Carib Scope

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  • PNM to honour stalwarts at 70th anniversary celebration

    PNM to honour stalwarts at 70th anniversary celebration

    The People’s National Movement (PNM), Trinidad and Tobago’s pioneering political party, is set to commemorate its 70th anniversary with a prestigious gala event at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain on January 26. The celebration will honor several party stalwarts who have contributed to the organization’s enduring legacy since its official founding by the nation’s first prime minister, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, on January 24, 1956.

    Current PNM Political Leader Pennelope Beckles, who also serves as Opposition Leader and Arima MP, will deliver the feature address at the anniversary program. In a recent Facebook post, Beckles reflected on the party’s historical significance, noting that the PNM emerged as “TT’s first major political party with a continuous organization and a clear national program” committed to building “a stronger, fairer and more united nation.”

    The event promises to blend historical reflection with cultural entertainment, described in party communications as “fantastic presentations and top local entertainment” that will punctuate the historically significant program.

    Beckles, who made history herself by becoming the PNM’s fifth political leader and first woman to hold the position on June 22, 2025, acknowledged the leadership legacy she inherited. She specifically recognized the four leaders who preceded her: founding leader Dr. Eric Williams; George Chambers, who assumed leadership following Williams’ death in 1981; Patrick Manning, who led from 1987 and shaped “a defining era of leadership and national development”; and Dr. Keith Rowley, who served as political leader until April 30, 2025.

    The Opposition Leader emphasized her commitment to steering the party forward with “humility, resolve, and unwavering commitment,” stating she remains “fully committed to the PNM and ready to chart a strong, united and purposeful way forward” for the movement that has significantly shaped the nation’s political landscape for seven decades.

  • Energy Ministry: Block TTUD-1 seismic survey among largest in TT

    Energy Ministry: Block TTUD-1 seismic survey among largest in TT

    In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector, senior government officials conducted an inspection tour of the specialized seismic vessel Amazon Warrior on January 23rd at Port of Chaguaramas. The high-level delegation included Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal, Energy Ministry representative Ernesto Kesar, and Land and Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein, who oversees the Chaguaramas Development Authority.

    The Amazon Warrior, operated by Shearwater GeoServices, has been contracted by ExxonMobil TT Deepwater Limited to execute an extensive 3D seismic survey across Block TTUD-1. The ministerial tour included briefings from Dr. Bram Willemsen, ExxonMobil’s TT Operations Manager, and Benjamin Pentecote, Shearwater’s Party Manager aboard the vessel.

    Remarkably, the vessel’s deployment occurred just five months after the signing of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) on August 12th, demonstrating exceptional efficiency in project execution. Both ExxonMobil and Shearwater GeoServices commended the streamlined processes that enabled this rapid timeline from contract signing to operational deployment.

    The upcoming seismic survey represents one of the most extensive geological mapping initiatives ever undertaken in Trinidad and Tobago’s waters. Ministry officials emphasized that this accelerated progress stems from effective collaboration between government agencies, energy stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.

    This coordinated approach aligns with the government’s strategic objective to enhance business facilitation mechanisms and attract efficient investment operations within the country’s vital energy sector, potentially signaling a new era of expedited energy development for the nation.

  • PM knocks poor work ethic at regional corporations

    PM knocks poor work ethic at regional corporations

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has delivered a stern warning to regional corporations, declaring that no additional state funding will be allocated unless substantial improvements in service delivery are demonstrated within the next eight months. The current administration has allocated TT$2.1 billion to local government operations, which the Prime Minister insists represents more than adequate funding.

    In a January 24 Facebook statement, Persad-Bissessar emphasized that taxpayers must begin seeing tangible results in sanitation services and basic infrastructure maintenance before any consideration of increased budgetary support. The financial distribution reveals significant disparity, with the seven PNM-led corporations scheduled to receive TT$987.29 million for fiscal 2026, compared to TT$805.46 million allocated to the seven UNC-administered corporations.

