Carib Scope

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  • Belize Claims Two Crowns at Miss Black International Pageant

    Belize Claims Two Crowns at Miss Black International Pageant

    The 2026 Miss Black International Ambassador (MBIA) pageant has wrapped up its competition, crowning four new global ambassadors from three distinct regions — and making history by awarding two of the four top titles to contestants from Belize. The annual competition, which celebrates Black women across different life stages, divides titles into four categories to recognize participants of varying ages and backgrounds.

    The full roster of 2026 crowned ambassadors includes 14-year-old D’Ancy N Ramclam of Belize, who took home the Teen Black International Ambassador title; Khloe Thompson of Ghana, named Miss Black International Ambassador 2026; Maryam Abdul-Quawiyy of Belize, who secured the Ms Black International Ambassador crown; and Kristy Wells, a grandmother from Texas, United States, who won the Mrs Black International Ambassador 2026 title. The newly crowned queens made their first public joint appearance on the morning talk show *Open Your Eyes*, where they opened up about their experiences at the pageant, their core platforms, and the community-focused work they plan to advance over their one-year term.

    For Abdul-Quawiyy, stepping onto the international stage carried far more weight than personal competition. The newly crowned Ms ambassador emphasized that she carried the hopes and pride of her entire home country with her during the event. “I know I wasn’t only representing myself; I was representing Belize, I was representing ‘all ah we,’” she shared during the appearance. “So I was like, ‘Belize has to look good,’ so I made sure I did my absolute best.” She added that all four titleholders will work collaboratively throughout the year to expand community leadership programs across regions.

    Wells, the 2026 Mrs Black International Ambassador, brought a trailblazing message for women over 40, as the pageant’s married category opens participation to women who are wives and mothers, and Wells makes history as a crowned titleholder who is also a grandmother. “It’s been an amazing experience,” Wells said. “You should never let age keep you from achieving your goals. I am over 40, and I am proud of it. So, I want to represent women over 40 and let them know that the sky is the limit and you can do whatever you want to. Age doesn’t matter.”

    The second Belizean titleholder, 14-year-old Ramclam, is redefining what it means to be a pageant queen. A self-described “sportsy” teen who does not fit the mold of a traditional pageant contestant, Ramclam is using her new platform to encourage young Belizean women to step into new opportunities with self-assurance. “One of my dreams as well was showing the young women of Belize that opportunities can go so far, and you have to have confidence, and I am glad I was able to show them that you can have confidence and you can do what you want,” she explained. Beyond her advocacy, Ramclam also plans to grow the small food and frozen beverages business she co-runs with her mother in Lord’s Bank Village.

    Completing the 2026 cohort is Thompson, the newly named Miss Black International Ambassador, who brings years of grassroots community leadership experience from her home village in Ghana. Thompson already serves as a Queen Mother in her community, where she works directly with local youth and spearheads development projects, including initiatives to install water pumps and build bathroom facilities for local schools. She noted that the MBIA platform’s focus on lifting up Black women has amplified her ability to create meaningful change. “Being a part of an organisation that is made for you, made for you to succeed and wants to see you succeed helps you grow within your work,” she said.

    Over the coming 12 months, the four ambassadors will travel across regions to lead community service projects, promote youth leadership programming, and advance their individual advocacy agendas. The group also confirmed that a planned working trip to Ghana is on the schedule, where they will support local development initiatives alongside Thompson. When asked about the road ahead, Abdul-Quawiyy summed up the cohort’s momentum: “We are hitting the ground, honey.”

  • Youth basketball series to feature regional, international teams

    Youth basketball series to feature regional, international teams

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated under-18 boys’ basketball competitions is set to tip off next week, with a historic expansion that marks a major milestone for the annual tournament. The fifth edition of the Aloysius “Loloy” Daniel Youth Classic Tournament will open its gates on Monday, August 17, at Saint Lucia’s Beausejour Gymnasium, with six days of competitive action running through to closing games on Friday. For the first time in the event’s five-year history, squads from five separate territories will travel to compete, turning a regional competition into an international showcase for young basketball talent.

