Carib Scope

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  • Unbeaten run, delayed fixtures keep Signal Hill in SSFL race

    Unbeaten run, delayed fixtures keep Signal Hill in SSFL race

    Signal Hill Secondary School is on the brink of making history in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division. With four matches remaining, the Tobago-based team is uniquely positioned to challenge for the title, currently sitting fifth with 25 points from 11 games. Their fate is entirely in their hands: if they win their next three matches against St Augustine, Trinity College East, and Malick, they will level with current leaders Naparima College at 34 points. This would set up a high-stakes final showdown between the two teams on November 27, effectively making it a winner-takes-all decider. Signal Hill’s strong goal difference further bolsters their chances in case of a tiebreaker.

    This is Signal Hill’s second year in the SSFL, and their journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Several of their matches were postponed earlier in the season due to logistical challenges, including unavailable flights and limited vessel seats between Tobago and Trinidad. However, this delay has now placed them in a favorable position to mount a late title charge.

    Head coach Downie Marcelle remains cautious, emphasizing a game-by-game approach. ‘We are taking it one game at a time and not getting carried away,’ he said. Marcelle highlighted the importance of managing player fatigue and maintaining focus, especially with a packed schedule ahead. ‘We have to stay perfect or near perfect to win the league,’ he added.

    Signal Hill’s recent form has been impressive, with an unbeaten run in their last seven matches. Marcelle attributes this improvement to their ability to capitalize on early chances, a weakness they addressed after struggling with finishing earlier in the season. The team’s continuity, with only three players lost from last year’s squad, has also played a crucial role in their success.

    Meanwhile, other title contenders like St Benedict’s and Presentation College San Fernando remain mathematically in the race but are dependent on Signal Hill and Naparima dropping points. As the SSFL enters its final stretch, all eyes are on Signal Hill, whose performance in the coming weeks could culminate in their first-ever league championship.

  • Senator Chote: There is a JP facing criminal charges

    Senator Chote: There is a JP facing criminal charges

    Independent Senator Sophia Chote, SC, voiced significant concerns during the Senate debate on the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (AJIPA), particularly regarding the expanded powers granted to Justices of the Peace (JPs) to authorize search warrants. Chote, a former president of the Law Association, highlighted the lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date list of JPs, citing a Gazetted list from May as incomplete and potentially dangerous. She pointed out that there is no mechanism for the JP Association or the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs to be informed if a JP becomes incapacitated, dies, or faces serious legal charges. Chote emphasized the risks of granting broad powers to JPs without proper background checks or accountability measures. She referenced a 1997 incident where JPs were accused of misconduct, leading to the creation of a handbook by then Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj. However, Chote lamented that this guide is now outdated and largely unknown to many attorneys. She concluded that without a transparent and accountable system for JPs, she could not support the bill in good conscience.

  • Alexander in dark about US Operation Southern Spear

    Alexander in dark about US Operation Southern Spear

    Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has stated that the Trinidad and Tobago (TT) government has no additional information regarding the US anti-narco terrorism operation ‘Southern Spear,’ announced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on November 13. Hegseth’s announcement on X emphasized the mission’s goal to defend the Western Hemisphere, remove narco-terrorists, and secure the region from drug-related threats. Alexander, speaking to the media outside Parliament on November 14, clarified that the TT government is only aware of the ongoing joint exercises between TT and US law enforcement agencies, which have been conducted for years. He acknowledged the positive impact of US air-strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats between TT and Venezuela, citing a significant reduction in firearms, human trafficking, and illegal drugs entering TT. However, Alexander emphasized that the government has no further details on ‘Southern Spear.’ This revelation follows Attorney General John Jeremie’s announcement in a UK Financial Times article on November 13, stating that the US will ‘intensify exercises’ in TT in the coming days. The 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in Trinidad aboard the USS Gravely two weeks prior for military exercises with the TT Defence Force, held from October 26-30. Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers confirmed upcoming joint exercises from November 16-21, aimed at enhancing local law enforcement capabilities. Meanwhile, concerns persist over the deaths of over 70 individuals, including Trinidadians Rishi Samaroo and Chad ‘Charpo’ Joseph, following US air-strikes on alleged drug boats. Their bodies remain missing, and while Sobers denied evidence linking their deaths to the strikes, relatives insist they were killed in the operation.

