Carib Scope

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  • Sonkei Invitational brengt judo weer tot leven na lange wedstrijdpauze

    Sonkei Invitational brengt judo weer tot leven na lange wedstrijdpauze

    After months without local competitions, the fourth edition of Judoclub Sonkei’s international invitational tournament has revitalized competitive judo in the region. The event featured 110 matches on a single judo mat, providing athletes with their first opportunity in months to gain competitive experience on home soil.

    This tournament arrived at a critical juncture, as the last locally organized judo competition dated back to June of the previous year. For numerous competitors, this marked their first official appearance in many months, making the event particularly significant for their athletic development.

    Regional Exchange Initiative
    The competition forms part of an ongoing exchange program between Judoclub Sonkei and French Guiana’s CSAB club. What began in 2015 as an initiative by coaches Shies Madhar and Eric Emanuel has evolved into a regional platform combining athletic development, cultural exchange, and international friendship.

    CSAB traveled to Suriname with 38 judokas, joined by competitors from Judoclub de Guyane and Judoclub Jigoro Kano. Sonkei fielded 27 competitors, while Jigoro Kano participated with a select team of seven athletes. The diverse participation underscored the tournament’s growing importance within the regional judo community.

    Beyond Competition
    According to organizers, the exchange program focuses on more than medal counts. Young judokas gain international experience, learn to handle competitive pressure, and engage with different languages and cultures. Simultaneously, family members and supporters in Suriname can closely observe their athletes’ development.

    The extended period without competitions made this edition particularly meaningful. The invitational tournament finally provided a competitive platform where judokas could measure their progress and sharpen their competitive rhythm.

    Technical Excellence on Display
    Spectators witnessed technically refined judo with multiple high-level ippons. Among girls under 15, Jade Bougeunon of Sonkei received the award for most beautiful ippon, while Gariel Soemo earned recognition among the boys.

    In the Cadets and U21 categories, Juan Swedo of Judoclub Jigoro Kano impressed with varied and technically pure judo. Among female Cadets, Seraya Sylvestre received special distinction for her performance.

    Medal Standings
    CSAB topped the overall standings with 11 gold, 14 silver, and 8 bronze medals. Sonkei followed with 5 gold, 4 silver, and 11 bronze medals. Judoclub Jigoro Kano secured 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, while Judoclub de Guyane claimed 1 silver and 1 bronze medal.

    For Judoclub Sonkei, this tournament serves as preparation for upcoming international challenges, including CSAB’s All Female Tournament on March 7, 2026, in Cayenne and the Copa das Fronteras on May 30, 2026, in the Brazilian border town of Oiapoque.

    Through this exchange program, the club aims not only to develop competitive judokas but also to equip young people with skills that hold lasting value beyond the sport itself.

  • Ministry of Tourism launches 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours

    Ministry of Tourism launches 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours

    The Grenada Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture has inaugurated its 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours initiative, marking a significant expansion of its youth engagement strategy within the tourism sector. This innovative program aims to foster greater industry appreciation and illuminate diverse career pathways among students across primary, secondary, and tertiary educational levels.

    The inaugural tour occurred on Friday, February 20th, featuring participation from twenty Grade Five and Six students accompanied by educators from four distinguished institutions: St George’s Methodist School, St Louis Girls RC School, St George’s Anglican Senior School, and Uganda Martyrs Catholic School.

    Participants embarked on an educational journey through two premier agro-tourism establishments in Beaulieu. The George Brizan House of Nutmeg, operated by the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association (GCNA), provided students with comprehensive insights into nutmeg cultivation techniques, harvesting methods, and production processes. Simultaneously, the Tri-Island Chocolate Factory—recognized as Grenada’s first publicly accessible ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate facility—offered an immersive understanding of artisanal chocolate production.

    The second scheduled tour, set for Friday, February 27th at Coyaba Beach Resort in Grand Anse, will engage twenty Form Three students and teachers from Wesley College, Anglican High School, JW Fletcher Catholic Secondary School, and Grenada Boys’ Secondary School.

