Carib Scope

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  • Career showcase opens students’ eyes to expanding job opportunities

    Career showcase opens students’ eyes to expanding job opportunities

    On a bustling Friday at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus in St. Michael, hundreds of third-form secondary students from across Barbados stepped into a world of professional possibility at the 19th Annual National Career Showcase, hosted by the Barbados Association of Guidance Counsellors (BAGC). Held under the forward-thinking theme “A Bright Future Loading… Planning Your Vision,” the three-day event brought together 70 local and regional businesses, professional organizations, and educational institutions to demystify career pathways and break down the academic requirements students need to pursue their professional goals.

    Unlike traditional career fairs that rely on static brochures and brief handshakes, this year’s showcase prioritized interactive engagement to spark long-term interest. Exhibitors set up hands-on demonstrations, immersive challenges, and guided conversations to help young students, many of whom are just beginning to map out their post-secondary plans, connect classroom learning to real-world work.

    One of the biggest crowd-pleasers of the event was the booth hosted by Robot Adventures, where students lined up to crowd around live robotics displays, test their skills at maneuvering robotic arms, and complete hands-on technical challenges. Chief Instructor Jelani Payne, who leads the organization’s youth outreach programs, told attendees that robotics and related automation fields represent one of the fastest-growing professional sectors across the globe and the Caribbean, with a vast range of untapped opportunities for local graduates.

    Payne highlighted several fast-growing subfields that are already creating high-demand jobs in the region, from drone technology and autonomous systems to 3D printing and underwater robotics. “The career paths here are incredibly broad,” Payne explained. “For example, drone technology is already being used for farm security to prevent petty larceny, and to secure private property. We also see growing demand for professionals who can program autonomous drones and robotic systems that can complete tasks without any human input.”

    He noted that underwater robotics has emerged as a particularly promising field for Barbados, given the island’s deep maritime ties. Underwater robotic systems are used for deep-sea exploration, environmental monitoring, and hull cleaning for commercial ships – work that is often too dangerous, dirty, or repetitive for human workers to complete safely and efficiently. For students interested in joining the field, Payne advised focusing on multidisciplinary STEM coursework during secondary school, noting that robotics draws from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. Key foundational subjects include physics, chemistry, information technology, mathematics, and technical drawing, he added.

    At the BAGC’s own booth, Parkinson Memorial Secondary School guidance counsellor Kara Clarke led an effort to educate students on two fronts: the range of services guidance counsellors provide to students in schools, and the rewarding career path that counselling offers. Many students who visited the booth told Clarke they only had a limited understanding of what guidance counsellors do day-to-day, and some were surprised to learn that counsellors support students with academic planning, mental health, social conflict, and college applications, beyond just discipline referrals.

    Visitors interacted with the same worksheets, educational games, and counselling resources used in schools, and many who stopped by expressed genuine interest in pursuing counselling as a career. Clarke walked prospective students through the standard educational pathway: most entering professionals earn undergraduate degrees in psychology or social work before completing a master’s degree in school counselling or clinical psychology.

    Beyond inspiring the next generation of guidance counsellors, Clarke said the booth served another important purpose: reducing the stigma around seeking counselling support in schools. “We wanted to let students know that reaching out to your school guidance counsellor is nothing to be ashamed of,” she explained, adding that the day’s conversations with students had been “very enriching” for all participating counsellors.

    Other exhibitors highlighted opportunities in sectors that are foundational to Barbados’ economy, from tourism and logistics to cricket administration. Neil Hoyte, a representative from local firm Foster and Ince, focused on educating students about the wide range of jobs linked to the cruise industry, a core driver of the island’s tourism sector. Hoyte explained that many students have no idea how many different roles are needed to keep cruise operations running smoothly, from tour guides and vessel turnover coordinators to freight managers, transportation staff, and administrative teams. “We have roles for people with a wide range of skills and interests,” he noted.

    Natasha Yearwood, a representative from Platinum Port Agency, added that the firm’s detailed ship models on display were a huge hit with students, helping spark natural conversations about maritime and hospitality careers both on-board cruise vessels and in local on-shore roles.

