Carib Scope

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  • Africa-CARICOM Gala Returns for an Elegant Celebration of Fashion, Culture and Cuisine

    Africa-CARICOM Gala Returns for an Elegant Celebration of Fashion, Culture and Cuisine

    A one-of-a-kind cultural celebration bridging two continents is set to take place in Antigua and Barbuda this October, as the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission (ABRSC) prepares to host its flagship Annual Africa-CARICOM Month Gala Dinner. Scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at the Cortsland Hotel, the evening will blend the timeless elegance of African cultural traditions with the infectious, colorful energy of Caribbean creativity, inviting attendees to explore the deep, centuries-long bonds that connect the two regions.

    Starting promptly at 6:30 p.m., the gala has been crafted as an immersive cultural experience, centered on honoring the enduring connections between African and Caribbean communities through four core pillars: cuisine, fashion, music, and shared heritage. Every element of the evening has been curated to highlight the interconnectedness of cultural identities, from the first bite of food to the final musical performance.

    Food lovers will have the chance to savor a specially selected menu that draws from the rich culinary tapestries of both Africa and the Caribbean. The all-inclusive dining experience will pair iconic, flavor-forward dishes from each region, allowing guests to trace the movement of culinary traditions across the Atlantic and experience how shared ingredients and techniques have evolved into distinct, complementary food cultures.

    Fashion will take a front-and-center role in the celebration, with event organizers encouraging all attendees to dress in their most eye-catching African or Caribbean-inspired attire. The night’s sartorial display is expected to range from bold, geometric traditional African prints and handwoven textiles to sleek, contemporary designs that draw on Caribbean aesthetic sensibilities, creating a visually stunning showcase that doubles as a living celebration of cultural identity. For attendees whose stands out for exceptional creativity and craftsmanship, there will even be awards to recognize standout style.

    Completing the cultural experience will be a lineup of live music and live entertainment that reflects the shared artistic roots of African and Caribbean communities. Beyond creating a lively, joyful atmosphere, the performances will underscore both the historical connections between the regions and the ongoing creative exchange that continues to bind their peoples together today.

    As part of the official national programming for Africa-CARICOM Month, the annual gala serves a dual purpose: it offers a space to celebrate shared cultural heritage while also emphasizing the critical work of preserving this shared history for future generations. Organizers note that public interest in this year’s event has been exceptionally high, with ticket sales moving much faster than initially projected. Anyone hoping to secure a spot at this unique cultural gathering is encouraged to purchase their tickets as early as possible to avoid missing out.

    Tickets are priced at EC$250 per person, covering all food, drink, and entertainment for the evening. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets online through the ticketpulse.events platform, or reserve spots by phone at 464-6377, 764-3651, or 464-2744.

  • Pezeshkian haalt uit naar Trump bij VN, maar houdt deur naar onderhandelingen open

    Pezeshkian haalt uit naar Trump bij VN, maar houdt deur naar onderhandelingen open

    On Wednesday, at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a fiery address that sharply criticized the United States and U.S. President Donald Trump, while reaffirming Iran’s openness to diplomatic negotiations so long as they are not conducted under military duress. The high-stakes speech came just 24 hours after Trump warned in his own UN address that the U.S. reserves the right to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic of Iran if no negotiated agreement is reached, even as he acknowledged that backchannel diplomatic contacts between the two nations were already underway and expressed optimism that a resolution could be found.

  • LETTER: A 10-Pound Carry-On Allowance Is an Insult to Caribbean Travellers

    LETTER: A 10-Pound Carry-On Allowance Is an Insult to Caribbean Travellers

    A frequent leisure traveller has shared a deeply frustrating airport experience that exposes a common, underreported issue plaguing regional air travel: hidden, unreasonably restrictive baggage policies that catch passengers off guard and erode consumer trust.

    The traveller, who recently booked a 30-minute regional flight across the Caribbean operated on an ATR aircraft, paid roughly $300 for a ticket that explicitly advertised coverage for one checked bag, one carry-on bag, and one personal item. On its face, the bundled baggage allowance sounded reasonable — that is, until the passenger arrived at the check-in counter and learned of a critical detail omitted from the initial ticketing information: the included carry-on came with a maximum weight limit of 10 pounds, not kilograms, a surprisingly low cap that few casual travellers would anticipate.

