Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Major drive to form chess clubs in schools

    Major drive to form chess clubs in schools

    In an unprecedented educational initiative, Grenada is poised to distribute more than 400 professional-grade chess sets valued at EC$30,000 to primary and secondary schools across the nation. This ambitious project marks the centerpiece of the inaugural Chess Week scheduled for March 2026, potentially establishing the first event of its kind in both the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the broader Caribbean region.

    The Grenada Chess Federation (GCF), organizer of the landmark event, has confirmed that Chess Week 2026 will run from March 2-7, culminating with the Independence Chess Tournament finals. Federation members will conduct parish-by-parish visits to educational institutions, delivering the specialized tournament equipment while introducing fundamental chess principles and facilitating the establishment of school chess clubs.

    Strategic priority will be given to secondary schools during the initial phase, aligning with GCF’s objective to launch the first Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament by late 2026. Each participating institution will receive a minimum of five chess sets and identify at least ten students to form club nuclei, with additional sets to be provided as membership expands. Critical to the program’s sustainability is the designation of at least one teacher per school to oversee club operations and subsequent online training initiatives.

    The comprehensive national rollout ensures complete geographic coverage, including the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Any schools not reached during the designated week will be visited by the end of March 2026, according to federation representatives.

    This groundbreaking educational endeavor enjoys full support from Grenada’s Ministry of Education and the National Sports Council (NSC), which plans to incorporate chess into its inaugural National Games parish competitions by 2027. The GCF leveraged its affiliations with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA) to procure the professional tournament equipment necessary for the nationwide initiative.

    Research consistently demonstrates chess’s cognitive benefits, including enhanced memory capacity, prolonged attention spans, improved problem-solving capabilities, strengthened critical thinking skills, and increased disciplinary focus among young participants.

  • VIDEO: Lowmans Hill woman turns 10

    VIDEO: Lowmans Hill woman turns 10

    The community of Lowmans Hill, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, witnessed a remarkable celebration of life on February 7, 2026, as resident Hilda Charles reached the extraordinary milestone of her 100th birthday. The esteemed centenarian was honored with a formal toast by His Excellency Governor General Sir Stanley “Stalky” John, KC, in a ceremony that highlighted her significance to the nation.

    The celebratory event brought together distinguished guests including Mrs. Charles’s Member of Parliament, Daniel Cummings, alongside a gathering of cherished relatives and lifelong friends. The gathering served as a testament to Mrs. Charles’s profound impact on her community throughout her century of life.

    This milestone birthday transcends personal achievement, representing a living chronicle of Saint Vincent’s history and societal evolution across ten decades. Official recognition from the highest levels of Vincentian leadership underscores the cultural importance placed on honoring elders and preserving intergenerational connections within the nation’s social fabric. The celebration stands as a powerful affirmation of life, community spirit, and the valued contributions of senior citizens to the Caribbean society.

  • National Clean-Up Heads to Cooks Extension, Denfields, Bendals and St. Thomas

    National Clean-Up Heads to Cooks Extension, Denfields, Bendals and St. Thomas

    The Antiguan government has expanded its National Clean-Up campaign to four additional communities this Thursday as part of its ongoing island-wide sanitation initiative. Clean-up crews are actively operating in Cooks Extension, Denfields, Bendals, and St. Thomas on February 26th, responding to the government’s call for enhanced civic participation under the program’s unifying theme “Love Where You Live.

    Residents within these designated zones are being urged to position large household items and bulk waste materials along roadside areas for efficient collection by sanitation teams. This systematic approach facilitates streamlined operations and ensures comprehensive waste removal from participating neighborhoods.

    The National Clean-Up campaign represents a strategic component of the government’s broader environmental management agenda, targeting improved community sanitation standards, combating illegal dumping practices, and fostering heightened civic responsibility throughout Antigua and Barbuda. Government officials have consistently emphasized the critical role of resident involvement in achieving sustainable neighborhood cleanliness.

    This initiative reflects growing concerns about public health implications of improper waste disposal and represents a coordinated response to environmental challenges. The government’s persistent communications campaign underscores the connection between community participation and long-term sanitation success, positioning the clean-up drive as both a practical response and symbolic movement toward national pride.

