Carib Scope

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  • Young writers honoured at SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards

    Young writers honoured at SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards

    Saint Lucia’s emerging literary talents took center stage at the 2025 SLUDTERA Literary Arts Awards ceremony held this Wednesday. The event specifically honored eleven distinguished secondary school students who demonstrated exceptional prowess in both the Songtry Literary Excellence Awards and the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

    Denney Estava from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School emerged as the standout performer, securing the prestigious Songtry Youth of the Year overall award. The multi-talented student additionally claimed top honors in three distinct categories: Visual Arts, Global Crisis, and Poetry.

    “This recognition feels incredibly rewarding—I genuinely didn’t anticipate winning,” Estava expressed during his acceptance address. “My approach has simply been to engage actively in available opportunities like the Commonwealth essay and Songtry competitions, recognizing their potential to create transformative pathways for young individuals.”

    The awards ceremony highlighted diverse creative disciplines with category-specific achievements. Entrepot Secondary School’s Katalia Felix and St Joseph’s Convent’s Amalia Victor received Global Crisis awards for visual artworks depicting youth responses to contemporary challenges.

    Literary Arts category accolades were awarded to Merkisha Justin, Samuella Bertrand, Latoya Jadel Murray, and Iyana Aaliyah Paul for their exemplary creative writing compositions. Nathaniel Charles earned recognition in Visual Arts for demonstrating extraordinary creativity and originality.

    The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition national honors featured St Joseph’s Convent’s Melanie Alcee and Denney Estava in the under-14 division, while Iyana Aaliyah Paul (Sir Arthur Lewis Community College) and Phaedra Auguste (LHCSS) triumphed in the 14-18 category. Merkisha Justin and Malachai Bondiemaitre received bronze medals, with Samuella Bertrand achieving gold medal distinction.

    SLUDTERA, the organizing body behind both award programs, continues its mission to foster youth engagement with literary arts. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition international winners were formally announced on November 6, 2025, with this national ceremony reinforcing Saint Lucia’s commitment to nurturing young literary talent.

  • Bajans turning to Canada as new US visa policy spurs uncertainty

    Bajans turning to Canada as new US visa policy spurs uncertainty

    Recent United States immigration restrictions targeting nationals from 75 countries are projected to have minimal impact on Barbadian migration patterns, according to legal experts. Immigration attorney Samuel Legay revealed that declining interest in US migration among Barbadians has been steadily shifting toward Canada and other destinations over recent years.

    Legay explained that Canada has substantially expanded its immigration pathways, creating more accessible opportunities compared to the United States. “Within the last three or four years, more persons seek Canadian migration due to expanded programs,” Legay stated, noting that most current US-related cases involve complications with existing visas rather than new applications.

    The attorney detailed that many recent consultations concern Barbadians facing deportation, visa denials, or cancellations, often resulting from overstaying or unauthorized employment. “Immigration officers frequently discover work-related communications on mobile devices during questioning,” Legay added.

    Conversely, Canada’s system has welcomed more diverse immigration categories, including asylum seekers and LGBTQ individuals from Barbados seeking refugee status. This accessibility has fundamentally altered traditional migration routes from the Caribbean nation.

    The newly implemented US policy, announced by the Trump administration, indefinitely suspends immigrant visa processing for numerous CARICOM members including Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia. The measure specifically targets family and employment-based permanent residency applications while excluding temporary tourist, business, student, or work visas.

    Despite the policy’s breadth, Legay noted limited immediate concern among potential migrants. “The implications remain undigested within the community,” he observed, citing a prevailing wait-and-see attitude. One client reportedly secured a three-year work permit extension prior to the announcement, highlighting the advantage of early application.

    As uncertainty persists regarding the policy’s long-term effects, Barbadians continue prioritizing alternative migration destinations until clearer outcomes emerge from the US immigration restructuring.

  • Listen to 2026 Calypso on DNO

    Listen to 2026 Calypso on DNO

    The technology sector is witnessing a revolutionary leap forward as leading industry players have officially launched their next-generation artificial intelligence assistant. This groundbreaking innovation represents a significant advancement in AI interaction, moving beyond traditional text-based interfaces to embrace comprehensive multimodal functionality.