    The tournament carries deep legacy for Saint Lucia’s local basketball community, as it was created to honor the memory of Aloysius “Loloy” Daniel, a former Saint Lucian national basketball player and lifelong advocate for grassroots sports development. Daniel, who relocated to Canada in his later years, passed away three years ago, and the annual youth event has become his permanent tribute, nurturing the next generation of Caribbean basketball talent in his name.

    Prior to this 2026 edition, the tournament had only hosted one international competing side: New Chapter Academy (NCA) Warriors from neighboring Trinidad & Tobago. The Warriors have dominated the competition since their first participation, claiming the championship title three consecutive times. This year, however, the competition pool has grown far beyond its original regional scope: alongside the returning Trinbagonian champions, squads from Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, and even the United Kingdom will join three host teams from Saint Lucia to compete for the 2026 crown.

    The full competing lineup includes the 2022 inaugural tournament champions East Coast Academy, which will field two squads – the Tigers and the Lions – plus Saint Lucia’s Basketball For The Future, D-UP Basketball Academy from Guyana, Antigua Pit Bulls, and M2KMAS Basketball from the United Kingdom.

    Over the five-day competition, all six squads will compete in a full round-robin format to determine final standings. Match schedules are structured to allow fans ample access to the action, with tip-off times set for 2:00 p.m. every day from Monday through Thursday, and an earlier 1:00 p.m. start time for the final day of play on Friday. Opening day will feature three highly anticipated opening matchups: the ECA Tigers will tip off the tournament against Basketball For The Future, the ECA Lions will face off against D-UP Academy, and the Antigua Pit Bulls will challenge the three-time defending champion NCA Warriors in their opening outing.

  • Tyrell Bay Marina addresses fence dispute and impact on boat owners

    Tyrell Bay Marina addresses fence dispute and impact on boat owners

    A long-running land dispute in Carriacou, Grenada, has escalated into a public standoff that is disrupting marine operations and harming local livelihoods, with operators of Tyrell Bay Marina calling for urgent action to restore blocked access to their boatyard. The conflict traces its origins back to 2013, when the Grenadian government approved a lease for roughly 7 acres of adjacent mangrove land to Carriacou Devcor Ltd (CDC), the developer behind the Tyrell Bay Marina project, to support the facility’s planned expansion. That approval quickly sparked a legal challenge from the heirs of Samuel Corion, who argue the parcel was originally granted to Corion in 1914 and remains part of his family’s estate. In January 2023, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council — the region’s highest appellate body — handed down a ruling that settled the core ownership question, confirming the disputed land belongs to the Estate of Samuel Corion. However, the separate legal question of who holds the right to current possession and ongoing use of the property remains unresolved and is still working its way through local courts. The dispute boiled over in late April this year, when an unauthorized fence was erected across a key section of the marina’s boatyard. The barrier cuts off critical access between the area where vessels are stored on land, the marina’s travel lift, and its public slipway. In a break from its prior policy of staying quiet while legal proceedings move forward, Tyrell Bay Marina’s management issued a detailed public statement this week, noting they had avoided public comment out of respect for the ongoing judicial process. They emphasized their public appeal is not an attempt to try the case in the media, but rather a necessary step to address growing harm to area residents, visitors, and local businesses. Most notably, management says, the fence was installed without giving any advance notice to affected boat owners, leaving them no window to retrieve or relaunch their vessels before the access route was cut off. As of this statement, dozens of customer vessels remain stranded on dry land at the facility — a particularly devastating outcome for several owners who live aboard their boats full-time. The situation has already created widespread hardship for those affected: boat owners face prolonged uncertainty, unexpected additional costs, lost income from charter or commercial operations, and growing anxiety over the safety and security of their property. Beyond direct impacts to boat owners, the blocked access has also cut off route access for emergency services, commercial vehicles, and the marina’s daily essential operations. Despite the disruption, Tyrell Bay Marina confirmed its core travel lift infrastructure remains fully operational, and staff are ready and able to relaunch all stranded vessels as soon as the blocked route to the slipway is cleared and operations can resume without further interference. Since the fence was erected, both affected boat owners and marina management have made multiple repeated attempts to negotiate a temporary solution for restoring access. Boat owners submitted formal requests for access on May 1, May 3, May 14, and again filed a formal petition on July 24. The marina itself submitted a formal request for temporary, limited access on June 17. To date, however, the party responsible for constructing the fence has not responded to any of these outreach efforts, and no temporary agreement has been reached. The ripple effects of the impasse now extend far beyond the marina’s own operations and stranded boat owners. Tyrell Bay Marina is a central hub for Carriacou’s coastal marine economy, which supports a broad network of local workers and small businesses, including marina employees, independent contractors, marine mechanics, electricians, welders, painters, local taxi operators, guesthouse and hotel accommodation providers, waterfront restaurants, retail shops, and dozens of other micro-enterprises that rely on visitor and local vessel traffic to generate income. When vessels cannot be hauled or launched, work is either delayed entirely or lost completely; many visiting yachting visitors, who are a core economic driver for the island, have already altered their travel plans to avoid the area, cutting off a key stream of circulating income across the entire local economy. The stakes are even higher right now, as the entire island is still in the process of post-hurricane recovery and rebuilding following the passage of Hurricane Beryl earlier this year. In its statement, Tyrell Bay Marina again reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to abiding by local laws and fully respecting the ongoing judicial process. The organization says it will continue to engage with the courts, cooperate with all relevant government authorities, maintain full, transparent communication with its affected customers, and work toward a peaceful, legally sound resolution to the entire dispute. Its immediate call to action is for all involved parties and responsible authorities to center the well-being of the people and businesses currently harmed by the blockade, and prioritize the immediate restoration of safe, uninterrupted access through the boatyard to allow stranded vessels to launch. The marina added that it remains fully prepared to collaborate on all reasonable timing and practical adjustments required to restore access, all while ensuring no party’s existing legal claims are compromised by any temporary agreement. This report originally appeared in NOW Grenada, which notes it is not responsible for contributor opinions or third-party content, and invites users to report abusive content via official platform channels.

