Carib Scope

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  • Matthew Hails Ge’Eve Phillip’s Queen of Queens 1st Runner-Up Finish as “Monumental” for Antigua and Barbuda

    Matthew Hails Ge’Eve Phillip’s Queen of Queens 1st Runner-Up Finish as “Monumental” for Antigua and Barbuda

    Antiguan calypso sensation Ge’Eve Phillip has delivered another spectacular regional performance, securing the position of First Runner-Up at the prestigious Queen of Queens Calypso Show in Montserrat on December 30, 2025. The rising star amassed an impressive 947 points through her powerful renditions of ‘One Man’ and ‘Daughter Come,’ captivating both judges and audience members with her exceptional vocal control, commanding stage presence, and compelling lyrical narratives.

    The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) officially celebrated Phillip’s achievement, highlighting it as a significant milestone in her already distinguished career. Hon. Daryll S. Matthew, Minister responsible for Creative Industries, characterized the accomplishment as ‘monumental’ for the nation, emphasizing that Phillip’s ‘talent, discipline, and consistency continue to prove that we are a formidable cultural force within the region.’

    Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, Chairperson of the ABFC, expressed particular pride in Phillip’s representation of Antigua and Barbuda’s youth on the regional stage, noting that the artist ‘is paving the way for the next generation, demonstrating that age and gender are no barriers to excellence.’

    Phillip’s musical journey represents a remarkable progression from prodigy to professional. She first entered the calypso arena in 2013 at just seven years old through Antigua and Barbuda’s Junior Calypso competitions, where she eventually secured an unprecedented 11 Junior Calypso titles. Her transition to senior competitions in 2022 at age 16 earned her First Runner-Up in the national Calypso Monarch competition. The year 2025 has proven particularly successful, with Phillip first capturing the national Calypso Monarch title before claiming the Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch crown in Anguilla, culminating in her latest achievement at the regional Queen of Queens competition.

  • Black Fin Fleet outlines priorities for fishing sector in the new year

    Black Fin Fleet outlines priorities for fishing sector in the new year

    A newly established fishermen’s collective in Barbados is spearheading transformative changes within the nation’s fishing sector through strategic government collaboration. The Black Fin Fleet organization emerged following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, addressing perceived representation gaps for boat proprietors, captains, and fishing agents.

    Under the leadership of Moonesh Dharampaul, the organization representing approximately 200 industry stakeholders has already achieved significant breakthroughs through early dialogues with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Critical infrastructure enhancements at landing sites have become immediate priorities, with ministerial support resulting in the installation of new compressor systems in Bridgetown to address persistent ice production challenges.

    Dharampaul emphasized the critical nature of reliable ice access for maritime operations: ‘Without adequate ice supplies, our fishing vessels cannot remain operational at sea. We’re collaborating closely with ministry officials to maintain essential machinery that supports our fishing capacity.’

    Beyond infrastructure development, the organization is pioneering insurance reform for commercial fishing operations. Current insurance products inadequately cover fishing activities, prompting negotiations with the General Insurance Association of Barbados for specialized commercial fishing policies ahead of anticipated 2027 regulatory changes.

    The collective simultaneously prepares to launch an extensive public awareness campaign highlighting fishermen’s vital role in national food security. The initiative aims to reshape public perception regarding maritime professions while advocating for professional recognition as Blue Economy specialists rather than traditional ‘fisherfolk’ terminology.

    Dharampaul explained the rationale behind terminology evolution: ‘Fishing requires specialized skills acquired through practical experience rather than academic training. We seek appropriate professional designations that reflect the technical expertise and economic value our industry provides.’

    The organization also addresses statistical representation issues, noting that aggregate fleet recovery data often masks operational disparities between different vessel types and their respective catch specialties, which ultimately affects market supply dynamics and consumer expectations.

  • Cuban President congratulates Margarita Ruiz for Patrimony award

    Cuban President congratulates Margarita Ruiz for Patrimony award

    An eminent 89-year-old Cuban researcher has been conferred the nation’s 2025 National Cultural Heritage Award in recognition of her lifelong dedication to the preservation and academic study of Cuba’s artistic legacy. Throughout her distinguished career, she has cultivated multiple generations of heritage specialists while championing comprehensive conservation efforts for both tangible artifacts and intangible cultural traditions.