    Even the island’s iconic sport of cricket was featured as a source of diverse professional opportunities beyond playing professionally. Alicia Gittens, administrative assistant at Cricket Legends of Barbados, explained that the cricket industry needs skilled workers across every professional function, from administration and finance to community outreach and management. “There are so many roles beyond stepping onto the pitch,” Gittens said. “Even working with retired cricketers to preserve the sport’s legacy and keep it active in local communities is a rewarding career, and cricket as a whole gives young people the chance to make a real impact on the next generation.”

    For organizers, the 2024 showcase once again delivered on its core mission: helping young Barbadians make informed choices about their futures, connecting local industries to emerging talent, and opening doors to opportunities many students never knew existed.

  • Beyond Boundaries Media Forum brings together Tatyana Ali, Caribbean, and diaspora leaders to grow film co-productions in Africa

    Beyond Boundaries Media Forum brings together Tatyana Ali, Caribbean, and diaspora leaders to grow film co-productions in Africa

    A groundbreaking new initiative aimed at reshaping the global screen industry is gaining momentum, as the first-ever Beyond Boundaries Media Forum (BBMF) has announced an expanded, industry-leading leadership and mentorship network to advance its mission of cementing the Caribbean and African diaspora as central players in the evolving worldwide screen economy.

    Founded and convened by Lisa Wickham, a Trinidad and Tobago-based media producer and executive with more than 20 years of experience building cross-continental creative partnerships across the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, Asia and the United Kingdom, BBMF is designed to serve as a structured connection point between Africa and its global diaspora. Built on more than two decades of Wickham’s collaborative work across continents, the forum is presented by Imagine Media International Limited in partnership with the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPAC), a body operating under South Africa’s Eastern Cape Provincial Government. The event is scheduled to bring a curated group of top international producers and industry executives together for five days of strategic dialogue and collaboration in November 2026, hosted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.

    Unlike informal industry gatherings that focus on casual networking, BBMF is structured around formal, treaty-based frameworks designed to turn creative alignment into long-term commercial and creative collaboration. Wickham emphasized that the Caribbean’s role in the global media space extends far beyond that of a cultural contributor, framing the region as a key strategic gateway for connecting African creators to global markets. “The Caribbean is not just a cultural participant; we are a strategic gateway,” Wickham said, noting that the initiative intentionally shifts cross-border collaboration from loose, informal arrangements to structured, treaty-backed production pipelines. Existing frameworks like the UK–Jamaica Co-production Treaty serve as a model for how Caribbean and African creators can formally partner with global industry players to convert shared cultural heritage into sustainable, long-term investment opportunities, she added.

    At the core of BBMF’s structure is a purpose-built diaspora leadership network, featuring globally recognized industry figures spanning multiple sectors. Internationally acclaimed actor, producer and humanitarian Tatyana Ali, who has Trinidadian and Panamanian heritage, will serve as the forum’s inaugural Global Ambassador. Ali, best known for her breakout role as Ashley Banks on *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*, is a Harvard graduate and five-time NAACP Image Award winner. BBMF leaders note Ali perfectly embodies the forum’s target “bridge audience” — a demographic that global industry data identifies as critical to building widespread mainstream appeal for Black-led storytelling.

    Leading the forum’s Global Advisory Board is Jennifer Holness, a Jamaican-born, award-winning producer and screenwriter who serves as President of Hungry Eyes Media Group. Holness has had an outsize impact on building Canada’s screen industry infrastructure, co-founding both the Canadian Black Screen Office and the Canadian Independent Screen Fund, and serving as the inaugural board chair for both organizations for two and three years respectively.

