Carib Scope

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  • SPL 6 playoff picture set

    SPL 6 playoff picture set

    After a dramatic final weekend of group stage action, the four teams set to compete for the 2024 Saint Lucia Premier League (SPL) T20 title have officially been confirmed, with twists, standout individual performances, and unexpected eliminations shaping the final playoff lineup.

    The opening fixture of the weekend was derailed before it could deliver a result, as an island-wide power outage forced the abandonment of the clash between Choiseul Craft Masters and Mon Repos Pioneers. With neither side able to claim the two points on offer for a win, the draw left both teams trailing in the rankings, dashing their hopes of securing a higher seed heading into the knockout stage.

    On Saturday morning, the first of the Final Four spots was claimed by Soufriere Titans, who pulled off an upset against defending champions Gros Islet Knights to secure their place with a 12-run victory. The match at Soufriere hosted a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, with children enjoying face-painting activities in the stands before the competitive action unfolded.

    The Titans’ win was anchored by a blistering, unbeaten century from middle-order batsman Djourn Charles, who smashed 107 runs off just 54 deliveries, including 10 fours and 8 towering sixes. Charles’ explosive innings carried Soufriere to a total of 203 all out, with Gros Islet’s Tarrique Edward turning in the best bowling performance of the match, claiming three wickets for 36 runs.

    In their chase, the defending champions managed only 191 all out. While experienced batters Kimani Melius and Noelle Leo both got starts, notching 23 runs each, only Dillon Douglas was able to convert his chance, finishing with 64 runs. Tight, disciplined bowling from Kevin Sinclar (1-17 off four overs) and Shani Maximin (2-29 off three overs) kept the Knights’ chase in check, securing the win for the Titans and leaving them second in the final group stage standings.

    The second Saturday match brought another elimination twist, as Micoud Eagles defeated their local rivals Mon Repos Pioneers by 40 runs to book their playoff spot and knock Mon Repos out of title contention. Micoud posted a mammoth total of 257 batting first, powered by a phenomenal near-century from Dominic Auguste. Auguste fell just one run short of a hundred, bowled by Cody Lesmond after striking 10 sixes and six fours, with Samuel Charles adding a valuable 45 runs before also falling short of a personal milestone.

    Mon Repos got off to a strong start in their chase, with Sabinus Emmanuel notching 55 and Keon Gaston hitting a brilliant century of 118, but their efforts were not enough to overhaul the total; they finished at 217 all out. Ted Jones was the standout bowler for the Eagles, claiming three wickets for 34 runs to seal the win and leave Micoud third in the final rankings.

    Sunday opened with a do-or-die clash for Gros Islet Knights, who needed a win over undefeated group leaders City Blasters to keep their hopes of back-to-back titles alive. The tournament’s only unbeaten side proved too strong, however, securing a dominant eight-wicket victory to end the defending champions’ campaign.

    Batting first, Gros Islet collapsed to just 103 all out, with four of their top-order batters dismissed for zero. Only a 36-run knock from captain Kimani Melius pushed the side into triple figures. Amari Goodridge (4-18) and Jaden Elibox (4-20) tore through the Knights’ batting lineup, leaving the Blasters with a tiny target to chase.

    City Blasters made light work of the 104-run requirement, reaching the target in just 6.3 overs behind an unbeaten 63 from Stephen Naitrum, which included seven sixes and five fours. Tarrique Edward claimed the only two wickets for Gros Islet, finishing with 2-43 off two overs, but it was not enough to stop the group leaders.

    The final group stage match saw Choiseul Craft Masters secure the last remaining Final Four spot, needing a win over already-qualified Micoud Eagles to leapfrog the eliminated defending champions and claim their place. Choiseul’s bowling attack dominated the Eagles, bundling them out for just 134, with Bronte Bess claiming 3-18 and Dornan Edward taking 3-24 to lead the attack.

    Choiseul, nicknamed the Men in Orange, chased down the target in just 8.4 overs, with Jason Simon hitting 56 off 31 deliveries and Junior Henry smashing 50 off 20 deliveries to lead the side to a seven-wicket victory.

