Carib Scope

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  • Angostura boss on Caroni Bitters launch: Let’s get all the facts

    Angostura boss on Caroni Bitters launch: Let’s get all the facts

    Amid the quiet launch of Caroni Bitters by former executive Vidia Doodnath, Angostura Holdings chairman Gary Hunt has adopted a measured corporate stance, declining to disclose the renowned rum and bitters manufacturer’s specific response strategy. Hunt addressed journalists during a media briefing at the House of Angostura on Eastern Main Road, Port of Spain, where the company celebrated its inaugural shipment of the Ready to Drink product ‘420’.

    When questioned about the emerging competition, Hunt characterized the situation as ‘delicate’ and requiring thorough examination. ‘I will not make any judgements or pronouncements at this time,’ Hunt stated. ‘The matter is receiving our fullest attention, and we are responding appropriately. We must gather all facts before providing a comprehensive response.’

    Despite his reserved commentary, Hunt explicitly confirmed he was not surprised by Doodnath’s market entry. He also revealed that Angostura had not initiated contact with its former executive since learning of Caroni Bitters’ December 7 launch.

    The new competitor directly challenges Angostura’s global bitters dominance, which has maintained its secret recipe for nearly two centuries. Founded in 1824 by Dr. Johann Siegert as medicinal stomach remedy, Angostura Bitters evolved through his sons’ migration to Trinidad, where Don Carlos Siegert transformed it into a cocktail and culinary essential.

    The company’s market position appears robust despite new competition. Recent financial disclosures show an 8% revenue increase from $698 million in 2024 to $757 million in 2025, with post-tax profits rising 10% to $104 million for the nine-month period ending September 30.

    Angostura’s industry accolades reinforce its market strength. The company’s Orange Bitters variation was recognized as both the top-selling and top-trending bitters globally in 2018 by Drinks International, additionally receiving the platinum medal at the Spirits International Prestige Awards that same year.

    Attempts by Newsday to reach Doodnath through her husband on December 12 were unsuccessful, with sources indicating she was indisposed and would return contact. No response was received by press time.

  • Two Men Slain in Vicious Robbery

    Two Men Slain in Vicious Robbery

    Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into a fatal armed robbery that resulted in the deaths of two delivery personnel on Thursday. The victims, identified as driver Raynard Garbutt Jr. and his coworker Robert Crawford, were discovered deceased after their Recinos Sarita distribution truck was targeted and abandoned along the Hummingbird Highway.

    Recinos Imports Ltd., the employing company, issued an official statement expressing profound sorrow: “On behalf of our entire organization and Sarita Division, we extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families during this devastating time.”

    The tragedy has triggered an outpouring of grief from relatives and community members. Azlyn Flo, mother of the slain driver Garbutt, delivered an emotional tribute through social media platforms, describing her son as a “hard-working, loving, humble baby boy” whose life was brutally cut short. She directly addressed the perpetrators, condemning their actions that left her one-month-old granddaughter fatherless.

    Additional family members echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader societal implications of violent crime targeting working individuals. One relative emphasized how the incident exemplifies how “foolish violence disrupts lives engaged in honest labor,” noting the particular tragedy of robbing a child of paternal guidance and support.

    Former educators also joined the memorial expressions, with one of Garbutt’s previous teachers recalling him as a communicative and non-disruptive student whose potential was extinguished through “senseless violence.” The case continues to develop as law enforcement agencies pursue active investigative leads.

  • The Oxford Word of the Year 2025 is rage bait

    The Oxford Word of the Year 2025 is rage bait

    Oxford Languages has declared ‘rage bait’ as its 2025 Word of the Year, selecting this potent term from a competitive shortlist that included ‘aura farming’ and ‘biohack.’ This decision follows an extensive participatory process where over 30,000 public votes were analyzed alongside expert linguistic assessment and commentary sentiment.

    The selection underscores a significant evolution in digital communication patterns. Lexicographers noted that ‘rage bait’ has tripled in usage frequency throughout 2025, mirroring contemporary concerns about social unrest, online content regulation, and digital wellbeing. The term has transitioned from its initial 2002 Usenet usage describing road rage incidents to its current meaning addressing deliberate online provocation.

