Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Unclaimed Million Dalla Jackpot Leaves $100K for Charity

    Unclaimed Million Dalla Jackpot Leaves $100K for Charity

    BELIZE CITY, Belize – A substantial lottery prize has been officially declared forfeited and will be redirected to charitable organizations after the ticket holder failed to claim it within the mandated period. The incident involves the highly publicized Million Dalla Jackpot draw conducted by Belize Government Lotteries Limited in December, which initially produced nine winners.

    While eight fortunate winners promptly came forward to secure their portions of the jackpot, one winning ticket remained unclaimed as the strict thirty-day redemption window expired. This has resulted in over one hundred thousand dollars in prize money reverting to the lottery corporation, as explicitly stipulated in the rules printed on every lottery ticket.

    Janel Espat, Managing Director of Belize Government Lotteries Limited, provided clarification on the protocol for unclaimed prizes. Despite acknowledging that this year’s jackpot sales did not yield substantial profits, Espat confirmed that the company’s Board of Directors has unanimously decided to allocate the entire unclaimed amount to charitable causes.

    The selection process for beneficiary organizations will be determined during the corporation’s upcoming board meeting scheduled for mid-February. Lottery officials also noted that unclaimed prizes occur with some regularity, particularly when tickets are purchased through third-party sub-agents rather than via the company’s official digital platforms. In this specific instance, the winning ticket was not purchased through the app or website, leaving the potentially unaware winner completely anonymous with no means of contact or identification.

  • Politic : Democrats try to force a vote on extending TPS for Haiti

    Politic : Democrats try to force a vote on extending TPS for Haiti

    WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats initiated a procedural maneuver on Thursday to compel a House vote extending Temporary Protected Status for approximately half a million Haitian immigrants facing imminent deportation threats.

    Led by Representative Ayanna Pressley, co-chair of the Congressional Haiti Caucus, lawmakers filed a discharge petition that would bypass standard committee procedures and force floor consideration of a three-year TPS extension. The controversial parliamentary tactic requires 218 signatures to succeed, representing a majority of the House membership.

    The urgent legislative action comes with Haiti’s TPS designation set to expire on February 3, 2026, potentially exposing between 350,000 and 500,000 Haitian nationals to removal proceedings. Many beneficiaries have established deep roots in American communities and occupy critical positions in healthcare and elder care sectors.

    At a Capitol Hill press conference, Pressley was joined by Representatives Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), alongside a coalition of immigration advocates and healthcare representatives. They emphasized the devastating human consequences of termination and its potential disruption to already strained medical systems.

    Industry representatives presented compelling data showing immigrant workers constitute approximately 25% of healthcare facility staff and over 30% of home care aides. While TPS holders represent a small demographic segment, they comprise 15% of all non-citizen healthcare professionals. Notably, more than 20% of Haitian immigrants work within healthcare sectors.

    The timing creates a particularly complex policy challenge as demographic projections indicate America’s population aged 65 and over will grow by 50% before 2050, while simultaneously facing an estimated shortage of 3.5 million healthcare professionals by 2030.

    Among organizations endorsing the extension were the American Business Immigration Coalition, National TPS Alliance, SEIU, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, National Domestic Workers Alliance, LeadingAge, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and Goodwin Living.

  • Canadian PM to World Leaders: You’re Either at the Table—or on the Menu

    Canadian PM to World Leaders: You’re Either at the Table—or on the Menu

    In a stark address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a sobering assessment of the contemporary international landscape, cautioning that nations excluded from power negotiations increasingly risk becoming targets of geopolitical ambition. Carney characterized the current global situation not as a transitional phase but as a fundamental rupture in the international system.

    The Prime Minister articulated that the established rules-based global order has ceased functioning as intended, particularly for countries that historically depended on multilateral institutions, trade regulations, and international law to restrain the actions of dominant powers. He contended that both governments and corporations persist in operating under the pretense that the former system remains intact, despite privately acknowledging its progressive deterioration—a collective self-deception that enables power politics to proliferate without meaningful constraint.

    Drawing inspiration from Václav Havel’s seminal essay ‘The Power of the Powerless,’ Carney likened the international community to Havel’s shopkeeper who displays political slogans without genuine belief merely to signal compliance. For decades, Carney argued, nations have similarly placed ‘signs in their windows’ by rhetorically endorsing a rules-based order while tacitly accepting its exceptions, hypocrisies, and selective enforcement.

