Carib Scope

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  • Baron Bliss Lighthouse Gets Long-Awaited Structural Upgrade

    Baron Bliss Lighthouse Gets Long-Awaited Structural Upgrade

    For decades, the Baron Bliss Lighthouse has anchored Belize City’s waterfront, serving not just as a navigational marker but as one of the most beloved cultural symbols of the entire nation of Belize. But years of coastal exposure and erosion left the historic landmark visibly crumbling, sparking widespread worry among locals and tourism stakeholders that the site could be lost forever to structural failure.

    As of July 23, 2026, however, those fears are giving way to optimism: long-planned restoration and upgrade work on the lighthouse is officially underway. The multi-faceted project is far more than a simple repair of the aging structure. Led jointly by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the national Ministry of Tourism, the initiative includes full structural retrofitting of the lighthouse itself, extensive shoreline stabilization to counteract the coastal erosion that threatened the site, widespread landscape beautification, and the construction of a new circular boardwalk surrounding the monument.

    Deputy Mayor of Belize City Eluide Miller expressed enthusiasm for the project in a recent statement, noting that local leadership has pushed for intervention at the site for years. “There was significant erosion taking place in that area and so it was absolutely necessary,” Miller explained, adding that city officials are deeply grateful that the BTB and national tourism ministry took on the leadership and investment for the work. When complete, the overhaul is expected to transform the entire waterfront area around the lighthouse into a more dynamic, welcoming tourism hub that benefits both local residents and out-of-town visitors.

    The urgency of the project dates back to 2025, when Chief Engineer Evondale Moody issued a formal public warning advising people to avoid gathering near the lighthouse. At that time, Moody noted that ongoing structural settling and a gradual lean of the monument could not be fully evaluated for stability, creating an unacceptable public safety risk that closed the popular site to large crowds for more than a year.

    City and tourism officials say the project will strike a critical balance: it will preserve a core piece of Belize’s national history and cultural identity, while also upgrading the area to meet modern safety standards and support the country’s key tourism economy. The revitalized site is expected to draw more visitors to Belize City’s waterfront, support local small businesses, and create a shared public space that the community can enjoy safely for generations to come. This report is adapted from a televised evening news broadcast transcript originally published online.

  • PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    In an exclusive reveal to Barbados TODAY, the association representing private public service vehicle (PSV) owners in Barbados is preparing to roll out a transformative 10-point public transit overhaul, with landmark commitments to accessible, free on-demand transportation for the island’s disabled community and a formal bid to participate in the national Transport Board’s divestment programme.

    Roy Raphael, chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), announced Wednesday that the group will soon sit down with the Ministry of Transport and Works to table its investment proposal for the state-owned transit authority. Raphael confirmed that the Co-operative Investment Fund, led by president Oriel Doyle, has already collaborated closely with the AOPT to draft a full purchase proposal submitted to the national government.

    “The association has a direct vested interest in moving this proposal forward under the government’s divestment framework,” Raphael said, declining to share further details on the investment terms ahead of the formal ministry meeting, but promising regular public updates on the full 10-point plan in the coming weeks.

    The plan’s centerpiece is a sweeping set of reforms to address longstanding gaps in accessible public transit for Barbados’ disabled population, a need that AOPT leadership prioritized after direct consultations with disabled community stakeholders. Raphael explained that disabled residents currently face limited options, forced to rely exclusively on the state Transport Board or costly private taxis for travel, with zero accessible PSV vehicles currently in operation across the island.

    To lead this accessibility push, the AOPT has appointed Craig Banfield, a serving complaints officer, as Special Assignments Officer tasked with collaborating directly with disabled communities to remove transit barriers. During a recent nationwide outreach tour covering Warrens, sections of Bridgetown and northern parishes, AOPT leaders identified multiple systemic issues, from inaccessible bus stop heights and proximity to busy roadways to a total lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the private PSV fleet.

    The association’s plan calls for at least five to six of 15 incoming government-approved electric buses to be modified for disabled accessibility, deployed along a new flexible “blue route” designed to connect riders directly to key essential services including supermarkets, retail outlets and health clinics. Unlike traditional fixed public transit routes, the blue route will be adjusted dynamically based on where disabled riders reside, making service more responsive to community needs while remaining open to all general public riders.

