Carib Scope

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  • InterCaribbean Airways Named Caribbean’s Best Regional Airline

    InterCaribbean Airways Named Caribbean’s Best Regional Airline

    InterCaribbean Airways has achieved distinguished recognition as the Caribbean’s premier regional airline, securing the coveted title of Best Airline of the Year – Regional (The Caribbean) at the 2026 PATWA International Travel Awards. The prestigious ceremony was hosted during the ITB Berlin travel trade show in Germany, a global gathering for tourism professionals.

    The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) bestows these annual awards to honor exceptional performance across multiple aviation sectors. The evaluation criteria encompass excellence in regional connectivity, innovative approaches, superior passenger experience, and outstanding operational performance. InterCaribbean’s victory underscores its expanding network throughout the Caribbean archipelago and its pivotal role in enhancing inter-island transportation infrastructure.

    Additional Caribbean recognition was awarded to Sunrise Airways, which captured the title of Best Airline of the Year (The Caribbean) in a separate category.

    The PATWA awards also celebrated aviation excellence across other global regions. Thai Airways International received the Service Excellence award for Asia, while Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport was honored as Best Airport (Asia). In the South Pacific, Nadi International Airport (Fiji) earned distinction as the region’s top airport facility. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (Middle East) was recognized for its innovative airport technologies.

    Corporate aviation services received separate acknowledgments with Encalm Hospitality (India) winning Best Company – Airport Hospitality Services and Aeropuertos Argentina securing Best Company – Airport Management (South America).

    PATWA officials emphasized that these awards recognize organizations driving transformative changes in air travel through expanded connectivity, sustainable aviation initiatives, and elevated passenger experiences. The presentation ceremony formed part of the accompanying events at ITB Berlin, one of the world’s most significant travel and tourism exhibitions.

  • The Cell (Grenada) Ltd vacancies: Store Supervisor and Customer Service Representative

    The Cell (Grenada) Ltd vacancies: Store Supervisor and Customer Service Representative

    The Cell (Grenada) Ltd. has announced two pivotal career opportunities within its retail operations, seeking qualified candidates for the positions of Store Supervisor and Customer Service Representative.

    The Store Supervisor role demands operational leadership capabilities, providing direct support to the Store Manager. This position is central to delivering exceptional customer experiences and achieving critical sales and performance benchmarks. Key responsibilities include driving daily execution on the sales floor, ensuring strict operational compliance, protecting company assets, and motivating team members to surpass their objectives. The supervisor will also assume the Manager-on-Duty function during the Store Manager’s absence, upholding brand standards, service excellence, and financial integrity at all times.

    Simultaneously, the company is recruiting Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) to operate within its dynamic retail technology environment. This role is designed for individuals with a competitive drive for sales, extensive product knowledge, and a genuine passion for surpassing customer expectations. CSRs act as brand ambassadors, tasked with enhancing customer loyalty, boosting revenue, and fortifying the company’s reputation through every interaction.

    The company promises a competitive compensation and benefits package, which will be tailored to the successful candidates’ specific qualifications and professional experience.

    Interested applicants are instructed to submit their Curriculum Vitae (CVs) to the dedicated email address, [email protected], no later than March 25, 2026. Alternatively, physical applications with resumes can be delivered to the People & Performance Manager at the company’s headquarters on Granby Street in Grenada.

    The announcement concludes with a disclaimer from NOW Grenada, clarifying that the media platform is not responsible for contributor opinions or content and provides a mechanism for reporting abuse.

  • FM Greene Participates in Twelfth UK-Caribbean Forum

    FM Greene Participates in Twelfth UK-Caribbean Forum

    The Twelfth UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum convened in London on March 10, 2026, bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from Caribbean nations and the United Kingdom. The high-level dialogue served as a strategic platform to evaluate progress within the bilateral partnership and address critical areas of mutual concern.

    Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs for Antigua and Barbuda, led his nation’s delegation. In his address, Minister Greene reaffirmed the Caribbean’s steadfast dedication to deepening collaborative ties with the United Kingdom to confront pressing global and regional challenges. A central pillar of his discourse was the advocacy for expanded trade relations and enhanced service exchanges between the UK and Caribbean nations.

