Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Winifred Holder joins her mother in the century club

    Winifred Holder joins her mother in the century club

    The Vauxhall Methodist Church in Barbados became the setting for a landmark celebration this past Saturday as community members gathered to honor Winifred Holder on her 100th birthday. The event recognized not only her personal milestone but also her profound legacy of service, echoing the longevity of her mother who also reached centenarian status.

    Described as a community matriarch, mentor, and devoted church member, Holder’s life was celebrated by a diverse assembly of friends, neighbors, relatives, and political figures. Church representative Joseph Hope delivered a heartfelt tribute, highlighting her lifelong dedication. “Ms. Holder is a woman who loves the Lord, enjoys reading her Bible, and gives much to the church here. She served as the church sexton and was instrumental in all fundraising activities,” Hope remarked. He also noted her role in community childcare, recalling, “She kept many children back in the day when parents had to run errands.”

    The celebration attracted notable political attention, including Chad Blackman, a Barbados Labour Party candidate for St James North, who reflected on being cared for by Holder during his childhood. Blackman advocated for the preservation of her life story, particularly her early education alongside Shirley Chisholm, who later became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. Incumbent representatives Adrian Forde and Ryan Straughan were also present to pay their respects.

    In a significant honor, President Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic attended the ceremony, officially designating Holder as a “national treasure.” The President concurred on the urgency of documenting oral histories from the island’s centenarians and hinted at special plans to recognize this demographic in November.

    When asked about the secret to her longevity, Holder attributed it to a quadrumvirate of principles: unwavering faith in God, consumption of good food, maintenance of a positive mindset, and consistent respect for others. Holder, who has one son and two grandchildren, continues to be revered as a living testament to a life of service and faith.

  • Tsang: Vonnis over loon legt administratieve chaos bij OWRO bloot

    Tsang: Vonnis over loon legt administratieve chaos bij OWRO bloot

    The Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning (OWRO) in Suriname is grappling with the complex implementation of a court judgment mandating back-pay compensation for 52 individuals who performed labor without formal employment contracts. Minister Stephen Tsang has confirmed the ministry’s commitment to executing the December court ruling while emphasizing the necessity of proper administrative and legal procedures.

    Minister Tsang acknowledged the fundamental principle that individuals who have performed work deserve compensation, yet highlighted the constitutional challenge of processing payments without established bureaucratic frameworks. ‘The court ruling creates a payment obligation, but we must determine how to execute this in a fiscally responsible manner,’ Tsang stated through Suriname’s Communication Service.

    The ministry’s internal investigation revealed significant irregularities within OWRO’s previous operations, including the unauthorized hiring of personnel without official appointment letters or decrees. Legal experts within the ministry are currently examining compliant execution methods, with potential further judicial consultation if required.

    Tsang suggested that affected individuals might have been misled into believing they would receive formal employment contracts. The minister indicated that the state may seek to recover compensation costs from those responsible for violating hiring regulations.

    Clarifying the employment status, Tsang emphasized that the 52 individuals were never formally employed and therefore cannot be considered wrongfully terminated. The minister also pointed to more pressing cases within OWRO, including approximately 150 properly documented workers from 2020 who were subsequently dismissed and have ongoing litigation.

    ‘My priority must be resolving those cases first,’ Tsang declared regarding the documented workers. Concerning the court-mandated payments, he affirmed: ‘If they performed the work and there is a court judgment, they will be paid. But this must occur through legally and fiscally appropriate channels.’

  • The OECS Sports Desk and its contribution to cricket development

    The OECS Sports Desk and its contribution to cricket development

    A groundbreaking corporate sponsorship initiative in the mid-1980s fundamentally transformed cricket development across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), creating a pipeline for world-class talent that would shape West Indies cricket for decades. The program emerged from a critical discovery in 1985 when the OECS Sports Desk learned that Grenada’s secondary school cricket competition had been suspended due to funding shortages within the Ministry of Education.

