Carib Scope

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  • PM Says 25 Air Peace Passengers Will Travel to Antigua From Barbados on LIAT

    PM Says 25 Air Peace Passengers Will Travel to Antigua From Barbados on LIAT

    As public health authorities across the Caribbean ramp up vigilance amid growing Ebola concerns in several regions of Africa, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has enacted a series of enhanced safety protocols for travelers arriving on the newly launched Air Peace direct service from Nigeria, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. Even with these heightened precautions, approximately 25 passengers bound for the twin-island nation will still complete their journey, though their route will be adjusted to accommodate public health screening requirements.

    In an interview aired on local outlet Pointe FM this past Saturday, Browne outlined the modified travel arrangement: the incoming Air Peace flight from Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, will divert from its original planned landing at Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport and instead touch down first in neighboring Barbados. From there, passengers with final destinations in Antigua and Barbuda will be transported onward to Antigua via regional carrier LIAT.

    “Even though they’re landing in Barbados, about 25 of them will come here,” Browne confirmed, clarifying that the routing change is a purely precautionary measure designed to streamline public health checks rather than a full ban on entry. To mitigate any potential risk of imported Ebola cases, national health authorities will conduct rigorous screening for all passengers upon their arrival in Antigua, building on protocols that were first widely deployed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Browne noted that the government has already reinstated the full enhanced public health framework used during the global COVID crisis, including the return of infrared thermal scanners that enable rapid, non-contact temperature checks to identify potential fever, a common early symptom of Ebola. As an additional layer of precaution, the nation’s Infectious Disease Centre has been reactivated to stand ready for any potential cases.

    “If any of them were to take ill while they’re here, we can easily isolate them and of course do the necessary contact tracing,” Browne explained, emphasizing that the reactivated facility gives authorities the infrastructure to respond quickly and contain any potential outbreak before it can spread to local communities.

    The prime minister added that this unusually cautious approach stems not only from the current Ebola outbreak concerns in parts of Africa but also from a challenging past experience involving migrant arrivals on flights operated by Antigua Airways from Cameroon via Nigeria in 2022 and 2023. “We got burnt there, so we’ve been a little cautious,” he said, noting that the prior incident left the government determined to avoid repeating missteps in border health management.

  • Confucius Institute official promotes study opportunities in China

    Confucius Institute official promotes study opportunities in China

    On the sidelines of the 2026 China Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition held Saturday, the director of Barbados’ Confucius Institute has issued a warm invitation to local students, urging them to leverage bilateral cultural and educational exchange programs to pursue life-changing academic opportunities in China.

    Dr. Ché Corbin, who leads the Confucius Institute hosted at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, shared details with local outlet Barbados TODAY about the annual competition, which has become a cornerstone of Chinese language promotion and cultural exchange across Barbados. Designed to give young language learners a stage to demonstrate their linguistic skills, connect with like-minded peers, and deepen their engagement with Chinese culture, the 2026 contest divided participants into three distinct divisions aligned with their education levels: primary school, secondary school, and tertiary students from UWI.

    Top performers from each Barbadian division earn the highly coveted prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to Beijing to compete in the contest’s global final round. In a special provision for young primary school competitors, the institute even covers the full cost of airfare and travel for one parent to accompany their child on the international trip, a benefit that has drawn widespread enthusiasm from participating families.

    During this year’s national round, contestants were evaluated on two core segments: self-introductions and open-topic speeches, which allowed judges to assess both their command of the Chinese language and their public speaking confidence. Corbin noted that the event has seen explosive growth in local interest in recent years, with so many students eager to take part that organizers were forced to implement participation caps to keep the competition manageable.

    Currently, the Confucius Institute delivers on-site Chinese language courses to students at multiple primary and secondary institutions across Barbados, including well-known campuses such as Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary, St George Primary, St Stephen’s Primary, The Alleyne School and Ellerslie School. Looking ahead, Corbin announced that the institute is moving forward with plans to expand access to language learning by adding new weekend sessions, which will open up slots for additional learners including adults and parents who have expressed interest in picking up the language themselves.