    The broader BBMF mentorship cohort draws high-profile leaders from across the Caribbean diaspora and global screen industry, including Angi Bones, President of Production at Tyler Perry Studios; Jackie Jackson, Jamaica’s Film Commissioner; Dr. Rachel-Ann Charles of the UK’s Birmingham City University, who bridges academic research and industry practice; Los Angeles-based Jamaican producer Robert Maylor, best known for his work on *Sprinter* and *Bob Marley: One Love*; award-winning Canadian creator duo Jennifer Holness and Sudz Sutherland; and Joanna Miles, an international film marketing and festival consultant. Many of these leaders share deep Caribbean and African roots while holding major influence across global media markets.

    A forward-looking, defining focus of the 2026 forum is addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on the global media sector. BBMF will feature participation from Renéé Cummings, a Trinidad and Tobago-born, US-based leading expert in AI governance and ethics who has been featured in major outlets including Forbes, Bloomberg and VentureBeat. As AI revolutionizes core parts of content production, distribution and virtual creation, BBMF aims to lead global conversations around ethical AI governance, with a core goal of ensuring African and Caribbean creators can both protect their intellectual property and scale their content effectively within major global streaming ecosystems.

    The entire initiative is rooted in recent independent industry research conducted by the Next Narrative Africa Fund and Parrot Analytics. The study confirmed a substantial unmet “supply gap” for authentic African and diasporan storytelling in global markets, while also highlighting that diaspora audiences are a core driver of commercial success for Black-led content on the global stage. To directly address this gap, BBMF will connect producers across treaty-aligned and partner nations — including Jamaica, the UK, Canada, India, Brazil and South Africa — into structured production pathways designed to strengthen and expand global distribution channels for underrepresented storytelling.

    Monde Nkasawe, CEO of the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council, welcomed the partnership, noting “The Eastern Cape is open for collaboration, and BBMF gives us the platform to demonstrate that at scale.” Nozipho Ndiweni, co-founder of Imagine Media Africa (Pty), highlighted the long-standing collaborative foundation of the forum, noting she has worked alongside Wickham in South Africa since 2011, including on a documentary exploring how a Trinidad and Tobago-inspired Carnival model was used to drive community economic development in Bella Bella, Limpopo. Ndiweni explained the forum will create a structured space for African producers to connect with Caribbean and global industry partners who already recognize the inherent commercial and cultural value of African stories.

    As of the announcement, the official call for producer applications is now open, with interested creators able to submit applications through the official BBMF portal. The full mentorship network also includes additional leaders from across North America, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa: Antoinetta Stallings, Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at Tyler Perry Studios; Emmy and Gracie Award-winning executive producer Nzinga Christine-Blake; Jacqueline Shorter Beauchamp, CEO of next-generation AI cloud firm Engenio Media Studios; BAFTA Award-winning producers Natasha Dack Ojumu and Nadine Marsh-Edwards; acquisitions executive Nicola Ofoego; Black Screen Office CEO Joan Jenkinson; acclaimed Ghanaian producer-director Shirley Frimpong-Manso; and legal experts Joshua A. Edwards of Fox Rothschild and Pierre-Emmanuel Mouthuy of Mouthuy Avocats.

  • PNCR-APNU knew of recent planned defections before – Mahipaul

    PNCR-APNU knew of recent planned defections before – Mahipaul

    On Friday, May 15 2026, senior leadership of Guyana’s main opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), publicly acknowledged that five of seven high-profile current and former party figures are preparing to cross the floor to join the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC). Speaking at a formal press briefing, PNCR executive member Ganesh Mahipaul pushed back against claims that the impending departures caught the party off guard, noting that shifting social media activity and dramatic changes in public positioning had long signaled the members’ impending exit.

    When asked why the coalition had not taken preemptive disciplinary action against the members planning to leave, Mahipaul explained that concrete evidence of disloyalty remained insufficient for formal action, adding that the PNCR has no inherent desire to expel or push away any of its members. He drew a parallel to the high-profile 2018 case of former APNU+AFC parliamentarian Charrandass Persaud, whose plans to vote in favor of a PPPC-sponsored no-confidence motion were widely rumored in political circles long before the official vote, mirroring the open speculation around this latest round of defections.