    With the group stage now complete, the knockout phase of the tournament is ready to get underway using the Page Playoff System, a four-match structure consisting of Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the championship Final. The format gives the top two group stage teams a second chance to advance to the Final, while the third and fourth seeds face an immediate sudden-death elimination in the Eliminator.

  • Caribbean women lead the way in business and legacy building at Vision to Velocity 2026

    Caribbean women lead the way in business and legacy building at Vision to Velocity 2026

    Against the backdrop of annual Female Founders Month and Mother’s Month celebrations, the 2026 Vision to Velocity conference has emerged as a landmark gathering centered on amplifying the rising influence of Caribbean women entrepreneurs, who are reshaping industries and building lasting legacies across the region.

    Held to address persistent gaps in accessible, practical support for local business builders, the conference drew more than 100 established entrepreneurs, industry professionals and early-career emerging leaders from across the Caribbean. Unlike many conventional business events that lean heavily on abstract theory, the gathering was designed as a hands-on immersive experience, with deep dives into high-impact topics critical to small and growing ventures: strategic public relations, targeted marketing, intentional brand building, sustainable monetization and adaptive self-leadership. Throughout the multi-day event, women founders took center stage, sharing real-world insights into how they are advancing innovation and expanding economic opportunity across Caribbean markets.

    Organizers noted in an official press release that the conference was crafted specifically to respond to widespread challenges facing today’s Caribbean entrepreneurs: chronic professional burnout, persistent market uncertainty, and the spread of harmful misinformation about business scaling. Rather than offering generic advice, every session was built from the on-the-ground lived experiences of Caribbean business leaders who are currently growing and expanding their own ventures in the region, providing attendees with a grounded, supportive space to gain strategic clarity and actionable direction.

    Attendees left the conference with clear next steps, encouraged to re-evaluate their existing business strategies, boost their brand visibility in both local and global markets, and adopt more intentional approaches to leadership. Multiple participants reported leaving with a renewed sense of confidence and a refined, actionable roadmap to scale their operations beyond national borders into international markets.

    Shelly-Ann Aqui Solomon, founder of the Vision to Velocity conference, framed the event’s mission in terms of long-term impact rather than short-term gains. “This is about leadership and legacy,” she explained. “As Caribbean women, as mothers, as founders, we are shaping more than businesses; we are shaping the future. When we step into that fully, everything changes.”

    One of the most celebrated moments of the gathering was the formal recognition of graduating entrepreneurs from the Positioned to Propel Success Academy, the conference’s flagship development program. Over the course of the program, these participants completed structured skill-building training that equipped them with the core leadership and strategic tools needed to grow sustainable businesses.

    Beyond supporting established founders, the conference placed intentional focus on nurturing the next generation of Caribbean women leaders through its Next Generation Initiative. The program invited young women between the ages of 17 and 25 to participate in high-level business discussions, connect with experienced mentors, and gain first-hand experience in professional leadership environments. Aligned with the theme of Mother’s Month, the initiative highlighted the critical role of intergenerational guidance, intentional support, and intentional pathway-building to prepare future female leaders to thrive in the Caribbean business ecosystem.

    Organizers also extended public recognition to event sponsors, whose financial and in-kind support made it possible to expand access to the conference and advance the visibility and growth of entrepreneurs across the region.

    Closing out the official press release, organizers emphasized the transformative leadership of Caribbean women entrepreneurs: “Caribbean women are not waiting for opportunity, they are leading, building, and creating legacy for generations to come.”

  • Explosie bij vuurwerkfabriek in China kost 26 levens

    Explosie bij vuurwerkfabriek in China kost 26 levens

    On a Monday afternoon in early May, a devastating explosion ripped through a fireworks manufacturing facility in Liuyang, a city in China’s central Hunan Province known globally as the country’s fireworks capital, leaving at least 26 people dead and 61 others injured. The blast, which occurred around 16:40 local time at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company, generated enough force to level nearby structures and send towering plumes of black smoke billowing kilometers into the sky above the region.

    Emergency response operations mobilized rapidly in the wake of the disaster. More than 1,500 first responders, including firefighters, medical personnel, rescue workers, and police officers were deployed to the site, supported by 18 drones and specialized search-and-rescue robots to locate trapped survivors and bring the emergency under control. Authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of all nearby residential and industrial areas after identifying an ongoing risk of secondary blasts from two unignited storage facilities holding tons of combustible black gunpowder.

