Carib Scope

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  • Uroy Joseph Found Guilty of Being Accessory After Arthur James Murder

    Uroy Joseph Found Guilty of Being Accessory After Arthur James Murder

    More than two years after the burned remains of Arthur James were uncovered in Freetown, a High Court jury has delivered a guilty verdict against Uroy Joseph, who stood accused of acting as an accessory after the fact to James’ 2021 murder.

    The conviction came on Tuesday, following closing instructions from Justice Ann Marie Smith and a period of deliberation by the 12-member jury. Prosecutors have clarified that Joseph was not accused of committing the killing himself, but rather of aiding the individuals responsible for James’ death after the crime took place.

    Throughout the course of the weeks-long trial, Joseph’s defense centered on a claim of coercion. He told the court that when he returned to his residence on the day of the murder, he found James bound and held at gunpoint by his two cousins, Zamir Ogarro and Obasic Ogarro — the alleged co-conspirators in the killing. Joseph testified that he watched Zamir Ogarro deliver a fatal blow to James’ head with a metal pipe, before being ordered to help move the victim’s body.

    Joseph admitted to assisting the pair in wrapping James’ body in a sheet and loading it into a waiting vehicle, but told the court he only complied after Zamir Ogarro threatened to kill him if he refused to cooperate. Following the incident, Joseph told investigators, he reached out to law enforcement voluntarily and provided a full account of everything he had witnessed, in an effort to cooperate with the investigation.

    In a turn that streamlined the court proceedings, Joseph was the only defendant to go on trial: both Zamir and Obasic Ogarro, who were originally charged alongside Joseph in the case, died before the case could proceed to trial. Prosecutors have previously named Zamir Ogarro as the primary perpetrator who planned and carried out James’ killing. After closing arguments and the judge’s summary of the evidence, the jury ultimately rejected Joseph’s coercion defense and handed down the guilty verdict.

  • Sandals Grenada hosts Sandals Dive Week

    Sandals Grenada hosts Sandals Dive Week

    Building on the enthusiastic reception of the first ever Sandals Dive Week hosted at Sandals Royal Curaçao in 2023, the Caribbean resort brand has brought its growing community of loyal diving lovers to the shores of Pure Grenada for a seven-day celebration of underwater adventure, community connection, and the island’s unrivaled marine biodiversity. Running from September 14 to 18, the event brought together more than 75 experienced divers, dubbed “Island Insiders,” on a carefully crafted itinerary that highlighted Grenada’s most iconic and spectacular dive locations.

    The curated route took divers to two of the island’s most vibrant natural reef systems: Black Forest and Japanese Garden, where visitors encountered a diverse array of tropical fish, colorful coral formations, and rare marine species. It also included stops at four of Grenada’s most storied shipwreck dive sites: Veronica L, Tyrell Bay, Anina, and Shakem, each offering unique opportunities to explore man-made underwater habitats that have become integral to the local ecosystem. No dive itinerary in Grenada would be complete without a stop at the world-famous Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, the event’s crown jewel attraction that draws divers from across the globe each year.

    To accommodate the larger-than-usual group of participating divers, the Sandals organization brought in additional dive boats, certified instructors, and support staff from partner resorts across four neighboring Caribbean nations: St Vincent, St Lucia, Barbados, and the Bahamas, ensuring every participant received a safe, seamless, and personalized experience.

    Windell John, Regional Watersports Manager for the Eastern Caribbean at Sandals, shared the core philosophy that inspired the creation of the annual Dive Week series. “Diving is more than just a recreational activity for our guests—it’s a passion that brings people together,” John explained. “So many of our repeat guests choose to return to Sandals destinations year after year specifically for our scuba diving programs, which are one of the many premium included amenities offered at every Sandals and Beaches Resorts location. Our dive community is incredibly active on social media, where they share their experiences and invite friends and family to join this growing network. We created Dive Week as a way to give back to our most loyal divers and create a dedicated space for them to connect over their shared love of the ocean.”