    Over the past five years, multiple senior PNCR figures including two former general secretaries and one former chairman have already left the party to join either the PPPC or the new opposition outfit We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). But Mahipaul stressed that none of the members planning the latest exit, nor the previous defectors, have access to the PNCR’s confidential internal strategy or core decision-making processes. He clarified that the seven individuals – three former members of parliament (Rickly Ramsaroop, Shurwayne Holder, and Dinesh Jaiprashad) and four sitting regional councillors (Ravoldo Birbal, Sheik Yaseen, Prince Holder, and Gangadai Lloyd) – hold no key responsibilities in the coalition’s ongoing operations, so their departure will not disrupt APNU’s forward progress. Notably, Guyana currently has no recall legislation that would force sitting regional councillors to give up their seats after switching party affiliation.

    Mahipaul also pointed to a potential driver for the defections, suggesting that many members who leave the PNCR for the ruling party are motivated by the prospect of securing lucrative multi-million-dollar government contracts. He emphasized that the party values unwavering loyalty, commitment, and dedication among its ranks, while noting that recent membership growth has offset losses from departures: despite widespread reports of PPPC-led voter intimidation and victimization of opposition supporters, the coalition has recently added 397 new registered members. Since the 2025 general and regional elections, Mahipaul added, the PNCR has launched a sustained outreach campaign to expand its grassroots presence across Guyana and retain its relevance to voters.

    The briefing also addressed growing public calls for PNCR leader Aubrey Norton to step down, following the coalition’s worst-ever electoral defeat in 2025 that saw it reduced to just 12 of 65 seats in the National Assembly, and pushed it out of the position of main opposition to the new political party WIN, which secured 16 seats. Mahipaul rejected external pressure on Norton’s leadership, stating that decisions about the party’s top leadership are exclusively for party members to make at an official congress, not for outside observers or non-members. “Our political party does not work on what Jim Jones or Tom Jones want to say on the outside. We work based on structure and order,” he said, adding that any member of the public who wants a say in party governance is welcome to join the organization.

    Mahipaul made clear that he personally hopes Norton will not resign, which would leave the party in a state of leadership chaos. He argued that even if Norton steps down from the leadership role in the future, he should remain within the party to share his decades of institutional knowledge and guide newer leaders. “You just can’t drop off the sky and come off the map and abandon your ship. What kind of a leader will you be should you just run away and leave the ship?” Mahipaul said.

  • Former cycling champion passes away

    Former cycling champion passes away

    Barbados’ cycling and heritage preservation communities are united in grief this week after the passing of legendary former national cycling champion Colin “Top Cat” Alleyne, who died peacefully last Saturday morning following a brief struggle with cancer. He was 72 years old.

    A longtime resident of Fairfield, Black Rock, Alleyne leaves behind a dual legacy that spans both competitive sport and cultural heritage preservation. During his decorated cycling career in the 1970s and 1980s, Alleyne earned widespread acclaim for putting Barbadian cycling on the global map, representing the small island nation at regional competitions across the Caribbean and as far as continental Europe. In honor of his extraordinary contributions to sports in Barbados, he was awarded the Barbados Service Medal (BSM), a distinction recognizing outstanding service to the country.

    Beyond the race track, Alleyne built a second respected career as one of Barbados’ most renowned master coral stone masons and heritage craftsmen. A man of deep faith, he continued to serve his country long after he retired from competitive cycling, sharing his craft with new generations through work with the Commonwealth Heritage Forum and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, where he taught traditional heritage stone masonry techniques to aspiring tradespeople.

    Among his most notable restoration projects was the 2023 rehabilitation of the historic old railway bridge connecting Bulkeley and Carmichael in the parish of St. George. Funded by the Peter Moore Barbados Trust, the restored structure now bears Alleyne’s name in permanent recognition of his work. Most recently, in 2025, he completed the full restoration of the far larger Blackman’s Egg and Molasses Bridge in St. Joseph, a landmark originally constructed in the 1680s that holds significant historical value for the island. He also completed hundreds of custom commissioned pieces for commercial clients, hotels and private villas across Barbados, including hand-polished coral stone furniture that can still be seen across the island today.