    User-shared footage circulating on social media platforms captured thick plumes of smoke rising against the backdrop of the region’s characteristic green mountain slopes, while on-site reporters confirmed that the entire facility and surrounding adjacent plots had been reduced to rubble. The blast’s powerful shockwaves tore mature trees from the ground, leaving a heavy, acrid smell of gunpowder hanging over the disaster zone for hours after the initial explosion.

    This tragedy is not an isolated incident for China’s fireworks industry, which has a long-documented history of workplace safety failures. Just one year prior, a nearly identical explosion at another Hunan Province fireworks factory left nine people dead and dozens more injured. More recently, a fatal blast at a chemical plant in northeastern China also claimed multiple lives, drawing renewed public and regulatory attention to the systemic risks of unsafe hazardous materials storage across Chinese industrial sectors.

    As of Tuesday, local government authorities overseeing Liuyang (which falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Changsha) announced that search and recovery operations for missing victims had been largely completed. The factory’s general manager has been taken into police custody, while official investigations into the root cause of the explosion are ongoing. In an immediate precautionary move, all fireworks and pyrotechnic production facilities across Liuyang have been ordered to suspend all operations immediately to undergo mandatory safety inspections.

    Chen Bozhang, Changsha’s deputy Communist Party secretary and mayor, delivered an official statement on behalf of local authorities expressing profound condolences to the families of the deceased and injured. “We feel extraordinary grief and take full responsibility for this tragedy,” Chen stated.

    At the national level, Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued formal orders for a thorough and expedited investigation into the disaster, and has called for strict accountability for any parties found responsible for safety lapses that led to the explosion. The Chinese central government has assembled a special national investigation team, and Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing traveled directly to Liuyang to oversee on-site rescue, recovery, and subsequent investigation efforts. President Xi further emphasized that all industries handling hazardous materials must strengthen risk management and safety oversight, with the protection of human life and public property designated as the highest priority.

    For Liuyang’s local economy, the fireworks industry is far more than a traditional trade—it is the single largest economic pillar of the region. A 2025 industrial report found that Liuyang’s fireworks sector generated 50 billion yuan (approximately 7.1 billion U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, spread across 431 licensed production facilities. The city supplies more than 60 percent of China’s total domestic fireworks demand, and accounts for roughly 70 percent of all Chinese fireworks exports worldwide. Nationwide, China’s 2025 fireworks exports totaled 1.14 billion U.S. dollars, representing more than two-thirds of the entire global fireworks market.

    President Xi’s call for strengthened industrial safety controls comes shortly after he previously issued instructions for a nationwide upgrade to China’s disaster response and emergency management capacity. The latest order follows a deadly 2025 fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong that claimed 168 lives, after which President Xi also issued formal instructions for improved public safety protocols.

  • CMC journalist dies after prolonged illness

    CMC journalist dies after prolonged illness

    Respected veteran journalist Linda Straker, the long-serving Grenada correspondent for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), has passed away at the age of 55 following a prolonged fight with multiple health complications. She died on Tuesday at Grenada’s General Hospital, where she had been admitted for ongoing treatment for more than a month prior to her death.

    Beyond her core role with CMC, Straker built a decades-long career contributing freelance reporting to a wide range of regional and international news outlets. She also took on key leadership roles within the global and local media community: she served as an executive committee member of the Media Workers Association of Grenada, and represented her home country on the board of Paris-based press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders.

    Colleagues, friends, and fellow journalists across the Caribbean have led tributes celebrating Straker’s uncompromising commitment to truthful journalism and press freedom. CMC editor Peter Richards remembered her as a fearless reporter who never shied away from asking hard-hitting questions that often pushed public figures to account, adding that her greatest source of pride was her three children. Richards shared that just one day before Straker’s death, her youngest daughter Naomi — who recently graduated at the top of her nursing class from a Cuban university — started her first day working as a registered nurse.