    Drawing from his own two-decade-long journey with Chinese language and culture, Corbin shared that learning the language opened unprecedented academic and professional doors for him personally. Two decades ago, he began studying Chinese, and eventually earned a full scholarship to study traditional Chinese medicine at a university in China, an experience that shaped his career. He urged current Barbadian students to follow the same path, noting that China offers world-class educational opportunities that can transform young people’s futures. “It’s one of the best places to be a student,” he emphasized.

  • China Ships 15,000 Tonnes of Rice to Cuba

    China Ships 15,000 Tonnes of Rice to Cuba

    As Cuba grapples with deepening food scarcity and a catastrophic energy crisis worsened by decades of tightened U.S. economic restrictions, the first shipment of a major Chinese food aid package has arrived in the capital Havana. The 15,000 tonnes of rice delivered this week marks the opening installment of a 60,000-tonne total food assistance commitment from China, the largest single food aid package China has extended to Cuba in recent years.

    Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin emphasized during the arrival that the delivery is far more than a material assistance gesture: it embodies the long-standing solidarity and reciprocal support that have defined bilateral relations between Beijing and Havana for decades.

    Cuba’s current crisis stems largely from the stringent U.S. economic blockade that has cut off the island nation from most global trade and critical supply chains for decades. The situation has deteriorated sharply in recent months, pushing the country’s already fragile energy infrastructure to a breaking point. According to reporting from Spanish newspaper El País, Cuba’s national power grid has suffered total collapses seven times over the past 18 months, with two major outages recorded in March 2026 alone. Some communities have been left without power for up to 24 hours at a time, crippling food production, distribution, and basic public services.

    A brief reprieve came in late March, when a Russian oil tanker delivered more than 700,000 barrels of crude to the island with rare U.S. approval, cutting the country’s energy deficit by nearly half. But the relief was short-lived: the supplementary supplies were exhausted within weeks, and by May 2026, the crisis had worsened again, leaving fuel for power generation and transportation in critically short supply.

    Betsy Díaz, Cuba’s Minister of Domestic Trade, confirmed that despite ongoing fuel shortages that complicate ground transportation, national authorities are prioritizing the rapid distribution of the newly arrived Chinese rice to vulnerable populations across the island.

    The food and energy crises have unfolded alongside a new wave of political tensions between Cuba and the United States. This week, thousands of Cuban demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Havana to express support for former Cuban president Raúl Castro, after U.S. authorities announced criminal charges against him linked to the 1996 downing of two civilian planes operated by a U.S.-based Cuban exile group.

  • Antigua Airways Controversy Influencing Government’s Approach to Air Peace Flights, PM Says

    Antigua Airways Controversy Influencing Government’s Approach to Air Peace Flights, PM Says

    Against a backdrop of lingering public health concerns over Ebola in parts of Africa and hard-learned lessons from a past migrant controversy, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving forward with extreme caution on the proposed new Air Peace passenger service connecting Nigeria to the Caribbean, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. Speaking during an interview with local outlet Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne outlined that the administration is holding a “very conservative position” on the planned route originating from Lagos, a direct response to the major complications the nation faced during the ill-fated Antigua Airways operation that unfolded between late 2022 and early 2023.

    The prime minister made clear that the previous incident left lasting impacts on the country’s policy approach: “We got burnt there, so we’ve been a little cautious.” He detailed how the 2022-2023 crisis unfolded: Antigua Airways marketed flights as bringing tourists to the Caribbean nation, but in reality, most passengers were conflict migrants from Cameroon who transited through Nigeria on their way to Antigua, with the ultimate goal of reaching the United States illegally.

    In response to the crisis, Antigua and Barbuda’s government made the decision to suspend the Antigua Airways flights, in large part to avoid any perception that the nation was enabling human trafficking. “We didn’t want anybody to think, even erroneously, that we were facilitating any form of trafficking of people,” Browne emphasized. The fallout extended far beyond the initial landing of the flights, he added: roughly 600 migrants refused voluntary repatriation to Africa, and many began attempting to travel onward illegally by small boat to the United States, creating prolonged enforcement and humanitarian challenges for the small island nation.

