Carib Scope

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  • Police searching for missing 13-year-old Kemera Murray

    Police searching for missing 13-year-old Kemera Murray

    Law enforcement authorities in Barbados are turning to the community for help in tracing a missing teenager who has not been seen for nearly a week. Kemera Murray, a 13-year-old resident of Blackman Field in The Pine, St Michael, was last reported seen on Monday, June 29, and has not made contact with family or friends since that date.

    Authorities have released a detailed description of the missing teen to help members of the public identify her. Standing approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall with a slim build and dark complexion, Kemera was last spotted wearing a distinctive blue crew-neck T-shirt printed with a bear graphic on the front, paired with dark blue cargo shorts and brown-and-gold slide sandals. Police also confirmed that the teenager is known to regularly visit two areas in the neighboring parish of Christ Church: the coastal district of Oistins and the residential neighborhood of Sayers Court.

    In their official public appeal, law enforcement officials are urging any resident or visitor who may have seen Kemera since June 29, or who holds any information that could lead to her safe location, to contact authorities immediately. Multiple tip lines have been opened to accept information: the main District ‘A’ Police Station can be reached at 430-7242 or 430-7246, the 24/7 national police emergency line is available at 211, anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and information can also be provided in person at any local police station across the island.

  • GTA and IMA Grenada integrate tourism and investment strategy

    GTA and IMA Grenada integrate tourism and investment strategy

    In a significant move to boost Grenada’s long-term economic growth and global visibility, the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Investment Migration Agency Grenada (IMA) have formalized a groundbreaking strategic partnership designed to align the Caribbean nation’s tourism promotion and investment migration initiatives.

    The binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the collaboration was signed on June 17, 2026, creating a structured operational framework that addresses key overlapping areas between the two sectors. These core collaborative domains include unified destination branding, attraction of foreign direct investment, coordinated international reputation management, and shared commitment to inclusive sustainable development.

    Under the terms of the new agreement, the two agencies will synchronize their global outreach efforts to deliver a cohesive message about Grenada’s value as a multi-faceted destination: one that welcomes both leisure and business travelers, offers high-value residence options, and delivers strong returns for long-term international investment. Key aligned activities include joint participation in global trade and investment missions, harmonized public messaging across all markets, and strategic sharing of actionable market intelligence to strengthen evidence-based decision making for both organizations.

    Stacey Liburd, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority, emphasized that the partnership marks a pivotal shift toward a more integrated approach to positioning Grenada on the global stage. “This Memorandum of Understanding represents a deliberate move towards a more unified national positioning strategy. Tourism and investment migration both influence how Grenada is experienced and understood globally,” Liburd explained. “By aligning our efforts, we strengthen our ability to present a clear, credible and competitive value proposition that supports sustainable growth and long-term national development.”

    Thomas Anthony, CEO of the Investment Migration Agency Grenada, echoed this sentiment, noting that the MOU brings much-needed structure and clarity to areas where the two agencies’ mandates naturally intersect. “This collaboration provides a defined framework for coordination while maintaining the integrity of each agency’s mandate,” Anthony said. “As Grenada continues to attract growing interest from both visitors and investors across the globe, this level of alignment ensures that all engagement is strategic, consistent, and directly beneficial to the country’s broader economic objectives.”

    Beyond global outreach and branding, the partnership also includes commitments to joint stakeholder engagement and targeted capacity-building programs. These initiatives will focus on high-priority areas including integrated international marketing, investor relations best practices, enhanced compliance awareness, and proactive reputational risk management.

    Industry observers note that by formalizing this cross-sector partnership, Grenada has pioneered a more coordinated model of national destination development. In this new framework, tourism promotion and investment migration operate as complementary, mutually reinforcing drivers that build international confidence, increase global visibility, and strengthen the nation’s long-term economic resilience.

    This report is based on a contributor submission to NOW Grenada, which holds no liability for contributor-provided content or opinions.

