Carib Scope

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  • Another Regional News Organisation Shuts Down

    Another Regional News Organisation Shuts Down

    The Caribbean media sector is experiencing significant transformation as established news organizations confront mounting operational challenges. This trend has manifested through recent closures and corporate consolidations across the region.

    In the Cayman Islands, independent digital publication IEyeNews ceased operations in January after nearly 14 years of service. Founder Colin Wilson attributed the shutdown to financial constraints, specifically the inability of hosting provider Rackspace Technology to extend further credit. Wilson expressed concern that the outlet’s extensive 14-year archive faces permanent deletion unless acquired by new ownership, with the entire operation offered for $15,000.

    Jamaica’s media landscape is undergoing parallel changes as Radio Jamaica Limited (RJL) received regulatory approval for comprehensive restructuring. The consolidation will merge Multimedia Jamaica Limited, Independent Radio Company Limited, Gleaner Online Limited, Reggae Entertainment Television Limited, and Jamaica News Network Limited under the RJL umbrella. Concurrently, the company requested temporary suspension of broadcast licenses for Power 106 FM and HITZ 92 FM to address transmission infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Melissa. RJL will prioritize strengthening coverage at its flagship stations Radio Jamaica 94FM and FAME 95FM while evaluating potential divestment of the suspended stations.

    This restructuring follows earlier regional media contractions, including telecommunications provider Digicel’s termination of its Loop News digital platform and SportsMax regional sports broadcaster. Guyana’s Stabroek News, established in the 1960s, announced it will halt print operations by March 15, 2026, characterizing the decision as profoundly difficult. These developments follow the recent closure of Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday after 32 years of circulation.

    Industry analysts identify common pressures affecting Caribbean media viability, including escalating operational expenditures, diminishing advertising revenue, and intensified competition from global digital platforms like Google and Facebook.

  • World Leaders to Meet in Antigua for First Global Summit on Eye Health

    World Leaders to Meet in Antigua for First Global Summit on Eye Health

    In an unprecedented global health initiative, Antigua and Barbuda will host the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health on November 2, 2026. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that world leaders, ministers, and business executives will convene in St. John’s to establish a transformative agenda for vision care worldwide.

    The landmark summit, organized in technical partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), represents the first dedicated international gathering to accelerate political, financial, and cross-sector commitments to ocular health. The event will assemble senior representatives from governments, private and public sectors, non-governmental organizations, and funding institutions.

    The framework for action revolves around three strategic pillars: Act, Allocate, and Accelerate. These pillars aim to catalyze commitments for integrating vision care into national development plans, increasing sustainable financing, and scaling evidence-based solutions. The summit will serve as both an accountability mechanism and ambition catalyst, challenging participants to transform pledges into tangible progress for global communities.

    Five years following the UN Resolution on Vision, the summit will prioritize practical commitments that expand access to affordable, quality eyecare services while strengthening health systems to meet escalating demand. According to IAPB’s landmark report ‘The Value of Vision: The Case for Investing in Eye Health,’ addressing preventable sight loss for one billion people could generate $447 billion annually in economic benefits. This investment would yield 13 million additional years of schooling, create 22 million jobs, and relieve 304 million people—predominantly women—from unpaid caregiving responsibilities.

    Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh, serving as IAPB’s global ambassador, recently hosted a reception at St. James’s Palace to commemorate the summit’s official launch. Through her extensive work with IAPB, HRH has directly engaged with eye health programs and beneficiaries worldwide, highlighting the life-changing impact of vision restoration.

    Prime Minister Browne emphasized the dual human and economic imperative during a video address to the London gathering: ‘Expanding access to vision care could generate hundreds of billions in economic returns annually. This isn’t charity—it’s an investment in inclusive growth, resilience and shared prosperity, particularly for small states like Antigua and Barbuda.’

    WHO Director for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Dévora Kestel noted the significant momentum gained by eyecare on the global health agenda, stating the summit provides ‘an opportunity to support the translation of these global commitments into country action.’