    The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) has formally endorsed this honor, highlighting the recipient’s exceptional academic rigor and unwavering advocacy for artists across all creative disciplines. The organization characterized her influence as establishing a ‘school of best practices’ that has profoundly elevated professional standards within Cuba’s cultural sector.

    This latest accolade joins an impressive collection of national honors previously bestowed upon the scholar, including the 2014 National Cultural Research Award, the National Culture Distinction, the Alejo Carpentier Medal, and Havana’s prestigious Giraldilla award. Her systematic documentation methodologies and ethical preservation frameworks have fundamentally transformed how Cuba approaches its cultural heritage conservation, creating enduring institutional knowledge that will benefit future generations.

  • French publication examines garbage disposal problem in DA, says health crisis could be looming

    French publication examines garbage disposal problem in DA, says health crisis could be looming

    The Caribbean nation of Dominica is confronting a severe public health emergency triggered by a systemic waste management collapse. For months, mountainous accumulations of uncollected garbage have plagued municipalities across the island, overwhelming sanitation services and creating fertile ground for disease vectors.

    Despite the government’s deployment of four new garbage trucks, the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC) has publicly acknowledged its inability to maintain collection schedules. The corporation has shifted to a provisional service plan while apologizing to residents of Point Michel, Soufriere, and Scotts Head for persistent delays. Frustratingly, officials note that collection sites are being rapidly refilled shortly after cleanup operations, indicating deeper behavioral challenges.

    The sanitation breakdown has precipitated serious health consequences. Health authorities report a disturbing surge in leptospirosis cases, a potentially fatal bacterial disease transmitted through rat urine. With rodents proliferating in the waste-strewn environment, the Ministry of Health confirmed 17 infections and one fatality in April 2025 alone. Notably, public health communications about the epidemic have diminished in recent months despite growing citizen concerns.

    Community organizations like the Touna Development Committee have joined cleanup efforts while pleading with outsiders to stop illegal dumping near the Concord River. The situation is further complicated by the continued requirement for taxpayers to pay full waste collection fees despite inadequate service delivery.

    Health officials are urging residents to improve waste sorting practices and adhere to disposal regulations while recommending more frequent collections in critically affected neighborhoods. The government faces mounting pressure to resolve both the logistical challenges of waste management and the accompanying public health crisis before the situation escalates further.

  • Families and Patients Gather for Belize’s First Bleeding Disorders Meeting

    Families and Patients Gather for Belize’s First Bleeding Disorders Meeting

    In a historic gathering marking a significant advancement for national healthcare, Belize hosted its inaugural national meeting dedicated to bleeding disorders on December 14, 2025. The landmark event, convened in San Antonio at the Weston Orange Walk Mennonite Community, united patients, families, and caregivers from across the nation.

    Organized by the Belizean Foundation for Bleeding Disorders, the summit served as a crucial platform for education, support, and community building. Attendees were provided with comprehensive educational resources specifically designed to empower them with enhanced self-management techniques and effective advocacy strategies for navigating life with conditions such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.

    The foundation characterized the meeting as a foundational initiative aimed at substantially improving medical care, strengthening patient advocacy, and elevating the overall quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions. A core objective was the establishment of a robust, interconnected support network to foster collaboration and shared experiences among patients and their families.

    Beyond direct patient support, the event also focused on a critical secondary mission: promoting greater public awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of bleeding disorders within the wider Belizean community, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage broader societal support.

  • Dennery Falcons Athletics Club spreads Christmas cheer with hampers

    Dennery Falcons Athletics Club spreads Christmas cheer with hampers

    The Dennery Falcons Athletics Club embraced the holiday spirit by distributing essential hampers to underprivileged community members on Christmas Eve. This charitable endeavor, facilitated through a strategic partnership with Rubis Saint Lucia and local philanthropist Gary Gustave, transcended mere gift-giving to embody a profound educational mission.

    Club leadership emphasized that the program serves as a practical platform for instilling core values of civic duty and collective welfare in young athletes. Kevin Mathurin, President of Dennery Falcons, articulated the initiative’s philosophical foundation, noting contemporary society’s prevalent individualism. “We exist in a highly self-centered environment where the ‘me’ mentality dominates,” Mathurin stated in an interview with St. Lucia Times. “This project consciously shifts focus toward the ‘us’ paradigm, delivering crucial lessons that extend beyond sports into everyday life.”