    Unlike its conceptual relative ‘clickbait,’ which primarily seeks attention through curiosity, ‘rage bait’ specifically engineers content to evoke anger, discord, and polarization. This distinction highlights a concerning shift in digital engagement strategies where emotional manipulation increasingly drives online interactions.

    President of Oxford Languages Casper Grathwohl contextualized the selection within broader technological trends: “As artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies become increasingly embedded in daily life, 2025 has been defined by questions of authentic identity both online and offline. The dramatic surge in ‘rage bait’ usage indicates growing public awareness of digital manipulation tactics.”

    Grathwohl further observed that where 2024’s ‘brain rot’ captured the mental exhaustion of endless scrolling, ‘rage bait’ exposes the purposeful engineering of outrage-driven content. Together, these concepts reveal a self-perpetuating cycle: outrage sparks engagement, algorithms amplify it, and constant exposure leads to mental depletion.

    The emergence of ‘rage bait’ as a recognized lexical unit demonstrates English’s adaptive flexibility, combining established words to create context-specific meaning that resonates with contemporary digital experiences.

  • Beach Access Case Postponed Again as Prosecution Not Ready

    Beach Access Case Postponed Again as Prosecution Not Ready

    In a significant development within the ongoing legal battle over public beach access rights, the high-profile ‘Beach Case’ encountered another substantial delay during today’s proceedings at St. John’s Magistrate’s Court. The prosecution team, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, failed to present their scheduled witnesses despite previous judicial directives mandating preparedness.

    The case had been previously adjourned from November 6, 2025, following defense attorney Mr. Boing’s identification of procedural irregularities within the prosecution’s documentation. During that hearing, the presiding magistrate had determined that witness testimony should take precedence, suggesting that such evidence might potentially resolve the identified deficiencies before addressing the defense’s formal submission.

    Mr. Boing reiterated his previous stance, noting: ‘I had highlighted specific defects in the prosecution’s file. While the magistrate acknowledged these concerns, he preferred to hear witness testimony first, believing it could remedy the situation before ruling on our submission.’

    However, during today’s session, prosecutors reported their witnesses were unavailable, prompting the magistrate to reschedule proceedings to February 23, 2026. Among the defendants, political commentator George Wehner—charged with allegedly trespassing on traditional public access routes to Laurys Bay—expressed profound disappointment regarding the repeated postponements. Wehner and fellow defendants had appeared in court prepared to address the summons.

    Wehner has consistently highlighted broader concerns regarding judicial fairness and accessibility, particularly referencing the ongoing application of the Small Charges Act—a colonial-era legislation under which the trespassing charges were brought. ‘These laws historically criminalized ordinary activities such as land traversal and peaceful assembly,’ Wehner commented. ‘Despite national independence, they continue to be employed against the very populations they were originally designed to suppress.’

    The Beach Case has captured substantial public attention, occurring alongside growing national discourse concerning coastal access rights and property ownership. Defendant supporters continue advocating for procedural transparency, due process adherence, and protection of historical access pathways. The case is now scheduled to resume on February 23, 2026, with the prosecution expected to finally present their witness testimony.

  • Coalitie wil College van Procureurs-Generaal

    Coalitie wil College van Procureurs-Generaal

    The Dutch governing coalition has introduced groundbreaking legislation to fundamentally restructure the nation’s prosecutorial system. The proposed initiative law would replace the current single Prosecutor General position with a College of Prosecutors General comprising between two to four members.

    This reform represents a significant institutional strengthening of the prosecutorial function within the Dutch judicial system. Where the Prosecutor General was previously exclusively attached to the Court of Justice, the new framework expands this role to include the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad), which is also being introduced into the judicial structure.

    The College will be formally designated as the head of the Public Prosecution Service, representing the state in legal matters and overseeing judicial police operations. The legislation additionally proposes lowering the mandatory retirement age for prosecutors from 70 to 65 years.