  • Safety improvements underway at Botanical Gardens

    Safety improvements underway at Botanical Gardens

    One of the Caribbean’s most beloved public green spaces, the local Botanical Gardens, has entered a new phase of infrastructure improvement focused on boosting visitor and staff safety. The island’s Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment confirmed that construction teams are already working to reinforce perimeter fencing around the gardens’ public washroom facilities, a key component of a broader multi-step plan to upgrade the site’s overall security and condition.

    According to ministry officials, the targeted fencing upgrades are specifically engineered to deliver higher levels of protection for everyone who accesses the gardens, from casual local visitors to touring tourists and full-time on-site staff. As construction activities progress through the scheduled timeline, the government body has issued a public call for patience and cooperation from all garden users, noting that temporary minor disruptions to access may occur during the work.

    This fencing enhancement project is just one of several coordinated investments being made to revitalize the Botanical Gardens, a popular recreational and ecological landmark. Officials also extended public recognition to the National Abilities Organisation (NAO), a local group that has provided critical support to the initiative. The ministry reiterated its gratitude to both the NAO and the general public for their ongoing collaboration, as the government works to deliver a safer, more welcoming green space that meets the needs of all community members and visitors.

  • PAHO launches toolkit to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents

    PAHO launches toolkit to prevent bullying and cyberbullying among children and adolescents

    Millions of children and adolescents across Latin America and the Caribbean face the persistent harm of bullying and cyberbullying, a pervasive form of peer violence that leaves lasting damage to physical, mental and emotional well-being. To address this growing public health crisis, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has introduced a groundbreaking new resource: the *What Works to Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying of Children and Adolescents in the Americas* toolkit. This comprehensive guide consolidates verified research, actionable policy recommendations, and practical on-the-ground tools to help stakeholders across sectors prevent these forms of violence and deliver targeted support to affected young people.