    Beyond leisure diving and social connection, the 2024 Grenada Dive Week also offered guests valuable opportunities to advance their diving expertise through professional development courses offered through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). A standout offering was the Lionfish Specialty certification, which combined classroom education with hands-on experience. During the mid-week Beach Breeze and BBQ Party, the Sandals dive team led educational sessions about the ecological threat invasive lionfish pose to Caribbean reefs, guided participants in sustainable lionfish catches, and demonstrated safe handling techniques for the venomous species. Evenings throughout the week featured guided night dives, followed by Sandals Grenada’s signature live entertainment and curated gourmet dining experiences.

    Kristina Leadbeater, PADI Regional Manager, attended the event in person and praised the high standards of safety and professionalism demonstrated by the Sandals dive team. “The Sandals team has been exceptionally impressive in how they empower visitors to safely explore Grenada’s incredible and thrilling underwater scenery,” Leadbeater said.

    For returning guests like John Bechthold, a multiple-time visitor to Sandals Grenada and certified scuba instructor, the event offered a uniquely meaningful experience even for divers who have explored the island’s sites before. “It was such a special occasion,” Bechthold shared. “I’ve dived all these sites before, but there’s something magical about doing it all again alongside old friends, new friends, and the incredible team that makes every part of the experience seamless. We all love Grenada.”

    Curtis Bailey, Watersports Manager at Sandals Grenada, thanked guests and cross-functional resort teams for the event’s success. “Dive Week created incredible synergy across every department at the resort and with our local suppliers, all working together to deliver an unforgettable experience for our valued divers who chose to join us in Grenada this year,” Bailey said. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this event such a tremendous success.”

    The annual event series shows no signs of slowing down: Sandals has already confirmed that the next Sandals Dive Week will be hosted at Sandals St Vincent in the Eastern Caribbean, extending the brand’s commitment to building community among diving enthusiasts while showcasing the best of Caribbean marine destinations.

  • Portsmouth Police strengthen community ties through church fellowship

    Portsmouth Police strengthen community ties through church fellowship

    In a deliberate step to bridge law enforcement and local residents, officers from the Portsmouth Police Station gathered for a joint fellowship service with congregants of God’s Family House of Worship on Sunday, September 27. The intergroup event was organized under the umbrella of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force’s (CDPF) flagship Community Policing Initiative, a long-term program designed to reshape traditional police-community dynamics.

    Unlike standard law enforcement outreach activities that focus solely on public safety briefings or crime prevention workshops, this gathering centered on shared worship, creating an informal, relaxed space for uniformed officers and church members to connect on a personal level. According to official statements from the CDPF, the event succeeded in breaking down common social barriers between police and community members, while laying the groundwork for more open, trusting interactions moving forward.

    This joint worship service is not an isolated activity, but rather one piece of the CDPF’s broader, ongoing community policing strategy. The overarching framework of the strategy prioritizes three core goals: establishing mutual trust between law enforcement and the populations they serve, maintaining a consistent, approachable police presence across local neighborhoods, and cultivating long-term collaborative partnerships between police units and a wide range of local community groups.

    The CDPF emphasized that repeated, positive engagements of this kind are a critical foundation for building safer, more cohesive communities. By fostering a culture of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and everyday residents, the police force believes it can address local safety concerns more effectively, respond to community needs faster, and create shared ownership of public safety outcomes across the island.

  • The Sunshine Awards mourns The Mighty Sparrow

    The Sunshine Awards mourns The Mighty Sparrow

    The passing of iconic cultural figure Dr Slinger Francisco — universally known by his stage name The Mighty Sparrow — marks not just the end of an extraordinary life, but the close of a defining chapter in Caribbean cultural history, according to tributes from across the global community.

    For more than seven decades, The Mighty Sparrow stood as the undisputed “Calypso King of the World,” transforming the traditional Caribbean musical form into a multifaceted vessel that blended entertainment, sharp social and political commentary, living historical documentation, and profound cultural expression. His voice, which could make crowds roar with laughter, pause for deep reflection, challenge unjust systems, or celebrate collective joy, has been silenced by death, but his indelible impact on music, culture, and humanitarianism endures.

