Carib Scope

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  • Barbados mourns death of Merrymen legend Sir Emile Straker

    Barbados mourns death of Merrymen legend Sir Emile Straker

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Caribbean nation of Barbados is in national mourning Friday following the death of its most iconic cultural entertainer, Sir Charles Emile Straker, the beloved lead vocalist of the world-famous calypso band The Merrymen. Straker, who turned 90 this year, passed away earlier the same day, with no official cause of death released to the public as of the announcement.

    Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley led a nation in paying tribute to Straker, framing his death as an incalculable loss for the island’s cultural identity. “Early this morning, Barbados awoke to the deeply sad news that Sir Charles Emile Straker, one of our greatest cultural sons and the golden voice of The Merrymen, has gone home,” Mottley shared in a public statement. “For generations, Sir Emile gave us more than melodies. He gave Barbados a feeling.”

    Across a decades-long career, Straker built a legacy of music that captured the full spirit of Bajan life. Hits including *Beautiful Barbados*, *Nut Seller*, *Big Bamboo*, *Sam Lord*, and *You Sweeten Me* wove together humor, heartfelt warmth, unapologetic national pride, and an infectious joy that resonated with audiences near and far. Whether listening at home on the island, visiting as a tourist, or living abroad in the Bajan diaspora, fans from all walks of life found common connection in Straker’s work.

    Long before the era of social media viral campaigns and global digital platforms, Straker and The Merrymen put Barbados on the international cultural map. The band carried the island’s story across hotel stages across the Caribbean, major concert halls around the world, and through vinyl records carried back to every corner of the globe by tourists who fell in love with both the music and the island it represented. For countless visitors, Straker’s music fostered such a deep sense of belonging that they returned to Barbados again and again, boosting the island’s tourism and global reputation for decades.

    In recognition of his decades of cultural contribution, Straker was knighted as a Knight of St Andrew by the Barbadian government in 2019. Just two years ago, in 2023, he released his autobiography *My Island and Me*, which chronicled his life and career alongside his love for his home nation. Mottley noted that his knighthood was far more than a personal honor—it was a long-overdue national embrace of a man whose gifts had already been one of Barbados’ greatest cultural treasures.

    “Today, as we mourn with his children Dean, Ray and Stacey-Jane, his grandchildren, relatives, friends, bandmates, and all who loved him, we give thanks for a life that sweetened Barbados and made the world sing along,” Mottley added.

    Straker’s passing marks the latest loss for the original line-up of The Merrymen. Tenor guitarist Robin Hunte died of cancer in August 2015, and original bass guitarist Chris Gibbs—who made history in 2003 as the first person from a Caribbean nation to swim across the English Channel—also died of cancer in June 2025 at the age of 80. Of the surviving original members, guitarist Stephen Fields currently lives with dementia, while guitarist Willie Kerr and drummer Peter Roett continue to perform periodically alongside other local Barbadian acts.

  • Holness says Jamaica must move from exporting talent to attracting it

    Holness says Jamaica must move from exporting talent to attracting it

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — Against the backdrop of intensifying global economic competition, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has laid out a bold new national vision: to reorient Jamaica’s long-standing role as a net exporter of skilled labor into a sought-after destination that draws and retains top global talent, a shift he says is non-negotiable for unlocking sustained, long-term economic growth.

    Holness shared his strategic framework Thursday evening during keynote remarks at the 25th anniversary gala of global hotel chain Riu Hotels & Resorts, held in Montego Bay. In his address, he framed the global race for skilled workers as the defining challenge of the 21st century, a competition that now outpaces even the historic rivalry for foreign capital and access to natural resources.

    “Nations across the world are vying for tourist arrivals, competing for direct investment, and courting new business operations,” Holness told assembled guests and industry stakeholders. “But the fiercest competition of all is for talent. That is the ultimate contest shaping economic success in the modern era.”