    Despite the cautious approach to the new Air Peace route, Browne stressed that Antigua and Barbuda remains deeply committed to building stronger air connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean. The nation has long been a pioneer in establishing the “air bridge” between the two regions, he noted, and that core commitment has not changed. That said, the recent resurgence of Ebola concerns in parts of Africa has added an extra layer of urgency to the government’s need for precautionary measures.

    In practical terms, the cautious approach means the inaugural scheduled Air Peace flight will likely not land in Antigua as originally planned. Instead, the service will fly directly to Barbados first, with passengers bound for Antigua transported onward to the country via regional carrier LIAT. To mitigate public health risks, the government is already moving to reinstate enhanced screening protocols at Antiguan airports, including the return of infrared thermal scanners and alignment with strict international public health standards. The nation’s Infectious Disease Centre has also been reactivated as a preventative measure to monitor and respond to any potential health threats linked to incoming travel.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Issues Public Apology to Ms. Jamona Samuel

    Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Issues Public Apology to Ms. Jamona Samuel

    A administrative misstep tied to the 2026 Queen of Carnival competition has prompted the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission to issue a public, unreserved apology to Jamona Samuel, a hopeful contestant who was incorrectly notified of her selection.

    The error unfolded after the conclusion of the competition’s initial screening round. In a slip-up that has since sparked regret among commission leadership, an official congratulatory letter was incorrectly dispatched to Samuel, falsely confirming her spot as a contestant in the upcoming 2026 pageant. The commission has openly acknowledged the miscommunication, and expressed deep remorse for the letdown and emotional harm the mistake inflicted on Samuel.

    In a statement released to the public, the commission emphasized that it fully recognizes what the Queen of Carnival platform means to emerging young leaders across the nation. Officials noted that every candidate who puts their name forward pours significant time, energy and personal commitment into preparing for the screening process, and all participants deserve to be treated with consistent professionalism and care. The commission admitted that the incident involving Samuel fell far short of the standards that applicants have every right to expect from the organizing body.

    Taking full ownership of the administrative failure, the commission reiterated its heartfelt apology to Samuel for the negative impact the error has had on her experience as an applicant. Moving forward, the organization has pledged to implement sweeping improvements to its internal communication protocols and operational workflows. These changes are designed to boost accuracy, streamline efficiency, and reinforce accountability across all stages of the competition planning and execution process.

    The commission closed its statement by thanking Samuel for bringing the error to its attention, and extended a final apology for the inconvenience and distress the miscommunication caused.

  • Overeenkomst tussen Cevihas en Sail moet continuïteit bedrijven versterken

    Overeenkomst tussen Cevihas en Sail moet continuïteit bedrijven versterken

    Two major Surinamese enterprises operating in the country’s fishing industry, De Suriname American Industries Ltd. (Sail) and Centrale voor Vissershavens in Suriname N.V. (Cevihas), have formalized a new strategic collaboration agreement, a deal that industry and government leaders frame as a foundational step to strengthen operational resilience and secure the long-term future of both organizations.

    The agreement was signed late last week in a ceremony attended by Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Mike Noersalim, alongside the chief executives of both companies. The partnership covers a broad range of joint initiatives, including the decommissioning of outdated fishing vessels, the implementation of integrated vessel control and monitoring systems, and structured financial arrangements designed to underpin ongoing operational continuity for both firms. Representatives from both organizations emphasized that the agreement is built on clear shared terms and full transparency, commitments put in place to protect the interests of all stakeholders involved in the partnership.

    Ifuel Alberg, Chief Executive of Sail, expressed clear enthusiasm about the new collaboration. He noted that aligning operations and resources with Cevihas opens new opportunities to streamline existing activities, boost efficiency, and reinforce the long-term stability of Sail’s core business.

    Joël Dominie, the head of Cevihas, echoed this positive assessment, describing the partnership as a critical milestone for both companies. He added that the agreement is the outcome of months of intensive discussions and alignment on shared strategic goals. “Working together, we are building a strong, sustainable future not just for our two companies, but for the entire Suriname fishing sector,” Dominie stated.

  • New School Building Opens in Toledo Serving 16 Communities

    New School Building Opens in Toledo Serving 16 Communities

    After decades of inadequate learning infrastructure that left thousands of rural secondary students underserved, a brand-new two-story academic facility officially opened this week at Corazon Creek Technical High School in Toledo, marking a long-awaited milestone for education access across 16 surrounding communities.