    The Prime Minister highlighted concerning workforce productivity issues, noting that despite employing 13,406 personnel, citizens continue experiencing substandard sanitation services and inadequate infrastructure upkeep. She criticized the prevalent practice of employees signing attendance registers before 9 AM and subsequently departing from their duties, characterizing this as systemic inefficiency across all regional corporations.

    Persad-Bissessar contrasted this performance with teachers, healthcare professionals, security personnel, and private sector workers who consistently complete full eight-hour workdays. She warned that persistent underperformance would trigger government intervention through outsourcing arrangements and mechanization of currently mismanaged services.

    The administration has already implemented measures to reduce wasteful expenditure, including eliminating what she termed ‘Cepep and URP ghost gangs,’ terminating natural gas subsidies, and canceling overpriced goods and services contracts. The Prime Minister concluded that regional corporations’ future funding viability will be determined exclusively by employee performance decisions during the coming eight months, asserting that citizens deserve significantly better value for their tax contributions.

  • AG: Trinidad and Tobago not a zone of peace

    AG: Trinidad and Tobago not a zone of peace

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General John Jeremie delivered a stark assessment of the nation’s security situation during a regional judicial forum in Barbados, stating the twin-island nation has confronted “rampant” gang-related violent crime for over ten years and does not qualify as “a zone of peace.”

    Addressing the 2nd PACE Attorneys General Roundtable in Bridgetown on January 24, Jeremie spearheaded a special session titled “Successful Approaches to Gang Prosecution.” His presentation detailed the substantial challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago’s justice system in combating sophisticated organized criminal networks and persistent violent offenses.

    “Peace is not merely the absence of war. It constitutes a state of harmony and well-being,” Jeremie asserted, clarifying his characterization of the country’s security environment.

    According to an official release from the Attorney General’s Office, Jeremie outlined the government’s comprehensive strategy to counter gang violence through legislative reforms coupled with targeted social programs and specialized law enforcement operations. This multi-faceted approach particularly focuses on communities disproportionately affected by gang-related violence and homicides.

    The regional roundtable, convened from January 21-23, was jointly hosted by the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union, and the Office of the Attorney General of Barbados. Jeremie led a delegation comprising legal technocrats from both the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, alongside members of the judiciary.

    Discussions throughout the event centered on the theme “Advancing Judicial Reform, Regional Collaboration and Backlog Reduction,” emphasizing cross-border cooperation in addressing shared security challenges throughout the Caribbean region.

  • Ghanaian minister, reconstruction team arrive in Jamaica

    Ghanaian minister, reconstruction team arrive in Jamaica

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a significant demonstration of South-South cooperation, Ghana has dispatched a specialized military engineering team to assist Jamaica with post-hurricane reconstruction efforts. The delegation, led by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Ablakwa, arrived in Jamaica for a multi-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

    Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith formally welcomed the Ghanaian contingent, highlighting the visit as a pivotal moment to enhance bilateral cooperation while incorporating contemporary elements into their deep historical connections. The diplomatic engagement represents a practical manifestation of international solidarity between two Commonwealth nations with shared historical experiences.

    Minister Johnson Smith emphasized the strategic importance of engaging with the reconstruction team, which is headed by Colonel Asia of the Ghana Army Engineer Reconstruction unit. The specialized military engineers bring technical expertise and operational experience to support Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean island last October.

    The deployment marks a notable evolution in diplomatic relations, transitioning from symbolic gestures to concrete collaborative action. The Ghanaian team’s mission focuses on providing expert recovery and rebuilding support, particularly in infrastructure rehabilitation and disaster resilience construction techniques. This initiative represents a growing trend of direct technical assistance between developing nations, bypassing traditional aid channels and establishing more equitable partnerships based on mutual respect and shared developmental objectives.

