Carib Scope

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  • Three winning students to be awarded by Dominica Community Tourism Association in essay contest

    Three winning students to be awarded by Dominica Community Tourism Association in essay contest

    The Dominica Community Tourism Association will honor three laureates from La Salette Agricultural and Industrial University (LAIU) today for their winning contributions to the organization’s second annual essay competition. The ceremony, scheduled for 3:30 PM at the LAIU Clubhouse, celebrates student excellence in addressing this year’s critical theme: ‘Our Rivers, Their Contribution to Community and Tourism Development.’

    In an official audio statement, the Association—which serves as the primary body for community-based tourism groups nationwide—expressed profound concern regarding the deteriorating condition of Dominica’s river systems. While acknowledging the island’s remarkable natural endowment of approximately 365 rivers, which earned it the moniker ‘Nature Isle,’ the organization warned that these aquatic treasures face insufficient protection and preservation efforts.

    Rivers constitute the lifeblood of Dominican society, the Association emphasized, providing indispensable economic, environmental, and social benefits. These waterways sustain livelihoods, drive tourism revenue through attractions like the renowned Emerald Pool, and serve as hubs for community gatherings and recreational activities.

    However, escalating threats from littering and pollution jeopardize river health and long-term sustainability. The Association identifies environmental degradation as a direct challenge to its core mission, prompting intensified advocacy for public awareness campaigns and stronger legislative safeguards.

    By engaging youth through academic competitions, the organization aims to cultivate environmental stewardship among younger generations. This community-driven initiative aligns with global conservation movements, including World Rivers Day, underscoring the universal importance of watershed protection.

    The Association extended appreciation to all sponsors and participants while encouraging continued student involvement in future competitions. This event reflects its broader commitment to integrating environmental preservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism development as interconnected pillars of national progress.

  • Ariza Credit Union to strengthen Grenada’s cooperative movement

    Ariza Credit Union to strengthen Grenada’s cooperative movement

    In a significant move to bolster Grenada’s cooperative financial sector, Ariza Credit Union has unveiled an innovative annual sponsorship program. This initiative is specifically designed to empower smaller credit unions by funding their participation in the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU) Convention and Trade Show.

    As the largest credit union in Grenada and the second largest within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Ariza acknowledges the indispensable role smaller institutions play in promoting financial inclusion and fortifying community economic resilience. The program strategically targets credit unions with total assets not exceeding EC$10 million, entities that typically operate with constrained resources and limited access to regional developmental forums.

    The selection process for the inaugural beneficiary was conducted via a live, transparent draw held at Ariza’s Head Office. From a pool of eligible candidates—including Gateway Cooperative Credit Union, Hermitage Cooperative Credit Union, Birchgrove Cooperative Credit Union, Horizon Cooperative Credit Union, and GTAWU Credit Union—GTAWU Credit Union was selected as the first participant.

    Attendance at the prestigious CCCU Convention is anticipated to yield substantial benefits for the chosen institution, encompassing advanced training in governance protocols, sophisticated risk management strategies, exposure to cutting-edge financial technologies, and the opportunity to forge valuable professional networks across the Caribbean region.

    The President of Ariza Credit Union emphasized the philosophical underpinning of the initiative, stating, “We are deeply convinced that the collective strength of our sector is predicated on collaborative efforts to ensure continuous capacity building through training, development, and supportive initiatives.”

    This rotating sponsorship model ensures that support is equitably distributed, with the overarching goal of generating sector-wide advantages that transcend individual credit unions. By investing in the development of its smaller counterparts, Ariza reinforces its commitment to the principle of ‘cooperation among cooperatives’ and cements its leadership role in fostering the long-term growth and sustainability of Grenada’s credit union movement.

  • Ernstige vorst bedreigt Oekraïense wintergewassen

    Ernstige vorst bedreigt Oekraïense wintergewassen

    Ukrainian agricultural experts and emergency services are issuing urgent warnings as an unprecedented cold front approaches, threatening to devastate the nation’s vital winter wheat crops. Meteorologists predict temperatures will plummet to -30°C (-22°F) across most regions starting February 1st, with the severe cold expected to persist until at least February 4th.

    The impending deep freeze poses what agricultural analytics firm Barva Invest describes as an “extremely dangerous” scenario for winter crops throughout central, northeastern, and eastern Ukraine. Only southern regions are expected to be spared the worst of the cold, though they face their own challenges due to insufficient snow cover.