  • Police appeal to parents as clueless students join ‘6ixx’, ‘7even’ gangs

    Police appeal to parents as clueless students join ‘6ixx’, ‘7even’ gangs

    St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ top law enforcement official has issued an urgent plea to parents regarding the alarming proliferation of transnational criminal gangs within the nation’s educational institutions. Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, the country’s chief crime-fighter, revealed that rival factions known as ‘6ixx’ and ‘7even’—originating from Trinidadian super gangs—have established deep roots in secondary schools, recruiting students unaware of the groups’ violent histories.

    During an appearance on the New Democratic Party’s ‘New Times’ radio program, Commissioner Bailey characterized the situation as a ‘growing problem’ that remains ‘rampant in our schools.’ He disclosed startling statistics from school administrators, including one principal who reported 20-25% of students failing to return after lunch periods.

    The senior law enforcement official emphasized that parental engagement represents the first line of defense. He recommended unexpected school visits and closer monitoring of children’s associations and digital activities. ‘Parents have to know where their children are at all times,’ Bailey stressed, noting that parenting transcends mere provision of basic needs and requires meaningful dialogue to prevent external negative influences.

    Bailey shared disturbing anecdotes from his school visits, including one incident where a student openly rolled and smoked marijuana during class. At West St. George Secondary School, he encountered students enthusiastically identifying with gang affiliations while demonstrating complete ignorance about the groups’ origins or benefits. One female student admitted she knew of no advantages to gang membership yet still participated.

    These gangs trace their origins to Trinidad’s ‘The Muslims’ and ‘Rasta City’ organizations—highly structured criminal enterprises with international militant connections. The Jamaat al Muslimeen, affiliated with The Muslims, attempted a violent coup in Trinidad in 1990 that resulted in 24 fatalities.

    Bailey concluded that addressing this crisis requires collective action beyond law enforcement, involving churches, community groups, and national institutions to eradicate gang influence from educational environments.

  • Rotary, Rotaract advance national dialogue on preventing childhood obesity

    Rotary, Rotaract advance national dialogue on preventing childhood obesity

    In a significant collaborative effort, Rotary and Rotaract organizations throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines convened a high-level dinner meeting this month to formulate strategic approaches against childhood obesity. The gathering assembled club presidents, Rotarians, and distinguished government officials to align community service initiatives with national health priorities.

    The event featured pivotal attendees including Health Minister Daniel Cummings, Deputy Chief Education Officer Joycelyn Blake-Browne, Chief Health Promotion Officer Shanika John-Trent, and Senior Nutritionist Alicia Ferdinand. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to cross-sector partnerships addressing pediatric health challenges.

    Presidents Felicia Cumberbatch (Rotary Club of St. Vincent), Kim Haydock (Rotary Club of St. Vincent South), and Angelina Questelles (Rotaract Club of Kingstown) jointly hosted the engagement under the leadership of Assistant Governor Janelle Allen. This coordination supports Rotary District 7030’s multi-year “Rotary Moves” campaign targeting childhood obesity prevention through 2026.

    Discussions centered on the advocacy dimension of the campaign, exploring practical interventions, policy adjustments, and legislative measures to shield children’s wellbeing and encourage sustainable healthy habits. Minister Cummings, himself a former Rotary Club president, reiterated his ministry’s dedication to developing implementable programs with Rotary organizations that foster lasting lifestyle improvements among youth.

    A official statement emphasized the shared recognition of obesity’s profound societal implications, noting: “Rotary and Rotaract clubs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines remain committed to collaboration, advocacy, and partnership in safeguarding the nation’s future.”

  • Amelia Williams and Shaquan O’Neil Named to 2026 UN Youth Advisory Group

    Amelia Williams and Shaquan O’Neil Named to 2026 UN Youth Advisory Group

    The United Nations has formally inaugurated fifteen emerging leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean into its 2026 Youth Advisory Group (YAG), marking a significant advancement in institutionalizing youth participation within regional development frameworks. This fifth cohort of appointees represents a strategic partnership between the UN Sub-Regional Team and young visionaries from nine territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Operating as a formal advisory mechanism, the YAG enables youth advocates aged 18-30 to directly influence policy formulation, program design, and implementation strategies across national and regional levels. The group’s mandate aligns with the UN’s Youth2030 strategy, creating structured pathways for young professionals to contribute expertise across critical domains including climate resilience, mental health services, gender equity, disability inclusion, educational reform, food security systems, crime prevention, and indigenous rights protection.