  • Police, stakeholders form working group to tackle crime in Soufriere

    Police, stakeholders form working group to tackle crime in Soufriere

    A collective, cross-sector security initiative is underway in the coastal town of Soufriere, spearheaded by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) to counter rising crime and violence through coordinated partnership between public agencies, tourism stakeholders, and local community groups. The collaborative effort grew out of a high-level strategic gathering held June 11, where top RSLPF leadership sat down with Emma Hippolyte, Soufriere’s parliamentary representative, alongside leaders from the local accommodation sector, the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, and regional civil society organizations. During the June 11 summit, participants centered talks on evaluating existing public safety initiatives active in the town, as well as outlining expanded support that the police service can deploy to strengthen local security outcomes. A landmark agreement emerged from that initial meeting: stakeholders voted to form a dedicated cross-sector working group tasked with designing actionable, coordinated, and long-term sustainable interventions to address Soufriere’s crime and violence challenges. The newly assembled working group wasted little time moving forward, holding its first official plenary session on June 24. Attendees included representatives from RSLPF, the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, the national Ministries of Equity and Crime Prevention, local civil society groups, and the Saint Lucia National Youth Council. Before diving into formal strategy discussions, working group members completed on-the-ground community walkthroughs of three high-priority neighborhoods: Palmiste, Market Road, and Baron’s Drive. During these visits, participants held direct conversations with local residents, creating space for community members to share their firsthand security concerns, outline daily safety challenges they face, and articulate what specific changes would improve quality of life in their neighborhoods. The community feedback collected during these walkthroughs formed the foundation of the working group’s subsequent strategy session, where members worked to turn resident input into concrete, actionable plans to cut crime rates, boost public safety, and raise overall living standards across Soufriere. Per RSLPF updates, the working group is currently finalizing a comprehensive, community-centered action plan. Once the draft is completed, it will be submitted to the Commissioner of Police and Representative Emma Hippolyte for formal review and approval to move forward with implementation. The full working group has scheduled its next meeting for July 14, as partner organizations continue building out collaborative, resident-driven solutions through sustained public engagement. RSLPF leadership has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to partnering with local stakeholders and residents to build a safer living and visiting environment not just for Soufriere’s permanent population, but for communities across the entire island of Saint Lucia. The initiative marks a shift toward collaborative, community-informed public safety, rather than top-down policy making, prioritizing the input of the people most affected by local crime and insecurity.

  • Paraguay Knocks Out Four-Time World Cup Champions Germany

    Paraguay Knocks Out Four-Time World Cup Champions Germany

    In one of the most shocking upsets in modern World Cup history, unfancied Paraguay has pulled off a legendary victory, knocking out four-time tournament winner Germany in a tense penalty shootout to book a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals on June 30, 2026.

    The two sides battled through 120 minutes of full-tilt football, ending regular time and extra time locked in a 1-1 draw, forcing the clash to be decided from the penalty spot. When the final kick landed, Paraguay held a 4-3 advantage on penalties, capping off one of the most memorable David-and-Goliath results in recent World Cup memory.

    Going into the high-stakes group stage finale, Paraguay entered as massive underdogs on paper. Ranked 41st in the FIFA global rankings, the side sat 31 spots below the football powerhouse Germany. The South American nation had struggled for offensive consistency during World Cup qualifying, averaging fewer than one goal per match, and had not qualified for a World Cup finals since 2010. None of these pre-match statistics would end up mattering when the final whistle blew.

    The decisive moment came when striker Jose Canale stepped up to take Paraguay’s final penalty, hammering the ball into the back of the net to seal the win. What followed was unbridled, emotional celebration from the Paraguayan squad and their supporters, many of whom struggled to process the upset they had just witnessed.

    After the final whistle, Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gómez highlighted the team’s resolve and collective character in an post-match interview. “We showed what we are made of, we never gave up, and we dedicate this incredible result to every single person in Paraguay,” Gómez said.

    Within hours of the historic winning goal, Paraguay’s president announced that the country would observe a national holiday to celebrate the team’s groundbreaking achievement. Football fans across the globe have already hailed the match as an instant World Cup classic, a reminder that rank and reputation count for nothing once a match kicks off on the world’s biggest football stage.