    The toolkit opens by mapping the scope of the crisis across the region, laying out the profound harm bullying inflicts on young populations, and detailing evidence-backed intervention strategies that have been proven effective. Drawing on cross-sector research from public health, education, and social protection systems, the resource specifically highlights the underrecognized critical role that health services play in early detection, holistic care, and ongoing support for youth impacted by bullying and cyberbullying.

    “Bullying during childhood and adolescence is a form of peer violence that can have significant consequences for physical, sexual, mental, and emotional health,” explained Britta Baer, PAHO Regional Advisor on Violence and Injury Prevention and co-author of the new toolkit. “The good news is that it can be prevented. We have evidence on what works, and this toolkit aims to make that evidence accessible to decision-makers, people who work with adolescents, and those who support their development.”

    Regional data compiled in the toolkit underscores the scale of the problem: roughly one in four 13 to 17-year-olds across Latin America and the Caribbean report experiencing in-person bullying at school in the past 30 days, with prevalence varying across subregions. Central America records a 23% bullying prevalence rate among students, while South America sees that rate climb to 30%.

    Bullying manifests in multiple overlapping forms, including physical, verbal, sexual, and social aggression, with distinct patterns by gender. Physical bullying is more commonly reported among boys, while girls are disproportionately impacted by social and sexual bullying, with differing associated harms and rates of help-seeking.

    Cyberbullying, the digital variant of the violence, affects between 7% and 27% of children and adolescents across the region over a 12-month period, with higher rates recorded among girls. Unlike traditional in-person bullying, cyberbullying can invade a young person’s space at any time of day, spread to massive online audiences in seconds, and leave permanent digital traces. The anonymity afforded to perpetrators online also amplifies harm and makes the abuse far harder to regulate and stop.

    PAHO stresses that cyberbullying rarely exists in a vacuum. It often mirrors, amplifies, or extends patterns of violence that already occur offline, most frequently in school settings. It also commonly overlaps with other forms of digital abuse, including non-consensual sharing of private information, identity theft, image-based harassment, and other forms of coercive online control.

    Recognized as a core public health priority, bullying in all its forms is a major determinant of long-term health and well-being for young people. Both in-person and online bullying severely disrupt healthy development, and are linked to sharply increased risks of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, social isolation, sleep disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, alongside negative outcomes for academic performance and social integration. Research compiled in the toolkit confirms that young people who experience bullying are far more likely to report loneliness, sleep disruption, and suicidal thoughts than peers who have not faced abuse.

    Bullying also damages physical, sexual, and reproductive health, causing everything from acute injuries and chronic psychosomatic pain to increased risk of sexual coercion. These far-reaching harms demonstrate that addressing bullying cannot be left solely to school systems; coordinated engagement from public health systems is essential to meet the full scope of young people’s needs.

    The toolkit further warns that different forms of violence often overlap and reinforce one another: abuse may begin online before moving to in-person interactions, or start offline and be amplified through digital platforms. This makes early intervention critical to breaking cycles of violence and reducing the risk of long-term harm across a young person’s life.

    To support early detection, the guide outlines key warning signs that caregivers and health providers can watch for: sudden shifts in behavior, increased anxiety or irritability, social withdrawal, unexplained injuries, and new reluctance to attend school. For cyberbullying specifically, additional red flags include abrupt changes in behavior during or immediately after digital device use, quickly closing screens when adults approach, and refusal to discuss online activities.

    PAHO identifies health services as a critical first point of contact for recognizing these warning signs, delivering initial support, and connecting young people to specialized care when needed. The toolkit recommends that health care workers integrate questions about school climate and digital experiences into routine youth check-ups, proactively identify warning signs, assess potential mental health impacts, and provide immediate support to affected youth. It also emphasizes the importance of supporting families to foster safe digital habits and coordinating closely with schools and other sectors to deliver a cohesive, comprehensive response.

    “The most important thing is for children and adolescents to know that bullying and cyberbullying are never acceptable and that they do not have to face them alone,” Baer noted. “Seeking help from a trusted adult and using available reporting mechanisms can make a real difference.”