    This alarming situation prompted an investigation into whether similar gaps existed across member states. The solution emerged through strategic engagement with United Insurance, which maintained regional offices throughout the OECS. Company executive Tommy Pearce, himself a former Wanderers Cricket Club player with deep cricket connections through his father’s West Indies Cricket Board service, recognized the program’s potential.

    The resulting sponsorship package provided each member state’s Ministry of Sport with XCD10,000 to establish structured secondary school competitions. The funding mechanism operated through United Insurance’s local offices, with ministries required to submit detailed competition reports and ensure sponsor recognition in all media communications.

    The program’s impact proved extraordinary, producing numerous Test players including Dominica’s Shane Shillingford, Grenada’s Junior Murray, Montserrat’s Lionel Baker, Saint Lucia’s Daren Sammy, and St. Vincent’s Sunil Ambris. Beyond international stars, the initiative developed hundreds of first-class players across Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

    The OECS Sports Desk complemented this with specialized development programs including the region’s first commentary workshop hosted by Tony Cozier and Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, wicketkeeping clinics by Michael Finley and Jackie Hendricks that produced Ridley Jacobs and Junior Murray, and fast bowling sessions led by Andy Roberts and Colin Croft.

    Additional support came from Barclays Bank’s four-year sponsorship of Windwards First Class competitions and continued backing from United/Massy Insurance. This comprehensive ecosystem demonstrates how strategic corporate partnerships can overcome governmental funding limitations to create sustainable sports development programs with lasting impact.

  • LIVE: Official Opening of Grand Bay Carnival

    LIVE: Official Opening of Grand Bay Carnival

    A groundbreaking technological innovation is poised to dismantle global language barriers forever. A newly developed AI-powered headset has demonstrated the remarkable capability to translate spoken foreign languages instantaneously during live conversations, effectively creating real-time bilingual dialogue between speakers of different languages.

    The sophisticated device represents a monumental leap in artificial intelligence and speech recognition technology. Unlike previous translation tools that required sequential speaking or text input, this headset processes natural speech patterns seamlessly, allowing for fluid and uninterrupted conversation. The system utilizes advanced neural networks that have been trained on millions of hours of multilingual audio data to achieve unprecedented accuracy in both translation and speech synthesis.

    Early demonstrations show the technology successfully facilitating complex conversations between English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic speakers with minimal latency. The implications for international business, diplomacy, tourism, and cross-cultural communication are profound, potentially eliminating the need for human interpreters in many scenarios and creating new possibilities for global connectivity.

    Industry experts are hailing the development as potentially more transformative than the advent of the internet for global communication. The technology could fundamentally reshape how people from different linguistic backgrounds interact, collaborate, and understand each other, making truly borderless communication an attainable reality for the first time in human history.

  • US officially leaves World Health Organization

    US officially leaves World Health Organization

    The United States has officially terminated its membership with the World Health Organization (WHO), severing ties with one of the UN agency’s most significant financial contributors. This decision, initiated through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump one year ago, culminates a prolonged dispute regarding the organization’s pandemic management and perceived political biases.

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services justified the withdrawal by citing the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis, insufficient reform progress, and undue influence from member nations. The organization has consistently denied these allegations, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus characterizing the departure as detrimental to both American global health leadership and worldwide public health initiatives.

    The financial impact has been immediate and substantial. Washington has withheld its 2024-2025 contributions totaling approximately $260 million, triggering significant workforce reductions within the organization. Although WHO legal experts contend the U.S. remains obligated to settle outstanding dues, American officials have explicitly refused payment.

    Operational disengagement is virtually complete. All U.S. personnel and contractors have been recalled from WHO headquarters in Geneva and field offices worldwide. Hundreds of collaborative engagements have been suspended indefinitely. In a joint statement, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the WHO of having ‘abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States,’ notably referencing the organization’s failure to return the American flag displayed at its Geneva headquarters.

    Future U.S. global health participation will prioritize bilateral agreements for disease surveillance and pathogen sharing, though officials could not identify specific partner countries when questioned. Regarding ongoing initiatives against polio and HIV, representatives indicated partnerships would transition to non-governmental and faith-based organizations, though no concrete arrangements have been disclosed.