    Funded through a financing partnership between the Caribbean Development Bank and implemented via the national Social Investment Fund, the robust eight-classroom concrete building is far more than a basic learning space. It also includes dedicated administrative offices, gender-separated restrooms for both students and staff, secured storage areas, and accessibility ramps designed to accommodate learners with disabilities, making the campus fully inclusive for the first time in the school’s history.

    The draw of this improved campus reaches across a wide swathe of rural Toledo, with students traveling from scattered small communities to attend classes. Among these is the remote village of Machakilha, where until very recently, residents faced the constant risk of being cut off from secondary education due to the lack of a reliable access road. The only bridge connecting the village to the main highway was on the brink of structural collapse until the Ministry of Infrastructure completed a $250,000 rehabilitation project to shore up the crossing and restore consistent access.

    At the official inauguration ceremony, Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative for Toledo East and national Minister of Economic Transformation, did not shy away from acknowledging the long history of systemic neglect that left rural Toledo communities behind for generations. He pointed to the remote community of Otoxha, founded back in 1923, as a stark example of the disparities the region has faced for decades.
    “Otoxha was established in 1923, and still, its residents lack access to consistent clean drinking water,” Martinez said. “That is outright neglect of a population that should never have been left behind. No matter a person’s cultural background, we have a moral obligation to leave no one behind. I hold firm to the belief that one day I will be called to account for what I did with the privilege of public service that I have been given.”
    In addition to the opening of the new building, Martinez made a surprise announcement that has been welcomed by graduating students and their families: all mandatory graduation fees for completing students at Corazon Creek Technical High School have been fully covered by the government, eliminating a final financial barrier for students finishing their secondary education.

    The project represents the first major investment in regional education infrastructure for Toledo in recent years, with officials signaling that more targeted investments to address long-standing disparities in rural access to basic services are planned for the coming months.

  • Honouring the Life and Legacy of Sir Aziz Hadeed  A Tribute from the Guild President

    Honouring the Life and Legacy of Sir Aziz Hadeed  A Tribute from the Guild President

    The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus community is in mourning this week following the announcement of the death of respected campus leader Sir Aziz Hadeed. In a heartfelt statement released on behalf of the campus’s student body, Guild President Kerron McKenzie shared an outpouring of sympathy for the family, close friends, professional colleagues, and all others grappling with the loss of the iconic figure.

    Far beyond holding the formal title of campus chairman, Sir Aziz distinguished himself as a forward-thinking visionary, a dedicated nation-builder, and a lifelong advocate for the life-changing power of accessible education. Under his steady guidance, radical generosity of spirit, and unshakeable commitment to advancing the campus’s mission, the UWI Five Islands Campus was transformed into a thriving hub of opportunity, personal growth, and collective hope for thousands of young scholars across Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the broader Caribbean region.

    The true scale of Sir Aziz’s contributions to the institution cannot be quantified through a list of official titles or institutional achievements alone. His greatest impact is written in the countless lives he lifted up, the professional and educational doors he opened for underrepresented young people, and the optimistic vision of opportunity he cultivated for generations of future students. It was through his steadfast dedication to expanding access to higher education that countless students have been able to pursue bolder dreams, set loftier goals, and carve out meaningful personal and professional paths through learning.

    The enduring legacy Sir Aziz leaves behind will continue to resonate across every corner of the campus for decades to come. It lives in each new student who walks the campus grounds, every graduate who carries the knowledge they gained here out into the world, and in every future expansion and improvement of the institution he nurtured so deeply.

    On behalf of the entire UWI Five Islands Campus student body, McKenzie expressed sincere gratitude for Sir Aziz’s years of selfless service, his transformative vision for the campus, and his enduring investment in the futures of young Antiguans and Barbudans. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to serve as a guiding light for the institution and all those whose lives he touched.

  • Hadj 2026: Pelgrims ondanks oorlog en hitte naar Mekka

    Hadj 2026: Pelgrims ondanks oorlog en hitte naar Mekka

    Against the backdrop of ongoing armed conflict across the Middle East and sweltering desert temperatures, the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has drawn a larger number of international pilgrims than in 2025, defying security and logistical challenges that many feared would disrupt the sacred ritual.