  • Ashworth Jack: Studley Park will make bricks, enhance profitability

    Ashworth Jack: Studley Park will make bricks, enhance profitability

    The export of aggregate from Studley Park Enterprises Limited (SPEL) has been hailed as a transformative development for Tobago, enabling the island to capitalize on its natural resources for the first time. Former SPEL chairman Ashworth Jack emphasized the significance of this milestone, countering claims by former prime ministers Dr. Keith Rowley and Stuart Young that the plant could not meet local demand and was thus incapable of exporting. Jack dismissed these assertions as unfounded, highlighting SPEL’s strategic plans to expand operations and maximize production.

  • Operation Festive Shield launched for Xmas, Carnival

    Operation Festive Shield launched for Xmas, Carnival

    In a proactive move to combat crime during the festive season, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has unveiled its Christmas and Carnival crime prevention initiative, dubbed ‘Festive Shield.’ The program was officially launched through community walkabouts led by senior TTPS officials and local government representatives in Arima, Tunapuna, and San Juan. During the Arima event, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rishi Singh, alongside Superintendents Maynard-Wilson and McKenzie, joined Arima Mayor Balliram Maharaj in engaging with residents to address their crime-related concerns.

  • Cuba thanks Venezuela’s support in recovery after hurricane Melissa

    Cuba thanks Venezuela’s support in recovery after hurricane Melissa

    In a display of international solidarity, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have joined forces to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba and Venezuela. Diaz-Canel recently visited Santiago de Cuba, where he commended the tireless efforts of local brigades and national teams working to restore essential services in the hurricane-stricken regions. He highlighted the resilience of communities in El Cristo and El Caney, describing them as ‘full of history and courage.’ Meanwhile, Venezuelan brothers, dispatched by President Maduro, have been actively assisting in recovery operations, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations. On social media platform X, Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude to the Venezuelan people for their support. Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also emphasized the importance of solidarity, noting the continuous distribution of national and international donations to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and underweight children. Provinces and municipalities have prioritized delivering basic food supplies like rice, peas, and oil to the most affected areas. Beyond material aid, Marrero underscored the Cuban people’s intrinsic value of sharing resources, acknowledging the contributions of non-state actors, businesses, and citizens. With key infrastructures severely damaged, Cuban authorities have implemented innovative measures to expedite the restoration of essential services.

  • Foetus found in shallow grave in Balata

    Foetus found in shallow grave in Balata

    A shocking and unsettling discovery was made on November 13 in the Balata community of Babonneau, St. Lucia, where what appeared to be the remains of a foetus were unearthed from a shallow grave. The grim find quickly ignited widespread attention, with social media platforms becoming a hotbed for speculation and debate. A photograph, widely circulated and believed by many to depict the deceased infant, was later debunked by authorities as fraudulent. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, securing the area and launching a thorough investigation. Sources from St. Lucia Times have confirmed that the mother of the foetus has been summoned for questioning, with the case being classified as highly sensitive. The investigation is being spearheaded by the Vulnerable Persons Unit, a specialized division equipped to handle cases involving children and other vulnerable individuals.