    The summit has secured support from numerous high-impact partners including CBM, The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, CooperVision, Cure Blindness Project, The Fred Hollows Foundation, National Vision, RestoringVision, Seva Foundation, and Sightsavers.

    IAPB Chief Executive Peter Holland articulated the summit’s ultimate objective: ‘By bringing leaders together, we hope countries, businesses and civil society will make formal public commitments to take specific actions, allocate resources, or achieve measurable targets in our shared goal of ending avoidable sight loss.’

  • Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary with line-up of events

    Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank celebrates its 30th anniversary with line-up of events

    ECHMB Capital, formally known as the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank, is poised to commemorate its 30th anniversary on April 22, 2026. The institution has announced an extensive, year-long celebration under the theme “a proven history, a promising tomorrow,” designed to honor its legacy and chart its future course.

    Established in April 1996 through a multilateral agreement, the bank represents a unique collaboration between the governments of eight Eastern Caribbean nations: Dominica, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Additional ownership stakes are held by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and various regional financial entities.

    For three decades, ECHMB Capital has played a pivotal role in strengthening the secondary mortgage market throughout the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Its core mission has centered on providing essential liquidity support to primary mortgage lenders while simultaneously driving the advancement of local money and capital markets.

    The anniversary festivities, scheduled to run from March 2026 through February 2027, will feature a diverse array of events and initiatives. The program will commence with a Media Launch and Mixer on March 20, 2026, bringing together journalists, key partners, and the ECHMB team to showcase institutional achievements.

    A commemorative church service is planned for April 19, 2026, offering employees, partners, and clients an opportunity for collective reflection on the bank’s community impact. In a forward-looking initiative, ECHMB will launch an App Design Competition for secondary school students across the ECCU, challenging young innovators to develop concepts for streamlined trading platforms.

    Starting July 2026, the bank will debut its “Home Ownership Series”—an educational collection of short videos featuring financial institutions, builders, and engineers explaining the sequential process of home construction in the region.

    The anniversary calendar will feature an October gala convening prominent regional stakeholders in an elegant celebration of institutional legacy. The year-long observance will conclude in February 2027 with a special lecture gathering industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss future prospects for regional financial development.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority strengthens presence in Quebec, Ottawa markets

    Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority strengthens presence in Quebec, Ottawa markets

    The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has initiated a significant strategic expansion within key Canadian markets, specifically targeting Quebec and the national capital region of Ottawa. This calculated move is designed to substantially increase the twin-island nation’s visibility and appeal among Canadian travelers, a crucial demographic for the Caribbean tourism sector.

    This enhanced market presence involves a multi-faceted approach, incorporating targeted marketing campaigns, strengthened partnerships with Canadian travel trade operators, and a series of high-profile engagement events. The strategy is meticulously crafted to resonate with the unique cultural and linguistic nuances of Quebec, while simultaneously leveraging Ottawa’s status as a hub for both government and corporate travel.

    The initiative is a direct response to the robust recovery and growing demand in post-pandemic travel from Canada to warm-weather destinations. By deepening its roots in these specific urban centers, Antigua and Barbuda aims to position itself as a premier choice for discerning Canadian tourists seeking luxury, adventure, and distinct Caribbean experiences. The authority’s efforts underscore a commitment to not only recapture but also exceed pre-2020 visitor arrival numbers from this vital market, contributing significantly to the islands’ economic revitalization.

  • Logopedie veel breder dan alleen leren praten

    Logopedie veel breder dan alleen leren praten

    On the occasion of International Speech Therapy Day, Diakonessen Hospital is highlighting the critical yet often underestimated role of speech-language pathologists in healthcare. These specialists provide essential services addressing far more than just speech articulation, encompassing comprehensive care for language, voice, swallowing, and hearing disorders across all age groups.

    According to veteran speech therapist Raoel Goelamnabie, with approximately 15 years of professional experience, public perception fails to capture the full scope of this medical discipline. “Speech therapy extends well beyond simply learning to speak correctly,” Goelamnabie explained. “We provide guidance for diverse needs ranging from infants to elderly patients.”

