Carib Scope

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  • ABWU Mourns Passing of Greg Walter, Son of National Hero Sir George Walter

    ABWU Mourns Passing of Greg Walter, Son of National Hero Sir George Walter

    The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has expressed profound sorrow following the passing of Greg Walter, descendant of National Hero Sir George Walter who served as the organization’s inaugural General Secretary.

    Greg Walter maintained a close relationship with the Union throughout his life, carrying forward the enduring legacy of public service and collective advocacy that his father had so distinguishedly established. While forging his own distinctive path, Walter upheld the family’s deep-rooted commitment to labor rights and social justice that characterized his father’s pioneering work.

    The ABWU leadership has issued official condolences to the Walter family and their extensive circle of friends during this period of collective mourning. Union representatives emphasized their shared sense of loss and commitment to standing in solidarity with the family as they commemorate and reflect upon his life’s contributions and personal significance.

    The statement concluded with traditional sentiments of respect, honoring Walter’s memory and expressing hopes for his peaceful rest, while acknowledging the profound impact of his family’s multi-generational dedication to workers’ rights and social advancement in Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Project Steering Committee meets for Carriacou ILM Project

    Project Steering Committee meets for Carriacou ILM Project

    Carriacou has officially launched a comprehensive environmental restoration initiative with the inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Integrated Landscape Management Project held on December 16, 2025. The gathering brought together community representatives, government officials, and international partners to coordinate efforts on the island’s ecological recovery.

    Funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the project has already initiated restorative activities in the communities of Dumfries and Belle Vue South. Simultaneously, enhancement work is underway at the Belair Nursery to significantly boost its production capacity through the provision of two shade houses and two storage containers.

    Acting PSC Chairman Davon Baker outlined the committee’s critical oversight role, emphasizing their mandate to provide technical guidance, approve work plans, monitor financial projections, and ensure inter-ministerial coordination for effective project execution.

    The meeting agenda focused on key project components including integrated water resources management—encompassing water conservation, irrigation systems, and water harvesting—alongside public awareness campaigns, community engagement strategies, and the establishment of a community nursery.

    Dr. Ronen C.A. Francis, Executive Director of the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), highlighted the meeting’s significance: “This gathering ensures project agility, enabling adjustments and decisions meaningful for local citizens. Understanding their circumstances and needs makes decision-making both easier and more impactful.”

    Joseph Noel, Chief Land Use Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, reaffirmed his ministry’s full support for the initiative. Project Manager Bernard McIntosh presented a comprehensive progress report detailing achievements since inception and outlining upcoming implementation milestones.

    The project’s urgency was underscored by Dr. Christopher Cox, UNEP Task Manager, who referenced Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact: “Carriacou’s extreme vulnerability, made painfully clear by Hurricane Beryl, underscores the urgency of investing in sustainable land management that strengthens resilience to climate shocks.”

    The meeting concluded with a review of action items and renewed commitments to collaboration, accountability, and adaptive management throughout the project lifecycle. The next PSC meeting is scheduled for April 2026, as work continues on this transformative initiative expected to significantly improve livelihoods for Carriacou’s farmers and residents.

  • 10 people convicted for online harassment after saying France’s first lady was born a man

    10 people convicted for online harassment after saying France’s first lady was born a man

    A Parisian judicial court delivered a significant verdict on Monday, convicting ten individuals for the coordinated cyber-harassment of Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France. The defendants were found guilty of orchestrating a malicious online campaign that propagated the demonstrably false claim that she is a transgender woman born male.

    The long-standing conspiracy theory, which falsely alleges Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux—a name that actually belongs to her older brother—has plagued the presidential couple for years. While the Macrons had previously chosen to ignore the barrage of criticism focused on their 24-year age gap, this ruling signals a decisive shift in their legal strategy to confront such disinformation through the judicial system.

    This conviction represents a strategic legal victory for the Macrons, who are concurrently pursuing a separate, high-profile defamation lawsuit in the United States against right-wing commentator Candace Owens for repeating the same false allegations. The ten convicted individuals—eight men and two women—were found to have engaged in targeted harassment concerning the First Lady’s gender and sexuality, with some comments outrageously equating the couple’s consensual adult relationship to criminal behavior.

    The case unfolds against a backdrop of intensifying transatlantic debates on the boundaries of free speech and disinformation. The defendants’ argument that their malicious comments constituted protected satirical expression was firmly rejected by the court. One convicted individual, Bertrand Scholler, a 55-year-old gallerist, received a six-month suspended sentence and announced his intention to appeal, decrying the verdict as evidence of a societal drift away from free speech.

    In a powerful response, Brigitte Macron emphasized the profound personal impact of the harassment, pointing to the irrefutable evidence of her birth certificate. She framed her legal stance as a necessary example for vulnerable adolescents, stating, ‘A birth certificate is not nothing… I want to help adolescents to fight against harassment, and if I do not set an example, it will be difficult.’