    In a joint statement announcing Straker’s passing, close friends Rawle Titus and Nicole Best described Straker as far more than a journalist: they called her a driving force for excellence, a consistent voice for truth, and a dedicated champion for the entire media profession. They highlighted her well-earned reputation for upholding the highest standards of accurate, ethical, and public-facing journalism, noting that she spent her career tirelessly advocating for press freedom, independent media growth, and the critical role of a free fourth estate in democratic society. A decorated journalist, Straker was honored with multiple awards throughout her career, including the regional “Best Research Journalist” honor. Her legacy, friends say, endures through the groundbreaking stories she produced, the early-career journalists she mentored, and the barriers she broke down for Caribbean reporters.

    Kenton X. Chance, the newly appointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to Taiwan, founder of iWitness News, and a former CMC correspondent who worked alongside Straker for years, recalled that Straker was a staunch and unapologetic defender of press freedom across the entire Caribbean region. Chance said that whenever she saw threats to press freedom emerging in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, she would reach out proactively to coordinate action. The pair participated in multiple regional media training programs organized by the Media Institute of the Caribbean, the training arm of the Association of Caribbean MediaWorkers, where Straker freely shared her decades of on-the-ground experience with emerging journalists. Chance noted that the entire region has lost one of its strongest and most consistent advocates for free media. He called on current and future generations of Caribbean journalists to draw inspiration from Straker’s work and carry her legacy forward, extending his condolences to her family and the regional media community.

  • Grenadian journalist dies after prolonged illness

    Grenadian journalist dies after prolonged illness

    The Caribbean journalism community is mourning the loss of one of its most respected voices this week, as veteran Grenadian reporter Linda Straker, the long-serving Grenada correspondent for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), passed away on Tuesday at St. George’s General Hospital. Her death came after a prolonged, public battle with multiple chronic health conditions; she was 55 years old.

    Beyond her core role with CMC, Straker built a decades-long career as a freelance journalist, contributing in-depth reporting and analysis to a wide range of regional and international news outlets. Over a month prior to her passing, she was admitted to the general hospital to treat a series of acute medical complications that would ultimately lead to her death.

    Straker was also deeply committed to advancing the journalism profession across the Caribbean and globally. She served as an elected executive member of the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), and represented Grenada as the national liaison for Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based global press freedom advocacy organization.

    In a tribute released following the news of her death, CMC editor Peter Richards remembered Straker as a fearless reporter unafraid to hold power to account. “Linda was known for asking tough questions, even evoking strong reactions from those being interviewed,” Richards said. “She was fearless and above all loved her 3 children, whom she regarded as her pride and joy.” Richards also shared a bittersweet detail about the journalist’s family: her youngest daughter Naomi, who recently graduated at the top of her class as a registered nurse from a Cuban university, began her first day of professional nursing work the very day Straker passed away.

    Two of Straker’s close friends, fellow media professionals Rawle Titus and Nicole Best, released a joint statement honoring her legacy that framed her impact far beyond individual news stories. “Linda was more than a journalist, she was a force of excellence, a voice for truth and a champion for the media profession,” they wrote.

    The pair highlighted that Straker earned her reputation across the region for her unwavering “deep commitment to accurate, ethical and impactful journalism.” Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to advance press freedom, support the growth of independent media across the Caribbean, and emphasize the critical role that a free, independent press plays in democratic society. Throughout her career, her outstanding work earned multiple industry awards, including the honor of “Best Research Journalist.”

    As tributes continue to pour in from across the global journalism community, colleagues and loved ones note that Straker’s legacy will endure through the groundbreaking stories she reported, the early-career journalists she mentored, and the barriers she broke down for women reporters in the Caribbean. “Linda’s legacy lives on in the stories she told, the journalists she mentored and the doors she opened,” friends said.

  • National anti-smoking campaign launched in Saint Lucia

    National anti-smoking campaign launched in Saint Lucia

    Public health officials in Saint Lucia have rolled out a nationwide anti-smoking initiative led by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat (SAACS), a division under the country’s Ministry of Health, designed to curb tobacco use, educate the public on the life-threatening impacts of all smoking products, and shine a spotlight on the underrecognized risks of secondhand smoke exposure.