    Hajj, one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, requires every physically and financially able Muslim to complete the journey at least once in their lifetime. This year, the ritual has unfolded against unprecedented regional turmoil: a conflict that erupted in late February following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran sparked retaliatory attacks from Tehran targeting sites across Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region. The escalation triggered widespread airspace closures and massive flight cancellations across the Middle East, throwing early travel plans for thousands of pilgrims into disarray.

    Yet major Gulf air carriers from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain moved rapidly to restore full flight operations, prioritizing pilgrim travel to ensure the religious gathering could proceed as scheduled. As of the latest update from Saudi security authorities, the total number of international pilgrims who have arrived in the kingdom stands at 1,518,153 – already surpassing last year’s total international count of 1,506,576. Saleh Al-Murabba, commander of the Hajj Passport Forces, confirmed the figure during a press briefing, noting that final numbers are expected to rise further in the coming days as last-minute arrivals complete entry procedures. Last year’s overall Hajj attendance totalled 1,673,320 pilgrims, including both domestic and international worshippers.

    Beyond regional security tensions, pilgrims are facing a second major test: extreme summer heat that has pushed temperatures in Mecca above 45 degrees Celsius throughout the pilgrimage period. These soaring temperatures carry significant health risks, including dehydration and life-threatening heatstroke for pilgrims trekking between sacred sites across the arid region. To address the threat, Saudi authorities have rolled out expanded public safety measures, including additional shaded rest areas across ritual routes, more than 10,000 free water distribution points, and mobilized hundreds of mobile medical teams positioned at key sites to respond to heat-related emergencies.

    Images captured from the Grand Mosque in Mecca show thousands of worshippers circling the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, dressed in the traditional white ihram garments worn by pilgrims. Despite the difficult conditions, pilgrims across the camp have expressed unwavering resolve to complete their sacred obligations. For the global Muslim community, the 2026 Hajj stands as a powerful demonstration of spiritual commitment, with the annual gathering long revered as a core symbol of unity among Muslims from across the world.

  • Gunman Shot Dead Outside the White House

    Gunman Shot Dead Outside the White House

    On the evening of Saturday, May 24, 2026, a violent shooting incident unfolded at a security checkpoint near the White House, triggering an immediate temporary lockdown of the U.S. presidential residence and leaving the local community shaken. The incident began shortly after 6 p.m., when 21-year-old suspect Nasire Best approached the checkpoint, pulled a firearm from his bag and opened fire directly on Secret Service officers stationed at the site.

    In response to the immediate threat, Secret Service agents returned fire, striking the suspect. He was quickly transported to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment, but was pronounced dead a short time later. One bystander caught in the crossfire also sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire; as of the latest official updates, no further details on the bystander’s condition have been released.

    Law enforcement records reveal that Best was already well-known to Secret Service personnel, with a documented pattern of encounters near the presidential compound and a reported history of mental health concerns. Court documents show Best faced arrest as recently as July 2025, after he entered a restricted zone near the White House and publicly claimed to be Jesus Christ, stating he intended to be taken into custody. Just one month before that, in June 2025, he was involuntarily committed for mental health evaluation after blocking vehicle access to the White House complex. Authorities also confirmed that Best had repeatedly approached White House entry points in the past, asking repeated questions about gaining access to the secured grounds.

    At the time of the shooting, former President Donald Trump was inside the White House compound and was never placed in any danger, emerging from the incident completely unharmed. Shortly after the situation was resolved, Trump posted a statement to his Truth Social platform, praising Secret Service and law enforcement for their “swift and professional action” that prevented a more catastrophic outcome. He also used the incident to reignite his longstanding push for the construction of a new, more secure presidential facility in Washington D.C.

    Located in the center of the nation’s capital, the White House already ranks among the most heavily protected government facilities in the world, functioning both as the sitting president’s official residence and primary workplace. Saturday’s shooting marks the second violent firearms incident near the White House in just one month, coming 30 days after a separate shooting took place during the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner.