Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Barbados says staff shortage caused airspace closure

    Barbados says staff shortage caused airspace closure

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – A critical staffing shortage within Barbados’ Air Navigation Services department triggered a significant eight-hour partial closure of the nation’s airspace on Saturday, according to an official statement from Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill. The disruption severely impacted flight operations at Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), affecting numerous inbound and outbound flights.

    Despite the widespread disruption, authorities successfully accommodated key air traffic. This included all afternoon flights from major UK carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, alongside all air-to-sea transfer flights. In a critical success, one emergency medical evacuation (medivac) flight managed to depart without delay, ensuring no compromise to patient care.

    Normal operations were restored by approximately 2:30 PM local time. This resolution followed an urgently convened high-level meeting that brought together officials from the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, the Ministry of the Public Service, the Barbados Workers’ Union, and the National Union of Public Workers. The ministerial statement characterized the discussions as highly productive, focusing on resolving several persistent issues that have impacted departmental staff.

    To ensure a lasting solution, a subsequent follow-up meeting has been formally scheduled for March 11th. In the interim, airport management is actively collaborating with affected airlines to manage the logistical fallout and reschedule disrupted flights, aiming to minimize passenger inconvenience.

  • From hardship to hope

    From hardship to hope

    Dr. Natalie Irving-Mattocks embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day’s ‘Give to Gain’ theme through her transformative journey from personal adversity to becoming a beacon of hope for Caribbean women. As executive director of the Caribbean Technical Assistance and Education Centre for Health (C-TECH), she has pioneered disaster response efforts that address the unique vulnerabilities women face during humanitarian crises.

    Her profound understanding of crisis situations stems from personal experience. Growing up in Jamaica’s inner cities, Irving-Mattocks relocated twenty times before turning eighteen, navigated complex family relationships, survived sexual assault, and became a mother at fifteen. These challenges forged her resilience and empathy, driving her commitment to support women facing similar circumstances.

    The catastrophic Hurricane Melissa of 2025 became a defining moment for Irving-Mattocks and her organization. Returning from abroad to witness the devastation, she encountered overcrowded shelters where women and girls faced unprecedented risks—from inadequate sanitation to exploitation. One particularly distressing account involved a shelter official demanding sexual favors in exchange for food, highlighting the gendered dimensions of disaster vulnerability.

    Mobilizing immediately, C-TECH emerged as one of the first response organizations on the ground, earning recognition from Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness. Their comprehensive intervention included:
    – Distributing tarpaulins and emergency supplies
    – Installing Starlink systems for critical facilities
    – Providing food assistance and vouchers to over 10,000 women and families
    – Ensuring continuity of reproductive healthcare with 703 antenatal visits and 249 safe deliveries
    – Distributing dignity kits to 600 women and mental health support to 1,500 individuals

    Through strategic partnerships with UNFPA, I-TECH, and US Health Resources, C-TECH implemented a gender-responsive approach that recognized how disasters exacerbate existing inequalities. Irving-Mattocks emphasizes that supporting women creates ripple effects that strengthen entire communities.

    Her philosophy centers on transformative sisterhood: ‘Create a step for another woman. If the playing field is not equal, create some form of equity so that women can grow and continue to thrive. We have to get rid of that crab-in-a-barrel mentality and embrace sisterhood.’

    Now holding a doctorate in public health alongside degrees in international relations and business administration, Irving-Mattocks has transformed personal trauma into professional purpose. Her work demonstrates how targeted support for women during crises not only addresses immediate needs but builds foundational resilience for long-term recovery.

  • Funeral service underway for slain four-year-old in Manchester

    Funeral service underway for slain four-year-old in Manchester

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A somber atmosphere enveloped Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Dunsinane near Mandeville on Sunday as family members and community gathered under police surveillance to honor the memory of four-year-old Saniyah O’Brien. The child victim of a February 8 shooting attack was memorialized with a poignant Barbie-themed service, reflecting the youthful innocence lost to violence.

    The funeral proceedings displayed heartrending symbolism—a pink casket and memorial program bearing the word “Barbie” without photographs of the deceased child, capturing the unimaginable grief overwhelming her family. Among the mourners was Saniyah’s father, who himself sustained injuries during the same attack that claimed his daughter’s life.