    These experiential learning expeditions form part of a broader strategic initiative launched in March 2023 to build tourism awareness through firsthand industry exposure. The program specifically aims to enhance student comprehension of Grenada’s hotel and cruise sectors while highlighting the developmental significance of agro-tourism and community-based tourism models. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry applications, the ministry seeks to inspire future professionals and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Grenada’s vital tourism economy.

  • Grenada opens FIFA Series 2026 campaign against host nation Rwanda

    Grenada opens FIFA Series 2026 campaign against host nation Rwanda

    Grenada’s national football team is poised to make history on March 27, 2026, when they face host nation Rwanda in their inaugural FIFA Series match at the newly inaugurated Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. This landmark event will feature President Paul Kagame of Rwanda presiding over the stadium’s official opening ceremony, elevating the occasion beyond mere competition to a significant diplomatic and sporting spectacle.

    The Group A tournament structure pairs Grenada with Rwanda, Estonia, and Kenya in a compact schedule that sees winners and losers of the opening matches facing each other on March 30. This FIFA Series initiative brings together 48 national teams across all six FIFA confederations, with Rwanda serving as one of eleven host nations during the March international window.

    Competitive dynamics present both challenge and opportunity for Grenada, currently ranked 164th in FIFA standings compared to Kenya (113th), Estonia (129th), and Rwanda (130th). Despite the ranking gap, Grenada enters the tournament with momentum from an undefeated friendly match record in 2025 that propelled them ten places upward in global rankings.

    The invitation to participate reflects Grenada Football Association’s strategic progress under President Marlon Glean’s leadership, emphasizing improved technical preparation and international engagement. Glean characterized the opportunity as “invaluable for our development” and affirmation that “Grenada is moving in the right direction, strategically, technically, and institutionally.”

    Beyond competitive considerations, the tournament offers unprecedented global broadcast exposure, enhanced player scouting opportunities, and operational experience in tournament settings. Grenada’s selection among limited Caribbean participants underscores the nation’s growing stature within global football circles.

    The GFA has issued a call for national support from Grenadians worldwide as the team prepares to represent Caribbean football on this prestigious international platform. Further match details and broadcast information will be communicated following final confirmation from FIFA and host organizations.

  • Ministry of Youth and Sports resumes operations at Ministerial Complex

    Ministry of Youth and Sports resumes operations at Ministerial Complex

    Grenada’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has completed its operational relocation back to its original headquarters at the Ministerial Complex in Tanteen, St. George. The ministry has officially vacated the Kirani James Athletic Stadium and resumed full operations from its previous offices situated on the third floor of the government complex within the Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens precinct.

    Effective Monday, February 23, 2026, all public services have been fully restored at the Ministerial Complex location. The transition marks a significant operational shift for the ministry, which had been temporarily based at the athletic stadium named after Grenadian Olympic champion Kirani James.

    The ministry expressed gratitude to citizens for their cooperation and understanding throughout the relocation process. This move represents a strategic return to the ministry’s traditional administrative home while maintaining its commitment to serving Grenada’s youth development and sports advancement initiatives.

    The Ministerial Complex, located within the picturesque botanical gardens named after Grenada’s first prime minister, continues to serve as a central hub for government operations and public services.

  • PM Skerrit: Prolonged hiatus in voter registration represents administrative failure

    PM Skerrit: Prolonged hiatus in voter registration represents administrative failure

    Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly condemned the Electoral Commission of Dominica for what he characterizes as a severe administrative failure in maintaining the nation’s voter registration system. During a parliamentary session on Monday, the Prime Minister asserted that the Commission created an artificial impasse to justify its non-compliance with statutory obligations under the newly enacted Registration of Electors Act, 2025.

    The controversy stems from the Commission’s decision to suspend all voter registration activities for approximately twelve months, citing necessary technological upgrades mandated by the 2025 legislation. This Act requires the implementation of an advanced computerized system incorporating biometric facial and fingerprint recognition capabilities.