  • Teen Among Three Wanted in Jamaica for Killing of Two Policemen

    Teen Among Three Wanted in Jamaica for Killing of Two Policemen

    A 17-year-old student is one of three individuals being actively sought by authorities in connection with the fatal shooting of two police officers on Waltham Park Road in St Andrew on Thursday night. The teenager, residing on Waltham Park Road, has been named alongside 20-year-old Macarius Munroe, also known as ‘Mackie’ from Ricketts Crescent, Kingston 13, and Junior Brown, 20, from Seaward Drive, Kingston 11. The suspects have been instructed to surrender to the police by 6 pm Friday. The victims, Constable Jemarey Gordon of CTOC and Constable Charles Stewart from the St Catherine North Division, were fatally shot during an altercation with several men shortly before 8 pm. Reports suggest that the officers were engaged in a conversation with the men at a local business when the confrontation escalated. During the altercation, one of the men allegedly drew a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking both officers in their upper bodies. The suspects fled the scene on foot. Local residents assisted in transporting the injured officers to Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), where they succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Police investigations have revealed that the three suspects are alleged members of the Dust City Gang and are reportedly involved in a car-stealing ring operating within the Corporate Area. It is alleged that the suspects stole a white 2015 Toyota Allion on Thursday and parked it along Waltham Park Road. The theft was reported to the Cross Roads Police Station. Munroe and Brown have prior criminal records; Munroe was taken into custody last May after a vehicle he was traveling in was found with a device used in car theft, while Brown was detained at the Hunts Bay Police Station earlier this year after 25 9mm cartridges and three magazines were discovered on premises he occupied.

  • Standards pioneer Rhynd honoured at World Quality Day ceremony

    Standards pioneer Rhynd honoured at World Quality Day ceremony

    Dudley Rhynd, the inaugural national standards director of Barbados and a key architect of the Caribbean’s quality infrastructure, was celebrated as a transformative figure in regional development during a special ceremony marking World Quality Day 2025. The event, held at the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) headquarters in Warrens under the theme “Quality: Think Differently,” brought together top officials to honor Rhynd’s enduring legacy. Latoya Burnham, CEO of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), hailed Rhynd as “a true stalwart of Caribbean quality,” emphasizing his visionary leadership and foundational contributions to regional standards. “Dudley Rhynd’s tireless efforts and unwavering belief in regional integration transformed ideas into actionable frameworks, strengthening trade, protecting consumers, and enhancing competitiveness across the Caribbean,” Burnham remarked. She noted that Rhynd’s influence extends beyond CROSQ’s creation, shaping the Caribbean’s approach to quality as both a technical concept and a cultural mindset. BNSI Chairman Ryah Brathwaite echoed these sentiments, describing Rhynd as “a visionary whose lifetime of purpose has left a lasting impact across Barbados, the Caribbean, and beyond.” Brathwaite highlighted Rhynd’s role in establishing BNSI as a beacon of excellence and his contributions to fostering regional unity through institutions like CROSQ. In his acceptance speech, Rhynd expressed gratitude to his colleagues, emphasizing the collaborative nature of his achievements. “I share these tributes with the many people who supported me along the way,” he said. Rhynd’s 33-year tenure as BNSI’s founding director until his retirement in 2006 laid the groundwork for Barbados’ and the Caribbean’s standards and quality infrastructure. His career, marked by a commitment to quality assurance and regional integration, has been widely recognized for advancing trade, consumer protection, and competitiveness.

  • Registrations open for Antigua and Barbuda’s 2025 Christmas lighting contest

    Registrations open for Antigua and Barbuda’s 2025 Christmas lighting contest

    The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries in Antigua and Barbuda has officially announced the opening of registrations for the 2025 Christmas Home and Business Lighting Competition. This annual event, deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural fabric, invites both residents and business owners to participate in a celebration of creativity and community spirit. Registration forms are available until December 17 at two locations: the Department of Creative Industries on Old Parham Road and the National Festivals Office in St John’s. The competition will feature pre-judging rounds from December 20 to 21, followed by final assessments on December 28. Winners will be revealed on the popular morning show, *Good Morning Antigua, Barbuda*, on January 5. Home entries will be evaluated across four geographical zones—East, West, North, and South—with participants enjoying incentives such as a full electricity waiver from December 15 to January 15 and duty-free concessions on lighting and decorations. Cash prizes for home participants range from EC$1,000 to EC$3,000. Businesses, on the other hand, will benefit from a 50% electricity waiver for December, duty-free concessions, and the same prize structure. The competition is designed to enhance communal bonds and highlight local ingenuity as the festive season approaches, reinforcing its role as a cherished tradition in Antigua and Barbuda.