Carib Scope

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  • MP Rawdon Turner Offers 10 UWI Global Campus Scholarships for St. Peter Residents

    MP Rawdon Turner Offers 10 UWI Global Campus Scholarships for St. Peter Residents

    In a significant educational advancement for the constituency, St. Peter MP Rawdon Turner has unveiled a scholarship program offering ten fully-funded opportunities for local residents. The initiative provides complete financial coverage for short courses available through the UWI Global Campus based in Antigua.

    The scholarship program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with precisely ten slots available for eligible constituents. Turner emphasized that the educational initiative aims to empower residents by facilitating skill acquisition, professional advancement, and personal development through the university’s diverse short-course catalog.

    Interested parties residing within the St. Peter constituency are directed to contact (268) 785-5757 for comprehensive information regarding application procedures and course selection. The MP characterized this effort as part of a broader commitment to fostering educational access and personal growth within the community, urging constituents to seize this opportunity while positions remain open.

    The UWI Global Campus short courses provide flexible learning options across various disciplines, enabling participants to enhance their qualifications without financial burden. This parliamentary initiative represents a direct investment in human capital development within the St. Peter constituency, potentially creating long-term benefits for both individual recipients and the broader community.

  • Fatal stabbing in Castries marks third homicide for 2026

    Fatal stabbing in Castries marks third homicide for 2026

    Saint Lucia’s violent crime tally for the new year has risen with police confirming the island nation’s third homicide of 2026. The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Soufrière resident Leeval Albert, who sustained fatal stab wounds during a violent confrontation in the capital city of Castries.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas disclosed these developments during the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s monthly media briefing. According to preliminary investigations, the altercation occurred earlier today, though investigators are still working to pinpoint the exact location where the stabbing transpired.

    Following the attack, Albert managed to travel to the Jeremie Street Plaza commercial area before collapsing from his injuries. Emergency services were promptly alerted and transported the critically wounded man to a medical facility. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts by medical personnel, Albert was subsequently pronounced dead.

    ACP Defreitas noted that while first responders initially encountered the victim near the DAX vicinity on Victoria Street, forensic teams are still reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the fatal assault. The police spokesperson declined to provide additional information regarding potential suspects or motives, confirming that no arrests have been made in connection with the incident at this preliminary stage of investigation.

    The homicide marks continued challenges for Saint Lucian authorities addressing violent crime, with two previous homicides already recorded within the first weeks of 2026. Police have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward as investigations continue.

  • $800,000 for New Shelters for the Homeless

    $800,000 for New Shelters for the Homeless

    The Belizean government has unveiled a comprehensive $800,000 initiative to address the nation’s escalating homelessness crisis. Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed the cabinet-approved plan following its presentation by Minister of Human Development Thea Garcia-Ramirez on Wednesday.

    The strategic program will establish new shelter facilities and support services across four key districts: Belize City, Orange Walk, Cayo, and Stann Creek. This multi-regional approach recognizes the widespread nature of the problem that officials describe as both “serious” and “tragic” in its social impact.

    Prime Minister Briceño emphasized the government’s moral obligation to intervene, noting that many homeless individuals struggle with underlying mental health challenges. While families often attempt to care for relatives initially, they frequently become overwhelmed by the complex needs involved, ultimately requiring institutional support.

    Funding mechanisms for the initiative remain under development, though Briceño identified enhanced Boledo revenues as a potential financing source. Collections have dramatically increased from approximately $2.5 million under the previous UDP administration to a projected $25 million in profits this year—representing a tenfold improvement that could substantially support social programs.

    The Prime Minister acknowledged that the new shelters may not completely eliminate homelessness but stressed that even incremental capacity improvements would provide critical relief to vulnerable populations. The government’s intervention marks a significant step toward addressing what has become one of Belize’s most pressing social welfare challenges.

  • Portsmouth mayor condemns violence ahead of community’s ‘ Possie Town Mas’

    Portsmouth mayor condemns violence ahead of community’s ‘ Possie Town Mas’

    Portsmouth Mayor Kerry Breedy-Prince has issued a firm condemnation of gun violence while assuring residents and visitors of enhanced security measures for the upcoming ‘Possie Town Mas’ carnival celebrations. The mayor’s statement comes in direct response to escalating community concerns following a recent shooting incident in the Lagoon area last week.

    Addressing public anxieties head-on, Mayor Breedy-Prince acknowledged the legitimate fears surrounding the spike in firearm-related incidents but emphasized that criminal behavior would not be allowed to define the community’s identity. “Violence has no place in our community, and it would never define who we are as a people,” she declared, reinforcing Portsmouth’s historical reputation as a town built on cultural pride, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

    The municipal government has implemented a comprehensive security strategy through coordinated efforts with multiple stakeholders. This collaborative approach involves the Dominica Police Force, community leadership representatives, and event organizing committees working in unison to bolster safety protocols. These measures are specifically designed to create a protected environment where participants can engage in carnival activities without apprehension.