  • Winter storm disrupts flights at NMIA

    Winter storm disrupts flights at NMIA

    A severe winter storm impacting the western and central United States has triggered significant flight disruptions at Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston. Airport operator PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) has confirmed the cancellation of at least ten JetBlue flights scheduled between Sunday, January 25, and Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

    The affected flights include multiple routes between Kingston and major US hubs. Cancellations for January 25th involve flights 110, 1759, 1760, 1360, and 759 operating on the Kingston-New York (JFK) route and return services. On January 26th, cancellations extend to flights 110, 1375 (Fort Lauderdale-Kingston), 1359, and 1759. The disruption continues into January 27th with flight 1675 from Fort Lauderdale to Kingston.

    Travelers are strongly advised to verify their flight status directly with JetBlue before heading to the airport. The airline can be contacted through its official website (www.jetblue.com) or via customer service numbers 1-800-963-3014 and 1-866-963-3014 for rebooking options and schedule updates.

    NMIA authorities are providing real-time operational updates through their social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). The travel disruptions have extended beyond Kingston, with Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay also reporting several flight cancellations due to the same weather system.

  • Over 600,000 US customers lose power amid winter storm — tracking site

    Over 600,000 US customers lose power amid winter storm — tracking site

    A severe winter storm system sweeping across the United States has triggered widespread power outages affecting more than 600,000 customers nationwide as of early Sunday morning, according to data from the utility tracking platform PowerOutage.com. The extreme weather event, characterized by heavy snowfall and freezing rain, has created particularly critical conditions across southern states including Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana, where each state reported over 100,000 affected residential and commercial customers without electricity. The storm’s path extended from the southern regions toward the northeastern United States, disrupting essential services and creating hazardous travel conditions. Utility companies across affected regions have mobilized emergency response teams to address the extensive damage to power infrastructure caused by accumulated ice and snow on power lines and equipment. Meteorological services had issued advanced warnings about the approaching storm system, noting its potential to cause significant disruption to daily life and critical infrastructure. The widespread nature of the outages highlights the vulnerability of power systems to extreme winter conditions and the challenges faced by utility providers in maintaining service during severe weather events. Emergency management agencies in affected states have activated severe weather protocols and are coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance to vulnerable populations during the power disruption.

  • Shaquena Foote second in 400m at New Mexico meet

    Shaquena Foote second in 400m at New Mexico meet

    Jamaican track and field athletes delivered impressive performances across multiple NCAA indoor meets this weekend, showcasing the Caribbean nation’s continued dominance in sprint and field events.

    At the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational in New Mexico, Shaquena Foote clocked a blistering 51.54 seconds in the women’s 400m, securing second place and recording her second-fastest indoor time ever. The performance places her second in the current NCAA rankings, just 0.06 seconds shy of her personal best of 51.48 seconds set in February 2025.

    Meanwhile at the Ted Nelson Invitational in Texas, Machaeda Linton of Texas A&M University matched her personal best of 7.32 seconds to claim victory in the women’s 60m final. The LSU transfer demonstrated her versatility by also finishing fourth in the long jump with a best mark of 5.80 meters.

    World Championships relay silver medalist Kemba Nelson continued Jamaica’s sprint success, winning the Women’s Olympic Development 60m final in 7.39 seconds.

    In field events, former Kansas State jumper Kavian Kerr, now representing the University of Nebraska, captured the men’s long jump title at the Mark Colligan Memorial with a season’s best leap of 7.56 meters, overtaking Boise State’s Raekwon Weatherspoon who had led through four rounds.

    Additional notable performances included Kimar Farquharson’s third-place finish in the men’s 400m (46.64 seconds) and Altwayne Bedward’s third-place result in the men’s shot put (16.45m). At the Virginia Military Institute Invitational, Morgan State’s KeSean-Jordan Rhooms placed third in the triple jump (14.15m) while teammate Jayla-Shae Wright equaled her personal best of 1.55m in the high jump, finishing fourth.

  • Is fat on the way to becoming extinct?

    Is fat on the way to becoming extinct?

    The public discourse surrounding GLP-1 medications has reached a cultural tipping point, propelled by celebrity endorsements from figures like Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams. Their candid discussions about using these pharmaceuticals for weight management have transformed once-private health conversations into mainstream dialogue, effectively destigmatizing curiosity about medical interventions for obesity.