    Established merely seven months ago, the nascent club demonstrates ambitious vision by embedding social responsibility into its institutional DNA. Rather than treating philanthropy as seasonal charity, administrators are building frameworks for sustained community engagement. Mathurin revealed long-term aspirations for developing organizational stability through continued corporate partnerships. “Cultivating enduring relationships with entities like Rubis ensures the sustainability of our responsibility development culture,” he affirmed, signaling the club’s commitment to transformative social impact through athletics.

  • Is St. Lucia In Trouble? EU delivers Ultimatum to Caribbean CBI nations – The Voice St. Lucia News

    Is St. Lucia In Trouble? EU delivers Ultimatum to Caribbean CBI nations – The Voice St. Lucia News

    The European Commission has dramatically escalated its stance against Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs, fundamentally reclassifying them as inherent security threats rather than merely flawed regulatory schemes. This paradigm shift moves beyond previous calls for reform and now targets the very existence of these economic cornerstones for five Caribbean nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.

    The Commission’s new position asserts that the mere operation of CBI programs in countries enjoying visa-free Schengen access constitutes sufficient grounds for visa suspension. This absolutist stance effectively nullifies any potential path forward through procedural improvements or enhanced due diligence measures. The language in the official recommendations reads as an ultimatum, calling for security enhancements ‘pending the discontinuation’ of these programs rather than presenting them as sustainable long-term solutions.

    Despite documented reforms including harmonized $200,000 minimum investment thresholds, strengthened security screening, and improved transparency standards, the EU maintains its uncompromising position. Data revealing the scale of the industry underscores Brussels’ concerns: over 100,000 passports collectively issued, with application volumes remaining high (13,113 in 2023; 10,573 in 2024) and rejection rates notably low (ranging from 1.7% to 6.5% in 2024).

    The EU is simultaneously testing its enforcement mechanisms through actions against Georgia, where phased visa suspension has begun in response to democratic backsliding concerns. This demonstration of political will and operational capability makes the threat to Caribbean nations immediately credible, transforming theoretical risk into probable consequence for programs that have become vital revenue sources for these small island economies.

  • Stay on track: Join GFNC’s Free Midweek Nutrition Support Sessions

    Stay on track: Join GFNC’s Free Midweek Nutrition Support Sessions

    The Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) has launched its 11th annual series of interactive nutrition support sessions, offering sustained guidance for those seeking to maintain their New Year’s health commitments beyond January’s initial enthusiasm. These monthly sessions, held every second Wednesday from 12 pm to 1 pm, provide structured support for individuals pursuing improved dietary habits and lifestyle changes.

    Charisse Bristol, Nutrition Education & Promotion Coordinator at GFNC, emphasizes the program’s design: “These interactive sessions deliver the essential midweek motivation required to maintain focus on health objectives. A single hour can clarify nutritional confusion, sustain momentum, and foster connections with like-minded individuals on similar wellness journeys.”

    The initiative’s effectiveness is grounded in scientific research. A 2022 systematic review in Public Health Nutrition analyzing 31 studies demonstrated that group-based nutrition education, particularly when combined with behavior change strategies like goal-setting and interactive discussions, significantly improves dietary intake and nutritional status. Complementary research published in Obesity Facts (2021) revealed that peer support mechanisms contribute to reduced weight and body mass index (BMI) among participants with overweight and obesity, highlighting the importance of collective accountability in maintaining healthy behaviors.

    Each session enables participants to establish realistic nutrition and physical activity targets, address meal planning uncertainties, receive midweek encouragement, and build supportive community connections. The program is offered free of charge, with registration available through an online form accessible via the Council’s digital platforms.

    The GFNC encourages ongoing engagement through nutrition counseling sessions available via telephone (473-440-2126) or email, alongside promoting local food consumption to strengthen national nutrition security. Additional information about the Council’s mission and programs can be found on their official website and social media channels.

  • Honourable. Mark A. G. Brantley Premier of Nevis and Leader of the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis New Year’s Address 2026

    Honourable. Mark A. G. Brantley Premier of Nevis and Leader of the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis New Year’s Address 2026

    In his comprehensive New Year’s Address for 2026, Honourable Mark A. G. Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Leader of the Opposition in St. Kitts and Nevis, articulated a compelling vision for national progress while calling for renewed social cohesion among citizens. The address balanced celebration of 2025’s economic achievements with a sober acknowledgment of growing societal divisions, particularly in public discourse and social media interactions.

