Carib Scope

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  • Candace Fields: Bahamian scientist returns home to lead shark research

    Candace Fields: Bahamian scientist returns home to lead shark research

    Dr. Candace Fields, a distinguished Bahamian marine scientist, is set to return to her homeland next month following the completion of her doctoral degree in the United States. The 30-year-old researcher will assume leadership of the shark research and conservation program at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, marking a significant advancement in both her professional trajectory and The Bahamas’ prominent position in global marine protection initiatives.

    Dr. Fields recently concluded her five-year PhD program in biology at Florida International University, graduating on December 16. Her academic journey, which commenced in fall 2020, faced initial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring virtual attendance before her relocation to Florida in 2021. During the commencement ceremony, FIU President Jeanette Nunez specifically acknowledged Dr. Fields as an exceptional scholar with international recognition in her field.

    Her doctoral dissertation, titled ‘Understanding Shark Sanctuaries as a Conservation Tool: Impacts of the Bahamian Sanctuary on Key Coastal and Pelagic Species,’ conducted comprehensive analysis of The Bahamas’ shark sanctuary effectiveness. The research comprised three pivotal chapters: examining long-term population trends since sanctuary establishment, identifying The Bahamas as critical habitat for endangered oceanic whitetip sharks in the Atlantic, and tracing Hong Kong shark fin markets back to their regions of origin.

    Dr. Fields’ appointment represents a homecoming to the institute where her research interests initially developed. She credits her family and advisors for encouraging her pursuit of doctoral studies despite initially planning only a master’s degree. As the first PhD in her immediate family, she emphasizes that academic paths need not be linear, noting her undergraduate degree in neuroscience before returning to her childhood passion for marine science.

    Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Fields has emerged as an international advocate for shark conservation, contributing expert commentary to National Geographic and various conservation platforms. Her work aims to combat widespread misconceptions about sharks, ensuring conservation policies are informed by scientific data while advancing public education about these essential marine predators.

  • Actor Idris Elba Knighted in UK’s New Year honours list

    Actor Idris Elba Knighted in UK’s New Year honours list

    LONDON, United Kingdom – The United Kingdom’s prestigious New Year Honours list has recognized exceptional achievements across sports, arts, and philanthropy, with prominent figures from England’s championship-winning women’s football and rugby teams receiving special acknowledgment.

    Acclaimed actor Idris Elba received knighthood for his extensive charitable work supporting disadvantaged youth through his international foundation. The ‘Luther’ star emphasized the ongoing need for sustained support systems for young people as he accepted the honor.

    Legendary ice dancing duo Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, whose iconic performance at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics captivated global audiences, were similarly knighted for their transformative contributions to ice skating. The pair described the recognition as both ‘wonderful and humbling.’

    England’s European Championship-winning football squad, known as the ‘Lionesses,’ received extensive honors following their dramatic penalty victory against Spain in July’s final. Captain Leah Williamson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), while teammates Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, and Ella Toone were each awarded MBEs. Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman, who guided the team to victory, received an honorary damehood for her exceptional leadership.

    The honors extended to England’s triumphant 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup team, with Marlie Packer and Zoe Aldcroft becoming OBEs and several teammates receiving MBEs.

    The comprehensive list recognized over 1,150 individuals for their contributions to British society. These honors, determined by an independent committee, will be formally presented by King Charles III and senior royals throughout the coming year in traditional ceremonies.

  • Suriname gov’t declares day of mourning after mass killing

    Suriname gov’t declares day of mourning after mass killing

    The South American nation of Suriname has designated Friday as an official day of national mourning following a devastating sequence of events that culminated in multiple fatalities and a custodial suicide. This solemn declaration comes in response to Sunday’s horrific incident in Commewijne district, where 42-year-old Dennis Aroma perpetrated a lethal stabbing spree claiming nine lives, including four of his own children, before taking his own life while in police custody.

    Government authorities have mandated that flags on all public buildings and Surinamese-flagged vessels be flown at half-mast from 6:00 AM until sunset. Citizens and businesses across the nation are encouraged to observe this day of reflection, while media outlets have been requested to adjust their programming to maintain a respectful atmosphere commensurate with the tragedy’s gravity.

    According to preliminary investigative reports, the suspect had been engaged in a telephone dispute with his estranged wife regarding child custody arrangements. The confrontation escalated dramatically when Aroma, described as mentally disturbed, launched a violent attack using a knife against eleven individuals. The assault resulted in nine fatalities, including his children, while two survivors—among them his eldest daughter—remain hospitalized with serious stab wounds.