    Addressing bullying effectively requires coordinated action across multiple sectors and stakeholder groups, with meaningful youth participation at the center of successful strategies, PAHO emphasizes. The toolkit highlights the value of strengthening peer support networks and building young people’s social and emotional skills as key protective factors. It also encourages parents and caregivers to maintain open lines of communication with their children, stay alert for warning signs of abuse, coordinate with schools when concerns arise, and set clear, collaborative agreements for safe and responsible internet and mobile device use.

    Public health, education, and government agencies at all levels are called on to collaborate to develop and roll out evidence-based violence prevention responses. The guide also underscores the critical responsibility of the private sector, particularly digital platform operators, to work alongside governments and communities to embed safety and protection into product design from the earliest stages.

    The new toolkit is part of PAHO’s longstanding ongoing work to strengthen prevention of violence against children and adolescents, and to support member states in breaking intergenerational cycles of violence through accessible, evidence-driven resources.

  • Jamaica defeat St Kitts and Nevis 4-0 at CFU Under-14 Boys series

    Jamaica defeat St Kitts and Nevis 4-0 at CFU Under-14 Boys series

    In an impressive opening display at the 2026 Caribbean Football Union Under-14 Boys Challenge Series hosted in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica’s youth men’s football squad delivered a dominant 4-0 victory over St Kitts and Nevis on August 17, catapulting the defending champions straight to the top of Group C in the tournament’s group stage.

    Played at the purpose-built Cap Cana Sports City venue, the match set the tone for Jamaica’s title defense campaign from the opening minutes. In just the 8th minute of play, young attacker Kylon Gayle broke the deadlock with a stunning direct free-kick goal, putting Jamaica ahead early and putting the St Kitts and Nevis defense on notice for the rest of the fixture.

    Tai-Sean Headly doubled Jamaica’s advantage right after the halftime break, extending the team’s lead before he notched his second of the match from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, pushing the scoreline to 3-0 heading into the final stretch. Midfielder Basil Trail put the finishing touches on the comprehensive win, slotting home the team’s fourth goal in the 52nd minute to seal the shutout.

    The result puts Jamaica in a strong early position as the side chases back-to-back titles in the regional youth competition. The Jamaican U-14 squad last lifted the trophy in 2024, where they secured an emphatic 7-1 victory over French Guiana in the final match to claim the regional crown.

    In the other Group C fixture played on the same matchday, Aruba and Curaçao fought to a balanced 1-1 draw, leaving both teams with one point to start their tournament campaigns, behind Jamaica’s full three points from their opening win.

  • NYAH, GMC, NGFC take Youth Challenge football titles

    NYAH, GMC, NGFC take Youth Challenge football titles

    The third annual Caribbean Youth Challenge, a flagship event tied to the regional “Kick Out Crime and Violence” social initiative, wrapped up a week of high-intensity youth football action with five final-round matches at Saint Lucia’s Francis Baba Lastic Grounds in Gros Islet. Organized by the Gros Islet Football League, the tournament brought together the island nation’s most promising young footballers, plus a visiting youth squad from Barbados’ National Sports Council (NSC) to compete for regional honors across age divisions.

    Competing exclusively in the Under-14 bracket, the Barbadian NSC Tridents turned heads throughout the week with an undefeated run to the tournament final. The side earned its spot in the title clash after a solid 3-1 semi-final win over local side Lancers FC. In the other Under-14 semi-final, Saint Lucia’s NYAH FC secured a 2-0 shutout against Monchy United, with striker Mavalon Bernard putting on a first-half masterclass, finding the back of the net just one minute into the match and adding a second in the 16th minute to seal the win.

    In the hotly contested Under-14 final, it was NYAH FC that claimed the regional title, thanks to a decisive ninth-minute goal from Darnell Boohlie that held up as the match-winner. Despite falling short of the top spot, NSC Tridents coaching staff described the cross-border trip as a rewarding developmental experience for their young players. In the division’s third-place playoff, Monchy United took home the bronze with a 2-0 victory over Lancers FC.