    Addressing cost barriers that have locked many low-income disabled residents out of specialized transit, Raphael confirmed that all blue route services for disabled riders will be completely free of charge. The AOPT is currently working with the Barbados Council for the Disabled to secure community funding to provide small stipends to participating drivers, eliminating any out-of-pocket cost for riders while compensating drivers for their time. The on-demand service will be available 24 hours a day, with service guaranteed whenever a rider books a trip.

    More accessibility commitments are woven throughout the 10-point plan, including upgrades to existing bus stops in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and the Barbados Council for the Disabled, two additional accessible buses funded through a pending partnership with the Chinese Embassy, and specialized driver training for all staff working with disabled riders. The plan also integrates disabled accessibility into national disaster preparedness: 25 licensed ZM and Z taxis will be placed on reserve for the Ministry of Transport and Works’ emergency response plan to evacuate disabled residents to shelters during hurricane season, with AOPT members receiving specialized training to assist during emergency evacuations.

    To address mobility needs for disabled residents with severe health conditions, the AOPT also plans to launch a dedicated non-critical care ambulance service, operated by volunteer drivers on a structured roster. The service will fill a gap for disabled residents who cannot sit for extended periods or walk for standard transit, with two new accessible buses and one dedicated ambulance planned for launch if all funding and approvals are finalized.

    Additional components of the 10-point plan include expanded access to ZR route taxi services for schoolchildren, with AOPT planning to meet with the Ministry of Education next academic term to discuss the proposal, and a nationwide public safety and security education campaign for transit users and drivers. Raphael added that the AOPT will also use its upcoming meeting with the Ministry of Transport to address longstanding industry issues including permit processing and streamline collaboration between the private association and state transport regulators, as well as discuss cooperation frameworks with the Transport Board leadership ahead of the divestment bid.

    Raphael confirmed that implementation of the 10-point plan will begin within the next month, with full progress updates to be released publicly in the coming months as key initiatives move forward.

  • UB Seeks International Stamp of Approval for Its Degree Programs

    UB Seeks International Stamp of Approval for Its Degree Programs

    Years of systematic institutional upgrades have culminated in a landmark step for the University of Belize (UB), which formally submitted its Application for Accreditation Candidacy to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on July 23, 2026. This move paves the way for international validation of UB’s degree programs, unlocking expanded academic and professional opportunities for its current students and graduates across the globe.

    According to UB President Dr. Vincent Palacio, the university dedicated four years to rigorous internal improvements ahead of the submission, overhauling key areas including faculty qualification standards, institutional governance frameworks, policy development, and institutional-wide quality assurance mechanisms. After years of incremental upgrades, institutional leadership confirmed that the university has met the preliminary requirements to launch the formal accreditation process.

    “After four years of targeted work to align our operations with international standards, we are ready to put our application forward,” Dr. Palacio explained in an interview following the submission. “We have systematically reviewed every requirement, from faculty credentials to program evaluation protocols and quality assurance frameworks, and we are confident in the progress we have made.”

    Following the application submission, the next phase of the process will bring a team of SACSCOC assessors to UB’s campus for an on-site verification review, where evaluators will confirm that the university’s stated practices match its actual operations before a final decision on accreditation candidacy is rendered. Dr. Palacio emphasized that the milestone represents a transformative shift for the institution, addressing a longstanding barrier that has impacted UB students for years.

    For students and graduates, the international accreditation will deliver immediate, tangible benefits by dramatically boosting the global credibility of UB degrees. Currently, many transfer applicants from UB face extra hurdles when seeking to move credits to international universities, with admissions departments regularly requiring additional course documentation or rejecting transferred credits entirely due to the lack of formal international accreditation. Once accredited, this barrier will be largely eliminated.

    “Right now, when our students try to transfer to other international institutions to complete a bachelor’s degree after an associate program at UB, or pursue graduate study after earning their undergraduate degree here, the first question they get is whether their home institution is accredited,” Dr. Palacio noted. “With this accreditation, there will be no question. Students will no longer need to submit detailed course outlines for individual credit reviews; institutions will immediately recognize UB’s credits because of the international stamp of approval from SACSCOC.”