    This arrangement, while imperfect, previously functioned through American hegemony which provided essential global public goods including security protection, open maritime routes, financial stability, and dispute-resolution frameworks. These benefits enabled many governments to pursue value-driven policies under the assumption that a broader architectural order would persist.

    Carney emphasized that this implicit bargain has now collapsed, citing growing concerns about the United States’ increasingly transactional approach toward allies and international institutions. This shift includes employing tariffs and economic threats as geopolitical leverage and demonstrating willingness to circumvent international norms when they conflict with national objectives.

    The timing of Carney’s address coincided with heightened global anxiety regarding U.S. pressure on Greenland, where strategic positioning and Arctic resources have become bargaining chips in broader security competition. Carney explicitly positioned Canada in support of Greenland and Denmark’s sovereignty, warning against leveraging economic measures to advance Arctic geopolitical ambitions.

  • Marie Sharp Earns Global 50 Over 50 Honor

    Marie Sharp Earns Global 50 Over 50 Honor

    In a landmark achievement for Caribbean entrepreneurship, Belizean culinary innovator Marie Sharp has secured her place on the prestigious Forbes 50 Over 50 Global list. This distinguished recognition celebrates extraordinary women worldwide who have achieved significant professional milestones after reaching the age of fifty.

    Sharp’s journey represents a remarkable transformation from elementary school educator to internationally acclaimed food industry luminary. Her enterprise, Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods, originated from experimental backyard cultivation of habanero peppers and informal recipe testing among family circles during the early 1980s. What began as homemade condiment production gradually evolved into one of Central America’s most successful culinary exports.

    The company’s breakthrough occurred when Sharp’s distinctive pepper sauces gained rapid popularity in local markets, eventually crossing international borders to establish presence in United States markets. A critical turning point emerged when Sharp navigated a complex trademark challenge that necessitated rebranding, ultimately leading to the formal establishment of Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods in 1992.

    Today, the company’s portfolio has expanded beyond its signature heat-infused sauces to include artisanal jams and specialty seasonings, all maintaining authentic Belizean flavor profiles. The industry previously acknowledged Sharp’s contributions through her 2016 induction into the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame, cementing her status as a culinary trailblazer.

    Forbes’ recognition underscores Sharp’s embodiment of entrepreneurial resilience and innovative spirit while highlighting Belize’s emerging potential on the global business stage. Her narrative continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs across demographic boundaries, particularly demonstrating how determination and passion can transform modest beginnings into transnational success stories.

  • Indotel opens new headquarters to boost efficiency and cut operating costs

    Indotel opens new headquarters to boost efficiency and cut operating costs

    Santo Domingo witnessed a significant governmental milestone as Vice President Raquel Peña and Guido Gómez Mazara, President of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel), officially inaugurated the institution’s new flagship headquarters. This event marks the culmination of a strategic shift after 24 years of operating from leased facilities, signaling a new era for telecommunications governance in the Dominican Republic.

    The newly erected Corporate Building 323, situated along 27 de Febrero Avenue, stands as a modern architectural achievement with ten operational floors complemented by four subterranean parking levels and additional surface parking infrastructure. The construction represents a substantial public investment of approximately RD$1,777.9 million, reflecting the administration’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and institutional modernization.

    Guido Gómez Mazara emphasized that this infrastructure project embodies the government’s commitment to transparent resource allocation and operational efficiency. The permanent facility eliminates recurring rental expenditures, creating an estimated RD$1,540 million in savings over the coming decade that will be redirected toward bridging the nation’s digital divide. The consolidation of personnel into a single, purpose-built environment is projected to enhance operational coherence, reduce administrative costs, and significantly improve public service delivery mechanisms.

    The strategic relocation represents more than mere physical transition—it symbolizes Indotel’s reinforced mandate to advance digital inclusion policies and telecommunications development throughout the Dominican Republic. The enhanced operational capacity afforded by the new headquarters will facilitate more effective implementation of national digital infrastructure initiatives, ultimately benefiting citizens through improved connectivity and access to telecommunications services.

  • LETTER: The UPP will almost certainly lose these 3 seats in the next general election

    LETTER: The UPP will almost certainly lose these 3 seats in the next general election

    As Antigua and Barbuda’s political landscape solidifies with nearly complete candidate nominations, a rigorous examination reveals substantial challenges facing the United Progressive Party (UPP) in the upcoming general election. With only the St. Mary’s North constituency remaining undeclared for the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), electoral projections indicate a concerning trajectory for the opposition force.