    Speaking on behalf of Alleyne’s family, his niece Sonia A. Alleyne remembered her uncle as a constant source of inspiration and encouragement for young cyclists just starting their competitive careers, many of whom he mentored over decades. “Alleyne was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and a role model to many. He will be deeply missed. At 72, the master craftsman has downed his tools, the champion will cycle no more, but Top Cat’s legacy of excellence will live on,” she said.

  • Charles to flex for Saint Lucia at Boyce Classic in Barbados

    Charles to flex for Saint Lucia at Boyce Classic in Barbados

    The Eastern Caribbean’s most high-profile annual professional bodybuilding event is just days away, and one Saint Lucian athlete is preparing to carry his nation’s hopes onto the international stage. Experienced regional competitor Kirby Charles, who represents Mango Moon Gym in local domestic competitions, has been selected as the sole competitor from the island nation for the 2026 Roger Boyce Classic and IFBB Pro World Cup, hosted this weekend at the Garfield Sobers Complex in Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados.

    Charles is no stranger to elite regional competition, boasting a decorated competitive career spanning more than two decades at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships. His medal collection first grew in 2002, when he took home a bronze medal. He added a silver medal to his haul in 2024, and repeated that silver performance when the CAC Championships were hosted on his home soil in Saint Lucia, taking second place in the Men’s Physique Senior Tall division. In 2023, he finished just outside the medal positions with a fourth-place showing.

    In an official statement announcing Charles’ participation, the Saint Lucia Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (SLABBFA) confirmed that he will be the only athlete from Saint Lucia competing across all divisions at the Barbados-hosted tournament. The association noted that the event, which gathers top-ranked physique and fitness athletes from across the Caribbean and beyond, fills a critical role in regional sports development: it gives emerging and established local talent a space to measure their skill against high-level international competitors while earning valuable global exposure for their work.

    SLABBFA president Eugene Gabriel emphasized that Charles’ invitation to compete at the prestigious tournament signals a positive shift in the standard of bodybuilding and fitness training across Saint Lucia. Gabriel framed the opportunity as more than just a single athlete’s participation in a major event, noting that it stands as proof of the relentless work ethic and commitment that Saint Lucian athletes bring to their sport. “Kirby’s presence at the Roger Boyce Classic reinforces SLABBFA’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing Saint Lucian talent on an international platform,” Gabriel added.

  • The Bennett Extradition Case Just Hit a Major Reset

    The Bennett Extradition Case Just Hit a Major Reset

    One of Belize’s most closely followed legal disputes, the long-running extradition case of attorney Andrew Bennett, has entered a new phase following a landmark ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) issued on May 15, 2026. The regional appellate court has ordered the matter back to Belize’s High Court for reconsideration after identifying a critical legal error in earlier lower court decisions.

    At the heart of the legal conflict is the question of whether WhatsApp messages allegedly tying Bennett to a U.S.-linked money laundering conspiracy can be used as admissible evidence in extradition proceedings. The messages, which prosecutors claim document direct communications between Bennett and an American undercover agent, had already been ruled inadmissible by lower courts, which found that using the private digital communications violated Bennett’s constitutional rights to privacy.

    However, the CCJ’s review uncovered a fundamental flaw in those earlier rulings: lower courts had based their decision on a piece of legislation that was not legally in effect at the time the messages were collected, nor when the initial judgements were issued. The law in question, Belize’s Interception of Communications Act, only came into force in November 2023, years after the relevant digital communications were obtained as part of the investigation into the alleged money laundering scheme.

    Instead of issuing a final ruling on the underlying constitutional question of whether admitting the messages would violate Bennett’s rights, the regional court opted to remand the entire matter back to the Belize High Court. CCJ judges explained that this step will give both the prosecution and the defense a full, fair opportunity to present their arguments on whether the use of the digital evidence clashes with broader constitutional privacy protections, rather than relying on an inapplicable statute.