    For nearly two centuries, Holness noted, Jamaica has built a legacy of supplying highly skilled workers to economies across North America, Europe and beyond. Today, that dynamic must change, he argued: the country must simultaneously create local economic opportunities that encourage native Jamaican skilled workers to stay at home, while building an environment that attracts talented professionals from around the globe.

    “For almost 200 years, we have positioned Jamaica as a net exporter of talent,” he said. “If our economy is to grow and expand, we now must reposition ourselves to be a net receiver of talent that powers our growing industries.”

    The prime minister emphasized that migration, tourism and foreign direct investment are often treated as separate policy silos, but they are ultimately driven by the same core factors that lead people and companies to select one country over another.

    “A tourist picks where to spend their vacation, an investor chooses where to deploy their capital, a business selects where to set up operations, a skilled worker decides where to build their career, and a family chooses where to put down roots for the future,” he explained. “All of these decisions increasingly hinge on the same fundamentals: personal safety, effective governance, efficient public services, global connectivity, and access to meaningful economic opportunity.”

    Nations that win in this new competitive landscape, Holness argued, are those that successfully establish themselves as “destinations of choice.” He pointed to Singapore, Dubai and Switzerland as leading examples of countries that have intentionally built policy and regulatory environments that draw consistent investment, retain skilled workers, and foster long-term sustainable economic activity.

    Against that global backdrop, Holness positioned Jamaica’s $10 billion-plus tourism industry as the linchpin of the country’s strategy to become a talent magnet. Tourism, he said, acts as the critical first entry point that connects global audiences to the country’s potential.

    “Tourism is far more than just an standalone industry,” he said. “It is most often the world’s first introduction to our country. It shapes global perceptions, builds confidence among outside stakeholders, and showcases everything Jamaica has to offer. Tourism is the gateway to investment-led development.”

    Successful long-term tourism investment, Holness explained, creates a self-reinforcing positive cycle: first, international visitors gain first-hand familiarity with Jamaica, that experience builds confidence in the country’s stability and potential, that confidence draws new foreign investment across sectors, and those new investments create the high-quality opportunities that retain local skilled workers while drawing talent from overseas.

    “Opportunity is what retains and attracts talent,” he said. “Instead of our most skilled Jamaicans leaving to pursue careers abroad, they stay here and contribute directly to growing our economy. At the same time, our growing opportunities draw talented people from across the world to come and work here. That diversity strengthens our own local workforce, raises standards, and allows us to expand the range of high-value services we offer globally.”

    The prime minister tied this strategic vision to the Jamaican government’s ongoing policy agenda, noting that current investments in core infrastructure, public safety, affordable housing, public service delivery, and human capital development all share the same overarching goal: strengthening Jamaica’s appeal as a place where people want to live, work and build futures.

    “All of these investments are part of one unified national mission: to make Jamaica a place of choice,” he said. “A place where people want to visit, where businesses want to invest, where talented people want to build their careers, where families want to live, and where future generations can thrive.”

    Alongside outlining his national strategy, Holness used the occasion to commend Riu Hotels & Resorts for its 25 years of operations and partnership in Jamaica. He framed the Spanish hotel chain’s consistent, growing investment in the island as an early vote of confidence that validates Jamaica’s current strategic path.

    “In many ways, Riu’s 25 years in Jamaica proves that we are already on the right track,” Holness said. “The confidence Riu placed in Jamaica 25 years ago has been rewarded, and the confidence Jamaica placed in Riu as a partner has also been rewarded.”

    “To the entire Riu family and team, thank you for your partnership, your investment, and your belief in Jamaica,” he added. “Congratulations on 25 years of outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s tourism sector.”

    Following his remarks, the prime minister met and spoke with Riu Hotels & Resorts team members at the Montego Bay gala venue.

  • Prosecution rests in Adrian Gibson trial

    Prosecution rests in Adrian Gibson trial

    One of the Bahamas’ most closely watched public corruption prosecutions reached a major procedural milestone this week, when the Crown officially closed its case against former Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) executive chairman Adrian Gibson and four co-defendants after more than two and a half years of prosecution evidence presentation. The development came right after the prosecution finished its examination of its star witness, Alexandria Mackey, Gibson’s former fiancée, before Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson. Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier confirmed the prosecution’s decision to wrap its case in open court. This ruling paves the way for the long-delayed proceeding to move into its next critical phase: the defense’s presentation of evidence.