    The campaign comes as public health authorities grow increasingly alarmed by shifting harmful nicotine use patterns across the country. In recent years, Saint Lucia has recorded sharp upticks in recreational vaping, open public use of traditional tobacco products, and rising cannabis consumption, trends that have pushed public health leaders to prioritize targeted intervention to reverse these dangerous habits.

    Caleb Paul, SAACS’s Acting Deputy Coordinator, underscored the urgent need for this proactive public health push, pointing to a steady rise in smoking-related chronic illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) across all age groups. Unlike many past initiatives that focus only on traditional cigarettes, the new national campaign addresses the full spectrum of smoking-related products, with a core focus on prevention outreach for younger generations, who are most at risk of developing long-term addictive habits.

    Paul explained that the intervention prioritizes transparency around the full scope of health harms tied to every form of smoking, framing prevention as the most effective tool to protect young Saint Lucians from avoidable health complications later in life. “The main aim is to bring the truth out as it pertains to harms associated with all types of smoking… we really want to take a preventive step… saving our young persons,” Paul stated in remarks on the campaign launch.

    This national effort is a core component of the Ministry of Health’s broader public health strategy to cut rates of chronic non-communicable diseases, which are driven largely by preventable behavioural choices like regular tobacco use. By raising widespread public awareness and encouraging sustained lifestyle change, health officials hope to make measurable progress against the leading causes of preventable death and disability in the country.

    The campaign targets a range of key stakeholder groups, from private businesses and primary/secondary schools to large event organizers and local community groups, recognizing that cross-sector collaboration is necessary to create lasting cultural change around smoking. To amplify its reach, SAACS is training a network of peer educators embedded in youth and community sports groups, equipping these trusted messengers with educational resources to share evidence-based anti-smoking messaging with their peers.

    In addition to youth-focused peer outreach, the organization offers free interactive presentations and training sessions for workplaces across the country, and has encouraged interested organizations to reach out to secure a spot for their teams. “We are using peer helpers… training them… and sharing the dangers associated with all types of smoking,” Paul added.

    To meet audiences where they are, campaign messaging will run across a diverse mix of digital and physical public platforms, including popular social media channels, broadcast public service announcements, and large-format community billboards in high-traffic areas. Organizers are urging members of the public to engage with the content and share it with their own networks to expand the campaign’s reach organically.

    “Persons will see them through social media… billboards… we want persons to share it,” Paul said. In closing, SAACS issued a call for all Saint Lucian citizens to stand behind the initiative, emphasizing that collective, community-wide action is the only way to protect the long-term health of future generations and build a healthier nation for all.

  • Caribbean advances regional framework to strengthen disaster displacement data and response

    Caribbean advances regional framework to strengthen disaster displacement data and response

    Against a backdrop of rising climate-fueled natural disaster activity that has displaced millions across the Caribbean, regional governments and international partners have taken a major step forward to close critical gaps in disaster response coordination. Over the past decade, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events—including hurricanes, flash floods, wildfires and volcanic eruptions—have left millions of people displaced across the region, exposing deep flaws in how governments track and respond to displacement. Outdated, fragmented data systems have slowed emergency aid delivery, left vulnerable unregistered populations without support, and undermined long-term recovery planning, creating an urgent push for coordinated reform.

    To address these unmet needs, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) gathered representatives from National Disaster Offices and regional stakeholders for a two-and-a-half-day workshop held in Bridgetown, Barbados from April 23 to 25. The gathering centered on upgrading regional capacity to collect, analyze, and deploy displacement data to improve disaster outcomes for affected communities, backed by funding from EU Humanitarian Aid through the regional Resilient Caribbean initiative.

    A landmark achievement of the workshop was shared agreement to advance development of a harmonized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for displacement data management. The new framework is being intentionally aligned with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)’s existing Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) system, ensuring interoperability across existing regional infrastructure. Once fully rolled out, the standardized SOP will boost coordination and cut response times across the 13 participating Caribbean nations, while also creating more robust data to inform long-term community recovery planning.

    Barbados’ Minister of Home Affairs and Information Gregory Nicholls opened the workshop by emphasizing the human-centered core of the reform effort. “For Barbados, the guiding principle is simple: Families first,” Nicholls said. “When disaster strikes and systems are stretched to breaking point, reliable data allows first responders to locate vulnerable families faster, match aid to actual on-the-ground needs, and protect the dignity of displaced people. Displacement data must always serve people, not bureaucratic processes.”

