenada considers accepting US deportees amid labour shortages

    Grenada considers accepting US deportees amid labour shortages

    The Grenadian government is currently evaluating a potential memorandum of understanding with the United States that would involve receiving third-country nationals deported from American territory. This strategic consideration emerges as the Caribbean nation confronts persistent workforce deficiencies across critical sectors including construction, agriculture, and hospitality services.

    Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed during a recent post-Cabinet briefing in St. George’s that his administration has formally expressed interest in accessing workers through the ‘third-country nationals transferee’ framework. This initiative forms part of a broader United States program to relocate individuals who cannot be readily repatriated to their countries of origin.

    Mitchell articulated specific conditions for participation, stating that Grenada would only welcome individuals who are physically capable, possess relevant skills, and maintain clean criminal records—excluding violations of US immigration statutes. The Prime Minister emphatically noted that financial responsibility for transportation and resettlement must rest entirely with the United States government, with Grenada retaining full discretionary authority over final participation decisions.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall further elaborated that any acceptance of transferees would be strictly conditional and grounded in international legal standards. The government insists that all individuals must receive comprehensive protections under international human rights conventions, including safeguards against torture, arbitrary treatment, and discrimination based on race, religion, or other status indicators.

    This development occurs within a broader regional context where Caribbean nations have adopted varied approaches to similar US proposals. While Dominica has established agreements for accepting third-country refugees subject to security vetting, and Antigua and Barbuda have engaged in framework discussions emphasizing stringent controls, Grenada’s cautious deliberation reflects both humanitarian concerns and practical labor market needs.

    The government maintains optimism that carefully vetted skilled workers could alleviate mounting labor pressures, though officials acknowledge the complex humanitarian dimensions involved, particularly for individuals facing potentially dangerous conditions in their home countries.

  • Estimates ‘treading water dangerously and gasping for breath’ – Gonsalves

    Estimates ‘treading water dangerously and gasping for breath’ – Gonsalves

    In a scathing parliamentary address on Thursday, Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves delivered a comprehensive critique of the New Democratic Party’s EC$1.89 billion fiscal package for 2026, characterizing the government’s approach as financially perilous and fundamentally inadequate for current economic challenges.

    The North Central Windward MP and former prime minister asserted that the EC$105.5 million deficit contained within the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure surpasses the combined deficits of four previous years under his administration, despite those periods encompassing extraordinary crises including COVID-19, volcanic eruptions, Hurricane Elsa, and the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl which destroyed over 90% of structures in the Southern Grenadines.

    Gonsalves dismissed Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s budget presentation as “an underwhelming and laboured performance” filled with “self-congratulation” rather than substantive policy. He warned that the current fiscal approach represents “dangerous treading water while gasping for breath,” particularly criticizing the recurrent budget framework as unsustainable.

    The opposition leader raised serious concerns about the government’s borrowing strategy, noting the EC$200 million in projected local loans represents twice the amount approved for 2025. He highlighted the irony of this approach from a party that previously criticized what it termed “ballooning debt and huge fiscal deficits.”

    Gonsalves presented detailed financial analysis indicating that when accounting for current account deficit, amortization payments, and sinking fund contributions, the government faces a total financial gap exceeding EC$401.4 million before even addressing capital expenditures. He questioned the feasibility of raising EC$573.9 million through external loans, noting that only EC$385 million is allocated to the capital budget while the remainder appears directed toward recurrent spending.

    The former prime minister projected significant implementation challenges, suggesting that local loan financing would not materialize until late March at the earliest due to market constraints. He warned government MPs that community projects promised in the budget would face substantial delays and predicted potential difficulties in meeting monthly salary obligations and essential bill payments.

    Gonsalves concluded that the budget framework is “unsuited to these perilous times” and unlikely to generate meaningful economic growth, characterizing it as a collection of “little bits and pieces with doubtful funding” rather than a coherent economic strategy.

  • ‘Ghost ship’ runs aground off Sam Lord’s Castle

    ‘Ghost ship’ runs aground off Sam Lord’s Castle

    A derelict cargo vessel, adrift for months as a maritime ghost in the South Atlantic, has finally grounded on a coral reef near Sam Lord’s Castle, Barbados, prompting an extensive inter-agency operation to mitigate environmental risks and secure the ship.