    The case traces back to 2022, when Gibson entered a formal not guilty plea to the charges against him. Jury selection for the trial was completed in May 2023, and opening arguments and witness testimony got underway that November. Joining Gibson in the dock are four other defendants: former WSC general manager Elwood Donaldson Jr, Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Jerome Missick. All five accused are facing charges tied to public works contracts awarded by the WSC during Gibson’s tenure at the head of the state-owned utility. All defendants have repeatedly and unequivocally denied any criminal wrongdoing connected to the contracts.

    At the core of the prosecution’s allegations is the claim that the contracts awarded under Gibson’s leadership were directed to hidden business interests owned or controlled by Gibson and his close associates, diverting public funds for private gain. Mackey, a key insider witness, returned to the witness stand this week for the final stretch of her testimony, as prosecutors worked to undercut defense claims that her accusations were nothing more than unsubstantiated claims. To back their case, prosecutors introduced a trail of documentary evidence including bank statements, corporate registration documents and internal email correspondence that they say ties the alleged improper arrangements to Gibson.

    Much of the day’s testimony focused on the purchase of two parcels of land, lots eight and nine in the Farrington Road district of the Bahamas. Prosecutors told the court their financial records trace the funds used to buy the property directly to companies they allege are secretly linked to Gibson. Mackey testified that she and Gibson had discussed purchasing property in that area before their romantic relationship ended in a public split. Damian Gomez KC, Gibson’s lead defense attorney, raised objections to portions of Mackey’s testimony, arguing that she was engaging in speculation about the true purpose of the financial transactions tied to the purchase.

    Prosecutors pushed back against the defense’s objections, noting that Mackey’s testimony was rooted in direct personal experience and aligned with the physical documentary evidence submitted to the court. Senior Justice Grant-Thompson ultimately ruled in favor of the prosecution, upholding the admissibility of Mackey’s testimony and confirming that her statements were based on her personal knowledge of the events and the documents she had reviewed.

    Beyond the land purchase, prosecutors also questioned Mackey about how WSC contracts were awarded to companies tied to Gibson, and the widespread subcontracting of portions of the awarded work to third-party firms. The witness walked through records detailing public water tank refurbishment projects, and confirmed that based on the documentary evidence presented, the state-owned WSC suffered financial losses as a result of the awarded contracts.

    Questioning then turned to subcontracting arrangements for Top Notch, a firm that has been repeatedly named during the trial as a subcontractor for work on the water tank projects. Defense attorneys submitted a formal letter to the court outlining their concerns over lengthy project delays and alleged breaches of the subcontract agreement for the water tank works. The document details a ongoing business dispute between Elite Maintenance, the lead contractor, and Top Notch, alleging that Top Notch failed to begin contracted work on schedule, refused to submit a formal project completion timeline, and did not provide required proof of insurance coverage, all of which led to the termination of Top Notch’s subcontract. The introduction of the letter comes as both sides continue to dispute the legality and propriety of the subcontracting arrangements tied to the WSC water tank contracts.

    After Mackey completed her final testimony, the court dismissed her as a witness, formally notifying her that she was free to leave the Bahamas jurisdiction if she chose. Immediately after her dismissal, DPP Frazier confirmed that the prosecution had no more witnesses or evidence to present, officially closing the Crown’s case after years of proceedings.

  • Florida operator defends Bahamas jet ski industry

    Florida operator defends Bahamas jet ski industry

    A cross-border debate over travel safety has erupted in The Bahamas after the US Embassy issued a stark public alert labeling the country’s jet ski rental sector as rife with “serious and ongoing” dangers — prompting a Florida-based jet ski business owner to travel to the archipelago to defend the industry and warn the warning threatens the livelihoods of thousands of tourism-dependent Bahamian workers.