    Throughout the workshop, participants got hands-on experience with a suite of specialized tools designed to strengthen end-to-end displacement data management. Attendees tested and reviewed IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the IOM Shelter Portal, and KoboToolbox, a platform built for rapid field data collection during emergencies. Trainers also led demonstrations of advanced geospatial analysis and planning tools, including the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and MapAction, to build national capacity for more accurate spatial mapping of displacement.

    Lessons drawn from CDEMA’s After Action Reviews following Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa, paired with first-hand national-level experiences from across the region, helped outline clear shared priorities for the new SOP framework. Top priorities identified include expanding pre-disaster baseline data to establish more accurate displacement benchmarks, standardizing inconsistent definitions of displacement and shelter categories across nations, and streamlining information sharing between local shelters, national emergency operations centers, and regional coordination systems.

    Patrice Quesada, IOM’s Caribbean Coordination Officer and Chief of Mission for Barbados, framed the workshop as a critical investment in proactive preparedness rather than reactive response. “Preparedness is about learning from experience,” Quesada explained. “It is really about anticipating the next storm, not just responding to the last one. To do that well, we need to build trust and shared experience between expert teams across the region, so that when disaster strikes, we can rely on each other to act fast.”

    Regional representatives highlighted the tangible, life-saving benefits of adopting a unified approach to displacement data for small, hazard-prone Caribbean states. Sashagaye Vassell, a Planning Analyst at Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, noted that the standardized system will remove coordination barriers that have slowed aid in past disasters. “We are very prone to various hazards, and we have a lot of vulnerable people across our region,” Vassell said. “With this SOP, Caribbean states can better coordinate among ourselves to support the vulnerable and find targeted solutions to respond efficiently and effectively.”

    The workshop also addressed long-standing, underdiscussed challenges in displacement response, most notably the difficulty of identifying and supporting displaced people who never register for official assistance. Livingston Pemberton, National Disaster Coordinator for Saint Kitts and Nevis’ National Emergency Management Agency, explained that unregistered displaced people are often entirely cut off from life-saving aid. “Sometimes displaced persons are not registered, making it very difficult to reach out to them,” Pemberton said. “If you are not able to capture them within the system, it is very difficult to render the assistance that they need.” He added that the new SOP directly addresses this gap by providing clear definitions and standardized methodologies for capturing all displaced people, allowing governments to share accurate data with national and regional response mechanisms and help affected people return to normalcy far faster.

    Participants also highlighted the critical importance of ethical, culturally sensitive, people-first data collection that centers the needs and experiences of diverse affected communities. Yemi Knight, founder of AnchorBridge Environmental Inc., emphasized that disaster survivors are in crisis when data is collected, requiring intentional cultural competence from data collection teams. “Data collectors must understand the sensitivity of the situation,” Knight said. “A person has just gone through a disaster, and you may meet different types of people from varying backgrounds, so you have to have the cultural sensitivity to interact with them respectfully.”

    Beyond meeting immediate shelter and emergency needs, attendees discussed the far-reaching societal impacts of disaster displacement that standardized data will help address. Simon Alleyne noted that effective displacement response goes far beyond rebuilding physical structures. “There are a lot of regional examples of people being displaced,” Alleyne said. “It is more than just giving a person back a home. It is also ensuring that they can be reintegrated into society, including access to employment and protection of their rights as citizens.”

    Official statistics underscore the urgent need for this coordinated reform: between 2012 and 2021 alone, disasters triggered an estimated 5.14 million new cases of internal displacement across the Caribbean. In just the past five years, approximately 2.6 million people have been affected by extreme weather and geologic hazards, reflecting the growing complexity of disaster response in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

    IOM Caribbean officials framed the Barbados workshop as a transformative milestone in building data-driven, people-centered disaster management systems across the region. Upcoming next steps will focus on scaling up national capacity through targeted training for National Disaster Office staff, covering data collection and analysis, vulnerability assessments, full-scale disaster response simulation exercises, and specialized training in Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).