    According to police reports, the tragic incident occurred approximately at 4:20 pm on February 8 in Land Settlement near Royal Flat. Saniyah and her father were seated in a vehicle with two other children when an assailant opened fire in an ambush-style attack.

    Law enforcement authorities have since made significant progress in the case. During a targeted operation days following the shooting, police arrested and formally charged 25-year-old Oneish Copeland, also known as ‘Dabba’, a laborer from New Wales, Manchester. Copeland faces multiple charges including murder, wounding with intent, and conspiracy to commit murder.

    Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of Manchester police, confirmed that investigations remain active with law enforcement pursuing additional suspects believed to have assisted Copeland in the alleged murder. The police presence at the funeral served both protective and symbolic purposes, demonstrating law enforcement’s commitment to addressing the community’s violent crime concerns.

    The tragedy has highlighted ongoing challenges with gun violence in Jamaican communities, particularly the devastating impact on innocent children caught in crossfire.

  • Where the Women Go, the Culture Goes

    Where the Women Go, the Culture Goes

    In a powerful testament to female leadership, the Jamaica Pegasus hotel recently hosted the ‘Women of Vision’ awards, a cornerstone event of the Plié for the Arts’ 10th-anniversary celebrations. The gala served as a vibrant platform to honor thirteen trailblazing Jamaican women whose professional excellence has forged lasting impacts across diverse sectors.

    Acclaimed actress and director Phylicia Rashad, a keynote honoree, set the evening’s tone with a profound declaration: “Where the women go, the culture goes.” She emphasized the transformative power of female congregation, noting, “When women gather like this, there is magic that happens.”

    The distinguished cohort of awardees represents a cross-section of Jamaica’s most influential figures. They include Appleton Estate Master Blender Joy Spence; Supreme Ventures CMO Heather Goldson; architect Isiaa Madden; Scotia Group CEO Audrey Tugwell Henry; entrepreneur Jacqui Tyson; Justice Simone Wolfe-Reece; public defender Carolyn Reid Cameron, KC; Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; vascular surgeon Dr. Hilary Brown; Seaboard Freight CEO Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester; ARC Manufacturing Deputy Chair Charlotte Horne-Hayles; and Lake Group CEO Lisa Lake Epstein.

    The event, masterfully hosted by Adrian Atkinson, unfolded in two segments: an intimate forum dedicated to cultural leadership and connection, followed by the formal award ceremony. Marisa Benain, the founder and Artistic Director of Plié for the Arts, delivered an inspiring narrative of her journey. A self-described “dreamchaser,” Benain detailed her lifelong dedication to the arts and her commitment to philanthropy, which has facilitated over 25 scholarships for aspiring dancers at prestigious institutions like the Alvin Ailey School and Broadway Dance Centre.

    The gala transcended a simple awards night, evolving into a strategic convergence of leaders from law, medicine, business, sports, and the arts, symbolizing a unified front for cultural advancement and female empowerment in Jamaica and beyond.

  • Governor General Declares Open the Centenary Celebrations of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers

    Governor General Declares Open the Centenary Celebrations of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers

    In a ceremony rich with symbolism and historical significance, the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (A&BUT) officially commenced its year-long centenary celebrations on Friday. The special launch event, held at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies’ Muriel O’Mard Campus, was formally inaugurated by His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor-General of the nation.

    The proceedings featured a ceremonial bell-ringing by the Governor-General, a poignant tribute to the teaching profession that echoed the traditional school bell calling generations to learning. This symbolic act marked the official commencement of celebrations honoring a century of advocacy, service, and professional representation for educators throughout the twin-island nation.

    Governor-General Williams, drawing upon his personal connection to education, reflected on his prior career as both a science instructor and nursing educator before entering public service. He further highlighted his two separate tenures as Minister of Education, during which he collaborated extensively with the teachers’ union.

    In his address, Sir Rodney commended A&BUT for its enduring commitment to fostering constructive dialogue, advancing professional standards, and strengthening the national education system through collaborative engagement with government entities. He emphasized the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and effective employer-employee relationships in driving educational progress and broader national development.

    “Teachers stand at the very foundation of national progress,” declared the Governor-General, noting that Antigua and Barbuda’s classrooms have produced numerous leaders and professionals who continue to contribute significantly to the nation’s development.