    The court also emphasized that the case is far from a straightforward legal dispute, noting that it raises complex, evolving questions around digital privacy, modern communication technology, and the standards courts should apply when handling digital evidence in extradition proceedings. For now, the future of the high-profile extradition battle remains unresolved as it heads back to the lower court for a fresh review, continuing a years-long legal process that has drawn sustained public attention across Belize and the Caribbean region.

  • SMC, Soufriere go clear in U16 school basketball

    SMC, Soufriere go clear in U16 school basketball

    The race for top honors in Saint Lucia’s national Secondary Schools Under-16 Boys’ Basketball Tournament heated up on Thursday, May 14, as four competitive matchups unfolded at the Beausejour Gymnasium. By the end of the matchday, two schools had cemented their standing at the top of their respective groups, with St Mary’s College (SMC) locking down firm control of Group A and Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School (SCSS) climbing into first place in Group B.

    In the most lopsided matchup of the day, SMC delivered a dominant 49-13 victory over Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School (LHCSS), powered by an outstanding all-around performance from standout forward Daelan Magloire. Magloire put on a shooting clinic, sinking 24 points from 17 attempts, while also anchoring his team’s defense and rebounding with five boards and five steals. Supporting Magloire’s standout outing, Ernel “EJ” Mason chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, while Jayden Isaac added four points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds for SMC. The St Mary’s squad dominated the glass all game, holding a substantial 32-17 rebounding advantage over Leon Hess. For the losing side, Frederick Tiris turned in a solid effort, leading LHCSS with seven points and five rebounds.

    The second Group A matchup of the day was a far tighter, defense-focused contest, which saw Choiseul Secondary secure their first victory of the tournament with a 26-20 win over Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (VFCSS). Choiseul’s win was built on shared effort on the boards and aggressive perimeter defense: Christiano Nestor led the team’s scoring with 10 points and added 12 rebounds, while Gael Issac pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, one of four Choiseul players that finished with at least nine rebounds. Rennel Joseph anchored the team’s full-court pressure, recording an impressive 14 steals. Despite the loss, VFCSS guard Tommy Kharis turned in one of the most historic individual performances of the matchday, notching a rare triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 steals. The result marked VFCSS’s second defeat of the group stage.

    Over in Group B, Soufriere Comprehensive pulled off a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to down Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) 35-30, shutting out their opponents entirely in the final 10 minutes of play to claim the win and the group’s top spot. Kyree Clovis and Trenton Henry led Soufriere’s comeback effort, with each player scoring 13 points. Henry also turned in a dominant rebounding performance, collecting 18 boards to control the paint for SCSS. For CCSS, forward David Chandler put together a complete all-around stat line, leading his team with 15 points to go along with seven rebounds, five steals, three assists and five blocks, but his effort was not enough to hold off Soufriere’s late surge.

    In the final matchup of the day, Entrepot Secondary Secondary (ESS) claimed their first win of the tournament with a tense 16-14 victory over Beanefield Comprehensive. The low-scoring contest went back and forth all game, with the teams tied at 12 and again at 14 in the final minutes before Entrepot closed out the win. Azaria Leon led the way for ESS, scoring 10 points to go with three rebounds and four steals, while Jaiden Gregg added eight points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to secure the close victory.

    The ongoing Under-16 tournament is organized by Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development and Sports, as part of the department’s ongoing effort to develop young athletic talent across the island’s secondary school system.

  • Bed bugs force closure of Dr Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic

    Bed bugs force closure of Dr Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic

    A primary healthcare facility has been ordered into temporary closure after health inspectors confirmed a bed bug infestation in multiple zones of the building, triggering a structured pest control response from the country’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition.

    In an official announcement published Friday, the ministry clarified that the temporary shutdown was a critical preemptive step to enable full-scale inspection and targeted eradication work. The goal of the operation is twofold: to map the full scope of the infestation and eliminate every trace of the parasitic pests from the facility.