  • GBB onderzoekt gronduitgiften in natuurgebieden; intrekking niet uitgesloten

    GBB onderzoekt gronduitgiften in natuurgebieden; intrekking niet uitgesloten

    During a 2026 budget debate held in Suriname’s National Assembly on June 30, Minister of Land and Forest Management (GBB) Stanley Soeropawiro announced that his ministry is currently conducting comprehensive investigations into past land grants issued inside two key protected natural areas: the Peruvia Nature Reserve and the North Coronie Multi-Use Management Area (MoMA). The minister confirmed that he does not rule out revoking any grants that are found to violate existing laws or the protected status of these ecologically significant zones.

    Soeropawiro confirmed that historical records already show multiple land parcels within the boundaries of these protected areas have been allocated to third parties, largely for agricultural use. Both reserves hold formal protected status under Suriname’s national environmental regulations, making unapproved commercial or private development inside their borders legally questionable. The ongoing probe is focused on verifying whether all required legal procedures were followed during the granting process, and whether each allocation aligns with the conservation mandates of the sites.

    Preliminary reviews of the grant dossiers have already uncovered a notable red flag: no advisory opinions were found from the government agencies that are legally required to weigh in on such applications. These mandatory stakeholders include the National Forest Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and the National Environmental Authority. Soeropawiro emphasized that these input are non-negotiable for any land development project, especially within protected zones, so their absence raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the existing grants.

    The minister stressed that the investigative process is being carried out with deliberate care to ensure all findings are accurate and procedurally sound. Should investigators conclude that any grants were issued unlawfully or in conflict with the protected status of the areas, the ministry will follow all formal legal pathways to revoke those allocations. He also framed the protection of Suriname’s natural protected areas as both a domestic responsibility and a binding commitment under international environmental agreements that Suriname has signed onto.

    During the plenary debate, multiple members of the National Assembly raised additional priorities for land and environmental policy, calling for stronger management of protected natural areas, more robust conservation measures for Suriname’s ecologically critical mangrove forests, and greater transparency across all land governance processes. Lawmakers also pushed for a full, system-wide evaluation of all historical land grants and the country’s existing land conversion policy to address broader gaps in regulation.

  • National Spice Replanting Day mobilises every parish

    National Spice Replanting Day mobilises every parish

    On Sunday, June 28, every single parish across the Caribbean island nation of Grenada came together for the first National Spice Replanting Day, a nationwide collective effort that brought hundreds of volunteers together to nurture and reinforce the country’s world-famous spice agricultural legacy.

    Organized as a flagship community initiative under the banner of Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026, the event drew participation from a diverse cross-section of the population: local residents, Grenadian nationals returning from overseas, grassroots community groups, and independent volunteers all joined forces for a shared mission rooted in national pride, agricultural renewal, and collective environmental stewardship. Framed around the theme “From Roots to Legacy”, the initiative was designed to strengthen Grenada’s centuries-old agricultural heritage while cementing the country’s beloved global nickname as the “Spice Isle” for future generations.

    Across all participating communities, volunteers spent the day working side-by-side to plant native spice saplings, contributing to a national strategy to boost domestic agriculture, restore declining spice crop populations, and honor the centuries-deep connection between Grenada’s land, its people, and its cultural identity.

    Senator Roderick St Clair, speaking on behalf of event organizers, highlighted that the unprecedented full-parish turnout underscored both the power of collective community action and the critical importance of protecting Grenada’s distinct agricultural identity. “National Spice Replanting Day was far more than just a routine tree-planting exercise,” St Clair explained. “It was a public declaration of shared national responsibility. Every volunteer who showed up across every parish, who put their hands into Grenada’s soil, did more than just plant trees. They helped secure a legacy that is woven into the very fabric of Grenadian life: our rural communities, our centuries-long agricultural history, and our core national identity.”

    Beyond its agricultural and environmental goals, the event also served as a key test of the core mission of the Grenada Diaspora Homecoming 2026, an initiative designed to re-connect Grenadians living overseas with their home country and create meaningful opportunities for them to contribute to national development. Organizers emphasized that the full islandwide participation perfectly embodied the spirit of the Homecoming project, which centers on five core pillars: reconnection, collective contribution, cultural celebration, community building, and shared national purpose.

