Carib Scope

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  • HR Leader Calisha Spencer Selected as Presenter for International LOUD26 HR Conference

    HR Leader Calisha Spencer Selected as Presenter for International LOUD26 HR Conference

    In a significant recognition of Caribbean professional excellence, Antiguan human resources authority Calisha Spencer has been chosen as a featured presenter at the internationally acclaimed LOUD26 Conference. This exclusive gathering convenes pioneering HR specialists, innovative thinkers, and transformative organizational leaders from diverse global industries.

    Spencer’s invitation marks both an exceptional career achievement and a moment of national pride for Antigua and Barbuda, showcasing the nation’s growing influence in global business leadership circles. Renowned for her assertive and contemporary approach to corporate leadership, Spencer has established herself as a strategic catalyst for organizational change. Her expertise spans talent acquisition, human capital management, policy formulation, and structural reinforcement, enabling enterprises to revolutionize their workforce strategies and corporate environments.

    Her scheduled LOUD26 address, titled “One Size No Longer Fits All,” will examine HR’s transformation into a strategic force driving institutional performance, cultural metamorphosis, and economic advancement. Spencer has consistently championed the paradigm shift viewing Human Resources not as administrative support but as fundamental to business viability and national progress.

    “This platform transcends individual recognition,” Spencer stated. “It embodies the substantial contributions Caribbean experts deliver globally. Our specialized knowledge, inventive approaches, and guidance merit international recognition.”

    The timing coincides with the imminent celebration of International Women’s Day, accentuating the expanding prominence of Caribbean women in authoritative positions. Spencer’s professional journey includes vigorous advocacy for career advancement initiatives, youth development programs, and contemporary leadership benchmarks throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

    In addition to her HR consultancy and hospitality sector background, Spencer facilitates vision boarding workshops and contributes HR commentary, motivating both nascent professionals and seasoned executives to pursue decisive, empathetic, and purposeful leadership.

    As Spencer prepares for her LOUD26 appearance, she exemplifies how Antiguan influence transcends geographical boundaries—possessing worldwide resonance and visionary ambition.

  • Grenada advances national biodiversity targets and financing solutions

    Grenada advances national biodiversity targets and financing solutions

    Grenada has taken significant strides in advancing its environmental agenda through a comprehensive national workshop focused on biodiversity conservation. The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted the pivotal gathering on February 25, 2026, at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.

    The workshop assembled a diverse coalition of stakeholders spanning government ministries, civil society organizations, statutory agencies, private sector representatives, and community groups from across Grenada’s regions, including Carriacou and St. George’s. This multidisciplinary participation underscored the nationwide commitment to addressing ecological challenges.

    Central to the discussions was the critical examination of Grenada’s draft national biodiversity targets and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms to support their implementation. The workshop forms an integral component of the GEF-funded Early Action Support Project, administered by UNDP through the Biodiversity Umbrella Programme for Grenada.

    Key thematic outcomes emphasized the necessity of national ownership and multi-stakeholder collaboration in fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants highlighted that legislative enforcement, conservation initiatives, and public awareness campaigns constitute fundamental pillars for achieving measurable progress by 2030.

    UNDP Multi-Country Coordinator Dr. Jenna Blackwood reaffirmed the organization’s continued support in revising Grenada’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) while developing sustainable financing frameworks. Environmental Specialist Aria St Louis, representing the Permanent Secretary, characterized the consultation as igniting “a flame for bold action” to preserve Grenada’s natural and cultural heritage.

    Minister Kerryne James emphasized the importance of establishing scientifically-grounded, scalable targets, stating: “What we are developing here is a national action framework, a governance instrument, a financing roadmap, and ultimately a tool for accountability.” The Minister warned against policy inertia given the “accelerating climate and ecological risks” and commended efforts to address implementation mechanisms, including sustainable biodiversity financing.

    Technical discussions encompassed ecosystem restoration, invasive species management, protected area expansion, and community participation strategies. These were complemented by analyses of Grenada’s biodiversity financing landscape, identifying challenges in domestic resource mobilization and proposing innovative financial solutions.

    The workshop revealed persistent challenges including capacity constraints, data deficiencies, and limitations in current financing flows that must be addressed to ensure long-term implementation success. Participant feedback will inform the finalization of national biodiversity targets and ongoing assessments of sustainable financing options, contributing to an updated NBSAP aligned with Grenada’s Sustainable Development Plan 2035 and the Convention’s Global Biodiversity Framework vision of “living in harmony with nature.”