    John Rosen, founder of Jet Ski Fort Lauderdale, delivered his rebuttal on location at Cabbage Beach, a popular Nassau tourist hub adjacent to the Atlantis resort, just days after the embassy rolled out its formal advisory. The warning, announced in a Monday video address by US Ambassador Herschel Walker, outlined a series of grave allegations: multiple American tourists have died, been hospitalized, and subjected to sexual assault at the hands of unregulated jet ski operators, who frequently target visitors and transport assault victims to isolated, remote areas.

    Breaking down the specific incidents cited in the advisory, the embassy reported that six US citizens have required hospital care following jet ski accidents since August 2024, three of whom needed emergency medical evacuation off the islands. It added that two American women reported sexual assaults by jet ski operators in 2024, with two additional allegations filed already in 205. The advisory also criticized inconsistent regulatory oversight of rental zones, noting that unlicensed “rogue operators” continue to aggressively solicit customers on Nassau’s most heavily trafficked shorelines.

    But legitimate, long-running operators on Cabbage Beach pushed back against the broad-brush condemnation, arguing the sector needs stronger regulation and enforcement rather than blanket stigmatization. They emphasize that a tiny minority of bad actors should not be allowed to ruin the reputations and businesses of law-abiding operators who have built their livelihoods in the country’s $40 billion-plus tourism economy, which fuels more than half of The Bahamas’ national GDP.

    Rosen, who traveled to Nassau specifically to push back against what he calls a misleading and damaging portrayal of the industry, noted that jet ski rentals remain one of the most popular outdoor activities for visitors to The Bahamas. “I just wanted to help the public really understand the statistics and what jet ski rentals bring to the industry here in The Bahamas, and anywhere around the world in general — you know, the dangers but also all the great things that come with it,” he said in an interview on the beach.

    Putting the incident numbers in context, Rosen explained that The Bahamas welcomes roughly 12 million annual visitors, an estimated 250,000 of whom choose to rent jet skis during their stay. Comparing the embassy cited incident count to other common recreational activities, he pointed out that only six hospitalizations and one fatality — which he clarified was caused by an unlicensed boat operator, not a jet ski renter or licensed operator — have been recorded over the last three years.

    To put that risk in perspective, Rosen drew a comparison to bicycle accidents in his home region of South Florida. “When you’re going to compare that to injuries and accidents, maybe with other activities, such as where I live, you have bikes that are constantly in the news for accidents and casualties,” he said. “Just in 2024 alone, where I live, there were almost 10,000 bicycle accidents that led to hospitalisations and over 200 deaths. You know, so if they want to tell people to stop renting jet skis in The Bahamas, they better start telling people to stop riding bikes in South Florida.”

    Rosen urged tourists to simply choose licensed, insured, reputable rental companies rather than avoid jet skiing entirely, and offered to share the proven safety protocols his operation uses in Fort Lauderdale to help Bahamian operators improve their own safety standards. He also noted that Bahamian authorities have already taken concrete action to address the reported sexual assaults, including making arrests, filing criminal charges, and enacting a landmark new regulation that prohibits operators from riding on the same jet ski as renters — a policy change explicitly designed to reduce the risk of assault.

    “So clearly they’re taking action to make sure these things don’t happen, and anywhere you go around the world, there’s always a risk of some bad thing happening, but we don’t want to take away what’s so great and respected about the Bahamas. Jet skiing is what people want to do. Do not discourage people from renting and riding jet skis; it’s something that we all need to enjoy with our families,” Rosen added.

    He argued the sector should be reformed, not shut down, and questioned whether US Embassy officials fully grasp how damaging their broad warning could be to ordinary Bahamians who depend on tourism for work. “I don’t think they understand the implications of their message and how it’s going to affect the people that come here, because they really are scaring people, when in reality they don’t have a reason to be scared. You just have to look at the statistics, and the numbers speak for themselves, honestly,” he said.