    Gilman T. Figaro Sr., founder and chairman of the SUNSHINE Awards Organisation, shared that he was honored to be at Sparrow’s bedside alongside the legend’s family during his final transition, an experience he says he will carry for the rest of his life. On behalf of the entire SUNSHINE Awards community, past honorees, Hall of Fame inductees, and millions of people touched by Sparrow’s work across the Caribbean and beyond, Figaro extended heartfelt condolences to Sparrow’s family, the governments and people of both Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, his close friends, fellow calypso artists, musicians, and the wider Caribbean community.

    Over a 71-year performing career, The Mighty Sparrow built a body of work that stands as an unparalleled cultural archive for historians, sociologists, researchers, and students of Caribbean culture. He mastered everything from searing political commentary and lighthearted humorous numbers to soulful ballads, and even performed in Spanish, Dutch, and Creole to connect with broader audiences. His songs tackled universal themes of the human experience, interpersonal relationships, societal structures, governance, and the defining events of his era, offering future generations an unfiltered window into the political, social, and cultural evolution of the Caribbean and the wider world. Unlike many artists whose work only entertains, Sparrow’s discography serves as a complete documented record of an entire era.

    His list of professional accolades is staggering: he claimed the prestigious Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Monarch title eight times, won the Carnival Road March crown eight times, and took home the Calypso King of the World title twice, in 1985 and 1988. But his influence extended far beyond regional competition trophies. He earned international honors, honorary titles, and global recognition, with dozens of books published exploring his life, his career, and his revolutionary contribution to calypso and Caribbean culture. The SUNSHINE Awards Organisation inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1990, awarded him a Lifetime Achievement honor in 1998, and presented him with the Heritage Award in 2006, recognizing him not just as an entertainer, but as a living cultural institution that carried Caribbean creativity and collective identity across international borders.

    Sparrow’s global reach extended deeply into the African continent, where his connection to ancestral roots was formally recognized during his 1977 tour for the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77) in West Africa. There, he was bestowed the honorary Yoruba chieftaincy title Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi, a tribute that reflected the profound bond between African heritage and Caribbean cultural expression — a bond Sparrow embodied throughout his entire life.

    Beyond his artistic achievements, The Mighty Sparrow used his platform and his voice to advance humanitarian causes. A standout moment of that commitment came in 1985, when he joined 71 fellow calypsonians for the historic *Calypso for Africa — Now Is The Time* project. The collaborative effort raised funds that were donated through the United Nations to support victims of the devastating 1985 Ethiopian drought and famine, proving that Sparrow’s talent was always rooted in service to humanity, a dimension of his legacy Figaro says deserves equal recognition alongside his chart-topping recordings and global fame.

    Those who shared the stage with Sparrow consistently marveled at his innate performing gift: the moment he stepped into the spotlight, he owned the room. He had an intuitive understanding of his audience, perfect timing, and a deep awareness of the power of every lyric and every gesture. He could connect with thousands of people in a crowd in a matter of minutes, making each person feel as if he was singing directly to them — whether he was challenging their assumptions, making them laugh, or telling a story about the world they shared. That ability was far more than learned technique; it was a rare, natural gift.

    Beneath the legend, the crowns, the sold-out stages, and the international acclaim, was Slinger Francisco: a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. While the world knew him as The Mighty Sparrow, to his family he was simply Slinger, and family always stood at the center of his life. His greatest love and commitment were reserved for his inner circle, a side of the legend Figaro says the world must also remember as it mourns his passing. “As the world mourns the loss of The Mighty Sparrow, his family mourns the loss of a beloved member of their family,” Figaro noted, adding that the entire SUNSHINE Awards community holds the Francisco family in its prayers.