    Minister Greene brought significant attention to the role of Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme as a vital mechanism for economic development. Furthermore, he issued a compelling call for escalated international ambition on climate action, highlighting the critical need for improved access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which remain on the front lines of the climate crisis.

    The Minister emphasized the urgent requirement for fortified cooperation in disaster preparedness and regional resilience. He pointed to the increasing severity of climate-induced disasters affecting Caribbean states and advocated for stronger partnerships to bolster early warning systems, emergency response capabilities, and long-term infrastructural resilience throughout the region.

    Looking ahead, Minister Greene expressed anticipation for hosting Commonwealth leaders later in the year and acknowledged the continued support from international partners, including the UK, in preparatory efforts for the upcoming event.

    The UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum stands as a crucial diplomatic conduit for fostering economic collaboration and promoting initiatives aimed at sustainable development, regional security, and shared prosperity. The Antigua and Barbuda delegation included Her Excellency High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, Minister Counsellor Ms. Chantal Phillip, and Second Secretary Mr. Brent Scotland.

  • ABEC Issues Voting Guidelines Ahead of St Philip North By-Election

    ABEC Issues Voting Guidelines Ahead of St Philip North By-Election

    The Electoral Commission of Antigua and Barbuda (ABEC) has unveiled comprehensive electoral protocols for the upcoming St Philip North by-election scheduled for March 16, 2026. These measures are designed to safeguard electoral integrity and ensure transparent voting procedures throughout the constituency.

    Voting operations will commence at 06:00 hours and conclude at 18:00 hours across all designated polling stations. The commission emphasizes the mandatory requirement for all voters to present their official identification cards and strictly adhere to directives issued by presiding electoral officers.

    Electoral authorities have issued specific voting instructions: ballots must contain a single marked selection, with voters advised to meticulously verify party symbols before finalizing their votes. Election officials will provide assistance to any voter requiring clarification about the voting process.

    In a significant security measure, ABEC will implement strict technology restrictions within voting areas. All mobile communication devices and smartwatches will be collected upon entry and prohibited throughout the voting process.

    The commission has additionally established campaign-free zones, prohibiting the display of party colors or any electoral propaganda within a 100-yard radius of polling locations. These comprehensive regulations aim to maintain impartial voting environments and prevent undue influence.

    ABEC officials stated these preventive measures are essential for conducting a orderly, transparent electoral process that upholds democratic principles. The commission strongly encouraged all registered voters in the St Philip North constituency to exercise their democratic rights through active participation in this significant by-election.

  • Grenada calls global family home with launch of 2026 Diaspora Homecoming

    Grenada calls global family home with launch of 2026 Diaspora Homecoming

    In a historic move to strengthen national ties, Grenada has officially unveiled its 2026 Diaspora Homecoming initiative—a comprehensive two-week program designed to reconnect overseas Grenadians with their cultural roots while fostering national development through global engagement.

    The event, scheduled from June 21 to July 5, 2026, will transform the Spice Isle into a hub of cultural celebration and community connection. The Homecoming aims to attract Grenadians from North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and throughout the Caribbean, including multiple generations who have never visited their ancestral homeland.

    Formally announced at a press conference held at the National Cricket Stadium, the initiative is spearheaded by the Office of Diaspora Affairs. Ambassador Terrance Forrester, Head of Diaspora Affairs, characterized the event as “a powerful invitation to reconnect with the essence of home,” emphasizing that this represents a formal national invitation to both Grenadians abroad and international friends of the nation.

    The program features an innovative dual approach: cultural reconnection and sustainable development. A highlight includes the National Spice Replanting Day on June 27, 2026, which targets the planting of 100,000 spice trees to revitalize Grenada’s agricultural legacy. Senator The Hon. Roderick St Clair, General Manager of the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association, outlined plans to engage schools, community organizations, and farmers in this sustainability effort.

    Complementing the environmental initiative, the Homecoming will feature a dynamic calendar of cultural events, community activities, and engagement opportunities across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.