    The latest US warning comes as The Bahamas’ government faces renewed scrutiny of its special jet ski regulatory task force, launched in March 2024 to crack down on unregulated operators and strengthen safety standards across the sector. To date, authorities have seized unlicensed equipment, issued thousands in fines, and revoked operating licenses for repeat violators, but industry leaders have openly acknowledged that enforcement remains uneven across popular beach areas, and more work is needed to bring all operators into compliance with safety and licensing rules.

    Devane Ferguson, a 20-year veteran Cabbage Beach jet ski operator, said established, law-abiding businesses need targeted government support to counteract the damage from the US warning and the actions of rogue operators. Ferguson explained that serious incidents almost always involve unlicensed new entrants to the industry, not the long-standing operators that have served tourists safely for decades. He acknowledged that the advisory has caused a measurable slowdown in bookings, but added that most informed tourists have continued to patronize legitimate local operators.

  • Student YouTuber interviews Buddy Hield and helps others

    Student YouTuber interviews Buddy Hield and helps others

    At an age when most children are focused on schoolyard games and homework, 11-year-old Ameko Lamm is building a platform for positivity, lifting up his community, and preparing to step into the role of head boy when he enters sixth grade this semester. A student at Faith Way Christian Academy in The Bahamas, Ameko has already notched a string of impressive achievements: from interviewing NBA star Buddy Hield on his YouTube channel, to distributing encouraging wristbands to local primary schoolers, to gearing up to hand out 200 hygiene kits to residents in need this coming weekend.

    Ameko’s YouTube project, *Kidversations with Lil Meko*, fills a unique niche in local content creation: it spotlights influential Bahamian personalities, grassroots community leaders, and high-achieving young people across the islands, all while pushing other children to get involved in service work in their own neighborhoods. The idea for the channel grew from Ameko’s own love of YouTube content; after watching his favorite creators for years, he decided he wanted to build something meaningful that would empower young people to chase their talents and create change around them.

    Since the channel launched, Ameko has sat down with a range of notable guests, including NBA guard Buddy Hield and popular Bahamian content creator Vocab Bahamas. For Ameko, a lifelong basketball fan, the conversation with Hield stands out as a career highlight so far. The opportunity came about unexpectedly when Ameko’s father ran into the professional athlete at a local restaurant, and asked if the 11-year-old could interview him for his channel. “He gave my daddy his number,” Ameko explained to The Tribune. “We went and I interviewed him. We talked about what team line up he would use, and what he would do if he wasn’t a basketball player.”

    Beyond chasing exciting interviews, Ameko intentionally crafts content that is engaging, family-friendly, and motivating for young audiences. The project has also pushed him to grow personally: though he has taken home wins at multiple speech and poetry competitions, Ameko says he has always struggled with nervousness when talking to new people. Running an interview-focused YouTube channel has forced him to face that anxiety head on, and helped him build confidence he never had before.

    His impact stretches far beyond the screen, too. Recently, Ameko distributed 100 custom motivational wristbands to students at CW Sawyer Primary School, spreading words of encouragement to younger learners across the island. This Saturday at noon, he will take on his next big service project: distributing 200 complete hygiene kits to community members at Emerald Gardens Park.

    For Ameko, community service is never about seeking fame or attention – it is about the tangible difference he can make in other people’s lives. “I don’t just give back because I can, I do it to see the smiles on other people’s faces,” he said. Citing his faith, he added: “In the Bible it says be kind to our neighbours. I give back because I know there are less fortunate who may not have as much as others do.” When asked what superpower would help him with his community work, he answered without hesitation: courage. It takes nothing more, he explained, to turn around someone’s day.

    Balancing the demands of school, student leadership, extracurricular activities, and a growing YouTube channel is no small feat for an 11-year-old, but Ameko says he has a strong support system to keep him going. His parents have stood by him through every misstep and success, and his younger brother serves as an unofficial “mini-manager” who keeps Ameko motivated. “I also have a little brother who’s like my mini-manager, so there’s someone so small looking up to me,” he said. “There’s no way I cannot succeed.”