    Winter wheat represents approximately 95% of Ukraine’s total wheat production, typically sown in autumn and harvested the following summer. These crops yield significantly more than spring varieties but are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperature drops without adequate snow insulation.

    The current crisis compounds existing agricultural challenges. Earlier in January, temperatures already dropped to -20°C, followed by a brief thaw that saw temperatures rise above freezing this week. This pattern of freeze-thaw-freeze creates additional stress on crops beyond what sustained cold would cause.

    Agricultural analysts note that the combination of persistent severe frost and inadequate snow protection could lead to substantial winterkill damage. The situation is especially critical in areas near conflict zones, where farming operations already face significant disruptions. Ukraine’s emergency services continue to monitor the situation through official Telegram channels, advising farmers to implement whatever protective measures remain possible.

  • Regional workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting for Caribbean SIDS

    Regional workshop on high-resolution land degradation reporting for Caribbean SIDS

    Grenada will host a pivotal five-day technical workshop in February 2026, uniting Geographical Information System specialists and land management experts from across the Caribbean to enhance regional capabilities in monitoring land degradation. The specialized training program, formally designated as the Regional Technical Workshop on High-Resolution SDG 15.3.1 and PRAIS SO1 Reporting for Caribbean SIDS, represents a significant capacity-building initiative for Small Island Developing States.

    Organized by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), the intensive hands-on program will bring together 26 participants—two technical experts from each of the 13 Caribbean SIDS. The curriculum has been meticulously designed to provide comprehensive training in advanced geospatial analysis techniques specifically tailored for environmental monitoring.

    Participants will engage in practical sessions covering high-resolution land cover analysis, land productivity dynamics assessment, and sophisticated soil organic carbon estimation methodologies. The program will further equip attendees with the technical expertise required to integrate these critical indicators into Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 assessments, which specifically target land degradation neutrality.

    A cornerstone of the workshop involves training in the preparation of PRAIS-ready datasets, including standardized tables and metadata that comply with international reporting requirements. This technical preparation is crucial for effective participation in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System.

    The workshop’s most significant anticipated outcome is the establishment of a Caribbean GIS Community of Practice dedicated to land degradation monitoring and sustainable land management. This professional network will serve as an ongoing resource for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration beyond the workshop’s duration.

    Financial support for this initiative is provided through the Global Environment Facility, with the United Nations Environment Programme acting as Implementing Agency and PISLM serving as Executing Agency. Technical training delivery is being conducted in collaboration with Apacheta, an organization specializing in environmental data management solutions.

    This capacity-building effort directly supports Caribbean nations in fulfilling their reporting obligations under international environmental agreements while strengthening regional resilience against land degradation challenges.

  • Ex Bolivian President disagrees with US’ priorities in Venezuela, US Secty of State flags Guyana as an alternative investor destination

    Ex Bolivian President disagrees with US’ priorities in Venezuela, US Secty of State flags Guyana as an alternative investor destination

    Significant diplomatic divergence has surfaced regarding the appropriate approach to Venezuela’s political and economic stabilization. Former Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio presented contrasting visions at a World Trade Centre Guyana forum titled ‘Perspectives on Global Trade’ this Wednesday.

    Secretary Rubio emphasized that international oil companies require robust legal security and profit guarantees before returning to Venezuela. He outlined specific prerequisites: protection against asset seizure, enforceable contracts, and judicial certainty. ‘That’s the level of certainty that we’re talking about in terms of security,’ Rubio stated, noting that without these conditions, investment would naturally flow to alternative destinations like Guyana.

    Rubio acknowledged recent hydrocarbon law reforms enacted within weeks of President Maduro’s removal that rolled back Chavez-era restrictions, describing them as ‘extraordinary’ though insufficient. The ultimate U.S. objective, he clarified, remains Venezuela’s transition to a ‘friendly, stable, prosperous and democratic’ nation with free elections, possibly requiring American oversight.

    In stark contrast, former President Quiroga challenged the American sequencing of priorities. He argued that democracy must precede economic normalization, stating: ‘I personally think that the order that the U.S. government is talking about doing things is not quite the right order.’ Quiroga expressed skepticism that oil companies would sign agreements with ‘an interim government that is the remnants of a criminal group’ merely because of U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean.