    Taken together, these coordinated initiatives aim to build a more connected, prepared, and climate-resilient Caribbean that can effectively protect vulnerable communities and respond to future disasters with speed and equity.

  • In loving memory of Linda Straker

    In loving memory of Linda Straker

    The media community across Grenada is mourning the loss of one of its own, following the announcement that veteran journalist Linda Straker has passed away after a valiant fight against a long-term illness. The news of Straker’s death was confirmed via a statement published by local media outlet NOW Grenada, which also included a standard legal disclaimer noting that the platform does not take responsibility for opinions, statements, or third-party content shared by contributors to the site. The outlet added that users who encounter any abusive content on its pages can use a designated reporting tool to flag content for moderation.

    Straker’s decades-long career in local journalism positioned her as a key figure in Grenada’s media landscape, and she was affiliated with the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG), a professional body that represents the interests of media professionals across the island nation. Prominent local media figure Rawle Titus, whose name is linked to coverage of Straker’s passing, is among those acknowledging her contributions to Grenadian journalism.

    Straker’s death marks the end of a career that shaped local reporting and supported the professional development of fellow media workers in the country, leaving a legacy that will be remembered by colleagues and audiences across Grenada.

  • Fond d’Or Jazz sets valley on fire

    Fond d’Or Jazz sets valley on fire

    After a one-year hiatus and a scaled-back 2024 edition, one of Saint Lucia’s most beloved community-focused cultural events, Fond d’Or Jazz, officially made its high-profile return on Sunday, May 3, stepping back into the spotlight as a cornerstone gathering during the annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival season.

    Once known for hosting major international acts like the iconic Caribbean band Kassav, Fond d’Or Jazz took a low-key approach in 2024 before pausing entirely last year. For its 2026 comeback, organizing committee members rebuilt the event from the ground up to create an inclusive experience designed to engage attendees across every age group. Positioned as a family-friendly cultural celebration paired with world-class live entertainment, the festival was hosted at the scenic Fond d’Or Nature Heritage Park, located in the coastal Saint Lucian district of Dennery. The venue’s unpolished, natural rustic charm created an intimate, laid-back atmosphere that carried attendees from a late-afternoon kickoff deep into the night.

    To cater to multi-generational groups, the event grounds featured a range of attractions beyond live music, including themed photo marquees for memorable keepsakes, bouncy castles, a dedicated kids’ zone, and dozens of local food and beverage vendors serving a variety of regional and casual fare. Opening celebrations kicked off with welcoming performances from the Dennery North and Dennery South Steel Orchestras, while main sponsor 1st National Bank outfitted a premium VIP experience for ticketholders seeking elevated amenities.

    As the sun began to dip below the Caribbean horizon, the official performance slate got underway with guitarist Carl Gustave, the first act to take the stage. His dynamic set, which wove together elements of jazz, blues, and classic rock, evoked the nostalgic spirit of traditional jazz gatherings, where audiences come to experience both beloved staples and fresh, authentic original music that deviates from mainstream trends.

    Throughout the evening, the full lineup of headliners was complemented by a rotating cast of supporting acts, including a DJ and MC keeping energy high between sets, special guest appearances from contestants of the Mabouya Valley Queen Pageant, and high-energy dance routines from the local Moves 4 Dayes dance troupe.

    Following Gustave’s opening set, fan-favorite Ronald “Boo” Hinkson took the stage alongside his collective of collaborators, engaging the crowd with beloved Tru Tones hits including *Foreign Journalist* and traditional folk numbers like *Estephan*. Vocal performances from TC Brown, Semi Francis, and Christa Bailey rounded out the set, turning it into one of the night’s most memorable offerings. Next, celebrated performer Teddyson John delivered a high-energy, crowd-pleasing set featuring his chart-topping tracks including *Allez* and *New Day*. Local genre stalwart Surbance followed, leaning into the iconic Dennery segment sound to honor the style’s local roots and reinforce his reputation as one of the genre’s leading contemporary artists. Before the night’s headliner took the stage, celebrated Saint Lucian solo artist Deighton Charlemagne delivered a stirring solo set, including his widely popular track *A natty dread is who I am*.