    The MV Christina Debora, abandoned by its crew last year following critical engine failure, was discovered lodged approximately one nautical mile offshore after a local fisherman alerted authorities. Deputy Director of Barbados’ Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Major Robert Harewood, confirmed that initial investigations traced the ship’s origins through digital research, revealing its prolonged unmanned drift across international waters.

    Emergency protocols were immediately activated upon discovery, mobilizing a coordinated response from the Barbados Coast Guard, Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Ministry of Health, and Barbados National Energy Company Limited (BNECL). Initial concerns regarding potential oil leaks were dispelled after aerial drone surveillance conducted by the BDF provided critical visual intelligence showing no evidence of hydrocarbon contamination.

    Diver teams from the Coast Guard and CZMU have conducted preliminary assessments of the hull’s integrity to determine viable extraction methods. While the vessel’s internal condition remains unknown due to its prolonged abandonment, health authorities have cleared personnel for boarding operations when necessary.

    The current operational priority involves carefully refloating the vessel from the reef structure and towage to a designated secure location, with final destination discussions ongoing between maritime authorities. Environmental safeguards including absorbent booms and dispersion systems will be deployed during movement operations as precautionary measures against potential leakage.

    Major Harewood explicitly ruled out permitting further drift, acknowledging potential threats to Barbados and neighboring territories. International maritime legal frameworks are being consulted regarding the unusual circumstances of the vessel’s arrival in Barbados’ territorial waters.

  • Bitar Fast-Food Restaurant Robbed at Gunpoint

    Bitar Fast-Food Restaurant Robbed at Gunpoint

    A Bitar fast-food restaurant became the target of a brazen armed robbery, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident, which unfolded during operating hours, involved at least one assailant brandishing a firearm to intimidate staff and patrons before making off with an undisclosed sum of cash.

    Early reports from law enforcement indicate that the perpetrator entered the establishment and immediately produced a weapon, creating an atmosphere of fear and coercion. Employees were forced to comply with demands under direct threat, highlighting the vulnerability of service industry workers to such violent crimes. While no physical injuries have been reported, witnesses described scenes of terror as customers scrambled for safety.

    Local police have launched a comprehensive investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and collecting forensic evidence from the scene. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspect. This event marks concerning trend of armed robberies targeting retail and food service businesses, raising questions about security measures and crime prevention strategies in commercial districts.

    The management of Bitar has expressed full cooperation with investigators while implementing additional security protocols across their chain of restaurants. Community leaders have called for increased police patrols in commercial areas to deter similar incidents and ensure public safety.

  • De kleine vervelende vlieg ‘uit Egypte’ bijt weer

    De kleine vervelende vlieg ‘uit Egypte’ bijt weer

    Suriname’s Ministry of Health has activated emergency alerts as chikungunya infections demonstrate a concerning upward trajectory across the nation. Public Works waste management services have intensified efforts to collect bulk refuse from public areas, marking the opening of another seasonal offensive against a persistent adversary: the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

    This insect, whose scientific nomenclature translates to ‘unpleasant from Egypt,’ represents far more than a mere nuisance. While serving as a food source for certain bird and amphibian species, its primary human impact involves transmitting devastating viral diseases including yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Historical eradication attempts—notably Brazil’s 1958 declaration of being Aedes-free through DDT deployment—ultimately failed due to insecticide resistance, environmental concerns, and cross-border reinfestation.

    The female Aedes aegypti requires protein-rich blood meals for egg production, leading to aggressive daytime biting behavior within remarkably limited flight ranges of 50-800 meters. This localized movement pattern means neighborhood sanitation directly determines community vulnerability. Even minor water accumulation in bottle caps or blocked gutters can become breeding grounds, making collective participation in elimination efforts essential.

    Dengue (characterized by high fever and ocular pain), chikungunya (causing severe arthralgia), and Zika (associated with birth defects) share overlapping symptomatology including fever, chills, and profound lethargy. Definitive diagnosis requires blood testing, though treatment primarily involves supportive care with hydration, rest, and analgesics. Hospitalization becomes necessary when warning signs like hemorrhage, persistent vomiting, or neurological complications emerge.

    Ultimately, Aedes-borne diseases thrive through environmental neglect. Structural waste accumulation, stagnant water reservoirs, and inadequate public maintenance create ideal vector habitats. Both governmental action and individual responsibility—particularly in maintaining clean residential perimeters—prove critical in breaking disease transmission cycles. The biting truth remains: mosquito proliferation directly reflects communal sanitation standards.