    UN Resident Coordinator Simon Springett emphasized the transformative potential of youth engagement, stating: ‘Our youth represent both our present and future capacity for innovation. Previous cohorts have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in driving sustainable development initiatives, yet we’ve merely scratched the surface of their potential contributions to governance structures and international institutions.’

    Returning Chair Rianka Chance from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines outlined an ambitious vision for the group’s expanded influence: ‘We are evolving beyond advisory participation toward actual policy-shaping and systems-change leadership. The YAG must become a catalytic force for cross-territorial collaboration, SDG advancement, and meaningful youth inclusion in decision-making processes from local to global spheres.’

    The selection process prioritized inclusive representation from marginalized communities, incorporating advocates specializing in indigenous identity preservation and social justice reform. Throughout their one-year tenure, members will function as official UN Youth Advocates, contributing to the implementation of regional development blueprints including the Youth Development Strategy and Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Their responsibilities will encompass policy dialogue, community outreach, and representation at international forums aimed at accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

    The appointed representatives include: Rianka Chance (Chair, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Melissa Edwards (Anguilla), Amelia Williams and Shaquan O’Neil (Antigua and Barbuda), Kalan Alleyne and Jovanaa Ifill (Barbados), Angeleah Cupid (BVI), Loik Charles and Emmana Jeffers (Dominica), Kerri-Ann Marrast, Zinzee Noel, and Raheem Smith (Grenada), Hasani McDonald (St. Kitts and Nevis), and Davianne Alexander with Ethan Leandre (Saint Lucia).

  • Family of Slain Jennings Man Demands Justice as Investigation Continues

    Family of Slain Jennings Man Demands Justice as Investigation Continues

    The Jennings community is reeling from a brutal stabbing that claimed the life of a local man, prompting urgent calls for justice from his grieving family. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, has left a family shattered and a neighborhood demanding accountability.

    According to official reports, the victim was ambushed while seated in his vehicle with his nine-year-old son near the Valley Road service station at approximately 4:15 p.m. Despite sustaining a critical puncture wound to his right shoulder, the fatally injured man demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by driving toward the service station in a desperate attempt to secure medical assistance. He was rapidly transported to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:08 p.m.

    Family members and close associates have characterized the killing as a senseless tragedy that has irrevocably damaged multiple lives. A family spokesperson, identified as Jennifer, revealed the profound impact on the victim’s partner—mother to three of his children—who has been rendered inconsolable and unable to address the public. In emotional remarks to press, Jennifer highlighted the family’s anguish, stating, ‘It is profoundly unjust for a family to lose a son, father, uncle, and brother to violence rooted in mental health crises, particularly when systemic responses appear inadequate.’

    Eyewitness accounts suggest the initial assault occurred near the Kentish Road junction before the victim desperately sought help at the nearby service station. Those who knew him describe a devoted parent who prioritized his children’s wellbeing, actively participated in their daily routines, and generously shared his resources to ensure their care.

    As law enforcement continues its investigation, the family is advocating for a comprehensive and transparent investigative process. They seek not only justice but also meaningful closure, hoping that heightened public awareness will prevent similar tragedies in their community.

  • Teams Deployed Across Communities in Expanded Beautification Effort

    Teams Deployed Across Communities in Expanded Beautification Effort

    The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched a comprehensive national initiative targeting environmental beautification and sanitation, following a detailed Cabinet review of current conditions. Senior managers from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) presented a thorough assessment of public spaces, identifying critical issues requiring immediate intervention—including illegal dumping, litter accumulation, overgrown vegetation, and blocked drains.

    In response, Cabinet has endorsed an intensified cleanup campaign, mobilizing and reassigning multiple teams to priority communities. Key activities include the removal of litter and bulky waste, clearing overgrown trees and shrubbery, cleaning drains and watercourses, and enhancing public spaces and road verges. The initiative will be implemented through a coordinated multi-agency approach involving the Beautification Division of the National Housing Development and Urban Renewal Company and the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).

    Cabinet emphasized that environmental management is a central governance priority, directly linked to public health, environmental sustainability, tourism appeal, and national security. Overgrown and derelict areas not only affect aesthetics but also pose safety risks, facilitate pest breeding, reduce roadway visibility, and can conceal illicit activities. As such, the effort is framed as both a preventive and restorative measure.