    (Disclaimer: NOW Grenada holds no responsibility for the opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors to this report. To report abusive content, please follow the platform’s designated reporting procedure.)

  • Supreme Court blocks Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship

    Supreme Court blocks Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship

    In a landmark 6-3 decision that upholds a century-and-a-half-old legal precedent, the U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated an executive order from former President Donald Trump that aimed to curtail the long-standing policy of birthright citizenship. The ruling reaffirms the bedrock constitutional guarantee laid out in the 14th Amendment: any child born on U.S. soil is automatically granted American citizenship, no matter the immigration status or visa classification of their parents.

    Writing for the court’s majority, the lead justice emphasized that the principle of birthright citizenship, enshrined when the 14th Amendment was ratified in the wake of the Civil War in 1868, remains an unshakable cornerstone of U.S. statutory and constitutional law. Trump first introduced the controversial executive order earlier this year, framing it as a necessary step to end automatic citizenship for infants born to parents who are either residing in the U.S. without legal authorization or holding temporary non-immigrant visas.

    In the hours after the ruling was made public, Trump voiced sharp frustration through his social media platforms. He described the high court’s decision as “too bad for our country” and argued that the U.S. Congress could pass standalone legislation to abolish the constitutional birthright citizenship provision. Leading legal scholars across the political spectrum have pushed back on this claim, noting that any modification to birthright citizenship would require a full constitutional amendment — a lengthy, high-threshold process that is far outside the scope of ordinary federal legislation, leaving Trump with no viable immediate path to advance his policy goal.

    The Supreme Court’s latest session also delivered two other consequential rulings that will reshape U.S. policy in sports and campaign finance. In the first, the court’s majority ruled that individual U.S. states have the authority to implement bans barring transgender student athletes from competing on women’s sports teams at the K-12 and collegiate levels. In the second, the justices struck down long-standing legal limits on coordinated campaign spending between candidates and outside political groups, a change that political analysts expect will dramatically reshape how federal and state campaigns approach fundraising and electoral strategy heading into future election cycles.

  • Liat Air Apologises for Schedule Disruptions and Provides Recovery

    Liat Air Apologises for Schedule Disruptions and Provides Recovery

    ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – In a public statement released June 30, 2026, regional Caribbean airline Liat Air issued a formal apology to thousands of passengers, industry partners, and key stakeholders for widespread flight disruptions that unfolded across its entire route network over the preceding 48 hours.

    The unexpected service interruptions were traced to unanticipated technical problems affecting multiple aircraft in the airline’s fleet, a problem that forced operational leaders to temporarily ground a large portion of active flights to address safety concerns. In alignment with the carrier’s longstanding priority of maintaining rigorous aviation safety protocols, all affected aircraft underwent mandatory comprehensive technical inspections and targeted maintenance work before being cleared to return to active passenger service. Liat Air officials emphasized that these precautionary measures, while critical to upholding global aviation safety standards, inevitably led to cascading delays and hundreds of canceled flights that disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers across the region.

    In the wake of the disruptions, Liat Air has launched a full-scale operational recovery initiative aimed at restoring its regular flight schedule as quickly as possible and preventing additional unplanned service interruptions. Frontline operational and customer service teams have been working nonstop around the clock to rebook stranded passengers on the next available Liat Air flights, secure alternate travel arrangements on partner airline services, and coordinate with local airport authorities to mitigate ongoing congestion. Company leadership confirmed that every available resource is being deployed to return operations to full, stable normalcy in the fastest and safest manner possible.

    Acknowledging the significant inconvenience that the cancellations and delays have caused, including missed connections, disrupted travel itineraries, and extended wait times for passengers across the Caribbean, Liat Air expressed sincere gratitude to customers and industry partners for their patience, understanding, and ongoing loyalty during the recovery period. The carrier reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to returning to full, safe operations and continuing to deliver reliable, accessible air service to all communities across its route network.