    In a separate, parallel development, UB’s medical school is also advancing its own international accreditation push, pursuing validation from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medicine and Other Health Professions. That process could only launch after the school completed its first full cycle of student enrollment and graduation, putting it on track for evaluation in the coming years.

    This report is a transcribed excerpt from an evening television newscast covering the announcement.

  • CitCo Provides Range of Summer Opportunities for City Kids

    CitCo Provides Range of Summer Opportunities for City Kids

    As summer break puts formal academic classes on hold across Belize City, the Belize City Council (CitCo) has launched a full suite of no-cost summer enrichment opportunities designed to keep local children engaged, safe, and growing — while easing financial strain on working families. Running through the vacation period, the initiative blends athletic training, academic refreshers, and wellness activities tailored to match the diverse interests of the city’s young population, addressing gaps in accessible out-of-school programming for kids from all backgrounds.

    At the popular Bird’s Isle recreational courts, more than 40 young aspiring basketball players gather every weekday afternoon to build foundational skills in the sport. The peewee basketball camp, led by experienced coach Roscoe Rhys with support from CitCo interoffice champions Auburn Rivero and Kevin Hamilton, focuses not just on athletic technique but also on teamwork, discipline, and positive social connection outside of the classroom. For years, the camp’s most anticipated event has been its final game day, where young participants get the chance to showcase their newly honed skills in an official match. Following the game, city leadership distributes critical back-to-school supplies, including branded backpacks, core academic materials, and this year, new footwear for attendees. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner noted that the program fills a key need for structured positive activity during the summer break, urging local residents to continue supporting the youth-focused initiative. “It is an opportunity for the city to engage with our youths, with our children — have them be in a positive environment during the course of the summer,” Wagner explained, adding that he hopes to attend this year’s game day as he recovers from a recent recreational sports competition victory.

    For young learners looking to shore up their academic skills ahead of the upcoming school year, CitCo’s City Hub offers free targeted tutoring in English and mathematics. The program builds on the council’s ongoing student support initiative, launched in 2023, which has provided free homework help, one-on-one mentoring, and after-school tutoring to local students through a network of community hubs. Program manager Michael Fritz explained that the summer academic classes were developed to address a documented gap in foundational literacy and numeracy skills among local youth, turning unstructured vacation time into an opportunity for targeted growth. “We are taking it a bit further, and we did realize that there is a gap in terms of literacy, so why not utilize the summer amidst all of the fun, amidst all of the learning, to go back to the basics of math and English?” Fritz said. On a recent program day, more than 20 students actively participated in a reading comprehension lesson led by veteran instructor Dennis Thompson, focusing on the parable of the Prodigal Son.

    Beyond athletics and academics, the council has added wellness programming to suit children seeking a lower-intensity outlet: free weekly yoga sessions held in local parks on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, led by certified instructor Eda Arzu. All programming offerings were curated with input from CitCo’s Child Advisory Body, a youth-led group that recommends activities aligned with the actual interests of local children, rather than top-down assumptions about what young people want. This user-centered approach ensures that every child, regardless of their hobby or skill level, can find a structured, positive activity to fill their summer break.

    For many Belize City families, the free programming fills a significant financial gap. Similar private summer programs typically cost parents upwards of $200 USD per child per week, putting structured enrichment out of reach for many low and middle-income households. By offering all activities and supplies completely free of charge, CitCo’s initiative not only gives kids a productive alternative to unstructured time at home but also provides critical financial relief to households that would otherwise struggle to cover summer childcare and activity costs.

  • Fiscale ringfencing bij O&G-contractors: eigen mening gaat niet boven de wet

    Fiscale ringfencing bij O&G-contractors: eigen mening gaat niet boven de wet

    In a recent response to counterarguments put forward by Siegfried Kenswil LLM, Suriname-based fiscal and legal advisor Roy Shyamnarain has stood firm on his original core position: compliance with Article 19 of Suriname’s Petroleum Law directly shapes the tax treatment of oil and gas (O&G) contractors operating in the country. Shyamnarain argues that despite extensive rhetoric, tangential references, and misattribution of claims in Kenswil’s rebuttal, the original conclusion remains entirely valid.