    Law enforcement officials responding to the incident shot Aroma during his apprehension. After receiving medical treatment at Academic Hospital Paramaribo, he was transferred to an observation cell at Centrum Police Station as a precautionary measure. Tragically, authorities discovered him deceased in his cell on Monday morning, having apparently used his bandages to commit suicide.

    The case has triggered serious concerns regarding judicial system protocols. Prominent psychologist Headly Binderhagel contends that Aroma’s death represents systemic failures in oversight and accountability rather than an isolated incident. “A suicide in a police cell is not fate,” Binderhagel asserted. “It’s a warning sign that cannot be ignored.” He emphasized that the government bears responsibility for protecting detainees’ lives regardless of their crimes, noting that medical treatment alone proves insufficient for individuals in such vulnerable states.

    This tragedy has ignited conversations about mental health support, custodial safety measures, and judicial reform in Suriname, with many calling for transparent investigation and substantive policy changes to prevent similar occurrences.

  • France pushes back plastic cup ban by four years

    France pushes back plastic cup ban by four years

    The French government has officially postponed its planned prohibition on disposable plastic cups, shifting the implementation deadline from January 2025 to 2030. This four-year extension follows an official review that identified significant challenges in finding technically feasible alternatives to plastic-based disposable drink containers.

    According to a decree published by the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the postponement was necessitated by the current limitations in replacing plastic materials while maintaining functionality and affordability. The ministry announced plans for a comprehensive progress assessment in 2028 to evaluate advancements in alternative materials before the ban takes full effect in 2030. Once implemented, businesses will receive a 12-month grace period to exhaust existing inventories.

    This decision represents the latest development in France’s decade-long campaign against single-use plastics, which has previously targeted plastic bags and packaging for fresh produce. The broader legislative framework, established through a 2020 environmental law, sets 2040 as the ultimate deadline for eliminating all single-use plastic products nationwide.

    Environmental organizations have strongly criticized the delay as a regression in anti-plastic efforts. Zero Waste France spokesperson Manon Richert characterized the move as “yet another step backwards in the fight against plastic pollution, under pressure from lobby groups.” Richert contested the technical feasibility argument, asserting that viable alternatives exist but suffer from insufficient investment and weak regulatory support.

    A coalition of environmental groups including Surfrider Foundation Europe and France Nature Environnement recently issued a critical assessment of France’s implementation of its 2020 anti-plastic law, noting numerous unimplemented measures and diluted enforcement. Concurrently, France’s consumer protection agency (DGCCRF) revealed in a 2023 report that approximately 20% of inspected companies were violating existing regulations on single-use plastics, including marketing falsely labeled “plastic-free” products and employing semantic loopholes to circumvent restrictions.

  • St Mary to serve up fireworks at Pagee Beach

    St Mary to serve up fireworks at Pagee Beach

    The coastal community of St. Mary, Jamaica, is channeling resilience into celebration with an ambitious New Year’s Eve festival at Pagee Beach. Organized as a direct response to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, the event represents a concerted effort to uplift local spirits and stimulate economic recovery.

    Jointly orchestrated by the Pagee Fisherman Group and local Member of Parliament Omar Newell, this year’s festivities are designed to surpass the scale of the inaugural event. The program promises continuous entertainment from daytime through the night, commencing with family-centric activities aimed at delighting children. The musical lineup will feature performances from renowned St. Mary artist Yaksta among other performers.

    The celebration will reach its climax at midnight with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the skies above Port Maria, symbolizing both the arrival of the new year and the community’s hopeful outlook. MP Newell emphasized the deeper significance of the event, describing it to Observer Online as “a beacon of hope” dedicated to restoring communal bonds and providing substantial support for local vendors and businesses impacted by the natural disaster.

    Newell further praised the Pagee Fisherman Group for their leadership in initiating the celebration and encouraged other community organizations to emulate this collaborative approach in rebuilding community pride and solidarity in the aftermath of the hurricane.

  • Trinidad gov’t seeking regional and international partners to restart oil refinery

    Trinidad gov’t seeking regional and international partners to restart oil refinery

    The Trinidad and Tobago government is actively pursuing regional and international collaborations to facilitate the restart of the state-owned Guaracara oil refinery, which ceased operations in 2018. Energy and Energy Industries Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal confirmed that the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration is engaging in diplomatic talks with neighboring nations and potential global partners to assess the feasibility of resuming refinery operations.

    Minister Moonilal disclosed ongoing discussions with Suriname’s Energy Minister, Patrick Brunings, leveraging their experience operating a smaller refinery. The government is also maintaining active communication with Guyana and plans to utilize upcoming energy conferences in India (January) and Guyana (February) to attract international investment and technical support for the refinery project.

