Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Klimaatrampen troffen afgelopen jaar miljoenen mensen en kostten miljarden dollars

    Klimaatrampen troffen afgelopen jaar miljoenen mensen en kostten miljarden dollars

    The year 2025 has witnessed an unprecedented surge in climate-related catastrophes, establishing itself as one of the most financially devastating periods in recorded history. According to comprehensive analyses by international research institutions and insurance agencies, extreme weather events including catastrophic floods, cyclones, heatwaves, and wildfires have generated economic losses reaching hundreds of billions of US dollars while directly or indirectly impacting millions worldwide.

    Multiple regions across the globe experienced severe humanitarian emergencies triggered by erratic weather patterns. Massive flooding events submerged entire villages throughout Asia and Africa following periods of intense rainfall. Simultaneously, Southern Europe, North America, and Australia confronted devastating wildfires that reduced thousands of homes to ashes and caused long-term ecological damage to fragile ecosystems.

    While wealthy nations reported substantial financial damages, developing countries bore the most severe consequences due to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient warning systems, and limited resources for disaster response and reconstruction. This vulnerability has translated into higher mortality rates, widespread food shortages, and prolonged economic disruption in less developed regions.

    International aid organizations highlight a widening gap between affluent and impoverished nations. Insurance coverage in developed economies typically absorbs significant portions of financial losses, whereas poorer countries face predominantly uninsured damages that hinder recovery efforts.

    The scientific community increasingly attributes the intensification of extreme weather phenomena to climate change. Rising global temperatures have catalyzed more powerful storms, intensified rainfall patterns, extended drought conditions, and accelerated sea-level rise—particularly threatening low-lying coastal communities.

    Caribbean and South American nations, including Suriname, face heightened vulnerability through river flooding, coastal erosion, and extreme precipitation events that jeopardize agricultural sustainability, critical infrastructure, and public health systems.

    United Nations agencies and other international bodies are urging governments to prioritize investments in climate adaptation and disaster prevention strategies. Recommended measures include enhanced water management systems, reinforced flood defenses, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and advanced early warning mechanisms.

    Concurrently, demands for climate financing from developed nations continue to grow. Developing countries argue they disproportionately suffer from a crisis they contributed little to creating. Without substantial financial support and technological transfer, climate-related casualties and damages are projected to escalate significantly in coming years.

  • Jamaican-born educator to lead America’s largest school system

    Jamaican-born educator to lead America’s largest school system

    New York City’s public education system, serving approximately one million students, will now be guided by Jamaican-born educator Kamar Samuels following his landmark appointment as Chancellor by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This historic selection marks a significant achievement for both Samuels and the Caribbean diaspora community in New York.

    Samuels assumes leadership of one of the world’s most complex educational networks, overseeing an institution with over 113,000 staff members and an annual budget approaching $40 billion. His educational journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, where he attended Hope Valley Experimental School before graduating from Jamaica College in 1993. Shortly thereafter, he immigrated to the United States, where he pursued accounting studies at Baruch College before obtaining a master’s degree in childhood education from Lehman College.

    Prior to his elevation to chancellor, Samuels ascended through the ranks of New York’s educational leadership, serving in senior administrative positions including superintendent roles in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. His professional development was significantly influenced by the New Leaders for New Schools initiative implemented during former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration.

    In his initial statements following the appointment, Samuels emphasized his immigrant background and educational philosophy. “As a Jamaica-born immigrant, I am excited to create an educational system that is affordable for all students,” he declared, highlighting his commitment to equitable access to quality education.

    The selection has garnered widespread acclaim from both American and Jamaican community leaders. Colleagues have characterized Samuels as a visionary educator dedicated to student achievement, while the Jamaican Consulate in New York celebrated his accomplishment as reflective of the substantial contributions made by Jamaicans living abroad.

  • Simon Vows Continued Advocacy for Youth, Vulnerable in St. Mary’s South in 2026

    Simon Vows Continued Advocacy for Youth, Vulnerable in St. Mary’s South in 2026

    Kelvin Simon, the parliamentary representative for St. Mary’s South constituency, has formally committed to maintaining his focus on youth empowerment programs, social welfare initiatives, and infrastructure development throughout his upcoming term. In a comprehensive New Year’s address to constituents, Simon reflected on both accomplishments and ongoing challenges while outlining his vision for community advancement.

    The legislator expressed profound gratitude to residents for their electoral support, characterizing their collective resilience as a fundamental inspiration during difficult periods. Educational enhancement emerged as a cornerstone achievement, with documented support including examination fee coverage for Jennings Secondary School CSEC candidates, coordinated distribution of academic materials through back-to-school initiatives, and technology provision for exceptional students and educators through laptop and tablet allocations.

    Athletic development received significant emphasis in Simon’s review, with documented contributions to local football organizations, revitalization of netball programs, and sponsorship of international competitive opportunities for young athletes. The parliamentary representative specifically referenced a regional football excursion to St. Kitts that simultaneously functioned as a memorial tribute to a deceased youth community member.