    The Grenada Tourism Authority’s Chairman, Randall Dolland, highlighted the strategic importance of diaspora engagement: “As a small island state, our greatest resource is our people, many of whom live and contribute from all over the world. Building a stronger Grenada requires a collective effort that includes the strength, expertise and support of our diaspora.”

    Organizers have launched a national logo design competition inviting creative contributions from Grenadians worldwide and established a dedicated website to serve as the central hub for program information and registration details.

  • Reid seeks nearly $188m to drive Barbados’ digital transformation

    Reid seeks nearly $188m to drive Barbados’ digital transformation

    Barbados has launched an ambitious digital transformation agenda with Senator Jonathan Reid, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, announcing a strategic $187 million budgetary allocation during Tuesday’s parliamentary debate. The funding represents a cornerstone of the nation’s Vision 2030 framework, positioning technological advancement as central to economic modernization.

    Addressing the House of Assembly, Minister Reid characterized this period as a ‘decisive moment’ in Barbados’s national development. He emphasized that global economic landscapes are being radically reshaped by rapid technological progress, creating both challenges and unprecedented opportunities for smaller nations. ‘Nations that were once small players are now becoming global leaders in ways they couldn’t previously imagine,’ Reid stated. ‘But you have to choose to become a leader in that space.’

    The ministry’s mandate involves orchestrating a fundamental economic transition from traditional structures toward a digitally-driven development model. This transformation will prioritize digital innovation, enhanced industrial capacity, and the building of resilient economic prosperity. Reid outlined a comprehensive four-year implementation strategy with progressive benchmarks: beginning with the ‘Year of Better’ in 2026–2027, advancing through ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ phases, and ultimately achieving ‘world-class’ digital standards by 2030.

    Central to this vision is the ministry’s own institutional metamorphosis into a ‘digital-first, innovation-driven’ organization capable of guiding national transformation. Reid described the ministry’s role as that of a catalytic agent that will propel Barbados’s ‘leap into the new economy,’ making the nation a competitive player in the global digital landscape through strategic investments and policy leadership.

  • Grenada reaffirms commitment to Commonwealth

    Grenada reaffirms commitment to Commonwealth

    Grenada’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Export Development, Roxie McLeish-Hutchinson, led a high-level delegation through a series of significant Commonwealth engagements in London from March 7-9, 2026. The diplomatic mission reinforced Grenada’s enduring commitment to Commonwealth principles and partnerships while advancing the nation’s foreign policy objectives on the global stage.

    The intensive three-day agenda commenced with the 72nd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting, where Grenada joined seven other member nations in deliberating critical issues of governance, democracy, and adherence to the Commonwealth Charter. As an active CMAG member, Grenada contributes to the group’s mandate of addressing serious or persistent violations of democratic principles, rule of law, and human rights across the Commonwealth.

    On March 8, attention turned to the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM), where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation, tackling global challenges, and strengthening the Commonwealth’s collective voice. Key agenda items included climate change mitigation, sustainable development initiatives, and building economic resilience—particularly vital concerns for vulnerable small island developing states like Grenada. Delegates emphasized the organization’s strategic relevance in countering contemporary threats to multilateralism and bridging global divides.

    The diplomatic activities culminated with Commonwealth Day observances on March 9, featuring solemn ceremonies and celebratory events. The day commenced with a flag-raising ceremony at the House of Commons, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Memorial Gates honoring Commonwealth service members from both World Wars. This year’s theme, ‘Women in War,’ paid special tribute to female contributions during conflicts, exemplified by figures like Noor Inayat Khan, a British Indian Special Operations Executive during WWII.

    Permanent Secretary McLeish-Hutchinson laid a wreath on behalf of Grenada’s government and people, honoring fallen service members including Caribbean air service personnel. The commemorations continued with the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, attended by over 2,000 participants including King Charles III, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, and various dignitaries. Grenada was represented by Chevening Scholar Johnathan Andrew as flagbearer during the parade of flags from all 56 member states.