    The passenger’s carry-on tipped the scales at just 12 pounds, only two pounds over the arbitrary limit. To make the restriction even more absurd, the empty carry-on bag itself weighed approximately eight pounds, meaning the airline’s policy only left roughly four pounds of space for any actual personal belongings. Even a basic outfit consisting of a pair of jeans and walking shoes would eat up the entire remaining weight allowance, leaving no room for essentials like a laptop, a water bottle, medication, or a travel adapter. For the two-pound excess, the traveller was hit with an unexpected $65 overweight fee, a charge equal to more than a fifth of the total cost of the 30-minute flight itself. Though the passenger opted to pay the fee rather than miss their trip, they left the interaction shocked and frustrated by the blatant lack of transparency.

    Prior to weighing their own bag, the traveller had observed other passengers forced to dump and rearrange their personal belongings out in the open at the check-in counter, a public spectacle they did not understand until they found themselves in the same situation. The experience of sorting through private items in front of other travellers to avoid unexpected fees is not only deeply embarrassing but also unnecessarily invasive, the passenger noted, and it is entirely avoidable if airlines communicate restrictions clearly upfront.

    What made the experience even more unsettling was the post-fee confusion that followed. After paying the $65 charge for the two-pound overweight carry-on, the bag was marked as “excess baggage,” leaving the traveller with unanswered questions. When staff asked which of their bags the traveller considered a “priority,” the passenger was left confused: after paying an extra fee for the overweight carry-on, could the airline still choose to leave the bag behind? If so, what are the official terms for this scenario? Airline customers have a right to clear, straightforward answers to these questions before they are required to hand over extra money and surrender their belongings.

    It is understandable that smaller regional aircraft like ATR models have tighter weight and balance restrictions compared to large commercial jets. But that practical limitation does not excuse the lack of transparency, unreasonable weight caps, and undignified treatment of passengers that come with these policies, the traveller argued. Airlines have a responsibility to clearly disclose all baggage weight limits at the point of ticket sale, set allowances that are actually realistic for everyday travel, and ensure passengers are treated with basic dignity throughout the check-in process.

    For a 30-minute flight that already costs $300, passengers should not be forced to find out at the airport that their “included” carry-on is functionally useless, unable to hold even a small amount of personal gear without incurring steep surprise fees. This experience highlights a broader need for greater consumer protection and transparency in the regional air travel sector, where hidden fees and opaque policies have become all too common.

  • High Performance Centre coach Eugene talks Kings and Volcanoes

    High Performance Centre coach Eugene talks Kings and Volcanoes

    Fresh off completing his assistant coaching role with the Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), John Eugene, head coach of the Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre (HPC), has returned to local cricket duties, bringing with him a mix of candid reflection on his recent franchise experience and cautious optimism for the island’s cricketing future.

    The 2025 CPL tournament ended in underperformance for the Kings, the 2024 title holders. The side failed to qualify for the playoff round, with the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons ultimately claiming their first-ever championship title. In a frank assessment of the campaign, Eugene acknowledged that the season fell well short of expectations. “We must be honest and say that it was a disappointing season,” he admitted. “We didn’t really execute the plans that we set about, and obviously, that cost us a lot of crucial matches, hence we were not in the playoffs.”

    Despite the underwhelming result, Eugene emphasized that the stint provided irreplaceable professional growth. Working alongside global top-tier cricketers and sharing coaching duties with legendary West Indian cricket figures Daren Sammy, the Kings’ head coach, and Floyd Reifer, gave him invaluable insight that he will bring back to Saint Lucia’s local development programs. “The experience out there is valuable and it’s a lot of learning,” he added.

    Back at the HPC, Eugene was quick to praise his assistant coaches Dalton Polius and Larry Edward for maintaining high energy and consistent training standards throughout his extended absence for the CPL. He reported that young domestic cricketers have turned in encouraging performances in the ongoing Saint Lucia National Cricket Association Super 50 tournament, with several emerging players stepping up to deliver notable scores.

    Eugene noted that while Saint Lucia already has a deep pool of raw cricketing talent and has held nearly year-round competitive matches in 2025, consistent execution under pressure remains an area for refinement for young local players. “For me, it’s just a matter of continuous development from the players,” he said. “There are great opportunities ahead for everybody to put up their hands. The guys really must look to capitalise on these tournaments. … But all in all, it’s good that we have had cricket for almost a whole year. So it’s good that the guys are well on their way playing.”

    Looking ahead to October, Eugene is eagerly anticipating a transformative development for Saint Lucia cricket: the Windward Islands Volcanoes men’s professional franchise is set to relocate its headquarters to the island, with an initial three-year hosting agreement. Eugene says the partnership between the Volcanoes franchise and the HPC will open new doors for local athletes and coaching staff alike, ranging from cross-training opportunities to pathways for talented HPC players to join the professional franchise setup.

    For Eugene, the arrival of the Volcanoes is more than just an administrative change – it is a catalyst that will push local players to raise their standards and learn from a full-time professional program. “I want to view it as an opportunity, or somewhat of a sort of motivation, for our players to step up their game, look at the programme, and see how best they can improve and how best they can go about getting better,” he explained. “For me, it’s a massive opportunity, and for all involved really; coaches and everybody. So, we look forward to the Volcanoes being here.”

  • DCA Intermediate League continues with five matches this weekend

    DCA Intermediate League continues with five matches this weekend

    After a mid-competition break, local domestic cricket action returns to Dominica this weekend, as the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA) prepares to restart its 2026 Maxroy Trading Ltd. Intermediate League with a full slate of five matches spread across four competition venues.

    The first round of post-break fixtures gets underway on Saturday, September 26, with two back-to-back contests that will reshape the league’s current standings. At the iconic Botanic Gardens ground, KFC Summits will lock horns with Grand Bay Colts, promising a tense battle between two sides vying to climb up the rankings. Meanwhile, across town at Benjamin’s Park, Rueben Bakery Christians will take the pitch against Kalinago Blasters, with both teams eager to collect crucial points to solidify their positions in the ongoing campaign. Cricket analysts and local fans anticipate both matches will deliver high-energy play, as every fixture carries increased weight ahead of the league’s knockout stages.

    The weekend of cricket action will continue on Sunday, September 27, with three more scheduled encounters to round out the latest round of play. At the Vieille Case ground, Nagico Northern Stars will face off against the Gladiators in what is expected to be a close contest between two evenly matched sides. Back at Benjamin’s Park, Emerald Stars will go head-to-head with the Police Sports Club, looking to build on any momentum gained from their previous outings. To close out the full weekend of Intermediate League action, Lapwet Tigers and Gallion will meet at the Botanic Gardens, wrapping up the rescheduled round of fixtures and setting the stage for the next phase of the 2026 competition.

  • CSPJ : Certification of magistrates (lists of certified and non-certified magistrates)

    CSPJ : Certification of magistrates (lists of certified and non-certified magistrates)

    In a landmark step for judicial reform in Haiti, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (Conseil Supérieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire, CSPJ) published the long-awaited results of its magistrate certification review on Wednesday, September 24, 2026. The outcome follows three consecutive days of closed-door deliberations, administrative and legal vetting, and thorough review of 159 submitted candidate files.

    After completing the comprehensive evaluation process, the CSPJ has formally certified 119 sitting magistrates across Haiti’s local, first-instance, and appellate courts to continue in their judicial roles. Of the remaining 40 files reviewed, 17 magistrates have been stripped of certification and disqualified from judicial service, all cited for failing to meet basic standards of professional and moral integrity. One disqualified magistrate, Dieuveuil Boileau, was additionally found to hold a fraudulent Baccalaureate II diploma, further justifying his removal.

    Two additional magistrates were formally requested to exercise their retirement rights, a move that clears the way for institutional restructuring of the lower judiciary. Seven other certification files remain open, with the CSPJ announcing that further investigation will be conducted to resolve outstanding questions about the candidates’ eligibility before a final ruling is issued.

    Among the 119 certified magistrates are a range of sitting judicial officers, from local justices of the peace to senior court leaders. Notably, the certification includes one posthumous approval for Jacques Philippe Vincent, acting presiding judge at the Magistrate’s Court of Acul Samedi, confirming the court’s recognition of his service even after his passing. Several senior former judges, including Lionel Ralph Dimanche, former dean of the Court of First Instance of Croix-des-Bouquets, and Yvon Jean Noel, deputy government commissioner at the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal, also received certification after mandatory review.

    The 17 non-certified magistrates hold roles across multiple jurisdictions, including deputy government prosecution positions in Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goâve, and Croix-des-Bouquets, as well as substitute judge seats in Limonade, Camp-Perrin, and Kenscoff. All were disqualified on the grounds of failing to maintain the professional and ethical standards required of Haiti’s judiciary, a decision that represents a significant push by the CSPJ to root out corruption and unethical conduct within the country’s legal system.

    This certification process comes as Haiti continues its multiyear effort to reform its judicial institutions, rebuild public trust in the rule of law, and address longstanding systemic challenges including widespread corruption, backlogged court dockets, and inconsistent adherence to professional standards among judicial officers. The publication of the full certified and disqualified lists marks an unprecedented level of transparency in the country’s judicial reform process.

  • Barbados pursues new tax, investment treaties

    Barbados pursues new tax, investment treaties

    As the Caribbean nation works to draw fresh foreign capital and strengthen cross-border economic ties, Barbados is actively advancing negotiations for new double taxation agreements (DTAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with a range of non-conventional trading partners, including an unnamed European country that has already held informal talks with Barbadian authorities, a top government official confirmed this Wednesday.

    Speaking to journalists at the official media launch of Global Business Week, hosted at CIBC Great House in Warrens, Kevin Hunte, Permanent Secretary of Barbados’ Ministry of Business, outlined that ongoing discussions are focused on securing both a DTA and BIT with the undisclosed European partner. Hunte emphasized that the government’s push to expand the country’s existing network of international tax and investment treaties has not slowed amid shifting global economic conditions, noting that Barbados has worked for years to open formal negotiations with this particular European nation.

    A cross-government working group, comprising the Ministry of Business, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet, currently conducts reviews to prioritize target jurisdictions for new agreements. Hunte added that in the current global tax landscape, bilateral investment treaties have gained greater urgency than traditional double taxation agreements, driven by widespread international restructuring of global tax frameworks.

    Sangene Watkins-Diagne, Director of the International Business Unit within the Ministry of Business, echoed Hunte’s comments, confirming that the government’s strategy centers on expanding the treaty network beyond Barbados’ long-standing core trading partners. The initiative is being developed in close collaboration with Pascal Saint-Amans, a senior tax policy expert serving as consultant to the Prime Minister.

    “Barbados already has comprehensive treaties in place with all of its major trading partners, so at this stage our focus is on branching out into less traditional jurisdictions,” Watkins-Diagne explained. She also provided an update on a recent diplomatic and economic win, noting that Barbados had successfully secured its removal from Spain’s controversial tax blacklist. Watkins-Diagne called the island’s previous inclusion on the list “very unfortunate,” crediting coordinated work between the Ministry of Business, Spain’s Honorary Consul in Barbados, and the Barbados Revenue Authority for engaging Spanish regulators and reversing the designation.

    While the government has already compiled a formal list of priority countries for new treaty negotiations, Watkins-Diagne noted that progress depends entirely on the willingness of partner nations to enter into formal talks with Barbados. “We do have a list of priority countries, but we need to hold preliminary discussions to confirm whether a country is willing to negotiate a double taxation agreement with us, so those conversations are still ongoing across multiple jurisdictions,” she said.

    She confirmed that the European country referenced by Hunte has only been part of unofficial exploratory talks to date, with no formal negotiations launched yet, so the nation’s name will remain undisclosed for the time being. Watkins-Diagne argued that securing a DTA and BIT with this European partner would likely open the door for similar agreements with other non-traditional jurisdictions, creating a domino effect for future expansion.

    In an open appeal to the international business community, Watkins-Diagne called on investors and cross-border service providers to share feedback on which new treaties would deliver the greatest benefit to their operations and clients. “We continue to work actively in expanding our treaty network. If any investors or service providers have ideas, or have heard their clients say that their work would be transformed if Barbados had a treaty with a specific country, we want to hear that input,” she stated.

    The announcement came during the media launch for the 2026 Global Business Week Conference, which is scheduled to take place October 22–23 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort. This year’s conference will center on the theme “Resilience: Adapting, Transforming, Thriving,” bringing together global business leaders to discuss economic adaptation and growth in an evolving global tax and investment landscape.

  • Tropical Disturbance Now Has 70% Chance of Developing in Atlantic

    Tropical Disturbance Now Has 70% Chance of Developing in Atlantic

    The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has upgraded its probability forecast for a developing tropical system in the far eastern Atlantic, now estimating a 70% chance that the disturbance will strengthen into either a tropical depression or a named tropical storm. In its official 8 a.m. public update issued Thursday, forecasters outlined that the broad low-pressure system, identified by the designation AL90, is currently positioned several hundred miles south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. At present, the system generates a wide, disorganized spread of showers and convective thunderstorm activity across the surrounding region.

    Per NHC forecasting models, AL90 is projected to track northwestward, eventually shifting to a more northward path over the coming days. This trajectory will bring the system close enough to the Cabo Verde Islands to bring unsettled weather to parts of the archipelago by Friday. The 48-hour and seven-day formation probabilities for the system both sit at 70%, marking a 10 percentage point increase from the 60% odds published in the NHC’s 2 a.m. outlook earlier Thursday.

    Despite the elevated chance of early formation, NHC forecasters note that unfavorable atmospheric conditions will halt the system’s strengthening by the weekend. Increasing wind shear in the upper levels of the atmosphere is expected to tear the system apart, limiting any further organized development after that point. While the system is not expected to last long, local authorities and residents across the Cabo Verde Islands have been urged to stay updated on the latest forecasts. The disturbance is projected to bring gusty winds, intense downpours, and a heightened risk of flash flooding to portions of the island chain starting as early as Friday.

    As of the latest Thursday update, AL90 remains far out in the eastern tropical Atlantic. The NHC’s current assessment confirms that there is no immediate threat to the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, nor to any areas in the northeastern Caribbean. Forecasters will continue to issue regular updates and track the system’s movement and development closely as it progresses across the Atlantic basin.

  • Provisional List of the 9 Candidates Registered for the Presidency in Haiti

    Provisional List of the 9 Candidates Registered for the Presidency in Haiti

    On September 23, 2026, Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) released its first provisional roster of registered candidates for the country’s upcoming December 2026 presidential election, revealing nine names that have completed initial registration — while leaving the much-anticipated candidacy of former Haitian president Michel Martelly in administrative limbo, amid ongoing questions over whether international sanctions will disqualify his bid under new electoral rules.

    The nine candidates that appear on the published preliminary list are Claude Joseph of Les engagés pour le Développement, Ricardo Jean-Pierre of Parti Nationaliste Haïtien, Gary Bodeau of PLATFÒM REKONSILYE, Wilson Jeudy of Vision-Action-Réalisation, Wilner Joseph of VIKTWA, Jocelerme Privert of AYITI TRANSFOME, Maxo Joseph of Réveil des Citoyens Haitiens, Munir Joseph Mourra of Mobilisation pour le Progrès d’Haïti, and Gandhy Dorfeuille of Ansanm Nou Fò. All nine have completed initial paperwork to appear on the roster, but CEP officials stress that the entire list remains provisional, with full eligibility still pending completion of rigorous compliance checks.

    CEP teams are currently conducting deep dives into the physical documentation submitted by each prospective candidate, with two key eligibility criteria under review: confirmation that each candidate meets constitutional requirements for the presidency, and verification that each candidate’s political party has secured the required 30,000 registered affiliated members. No candidate will receive final official approval until this verification process is concluded.

    Martelly, whose candidacy has dominated pre-election speculation, does not yet appear on the published list. CEP confirmed that the former president submitted his registration just one day before the preliminary list was released, and the council’s digital administrative systems require additional time to process, validate, and update the new entry alongside other applications.

    The delay in processing Martelly’s registration is not the only barrier his candidacy faces, however. Under a 2026 electoral decree, any individual subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions is barred from qualifying as a candidate. While Martelly is not currently named to the UN Security Council’s sanctions list, he faces sweeping unilateral sanctions from multiple Western governments and major international blocs over allegations of criminal activity and ties to Haitian armed gangs.

    The UN Panel of Experts on Haiti first publicly linked Martelly to gang activity in an October 2023 official report, which accused the former president of funding and backing armed gangs to expand his personal political influence. Canada became the first nation to impose direct sanctions on Martelly in November 2022, targeting him over allegations of corruption and gang financing. In August 2024, the United States government added Martelly to its sanctions list, citing his alleged role in transnational cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and continued support for violent gangs. Most recently, in December 2025, the European Union Council added Martelly to its sanctions blacklist, imposing an asset freeze and global travel ban over his proven complicity in organized gang violence.

    Haitian legal analysts are now at the center of a growing national debate over whether these international sanctions and expert findings meet the legal threshold to disqualify Martelly under the 2026 electoral decree’s requirements for candidate probity and moral integrity. The CEP’s upcoming ruling on Martelly’s eligibility has emerged as the most contentious and closely watched issue in the lead-up to the December vote, with major implications for the legitimacy of Haiti’s electoral process as the country works to emerge from years of political and security crisis.

  • Halo donates to GN Trust for student-athletes scholarships in UK

    Halo donates to GN Trust for student-athletes scholarships in UK

    In a formal ceremony held at Government House on Wednesday, the Halo Foundation, led by its founder Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams, has handed over an $18,000 contribution to Ricky Santos, president of the GN Trust, to expand access to life-changing educational and athletic opportunities for emerging young Antiguan sportspeople.