    The Under-17 division crowned GMC United as its new champion, extending the club’s multi-year streak of strong performances in Saint Lucia’s youth football circuit. The Corinth-based side delivered a dominant display in the marquee final, shutting out Valley Soccer 3-0 to claim the title. Sherdon Sylvester opened the scoring for GMC in the 27th minute, captain Shaquil Martelly doubled the lead right before halftime in the 42nd, and Devonate Ayemany put the result beyond doubt with a third goal in the 55th minute.

    Marchand punched their ticket to the Under-17 final with a convincing 2-0 semi-final win over NYAH FC, while New Generation advanced with a 3-0 victory against Pioneers, benefiting from an early own goal before adding two more first-half strikes to secure their spot in the title match. In the Under-17 final, held on the same day as the popular Babonneau Carnival, New Generation claimed the silver division title with a 2-0 win over Marchand, with Dershavee St Marthe scoring in the 10th minute and Jackson Joseph adding a second just nine minutes later to seal the victory. In the third-place playoff, Pioneers defeated NYAH FC 3-1 on penalties after the two sides finished regular time tied 1-1.

    Beyond the two published age divisions, the tournament also crowned New Generation FC as Under-11 champions, marking a successful multi-division outing for the Saint Lucian club during the 2026 edition of the challenge.

  • Shyne Among Four Icons to Be Honoured at 2026 CMA

    Shyne Among Four Icons to Be Honoured at 2026 CMA

    The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) have announced an elite group of four pioneering cultural figures who will take home prestigious honors at this year’s fourth annual ceremony, scheduled for September 19 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Trinidad and Tobago. Touting the 2026 theme “Sounds of the Caribbean”, the event celebrates artists whose work has expanded Caribbean music’s footprint across the globe, shining a spotlight on trailblazers who have redefined their genres and uplifted Caribbean communities worldwide.

    Leading the list of 2026 honorees is Belizean recording artist-turned-politician Shyne, who will accept the event’s Global Ambassador Honor. The recognition comes as a nod to his remarkable career evolution: from a chart-topping musician to a dedicated public servant and global voice for Belize and the broader Caribbean region. Shyne exploded onto the international music scene in 2000 with his self-titled debut album released via Bad Boy Records, which landed at the No. 5 spot on the Billboard 200 chart and earned Gold certification from industry regulators. Since that breakthrough, he has pivoted to public life, serving as Belize’s Music and Goodwill Ambassador while centering his work on youth empowerment, cultural advancement, and humanitarian action.

    Jamaican dancehall legend Patra will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her barrier-breaking decades-long career and enduring impact on dancehall, reggae, and global Black music. Patra made history with her 1993 debut release *Queen of the Pack*, put out through Epic Records, which became the first album by a Jamaican female artist to top Billboard’s reggae albums chart, later earning Gold certification in the U.S. She also built a major cross-cultural presence in American hip-hop, making guest appearances in iconic music videos for superstars The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Her bold, distinctive artistic style and commanding stage presence cleared a path for the next generation of women in dancehall, cementing her status as a foundational figure in the genre.

    Tobago-native and calypso icon Calypso Rose will receive the Elite Calypso Honor, recognizing her decades of trailblazing contributions to the genre and her work introducing calypso to global audiences. A pioneer for gender equity in music, Calypso Rose has shaped calypso for more than 60 years, and made history as the first woman to win Trinidad and Tobago’s coveted Road March title. Her career is stacked with groundbreaking milestones, including her platinum-selling hit album *Far From Home*, which introduced her work to millions of new listeners outside the Caribbean.

    Completing the 2026 class of honorees is Haitian-American singer-songwriter Alan Cavé, who will take home the Elite Konpa Honor in recognition of his outsized influence on Haitian music and the global Konpa movement. Widely known as the “King of Kompa Love”, Cavé has spent more than 30 years defining the genre through his evocative songwriting and distinctive vocals, both as a core member of the beloved band Zin and as a celebrated solo artist. His work has inspired generations of musicians across the Caribbean and the global Caribbean diaspora.