    Quiroga proposed regional diplomacy led by Latin American powers Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia to facilitate democratic transition through ministerial delegations demanding prisoner releases. He highlighted how Venezuela’s previous oil wealth ($140-150/barrel at 3.5 million barrels/day) had purchased influence through PetroCaribe and ALBA alliances, enabling human rights abuses to go unchallenged in international forums like the OAS.

    The resolution of Venezuela’s crisis, Quiroga suggested, could remove toxic influences and create opportunities for renewed Caribbean-Latin American cooperation on common economic agendas and coordinated foreign policies.

  • PM presents $1.9b Estimates including $105m deficit

    PM presents $1.9b Estimates including $105m deficit

    In a landmark parliamentary address, Prime Minister Godwin Friday presented the 2026 national budget totaling EC$1.89 billion, marking the first fiscal blueprint since his New Democratic Party’s decisive electoral victory in November. The financial plan introduces a modest 2% increase over 2025 allocations, signaling a period of strategic fiscal management amid economic challenges.

    The budget architecture reveals recurrent expenditure dominating at EC$1.31 billion, while capital investment is set at EC$577.2 million. Financing mechanisms demonstrate careful balancing, with EC$906.9 million expected from current revenue streams and EC$978.7 million from capital receipts. This structure results in a current account deficit of EC$105.5 million, which the government acknowledges requires deliberate containment strategies.

    Revenue projections indicate a slight contraction, primarily attributable to a 40% decline in non-tax revenue following the conclusion of hurricane reimbursement programs. Tax revenue shows resilience with a projected 0.7% growth, driven by increased international trade transactions (1.9% increase) and significant growth in income and profit taxes (6.5% rise).

    Expenditure analysis reveals concerning trends in debt servicing, with amortization costs surging by 25.8% and sinking fund contributions increasing by 13.6%. Personnel compensation grows by 9.6%, while pension obligations see modest adjustment. The capital budget reflects strategic prioritization, decreasing by 17.4% but focusing resources on critical infrastructure including transportation networks, educational facilities, and climate resilience projects.

    Sectoral allocations demonstrate targeted investment: Transport and Works receives EC$115.5 million, Education and Vocational Training allocated EC$63.5 million, while Higher Education and Grenadines Affairs secures EC$78.4 million. The Finance Ministry obtains the largest capital portion at EC$190.1 million, with housing initiatives receiving nearly EC$40 million.

    The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to fiscal sustainability while maintaining essential public services and infrastructure development, acknowledging the challenges of deficit reduction while meeting developmental objectives.

  • Graduates raise the bar as community training stirs up new opportunities

    Graduates raise the bar as community training stirs up new opportunities

    In a significant stride toward workforce development, Barbados has celebrated the inaugural graduation of 19 individuals from a groundbreaking community-based hospitality training initiative. The ceremony, held at Courtyard by Marriott in Garrison, St Michael, marked the successful completion of the Satellite Programme’s first Bartending/Mixology and Cookery 1 courses.

    The programme, formally titled ‘Facilitating Inclusive Development in Communities,’ represents a collaborative effort between Pinelands Creative Workshop, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust. The graduating cohort comprised 17 women and 2 men who underwent intensive hands-on training, with 11 specializing in Bartending/Mixology and 8 in Cookery 1.

    Sophia Greaves-Broome, CEO of Pinelands Creative Workshop, emphasized the programme’s design to eliminate traditional barriers to education. “We created this to cut through red tape and barriers that often prevent people from accessing training,” she stated during her address to graduates. Greaves-Broome highlighted that the certificates represent “a beginning to your future” in an evolving job market where “the new currency is skills.”

    The Satellite Programme specifically targets young adults aged 18-35 who left formal education without qualifications, single parents, and those unable to meet conventional tertiary education requirements. The initiative reflects the post-pandemic recovery needs of Barbados’ hospitality sector, with training content adapted to industry demands.

    Notably, the Bartending/Mixology course pushed creative boundaries, with students developing over 30 original cocktails using unconventional ingredient combinations. The Cookery curriculum condensed two training levels into an accelerated format. Instructors Sir Sheen McClean and Angela Gittens-Holland received special recognition for their transformative teaching approaches.

    Graduate Dionne Currency-Griffith, speaking on behalf of her cohort, described the experience as “demanding but fulfilling,” noting significant improvements in time management and professional confidence. Her newly acquired certification will enable her catering business to expand into full bar services.