    This reorganization addresses what coalition members describe as decades of organizational fragmentation within the Public Prosecution Service and its previous dependence on ministerial directives. The new framework establishes clear, centralized authority intended to create a more robust institutional foundation.

    The explanatory memorandum accompanying the sweeping proposal indicates that the current structure provides insufficient opportunities for the Public Prosecution Service to develop institutionally. By explicitly linking the Prosecutor General to both the Supreme Court and strengthening the College, the system aims to better prepare for:

    – Increasingly complex criminal cases involving political and economic dimensions
    – Cassation procedures requiring superior legal quality
    – More independent operations, particularly in sensitive cases

    The proposed constitutional amendment would fundamentally alter the Prosecutor General’s position within the judicial organization. The modification of Articles 141 and 142 would replace the phrase ‘the Prosecutor General at the Court of Justice’ with ‘the Prosecutor General at the Supreme Court and at the Court of Justice’ throughout legal texts.

    This dual anchoring positions the Prosecutor General at a crucial junction between the highest factual instance (Court of Justice) and the future highest judicial authority in law (Supreme Court). The reform makes clear that the Public Prosecution Service will no longer merely play a supporting role within the Court but will become an integral component of the new cassation hierarchy, effectively creating the only functionary institutionally connected to both top levels of the judiciary.

  • Henckell Muriel Music Workshop students’ concert 2025, message from director

    Henckell Muriel Music Workshop students’ concert 2025, message from director

    The Henckell Muriel Music Workshop (HMMW) is commemorating its tenth anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to cultivate musical talent among youth. Founded in 2015 by Pearle Christian following her retirement from public service, the workshop represents a continuation of her lifelong dedication to music education that began in 1983 at the Kairi School of Music.

    Ms. Christian expressed profound gratitude to Leng Sorhaindo for initiating the original music education project that operated for 19 years with exceptionally high standards before eventually closing. After the Kairi school’s closure, Christian continued offering flute instruction privately before formally establishing HMMW as a dedicated music education center.

    The workshop began modestly with just two students but has since expanded significantly, currently instructing fifteen flute students and sixteen recorder players. Christian describes the institution’s journey as ‘an undulating landscape, with a roll of ebb and flow,’ with each student contributing uniquely to the workshop’s rich tapestry.

    The organization operates under the guiding principle of ‘Nurturing minds one note at a time,’ emphasizing both musical excellence and personal development. The anniversary celebration features musical performances designed to ‘warm your hearts and light up the corners of our world,’ as Christian poetically expressed in her anniversary message.

    The workshop’s decade of operation represents a sustained commitment to arts education in the community, providing continuous musical instruction despite the challenges that often face such specialized educational programs. Christian’s leadership has ensured the preservation of musical knowledge and performance traditions across generations of students.

  • ‘Targeted and alone’: Pringle Says His Morris Bay Facility Was Singled Out for Destruction

    ‘Targeted and alone’: Pringle Says His Morris Bay Facility Was Singled Out for Destruction

    A business proprietor is leveling serious accusations against local authorities, claiming his commercial property was intentionally singled out for demolition while neighboring structures were left untouched. Mr. Pringle, owner of the Morris Bay facility, describes feeling “targeted and alone” in what he characterizes as a disproportionate enforcement action that has left his enterprise in ruins.

    The controversial demolition occurred recently despite what Pringle asserts was his full compliance with all regulatory requirements. According to his account, the destruction proceeded without adequate warning or justification, raising questions about potential selective enforcement practices within the local governance system.

    This incident has ignited broader discussions about property rights, regulatory fairness, and the transparency of municipal decision-making processes. Community members and business owners alike are expressing concerns about the precedent set by such actions and their implications for the local business climate.

    The case has drawn attention to the power dynamics between small business operators and regulatory bodies, with advocates calling for greater accountability in enforcement procedures. Pringle’s situation highlights the vulnerabilities that entrepreneurs may face when navigating complex regulatory environments and the potentially devastating consequences of perceived arbitrary governance actions.