    The London engagements concluded with a reception at St James’s Palace featuring cricketing legend Sir Vivian Richards of Antigua and Barbuda, who serves as special envoy for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

    For Grenada, these high-level meetings provided crucial platforms to amplify the nation’s voice, build strategic partnerships, and advocate for global action on issues disproportionately affecting small island states. In an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, the Commonwealth remains an essential forum for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action—offering smaller nations meaningful participation in international decision-making processes.

    Permanent Secretary McLeish-Hutchinson emphasized Grenada’s steadfast support for Commonwealth initiatives, noting the organization’s value in providing capacity building, technical assistance, and policy collaboration that directly benefits small island developing states. Grenada’s active diplomatic engagement underscores its commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation while advancing national interests in sustainable and resilient development.

  • Academic and medical communities mourn passing of Dr Tomlin Paul

    Academic and medical communities mourn passing of Dr Tomlin Paul

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The international academic world is grieving the loss of Dr. Tomlin Paul, an esteemed physician and educational pioneer whose transformative career dedicated over thirty years to advancing medical education, public health, and institutional development across the Caribbean and beyond.

  • Women diagnosed with breast cancer urged to access care promptly

    Women diagnosed with breast cancer urged to access care promptly

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A groundbreaking public health study has exposed alarming delays in breast cancer treatment across Jamaica, with patients waiting an average of 44 weeks between symptom discovery and treatment initiation. Dr. Marcia Johnson-Campbell, a leading public health specialist and regional coordinator for non-communicable diseases, presented these critical findings at a recent JIS Think Tank session.

    Her research, conducted through the University of the West Indies as part of her Doctor of Public Health degree, analyzed breast cancer cases treated at Cornwall Regional Hospital between 2012-2016. The investigation revealed a dangerous pattern: women typically waited 18 weeks before seeking medical attention after noticing symptoms, followed by an additional 27-week gap between initial consultation and treatment commencement.

    Disturbingly, over 58% of patients exceeded the internationally recommended six-month treatment threshold. Dr. Johnson-Campbell’s work, which earned dual awards at Jamaica’s 16th National Health Research Conference, directly links these delays to poorer survival outcomes in a country where breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

    The study identifies a critical disconnect between public awareness and personal risk assessment. “Individuals wore breast cancer pins but didn’t recognize their own vulnerability,” Dr. Johnson-Campbell noted, emphasizing that many women believed “it wouldn’t happen to them.”

    Her recommendations include monthly self-examinations for women over 21, annual mammograms after age 40 despite costs, and systemic improvements through expanded screening access, faster diagnostic turnaround times, and strengthened national policies. Crucially, she emphasizes that a cancer diagnosis isn’t a death sentence and urges women to seek support networks throughout their treatment journey.

  • Budget Debate: Tax on sugary drinks will not result in healthier choices – Robinson

    Budget Debate: Tax on sugary drinks will not result in healthier choices – Robinson

    During the 2026-2027 Budget Debate at Gordon House on Tuesday, Opposition Finance Spokesman Julian Robinson launched a substantive critique against the government’s newly proposed tax on non-alcoholic sugary beverages. While acknowledging the serious public health concerns surrounding excessive sugar consumption, Robinson fundamentally questioned whether the fiscal measure would achieve its stated objective of curbing diabetes and obesity rates.

    Robinson articulated that the core flaw in the policy lies in its economic impact on consumer behavior. He argued that imposing a tax simply increases the cost of all beverages, making healthier alternatives—already priced at a premium—even less accessible to the average Jamaican. This, he contended, fails to address the root of the problem. Instead of weaning citizens off sugar, the tax may merely place a heavier financial burden on those who can least afford it, without reducing their sugar intake.

    Proposing an alternative pathway, the Opposition Spokesman insisted the government possesses a more direct and effective regulatory tool: mandating manufacturers to reformulate their products. By requiring a reduction in sugar content within a defined timeframe, the administration could directly limit the amount of sugar consumed by the populace, an action Robinson stated is well within the government’s existing legal authority.

    The critique centers on the government’s chosen policy mechanism, suggesting that a tax is a revenue-generation tool misrepresented as a health intervention. Robinson’s analysis concludes that without affordable and accessible healthy alternatives, the levy will miss its public health target, leaving Jamaica’s pressing sugar consumption issue unresolved.