    This initiative follows the Interim Report from the Refinery Restart Committee, chaired by former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine, which concluded that reviving the Guaracara Refinery remains technically, commercially, and financially viable despite seven years of dormancy. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has characterized the facility as a “national asset with enormous potential for economic growth, employment and energy security” and has directed the Energy Ministry to evaluate restart options for Cabinet consideration.

    The development marks a significant policy shift from the previous Keith Rowley administration, which had selected Nigerian energy giant Oando PLC as the preferred bidder for leasing the refinery in March 2023. That decision was based on Oando’s substantial financial capabilities, including its US$1.5 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian assets.

    The refinery’s closure in 2018 resulted from unsustainable financial burdens, with upgrade costs ballooning from initial projections. The gasoline optimization program escalated from TT$2.45 billion to TT$12.6 billion, while other critical projects similarly exceeded budget estimates, creating an untenable debt situation for the state-owned petroleum company.

  • PM defends taxes: Every pot to stand on its own bottom

    PM defends taxes: Every pot to stand on its own bottom

    Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has mounted a vigorous defense of her government’s controversial tax reforms while delivering a stark assessment of Trinidad and Tobago’s social condition, characterizing the nation as a “lawless dump” in response to opposition criticism.

    The political leader articulated a philosophy of fiscal self-sufficiency, asserting that citizens should directly bear the costs of services they utilize rather than relying on collective taxation. “It is time for every pot to stand on its own bottom,” Persad-Bissessar declared, emphasizing her belief that taxpayers’ money should exclusively benefit those contributing rather than subsidizing services for others.

    Recent implementations include doubled bus-route toll fees, increased birth and death registration charges, and heightened customs fees—measures the Prime Minister justified as essential for governmental entities to achieve operational self-sufficiency. She challenged opposition claims from PNM leader Pennelope Beckles, who warned citizens to prepare for “economic hardship” and identified taxation as the government’s dominant theme leading toward 2026 elections.

    Persad-Bissessar provided pointed examples: “Why should a teacher from Mayaro pay taxes to subsidize bus route maintenance when he doesn’t use it? If you use the bus route, you should pay for it.” She extended this logic to birth registration—”If you make children, you should pay to register them”—and customs fees for importers seeking profit.

    Regarding the extended state of emergency, the Prime Minister adopted an unusually permissive stance: “Everyone is free to do what they want. The SoE is not restricting anyone. Feel free to drive recklessly and kill yourself if you want, feel free to encourage your children to smoke ganja and drink rum if you want.”

    The political leader accused the PNM of neglecting their own constituencies, citing poor garbage collection services despite available funding and describing opposition strongholds as areas with the highest murder rates, unemployment, and poorest infrastructure. “The PNM has never cared about their own supporters,” she stated.

    Persad-Bissessar concluded with a bleak national assessment: “The country is a lawless dump. And everyone contributed to it. That’s the truth,” while maintaining her commitment to improving conditions for law-abiding citizens across political affiliations.

  • Family demands answers after father of four shot by police

    Family demands answers after father of four shot by police

    A Grand Bahama family is seeking accountability from law enforcement following a controversial police-involved shooting in Eight Mile Rock that left 49-year-old father of four Jorel Saltine wounded. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Russell Town area, sparking allegations of excessive force and procedural violations.

    According to Cecil Celo Similien, the victim’s brother, Saltine was shot outside their family residence without justification. “I was home when I heard a gunshot,” Similien recounted. “I came out, and I heard that my little brother got shot in the yard.” He emphatically denied police assertions that Saltine was armed, stating no weapons or drugs were found on his brother following the shooting.

    The Royal Bahamas Police Force provided an alternative account, indicating the confrontation began around 5pm on December 28 when officers on patrol observed a man in the Cemetery Road area who fled upon noticing them. Police claim that during the pursuit, the suspect held his waistband and entered an abandoned structure. Upon exiting, officers alleged he pointed a black object in their direction, prompting one officer to discharge his weapon and strike the suspect in the right foot.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed the wounded man was transported to Rand Memorial Hospital, where medical staff determined his injuries were non-life-threatening. After treatment, he was discharged into police custody and remains detained at Central Police Station.

    The family has raised serious concerns about police procedures following the incident. Similien questioned why no ambulance was summoned to the scene and criticized the premature removal of his brother from medical care. “That could have never happened in the United States,” he stated. “Any question that they needed to ask would have been done in the hospital.”