    The spectrum of conditions treated includes articulation disorders, stuttering, language development delays, and post-stroke language deficits. Additionally, therapists address swallowing complications following cerebrovascular incidents and feeding difficulties in infants and toddlers.

    Medical professionals emphasize the importance of early detection, advising parents to monitor developmental milestones. Warning signs include children aged 2-2.5 years not speaking, 3-year-olds using limited vocabulary or not forming sentences, unintelligible speech, or difficulty understanding instructions. Early intervention can significantly alter a child’s developmental trajectory.

    Goelamnabie recalled a memorable case: “A three-year-old arrived at our clinic without speaking any words. Approximately eighteen months later, his parents reported he now talks so much they occasionally need to ask him to pause. While still under treatment, such transformations provide immense professional satisfaction.”

    Despite these successes, the field faces challenges including time constraints, financial limitations, irregular clinic attendance, and inconsistent home exercise continuation, all potentially delaying recovery progress.

    What makes this profession exceptionally rewarding, according to Goelamnabie, is client appreciation. “When patients and parents express feeling genuinely helped, it creates tremendous fulfillment.”

    This annual observance serves to promote awareness about timely identification and treatment, emphasizing how speech therapy ultimately enhances communication, nutrition, and overall quality of life for both children and adults.

  • ‘Knockay’ Joseph reflects on hard lessons, new hope for athletes

    ‘Knockay’ Joseph reflects on hard lessons, new hope for athletes

    Saint Lucia’s athletic landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades, propelled by enhanced funding, superior infrastructure, and advanced technical support. This evolution has catapulted local talents like Julien Alfred, Ackeem Auguste, Daren Sammy, and Vino Barclett into the international spotlight, marking a new era for Caribbean sports.

    The stark contrast between past and present sporting conditions is vividly embodied by Zepherinus ‘Knockay’ Joseph, Mon Repos native and national long-distance running legend. Joseph, who represented Saint Lucia at the 2004 Athens Olympics and still holds multiple national records from 1500m to marathon, faced significant financial hurdles during his peak competitive years. Beyond his athletic achievements, Joseph has dedicated years of service as a police officer.

    In an exclusive revelation, Joseph detailed how systemic obstacles hampered his career progression. Following his Olympic participation, his application for an Olympic Solidarity scholarship was allegedly never submitted by the National Olympic Committee. The then-General Secretary reportedly confronted him about inquiries made directly to Olympic Solidarity regarding scholarship criteria—a move Joseph perceived as discouraging rather than supportive.

    When contacted by St. Lucia Times regarding historical scholarship procedures, SLOC President Alfred Emmanuel declined to address past events, emphasizing his focus on present-day operations: ‘We are in 2026 and my focus is dealing with the present.’

    Despite these historical challenges, Joseph acknowledges substantial improvements in Saint Lucia’s sports development framework. Current athletes benefit from increased opportunities, including international scholarships to institutions in Jamaica—an unthinkable scenario during Joseph’s competitive era. However, he notes a paradoxical decline in athlete participation despite these enhanced resources.

    Looking forward, Joseph remains optimistic about Saint Lucia’s athletic potential but emphasizes the need for proper technical support systems. ‘I envision a few more world titles coming our way,’ he stated, while cautioning that success requires creating the right environment for athletes. Although willing to mentor future generations, Joseph recognizes that formal coaching requires specialized expertise.

    His advice to aspiring athletes emphasizes consistency in training, openness to instruction, and maintaining humility despite local successes: ‘Never allow the little victories we have on home soil to get to their heads.’

  • Wenham Sheppard Possie Cup opener ends with 3-3 draw

    Wenham Sheppard Possie Cup opener ends with 3-3 draw

    The 2026 Wenham Sheppard Possie Cup Invitational kicked off with spectacular drama at Benjamin Park on March 5th, as Roosevelt Skerrit Bombers FC and Marigot United FC battled to an electrifying 3-3 draw in their tournament opener.