    To clarify the scope and impact of Article 19, Shyamnarain emphasizes that the provision must be interpreted in conjunction with other key sections of the Petroleum Law, including Articles 1(b), 1(g), 11, and 20. When read as a cohesive legal framework, the text makes clear that the mandatory requirement for contractors to establish and legally register a local office in Suriname creates formal tax residency for that local entity. This tax obligation in turn dictates that taxable income for the contractor’s local office is calculated as total revenue generated from PSC activities minus eligible expenses directly tied to work conducted under that petroleum agreement.

    The text of Article 19 itself lays out two core requirements: first, all contractors must maintain a permanent office in Paramaribo to carry out activities stemming from their petroleum agreement; second, this office must be registered in full compliance with national legal regulations. Article 20 of the law further requires that all areas covered by petroleum agreements are defined as individually numbered blocks, which leads to a critical tax implication: only revenue and expenses linked to operations within a single defined block can be counted when calculating a contractor’s taxable income. This means statutory rules limit cost deductions exclusively to expenses incurred for work within the specific block outlined in the contractor’s PSC, as required by Article 20. Article 11 of the law confirms that all provisions of Chapter IV, which includes Articles 19 and 20, apply to every existing petroleum agreement in the country.

    Addressing a key argument from Kenswil that regulators have not historically enforced the requirement, Shyamnarain notes that non-enforcement of a regulation does not invalidate it or create legal rights for parties that fail to comply. The obligation to maintain a registered local office rests solely with the contractor, and inaction from Staatsolie, the Surinamese government, or the national tax service to date does not erase this requirement. Sooner or later, all contractors must meet this compliance obligation fully, he argues.

    Shyamnarain adds that contractors actually have multiple flexible legal pathways to meet the local office requirement, based on his professional experience advising firms in the sector. The first option is for contractors to directly register a local branch of their existing foreign entity. The second is to establish a new locally incorporated subsidiary, transfer all PSC obligations to that subsidiary in line with Article 16 of the Petroleum Law and Article 44 of the model PSC, and have the subsidiary operate as the legal successor to the original contractor. The third option is to establish a foreign subsidiary, transfer PSC obligations to that entity under the same legal provisions, then have the foreign subsidiary register a local branch in Suriname to act as legal successor. The choice between these structures depends on the specific operational and financial circumstances of each contractor.

    Contrary to claims that this interpretation represents new policy or evolving legal standards that conflict with existing agreements, Shyamnarain stresses that Article 19 has contained clear, unchanged language since the earliest PSCs were signed. This longstanding rule does not contradict the terms of any existing agreements, and contractors have always been aware of this obligation. This is explicitly confirmed in Article 35.1 of the standard model PSC, which states: “Pursuant to Article 19 of the Petroleum Law of 1990, Contractor and/or Operator shall have a legal representative in Suriname and maintain an office in Suriname for the purpose of carrying out Contractor’s responsibilities under this Contract. Any such office and/or representative(s) shall be registered as required by Applicable Law.”

    In closing, Shyamnarain reiterates that full compliance with Article 19 means tax deductions for an O&G contractor’s taxable income are limited to only those expenses tied to operations within the specific block for which the contractor is required to maintain a local Suriname office. Whether this practice is labeled “fiscal ringfencing” or not is irrelevant; the law is clear on this requirement, he says. He adds that Article 19.2.1 of the model PSC further confirms that contractors acknowledge this tax framework, as it explicitly outlines that taxable income and expenses are calculated exclusively for activities tied to the specific contract, with all tax calculations aligned with the national Petroleum Law and Income Tax Act.

    Closing with a pointed note, Shyamnarain says the unnecessary debate over this clear legal provision serves its own unstated purpose, and that no further discussion is needed on the matter.

  • Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    As Barbados’ iconic Crop Over festival enters its final, most anticipated stretch, personal care providers across Bridgetown’s busy shopping malls are navigating an unexpected slow start to the peak seasonal period – though most remain optimistic that a last-minute surge of clients will lift their earnings before the annual celebration concludes.

    Daniel Singh, a barber at Oddies Barbershop located in Bridgetown’s Bridge Street Mall, told reporters he has yet to see the usual uptick in foot traffic that comes with the annual festival. “For me it’s kind of slow right now. I feel it will pick up later on, toward the end of the month,” Singh said, noting that his revenue stream relies heavily on the consistent patronage of his regular client base.