    Looking to the future, Ameko hopes to one day work as a meteorologist. For other young people who dream of starting their own projects or giving back, he has a simple, powerful message: keep pushing toward your goals, and trust that you are capable of more than you think. “You are your biggest motivation, and only you can limit yourself where you want to go,” he said, adding that his faith keeps him grounded through every challenge.

  • PM promises to examine police gratuity dispute

    PM promises to examine police gratuity dispute

    A decades-long fight for owed gratuity payments by hundreds of retired police officers in The Bahamas has been thrust back into the national spotlight, with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis committing to review the stalled dispute and engage judicial leaders to accelerate long-pending court proceedings. The long-running conflict reemerged publicly this week during budget debate in the House of Assembly, where James Ferguson, the Member of Parliament for MICAL and a retired police officer himself, raised urgent questions about whether the current administration had set aside funds to resolve claims that have lingered unresolved for between 15 and 20 years.

    Breaking down the core of the dispute, Finance Minister Michael Halkitis explained that the controversy centers on non-senior officers — specifically those who retired before reaching the rank of inspector or another officially gazetted position — and whether this group qualifies for the gratuity payments they have claimed for years. National Security Minister Myles Laroda noted that the matter is already tied up in the court system, with inconsistent outcomes: some retired officers have already received their owed gratuities, while hundreds of others have been left empty-handed. Laroda added that the dispute stretches all the way back to the administration of former National Security Minister BJ Nottage, and that he had previously advocated for affected officers earlier in his career.

    Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, who has repeatedly pushed for resolution of the conflict since 2023 when he first renewed public calls for compensation for the 450 affected officers, pointed to the staggering human cost of the delay: many of the retired officers who originally launched the claims have already died without ever receiving the payments they fought for. Pintard also backed the idea that the head of the national judiciary could help prioritize the pending cases and move them through the court calendar faster.

    Prior to this week’s debate, Prime Minister Davis said he had not been formally briefed on the full details of the dispute. He acknowledged that if the matter is before the courts, there is a legitimate legal conflict that requires a formal judicial ruling. However, he committed that once he receives full particulars of all outstanding claims, he will personally review the file and reach out to the chief justice to explore pathways to speed up the resolution process. Laroda later confirmed he is scheduled to meet with the Police Staff Association in the near future to discuss the officers’ demands directly.

    The history of the dispute dates back to at least 2023, when Pintard first revived public attention to the issue, estimating that hundreds of officers were collectively owed millions of dollars in wrongfully withheld payments that many had waited more than a decade to receive. At that time, then-National Security Minister Wayne Munroe confirmed that the Supreme Court had previously dismissed litigation brought by the officers on procedural grounds. Munroe noted that the Attorney General’s Office had already issued a formal legal opinion on the matter, and directed the officers’ legal team to refile the case properly through the court system, adding that the government would respect whatever final ruling the judiciary issues.

  • Asonahores highlights potential for shopping tourism in Santo Domingo

    Asonahores highlights potential for shopping tourism in Santo Domingo

    SANTO DOMINGO – As the Dominican capital continues to see a surge in ongoing tourism-related development projects, a top industry executive is laying out a strategic roadmap to turn Santo Domingo into a leading regional destination for shopping tourism. Aguie Lendor, vice president of the Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), shared his vision in a recent statement, noting that the city has already built a solid foundation to compete in the fast-growing shopping tourism segment, but targeted policy advances and infrastructure upgrades are still needed to unlock its full potential.

    One of the most critical priorities on Lendor’s agenda is the formal adoption of tax-free shopping policies for international tourists. He emphasized that gaining official approval from Dominican regulatory bodies is non-negotiable to make this visitor-friendly strategy viable. If implemented, Lendor argued, the tax-free framework would act as a powerful magnet for cross-border travelers, boosting retail spending and accelerating the city’s rise as a central shopping hub for the Caribbean and Latin American region.

    Beyond the shopping tourism push, Lendor also offered praise for the current administration’s progress in expanding the country’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism sector. He specifically commended President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado for their sustained efforts to grow this high-value tourism segment, pointing to the nearly completed Santo Domingo Convention Center as a transformative infrastructure milestone.