  • Amorim sacked by Man Utd after 14 months in charge

    Amorim sacked by Man Utd after 14 months in charge

    In a decisive move, Manchester United has terminated the contract of head coach Ruben Amorim, concluding his turbulent 14-month tenure at the club. The decision comes amidst public tensions between the Portuguese manager and the club’s hierarchy, culminating in a mutual separation less than 24 hours after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.

    The club announced that former midfielder and current under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will assume temporary managerial duties, beginning with Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Burnley. Fletcher, a decorated former player with five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy to his name, will serve as interim manager until a caretaker coach is appointed for the remainder of the season.

    United’s leadership stated the dismissal was made ‘reluctantly’ but necessary to maximize the team’s chances of achieving the highest possible league finish. The club currently sits sixth in the Premier League standings, with sources indicating concerns about insufficient evidence of progress under Amorim’s leadership.

    The 40-year-old manager’s departure follows months of strained relations with club officials, particularly regarding transfer market support. Amorim had recently hinted at his dissatisfaction, suggesting he wouldn’t receive full backing in player acquisitions and expressing his desire to work as a manager ‘not just a coach.’

    Amorim’s coaching staff have also left the club alongside the manager. His record of 25 wins from 63 games marks the shortest reign of a permanent United manager since David Moyes’ dismissal in 2014. The club plans to appoint a permanent successor during the summer transfer window.

  • Cuba issues direct condemnation of U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

    Cuba issues direct condemnation of U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro

    The Cuban government has issued a forceful condemnation of the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores on January 3. In an official declaration characterized by strong rhetoric, Cuban authorities denounced the operation as an unlawful act of aggression that violates international law and the United Nations Charter.

    Cuba’s statement expressed unwavering solidarity with Venezuela’s Bolivarian government and endorsed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez’s demand for proof regarding Maduro’s safety and whereabouts. The Caribbean nation, a longstanding ally of Venezuela, pledged support for Caracas’ right to defend its sovereignty against what it termed ‘unwarranted foreign interference.’

    The condemnation framed the military action as part of a broader campaign against Venezuela that intensified in September 2025 with US naval deployments in the Caribbean Sea. Cuban officials characterized these maneuvers as based on ‘false pretexts and unfounded accusations lacking any evidence.’

    Invoking historical context, the statement suggested the operation reflects the Monroe Doctrine’s legacy, aiming to establish hegemonic control over Latin America’s natural resources and political systems. Cuban authorities warned of potential repercussions and placed direct responsibility for any casualties on US leadership, including former President Donald Trump and senior officials.

    The declaration referenced the 2014 Havana Declaration, which established Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, and called upon regional governments to honor this commitment. Cuba urged international condemnation of what it described as ‘state terrorism,’ arguing that such actions threaten global peace and challenge the sovereignty of all Latin American nations.

    Concluding with revolutionary fervor, the statement affirmed Cuba’s preparedness to ‘give even our own blood’ for Venezuela and echoed historical slogans: ‘Homeland or Death. We Shall Overcome!’

  • Tribute paid in Italy to Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela

    Tribute paid in Italy to Cuban combatants killed in Venezuela

    The Cuban embassy hosted a solemn commemorative ceremony this morning to honor combatants who perished during internationalist missions. Interim Chargé d’Affaires Damian Delgado presided over the event, which featured the singing of the national anthem and a moment of silent tribute for those “who sacrificed their lives while fulfilling the sacred duty of solidarity and internationalism inherent to Cuban revolutionaries.”

    Delgado eulogized the fallen as embodiments of “the nation’s most cherished values and the courageous fighting spirit of our people.” The ceremony transformed into a platform of political defiance, with attendees reaffirming their unwavering commitment to protect the Cuban Revolution against what was described as “threats from the US imperialist government.”

    The diplomat’s address culminated in a powerful declaration: “The decision is simple: Homeland or Death. We will prevail!” This statement captured the intensely patriotic atmosphere of the event, which memorialized martyrs said to have fought “to their last breath on Venezuelan soil.”

    In response to these casualties, the Cuban government has officially proclaimed a 30-hour period of national mourning commencing at 6:00 a.m. on January 5th, 2026, and concluding at 12:00 p.m. on January 6th. This gesture pays respect to those who “honorably fulfilled their duty and fell after demonstrating fierce resistance, either in direct combat against attackers or as casualties of facility bombings.”

    According to an official government statement, the deceased were deployed as representatives of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, conducting missions at the request of Venezuelan counterparts. Their heroic actions, the statement concludes, “have exalted the solidarity of millions of compatriots.”

  • Suffren soars but Virginia Tech fall in ACC basketball

    Suffren soars but Virginia Tech fall in ACC basketball

    Despite a standout individual performance from guard Samyha Suffren, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team suffered a decisive 85-60 defeat against the 13th-ranked Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, January 4th, at the KFC Yum! Center.