    Simon reaffirmed his ongoing engagement with the unsolved homicide case of Kahleel Simon, fatally victimized on his eighteenth birthday, vowing persistent pursuit of judicial resolution. The MP additionally honored former constituency representatives Hilson “Bro B” Baptiste and Victor McKay, acknowledging their enduring influence on his legislative approach.

    While celebrating developmental progress, Simon openly addressed unresolved infrastructure deficiencies including the suboptimal condition of Bolans playing field, undelivered stadium seating commitments, and the incomplete fire station project. These concerns were identified as priority objectives for intensified advocacy efforts.

    Looking toward the 2026 electoral cycle, Simon emphasized that constituency advancement would necessitate unified determination and collaborative action, positioning collective effort as indispensable for sustainable community development.

  • Lincoln Corbette, Joeffrey James head into 2026 as newly appointed police chief and deputy

    Lincoln Corbette, Joeffrey James head into 2026 as newly appointed police chief and deputy

    The Commonwealth of Dominica has solidified its law enforcement leadership with the formal appointment of Lincoln Corbette as Acting Police Commissioner and Jeoffrey James as Acting Deputy Commissioner. The appointments, initially made effective April 1, 2025, have now been extended beyond their original six-month terms, bringing stability to the nation’s top policing roles which had remained vacant since Daniel Carbon’s departure in 2023.

    The restructuring initiative was formally announced by National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore, who explained that the vacancy created by the retirement of Acting Commissioner Davidson Valerie prompted Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to advise President Sylvanie Burton on the new appointments. Minister Blackmoore emphasized that these appointments represent a strategic effort to address public concerns through systematic and transparent reforms within the police force.

    The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) publicly celebrated the appointments through an official statement on their Facebook page, recognizing the milestone as a testament to both officers’ unwavering dedication, exemplary leadership, and longstanding commitment to national security. The statement expressed collective support for Corbette and James, wishing them continued strength, wisdom, and success as they lead the police force with integrity and professionalism.

    This leadership consolidation concludes 2025 on a note of institutional stability for Dominica’s law enforcement community, signaling a renewed commitment to public safety and organizational accountability under new command.

  • Adjustments to NIS contribution rate

    Adjustments to NIS contribution rate

    The Grenadian government has unveiled a comprehensive multi-year plan to incrementally raise contribution rates for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), culminating in a total contribution rate of 16% by the year 2031. This structured increase is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the nation’s social security system.

    Under the newly outlined schedule, the contribution burden will continue to be shared between employees and their employers. The increases will be implemented gradually on an annual basis. Starting from the current total of 12% in 2023, the rate will climb by 0.5% each year, reaching the 16% target in 2031. This means the employee portion will rise from 5.5% to 7.5%, while the employer’s share will increase from 6.5% to 8.5% over the eight-year period.

    Concurrently, several other key parameters of the scheme will be adjusted. The Maximum Insurable Earnings, which sets the ceiling for contributions, will see an increase from $1,160 weekly ($5,000 monthly) in 2023 to $1,200 weekly ($5,200 monthly) in 2024, with further adjustments anticipated in subsequent years. Furthermore, the minimum number of contributions required to qualify for a retirement pension will be raised in annual increments from 500 to 750 by 2033 or later. The official pensionable age will also be progressively elevated from 60 to 65 between 2023 and 2028.

    The National Insurance Service has reiterated the importance of compliance with payment deadlines. Contributions for any given month are legally due by the end of that same month, with a standard 14-day grace period provided. Employers who fail to remit payments within this window will face significant financial penalties, including a 10% surcharge on the outstanding amount plus an additional 1% interest charge for every subsequent month, or part thereof, that the debt remains unpaid. This enforcement underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the national social security fund.

  • WU notice of abandoned accounts

    WU notice of abandoned accounts

    Western Union’s Grenada operations have initiated a public notification process in compliance with the Money Services Business Act Cap 198A, specifically Sections 28 and 29 (1)(c)(3). The financial service provider has published an extensive list containing 51 customers who have unclaimed remittance amounts that have remained inactive for over one year, thereby classifying these funds as abandoned property under Grenadian law.

    The published registry includes detailed information about each sender, comprising their full names, primary and secondary addresses, and the specific amounts denominated in Eastern Caribbean Dollars. The unclaimed sums range significantly from minor amounts like EC$1.42 to substantial sums exceeding EC$2,500. Notably, several individuals appear multiple times in the listing, indicating multiple unclaimed transactions.

    Affected customers have been granted a substantial claims window extending until April 2, 2026, to recover their funds. To initiate the retrieval process, individuals must directly contact Western Union Grenada’s office via telephone at 473-444-2274 or through electronic mail at wugd.unclaimedproperty@wu.com. The financial institution has explicitly stated that any funds remaining unclaimed after the stipulated deadline will be automatically transferred to the appropriate regulatory authority as mandated by the legislation.

    This procedure demonstrates Western Union’s adherence to regulatory compliance and financial transparency standards within Grenada’s monetary ecosystem. The publication serves both as a public service announcement and a legal requirement fulfillment, ensuring due process is followed for handling abandoned financial assets.