    The ceremony featured notable attendees including the Honourable Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries. The program incorporated welcome remarks from First Vice President Mrs. Robyn Joseph-Nathaniel, a historical overview presented by Deputy General Secretary Ms. Rochelle Peters, and an address by Union President Mr. Casroy Charles. Additional elements included musical performances, a remembrance segment honoring past union leaders, the unveiling of a special centenary logo, and a presentation outlining upcoming anniversary events scheduled throughout the celebratory year.

  • Renewed calls for modern copyright legislation

    Renewed calls for modern copyright legislation

    Artists and creators in Guyana are intensifying their campaign for comprehensive copyright legislation reform, arguing that the country’s current 1956 British Copyright Act fails to protect intellectual property in the digital age. The movement gained momentum during a panel discussion titled “The Orange Economy: Women, Creativity & Inclusive Economic Power,” organized by Merundoi Inc and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association as part of 2026 International Women’s Day events.

    Veteran theater producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento emphasized the urgent need for modernization, stating that the existing framework represents a significant problem requiring immediate government attention. She revealed that creative professionals routinely have their works broadcast and used commercially without receiving appropriate compensation. “A lot of the musicians and creative people, their works are being used and played on the air and they’re not getting a penny for it,” Madhoo-Nascimento explained.

    The World Trade Centre Georgetown has already conducted a thorough review of the current legislation, analyzing implications for Guyana’s creative economy and submitting formal recommendations to the government. Despite this preparatory work and campaign promises from the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) to enact copyright and intellectual property legislation, the matter remains absent from the government’s current legislative agenda.

    Young singer-songwriter and radio presenter Omaiah Hall provided a personal perspective, describing how she encountered advertisements featuring her own music while on air—a stark illustration of the compensation gap. Hall argued that weak copyright protection actively discourages artistic production, as creators see little financial incentive to develop new works when their existing creations generate revenue for others without compensation.

    The political opposition has taken action, with the People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) tabling a parliamentary motion demanding copyright law reform. However, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall previously indicated Guyana’s preference to await a model Caribbean Community (CARICOM) copyright and intellectual property bill, potentially delaying domestic action.

    Cultural figures are now calling for government ministers responsible for culture and sports to better understand the creative industry’s specific needs and challenges, highlighting the economic potential of properly regulated intellectual property rights for Guyana’s developing creative sector.

  • Regering wil woningbouw weer op gang brengen met goedkope hypotheken

    Regering wil woningbouw weer op gang brengen met goedkope hypotheken

    The Surinamese government has announced the revival of its national housing construction program to address the country’s critical shortage of approximately 30,000 homes. President Jennifer Simons revealed that the newly operational National Housing Fund will provide affordable mortgage financing to citizens at interest rates ranging from 3% to 5%, significantly below previous rates.

    During a government press conference, President Simons confirmed the fund’s operational status and the appointment of dedicated staff to implement the program. The initiative will involve collaboration between government entities, banking institutions, and private construction companies to ensure comprehensive execution.

    The fund currently holds approximately SRD 270 million (Surinamese dollars) for mortgage distribution through banking channels. This institutional approach aims to ensure transparency and prevent favoritism in housing and financing allocations. Significant regulatory changes include the elimination of the previous requirement for applicants to purchase land before seeking mortgages, following consultations with the Central Bank of Suriname.

    The government will also focus on existing housing projects where landowners haven’t begun construction. In these areas, authorities will first establish essential infrastructure including roads, water, and electricity systems, enabling residents to concentrate solely on building their homes.

    The program includes partnerships with construction firms developing complete residential projects featuring diverse housing types to accommodate both low and middle-income families within the same neighborhoods. President Simons emphasized the economic benefits, noting that increased construction activity will generate employment in both the construction sector and building materials industries.

    Social Affairs and Public Housing Minister Diana Pokie acknowledged initial data deficiencies regarding housing applicants. While a new digital portal has been established for citizen registration, the government will initially prioritize existing registrations in the system’s first phase of implementation.

  • Hayde gets at least 60 years in prison after two slayings

    Hayde gets at least 60 years in prison after two slayings

    In an unprecedented judicial ruling that establishes a new precedent for sentencing multiple murder offenders in Barbados, convicted killer Gabriel Shando Hayde faces effectively six decades of imprisonment before becoming eligible for parole consideration. Justice Carlisle Greaves delivered this landmark decision at the No. 3 Supreme Court on Friday, structuring consecutive sentencing that pushes potential release to 2086.