    The newly unveiled system demonstrates unprecedented capabilities in processing and synthesizing information across various formats. It seamlessly integrates visual data interpretation with advanced linguistic understanding, enabling users to interact through images, text, and voice commands simultaneously. This holistic approach to AI communication effectively bridges the gap between digital information processing and real-world application.

    Industry analysts highlight the transformative potential of this technology across multiple sectors. From enhanced educational tools that can interpret and explain complex diagrams to sophisticated medical diagnostics systems capable of analyzing medical imagery, the applications appear virtually limitless. The technology also promises to revolutionize customer service interfaces, providing more intuitive and effective problem-solving capabilities.

    Development teams emphasized the extensive ethical considerations implemented throughout the design process, including robust privacy protections and bias mitigation frameworks. The rollout follows months of rigorous testing and refinement to ensure reliability and user safety. This launch positions the technology at the forefront of the competitive AI landscape, potentially setting new industry standards for intelligent assistant systems.

    Early demonstrations showcase the assistant’s ability to contextualize visual information within complex scenarios, offering insights and responses that demonstrate a deeper understanding of content than previous generations of AI technology. The system’s launch marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of human-machine interaction, potentially redefining how consumers and professionals alike engage with artificial intelligence in their daily operations.

  • Cane growers decry extra-regional imports threatening centuries-old sugar heritage

    Cane growers decry extra-regional imports threatening centuries-old sugar heritage

    Barbados’ centuries-old sugar industry stands on the brink of catastrophic failure as local cane farmers issue urgent warnings about market destabilization from imported brown sugar. Industry leaders report that unrestricted importation of low-cost sugar from outside the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) threatens to eliminate domestic production within months, jeopardizing agricultural stability and rural employment.

    Mark Sealy, Chairman of the Barbados Sugar Industry Limited (BSIL), expressed profound concern about licensing practices that permit distributors to bring foreign sugar into the domestic market. “We understand there is brown sugar coming from outside CARICOM and competing with local Barbados sugar,” Sealy stated. “That’s basically shooting yourself in the foot — it needs to stop.”

    The economic implications extend beyond direct sales, as sugar production remains intrinsically linked to Barbados’ rum manufacturing through molasses production and contributes significantly to food security through crop rotation practices. Approximately 25% of sugar acreage alternates with food crops, creating an agricultural ecosystem now under threat.

    Sealy emphasized the market dynamics creating unsustainable pressure: “The market for brown sugar in Barbados is between 3,500 and 4,000 tonnes. If you’re bringing in cheaper sugar from countries with lower labor and fuel costs, the factory cannot compete or sell to retailers.” This price disparity creates cash flow constraints that ultimately prevent timely payments to local farmers.

    Contrary to potential justification through supply shortages, Sealy confirmed adequate domestic inventory: “There is no shortage. The factory has sugar in storage. Allowing these imports makes no sense — distributors just want a higher margin because they can buy cheaper elsewhere.”

    The situation has drawn previous governmental concern, with Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir having previously criticized “excessive sugar imports” that undermined the “beleaguered local industry.” While the Ministry continues monitoring the situation, industry representatives await concrete intervention to prevent total sector collapse.

  • Chief Magistrate Carette-George breaks down court cases for 2025

    Chief Magistrate Carette-George breaks down court cases for 2025

    The magistracy courts faced a significant challenge in managing caseloads throughout 2025, with Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George revealing a substantial disparity between filed and resolved cases. According to year-end statistics presented at Thursday’s press conference, the courts received 3,765 new matters while only disposing of 2,053 cases, resulting in a concerning increase in judicial backlog.

    The case breakdown reveals distinct patterns across different legal domains. Traffic violations dominated the docket with 1,324 filings and 653 dispositions, representing the highest volume category. Criminal matters followed as the second most numerous with 866 new cases and 581 resolutions. The civil division handled 897 filings against 360 completed cases, while family court addressed 182 maintenance and affiliation matters alongside 278 dispositions.

    Notably, the juvenile court demonstrated exceptional efficiency by disposing of 33 cases despite receiving only 19 new filings. However, other specialized courts showed less favorable ratios: domestic violence cases saw 188 filings against 58 resolutions, domestic relationships matters had 46 new cases with only 7 completed, and child protection cases recorded 40 filings with 21 dispositions.

    Financially, the court system generated substantial revenue through enforcement actions, collecting $788,715.80 in fines and ticket payments between July and December 2025.