    The WHO has placed the U.S. withdrawal on the agenda for its February 2-7 governing board meeting. The secretariat confirmed it will execute decisions based on governing body directives.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of critical assessments of pandemic responses in numerous developed nations. Multiple studies have documented how delayed interventions exacerbated viral transmission. Former U.S. public health official Drew Altman attributed America’s elevated mortality rates to inconsistent adherence to WHO guidelines regarding masking and social distancing, exacerbated by politicized COVID-19 policies across partisan lines.

    Research published in the UN National Library of Medicine further criticized the Trump administration’s ‘slow and mismanaged federal response,’ highlighting systemic failures in leadership and coordination during the global health emergency.

  • MP Richard Lewis Urges National Unity Against Crime After Killing of Nikisha Rose

    MP Richard Lewis Urges National Unity Against Crime After Killing of Nikisha Rose

    Antigua and Barbuda faces a renewed wave of communal grief following the tragic murder of Nikisha Rose, a dedicated mother whose life was abruptly ended by an act of senseless violence. Member of Parliament Richard S. Lewis has issued a heartfelt public statement expressing profound condolences to the bereaved family, while simultaneously issuing a clarion call for national solidarity in combating the escalating crime epidemic.

    The statement underscores the profound societal concern regarding rampant criminal activities, emphasizing that every citizen and resident bears a collective responsibility in confronting this pervasive threat. Lewis vehemently advocates for moving beyond partisan blame games, urging instead for a cohesive, united national front against violence. He stresses the critical necessity of inclusive dialogue, proposing that all relevant interest groups must be integrally involved in formulating a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy specifically targeted at eradicating illegal firearms from community streets.

    In a direct appeal to public cooperation, Lewis reinforces the fundamental community policing principle: ‘If you see something, say something.’ He actively encourages citizens to assist law enforcement authorities by providing any potentially crucial information that could lead to resolving this homicide case. The statement explicitly urges individuals with relevant information to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or utilize the anonymous Crimestoppers tip line at 800-TIPS (8477), emphasizing that perpetrators must face judicial accountability for their actions. This tragedy has catalyzed a renewed determination to restore safety and security throughout the nation’s neighborhoods.

  • DLP launches campaign with islandwide motorcade, constituency stops

    DLP launches campaign with islandwide motorcade, constituency stops

    The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) initiated its official general election campaign on Saturday with a comprehensive islandwide motorcade designed to traverse all 30 electoral constituencies across Barbados. The campaign launch commenced from the party’s George Street headquarters in Bridgetown, signaling the formal beginning of their electoral mobilization efforts.

    According to party media representative Sue Harris, the meticulously planned tour incorporates strategic constituency stops, brief candidate addresses, and scheduled breaks throughout the journey. The motorcade features musical elements and public engagement opportunities designed to generate campaign momentum.

    “Our motorcade will originate from the George Street Auditorium and comprehensively cover all 30 constituencies nationwide,” Harris stated. “We have arranged music speakers, and our candidates will deliver introductory remarks in each constituency, outlining their specific commitments and proposed contributions to their respective electoral districts.”

    The predetermined route included designated rest stops at Folkestone and Farley Hill, with an additional planned pause at King George V Memorial Park before the convoy’s return to George Street headquarters later in the evening.

    Following the departure from party headquarters, the motorcade proceeded through central Bridgetown, making a significant stop in the City area where constituents engaged directly with party leader Ralph Thorne, City candidate Dale Rowe, and other senior party officials. Numerous bystanders paused to observe, wave, and record video content as the campaign convoy moved through the urban landscape.

    Harris noted the remarkable energy surge among party members since the election announcement, characterizing George Street headquarters as a “hive of activity” in recent days. She additionally referenced Friday’s successful walk-through along Swan Street following candidate deposit payments, indicating the public response had been overwhelmingly encouraging for party prospects.