    The match exploded into action early when Roosevelt Skerrit Bombers FC established a commanding lead within the opening minutes. Devon George ignited the scoreboard in the 4th minute with a precise finish, followed shortly by an unfortunate own goal from Marigot United that extended the Bombers’ advantage to 2-0.

    As tensions mounted, match official Sabin maintained firm control of the contest, issuing disciplinary actions that would significantly impact the game’s trajectory. Vincent Joseph of Bombers FC received his first yellow card in the 11th minute, with teammate Ursha George following in the 12th minute. The disciplinary pattern continued when Richardo Leblanc was cautioned in the 19th minute. Moments later, Joseph received his second yellow card, resulting in automatic ejection and forcing Bombers FC to continue with ten players.

    Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Bombers demonstrated remarkable resilience. Stephan Martin of Marigot United capitalized on the situation in the 26th minute, scoring to narrow the gap to 2-1. Just when Marigot seemed to gain momentum, Devon George delivered a crucial blow during first-half stoppage time, securing his brace and restoring the Bombers’ two-goal cushion at 3-1.

    The second half witnessed a spectacular comeback from Marigot United. Beron Abraham found the net in the 55th minute, injecting new life into the contest. The equalizer arrived in the 61st minute when Raheem Bazil confidently converted from the penalty spot, leveling the score at 3-3. Both teams pursued a decisive winner in the remaining minutes, but neither could break the deadlock, resulting in a share of the points.

    Tournament organizers emphasized that the Wenham Sheppard Possie Cup Invitational continues to showcase the competitive spirit and football passion within Dominica’s North and Northeast communities. The event underscores community engagement, sportsmanship, and the ongoing development of football across the island.

    Attention now turns to the next fixture scheduled for March 6th at 7:00 PM, featuring Calibishie FC against North Side FC at Benjamin Park. Supporters from Portsmouth, Calibishie, Marigot, and surrounding regions are enthusiastically encouraged to attend and support their local teams throughout the tournament.

  • UWI Launches 2026 Council Meetings, Showcasing Year-in-Review Achievements and Strategic Priorities

    UWI Launches 2026 Council Meetings, Showcasing Year-in-Review Achievements and Strategic Priorities

    KINGSTON, JAMAICA – The University of the West Indies (UWI) initiates its comprehensive 2026 Annual Council Meetings series starting March 6 from its Mona Campus headquarters. This governance tradition marks a significant moment of institutional accountability for the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution.

    Professor Densil Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, will inaugurate the proceedings with a detailed review of the 2024-2025 academic year. His presentation, scheduled for 9:00 AM Jamaica time, will encompass research breakthroughs, operational metrics, student demographics, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across the university network.

    The subsequent weeks will witness consecutive council gatherings across UWI’s five physical campuses and its digital Global Campus platform. These deliberative sessions will evaluate institutional performance metrics, financial accountability reports, and strategic direction for the multi-campus university system that serves 17 Caribbean governments.

    This annual exercise in institutional transparency gains particular significance following UWI’s recent recognition by Times Higher Education, which placed the university among the top 3.6% of global higher education institutions. This ranking, benchmarked against approximately 35,000 universities worldwide, underscores UWI’s international academic standing.

    All council meetings will be publicly accessible through UWI’s digital broadcasting platform (uwitv.global) and dedicated Flow Channels, maintaining the university’s commitment to public engagement. Each session will conclude with structured media question-and-answer segments, allowing journalists to submit inquiries through designated interactive channels.

    The complete 2026 meeting schedule includes: Mona Campus (March 6), Cave Hill Campus (March 13), Global Campus (March 18), St. Augustine Campus (March 25), Five Islands Campus (March 26), and the culminating University Council Meeting on May 8.