    The honors will be presented as a centerpiece of the CMA Elite Weekend Experience, a three-day immersive celebration of Caribbean music and culture running September 18 to 20 across multiple venues in Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Two charged with murder following July Bath Estate Bridge shooting

    Two charged with murder following July Bath Estate Bridge shooting

    Nearly 14 months after a fatal daytime shooting left one local man dead and two other people wounded along a busy roadside near Dominica’s Bath Estate Bridge, two accused suspects have officially been arraigned on murder and attempted murder charges.

    The July 8, 2025, shooting unfolded just steps from the Alliance Française building, when three working-age men had gathered along the side of the road waiting for public transit to commute to their jobs. Gunfire rang out unexpectedly, striking all three: 26-year-old Jean Yves Bruno, a resident of Canefield, was hit multiple times and died at the scene, while his two companions — Curtison Charles of Silver Lake and Maclet Dorceli, a Haitian national living in the area — suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds.

    Police Public Relations Officer Fixton Henderson confirmed the updated case details to media this week, naming the two defendants as Jamaal Ismael Alexis, a Silver Lake resident, and Sherlon Ryner, who hails from Mahaut. The pair made their first in-person court appearance on the charges on the same day the announcement was made, where the full counts of murder and attempted murder were formally read into the court record.

    Following the hearing, both Alexis and Ryner have been remanded into state custody. Their preliminary inquiry, a procedural step to review the evidence against the pair before any full trial proceeds, has been scheduled for December 7, 2026, after the court granted an adjournment of the proceeding.

  • Kings lose despite Auguste blitz

    Kings lose despite Auguste blitz

    The 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) delivered another edge-of-your-seat contest on Sunday, as the Barbados Tridents claimed a tense nine-run victory over hosts Saint Lucia Kings at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The defeat marks the Saint Lucia side’s second loss of the tournament, dropping them in the regional T20 league standings despite a valiant late batting chase.

    Even with persistent wet weather threatening to cut the event short entirely, thousands of passionate cricket fans turned out to support their teams. The popular Johnson Charles Stand was filled to near capacity, with smaller clusters of spectators spread across other viewing areas of the stadium, eager not to miss the high-profile fixture.

    Ongoing rain forced match officials to reduce the contest from the standard 20 overs per side to 18 overs. Saint Lucia Kings captain Roston Chase won the pre-match coin toss and elected to bowl first, putting the Tridents’ batting lineup under early pressure. The strategy paid off quickly, as the Kings’ bowling attack removed opening batter Zachary Carter in the early overs. However, Tridents wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and top-order batter Brandon King steady the innings, combining for a 56-run second-wicket partnership that put the side back on track. De Kock contributed 38 runs to the stand, while King added 39 before his dismissal.

    The game-changing innings came from middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford, who launched a devastating attacking onslaught against the Kings’ bowling attack. Rutherford smashed an unbeaten 61 runs from just 31 deliveries, including five towering sixes and three cracking fours, that propelled the Tridents to a competitive total of 177 runs for five wickets at the end of their allotted overs.

    Chasing a revised target to win, the Saint Lucia Kings got off to a flying start, led by their captain. Chase smashed 34 runs from 21 deliveries to get the chase off to a rapid start, giving the home side early momentum. After Chase was dismissed and batter Jewel Andrew exited the game with an injury, Saint Lucian local star Ackeem Auguste stepped up to deliver a sensational performance. Auguste played some of the most spectacular stroke play of the match, scoring a game-high 63 runs from only 34 deliveries, with six sixes and three fours that sent the home crowd into repeated cheers. Despite Auguste’s heroic knock, the Kings lost wickets at regular intervals through the middle and late overs, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the final over.

    With 29 runs still needed to win from the last six deliveries, the Kings gave their fans a late glimmer of hope, as Matthew Forde smashed 14 runs from the first three balls of the over. However, Tridents pace bowler Ramon Simmonds held his nerve under pressure, restricting the Kings to just five runs from the remaining three deliveries to secure a nine-run victory for his side.

    Following the defeat, the Saint Lucia Kings have dropped to second place in the CPL overall standings, holding a 50% win rate after four matches. The team will look to bounce back quickly, with their next fixture scheduled for Wednesday against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.