  • St Michael man remanded on $65 000 blackmail charge

    St Michael man remanded on $65 000 blackmail charge

    A resident of St Michael, Barbados, is now in custody at Dodds Prison following serious allegations of extortion totaling $65,000. Robert Dacosta Walker, whose residence is listed as McCleans Gap in Brittons Hill, faces formal charges brought by the Criminal Investigations Department (South) of the Barbados Police Service.

    The case centers on accusations that Walker attempted to blackmail an individual identified as Graham Allen during a three-day period between January 15 and January 17, 2026. The specific nature of the alleged threats and the relationship between the accused and the complainant have not been disclosed to the public.

    Walker made his initial court appearance at the District ‘A’ Traffic Court on Saturday, where Magistrate Alison Burke presided over the hearing. As the charge constitutes an indictable offense—a more serious category under Barbadian law—Walker was not required to enter a plea at this preliminary stage.

    The judicial proceedings have now been escalated to a higher court. The case has been formally transferred to District ‘A’ Criminal Court No. 1, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for February 20, 2026. This transfer indicates the gravity with which the Barbadian judicial system is treating the allegations.

    The remand to prison service custody pending trial suggests the court considers Walker a potential flight risk or that the allegations are sufficiently severe to warrant detention until the formal judicial process begins. The case continues to develop as authorities proceed with their investigation.

  • Cuba celebrates World Day of African and Afro-descendant culture

    Cuba celebrates World Day of African and Afro-descendant culture

    Cuba’s top diplomat has publicly affirmed the nation’s profound cultural and historical connections to Africa, framing the relationship as one of shared heritage and familial bonds. In a statement released on social media platform X, the official characterized Cuban identity as the product of a dynamic fusion of diverse cultures, traditions, and religious practices cultivated over hundreds of years.

    The declaration emphasized that this rich national character stems from a long history of continuous exchange, solidarity, and fraternal ties between the Cuban people and the African continent. “We Cubans feel part of the African continent and children of Africa,” the Foreign Minister stated, underscoring a sense of shared destiny and belonging.

    This recognition coincides with the global observance of World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture on January 24. The annual celebration, championed by UNESCO, honors the vast and vibrant cultural expressions originating from Africa and its diasporic communities worldwide. The event reinforces the international body’s core mission to advance respect for cultural diversity and human creative expression across the globe.

    This commemoration highlights Africa’s invaluable contribution to world heritage, positioning cultural appreciation as a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development, fostering mutual understanding, encouraging dialogue, and maintaining global peace.

  • Chinese lantaarnfestival licht op voor Chinees Nieuwjaar

    Chinese lantaarnfestival licht op voor Chinees Nieuwjaar

    The 32nd International Zigong Lantern Festival commenced Friday in China’s southwestern Sichuan province, launching spectacular celebrations ahead of the Chinese New Year. This annual extravaganza showcases the ancient art of illuminated lantern craftsmanship on a monumental scale.

    With the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac beginning on February 17, the festival embodies traditional Lunar New Year elements where lanterns symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Opening night attracted massive crowds admiring over 200 handcrafted lanterns depicting animals, mythological figures, and ancient Chinese scenes.

    Local resident Huang Ye, 32, shared: ‘My parents brought me to the Zigong Lantern Festival almost every year during my childhood. For us Zigong natives, this festival represents an inseparable part of our New Year celebration. Now I continue the tradition by bringing my own child to witness these magnificent displays.’

    The monumental installations required approximately 1,200 workers several weeks to complete. Among the most impressive creations was the 210-meter-long ‘Magical China’ display, inspired by ancient legends and featuring the mythical Kunpeng—a gigantic bird-fish hybrid. Another 180-meter installation titled ‘Legend of Mulan’ portrayed the famous female warrior’s story with a herd of galloping horses nodding to this year’s zodiac sign.

    Artisans employed innovative materials including straw, chili peppers, and recycled medicine bottles to construct these breathtaking luminous artworks, blending traditional techniques with sustainable practices.