    Similien further challenged the narrative that his brother posed a threat, asking: “If you chasing an individual and this individual have his back turn, shouldn’t you give a warning shot?” He expressed frustration with what he perceives as systemic protection of officers, stating: “In The Bahamas, we got this thing that the police is always right, which is wrong.”

    The family has also alleged that the involved officer had previously been instructed by courts not to enter their property and accused senior officers of covering up misconduct. “It is a shame when the system that’s supposed to be protecting the citizen is the same system that is corrupt and abusing their power,” Similien asserted.

    Expressing little confidence in official complaints mechanisms, Similien described the process as ineffective: “To go lodge a complaint is just like you writing something and you taking it and fold the paper up and throw it in the garbage.” He claimed that when attempting to file a report, he was dismissed by officers, suggesting discriminatory treatment based on his Rastafarian appearance.

    The Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing through its Complaint and Corruption Branch, which accepts reports through multiple channels including in-person submissions, written correspondence, and electronic communications.

  • ‘I just want to stay around for my kids’

    ‘I just want to stay around for my kids’

    A 49-year-old mother from Murphy Town, Abaco, endured a Christmas season defined by pain and financial distress rather than celebration, as she confronts a severe ovarian cancer diagnosis without adequate means to secure treatment. Anastasia Johnson, a mother of three, described her devastating physical and emotional journey to The Tribune from her bedside, where she remains largely immobilized by the disease.

    Her medical crisis emerged earlier this year while employed as a cleaner at Maxwell’s supermarket, where she began suffering from relentless vomiting, drastic weight loss, and debilitating fatigue. After initial examinations at a local clinic, she was referred to Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence, where physicians identified a significant mass subsequently diagnosed as ovarian cancer.

    The emotional toll was immediate and profound. “I broke down in tears,” Ms. Johnson recounted. “I didn’t eat at all for that day, for the next two days, because I didn’t expect it to be cancer.”

    Her resilience is fueled by concern for her children—two sons aged ten and 14, and a 33-year-old daughter. Though she receives emotional and practical support from her children’s father, former coworkers, and loved ones, the financial burden of treatment remains overwhelming. Having resigned from her job due to unbearable pain even before her diagnosis, she now faces estimated chemotherapy costs of $400 per session—an insurmountable sum given her circumstances.

    Medical advisors have recommended she travel to New Providence in early January to determine the required number of chemotherapy rounds. Beyond treatment itself, she requires assistance for seizure medication, inter-island travel, accommodation, food, and basic living expenses.

    This Christmas, typically a time of joy and family connection, was marred by suffering and anxiety. “I really didn’t enjoy it. I tried to smile for my kids, but with everything I’m going through, it wasn’t really enjoyable,” she confessed.

    Facing an uncertain future, Ms. Johnson clings to faith and maternal love. “I just want to stay around for my kids, to watch them grow up,” she expressed. “A mother plays a major role in the kids’ lives. I want to be here to watch my two boys grow up and become someone in life.”

    Those wishing to offer support may contact Ms. Johnson directly at 242-804-2078.

  • Father of seven dies while picking breadfruit

    Father of seven dies while picking breadfruit

    A devastating electrical accident on Christmas Eve has claimed the life of Simon Magislin, a 53-year-old Haitian handyman and father of seven residing in The Bahamas. The tragic incident occurred on Wilton Street as Magislin attempted to harvest breadfruit using a metal pole that inadvertently contacted overhead power lines.

    According to police reports, emergency responders arrived at the scene following reports of an unresponsive male. Investigation revealed that the iron pole Magislin employed had struck a live electrical wire, resulting in immediate electrocution. The Haitian national had resided in The Bahamas for approximately three to four years, working primarily in maintenance and repair services.

    Neighbor Reynold Simon, who witnessed the aftermath, described the sequence of events: “The door was open. I was seated inside that small front shack when the impact occurred. Upon investigation, I discovered him lying motionless on the ground.” Simon speculated that the metal implement may have slipped from Magislin’s grasp due to his attire of shorts, potentially compromising his grip and control.

    Family members disclosed that despite recently securing more consistent employment, Magislin had expressed significant financial anxieties regarding Christmas provisions for his seven children, all residing in Haiti. Cousin Odilet Lepin revealed their final conversation approximately two weeks prior centered exclusively on economic hardships: “Everything was great health-wise. He wasn’t sick. He just was crying about how Christmas coming on the way and he had no money. That’s the only thing we discussed—how circumstances were genuinely difficult.”

    The scene following the accident was marked by profound grief, with Magislin’s brother reportedly rendered speechless by emotional distress. Local authorities have ordered an autopsy to conclusively determine the precise cause of death, though preliminary evidence strongly suggests accidental electrocution.