  • Mexico Women thrash Saint Lucia in Concacaf qualifier

    Mexico Women thrash Saint Lucia in Concacaf qualifier

    The Mexican Women’s National Team delivered a formidable performance on Monday, securing an emphatic7-0 victory against Saint Lucia in a CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying match held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The encounter demonstrated Mexico’s offensive dominance from the initial whistle, placing the host nation under immediate defensive pressure despite the support of a local crowd.

    Mexico’s scoring initiative commenced in the 18th minute with Rebeca Bernal expertly heading the ball into the net from a corner kick. The lead was swiftly extended by veteran striker Charlyn Corral, who found the target with a precise right-footed finish, establishing a 2-0 advantage by halftime.

    The second half saw an escalation in Mexico’s relentless attack. An own goal by Saint Lucia’s Ellaisa Marquis in the 52nd minute further compounded the home side’s challenges. Corral secured her brace—marking her ninth goal in the 2026 qualifying campaign—in the 64th minute, highlighting her clinical form.

    Additional goals followed in quick succession: Alexia Delgado unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box in the 69th minute, Nicolette Hernandez added a sixth in the 87th, and Diana Ordonez capitalized on a loose ball during stoppage time to finalize the commanding 7-0 result.

    Despite the lopsided scoreline, Saint Lucian goalkeeper Renala Francis received commendation for a series of exceptional saves that prevented a more severe outcome. Head coach Francis McDonald acknowledged in a post-match press conference that the tactical approach was centered on defensive containment and damage limitation against a superior offensive opponent.

    Saint Lucia, positioned second from bottom in the group standings, will seek to regroup before their upcoming fixture against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on April 19.

  • Five Cruise Ships Bring 18,000 Passengers to Antigua in Single Day

    Five Cruise Ships Bring 18,000 Passengers to Antigua in Single Day

    The Antigua Cruise Port witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of maritime activity as five premier cruise liners—Grand Princess, Norwegian Epic, Britannia, Explora I, and Celebrity Eclipse—converged simultaneously at the harbor. This unprecedented event facilitated the arrival of approximately 18,000 passengers into St. John’s within a 24-hour window, creating a vibrant surge of economic and social engagement throughout the capital and its surrounding regions.

    This massive convergence underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s ascendant status as a preeminent hub within the Caribbean cruise circuit. The strategic docking of such a formidable fleet highlights the destination’s robust infrastructure and its compelling appeal to major industry operators.

    Economic reverberations were felt instantly across the island’s commercial landscape. Throngs of visitors dispersed to acclaimed coastal and cultural sites, including Dickenson Bay, Valley Church, and the historic Nelson’s Dockyard. This dispersal catalyzed a significant uptick in business for local taxi services, guided tour operators, retail establishments, and beachfront vendors. Industry analysts and tourism stakeholders emphasized that this single-day influx provided a substantial financial injection, particularly vital for the sustainability and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the local tourism economy.

    The event is not an anomaly but rather a testament to the sustained upward trajectory of the island’s cruise sector. The consistent ability to attract vessels from leading global cruise lines signals strong recovery and continued momentum post-pandemic, positioning Antigua and Barbuda for a potentially record-breaking tourism season.

  • Caribbean poetry contest winners announced by Macmillan Education

    Caribbean poetry contest winners announced by Macmillan Education

    Macmillan Education Caribbean has unveiled the distinguished winners of its regional ‘Language Tree New Branches’ Poetry Competition, highlighting exceptional literary talent across the Caribbean educational landscape. The prestigious contest attracted 99 remarkable submissions spanning 13 nations, organized into three distinct categories: Primary School Students, Lower Secondary School Students, and Educators.

    The competition showcased impressive participation metrics with 30 young primary poets, 21 lower secondary students, and 48 educators contributing original works exploring diverse themes including natural environments, culinary traditions, cultural festivals, marine life, and meteorological phenomena. Julia Sander, the presiding competition judge, noted the exceptional quality across all categories, particularly praising the inventive linguistic expression, creative originality, and palpable joy evident in the submissions that made the selection process notably challenging.

    In the Primary School category, Celine Rolle from St. Andrews Anglican School in Exuma, Bahamas claimed top honors with her culinary-themed poem ‘Let’s Make Tropical Conch Salad,’ celebrated for its vibrant sensory imagery, masterful poetic techniques, and dynamic rhythmic quality. Bahamian student Bethany Barr secured second position while third place was jointly awarded to Antoinette Kissoon (Trinidad and Tobago) and K’Ronjae Liburd (Nevis).

    The Lower Secondary division crowned Shakeir Tafarie Thomas of Antigua Grammar School for his environmentally conscious poem ‘Nature,’ which artfully contrasted natural beauty with human environmental impact while concluding with optimistic resolution. Second place was awarded to Denae Tehya Laelle Bontiff (Antigua and Barbuda) with third position going to Adryanna Fowler from Jamaica.