    Sparrow’s decades-long professional relationship with fellow calypso legend Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, co-founder of the SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame and chairman of its nomination committee, stands as a defining chapter in modern calypso history. The two were brothers in art and friendly competitors on the calypso stage, pushing each other to new creative heights and elevating the entire art form they both loved.
    “Sparrow was not simply a great calypsonian; he was one of the great cultural voices of our time,” Liverpool shared in his tribute. “We competed as brothers in the art, but beneath the competition was a deep respect for the extraordinary gift that God gave him. His contribution to calypso, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and the world cannot be measured by the number of crowns he won. Sparrow became part of the history of the people. His voice will continue to speak long after his physical voice has become silent.”
    For Figaro, Sparrow’s passing carries deep personal weight. Their connection dates back to Figaro’s childhood, when he was introduced to the young artist at age 7 or 8 by his uncle, fellow calypsonian Young Killer. At the time, Figaro was too young to grasp that he had met a man who would go on to become one of the most celebrated cultural figures in Caribbean history, but that introduction sparked a decades-long personal and professional relationship that eventually led to the SUNSHINE Awards honoring Sparrow’s unparalleled contributions to Caribbean culture.
    Figaro says his final memory of Sparrow is not of the legendary Calypso King, but of the man himself. “I will remember him not only for his God-given talent that he so generously shared with the world, but also for something I witnessed personally during his final hours — his courage and his determination to live. In those final moments, I saw the human being behind the legend. I saw a man who had spent 71 years giving his voice to the world, and who, until the very end, demonstrated an extraordinary determination to hold on to life. That image will remain with me forever,” he said.
    Though The Mighty Sparrow’s earthly journey has come to a close, his legacy will live on in every note of calypso sung by future artists, every academic study of Caribbean society, and every young performer who uses music to speak truth to power. His recordings will continue to entertain and educate, his lyrics will remain a subject of study, his humor will keep bringing joy to new audiences, and his sharp commentary will continue to provoke critical thought. For generations who witnessed his commanding stage presence, his performances remain locked in collective memory.
    The SUNSHINE Awards Organization today salutes Dr Slinger Francisco — The Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King of the World. It salutes the man, the artist, the humanitarian, the cultural historian, the champion, and the devoted family man. His voice carried the heartbeat of Caribbean culture to every corner of the globe, leaving an extraordinary gift to humanity that no grave can silence.
    May he rest in eternal peace. His voice has left the stage, but his song will never end.

  • Parliament Approves EC$87 Million Government Guarantee for Transport Board Loan

    Parliament Approves EC$87 Million Government Guarantee for Transport Board Loan

    Lawmakers in Antigua and Barbuda have formally given their approval to a full government guarantee backing an EC$87 million loan extended to the Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board, closing a heated parliamentary debate that centered on the split of funds between existing debt refinancing and critical national road infrastructure upgrades. The approved resolution paves the way for the government to secure the 6.5% annual interest loan from a regional syndicate of three financial institutions: ACB Caribbean, Antigua Mortgage and Trust Company Limited, and ACB Grenada Bank Limited. Per the official terms of the facility, the funding will serve two core purposes: refinancing outstanding government liabilities and financing the development and rehabilitation of the country’s deteriorating road network. The government’s guarantee covers the entire principal sum of the loan, with a formal commitment to cover any gaps in monthly repayment installments if needed. The authorization process was carried out in compliance with Section 54 of the 2006 Finance Administration Act, which mandates parliamentary approval for such state-backed borrowing arrangements. The proposal drew immediate pushback from Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, who challenged the governing administration over the opaque structure of the financing. Pringle highlighted that of the full EC$87 million, EC$67 million is allocated to paying down existing debt, leaving just EC$20 million in immediately accessible new capital for the government. He argued this allocation contradicts earlier public statements from the administration that it would secure approximately EC$100 million exclusively for a nationwide road rehabilitation initiative. “Out of this $87 million, $67 million is to cover existing debt. So the only amount that they have at their disposal, according to this document, is $20 million,” Pringle told parliament. In response, Prime Minister Gaston Browne refuted the opposition’s claims that only EC$20 million would ultimately go toward road works, framing the EC$87 million facility as a temporary bridging arrangement rather than the full final funding package. Browne explained that the EC$67 million portion will be used to clear outstanding liabilities owed to the Finance and Development Company, clearing the way for a larger, long-term funding deal to move forward. The remaining EC$20 million is an immediate advance to keep ongoing road projects active. “This is a facility in the amount of $87 million to cover the $67 million to pay out FDC, plus an advance of $20 million to the government,” Browne clarified. Once the broader, full loan arrangement is finalized, the prime minister confirmed an additional EC$80 million will be disbursed to the government, bringing the total net new funding for road works up to the previously announced EC$100 million. “Upon completion, that is a further $80 million that will come to the government, giving the government a net of $100 million,” Browne told the legislative chamber. The additional funding, he noted, will allow the administration to advance its national road rehabilitation program far beyond current progress, with the goal of completing nearly all planned upgrades. Browne called on residents who have faced disruptions and safety issues from deteriorated road conditions to remain patient, noting that the full $100 million budget will allow the government to finish nearly all outstanding projects. “And now that we’re getting $100 million, clearly, practically all of those roads will be completed,” he said. The prime minister also defended the government’s choice to bring the guarantee to parliament for a vote, emphasizing that his administration prioritizes fiscal transparency and legislative oversight by securing required approval before accessing any borrowed funds. “This is the discipline of my administration, coming before to get the necessary parliamentary approvals before we take one cent from the bank,” he said. Following the conclusion of the debate, the resolution was put to a vote in the House of Representatives and passed, clearing the final bureaucratic hurdle for the government to access the bridging facility and advance its long-term infrastructure plans.