    Electoral forecasts suggest the UPP stands to relinquish at least three currently held constituencies. Political analyst Kiz Johnson appears positioned to claim victory over incumbent Bowen, while Michael Joseph is projected to unseat Richard Lewis. Similarly, Michael Freeland demonstrates strong potential to overcome the Dalso/Watts coalition. Despite these setbacks, Simon is anticipated to maintain control of St. Mary’s South, while Pringle is expected to retain both All Saints East and St. Luke constituencies. Barbuda likely remains under Trevor Walker’s representation.

    The All Saints West constituency presents particular uncertainty with Harold’s entry creating a competitive triangular contest against sitting representative Anthony Smith. Current analysis indicates ABLP will maintain majority control of its existing seats, though Jonathan Joseph presents a formidable challenge to Sir Molwyn’s successor.

    Notably, neither UPP newcomers nor returning candidates demonstrate sufficient momentum to secure electoral victories. St. Paul constituency is projected to remain under ABLP control despite Cleon’s vigorous previous campaign. Similarly, Pearl Quinn faces significant obstacles in City East where former leader Lovell previously failed to secure victory.

    Two critical variables could substantially alter these projections: Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s administration must successfully address persistent water infrastructure issues before polling day, while UPP leadership dynamics could significantly influence voter sentiment if organizational changes occur. Historical context remains relevant as UPP narrowly missed victory in the previous electoral cycle, though contemporary political realities have evolved considerably since that period.

  • COE orders maritime restrictions due to strong winds and high waves

    COE orders maritime restrictions due to strong winds and high waves

    Authorities in the Dominican Republic have activated emergency protocols following an official meteorological warning of dangerously deteriorating conditions along the nation’s extensive coastline. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has declared a nationwide preventive alert after the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) detected a rapid escalation in maritime turbulence affecting both the Atlantic and Caribbean coastal regions.

    Meteorological experts anticipate the severe weather system will persist for 24 to 48 hours, generating powerful wind currents and exceptionally hazardous wave patterns that pose significant risks to maritime activities. In response to the impending danger, the COE has implemented strict navigation restrictions along critical coastal segments.

    On the Atlantic front, vessel operations face complete suspension from Cabo Engaño in La Altagracia province to Cabo Francés Viejo in María Trinidad Sánchez. This prohibition specifically applies to small, fragile, and medium-sized watercraft, which must remain securely docked. Limited navigation privileges are maintained in other Atlantic zones, though operators must exercise extreme caution and remain within close proximity to shorelines.

    The Caribbean coast faces parallel restrictions, with mandatory suspensions enforced from Paraíso in Barahona to Isla Beata in Pedernales. This decisive action responds to monitored abnormalities in wave formations and sustained strong gusts that create potentially life-threatening conditions for maritime operators.

    Government agencies have intensified monitoring efforts through coordinated operations between COE and Indomet specialists. Officials emphasize the critical importance of heeding official communications and observing colored warning flags displayed at beach facilities nationwide. The public is advised that maritime conditions may undergo rapid, unpredictable changes throughout the alert period, requiring continued vigilance until official all-clear notifications are issued.

  • FLASH : Dismissal of the PM raises tensions between the international community and the CPT

    FLASH : Dismissal of the PM raises tensions between the international community and the CPT

    Haiti faces escalating political turmoil as the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) has defiantly moved to dismiss Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, directly challenging pressure from the United States and other international partners. This controversial decision has triggered a significant diplomatic confrontation just weeks before the Council’s mandate expiration on February 7, 2026.

    The dismissal process encountered internal resistance from Laurent Saint-Cyr, the Council’s President pro tempore and Coordinator, who has blocked the resolution’s implementation. Saint-Cyr formally opposed what he characterized as “any resolution aimed at undermining governmental stability as February 7th approaches” in official correspondence to CPT members.

    The political drama intensified with the fluctuating position of Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin, who initially withdrew his signature from the dismissal resolution on January 21st, only to reverse course the following day and confirm his support for the Prime Minister’s ouster via WhatsApp message.

    International reaction has been swift and severe. The U.S. Embassy declared any government composition change by the non-elected CPT “null and void,” warning that supporters of such “disruptive steps” would be considered as “favoring the gangs” and acting against Haitian and international interests.

    The U.S. State Department’s Western Hemisphere Office delivered particularly harsh criticism, asserting that Haiti’s chronic instability stems from “corrupt Haitian politicians who use gangs and other armed groups to create chaos.” The statement explicitly labeled CPT members following this path as “criminals like the gangs they conspire with” rather than Haitian patriots.