  • Five St Philip’s South residents to receive UWI Five Islands scholarships as UK pathways open

    Five St Philip’s South residents to receive UWI Five Islands scholarships as UK pathways open

    In a significant move to bolster educational access, Senator Kiz Johnson has introduced a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at providing residents of St Philip’s South with expanded pathways to skills training and higher education. Framing the effort with her stated philosophy that ‘progress starts with opportunity,’ the Senator is kickstarting the program by awarding full scholarships to five constituents.

    The inaugural phase will see the selected residents enroll in a 10-week accredited certificate program offered by the Lifelong Learning Unit at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus. Senator Johnson characterized this local scholarship program as the foundational element of a larger, sustained strategy to enhance professional and personal development opportunities for the community’s citizens.

    Looking beyond domestic options, the initiative also features newly forged partnerships with several accredited academic institutions based in the United Kingdom. These collaborations are designed to create affordable, flexible online degree pathways, enabling residents to pursue both bachelor’s and master’s qualifications across a diverse spectrum of academic and professional fields.

    In a video statement announcing the developments, Senator Johnson urged the public to monitor her official communication channels for forthcoming application details and deadlines. She positioned the entire educational drive as a core component of her broader commitment to community advancement, a mission she refers to as pursuing ‘the bold way forward.’

  • US slaps sanctions on Maduro relatives as Venezuela war fears build

    US slaps sanctions on Maduro relatives as Venezuela war fears build

    The United States government has significantly intensified its campaign against the Venezuelan administration of Nicolás Maduro through a dual strategy of economic sanctions and military action. On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions targeting three nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, alongside six international companies involved in shipping Venezuelan oil. Concurrently, the White House confirmed it would bring an oil tanker, seized in a dramatic naval operation off the Venezuelan coast, to a U.S. port, a move Caracas has decried as ‘international piracy.’

    The Treasury’s sanctions specifically label two of the targeted relatives as ‘narco-traffickers operating in Venezuela.’ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted that ‘Nicolas Maduro and his criminal associates are flooding the United States with drugs that are poisoning the American people,’ framing the measures as a direct strike against the regime’s financial underpinnings. The sanctioned shipping companies are accused of facilitating the transport of sanctioned oil, the proceeds of which Washington claims fund global narco-terrorism.

    The military dimension of the escalation was highlighted by a video release from U.S. authorities showing special forces rappelling from a helicopter onto the deck of the tanker. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the seizure as part of a broader effort to push back against a regime ‘systematically flooding our country with deadly drugs.’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the seized oil would be confiscated, signaling a new, more aggressive phase in enforcing sanctions.

    International reactions have underscored the geopolitical ramifications. Russian leader Vladimir Putin expressed support for his ally Maduro, though Russia’s capacity to provide substantial aid is constrained by its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the escalating tensions, urging all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further destabilizing Venezuela and the region. Reports from U.S. media suggest further similar interdictions of tankers may be imminent, indicating a sustained campaign of pressure.

  • BREAKING NEWS: Arrest made in motorcycle death of Ken Joseph

    BREAKING NEWS: Arrest made in motorcycle death of Ken Joseph

    A tragic traffic incident near Ocean Edge Oasis Hotel has resulted in one fatality and left another individual fighting for his life, prompting swift legal action from local authorities. On December 6, 2025, at approximately evening hours, a fatal collision claimed the life of Ken Joseph, a Kingshill resident originally misreported as a pillion rider but later confirmed to be operating the motorcycle. His passenger, Salim Khalid Green, sustained severe injuries and remains under critical medical supervision in the Intensive Care Unit of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).

    Law enforcement officials have moved decisively following the accident, apprehending a male suspect now formally charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The accused is scheduled for an initial court appearance at a magistrate’s court, where official charges will be presented. The judicial proceedings mark a significant development in a case that has drawn attention to road safety concerns in the community.

    Medical personnel at DCFH continue to monitor Green’s condition around the clock, though prognosis details remain undisclosed due to patient privacy protocols. The hospital’s intensive care team is providing comprehensive treatment to stabilize the injured survivor.

    This incident has sparked renewed discussions about vehicular safety regulations and enforcement measures on Dominica’s roadways. Local news outlet DNO has committed to tracking the case’s progression through the legal system and providing updates as further information emerges from official sources.