Carib Scope

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  • Quiet pain

    Quiet pain

    A Kingston Supreme Court delivered a 20-year and 10-month prison sentence to former People’s National Party parliamentarian Jolyan Silvera for the manslaughter of his wife Melissa, concluding a high-profile case that has gripped Jamaica since the November 2023 killing.

    Chief Justice Bryan Sykes’ sentencing decision prompted complex reactions among Melissa Silvera’s relatives gathered outside the courthouse. While acknowledging the judicial outcome as fundamentally fair, family members expressed nuanced disappointment with the punishment duration. Arthur Foster, the victim’s cousin, characterized the sentence as “fair,” while another relative, Lise Walter, described it as “just even” after hearing the court’s detailed breakdown of aggravating and mitigating factors.

    However, several family members believed Silvera received excessive sentencing discounts. Melissa’s brother Chris Walter openly declared his disappointment, stating: “He didn’t get enough years. I am not pleased at all.” Sandra Walter, another sibling, similarly felt the former politician “deserved more [years in prison]” and that the sentencing reductions exceeded what he merited.

    The most comprehensive response came from cousin Walter Davis, who acknowledged justice had been served while simultaneously expressing that the family “could have been a little happier” with a full 25-year term. Davis revealed the complex emotional landscape, noting the sentence provided closure while emphasizing the family’s commitment to humanizing Melissa’s memory beyond her status as a politician’s wife or crime statistic.

    In a parallel sentencing, Silvera received an additional 20-year term for using a firearm to commit a felony, with parole eligibility after 13 years, though this won’t affect his manslaughter sentence timeline.

    The prosecution addressed controversy surrounding their acceptance of a manslaughter plea instead of pursuing original murder charges. Prosecutor Dwayne Green defended the decision as based on careful evidentiary evaluation and witness considerations. Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson challenged public perceptions that manslaughter automatically attracts lighter sentences, noting comparable punishments sometimes occur in murder convictions.

    Thompson emphasized the strategic necessity of the plea arrangement, particularly regarding the couple’s two children who would otherwise have testified against their father. “We are talking about putting two little boys in the witness box to talk about what they are saying that daddy did in respect of mommy,” Thompson explained, highlighting the traumatic alternative avoided through the negotiated resolution.

    Defense attorneys presented character witnesses portraying Silvera as conflict-averse and non-violent, with one witness expressing shock at his guilty plea. The former politician’s legal team sought leniency, though Chief Justice Sykes ultimately determined the 21-year term balanced the crime’s severity with relevant mitigating circumstances.

  • Iraniërs rouwen om Khamenei tijdens eerste vrijdaggebeden sinds begin oorlog

    Iraniërs rouwen om Khamenei tijdens eerste vrijdaggebeden sinds begin oorlog

    Across Tehran and other Iranian cities, thousands of worshippers gathered for the first Friday prayers since the outbreak of the seven-day conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Defying intense bombardments during the holy month of Ramadan, faithful participants carried portraits of the assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while waving Iranian flags and chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.

    Video footage from Iranian media showed men and women dressed in black gathering at the Grand Mosque of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. Through a loudspeaker, one man described Khamenei as “the embodiment of piety and guardianship in our time,” while others wept openly on prayer mats. Following the prayers, worshippers marched through the streets in demonstration processions, expressing their condemnation of American and Israeli military actions. Similar scenes unfolded in cities including Ilam, Borujerd, and Zahedan, according to AFP reports.

    The prayers occurred amid a new wave of bombardments on Tehran and other cities, following U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement that attacks would “increase dramatically.” Recent strikes have targeted a military academy near significant political offices where Khamenei was killed, alongside residential buildings, parking garages, and gasoline stations.

    Regional tensions continued to escalate as Israeli forces advanced their offensive in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israeli attacks have displaced tens of thousands of Lebanese civilians, with Israel threatening forced evacuations in certain areas. Throughout the Gulf region—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates—Iranian drones and missiles have been deployed in retaliation against American and Israeli troop presence.

    In occupied East Jerusalem, the Israeli Civil Administration canceled Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, marking the latest restriction on activities around the complex in response to Iranian retaliatory strikes. Brigadier General Hisham Ibrahim, head of the Civil Administration, stated the decision was made due to Iranian attacks on “Israel and the entire region.” Palestinian leaders accuse Israel of seizing every opportunity to limit access to Al-Aqsa, particularly during Ramadan.

    These developments highlight escalating regional tensions and humanitarian suffering as Iranian faithful honor their fallen leader while facing intensified warfare and uncertainty.

  • Labour ministry takes workplace wellness campaign on the road

    Labour ministry takes workplace wellness campaign on the road

    Barbados is witnessing a transformative public health initiative as government officials launch an ambitious Workplace Wellness Outreach Bus Tour across the island. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, this mobile campaign represents a strategic effort to implement the National Workplace Wellness Policy through direct engagement with businesses and their workforce.

    The innovative program features ministry representatives conducting site visits to various enterprises, facilitating crucial dialogues about comprehensive wellness frameworks. These discussions emphasize three fundamental pillars: establishing structured wellness programs, enhancing workplace safety protocols, and promoting responsible sexual health practices to curb sexually transmitted infections.

    Professor Dwayne Devonish, the distinguished management and organizational behavior specialist who designed the national policy, expressed particular concern about the significant number of businesses operating without formal wellness frameworks. His assessment highlights the critical need for this intervention.

    Acting Permanent Secretary Faye Prescod reinforced the policy’s strategic importance, noting the demonstrable correlation between employee wellbeing and organizational productivity. “The overall wellbeing of employees directly affects productivity and organizational performance,” Prescod emphasized during the campaign’s stop at Sheraton Mall in Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church.

    The tour’s itinerary includes targeted visits to major business districts across Christ Church, with scheduled stops at Popular Supermarket, Kooyman in Kendal Hill, Newton Plantation Yard establishments, Barbados Steel Works, and the Newton Industrial Estate. This comprehensive approach ensures diverse industry representation and maximum policy dissemination.

  • 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.