    Currently, Singh completes between eight and nine haircuts per day on average. He added that while elaborate custom hair designs are rare this season, most Crop Over attendees are opting for functional, low-fuss styles. “Mainly when Crop Over is going on, people just ask for fades, shaves, and basic roundups. Designs only come in two or three times a week, if that – maybe three times a month tops,” he explained.

    A similar slow trend was reported by Kevin, a barber at Hair Fair 911 in Swan Street’s Mall 16. After quiet trading through most of June and early July, Kevin said he has already started to see a small uptick in clients, and expects business to boom in the coming week. “This is the time where we expect that business will start to boom within the next week. For the next two weeks, business will be up… until back to school season starts,” he said.

    Kevin averages around seven haircuts per day between Monday and Thursday, but on weekends that number doubles to between 15 and 17 customers. Like Singh, he noted that growing numbers of clients are requesting simple, low-maintenance styles, most commonly temple fades finished with a sharp pencil line. These cuts are not only easier for customers to maintain between appointments, they are also more budget-friendly and faster for barbers to complete, Kevin explained.

    While optimistic about the coming weeks, Kevin acknowledged that delayed wage payments and broader financial pressures have held back consumer spending earlier in the season. “For the last two to three weeks it was pretty dead… people weren’t getting their payments on time… it’d be hard to come and spend on a haircut, to be honest with you. But you’re seeing it now… business will be up this weekend,” he said.

    Sharon Barker-Holmes, a hairstylist at Curls and Tips also located in Mall 16, outlined multiple overlapping factors that have driven the seasonal slowdown for her business. First, many of her regular clients already got new hairstyles for recent graduation ceremonies, and long-lasting braided styles mean they do not need a second professional appointment for Crop Over. She also pointed to shifting consumer habits, with many people now turning to YouTube tutorials to learn at-home styling, or purchasing wigs to style themselves rather than booking professional services. Some even rely on untrained friends or family members to cut and style their hair instead of visiting a salon.

    Broader economic challenges are also cutting into client spending, Barker-Holmes added, with many of her regular clients working in Barbados’ key tourism industry facing reduced working hours and tighter incomes. “A lot of my clients in the hotel industry… their hours are being cut… so they don’t have the funds. You can’t pressure nobody to come and get nothing done if they don’t have it,” she said.

    While some days are still busy, Barker-Holmes said her turnover has not matched the levels she saw in previous years. “Today I might sit in here and then tomorrow I’m busy, busy, busy. I can’t say that you’re making money like you’re making it as you used to,” she explained. Where she once regularly served eight clients a day comfortably, that number now counts as an unusually busy day. She added that growing competition from newly qualified cosmetology graduates, many of whom offer lower-priced services from home, has also drawn clients away from established salons. “The young ladies that are now coming out of school doing cosmetology… everybody coming out thinking they’re a hairdresser… they’re taken away from what I would be receiving as a hairstylist,” she said.

    Nail technician Rhea, who operates Orhevia’s Nails inside Bella Voi Beauty Salon in Mall 16, reported a prolonged slowdown that has lasted since the spring. “Since after Mother’s Day, the pace has really slowed down and ain’t as much foot traffic… not as many appointments since Mother’s Day,” she said. Rhea sees between two and five clients a day on average, accepting both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments. She added that clients’ current booking patterns clearly reflect tighter household budgets, with most people sticking to lower-cost basic services rather than splurging on premium treatments, even for the festival. “When they ask for less, they have a budget that they’re working with, and even when they’re coming for a celebration or event, they didn’t actually spend more than what they accustomed to spending,” she explained.

    Even with the slow start, Rhea shares the widespread optimism among Bridgetown’s beauty community that the final days of Crop Over will bring the seasonal boost they have been waiting for. “I pray… hopefully that it picks up by Friday or Saturday,” she said.

  • Court Ordered Them to Stop. They Didn’t. Now They’re Being Sued

    Court Ordered Them to Stop. They Didn’t. Now They’re Being Sued

    In Belize City, a high-stakes defamation case is bringing long-simmering tensions over unregulated online speech to a head, just as national lawmakers consider sweeping new rules for digital content creators. The conflict began in March, when three defendants — Sharon Mae Peters, Teresita Moody, and Leith Dawson — shared damaging, unsubstantiated claims about a local couple during a public social media livestream.