  • The following persons or anyone knowing their whereabouts

    The following persons or anyone knowing their whereabouts

    Law enforcement agencies are actively seeking information from the public regarding the whereabouts of specific individuals. This official request for assistance represents a critical effort to establish contact with persons who may possess vital information related to ongoing investigations or community welfare concerns. The appeal underscores the importance of public cooperation in matters of community safety and investigative procedures. Authorities emphasize that any information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, could prove valuable in these efforts. Standard protocol involves verifying information through proper channels while maintaining confidentiality for those who come forward. This collaborative approach between law enforcement and the community remains fundamental to successful resolution of such cases.

  • Drop off your plastic bottles: 1st Saturday every month

    Drop off your plastic bottles: 1st Saturday every month

    A grassroots environmental initiative in Grenada is achieving remarkable success in addressing the island’s plastic waste crisis through a targeted source-reduction strategy. The Grenada Green Group (G3) has transformed plastic bottle recycling from a modest pilot project into a island-wide movement with substantial impact.

    The program originated in response to the critical overflow situation at the Perseverance landfill. Instead of merely collecting scattered litter, G3 implemented a strategic system to intercept plastic bottles before they reach the waste facility. What began with a single monthly collection at Camerhogne Park yielding approximately 180 pounds of plastic has expanded into a comprehensive operation capturing 2.5 metric tonnes (over 5,500 pounds) in a single month by December.

    Critical support from the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme, administered by the United Nations Development Programme, enabled significant expansion. The funding facilitated the installation of 39 distinctive wire bottle-shaped receptacles at strategic locations across Grenada, with regular collection routes established along both eastern and western coastal corridors.

    The initiative has garnered robust community support through partnerships with the St Andrew Development Organisation and St Patrick’s Environmental and Community Tourism Organisation. Businesses, schools, bars, and shops have actively participated, while an educational outreach program in schools has steadily increased environmental awareness among younger generations.

    The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association now supports the ongoing monthly collections at Camerhogne Park, held the first Saturday of each month from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Participants are requested to bring only empty plastic bottles (no glass, liquids, or other plastic items) to ensure efficient processing. The collected bottles are shredded, pelletized, and prepared for recycling rather than occupying the overwhelmed Perseverance landfill indefinitely.

    The public is encouraged to contribute post-holiday bottles remaining from Christmas and New Year celebrations, continuing the positive environmental trajectory that has already prevented significant quantities of long-term toxic waste from burdening Grenada’s primary disposal site.

  • Venezuela has detained several Americans as tensions with US rise

    Venezuela has detained several Americans as tensions with US rise

    Venezuelan authorities have apprehended a minimum of five American citizens over recent months, according to a US official with knowledge of the situation. These detentions occur against a backdrop of intensifying pressure tactics from the United States against the administration of President Nicolás Maduro. While the specific circumstances surrounding each case differ, with some individuals potentially implicated in narcotics trafficking, US intelligence agencies are actively gathering details regarding the Americans’ activities in Venezuela prior to their arrest. Official sources within the Trump administration posit that these detentions represent a strategic maneuver by the Maduro government to accumulate bargaining power. This approach finds precedent in the actions of Venezuela’s ally, Russia, which has historically detained US citizens to gain diplomatic leverage. The US pressure campaign has included targeted strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, a CIA-led drone operation against a Venezuelan port facility, and a stringent blockade on oil shipments. Senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have publicly condemned the Maduro regime as illegitimate and linked to narcotics operations, though they stop short of explicitly endorsing a policy of regime change. In response, President Maduro has asserted that Venezuela’s national defense systems ensure territorial integrity and public safety. The situation is further complicated by Venezuela’s record of holding political prisoners, a point frequently raised by human rights organizations following the contentious 2024 election.

  • Wickham Warns Serpent Watts Exit Could Destabilize UPP

    Wickham Warns Serpent Watts Exit Could Destabilize UPP

    Political analyst Peter Wickham has raised concerns about potential destabilization within the United Progressive Party (UPP) following the anticipated departure of Algernon Serpent Watts from the St. George constituency. Watts, a first-term Member of Parliament who secured a decisive victory in the 2023 by-election, is reportedly evaluating his political future after being omitted from the party’s candidate roster for the upcoming general election.

    Party leader Jamale Pringle has confirmed that the UPP is actively seeking a replacement candidate, acknowledging Watts’ apparent decision to not contest the next polls, which are constitutionally mandated by 2028. While Watts has publicly attributed his potential exit to health considerations, persistent internal party tensions have been noted as a contributing factor.

    Wickham emphasized the significance of this development, stating that Watts’ departure would likely disrupt the constituency despite his previous comfortable victory. The political commentator noted that replacing an incumbent candidate typically generates electoral instability, particularly problematic for the UPP which he described as ‘not exactly in a good position to start with.’ The potential loss of a charismatic sitting MP could further weaken the party’s standing as it prepares for the upcoming election cycle, potentially affecting voter confidence and party cohesion.