  • Dyslexia and Dysgraphia language-based learning disabilities

    Dyslexia and Dysgraphia language-based learning disabilities

    The core principle that every child is capable of learning, and deserves access to learning opportunities, is widely accepted as an undeniable truth. But behind this broadly held belief lies a overlooked crisis in Jamaica’s education sector: language-based learning disabilities (LBLD), most commonly dyslexia and dysgraphia, are acting as pervasive barriers to equitable education for thousands of children across the country.

    Unlike common misconceptions, language-based learning disabilities are not a reflection of a child’s intelligence. Dr. Susan Anderson, a leading special education expert, confirms that dyslexia ranks as the most prevalent learning disability across Jamaica. In most cases, the condition is genetic, passed down through family lines, and impacts up to 20% of any given global population. Children with dyslexia typically have average to above-average intelligence, but struggle with core literacy tasks: decoding words by matching sounds to letters and letter combinations, recognizing common high-frequency sight words such as “the” and “and”, and mastering spelling, also called encoding.

    Research identifies two key characteristics of dyslexia. First, many people with dyslexia lack strong phonemic awareness, meaning they struggle to distinguish subtle differences between individual speech sounds, break words into their component sounds, or master rhyming. This challenge is compounded by the fact that phonics instruction is no longer offered in many Jamaican educational institutions, a gap that directly undermines literacy development for dyslexic learners. Second, children with dyslexia often require more time to process phonemic information and connect sounds to written letters.

    Despite these well-documented impacts, Jamaica lacks robust nationwide data on how many of its students live with dyslexia. Compounding this data gap is a critical gap in teacher training: the vast majority of educators, outside of specialized special education staff, do not have the training needed to identify common signs of dyslexia. These signs include difficulty recognizing letters, trouble with rhyming and word sorting, struggles with decoding new words, slow word-by-word reading, reluctance to engage with reading material, and significantly reduced writing output compared to peers.

    Similar to dyslexia, dysgraphia is a distinct neurological learning difference that is often undiagnosed and confused with other conditions. While dyslexia primarily impacts reading skills, dysgraphia centers on challenges with writing: it can range from difficulties with physical motor control for writing to struggles with organizing and translating thoughts into coherent written text. The Cleveland Clinic defines developmental dysgraphia, the form that emerges when children first learn to write, as a neurological condition that impairs writing ability despite age-appropriate cognitive function and adequate instruction. Acquired dysgraphia, by contrast, can develop suddenly after brain or head trauma later in life.