    This cultural shift demands a critical examination grounded in scientific evidence rather than social media hype. While these medications demonstrate significant clinical efficacy—with studies like the STEP trials published in The New England Journal of Medicine showing 10-15% average weight loss over approximately one year—they are frequently misunderstood as miracle solutions rather than tools requiring medical supervision.

    The fundamental mechanism of GLP-1 drugs involves mimicking natural hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, creating feelings of fullness and reducing caloric intake. Originally developed for Type 2 diabetes management, medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) have shown remarkable effectiveness for weight management when combined with lifestyle modifications.

    However, the disparity between scientific reality and cultural perception has created dangerous consequences. The World Health Organization’s December 2025 global guidelines formally recognized obesity as a chronic disease while issuing cautious conditional recommendations for GLP-1 therapies, citing limited long-term safety data, cost concerns, and serious equity considerations.

    The underground market for these medications presents alarming risks. Reports of counterfeit and compounded versions sold through social media platforms without prescriptions, proper medical oversight, or quality control have prompted international regulatory warnings. These unauthorized products may contain harmful ingredients and pose significant health dangers.

    Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasizes that while these medications represent advancement in obesity treatment, they must be integrated within comprehensive healthcare strategies including nutrition, physical activity, and professional medical support. The current trend of off-label use has already created shortages for diabetic patients who rely on these drugs for disease management, highlighting systemic resource allocation challenges.

    The conversation must recenter on evidence-based medicine rather than cultural pressure. As access to these treatments remains uneven across socioeconomic groups, there’s risk that thinness becomes a status symbol rather than a health outcome, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities and body shaming attitudes.

    Medical professionals stress that these prescription medications require thorough assessment including blood work, contraindication screening, and ongoing monitoring. The most critical recommendation for anyone considering GLP-1 therapy remains consultation with qualified healthcare providers to understand risks, benefits, and appropriate integration with long-term health strategies.

  • Wendy Lewis redefinding success through hard work

    Wendy Lewis redefinding success through hard work

    In a powerful embodiment of Michelle Obama’s assertion that “women and girls can do whatever they want,” Trinidadian visionary Wendy Lewis has crafted a multidimensional career that defies conventional categorization. At 54, this San Fernando native has merged three decades of expertise across media, entertainment, and social advocacy into a transformative force for Caribbean women.

    Lewis’s professional tapestry spans remarkable breadth: an internationally recognized keynote speaker, broadcast professional, and leadership strategist who simultaneously operates as CEO of Khalabash Productions, founder of TT Corporate Training Academy (the Caribbean’s first protocol school), certified counselor, ordained minister, and published author. Her broadcast legacy includes hosting acclaimed programs like “D Khalabash Corner,” “Straight Talk with Wendy,” and “A Woman’s Worth.”

    Her groundbreaking achievements include a historic 2001 victory as the first woman to claim the UK Calypso Monarch title—a triumph she successfully defended the following year. This musical prowess complements her status as the region’s longest-serving female artist manager, currently guiding careers of soca artist Roger George and Bollywood vocalist Anuradha Hansraj.

    Beyond entertainment, Lewis wields significant influence as Chair and Regional President of Caribbean Women Honors & Empowerment’s Trinidad chapter. Since 2019, she has spearheaded initiatives combating gender-based violence while creating safe spaces for men’s mental health through the “Men We Are Here For You” program. Her 2024 islandwide period poverty campaign addressed menstrual health and youth empowerment through strategic partnerships and community engagement.

    Lewis attributes her multifaceted success to spiritual grounding, intentional relationship-building, and refined discernment. “My inner circle became more refined, my purpose grew clearer, bringing greater peace, alignment and fulfillment,” she reflects regarding her ability to balance numerous roles.

    Future endeavors include executing “A Woman’s Worth – The Conference,” multiple book releases, and undisclosed projects. Her advice to women navigating multiple roles emphasizes self-prioritization: “Put God first, then yourself, and then anyone or anything else. Give yourself permission to pace your life in seasons and redefine success on your own terms.”