    By April, the couple had secured an emergency court injunction ordering the livestreamer to immediately cease spreading the defamatory allegations. Rather than complying with the court order, the content creator repeated the same false claims just days later on an independent talk show over the Easter holiday weekend.

    Now, attorney Tiffany Cadle, who represents the aggrieved couple, is moving forward with a request for a default judgement against the three defendants, all of whom have failed to submit a formal legal response to the defamation lawsuit. Cadle initially attempted to pursue criminal cyberbullying charges over the intentional violation of the court’s injunction, but local law enforcement has not taken any action on that complaint to date.

    In a statement on the case, Cadle emphasized that she supports free expression and the right of Belizeans to raise awareness of public issues online, but stressed that this right comes with a critical accountability guardrail: all claims shared publicly must be factually accurate.

    This legal proceeding is unfolding at a pivotal moment for Belize’s media regulation landscape: lawmakers are currently debating the proposed Broadcasting Act 2026, a piece of legislation that would expand government oversight of online content platforms. The Belize Broadcasting Authority has clarified that the new rules are designed to target commercial online broadcasters, not casual social media users. Whether a creator is classified as a commercial broadcaster requiring a license will be determined by three factors: total audience size, frequency of content publication, and whether the creator earns commercial revenue from their work.

    Cadle has publicly pushed back against the proposed exemption for self-identified activists who maintain large public online audiences. She argues that any creator with a public platform, regardless of whether they label themselves an activist, and regardless of whether their content focuses on politics, religion, or local community issues, should be required to hold an official broadcasting license to operate legally.

    The case has been adjourned until October 6, with the court ordering both parties to participate in mandatory judicial settlement talks before the next hearing. The separate allegation that the defendants violated the original emergency injunction remains an active question before the court, with no ruling issued to date. Belize’s News Five has announced it will air additional coverage of the case during its 6 p.m. evening broadcast tonight.

  • Stronger Passport, Same Travel Hurdles?

    Stronger Passport, Same Travel Hurdles?

    As of July 23, 2026, Belize has delivered notable upgrades to the anti-fraud security infrastructure of its national passport, government officials confirmed this week, though the long-running push to secure visa-free entry into the European Union’s Schengen Area remains unresolved for the Central American nation.

    Immigration Minister Kareem Musa told local outlet News 5 that the updated passport now integrates cutting-edge security features including infrared encoding and advanced machine-readable barcodes, upgrades that markedly strengthen the document’s resistance to forgery and tampering. “In terms of the security features of our passport, they have improved significantly with the infrared features, the barcode, and all of that. So the strength of the passport has definitely improved in terms of security, and I’m sure that we can always do better in terms of improving the overall strength of our passport,” Musa stated in the interview.

    The minister’s comments come amid renewed public debate over Belize’s failed bid to date to join the EU’s Schengen visa-waiver program, sparked by recent reports claiming Spain had formally ruled out supporting Belize’s accession to the scheme. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca moved quickly to push back on the speculation, clarifying that Belizean diplomatic teams remain actively engaged in negotiations with EU authorities, and no final negative decision has been issued by the bloc.

    At present, citizens of Belize still must apply for and obtain pre-travel visas to enter the European Union, the United States, and Canada — three of the most common international travel destinations for Belizean residents. Officials have framed improved passport security as a critical prerequisite to meeting the EU’s strict entry requirements for visa-waiver status, as the bloc prioritizes document security when evaluating candidate nations.

    For additional details from Minister Musa on Belize’s current negotiating position and ongoing efforts to expand global visa-free access for its citizens, viewers can tune into News 5 Live’s primetime broadcast at 6:00 local time this evening.

  • Leon Hess student is new Junior Minister for Tourism

    Leon Hess student is new Junior Minister for Tourism

    A promising young student from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School has claimed the top honor at Saint Lucia’s annual National Tourism Public Speaking Competition, earning the prestigious title of 2026 Junior Minister for Tourism. 10 competitors from secondary schools across the island took part in the annual event, held on July 2, and after rigorous evaluation by a panel of expert judges, 16-year-old Tiffany Jn. Jaques secured the first-place position, the Saint Lucia Department of Tourism officially announced in a press statement this Thursday.