    The 40-year tariff imposed for the August 2020 murder of carpenter Roger Moore will commence only after Hayde serves half of his existing 43-year minimum sentence for the February 2020 killing of Kerwin Howell. This creates a combined 60-year incarceration period that Justice Greaves described as necessary to reflect the severity of Hayde’s crimes and to send a clear deterrent message to firearm offenders.

    Court proceedings revealed disturbing details of the Moore homicide. The victim was executing carpentry work at a shop in Bath Land, St John when two masked assailants emerged from a reversing vehicle and discharged multiple rounds. Moore succumbed to his injuries at the scene while still grasping his drilling equipment. Forensic evidence connected Hayde to the crime through weapon matching and digital content recovered from his mobile device, including WhatsApp messages and videos showcasing firearms similar to those employed in the shooting.

    Justice Greaves emphasized several aggravating factors during sentencing: the calculated modification of firearms with bump stops to enable automatic firing capability, the deliberate concealment of identity during the offense, and Hayde’s prior history of shootings including a previously discontinued case involving the same victim. The judge noted the particular brutality of executing final shots to the head while the victim lay incapacitated.

    While acknowledging this was Barbados’ first sentencing scenario involving a murderer already serving life imprisonment for another homicide, Justice Greaves declined to impose a whole-life tariff citing Hayde’s absence of prior convictions before these closely-spaced murders. The consecutive sentencing approach aligns with newly amended Firearms Act provisions that mandate cumulative penalties for firearm-enabled homicides.

    Hayde displayed minimal reaction to the verdict, offering only a brief gesture to family members observing from the gallery as prison officers escorted him from the dock. The prosecution team led by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney and defense attorneys Safiya Moore and Michael Rivera all received judicial recognition for their comprehensive legal arguments in this groundbreaking case.

  • Police Race to Calm Belize City After Scrubby’s Murder

    Police Race to Calm Belize City After Scrubby’s Murder

    Belize City confronts escalating urban tension following the brazen daylight assassination of Edward ‘Scrubby’ Saldano Jr., a local figure with recent criminal connections. The targeted shooting occurred Thursday near Amara Avenue and Dean Street as Saldano rode his bicycle, marking the second attempt on his life within weeks. This incident has triggered widespread community anxiety and fears of retaliatory violence.

    Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has initiated strategic operational adjustments to prevent further bloodshed. ‘We are modifying our ground tactics to suppress additional violence,’ Rosado confirmed during emergency meetings with operational commanders.

    The tragedy has been compounded by the rapid dissemination of graphic footage across social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp. Mental health professionals warn this uncontrolled circulation poses significant psychological risks. Martine King, Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner, explains the profound impact: ‘Viewing such violence triggers physiological stress responses and fundamentally undermines our sense of security. This creates layered anxiety that contradicts our basic human need for safety.’

    King further highlights the dangerous normalization effect, particularly among youth: ‘Repeated exposure leads to desensitization, reduced empathy, and potentially increased propensity for violent behavior. When we joke about these incidents as ‘only in Belize,’ we risk accepting them as normal rather than recognizing them as profound societal failures.’

    The convergence of organized violence and digital trauma distribution presents complex challenges for law enforcement and public health authorities alike as they work to restore civic stability.

  • Belize City Man Critical After Late-night Plues Street Attack

    Belize City Man Critical After Late-night Plues Street Attack

    A late-night shooting incident on Plues Street in Belize City has left a 26-year-old man battling critical injuries, marking another episode in the ongoing gun violence plaguing the Old Capital. The attack occurred at approximately 11:25 p.m. on Thursday when Tyrel Andrewin was ambushed while seated inside his parked vehicle.

    According to preliminary investigations, an unidentified van approached Andrewin’s stationary car before occupants opened fire without warning. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Quick action by a family member likely saved Andrewin’s life, as they transported him urgently to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

    Police authorities have classified the incident as a targeted attack and have launched a comprehensive investigation. Detectives are currently pursuing multiple leads, including vehicle identification and motive determination. The shooting has intensified concerns among local residents about escalating violence in the community.

    This incident represents the latest in a series of violent crimes that have troubled Belize City residents, raising questions about public safety measures and law enforcement strategies in urban areas. Community leaders have expressed growing apprehension about the persistence of such targeted attacks.