    Educators demonstrated equally impressive poetic prowess with Sasha Maynard of Charles E. Mills Secondary School (St. Kitts and Nevis) earning first place for ‘Christmas in Saint Kitts,’ which brilliantly intertwined religious significance with cultural celebration through sophisticated rhythmic and rhyming structures. Jamaican educator Ambrosia Oladele secured second position while Cheyenne K. V. Maynard (St. Kitts and Nevis) received third place recognition.

    All winning entries have been commemorated in a special limited-edition anthology published by Macmillan Education, serving as a testament to the region’s creative educational excellence. The competition organizers extended congratulations to all participants, reaffirming the event’s mission to enhance literacy standards, stimulate creative expression, and foster enduring appreciation for poetic arts throughout the Caribbean community.

  • VIDEO: Teen charged over stabbing of Alia McDowall

    VIDEO: Teen charged over stabbing of Alia McDowall

    A St. Vincent court has granted EC$15,000 bail to 17-year-old Doriel Duncan of Bethel High School, who faces charges of wounding with intent following the November 2024 stabbing incident that resulted in the death of fellow teenager Alia McDowall. The alleged victim, a 17-year-old student-athlete from Central Leeward Secondary School, succumbed to complications from her injuries at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital last Sunday after multiple hospitalizations.

    The judicial proceedings saw Duncan, a Barrouallie resident, released without entering a plea to the indictable charge. The court imposed specific bail conditions requiring her to report to the Barrouallie Police Station twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The case is scheduled to resume on April 2 with the commencement of a preliminary inquiry.

    Legal complications have emerged due to the timing of the charges. The ‘year-and-a-day’ rule in Vincentian law prevents prosecutors from upgrading the charges to murder or manslaughter following McDowall’s death. This legal technicality has drawn sharp criticism from the victim’s family, who expressed frustration with the investigative process.

    Family members revealed to iWitness News that police failed to conduct follow-up investigations during McDowall’s hospitalization and showed minimal engagement with the case. ‘The system and the authorities need to do better,’ stated a close female relative of the deceased. ‘A case like this should not require families to track down developments themselves. The complete lack of communication and follow-up while Alia fought for her life has undermined our confidence in achieving justice.’

    The case has raised questions about police procedures and legal limitations in serious assault cases that result in delayed fatalities, highlighting broader concerns about judicial responsiveness in violent crime investigations.

  • Saint Lucia still in the dark on deadly U.S. strike

    Saint Lucia still in the dark on deadly U.S. strike

    Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has revealed that his government remains without critical details regarding a controversial U.S. military operation that resulted in three fatalities near Saint Lucian waters on February 13th. The incident, described by American forces as a “lethal kinetic strike” targeting suspected drug trafficking routes, has generated significant regional unease and diplomatic tensions.

    The operation gained personal significance for Saint Lucia when local fisherman Ricky Joseph was reported missing following the attack, with his family suspecting he might have been aboard the targeted vessel. This development has transformed the incident from a distant security matter into one with direct human consequences for the island nation.

    During recent CARICOM Heads of Government meetings, Prime Minister Pierre engaged in bilateral discussions with U.S. representatives, emphasizing regional security cooperation and specifically raising questions about the February incident amid growing public concern. “I will hasten to tell you that we got no more information on what happened in the waters of St Vincent and Saint Lucia,” Pierre stated during a March 2nd pre-Cabinet press briefing.

    According to the Prime Minister, U.S. officials maintained their firm stance on preventing drug trafficking through Caribbean waters, stating they “work on intelligence” and that such operations are conducted for “a reason.” American authorities have characterized those killed as “narcoterrorists,” though no public evidence linking the vessel or its occupants to drug trafficking has been provided.

    The missing person case has prompted local investigation, with Saint Lucian police recovering what appeared to be fishing vessel remains off the coast of Micoud. While authorities are examining potential connections between the debris and Joseph’s disappearance, no official link to the U.S. military operation has been confirmed.

  • Two homeless as fire guts Farnum Land homes

    Two homeless as fire guts Farnum Land homes

    A devastating midday fire tore through a residential area on Farnum Land, Deacons Road, on Monday, resulting in the complete destruction of one home and significant damage to two neighboring properties. The incident has displaced two residents and sent a child to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

    Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter devastation as the acrid smell of smoke permeated the air. The primary timber-frame structure was reduced to a skeleton of charred beams and debris by the time emergency services arrived. An adjacent home suffered extensive fire damage, while a third property exhibited visible scorch marks along its eaves.