    While the convention center project is approaching final completion, Lendor stressed that maintaining strict quality and safety standards throughout the remaining construction work is essential. Even if finishing touches take additional time, he said, adhering to top-tier global standards will ensure the venue delivers long-term success and allows the Dominican Republic to compete effectively for major international events in the global MICE market.

  • INAPA highlights water and sanitation advances at EXCO RD 2026 in Santiago

    INAPA highlights water and sanitation advances at EXCO RD 2026 in Santiago

    SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — At the 2026 Expo Construcción RD (EXCO RD), a premier regional construction industry gathering held in Santiago, Wellington Arnaud, executive director of the Dominican Republic’s National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), delivered a keynote address outlining how strategic, long-term public water and sanitation infrastructure drives inclusive human development, environmental sustainability, and public confidence in government services. Arnaud’s presentation, titled “Planning to Transform: Effective Management as a Path to Human Development, Sustainability and Public Trust,” broke down key ongoing and completed projects advanced by INAPA over his tenure, framing each as a product of intentional strategic planning and consistent policy continuity.

    Among the major projects Arnaud highlighted are new drinking water systems serving communities across the country, including the aqueduct projects in Villa Altagracia, Monción, Navarrete, Ocoa, Miches, and Pedernales, which have expanded reliable access to clean drinking water for tens of thousands of Dominican households. Moving to sanitation and environmental initiatives, Arnaud spotlighted the rehabilitation of the Gurabo stream, a project widely recognized as one of the most impactful environmental interventions currently underway in the Dominican Republic. He also noted the completion and expansion of modern wastewater treatment facilities in Baní, Peravia province, and Las Matas de Farfán, San Juan province, two key facilities that are boosting public health outcomes and reducing water pollution in local ecosystems.

    “At its core, this work is human development,” Arnaud emphasized during his address. “Every investment we make in water and sanitation infrastructure is an investment directly into the quality of life of the Dominican people.” He added that all of INAPA’s recent achievements align with the commitment of Dominican President Luis Abinader to expand equitable access to essential public utility services across the country.

    Arnaud also drew attention to INAPA’s Universal Sanitation Program for Coastal and Tourist Cities, an initiative that has earned international acclaim from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has named the program a regional benchmark for innovation and measurable impact in the sanitation sector.

    Hosted at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santiago, EXCO RD 2026 runs from June 17 to 19 and is organized by the Cibao Association of Housing Developers and Builders (APROCOVICI). As the leading construction and real estate trade fair for the Cibao region, the event is designed to accelerate industry growth, showcase cutting-edge construction innovation, create new cross-sector business connections, and establish itself as a flagship annual platform for the Dominican Republic’s fast-growing construction industry.

  • CELAC and OLADE launch regional strategy for clean energy interconnection

    CELAC and OLADE launch regional strategy for clean energy interconnection

    On June 17 in Montevideo, Uruguay, two leading regional bodies—the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLADE) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)—unveiled an ambitious long-term strategy designed to transform energy integration across the region by 2040: the Regional Indicative Plan for Electrical Interconnection.

    This landmark initiative is not a solo undertaking: it was developed in partnership with the European Union under the broader Euroclima environmental program, with German development agency GIZ tapped to handle on-the-ground implementation. At its core, the plan maps out 16 priority cross-border infrastructure projects that will form critical new electricity transmission corridors, laying the groundwork for seamless energy connectivity across Latin America and the Caribbean.

    Technical projections for the initiative paint a compelling economic and environmental case. The full program requires an estimated $3.5 billion in cumulative upfront investment by 2040, with remarkably short payback periods ranging from just two to six years, positioning the plan as a high-return infrastructure opportunity. Once completed, the network will deliver a total optimized interconnection capacity of 5,000 megawatts, enabling expanded cross-border trade of renewable energy. This interconnected system will cut the region’s collective reliance on polluting fossil fuels and drive major reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with global climate action goals.

