Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Motorists turn out in numbers for Traffic Ticket Public Day initiative

    Motorists turn out in numbers for Traffic Ticket Public Day initiative

    Hundreds of Jamaican motorists converged on St Catherine Parish Court Wednesday for a special Traffic Ticket Public Day initiative, experiencing dramatically different outcomes in their attempts to resolve longstanding violations. The Court Administration Division (CAD) launched this unprecedented event to tackle a staggering backlog of approximately 200,000 outstanding traffic tickets dating back to 2018.

    According to Kadiesh Jarrett-Fletcher, CAD’s director of client services, communications and information, the massive accumulation resulted partly from systemic technical failures. “There was a period where the system malfunctioned, causing paid tickets to remain visible in the system,” Jarrett-Fletcher explained. “This technical glitch made courts cautious about issuing warrants, recognizing that many motorists had indeed settled their fines despite system errors.”

    The initiative employed a time-slot system to manage crowds, with officials anticipating resolution of over 10,000 tickets serving approximately 4,000 individuals. By 5:00 PM, the court had processed 4,571 tickets, with another 5,346 scheduled for night court proceedings.

    Motorists reported sharply contrasting experiences. Prince, attending to resolve a 2021 violation, described “pure rigmarole and foolishness” as he was shuffled between courtrooms. Dyonnelle, attempting to settle a 2019 speeding ticket, found the back-and-forth between courtrooms “exhausting” despite pre-registration.

    However, Andre Miller from Old Harbour reported a “seamless” process that resulted in a $9,000 fine for failure to keep left. Taxi operator Cowando Nodle praised the “smooth transition” and reasonable fines for his uniform violation summons, calling the initiative “encouraging” for motorists.

    CAD officials deemed the event successful enough to consider expanding the initiative to other parishes. “We’re analyzing data to determine where we implement this next,” Jarrett-Fletcher stated, highlighting the program’s potential to address Jamaica’s nationwide traffic ticket backlog.

  • GIMIES reveals Top 9 contenders for 2026 People’s Choice Award

    GIMIES reveals Top 9 contenders for 2026 People’s Choice Award

    The Saint Lucia Tourism Awards, known as GIMIES, has unveiled its nine distinguished finalists for the highly anticipated People’s Choice Award as the program enters its fourth consecutive year. These exceptional individuals have been recognized for their remarkable contributions to visitor experiences, innovative approaches, and positive community impact within the island’s tourism sector.

    The selected finalists represent diverse facets of Saint Lucia’s tourism industry, including culinary experts, tour guides, hospitality entrepreneurs, and wellness service providers. The distinguished list features Akim Francis (Chef, Bursting with Flavour), Avelyn Joseph (Owner, Happy Nest), Elver Descartes (Tour Guide, ATV Direct), Heidi St Clair (Owner, St Clair’s Sitting Services), Iva La Toya Lewis (Celebrity Make-Up Artist, Glamour Art by Toya), Kirk Elliot (Community-Based Tourism Entrepreneur), Michel Gaspard (Civil Status Marriage Officer), Ngugi Lucien (Vegan Chef, Grassrootz Vegan Cuisine), and Shervon Charles (Tour Guide, Unique Stables 758).

    Tourism Minister Ernest Hilaire emphasized the awards’ significant role in elevating service standards across the industry. He noted that since the inception of GIMIES, the commitment to ongoing progress has driven remarkable improvements in service quality, with participants consistently enhancing their offerings each year.

    The awards program has demonstrated measurable impact, with judges observing substantial growth among previous nominees who have returned as stronger contenders, reflecting the sector’s resilience and dedication to excellence.

    Public voting is now underway through March 31, 2026, allowing travelers, residents, and industry stakeholders to recognize individuals who have made lasting impressions within tourism. The top three vote-getters will be honored at the upcoming awards ceremony, which will be live-streamed on NTN and various social media platforms, with viewers encouraged to participate in online viewing parties.

    The GIMIES are supported by numerous organizations including the Ministry of Tourism, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association, along with ultra-premium partners such as St Lucia Times, Bank of Saint Lucia, and FLOW.

  • Former Senior Fellow Sir Ronald Sanders appointed Chancellor of the University of Guyana

    Former Senior Fellow Sir Ronald Sanders appointed Chancellor of the University of Guyana

    In a landmark decision marking a new chapter for higher education in Guyana, the University Council has formally appointed Sir Ronald Sanders as the 11th Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The appointment, confirmed on January 2, 2026, positions one of the Caribbean’s most esteemed diplomats and intellectuals at the helm of the nation’s premier tertiary institution.