    The annual National Tourism Public Speaking Competition was created to engage young people in the island’s core economic sector, providing a platform for secondary school students to demonstrate their industry knowledge, critical thinking abilities, creative problem-solving, leadership potential and public communication skills to a panel of industry judges. Unlike standard academic competitions, the contest encourages participants to develop concrete ideas for the future of Saint Lucia’s tourism, a sector that accounts for a large share of the island’s national GDP and employment.

    According to the Department of Tourism’s official announcement, Jn. Jaques stood out among the 10 finalists through her sharply articulate presentation, confident stage presence, and well-researched, forward-thinking vision for balancing continued tourism growth with long-term environmental and social sustainability for the sector. Her unique perspective on engaging youth in tourism development resonated strongly with judges, earning her the highest overall score across all competition categories.

    In her new role as 2026 Junior Minister for Tourism, Jn. Jaques will serve as an official youth ambassador for Saint Lucia’s tourism industry. Her core responsibilities will include leading outreach efforts to build tourism awareness among peer groups across the island’s secondary schools, and she will also represent Saint Lucia as an official youth delegate at this year’s Caribbean Tourism Organisation Youth Congress, a regional gathering that brings together young tourism advocates from across the Caribbean to discuss collective sector challenges and opportunities.

    Two other young competitors rounded out the event’s top three rankings: Chayah Robinson, a student from Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, claimed the second-place position, while Aiden George of Saint Mary’s College took third place. The Department of Tourism extended formal congratulations to all 10 finalists who competed in this year’s event, noting that every participant demonstrated impressive passion and insight for the future of the island’s tourism sector.

    The department also offered special thanks to the secondary school principals, teachers, family members and community supporters who provided guidance, preparation and encouragement to all competing students, crediting this collective backing as a key factor in the competition’s continued success year over year.

  • His Name is “Buddy” and He’s Begun a New Life Away From Abuse

    His Name is “Buddy” and He’s Begun a New Life Away From Abuse

    In the days after a graphic viral video of a pit bull mix being violently assaulted with a stick sparked widespread public anger across social media, the abused canine has started a new chapter of life far from his traumatic past, with a new name and a caring foster home.

    Formerly called Big Boy, the dog was renamed Buddy by his rescuer, Jessica Schreiber, a dedicated animal caregiver who welcomed him into her home just hours after seeing the disturbing footage. Schreiber explained that the new name was chosen to symbolize a clean break from his history of harm, while still carrying a gentle connection to his old identifier. “I wanted to leave his past in the past,” she shared in an interview with News 5 Wednesday. “I went with something that sounded similar, but also represented that he’s gonna be either my buddy or somebody’s buddy from now on.”

    Schreiber recounted that she could not shake the disturbing images after watching the video when it first circulated online. The footage left her heartbroken and unable to sleep, and she woke up convinced she had to intervene. By that morning, she had already convinced her husband that the couple should take the injured dog in. Buddy now joins seven other rescue dogs already living in Schreiber’s home.

    According to medical updates, Buddy is receiving daily eye treatment after being attacked with gasoline prior to the beating captured on camera, and he is currently awaiting the results of routine bloodwork to guide his ongoing care. While the trauma of his past abuse still leaves visible marks on his behavior—he flinches involuntarily whenever any object moves toward his face—Schreiber says Buddy has never shown any signs of aggression toward humans. On the contrary, he remains affectionate and gentle with every person he meets.

    Schreiber has not yet made a final decision about Buddy’s long-term future. She is focused on his rehabilitation right now, and will either adopt him permanently or place him in a separate loving forever home once he has fully healed from his trauma.

    The incident, which took place in Cotton Tree Village, has already drawn broad condemnation from the animal welfare community. Earlier this week, 11 different organizations released a joint statement calling the abuse a visible symptom of deeper, systemic societal failures around animal protection. Local law enforcement confirmed Monday that the investigation into the incident is still active, and no charges have yet been filed against the man seen assaulting Buddy in the viral video.