    Premier Brantley commenced with traditional seasonal greetings before launching into an extensive review of the federation’s accomplishments throughout 2025. The nation witnessed significant economic growth with a 3% increase in employment figures and a remarkable 30% surge in new registrations within the Financial Services Sector. Infrastructure development saw substantial progress through road construction at Morgan Estate and widespread rehabilitation of transportation networks across Nevis.

    The healthcare sector achieved groundbreaking milestones, including 25 patients receiving specialized colon treatments, 633 men undergoing prostate screenings, and 1,576 individuals benefiting from the Eye Care Program. Alexandra Hospital made history by performing cataract surgeries, glaucoma treatments, diabetic eye care, and pioneering corneal transplant procedures.

    Housing development emerged as a particular success story, with the Nevis Housing and Land Corporation constructing 25 homes valued at $6.9 million in 2025 alone. Since 2013, the administration has delivered 346 homes totaling $76.1 million in investment—a transformation Premier Brantley characterized as a ‘housing revolution.’

    The address highlighted innovative economic diversification strategies, particularly the development of a film industry initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six major motion pictures filmed on the island in 2025, accompanied by a second fashion shoot from Southern Tide Fashion Brand, creating both economic opportunities and platforms for local talent.

    National security received significant enhancements through the operationalization of a modern 911 Dispatch Unit, expansion of the K9 Unit with three new dogs, and installation of phase one of a sophisticated Radar System with high-resolution cameras.

    Looking forward, Premier Brantley outlined an ambitious agenda for 2026 featuring: geothermal drilling contracts in the first quarter, construction of 34 additional affordable homes, sale of 134 lots at Garner’s Estate, accelerated chicken broiler project development at Prospect, and commencement of both the Airport Project and Alexandra Hospital Wing Project. The cultural sector will see production of a major film starring acclaimed actor Taye Diggs, while infrastructure improvements will continue with road rehabilitation projects.

    The tourism sector anticipates a substantial 27.7% increase in cruise arrivals and daily flights between St. Maarten and Nevis via WINAIR.

    Premier Brantley addressed concerns regarding the proposed Destiny south coast development, acknowledging public apprehensions while emphasizing the necessity of bold economic decisions for sustainable progress. He argued that avoiding necessary development due to fear would result in economic stagnation and dependency, urging citizens to embrace transformative projects that would create jobs, attract investment, and enable diaspora citizens to return home.

    The Premier concluded with a powerful call for national unity, respect for diverse opinions, and collective commitment to building a prosperous future for St. Kitts and Nevis, invoking divine blessing for the nation and its people in the coming year.

  • What the World Googled in 2025

    What the World Googled in 2025

    The digital pulse of global curiosity throughout 2025 has been meticulously documented in Google’s recently released Year in Search data, capturing search patterns across 57 nations. This comprehensive analysis reveals a fascinating tapestry of worldwide interests, dominated by technological advancements, sporting spectacles, and significant news events.

    Artificial intelligence emerged as the undisputed champion of global search queries, with Google’s own Gemini AI tool claiming the top position worldwide. The remarkable surge in AI-related searches was particularly pronounced across Asian markets, where another artificial intelligence platform, DeepSeek, similarly ranked among the most sought-after terms.

    The sporting world demonstrated its powerful grip on global attention through several high-profile cricket events. The India versus England cricket match secured the second position in worldwide searches, followed closely by another cricket rivalry between India and Australia. The Asia Cup and Club World Cup further underscored cricket’s substantial international appeal, while football-related queries dominated search patterns in Mexico, claiming most of the country’s top five search terms.

    Tragic news events also captured significant global attention, with the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk emerging as the most searched news story of 2025. This incident generated widespread debate and conspiracy theories throughout the United States. Other major news events that drove substantial search volume included the U.S. government shutdown and Hurricane Melissa, which inflicted considerable damage across Jamaica and the Caribbean region in October.

    Geopolitical tensions remained at the forefront of public consciousness, with Iran maintaining its position in global headlines due to ongoing regional conflicts and diplomatic challenges. The complex relationship between Pakistan and India also continued to draw significant search interest, reflecting persistent regional tensions.

    Technology giant Apple maintained its customary strong presence in search trends with the release of the iPhone 17, demonstrating the enduring public fascination with the company’s product launches.

    The published dataset notably excluded Belize, raising intriguing questions about what might have constituted the most popular search terms in the Central American nation had it been included in Google’s analysis.