    PM Skerrit revealed that the Commission had previously procured a technology-supported registration system from Semelex International in 2017, which already possessed the biometric capabilities now required by law. Despite this existing infrastructure, the Commission procured a second system from the same vendor in June 2025 following the Act’s passage.

    The Prime Minister challenged the Commission’s justification for the prolonged suspension, arguing that even without the preferred technological systems, the Commission remained legally obligated to continue registration through manual or legacy methods. He emphasized that Section 17:1 of the Act explicitly mandates continuous registration without provision for interruption based on administrative convenience or technological readiness.

    Skerrit highlighted the particular impact on young citizens who have reached voting age during this suspension period and have been unable to exercise their constitutional rights. The Dominica Labour Party, which Skerrit leads, has reportedly been prevented from bringing new voters into the democratic process for the past year.

    The Electoral Office has announced that voter registration will finally resume on March 9, 2026, in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 Act, ending what the Prime Minister describes as an unjustifiable year-long interruption of a statutory process that Parliament intended to be continuous.

  • Marco Rubio to engage CARICOM leaders at summit in St Kitts and Nevis

    Marco Rubio to engage CARICOM leaders at summit in St Kitts and Nevis

    The 50th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis has become a focal point for complex diplomatic dynamics, featuring high-profile participation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The gathering occurs against a backdrop of regional tensions following recent US military operations in Caribbean waters.

    Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, making her first CARICOM appearance since returning to office in April, addressed Tuesday’s opening ceremony. Her attendance follows notable absences from previous regional meetings and comes amid strained relations with CARICOM leadership. The Trinidadian leader has previously characterized the regional body as an ‘unreliable partner’ and expressed concerns about interference in member states’ domestic affairs.

    Secretary Rubio’s scheduled Wednesday engagement represents a significant diplomatic outreach, with the State Department outlining priorities including regional security enhancement, combating illicit trafficking, and promoting economic growth. The visit aims to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to hemispheric stability and prosperity through existing frameworks like the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and Shipriders Agreement.

    These diplomatic exchanges unfold alongside serious regional concerns regarding recent US military actions. The US Southern Command confirmed lethal kinetic strikes on February 13 and 16 targeting vessels allegedly operated by designated terrorist organizations engaged in narco-trafficking. Seven fatalities resulted from these operations, including two St. Lucian nationals. Authorities from St. Vincent and the Grenadines have confirmed these incidents occurred within their territorial waters, though no Vincentian casualties were reported.

    The summit also welcomes SVG’s newly elected Prime Minister Godwin Friday, attending his first CARICOM conference following his New Democratic Party’s victory in November elections. Security measures throughout the host nation have been significantly enhanced in preparation for the high-level gatherings.

  • French community hospital wants Cuban doctors

    French community hospital wants Cuban doctors

    In a striking geopolitical divergence, a community hospital in France’s Cévennes region is pursuing medical cooperation with Cuba even as Caribbean nations sever ties with Havana’s medical program under US pressure. The Cuban Foreign Ministry announced that the Defense Committee of the Cévennes Hospital formally presented a cooperation proposal to Cuban embassy officials on Monday, seeking to bring Cuban doctors to serve multiple communes including Alès, Ardèche, and Lozère.

    The diplomatic engagement occurred amid heightened tensions following the January 2026 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, which disrupted Cuba’s vital fuel supplies from Venezuela. The Trump administration has threatened severe tariffs against countries supplying fuel to Havana and visa revocations for officials involved in what the US State Department characterizes as ‘trafficking in persons’ through Cuba’s medical missions.

    Cuban Second Chief of Mission Justo Rodríguez met with French officials including Sylvain André, mayor of Cendras, and Jean-Michel Suau representing the Hospital Defense Committee. According to Cuban authorities, Rodríguez expressed Cuba’s willingness to ‘respond positively’ once France establishes necessary legal and administrative frameworks. The proposal currently exists as a pilot program in selected municipalities.

    The Cuban diplomat subsequently toured the Alès Cévennes Hospital Center with Director General Christian Cataldo to discuss practical implementation details. The visit concluded with expressions of political support from the French Communist Party’s Gard Federation and solidarity associations including Cuba Cooperation France.