    Researchers estimate that between 5% and 20% of people live with dysgraphia, a broad range that reflects how often the condition goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It is more prevalent in boys, consistent with patterns for many other neurodevelopmental conditions. Common symptoms include inconsistent handwriting, difficulty writing along straight lines, reversed or misordered letters, incorrect word ordering in sentences, and frequent omission of words. All too often, these symptoms are mislabeled as bad behavior or laziness rather than recognized as signs of a learning disability.

    Gender also plays a role in diagnosis rates for dyslexia. While both sexes are affected at roughly equal rates, boys are more likely to act out when frustrated by their reading challenges, leading to earlier identification. Girls, by contrast, often hide their difficulties by withdrawing and becoming quiet, meaning their condition can go unaddressed for years. Many children develop behavioral issues starting in primary school that stem directly from the frustration of falling behind academically due to unaddressed LBLD, but most schools lack the resources and staffing to support these students appropriately.

    Even when teachers suspect a child has dyslexia or dysgraphia, they are not qualified to make a clinical diagnosis, which requires input from a licensed clinician. For many low-income Jamaican families, the cost of clinical assessment is prohibitive. This creates a stark equity gap: children from higher-income households are far more likely to receive early diagnosis and targeted intervention that allows them to thrive academically, while students from low socio-economic backgrounds face delayed diagnosis and long-term impacts on their educational progress.

    Worse, students with undiagnosed LBLD often face hostile school environments: they are frequently mislabeled as low-ability or disruptive, face bullying and teasing from peers, and experience systemic discrimination that erodes their confidence and love of learning.

    Education commentator and author Wayne Campbell argues that addressing this crisis requires systemic change, starting with increased awareness, early diagnosis, and evidence-based intervention. Two instructional strategies that have shown promise for supporting students with dyslexia are targeted student questioning, which encourages meaningful participation and boosts motivation, and the think-aloud method, which helps students develop metacognitive skills to monitor their own reading comprehension before, during, and after engaging with text. This approach also gives educators valuable insight into how their students process and understand text, rooted in constructivist learning principles.

    Regional research has confirmed widespread gaps in the diagnosis and reporting of specific learning disabilities across the Caribbean, with most unaddressed cases lumped broadly into the category of general learning difficulties. This underdiagnosis crisis represents a major barrier to equitable education for Jamaican students. Campbell notes that Jamaica is at a critical turning point, and recommends that all secondary schools establish dedicated special education units to support neurodivergent learners.

    Campbell emphasizes that developmental language disorders are not deficits to be corrected, but simply differences in learning that require targeted, appropriate support. With early intervention and structured, specialized programming in place, students with dyslexia and dysgraphia can go on to achieve academic success and build fulfilling, rewarding lives. The core truth remains: all children can learn. But for children with LBLD, equitable learning requires intentional support and structural change to meet their unique needs.

  • Supreme Court Allows Trump to Restart Deportations to Countries Migrants Have No Connection To

    Supreme Court Allows Trump to Restart Deportations to Countries Migrants Have No Connection To

    In a closely watched ruling that has reignited debate over U.S. immigration enforcement, the U.S. Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that it would permit the Trump administration to restart deportations of migrants to third-party nations with which those migrants have no prior connection. The 5-4 decision, split along ideological lines, puts on hold a prior ruling from lower courts that had struck down the administration’s so-called “third-country” deportation policy as unlawful. The high court is set to hear full oral arguments on the policy’s legality in December, when it will issue a final, binding ruling on the question.

    The contested policy, which the administration rolled out last year, grants U.S. immigration officials the authority to transfer migrants with finalized removal orders to countries other than their nation of origin. This framework was designed to address longstanding logjam in the immigration system that occurs when a migrant’s home government refuses to accept their repatriation, or when legal barriers block their return to their home country. Since the policy was implemented, official data shows that more than 25,000 migrants have been deported to 29 different countries around the world. The vast majority of these deportees have been sent to neighboring Mexico, while smaller groups have been transferred to far-flung nations including South Sudan, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, and the Central African Republic.