    Sir Ronald Sanders brings an exceptional multidisciplinary career spanning international diplomacy, scholarly achievement, and groundbreaking journalism to his new role. His journey began in Guyana’s media landscape, where he revolutionized radio journalism and became General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Service at just 25 years old. This foundation in communication evolved into a distinguished diplomatic career that has shaped regional and global policy.

    Globally recognized for his intellectual leadership, Sir Ronald has served in numerous prestigious capacities including elected member of UNESCO’s Executive Board, Chairman of the Caribbean Action Task Force against money laundering, and three-time chair of the OAS Permanent Council. His diplomatic expertise has been crucial during critical hemispheric challenges, including political crises in Haiti and Guatemala.

    Beyond his international accomplishments, Sir Ronald has been a steadfast defender of Guyana’s democratic institutions and territorial sovereignty. His prolific writings and diplomatic efforts have consistently affirmed the inviolability of Guyana’s borders and the right to self-determination.

    The appointment comes during a transformative period for the University of Guyana as it expands its academic programs, research capabilities, and international partnerships. Sir Ronald’s extensive global network and diplomatic experience position him uniquely to enhance the university’s international standing.

    Education Minister Sonia Parag, along with Pro-Chancellor Professor Randolph Persaud and Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, expressed unanimous enthusiasm for the appointment, recognizing Sir Ronald’s potential to significantly contribute to both the university’s development and Guyana’s broader societal transformation.

  • Man arrested, guns seized during probe into Corentyne robberies

    Man arrested, guns seized during probe into Corentyne robberies

    In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Guyana’s Berbice region, authorities have apprehended a 21-year-old construction worker and recovered an arsenal of illegal weapons during an investigation into recent robberies in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

    The operation, conducted on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Ulverston Village, resulted in the discovery of sophisticated firearms concealed in a tamarind tree on an unoccupied property. According to police reports, officers discovered a cutlass sack containing: one AK-47 assault rifle with seventeen matching 7.62mm rounds, one 9mm pistol with four corresponding cartridges, and one pair of gloves.

    The suspect, identified as a resident of Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was taken into custody and escorted to the Rose Hall Town Police Station. The recovered weapons and ammunition have been officially lodged as evidence while the investigation continues.

    This operation represents a substantial achievement for Guyana’s law enforcement amid ongoing efforts to combat violent crime in the Corentyne region. The seizure of military-grade weaponry particularly underscores the serious nature of criminal activities being investigated. Police have not disclosed whether the suspect is directly connected to the recent robberies that prompted the operation, indicating the investigation remains active and ongoing.

  • No DNA on Ski Mask, Defence Tells Court in Nigel Christian Murder Trial

    No DNA on Ski Mask, Defence Tells Court in Nigel Christian Murder Trial

    In a dramatic turn of events at the Nigel Christian murder trial, defense attorneys launched a forceful challenge against the police investigation’s integrity on Monday. The proceedings took a contentious turn as lawyers accused officers of potentially planting a ski mask at the residence of one defendant after forensic analysis revealed no DNA connection to suspect Wayne Thomas.

    The allegations emerged during testimony from an officer involved in executing search warrants at the homes of the accused. Defense counsel rigorously questioned whether proper evidence collection protocols were followed and challenged the fundamental basis for arresting the men on robbery charges without clear identification of the alleged criminal offense.

    A digital forensics corporal faced intense cross-examination, with defense attorneys suggesting he had previously been removed from the cyber investigations unit due to evidence handling concerns—an allegation the officer firmly denied. The testimony revealed that the officer had only retrieved surveillance footage from between 5 and 6 p.m. on the day of the killing and had not searched for footage of a white Toyota RAV4 previously mentioned by a key prosecution witness.

    Jurors examined several surveillance clips, including footage from Marble Hill Road that appeared to show Christian’s vehicle being followed by a silver car, though license plate identification remained impossible.

    Emotional testimony came from family members of the slain Customs officer, with his sister confirming the formal identification of his body and his brother revealing that Christian had previously warned him to remain vigilant amid growing tensions at his workplace.

    Defendants Lasean Bully, Wayne Thomas, and Saleim Harrigan face charges for the 2020 killing of the senior Customs official. All three have entered not guilty pleas. The trial continues under the supervision of Justice Rajiv Persaud, with the defense’s allegations casting new uncertainty over the investigation’s validity.