  • Parents advocate welcomes free breakfast move but urges clear planning

    Parents advocate welcomes free breakfast move but urges clear planning

    In a significant endorsement of educational reform, Barbados’ Group of Concerned Parents has applauded the government’s forthcoming universal free breakfast program for primary schools, characterizing it as a crucial intervention addressing socioeconomic barriers to student achievement. The initiative, scheduled for nationwide implementation in September 2026, represents the latest evolution in the nation’s nine-decade tradition of school nutrition programs that began with milk and crackers in the 1930s before transitioning to hot lunches in 1963.

    Spokeswoman Paula Ann Moore emphasized the program’s recognition of the tangible challenges confronting financially disadvantaged children. “No child can learn properly when they are hungry,” Moore stated, connecting nutritional deficits to behavioral issues observed in educational and social settings. She noted that many children exhibiting deviant behavior originate from households struggling with provision of basic necessities.

    Beyond addressing hunger, the breakfast initiative promises practical benefits for school logistics. Moore highlighted potential alleviation of cafeteria congestion, suggesting that universal morning meal access could eliminate the protracted lunchtime queues that currently consume entire lunch periods. This operational efficiency could simultaneously assist families in morning planning through guaranteed nutritional access.

    However, the parents’ group issued measured cautions regarding program execution. Success determinants include adequate financial allocation, realistic timelines, adherence to nutritional standards, and careful implementation to prevent stigmatization should means-testing be introduced despite the program’s universal designation. Moore posed critical implementation questions: “How will we measure the success of this school breakfast initiative? Adequate planning with realistic timelines, adequate financial and other logistical resources, and accordance with the school nutrition policy ensuring healthy food is provided—all of which aren’t cheap—are all essential for long-term sustainability.”

    The breakfast program constitutes one component within a broader education transformation project whose comprehensive documentation the group has requested be made public. Drawing parallels to Jamaica’s 2021 Education Reform Report, Moore advocated for transparency to ensure stakeholder alignment in this “critical backbone of our national development.”

    This initiative continues Barbados’ distinctive tradition of educational investment within the Caribbean Community, including universally free secondary education, textbook loan schemes, and existing meal programs. Moore characterized this consistent policy focus as “unique in CARICOM, if not globally,” particularly for a small developing nation.

    The group concluded with cautious optimism, expressing willingness to collaborate with authorities to realize the broader education transformation, while acknowledging that ultimate validation will emerge through implementation: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

  • Republic Bank to close two southern branches, move into former Scotiabank Rockley

    Republic Bank to close two southern branches, move into former Scotiabank Rockley

    Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited has announced a strategic consolidation of its south coast operations, merging its Worthing and Wildey branches into a newly established facility at Coconut Walk in Rockley. The move, which utilizes the premises previously occupied by Scotiabank, is positioned by the bank as a strategic initiative to enhance operational efficiency while safeguarding customer service quality and preserving employment.

    Carlene Seudat, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, confirmed the operational timeline: the Worthing branch will cease operations at the end of this month, followed by the closure of the Wildey location on April 30. The new flagship branch at Coconut Walk is slated to open its doors on May 4, 2024.

    The consolidation will impact an estimated 15,000 customers previously served by the two closing branches. However, bank officials emphasize that full banking services will remain accessible across the institution’s entire network. Customers are being assured of a seamless transition with no changes to their account terms or conditions.

    To modernize the customer experience, the new branch will feature a significantly upgraded technological infrastructure. The design includes a more open, digitally-focused layout equipped with four Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)—three attached to the building and one drive-through facility. This expansion in self-service options contrasts with the planned removal of ATMs from the closing Worthing and Wildey locations.

    In addressing workforce concerns, Ms. Seudat provided explicit assurances that the operational merger would not result in staff redundancies. Through extensive engagement with both employees and union representatives that began last year, the bank has developed a redeployment strategy. All affected staff members from the closing branches will be absorbed into the new Rockley facility or transferred to the bank’s five other remaining branches across the island.

    The bank is concurrently encouraging customers to adopt its digital banking platforms and expanded ATM network, reflecting evolving consumer preferences toward remote banking solutions. This consolidation represents Republic Bank’s broader strategic shift toward modernized banking environments that prioritize digital accessibility and operational efficiency.