    The core of the legal challenge to the policy revolves around the procedural protections owed to migrants before they are transferred to a third country. Last year, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy ruled that the initiative violated federal immigration statutes and the due process guarantees enshrined in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Murphy found that migrants were not given sufficient advance notice of the planned deportation, nor were they afforded a meaningful opportunity to argue that transfer to the proposed third country would expose them to torture, persecution, or other grave harm. Earlier this month, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld nearly all of Murphy’s ruling, setting the stage for the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.

    The Trump administration has defended the policy as an critical law enforcement tool, arguing that it allows authorities to remove migrants who cannot be sent home—including individuals with prior criminal convictions—who would otherwise remain in the United States indefinitely. But legal representatives for the migrants challenging the policy warn that it carries severe human rights risks. They note that even migrants with no criminal record can be transferred under the policy to countries where they have never resided, leaving them vulnerable to violence, abuse, and systemic human rights violations that violate international and U.S. law.

    All three of the Supreme Court’s liberal justices issued dissents in Tuesday’s temporary order, arguing that the majority had erred in allowing a unlawfully implemented policy to resume while the legal challenge proceeds. The current order remains in place only until the Supreme Court issues its final ruling after hearing arguments in December. Analysts note that the decision will likely mean thousands more deportations are carried out over the coming months before the high court settles the policy’s legality once and for all.

  • Soufrière lone winners in low-scoring SPFL weekend

    Soufrière lone winners in low-scoring SPFL weekend

    The latest round of matches in Tier 1 of the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League (SPFL) delivered a tense, low-scoring weekend of action at Soufrière Stadium, with just three goals split across four fixtures that left the title race more tightly contested than ever. The weekend’s biggest story was the failure of all three top title contenders to secure full points, which has opened the door for two-time defending champions La Clery – who had no match scheduled this weekend – to keep their push for a third consecutive crown well and truly alive.

    To start the matchweek, third-placed Dennery was held to a 1-1 draw by Gros Islet, extending an underwhelming run of form that has seen the eastern side draw three straight league outings. Eden Charles broke the deadlock for Gros Islet in the 18th minute, but Javel Faucher responded with an equalizer for Dennery in the 54th minute, nine minutes after the halftime break, and neither side could find a game-winning goal after that.

    Second-place Canaries also failed to capitalize on an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Vieux Fort South, playing out a goalless stalemate against Mabouya Valley that left both sides sharing a single point apiece.

    The trend of dropped points continued on Sunday, when table-topping Vieux Fort South was held to a 0-0 draw by eighth-ranked Anse La Raye. The southern leaders struggled to break down a well-organized Anse La Raye defensive block, failing to find any consistent attacking rhythm in the final third of the pitch. The match was also marked by several rough challenges, with Vieux Fort South’s Kimlan Mason picking up a yellow card in the 48th minute and teammate Saviola Elva booked in the 84th minute, while Anse La Raye’s Jaydin Ezekiel saw a caution in the 86th minute.

    The only side to walk away with all three points from the weekend was Soufrière, who defeated Central Castries 1-0 in the final fixture of the matchweek. Hanif Antoine got the hosts off to a dream start, netting the game’s only goal just 10 minutes after kickoff to put Soufrière in the driving seat. The match took a turn for the hosts in the 74th minute, though, when defender Paullkuss Wendel Joseph was sent off after picking up a second yellow card, his first coming in the 34th minute, leaving Soufrière to play out the final 16 minutes a man down. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the side from Sulphur City held firm defensively and held on for the full three points.

    Following this weekend’s results, Vieux Fort South remains at the top of the Tier 1 table, but the gap between the leaders and the chasing pack has narrowed significantly. Three draws from their last four outings have slowed the league leaders’ momentum, and with all of the top three contenders dropping points over the weekend, the race for the SPFL Tier 1 title remains wide open heading into the next round of fixtures.

  • Guyana, Caribbean to launch system to monitor air, sea- Ali

    Guyana, Caribbean to launch system to monitor air, sea- Ali

    On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the joint International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) aviation safety conference kicked off at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, located on the outskirts of Georgetown, Guyana. During his opening address to attending delegates, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali revealed a major upcoming development for the South American nation’s regional security cooperation.

    President Ali confirmed that Guyana will join a Caribbean-wide integrated monitoring mechanism in the near future, which leverages cutting-edge digital technology to conduct comprehensive surveillance of the country’s national airspace and its full Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “In the coming weeks, we will roll out this new technology to upgrade our national security infrastructure and framework, covering our aerial domains and our EEZ,” Ali told conference attendees. “This new monitoring capability brings with it a clear set of updated aviation safety protocols that we must implement promptly, and this coordinated approach will be adopted across the entire Caribbean region.”

    The announcement builds on existing close security collaboration between Guyana and the United States, with the two nations already partnering extensively on cross-border domain awareness initiatives that strengthen regional maritime and aerial oversight. According to President Ali, this new regional monitoring project aligns with the Caribbean’s broader goal of building a cohesive institutional ecosystem to strengthen regulatory and governance capacity both across the bloc and on the global stage.

    Immediately following his announcement of the monitoring initiative, President Ali put forward a key policy recommendation for conference delegates: he urged the joint ICAO-EASA forum to add the rising impact of artificial intelligence on aviation to its formal working agenda. He specifically called for the two global aviation bodies to quickly convene a dedicated expert working group to conduct a thorough assessment of AI’s opportunities, risks, and regulatory implications for the global aviation sector, as the technology continues to reshape operations across the industry.

  • BMHS Gets a STEAM Pavilion. Which Belizean High School Is Next in Line?

    BMHS Gets a STEAM Pavilion. Which Belizean High School Is Next in Line?

    On September 29, 2026, Belize marked a key milestone in its secondary education transformation with an official groundbreaking ceremony for a cutting-edge STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Pavilion at Bishop Martin High School (BMHS), located in Orange Walk Town. When the new academic year 2027-2028 kicks off, students will return to a campus redefined by this purpose-built learning facility, which is already under construction following the ceremony.

    The 1,200-square-foot facility is far more than a standard classroom addition: it will feature a fully outfitted modern science laboratory for hands-on experimental learning, a dedicated makerspace equipped for engineering prototyping and creative design, and a professional-grade recording studio to support arts and digital media education. What’s more, the building incorporates an EDGE-certified sustainable design, a rating that guarantees it will operate with lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact, aligning the project with global green building standards.

    For school leadership, the pavilion represents the culmination of years of advocacy to expand BMHS’s already strong reputation for science education. Principal Angel Leiva emphasized the historic nature of the groundbreaking, noting that the project has moved quickly from planning to on-the-ground construction. “Today is a very special occasion. The work has already begun… I am so happy that this project is coming to fruition,” Leiva shared at the ceremony. “What the STEAM pavilion is going to do for BMHS is it’s going to transform our school,” he added, framing the facility as a catalyst that will elevate every aspect of the school’s academic program.

    Student leaders echoed that excitement, framing the new infrastructure as a gateway to opportunity that did not exist for previous cohorts. Juel Neal, a current BMHS student, pointed out that the space will do more than host classes—it will foster the collaboration and creative problem-solving that are critical for 21st-century careers. “It represents opportunity, innovation, creativity and possibilities,” Neal said. “It will give us a space to explore new ideas, solve problems, work together and discover talents we never knew we had.”

    Ramon Cervantes, Belize’s Minister of State for Education, Culture, Science and Technology, framed the investment as a long-term bet on the country’s next generation. “This facility is an investment in you, our students,” Cervantes told attendees. “It will give you, our young people, the opportunity to learn by doing, by experimenting, to create, to innovate, to solve problems, and to turn ideas into meaningful realities.” He also hinted at broader plans for the program: following the completion of BMHS’s pavilion, the government will identify additional high schools across Belize to receive similar STEAM infrastructure upgrades.

    The transformative project is funded through the national Skills for the Future Programme, a multi-stakeholder initiative supported by three partners: the Government of Belize, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Global Partnership for Education. The collaborative funding model has allowed Belize to scale up its investment in skills development that aligns secondary education with the needs of the modern global workforce, with the BMHS pavilion serving as a pilot for future expansion across the country.