  • Antiguan-Born Community Leader Dr. Elaine Simon to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award in Baltimore

    Antiguan-Born Community Leader Dr. Elaine Simon to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award in Baltimore

    Baltimore’s Caribbean community is preparing to celebrate one of its most influential figures as Dr. Elaine Simon, a distinguished Antiguan and Barbudan community leader, will be presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at this week’s Unsung Hero Celebration. The ceremony, scheduled for March 7, 2026, at the War Memorial Building, will honor Simon’s extraordinary four-decade legacy of community leadership and cultural advocacy.

    Since her arrival in the United States from Antigua and Barbuda in 1969 and subsequent settlement in Baltimore in 1973, Simon has emerged as a transformative force in the city’s social fabric. Her multifaceted career spans entrepreneurship, community organizing, and cultural preservation, establishing her as a cornerstone of Baltimore’s Caribbean diaspora.

    Simon’s institutional contributions include founding the Baltimore Association of Caribbean Organizations (BACO), where she pioneered efforts to unify and empower Caribbean communities. Simultaneously, she serves as president and chief event planner for the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore, Inc., through which she has masterminded numerous cultural celebrations that showcase Caribbean heritage while fostering cross-cultural understanding.

    Beyond cultural programming, Simon has significantly impacted civic life through her service as community liaison for a Maryland state senator and participation on numerous boards addressing community development, legal assistance, and educational initiatives. This comprehensive approach to community building has earned her previous recognition including the NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Award and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister’s Distinguished Service Award.

    Event organizers emphasize that the Lifetime Achievement Award acknowledges not merely Simon’s accomplishments but her sustained dedication spanning over 40 years—a testament to her unwavering commitment to enriching both Caribbean immigrant communities and the broader Baltimore population through cultural exchange and social advocacy.

  • IOM hosts conversation on migration tomorrow (registration link inside)

    IOM hosts conversation on migration tomorrow (registration link inside)

    Caribbean nations are grappling with a profound demographic transformation as labor shortages and aging populations compel a fundamental reassessment of regional development strategies. This pressing issue has captured the attention of international migration experts who are proposing structured migration as a potential solution to these systemic challenges.

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is convening a critical virtual forum scheduled for tomorrow to address these demographic pressures. The session, titled ‘Strategic Migration Solutions for Caribbean Development,’ will explore how carefully managed migration policies could bolster essential services and stimulate economic growth across the region.

    Scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 AM Eastern Caribbean Time (09:30-10:30 Jamaica Time), the webinar will bring together policymakers, development experts, and migration specialists. The discussion will focus on creating frameworks for safe, orderly, and well-managed migration that could address workforce gaps in critical sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and tourism.

    The forum comes as Caribbean nations face increasing pressure from demographic trends that threaten economic stability. With shrinking working-age populations and growing elderly demographics, many islands are experiencing strains on social services and productive capacities. The IOM initiative seeks to position migration not as a problem but as a strategic development tool that could benefit both origin and destination communities through proper planning and international cooperation.

    Registration for the virtual event remains open through the IOM’s official Zoom portal, offering stakeholders across the Caribbean and beyond an opportunity to contribute to this vital conversation about the region’s sustainable development future.

  • Schools drug research freeze after IDB survey fallout blocks data

    Schools drug research freeze after IDB survey fallout blocks data

    A critical national effort to monitor drug use among Barbadian schoolchildren has remained suspended for over three years, Parliament learned this week. The standstill originated from a deeply controversial 2022 survey conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has since created a climate of reluctance within the Ministry of Education toward approving any school-based research.

    This disclosure emerged during parliamentary debates on the 2026–27 Education Estimates. Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams, whose former ministerial portfolio included the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), revealed the impasse has effectively barred the council from accessing schools to conduct vital research. Abrahams attributed the paralysis directly to the aftermath of the ‘highly publicised survey,’ which triggered national outrage and led to a comprehensive overhaul of research protocols.

    The contentious IDB survey, initially disguised as a computer science pre-test administered without parental knowledge, involved over 700 first-form students across five secondary schools. The nearly 300-question instrument probed sensitive topics including sexuality, gender identity, and substance abuse, alongside collecting personal information about the students’ parents. The revelation sparked intense public debate and prompted immediate calls for stricter oversight.