    Mayor Breedy-Prince passionately described the essence of Possie Town Mas as a celebration of life, musical tradition, and communal solidarity. She explicitly rejected the notion that fear should suppress cultural expression or erase longstanding traditions. The festivities are scheduled to commence at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 17, with officials encouraging full public participation in what promises to be a vibrantly secure cultural experience.

  • UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has inaugurated a groundbreaking Preceptorship Programme specifically tailored for final-year nursing students, marking a significant advancement in healthcare education methodology. This structured initiative aims to bridge the critical gap between academic preparation and professional practice through comprehensive mentorship.

    During the official launch ceremony, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph delivered a compelling address emphasizing the profound importance of hands-on mentorship in developing competent healthcare professionals. “Nursing transcends conventional professional boundaries—it constitutes a vocation demanding exceptional discipline, profound compassion, and unwavering resilience,” Sir Molwyn asserted. “This pioneering programme serves as an essential formative stage that shapes emerging nursing professionals before they enter our healthcare ecosystem.”

    The Minister highlighted the programme’s transition from primarily virtual delivery to tangible in-person engagement, noting: “UWI Five Islands Campus has revolutionized mentorship accessibility by facilitating direct interpersonal connections. This face-to-face interaction fosters authentic professional relationships, reinforces practice standards, and genuinely prepares aspiring nurses for healthcare’s practical challenges.”

    This comprehensive preceptorship framework incorporates multidimensional support systems including specialized academic direction, professional career coaching, leadership enhancement modules, and realistic clinical environment exposure. The programme’s curriculum is meticulously designed to produce graduates who enter the healthcare sector with demonstrated confidence, strong ethical foundations, and robust preparedness for contemporary nursing demands.

    University administrators emphasized the programme’s alignment with institutional commitments to educational excellence and student achievement. “This initiative represents targeted educational reinforcement at the most crucial phase of our students’ professional development,” a campus official stated. “We ensure our graduates depart not merely with qualifications, but with genuine readiness for healthcare’s practical realities.”

    The launch event assembled government representatives, academic leadership, faculty members, nursing students, and healthcare sector partners, demonstrating collective dedication to cultivating a highly skilled, compassionate nursing workforce for Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region.

  • Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Antigua’s backyard gardening movement gained significant momentum on January 15th as enthusiastic gardeners assembled at the Agricultural Extension Division (AED) office on Valley Road. The gathering marked the commencement of the crop-growing segment within the national Plant2Plate Competition, a government-backed initiative designed to transform residential spaces into productive agricultural plots.

    The event witnessed high-level governmental participation with Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, alongside Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher, personally overseeing the seedling distribution process that began promptly at 9 a.m. The substantial turnout demonstrated robust governmental endorsement for community-based agriculture and enhanced household food production capabilities.

    Participants queued systematically to receive their starter plants, signaling their official entry into the competition that champions sustainable farming practices at the domestic level. Program organizers emphasized that the initiative serves multiple purposes: promoting nutritional awareness, fostering greater self-sufficiency, and encouraging environmentally conscious cultivation methods among residents.

    The AED efficiently coordinated the distribution mechanism while providing comprehensive technical guidance to ensure participants could successfully establish and maintain their crops. Officials reported an exceptionally smooth operation with gardeners departing fully equipped and knowledgeable to commence immediate planting operations.

    The distributed seedlings encompassed a diverse array of produce including beetroot, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, lettuce, thyme, chives, celery, kale, arugula, eggplant, and Chinese cabbage—carefully selected varieties suited for Antiguan growing conditions.

    This seedling distribution event represents a crucial preliminary phase in the broader Plant2Plate Competition, which ultimately seeks to strengthen national food security by empowering citizens throughout Antigua and Barbuda to cultivate fresh, nutritious produce within their own living environments.

  • Police crackdown sparks fresh calls for decriminalisation of cannabis

    Police crackdown sparks fresh calls for decriminalisation of cannabis

    Saint Lucia’s emerging cannabis sector is demanding immediate government action on marijuana decriminalization following a significant police operation in Laborie that resulted in the destruction of 1,368 cannabis plants and the arrest of two individuals. The enforcement activity has sparked renewed tensions between law enforcement and agricultural advocates who believe the island is falling behind regional counterparts in cannabis reform.

    Andre Pancho de Caires, Interim President of the Herbal Cooperative, expressed profound frustration with the legislative delays that continue to leave cannabis farmers in legal limbo. The recent police operation targeted a residence in Black Bay, Laborie, where officers confiscated 23.2 pounds of suspected cannabis valued at approximately $10,440, along with $765 in cash believed to be connected to drug activities.

    The incident generated substantial social media backlash, with numerous commentators questioning the enforcement approach given global trends toward legalization. De Caires publicly challenged police leadership, demanding to know who authorized the “mass destruction of farms” despite government rhetoric supporting cannabis reform.

    The herbal advocate revealed that a decriminalization bill was reportedly completed as early as August 2025 under former Commerce Minister Emma Hippolyte’s leadership but has yet to be presented to Parliament. De Caires emphasized that this represents a broken campaign promise from the current administration, which has remained silent on the legislation’s status.