    This development contrasts sharply with recent actions by Guyana and other CARICOM members who have terminated medical agreements with Cuba following US allegations that Havana confiscates 75-95% of medical workers’ salaries, leaving them with inadequate compensation. The US maintains that Cuba’s program constitutes forced labor, while Cuba defends its international medical cooperation as humanitarian assistance.

  • Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    A significant contractual agreement has surfaced involving Monché Atompai, Director of the Milk Central, who previously denied any formal arrangement with the State Health Fund (SZF). Despite his categorical denial to Starnieuws media outlet, documentation reveals SZF Director Rudrakanth Oemraw formalized a five-year advisory contract with Atompai on February 1, 2026.

    The contract establishes Atompai as an external consultant rather than a formal employee, operating under a assignment agreement framework within Suriname’s Civil Code. His advisory responsibilities encompass policy and organizational consultation, analytical reporting, guidance for improvement initiatives, and specialized advisory services within SZF’s operational scope.

    Notably, the agreement permits a minimum weekly commitment of 96 hours, adjustable according to SZF’s requirements through mutual consultation. Work may be conducted either at SZF premises or alternative locations, with strict adherence to confidentiality and information security protocols.

    Financial terms reveal a substantial monthly compensation of SRD 95,856 (approximately $7,200 USD) excluding taxes, with invoicing occurring monthly based on pre-approved timesheets. Payment follows within fourteen days of invoice approval. Travel and additional expenses require prior written authorization for reimbursement.

    The contract stipulates that all reports, analyses, and advisory outputs become SZF property upon payment completion. A confidentiality clause remains effective during and for one year post-contract termination.

    Termination provisions include mutual agreement, one-month notice period, or immediate termination for urgent reasons or substantial breach. When recently contacted for comment, Atompai declined to respond, stating he was “unavailable at this moment” to Starnieuws.

  • Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Turner’s Hall educational institution in Hillaby initiated an unscheduled early closure this Tuesday, February 24th, following environmental safety concerns arising from smoke infiltration originating from a blaze in adjacent eastern territories. The Ministry of Education Transformation executed this protective measure after atmospheric monitoring confirmed diminishing air quality conditions within the school’s perimeter. Official communications confirmed that parental and guardian networks will receive prompt notifications regarding resumption protocols and academic schedule adjustments. Ministry representatives extended formal gratitude to families for their cooperative response and demonstrated understanding during this unforeseen operational interruption, emphasizing that student welfare remains the paramount consideration in all environmental health decisions. Local emergency services continue containment operations for the peripheral fire incident while educational authorities maintain vigilant air quality assessment ahead of potential campus reactivation.

  • Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    The Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has issued a nationwide call to action, urging current members and alumni alike to participate in an island-wide demonstration of unity this Thursday. The event, designated as Guide Day, represents a significant mobilization of the Guiding community across the Caribbean nation.

    According to the official announcement, participants are encouraged to wear their complete traditional uniforms or alternative Guide T-shirts throughout the day—whether attending workplaces, educational institutions, or conducting daily activities. This sartorial demonstration aims to create visible solidarity across Dominica while honoring the historical significance of World Thinking Day within the national context.

    The association emphasizes the timeless guiding principle of “Once a Guide, always a Guide” as foundational to the event’s philosophy. Beyond sartorial participation, the organization encourages digital engagement through social media sharing. Participants are invited to photograph themselves in uniform and post using the dedicated hashtag #GGADGuideDay, creating a digital archive of collective participation.

    The visual transformation of Dominica into “a sea of blue and brown”—referencing the organization’s signature colors—serves as both metaphorical and literal representation of unity. This chromatic demonstration seeks to visually reinforce the organization’s presence and values across the island’s diverse landscapes.

    This coordinated effort simultaneously serves multiple purposes: demonstrating organizational solidarity, commemorating international Guiding traditions, and inspiring future generations of community leaders through visible representation of Guiding principles in daily life.