  • Cybercrime Charges Against Alberto August Dropped

    Cybercrime Charges Against Alberto August Dropped

    In a major development that has stirred political discussion across Belize, the high-profile cybercrime prosecution against former United Democratic Party (UDP) Deputy Chairman Alberto August has been formally terminated, bringing an abrupt end to a case long dogged by accusations of political motive.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued a formal order to Belize law enforcement to halt all legal proceedings against August, a directive that Belize Police Department has publicly confirmed it received. As part of the order closure, all evidence and personal property seized during the investigation – including August’s mobile phones, which the former party leader had been battling to recover for nearly 30 days – will be returned to him.

    The entire case traces back to just over one month ago, on May 30, when August was taken into custody under Section 15(4) of Belize’s Cybercrime Act. The arrest followed a criminal complaint filed by current Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira, who is currently under cabinet suspension pending an investigation. The offending content at the center of the case was a Facebook post authored by August that mocked Mira’s public response to the high-profile murder of Dr. Naun Bonilla.

    Unlike many defendants facing criminal cyber charges, August never attempted to distance himself from the post. From the moment of his arrest, he openly acknowledged creating the content and maintained he stood by every word. He spent 28 hours behind bars before securing release on station bail, a process that launched a weeks-long public fight to clear his name.

    From the earliest stages of the case, August’s legal representation, lead attorney Michael Peyrefitte, pushed back aggressively against the charges, framing the arrest as nothing more than political retaliation dressed up as legitimate law enforcement. In one of his earliest statements on the case, Peyrefitte argued that the prosecution was disproportionate, noting that criminal custody was an extreme response to a single social media post.

    The termination of charges comes against a backdrop of growing political turmoil for the complainant, Minister Mira. Weeks before the DPP’s order, Mira was sidelined from his cabinet position after allegations of procurement irregularities tied to his family members emerged. The scandal, dubbed “Mira Millions” by local political observers, has already triggered a full government audit. Ahead of the dropped charges, August described the unfolding scandal in a June 23 interview as having “stirred an ant’s nest” of scrutiny around the growing allegations against the suspended minister.

  • Miller Says PM Never Asked Him to Step Aside

    Miller Says PM Never Asked Him to Step Aside

    Ahead of the upcoming People’s United Party (PUP) Belize City mayoral convention, Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller has publicly pushed back against circulating rumors, confirming that Prime Minister and PUP leader John Briceño never requested him to drop out of the nomination race, and he remains firm in his intent to compete.

    In recent weeks, unconfirmed behind-the-scenes reports have claimed that party insiders were working to oust Miller from the contest to clear a path for rival candidate Allan Pollard Jr. Multiple sources told local outlet News 5 that Pollard’s team had been lobbying senior PUP leadership—including the Prime Minister, through Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde—to convince Miller to abandon his candidacy.

    The growing tension over the nomination process already sparked public pushback from sitting Belize City Councillor Kaya Cattouse, who took to social media to call out the apparent shift in the party’s stance. Cattouse noted that just one week prior, PUP officials had publicly committed to an open, democratic contest where all interested candidates would have an equal chance to run. But as voter support has shifted, she argued, unelected efforts are now underway to manipulate the outcome to fit a preferred result.

    Following the spread of these rumors, Miller broke his silence to set the record straight, confirming he held a frank, open discussion with Briceño recently to address his participation in the race. After Miller made clear his full intention to remain in the contest, he said the Prime Minister responded respectfully to his decision, with no attempt to pressure him to step aside. “I was never instructed or encouraged by the Prime Minister and Party Leader, Hon. John Briceño, to withdraw from the Belize City Mayoral Convention,” Miller emphasized in his public statement.

    In an official confirmation, the PUP National Executive has reaffirmed that the nomination convention for the Belize City mayoral candidacy will proceed as scheduled, putting an end to early speculation that the contest could be canceled to avoid internal division. The race remains competitive ahead of the broader municipal elections cycle, with internal party dynamics drawing close attention from political observers across Belize.