    De Caires recounted personal assurances from Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre during previous administrations regarding full legalization intentions. He noted the establishment of the Regulatory Services Agency and Herbal Cooperative as evidence of institutional preparations for a regulated cannabis industry.

    The interim president has now directed his appeal to current Commerce Minister Ernest Hilaire, demanding a timeline for legislative action. However, law enforcement officials maintain they will continue enforcement operations until formal legal changes occur. Assistant Commissioner of Police Luke Defreitas stated unequivocally that cannabis cultivation remains illegal, and police will continue to combat “illegal possession, cultivation, trafficking, transporting, and selling” until laws are formally amended.

  • Dominica’s Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Executive pays courtesy visit to President Sylvanie Burton

    Dominica’s Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Executive pays courtesy visit to President Sylvanie Burton

    In a significant demonstration of institutional collaboration, senior representatives of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program in Dominica conducted an official courtesy visit to Her Excellency President Sylvanie Burton on January 14, 2026. The high-level delegation included Deputy Chairperson Linda Gonzalez-Peltier, National Director Kerry-Ann Remie Timothy, Youth Development Coordinator Lilia Durand, and Gold Award recipient Brandon Remie.

    The primary purpose of the meeting centered on delivering a detailed briefing regarding Dominica’s participation in two major international conferences held in Lagos, Nigeria during November 2025. These gatherings—the International Gold Event (November 15-18) and Forum 2025—convened under the patronage of HRH Prince Edward and attracted more than 300 youth leaders and program administrators from across the global network.

    The International Gold Event, a biennial celebration recognizing exceptional youth achievement, provided a dynamic platform for Gold Award recipients to share experiences, establish international connections, and inspire collective progress. Concurrently, Forum 2025 assembled global Award leaders to strategically shape the program’s future trajectory, with particular emphasis on innovative approaches to youth empowerment and development methodologies.

    During the presidential briefing, Mr. Brandon Remie provided firsthand insights gained from his interactions with international delegates and experts at the Nigerian conferences. The delegation further utilized the opportunity to present recent program accomplishments, address operational challenges, and outline future initiatives designed to expand the Award’s national impact.

    Executive leadership expressed profound gratitude to President Burton for her sustained patronage and commitment to facilitating substantive dialogue on youth development priorities, reinforcing the program’s vital role in shaping Dominica’s next generation of leaders.

  • Aziza Clarke cleared after no-case submission

    Aziza Clarke cleared after no-case submission

    In a decisive legal victory, former calypso monarch Aziza Clarke has been fully exonerated of charges alleging she assisted an offender in evading law enforcement. The No. 5 Supreme Court delivered the ruling following a successful no-case submission presented by her defense team, led by King’s Counsel Michael Lashley and attorney Sade Harris.

    The case stemmed from allegations that Clarke, a resident of Bonnetts, Brittons Hill, St Michael, had knowingly transported Hakeem Stuart from Briar Hall to Graeme Hall, Christ Church on March 21, 2019. Prosecutors claimed this action was intended to obstruct Stuart’s lawful apprehension in connection with murder or another serious arrestable offense.

    Presiding Justice Pamela Beckles determined that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of knowledge and belief necessary to sustain the charge. In her ruling, Justice Beckles found insufficient evidence to prove Clarke had awareness of or belief in Stuart’s alleged criminal activities at the time of the incident. Consequently, the judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty, bringing the legal proceedings to a conclusive end.

    The judgment represents a significant judicial determination that the threshold for proving criminal intent in assistance cases requires substantial evidence of the defendant’s conscious knowledge of the offender’s actions, which the court found lacking in this instance.

  • Dominica appoints three new magistrates to tackle case backlog

    Dominica appoints three new magistrates to tackle case backlog

    Dominica’s judicial system has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of three new magistrates in late 2025, bringing the country’s total to a full complement of eight judicial officers. Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George made the announcement during the New Law Year opening ceremony at the State House Conference Centre, marking a transformative development for the nation’s legal infrastructure.

    The newly appointed magistrates bring diverse legal expertise to their positions. Marie-Louise Pierre Louis, sworn in October 2025, transitions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with substantial criminal law experience and will primarily handle criminal matters. November saw the appointment of Pearlisa Morvan, previously from the Attorney General’s chambers, who will preside over case management hearings, civil litigation, and coroner’s court proceedings. Kimala Alfred, sworn in December 2025, joins from the legal aid clinic and will primarily oversee family and criminal cases.

    Chief Magistrate Carrette-George emphasized that this judicial expansion represents a strategic advancement in addressing systemic challenges within Dominica’s court system. The appointments are expected to significantly enhance court efficiency through improved case management protocols and specialized case allocation. This development directly targets the reduction of case backlogs that have hampered judicial timeliness, ensuring more effective disposition of legal matters across criminal, civil, and family court divisions.

    The achievement of a full magistrate complement underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening judicial capacity and access to justice. This structural enhancement positions Dominica’s legal system for improved service delivery and operational effectiveness throughout 2026 and beyond.