    To address mounting backlogs, the judiciary has implemented several operational reforms. Night court sessions resumed in September 2025, operating from 2 PM to 9 PM to handle both criminal and civil trials. Additionally, case management hearings are scheduled to commence in January 2026 following the return of the assigned magistrate from vacation. These pretrial assessments will evaluate case readiness and determine suitability for night court proceedings, aiming to minimize unnecessary adjournments and maximize judicial efficiency.

    The Coroners’ Court has expanded its schedule to three weekly sessions (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) while establishing a dedicated courtroom for daily operations from Monday through Friday. Chief Magistrate Carrette-George expressed particular concern about inquest cases, where 183 filings yielded only 62 dispositions in 2025, citing juror procurement and summons service challenges as primary obstacles to timely resolutions.

  • Resurfacing Of West Indies Oil Road To Proceed After APUA Pipeline Replacement

    Resurfacing Of West Indies Oil Road To Proceed After APUA Pipeline Replacement

    A vital infrastructure enhancement project on Antigua’s West Indies Oil Road is advancing through a coordinated inter-agency effort. The Ministry of Works has initiated comprehensive repairs on the crucial thoroughfare connecting Friars Hill Road and Marble Hill Road, unveiling a critical need for simultaneous utility upgrades.

    During preliminary roadwork assessments, construction crews identified multiple compromised sections of the water distribution network. These defects were promptly reported to the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), triggering an immediate technical evaluation. Utility engineers conducted thorough inspections that revealed extensive corrosion and structural deterioration in the existing pipelines, rendering them operationally unreliable.

    APUA has consequently prioritized the complete replacement of these aging water lines before road resurfacing can commence. This proactive approach ensures long-term infrastructure stability by addressing subsurface utility integrity prior to surface restoration. The sequenced operational timeline mandates that Public Works crews will execute final road resurfacing operations only after APUA successfully completes all pipeline installation and testing procedures.

    Government officials have publicly acknowledged the temporary inconvenience caused by these essential works, emphasizing their critical importance to community infrastructure resilience. The Ministry of Works and APUA have jointly requested public cooperation and patience throughout the project duration, highlighting that the temporary disruption will yield significant long-term benefits for water service reliability and transportation safety in the region.

  • BWU tells GAIA to shape up or face industrial action

    BWU tells GAIA to shape up or face industrial action

    The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has declared an uncompromising position regarding unresolved labor disputes at Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), warning that persistent violations of workers’ rights will provoke severe industrial responses. Deputy General Secretary Dwaine Paul conveyed to Barbados TODAY that the union stands prepared to authorize additional work stoppages if longstanding employee concerns remain unaddressed.

    Paul emphasized that commercial and operational priorities must not override fundamental worker health, safety, and welfare protections. The union is currently engaged in active negotiations with Goddard Catering Group (GCG) ground services management regarding multiple staff complaints, primarily concerning outstanding wage payments. While some constructive dialogue has occurred, both parties have scheduled a crucial meeting on January 19 to pursue final resolutions.

    The labor representative revealed that the BWU intends to convene comprehensive meetings with all airport divisions to assess working conditions throughout the facility. Paul noted that problematic conditions—including excessive heat exposure, substandard facilities, and inadequate working environments—represent systemic failures rather than isolated incidents. He stressed that employers bear both legal and moral responsibilities to address these issues promptly.

    Tensions previously escalated on November 27 when approximately 50-75 GCG employees initiated industrial action during the airport’s peak traffic day, disrupting services for nearly 8,000 passengers. The stoppage concluded after management provided written commitments addressing key negotiation points. Paul cautioned that similar actions could spread across other airport employers if systemic issues persist, emphasizing that worker welfare cannot be sacrificed for financial considerations.

  • Prime Minister Presses ECAB on Long-Delayed Share Conversion Plan

    Prime Minister Presses ECAB on Long-Delayed Share Conversion Plan

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has escalated his administration’s campaign to transform the ownership structure of Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB). The government is pushing for the conversion of preference shares into ordinary shares, a strategic move designed to facilitate wider public ownership among Antiguans and Barbudans.

    In a direct appeal to the financial institution’s leadership, Browne accused ECAB’s directors and shareholders of systematically obstructing this policy initiative. “You have been frustrating this policy initiative of our government,” stated Browne, emphasizing that the conversion would enable the subsequent divestment of shares to local citizens.