    Abrahams emphasized the severe operational impact on the NCSA, which traditionally relies on survey data to shape drug treatment policies and early warning systems for emerging substance trends. ‘They need to know from the children: are you using drugs, what drugs are you using? This is not to call out a child, but so we know what programmes can be specifically designed,’ he argued, cautioning that essential safeguards must not create bureaucratic paralysis.

    In response, Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman defended the newly established rigorous frameworks while acknowledging the indispensable value of reliable data for formulating effective interventions. Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw detailed the revised, multi-tiered approval process now governing all academic research. This includes a mandatory preliminary review by a newly formed committee of research experts within the ministry, followed by additional scrutiny from individual school principals.

    Dr. Archer-Bradshaw clarified that these stringent protocols were instituted precisely because the ministry could ‘no longer take for granted’ that researchers would act ethically. The process is further guided by compliance with the Data Protection Act, involving consultations with the Data Protection Commissioner and requiring parental consent in specific instances. While encouraging continued dialogue with the NCSA, she firmly maintained that ‘the protocols are there to be followed’ and cannot be overstepped, balancing child safety with the nation’s need for crucial public health data.

  • Students urged to stay alert to child labour signs despite no cases

    Students urged to stay alert to child labour signs despite no cases

    Barbadian authorities have initiated a comprehensive awareness campaign targeting student populations about the dangers of child exploitation, despite the nation’s absence of documented cases. The initiative, spearheaded by Acting Permanent Secretary Faye Prescod of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, emphasizes preventive education as the cornerstone of child protection strategies.

    During a pivotal forum titled ‘Protect Our Children: Raise Your Voice Against Child Labour’ at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Prescod addressed students on the critical distinction between developmental chores and exploitative labor. “While assisting family members constitutes normal development, child labor represents a fundamental deprivation of childhood experiences,” Prescod articulated to attendees. “Globally, approximately 138 million children remain trapped in labor situations that deny them education, recreation, and the opportunity to pursue aspirations.”

    The ministry official delineated child labor as work that endangers minors’ physical or psychological welfare, interferes with educational pursuits, and essentially robs them of their childhood. Although Barbados maintains a clean record with no confirmed instances, Prescod noted the island’s geographical categorization within the Latin America and Caribbean region—areas where child labor persists more prominently—necessitates continued vigilance.

    A dedicated Child Labour Committee established in 2024, comprising representatives from law enforcement and religious organizations, conducts quarterly meetings and school sensitization programs. These efforts focus on equipping secondary students with the knowledge to identify potential exploitation and the confidence to report concerns to trusted adults.

    Prescod empowered young attendees as potential agents of change, stating: “Your awareness and advocacy constitute powerful tools for social protection. By recognizing inappropriate labor situations and voicing concerns, you contribute to safeguarding childhoods both locally and globally.”

  • Abinader opens international symposium on criminal investigation reform

    Abinader opens international symposium on criminal investigation reform

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark initiative to transform law enforcement methodologies, Dominican President Luis Abinader inaugurated the First International Symposium on Criminal Investigation, Science and Innovation against Crime. The event, attended by over 400 national and international delegates, signals a paradigm shift toward evidence-based prosecution integrating advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and scientific rigor.

    President Abinader emphasized that sustainable public security hinges on closing impunity gaps through technical evidence and systematic investigative reforms. The symposium constitutes a critical component of the modernization agenda for the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DICRIM), transitioning from traditional reactive policing to a proactive model built on data analytics, institutional interoperability, and operational transparency.

    Beyond superficial changes in equipment or uniforms, Abinader framed the reform as a profound institutional overhaul grounded in scientific principles and strategic management. A key outcome will be the adoption of a ten-point code of conduct for police investigations, to be formally endorsed by senior law enforcement leadership to guarantee nationwide compliance.

    Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful outlined priority challenges including organized crime, ethical artificial intelligence applications, and secure inter-agency data exchange. She highlighted existing successes through joint task forces, which have already contributed to reduced homicide rates and disruption of criminal networks.

    National Police Director Andres Modesto Cruz Cruz addressed the evolving nature of crime, noting its increasingly technological and cross-border characteristics. He advocated for a response strategy combining rigorous methodology with unwavering respect for human rights. This symposium forms part of the comprehensive reform of the National Police, aiming to establish an internationally aligned, professional, and scientifically-driven investigative culture focused on impunity reduction.