    The Barbados Fire Service responded to the emergency call at 12:26 pm, deploying thirteen firefighters from both the Bridgetown Port and Bridgetown Fire Stations. The response team arrived with two water tenders and a water tanker, but found the structures already fully engulfed in flames.

    Divisional Officer Tremelle Perch reported that despite the challenging conditions, firefighters successfully contained the blaze to the three affected properties. “One house was completely destroyed, one extensively damaged and one slightly damaged,” Perch stated, praising the efforts of his team.

    Among those impacted was Rodney Ifill, whose home sustained major damage. The visibly shaken resident expressed his trauma, stating: “Right now I in shock… I could be in there dead today.” Ifill reported having been asleep when neighbors alerted him to the fire, and emphasized that his gas supply had been turned off, leaving no apparent ignition source within his property.

    Local Member of Parliament Chris Gibbs was attending parliamentary proceedings when he received multiple notifications about the emergency. “I was sitting there in Parliament attentively, and I got about three or four WhatsApps and about five calls from my constituents,” Gibbs recounted, emphasizing his commitment to serving the community during crises.

    According to Gibbs, each of the three affected homes had single occupants, with two residents now completely displaced. Welfare officials provided immediate assistance with clothing, food, and temporary accommodation arrangements. The MP confirmed that the hospitalized child had been treated and was recovering satisfactorily.

    The origin of the fire remains undetermined and is currently under official investigation by authorities.

  • SLBF Select 12 crowned champions of KFC Invitational

    SLBF Select 12 crowned champions of KFC Invitational

    The SLBF Select 12 emerged victorious in the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation’s KFC Pre-Season Invitational after a dramatic Sunday night finale that culminated in a three-way tiebreak scenario. The round-robin tournament, held at Beausejour Indoor Facility from February 27 to March 1, featured intense competition among four teams: Soufriere Kings, Bonne Terre Blazzers, SLBF Select 12, and the invited 767 Sports Club Dominica.

    Following the completion of all fixtures, an unprecedented tie occurred with three teams—Soufriere Kings, 767 Sports Club Dominica, and SLBF Select 12—each finishing with identical records of three wins and one loss. According to FIBA tie-breaking regulations, the championship was awarded to SLBF Select 12 based on superior point differential. The all-star squad, composed of elite players selected from various National League teams, claimed the preseason trophy ahead of the visiting Dominican team and local contenders.

    Tournament organizers celebrated the high-caliber basketball displayed throughout the event. Saint Lucia Basketball Federation President Glen Guiste remarked, ‘If this is a prelude to the regular season, there’s some good basketball to look forward to,’ indicating promising prospects for the upcoming season commencing March 7.

    Dunstan ‘Maggie’ Peters, coach of the visiting 767 Sports Club Dominica Allstars, expressed pride in his team’s competitive intensity despite falling short of the title. In an exclusive interview with St. Lucia Times, Peters noted the elevated competition level compared to previous years: ‘The way it happened is exactly how I expected, and I wanted it to be tougher than the two other years. The tournament is growing and that’s what we want.’ His ‘Bouyon Ballers’ suffered their first preseason defeat after two years of undefeated performances, signaling the development of regional basketball competitiveness.

  • LIVE NOW: Earth Hour 2026 Press Conference

    LIVE NOW: Earth Hour 2026 Press Conference

    Google’s newly launched AI Overview feature has come under intense criticism after producing a series of alarming and factually incorrect responses to user queries. The artificial intelligence-powered search tool, designed to provide summarized answers at the top of search results, has been documented suggesting potentially dangerous actions including adding glue to pizza sauce and consuming rocks for nutritional benefits.

    The problematic responses emerged shortly after Google’s announcement of the feature at its annual I/O developer conference, where company executives presented AI Overviews as a transformative step in search technology. Instead, the feature has demonstrated significant vulnerabilities in Google’s AI implementation, raising questions about the company’s testing protocols and quality control measures.

    Technology analysts note that these errors represent a fundamental challenge for AI systems trained on vast datasets from the internet, where satire, joke content, and misinformation coexist with factual information. The incidents have sparked broader discussions about the ethical responsibilities of tech giants when deploying generative AI features to billions of users without adequate safeguards.

    Industry observers are particularly concerned about the potential real-world consequences of such recommendations, especially when presented with the authority typically associated with Google’s search results. The company has responded by stating it’s taking ‘swift action’ to address the problematic responses through improved detection mechanisms and algorithmic adjustments.

    This development occurs amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of AI technologies worldwide, with lawmakers and consumer protection agencies paying closer attention to how major tech companies implement and monitor their artificial intelligence systems.