    Two exceptional students received special recognition: Roshania Manning (Cookery 1) and Currency-Griffith (Bartending/Mixology), both achieving scores of 85%. Since its 2022 establishment, the programme has trained 52 Barbadians, with many graduates advancing to entrepreneurial ventures including product bottling and retail operations.

    The ceremony concluded with an empowering message for graduates to leverage their credentials as launching points for continuous professional development and global market opportunities.

  • 9% wage increase for Ferrands employees

    9% wage increase for Ferrands employees

    After a period of constructive dialogue, Ferrands Food Products Ltd. and the National Workers Union (NWU) have finalized a comprehensive three-year labor agreement. The breakthrough concludes industrial negotiations that will substantially benefit clerical, technical, and ancillary staff members.

    NWU President General Tyrone G Maynard unveiled the specifics of the new compensation package, which guarantees employees a cumulative nine percent wage enhancement structured over the agreement’s duration. The incremental raise breakdown allocates a four percent increase in the first year, followed by three percent in the second year, and two percent in the final year. A significant component of the settlement includes the provision of retroactive pay covering the previous five months.

    Crucially, the pact ensures the preservation of all existing fringe benefits, which will be maintained in accordance with prevailing industry standards. Both parties have committed to a collaborative effort to facilitate the prompt and effective execution of these new terms.

    The formalization process is now underway, with arrangements being coordinated through the Department of Labour. The official signing ceremony is scheduled to occur under the auspices of the Labour Commissioner, marking the contractual commencement of the negotiated terms. This agreement extends a decade-long industrial relations partnership between Ferrands Food Products and the NWU, demonstrating a sustained commitment to cooperative labor-management relations.

  • ICC suspends Jones for breaching corruption codes

    ICC suspends Jones for breaching corruption codes

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed an immediate provisional suspension on Barbadian-American cricketer Aaron Jones following serious corruption allegations. The 31-year-old batsman, who recently represented the United States at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, faces five distinct charges related to anti-corruption code violations.

    The charges stem primarily from Jones’ participation in the Bim10 tournament during the 2023-24 season, which falls under Cricket West Indies’ jurisdiction. Additionally, two charges pertain to international matches under the ICC’s purview. The allegations include match-fixing during the Bim10 competition and multiple failures to report approaches about engaging in corrupt activities.

    Beyond the corruption allegations, Jones stands accused of obstructing the official investigation by concealing or tampering with potentially relevant information. He also allegedly failed to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s reasonable investigation requests.

    The ICC confirmed this case represents merely one component of a broader ongoing investigation, indicating that additional charges against other participants are anticipated in the coming weeks. Jones now has a 14-day window from January 28, 2026, to formally respond to the allegations.

    This suspension effectively eliminates Jones from selection for USA’s 15-member squad for next month’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted across India and Sri Lanka. The immediate suspension mandates that Jones cannot participate in any form of cricket while the investigation proceeds.

  • BTL Pitches SMART Takeover to Business Leaders

    BTL Pitches SMART Takeover to Business Leaders

    BELIZE CITY – In a strategic move to garner corporate support, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) presented its case for acquiring Speednet (SMART) to the nation’s leading business organizations during a private consultation session this week. The high-stakes meeting with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and Belize Business Bureau (BBB) executives follows recent public protests against the proposed telecommunications merger.

    BTL executives articulated a vision of enhanced national infrastructure, asserting the consolidation would eliminate redundant assets and establish a more robust telecommunications network. The company projects significant improvements in service reliability and expanded coverage areas as primary benefits of the acquisition.

    Countering mounting concerns about reduced market competition, BTL unveiled a comprehensive consumer protection framework. The proposed safeguards include guaranteed price freezes on specific mobile and data services for a three-year period, preservation of existing customer plans, and specialized support programs for senior citizens and prepaid users. Additional commitments feature transparent service policies, regular outage disclosure reports, and a two-year rural expansion initiative.

    BTL Chief Executive Ivan Tesucum emphasized the transaction’s alignment with national interests, stating the merger aims to ‘accelerate digital inclusion’ while strengthening the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The executive framed the acquisition as critical for Belize’s technological advancement and economic development.

    The telecommunications giant faces mounting scrutiny from consumer advocacy groups and competitors who warn the merger could establish a market monopoly, potentially leading to increased prices and diminished innovation over time. The business community’s response to BTL’s presentation remains undisclosed as consultations continue.