    Two specialized government teams — the Environmental Health Division and the Vector Control Unit — have already launched on-site activities, including detailed site surveys, continuous monitoring of pest activity, and focused treatment of all confirmed affected areas.

    According to ministry officials, the eradication strategy combines two evidence-based treatment approaches: heat application and targeted chemical intervention.

    Heat treatment, which leverages high-temperature steam devices on seating, upholstered furniture and all confirmed infestation hotspots, was selected for its proven effectiveness against bed bugs and their eggs, both of which cannot survive sustained high temperatures. Strategic chemical treatments are also being deployed in hard-to-reach areas to reinforce the eradication effort.

    Ernie Pierre, Chief Environmental Health Officer, emphasized that bed bugs are extraordinarily adaptable pests found across every region of the globe, and their presence is not automatically an indicator of poor hygiene or unsanitary conditions. Pierre explained that high-traffic public facilities like healthcare centers are particularly vulnerable, because the pests can easily be carried into buildings unknowingly by visitors or staff on clothing, bags, wheelchairs, furniture and other personal items.

    He added that infestations are also common in other high-foot-traffic spaces, including hotels, airport terminals, public transit systems and even residential properties. The ministry further warned that single-round treatment rarely succeeds in fully eliminating bed bugs, because the insects are experts at hiding in tiny, inaccessible spaces: wall cracks, crevices, furniture seams, bedding gaps, wall joints and other concealed spots. Some bed bug populations have also developed genetic resistance to certain common pesticides, meaning repeated treatment rounds and long-term monitoring are often required to fully resolve an infestation.

    While existing research confirms bed bugs do not transmit communicable diseases between humans, the ministry noted their bites can trigger a range of unpleasant health effects, including persistent itching, skin inflammation, rashes, general discomfort, and in rare severe cases, allergic reactions that require formal medical care.

    Public health officials are urging community members to learn to identify the common early warning signs of a bed bug infestation, including faint blood stains on linens, dark pest excrement spots, visible eggs, shed insect exoskeletons, bite marks on exposed skin, and even sightings of live adult bugs in mattress seams, chair crevices or furniture joints.

    The ministry has also issued a set of practical prevention guidelines for the public, advising caution when traveling or buying secondhand furniture, mattresses, bedding or clothing. Recommended prevention steps include washing all new or travel clothing and linens in hot water, exposing vulnerable items to direct sunlight or high heat, regularly vacuuming mattresses and upholstered furniture, inspecting luggage thoroughly after returning from travel, and conducting careful checks before bringing used items into the home.

    Moving forward, the Environmental Health Division confirmed it will continue expanding public education initiatives and provide guidance and support to community members and facilities on effective bed bug identification, prevention and long-term management.

  • Staatsolie boekt sterke resultaten en draagt US$ 400 miljoen af

    Staatsolie boekt sterke resultaten en draagt US$ 400 miljoen af

    On May 15, 2026, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) of Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., Suriname’s national oil and gas corporation, formally approved the company’s 2025 annual financial statements, capping off a year of solid operational performance and strategic progress for the energy giant that remains a cornerstone of the Surinamese national economy. The meeting was attended by high-level Surinamese officials including President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons and multiple cabinet ministers, where company leadership presented both the verified 2025 results and long-term growth projections for the coming years.

    In 2025, Staatsolie, together with its two subsidiaries — Staatsolie Power Company Suriname N.V. (SPCS) and GOw2 — generated a total combined revenue of $832 million, with pre-tax profits reaching $444 million. The company transferred a total of $400 million to the Surinamese state in 2025, through a mix of tax payments, shareholder dividends, and royalty revenues from its gold mining participation stakes. This single contribution accounts for approximately 30% of the Surinamese government’s total annual public revenue, reinforcing the company’s status as the central pillar of the country’s economic foundation.