    When the MC called the night’s headliner, Jamaican reggae star Duane Stephenson, to the stage, thrilled fans rushed to the front of the stage to greet him. Stephenson made his entrance shortly after 10 p.m., recalling that his last performance at the very same venue had taken place 15 years prior, alongside fellow reggae artist Taurus Riley. “I hope you don’t take so long to invite me back,” he joked to roaring applause.

    Throughout his set, Stephenson appeared visibly moved by the crowd’s reaction, at one point pausing as the audience’s loud, united singing overpowered his own vocals. His performances of iconic tracks including *Think Twice*, *Ghetto Pain*, *Cottage in Negril*, *Fool for You*, and *Forever Yours* held the crowd captive from start to finish. During his performance of *August Town*, one audience member was invited on stage for a spontaneous “money pull-up” moment, highlighting the deeply personal connection fans felt to Stephenson’s lyrics. The night closed with an encore performance of Gregory Isaac’s classic *Cool Running*, capping off a standout reggae set that left attendees buzzing. Stephenson’s backing band, led by Danyl Daniel and made up almost entirely of local Saint Lucian musicians, delivered tight, expert support that elevated the entire performance.

    Stephenson’s headline set underscored a enduring truth: audiences across Saint Lucia retain a deep, passionate appreciation for roots reggae and high-quality, authentic live music.

    In a post-event statement, Cornelius Edmund, Chairperson of the Fond d’Or Jazz Committee, expressed sincere gratitude for the large turnout and ongoing community enthusiasm for the event and its unique venue. “There are a few things that we would like to do better next year, but overall we were pleased with the turnout and the performances,” he shared, signaling the event’s full return for future festival seasons.

  • Monorath erkent nevenwerk politie, maar waarschuwt voor misbruik tijdens diensttijd

    Monorath erkent nevenwerk politie, maar waarschuwt voor misbruik tijdens diensttijd

    In a press briefing held earlier this week, Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath has laid out the stark challenges facing the country’s national police force, including a persistent staffing shortage and widespread exodus of experienced personnel to higher-paying roles abroad, while revealing that authorities quietly tolerate banned side work for officers to help them make ends meet. The comments came during a promotion ceremony Monday at the National Police Training Center, where 205 new recruits were formally elevated to the rank of Extraordinary Police Officer (BAVP).

    Minister Monorath told reporters that for the police force to operate at full effectiveness across the country, its ideal total strength would sit at around 5,000 active officers. As of the latest count, however, the entire corps only numbers just over 2,700 personnel – less than 55% of the workforce needed to fulfill all core public safety mandates. Compounding this gap is a steady brain drain that the department has been unable to reverse: every year, more than 300 trained officers leave the force to take up positions elsewhere, most commonly in neighboring countries or other overseas locations where compensation packages are far more competitive than domestic salaries. Currently, the force can only recruit and train roughly 300 new officers annually to replace departing staff, while around 20 more personnel leave each month in search of better working conditions and higher pay, almost always outside Suriname’s borders. Monorath even noted that a common early warning sign of an officer planning to exit the force is a request for personal leave without objection, as officers prepare to transition to their new roles.

    Addressing longstanding public debates over off-duty work for police and military personnel, Monorath clarified that while formal Dutch Caribbean law explicitly prohibits civil servants from holding secondary employment, the government has maintained a de facto tolerance policy to allow low-paid officers to supplement their incomes. “What people choose to do during their own free time is not something I can comment on or control,” the minister stated. He added that most police officers work rotating shift schedules, and the vast majority hold multiple jobs to cover basic living costs. Many officers take on private security work for gold mining companies, for example, while others travel to the country’s interior to earn extra income. He also refuted recent media reports claiming that Jean ‘Saya’ Mixon, one of his four appointed advisors, received or will receive police security protection, calling the claims completely untrue.

    Public criticism of off-duty security work has grown in recent years, with critics arguing that when police or military personnel work for private third parties – particularly in Suriname’s resource-rich interior, where conflict over gold mining concessions is common – it creates major potential conflicts of interest that undermine public trust in state security institutions. Monorath acknowledged that the line between official duties and personal free time is not always clear cut when it comes to secondary work. However, he stressed that the department will take strict disciplinary action against any civil servant found to be carrying out unauthorized secondary work during their official paid working hours.