    Beyond climate benefits, the plan delivers substantial economic upside for participating nations. Officials calculate the initiative will deliver a 10:1 benefit-cost ratio, with annual net economic gains projected to fall between $1 billion and $5 billion, depending on how quickly member states expand regional access to electricity. These gains stem from three core improvements: more efficient energy distribution across national borders, strengthened resilience to supply disruptions, and lower overall energy costs for end users.

    The official launch of the plan coincided with the VIII CELAC Energy Ministerial Meeting, held June 18 in the same host city. The gathering brought together senior government representatives, leaders from global and regional financial institutions, and international development partners to address pressing shared challenges, including the need to harmonize inconsistent energy regulations across the region. This regulatory work comes at a critical juncture, as Latin America and the Caribbean face growing climate volatility and are navigating a rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity that outpaces existing cross-border frameworks.

    In his remarks to the meeting, OLADE Executive Secretary Andrés Rebolledo underscored the urgent need for progress toward a formal, binding Energy Integration Treaty for the region. He pointed out that no such unifying legal framework currently exists for cross-border energy cooperation, and that creating it has become increasingly critical to advancing three core priorities: strengthening regional energy security, deepening collaborative ties between member states, and accelerating the just transition to low-carbon sustainable energy systems.

    The ministerial meeting functioned as a key strategic launching pad for formal political negotiations around the proposed treaty. CELAC member states have set out a shared goal of establishing a future agreement that will standardize energy regulations across borders, streamline the sharing of energy resources, and reinforce collective energy security. This coordinated approach will position the region to better respond to shifting global energy market dynamics and evolving climate-related energy challenges.

  • Derrick Scott finds strength in Psalm 91 with new single ‘Deliver Me’

    Derrick Scott finds strength in Psalm 91 with new single ‘Deliver Me’

    For people of faith around the world, sacred scripture often serves as a lifeline during life’s darkest moments. For veteran gospel musician Derrick Scott, that lifeline became the spark for his latest creative release, a deeply personal single titled *Deliver Me* that draws its roots from his profound grief and unshakable belief.

    Scott, a South Florida-based committed Christian with more than two decades of walking in his faith, poured his heart into the track after losing his wife Nadine in February 2022. The couple, both natives of Linstead in Jamaica’s St Catherine parish, shared four years of marriage before her passing, leaving Scott navigating an overwhelming period of uncertainty and sorrow. It was during this grieving process that he turned once again to the Book of Psalms, a section of the Bible he has long turned to for comfort.

    “After losing my wife, I was going through a rough time, but my faith in God never wavered. I love reading Psalms, as it gives me some comfort,” Scott explained in an interview with Observer Online. “One night after reading Psalm 91, I got the inspiration to sing it, so I started to sing a few verses every day until it came to fruition and this is the final project.”

    Released on June 19, *Deliver Me* is the first new release from Scott’s own independent imprint DScott Music, which he founded to support his independent gospel work. Psalm 91, the text that inspired the track, is widely celebrated as a passage of profound resilience, with its opening verse promising rest and protection for those who abide in their faith. That message struck a deep chord with Scott, who had already spent decades building his relationship with Christianity after a conversion that reshaped his entire outlook on life.

    “I have been a different person since my conversion. A lot of things I used to do, I don’t have the desire to do them anymore and it doesn’t bother me,” he said.

    Scott comes from a family rooted in Jamaican music: he is the younger brother of Freddie McKay, the iconic Jamaican performer who rose to fame after winning the 1976 Festival Song Contest with his hit *Dance dis Ya Festival*. Scott got his own start in the music industry working as a deejay, performing on local sound systems across his hometown in Jamaica and nearby Spanish Town before transitioning to focus exclusively on gospel music. Over the course of his gospel career, he has built a solid discography that includes four full-length albums and fan-favorite singles such as *God Answers Prayers*.

    For Scott, *Deliver Me* is more than just a new song – it is a testament to how faith can sustain people through even the deepest loss, and a gift to other listeners who may be walking through their own periods of struggle.