    Redshirt sophomore Suffren, coming off the bench, delivered a career-best performance that also marked an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) high for her. The 5’8″ guard poured in 14 points and secured a personal best of seven rebounds. Her playmaking was equally impressive, as she dished out a game-high and career-best five assists while adding three steals and committing zero turnovers. Suffren’s efficiency came on 6-of-15 shooting from the field, and she was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

    While Suffren shone, forward Carys Baker led the Hokies in scoring with 16 points and nearly achieved a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds. However, the team’s efforts were insufficient against a powerful Louisville squad.

    Suffren’s 27 minutes on the court were a season high, as were her 15 field goal attempts, seven rebounds, and five assists. This game marked her sixth double-figure scoring outing in 15 games this season. She currently leads the team with 31 steals and ranks third in assists with 21. Her contributions this season are particularly notable following a challenging previous year, where her season was cut short after just 10 games due to a shoulder injury.

  • Cuban authorities congratulate the National Revolutionary Police

    Cuban authorities congratulate the National Revolutionary Police

    Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel marked the 65th anniversary of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) with a social media tribute, emphasizing the institution’s transformative role in the nation’s history. “January 5, 1959, witnessed the end of abusive practices by the dictatorship’s police forces,” Diaz-Canel stated, “ushering in a new law enforcement body dedicated to serving the people and their Revolutionary ideals.

    The commemorations continued with National Assembly President Esteban Lazo honoring PNR members as “true Heroes in Blue” who perform daily feats in safeguarding public security and tranquility. Roberto Morales, Organization Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the “commendable work” of the police force in a widely shared congratulatory message.

    Prime Minister Manuel Marrero provided historical context, noting the PNR’s origins in the Rebel Army under the initiative of then-Commander Raúl Castro. “The PNR remains an impregnable bastion defending public order and tranquility,” Marrero affirmed.

    The establishment of the PNR in 1959 represented a conscious effort to create an exemplary institution that would erase the legacy of repression, abuse, and corruption associated with Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship (1952-1958). Today, the force maintains its fundamental mission of preserving public order, ensuring citizen safety, and regulating road security throughout Cuba.”

  • Three Men Charged in Connection with Fraud Offences

    Three Men Charged in Connection with Fraud Offences

    In a significant development in financial crime enforcement, authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have formally charged three individuals in connection with an elaborate electronic fraud scheme. The Royal Police Force has taken decisive action against what appears to be a coordinated effort to illegally transfer funds from local banking institutions.

    The accused individuals have been identified as Jahari Adams, 28, of Golden Grove Extension; Judeah Francis, 25, of Golden Grove; and Kareem Davis, 19, of Cooks Extension. These three men face serious charges related to the unauthorized electronic transfer of $10,600 from a savings account at a financial institution based in the region. The alleged offense occurred on December 13, 2025, marking a concerning breach of financial security systems.

    The investigation gained momentum on January 2, 2026, when police officers intercepted a white Toyota Ractis vehicle traveling along Friendly Alley. The strategic interception led to the apprehension of all three suspects, with Francis operating the vehicle and Adams and Davis as passengers. This tactical move by law enforcement demonstrates the increasing sophistication of police operations in combating cyber-enabled financial crimes.

    Authorities have secured several crucial pieces of evidence believed to be instrumental to the investigation. Among the items confiscated were a silver HP laptop computer, a Digicel cellular phone, and a storage vault device. These technological artifacts are undergoing forensic analysis to establish their connection to the alleged fraudulent activities and potentially uncover additional evidence of digital wrongdoing.

    The case highlights the growing challenge that Caribbean nations face in combating electronic financial crimes as digital banking becomes more prevalent throughout the region. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly deploying specialized cybercrime units and forensic technology to address these modern criminal methodologies.

    The three accused individuals are scheduled to appear before the judicial system to answer to the charges brought against them. This case represents an important test of the nation’s legal framework for addressing digitally-facilitated financial crimes and may set precedents for future prosecutions of similar offenses in the region.

  • Delta adds extra flight to Saint Lucia after weekend disruptions

    Delta adds extra flight to Saint Lucia after weekend disruptions

    In response to recent regional airspace complications that disrupted travel over the weekend, Delta Air Lines has announced the operation of a special additional flight to Saint Lucia. The supplemental service, designated as Flight DL9899, is scheduled to depart from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and arrive at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) on January 5th at approximately 12:52 p.m. local time.

    The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) confirmed that this extraordinary measure specifically targets passengers who experienced cancellations on January 3rd due to heightened regional aviation concerns. Aviation authorities have been collaborating with airlines to restore normal operations after the temporary but significant travel interruptions.

    SLASPA officials have advised affected travelers to immediately verify their updated booking details through Delta’s reservation systems. The airline has established specialized protocols to accommodate rebookings for eligible passengers on this relief flight.

    Aviation authorities report that regular flight schedules have now been fully restored across Saint Lucia’s airports following the weekend’s atypical disruptions. The additional Delta service represents the final phase of recovery operations to ensure all stranded passengers reach their intended destination.