    Operational data for 2025 shows that Staatsolie maintained consistent onshore oil output, even amid natural reservoir decline that challenges long-term production stability. Total onshore production hit 6.35 million barrels, staying nearly flat from 2024 levels and exceeding the annual production target of 6 million barrels, a result of targeted technical upgrades and optimized operational efficiency. The company’s refinery produced 3.15 million barrels of combined diesel and gasoline, and 2025 marked the launch of commercial sulfuric acid production, adding a new product stream to the refinery’s output.

    On the energy front, SPCS, Staatsolie’s power subsidiary, generated 1.46 million MWh of electricity through a mix of hydropower and thermal generation. This output meets 69% of total electricity demand across Paramaribo and the surrounding districts connected to the EPAR power grid, delivering reliable, affordable energy to the region. Revenues from the company’s gold mining holdings also helped offset downward pressure from weaker global crude oil prices in 2025, keeping overall financial performance steady.

    The past year also saw meaningful progress on Staatsolie’s high-stakes offshore energy development projects, which are set to transform Suriname’s energy sector in the coming years. Development work on the GranMorgu offshore oil field, located in Block 58, moved forward on schedule, with first oil production still targeted for 2028. Construction of the field’s floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, currently underway at shipyards in China and Malaysia, is now roughly 50% complete, and all other project pre-development activities are proceeding according to the agreed timeline.

    In a separate milestone, the Sloanea-1 natural gas field in Block 52 was formally declared commercially viable in 2025, marking a critical step forward for Suriname’s first-ever offshore natural gas project. A final investment decision on the project is expected to be approved in 2026. To fund its 20% participating stake in the GranMorgu development, Staatsolie successfully raised $516 million through bond issuances in 2025, and secured an additional $1.6 billion loan from a consortium of international and local financial institutions, locking in full funding for its share of the project.

    Beyond energy and financial performance, Staatsolie expanded its community investment efforts in 2025, which marked the company’s 45th anniversary of operations. Working through its affiliated non-profit arm, the Staatsolie Foundation for Community Development, the company allocated $2.7 million to local social projects in 2025, and added an extra $3 million to fund sustainable development initiatives to mark its 45-year milestone.

    Looking ahead, Staatsolie Chief Executive Officer Annand Jagesar expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory, noting: “Staatsolie delivered a strong year in 2025, marked by stable production, solid financial results, and meaningful progress on our strategic offshore projects that will power Suriname’s growth for decades to come.”

  • NOTICE: Single Lan Traffic

    NOTICE: Single Lan Traffic

    Residents and commuters in Antigua and Barbuda are being put on advance notice of major planned infrastructure improvements that will disrupt traffic on a key stretch of All Saints Road (ASR) next year. The Ministry of Works has announced that full weekend night detours will go into effect after the temporary single-lane traffic arrangement expires, spanning from 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026 through 7:00 a.m. the following day, and again from 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026 to 7:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

    For motorists heading out of town, the official alternate route requires a right turn at Flex Hardware Store, then connecting back to All Saints Road via the street that runs past Heritage Preschool. Drivers traveling into town toward St. John’s will instead need to turn left at D’Cravinz, and reconnect to the main route through Herberts.

    To keep traffic moving safely and reduce confusion, trained flag persons will be stationed at key points along the detour to direct drivers. Commuters are reminded that marked portions of the alternate route operate as one-way traffic zones, with clear markings shown on official project maps. Visible signage is also being installed along both directions of the detour to guide road users to their destinations.

    Local residents who live near the work zone will still be able to access their properties, though the Ministry has warned that they must exercise extreme caution when moving through the area. Heavy construction equipment will be operating in close proximity to the work site, making extra awareness critical for everyone in the vicinity. Importantly, all local businesses along the affected stretch of road will remain open for customers throughout the construction period.

    This upgrade work forms part of the broader government-led All Saints Road Project, a major public infrastructure initiative aimed at improving the road network across the area. Project organizers are urging all stakeholders, including daily commuters, business owners, and local residents, to plan their travel ahead of the weekend works to account for potential delays. Anyone with questions about the project or the upcoming detour arrangement can reach out to the Project Implementation Management Unit directly by phone at 562-9173 for more information.