    Canada expressed deep concern that replacing the Prime Minister would “weaken the stability and security of the country,” while the European Union, Germany, Spain, and France jointly warned that any leadership change would “jeopardize the encouraging momentum of the security forces against criminal gangs.”

    The United Kingdom similarly characterized the proposed government changes as “inopportune and destabilizing,” emphasizing that such moves would undermine security efforts precisely as the CPT’s mandate approaches expiration.

    This developing crisis represents a critical test for Haiti’s transitional governance amid ongoing security challenges and gang violence, with the international community presenting a united front against the CPT’s actions.

  • Argentinië verwelkomt eerste zending Chinese elektrische auto’s terwijl Trump dreigt met tarieven

    Argentinië verwelkomt eerste zending Chinese elektrische auto’s terwijl Trump dreigt met tarieven

    In a striking departure from its historically protectionist policies, Argentina has welcomed a massive shipment of 5,800 Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles, signaling President Javier Milei’s radical economic transformation. The BYD Changzhou cargo vessel docked at Zárate port in Buenos Aires on Tuesday after a 23-day journey from Singapore, marking a new era of trade liberalization under the libertarian leader.

    President Milei, despite his admiration for Donald Trump, has implemented policies diametrically opposed to the former US president’s protectionist stance. The Argentine government has significantly reduced import restrictions, lowered trade barriers, and streamlined customs bureaucracy. This dramatic shift has resulted in a record 30% surge in imports last year, primarily through Asian online retailers.

    The new regulatory framework permits up to 50,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Argentina duty-free this year—a remarkable change from the previous 35% import tariffs. This policy reversal represents one of the most significant economic transformations in the region, moving Argentina from one of Latin America’s most closed economies to an increasingly open market.

    Claudio Damiano, an expert from the National University of San Martin, emphasizes the symbolic importance of this shipment, noting that many observers are questioning how far this new economic direction will extend. The development occurs alongside pending free trade agreements between the EU and Mercosur, which would facilitate European industrial products’ access to South American markets. However, Damiano suggests European manufacturers cannot compete with Chinese pricing structures.

    Local automotive manufacturers and opposition figures have raised concerns about unfair competition from Chinese EVs. The Premier of Ontario province warned that the Canadian auto market could face significant pressure from this influx.

    Pablo Naya of Sero Electric, Argentina’s sole manufacturer of electric microcars, highlights infrastructure challenges: the country’s outdated energy grid remains unprepared for massive EV adoption, and dedicated service centers for maintaining Chinese vehicles are currently lacking.

    Despite these concerns, Naya acknowledges that domestic industry faces limited immediate threat but recognizes that future growth of Chinese EV imports could challenge local manufacturers as infrastructure and consumer demand develop.

    This strategic move positions Argentina toward a more open and dynamic economy, distancing itself from historical protectionist policies and reestablishing its role in global trade networks.

  • Guatemalan FM: ‘We Will Comply with ICJ Ruling

    Guatemalan FM: ‘We Will Comply with ICJ Ruling

    In a definitive statement on international compliance, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez Alvarado has unequivocally committed to honoring the International Court of Justice’s forthcoming ruling regarding ongoing territorial disputes. The declaration came during high-level diplomatic engagements with the Organization of American States (OAS) on January 22, 2026.

    Minister Martinez Alvarado characterized Guatemala’s relationship with the OAS as fundamentally collaborative, emphasizing the nation’s steadfast dedication to international legal frameworks. When directly questioned about Guatemala’s position on the ICJ’s eventual decision, the Foreign Minister responded with an unambiguous affirmation: “With a firm ‘yes’, I respond to your question regarding our respect for the ICJ final ruling regardless of the outcome.”

    The diplomatic discussions also addressed documented military incursions along the contentious Sarstoon River border area, which remains a persistent flashpoint in regional relations. Minister Martinez Alvarado acknowledged that while some confrontational incidents have proven “unfortunately inevitable,” both neighboring nations have implemented concrete measures to de-escalate tensions throughout the disputed territory.

    “The primary objective remains reducing tension across the entire zone, including the Sarstoon River,” Martinez Alvarado stated, underscoring Guatemala’s commitment to diplomatic solutions despite periodic clashes. Both governments continue to signal their intention to maintain dialogue and adhere to established international protocols through the OAS framework, with the newly appointed OAS Secretary-General representative Francis Fonseca participating in the critical talks.