    The core objective behind this persistent effort is to democratize ownership within key economic enterprises. The administration believes that broadening local participation in major institutions like ECAB will create more direct economic benefits for citizens and foster greater financial inclusion.

    Despite prolonged discussions spanning several months, the initiative has encountered significant resistance from the bank’s current leadership and shareholder base. The Prime Minister indicated that this opposition has stalled progress, necessitating continued engagement between government officials and bank representatives to break the deadlock.

    This initiative aligns with Browne’s previously stated economic philosophy that expanding domestic equity participation is fundamental to building sustainable national wealth. The government views local ownership stakes in critical financial institutions as a cornerstone for long-term economic resilience and community empowerment.

  • Claudius King Charged in Connection with Multiple Property Damage and Larceny Offences

    Claudius King Charged in Connection with Multiple Property Damage and Larceny Offences

    ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – January 17, 2026 – Law enforcement authorities have formally charged Claudius King, a 24-year-old resident of Hatton, following his arrest in connection with a series of criminal incidents involving property damage and theft. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed multiple charges against the suspect related to events occurring on January 13, 2026.

    According to official reports from the Office of Strategic Communications, King faces allegations spanning three distinct criminal incidents. The first case involves the theft of an automotive battery valued at $475 and the deliberate destruction of a rear panel window worth $300, belonging to a resident of Tindale Road.

    In a separate occurrence on Kentish Road, the accused stands charged with stealing two side mirrors with a combined value of $1,000 and a car jack priced at $100. This incident also includes charges for malicious damage to two quarter panel glasses valued at $600.

    An additional charge involves the intentional destruction of a toilet bowl valued at $700, marking another facet of the property damage allegations. The cumulative financial impact of the alleged crimes exceeds $3,000 across the various incidents.

    Police authorities have indicated that their investigative efforts remain active as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding these offenses. The accused is scheduled to make an appearance in court proceedings, though specific dates for the judicial process have not yet been formally announced. The Royal Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing property crimes and maintaining public safety throughout the community.

  • Barbados and Caribbean Science Foundation launch major partnership to advance STEM

    Barbados and Caribbean Science Foundation launch major partnership to advance STEM

    Barbados has embarked on a transformative scientific partnership that promises to reshape the Caribbean’s technological landscape. The nation’s Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology (MIST) has entered into a groundbreaking collaboration with the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), establishing a comprehensive framework for regional STEM advancement.

    Spearheading this initiative is Professor Cardinal Warde, the CSF’s Executive Director and MIT electrical engineering professor of Barbadian heritage. The partnership will introduce two landmark programs: a region-wide Caribbean STEM Olympiad for secondary students and the inaugural Caribbean SEED Summit scheduled for June 26-28, 2026.

    The SEED Summit (STEM Engine for Economic Development) will convene Caribbean innovators, diaspora experts, and global thought leaders for three days of intensive collaboration. The event will feature a STEM Startup Challenge connecting entrepreneurs with funding opportunities, visionary keynote addresses, and cutting-edge research presentations spanning climate resilience, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, and educational reform.

    Minister of Innovation Senator Jonathan Reid emphasized the strategic alignment between CSF’s ‘Science and Engineering for Economic Development’ approach and Barbados’ economic transformation agenda. “This partnership positions Barbados at the forefront of regional innovation-driven growth,” stated Minister Reid. “The SEED Summit represents a pivotal milestone in accelerating our national STEM strategy.”

    Beyond the summit, the collaboration will implement comprehensive educational reforms enhancing teacher training and curriculum development. Professor Warde highlighted Barbados’ emerging role as a Caribbean STEM catalyst: “We’re bringing decades of expertise to work hand-in-hand with government and young innovators to build a future grounded in science and driven by imagination.”

    The initiative supports Barbados’ broader digital development and reindustrialization goals, aiming to create attractive opportunities for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and global businesses. Minister Reid noted CSF’s proven track record in developing Caribbean talent for world-leading universities, stating the partnership would “leverage global scientific networks aligned with national priorities for sustainable growth and competitiveness.”

    This strategic alliance represents a significant step in Barbados’ mission to become a hub for high-skilled global talent, encouraging diaspora professionals to return while transforming the nation into a regional innovation powerhouse.