    Residents, businesses, and community groups are urged to participate through proper waste disposal, property maintenance, and reporting illegal dumping. The government also plans to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to deter littering and non-compliance. The beautification drive will be executed in phases with ongoing monitoring to ensure lasting impact, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to remaining clean, safe, and welcoming for all.

  • Column: Journalistiek is niet het beschermen van maatschappelijk onrecht en macht

    Column: Journalistiek is niet het beschermen van maatschappelijk onrecht en macht

    A concerning societal expectation has emerged in Suriname where journalism is welcomed only when it doesn’t challenge protected interests. When media reporting becomes critically uncomfortable, accusations immediately surface alleging personal attacks, political agendas, or attempts to remove officials from power.

    This pattern manifested recently when panelist Giwani Zeggen on the radio program Welingelichte Kringen accused Starnieuws of intentionally damaging the Prosecutor General’s reputation through reporting about excessive compensation amounting to SRD 1.4 million. These allegations reveal more about persistent misunderstandings of journalism’s purpose than about the media outlet itself.

    The controversial reporting centered not on an individual but on the Judicial Position Act (Wet Rechtspositie Rechterlijke Macht). The salary calculation referenced wasn’t fabricated but derived directly from legal percentages, allowances, and tax-free compensations explicitly outlined in the legislation. The fact that administration expert Eugène van der San had previously raised this issue publicly doesn’t diminish the journalistic premise: when a law potentially enables monthly state-funded incomes exceeding SRD 1 million, it becomes inherently newsworthy.

    The suggestion that Starnieuws misled society because political discussions about judicial reforms are ongoing represents a diversionary tactic. Journalism doesn’t await politically convenient moments—it reports when information holds societal relevance, not when it comforts power holders or their defenders. The profession accepts no censorship and practices no self-censorship when matters of public interest are involved.

    What truly emerges here is a dangerous shift where systemic criticism becomes deliberately personalized to avoid substantive discussion. By framing reporting as attempting to undermine the Prosecutor General, attention divertes from the core issue: how can legislation in an economically vulnerable society justify such extreme income disparities within the public sector?

    Journalism exists not to shield officials from uncomfortable facts but to provide citizens insight into how power, laws, and public resources function. Those expecting media silence because certain individuals might become discussion topics essentially request public relations, not journalism.

    The same journalistic principles will apply to numerous mismanagement cases at ministries, government institutions, and state enterprises, including the State Health Insurance Foundation, Suriname Telecommunication Authority, Milk Center, and Grassalco.

    While media criticism remains legitimate and necessary in democratic societies, such criticism should rest on established journalistic standards—truthfulness, independence, fact-opinion separation, and social responsibility—as codified in international codes like the Bordeaux Code and adopted by the Surinamese Association of Journalists. Not all journalists consistently adhere to these standards, but this doesn’t grant anyone authority to position themselves as informal regulatory bodies without explicit reference to proper assessment criteria.

    The fundamental question remains: what institutional position empowers Zeggen to lecture journalists? While free expression rights remain unquestioned, professional authority requires substantive standards, not political suspicions or personal interpretations of intent. Through determined reporting, society has been served significantly, already prompting corrective measures—including cooperation from the judicial system. Journalists will continue their work without seeking approval or regarding personal status.

  • Government launches plan to eliminate obsolete wiring in Santo Domingo

    Government launches plan to eliminate obsolete wiring in Santo Domingo

    SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant collaborative effort to enhance urban safety and aesthetics, three major Dominican institutions have forged a strategic partnership to address the longstanding issue of disorganized overhead infrastructure in the capital city. The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel), the National District Mayor’s Office (ADN), and the Unified Council of Electricity Distribution Companies (CUED) have formally executed a cooperation agreement targeting the systematic removal of obsolete cabling and the comprehensive reorganization of urban wiring systems.

    The signing ceremony featured key leadership: Guido Gómez Mazara, President of Indotel’s Board of Directors; Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District; and Celso Marranzini, President of CUED. This tripartite initiative moves beyond mere aesthetic improvement, framing the infrastructure overhaul as a critical public safety imperative aimed at safeguarding pedestrians, motorists, and the overall urban environment from hazards posed by deteriorated and haphazardly installed wiring.

    Gómez Mazara characterized the agreement as a decisive transition from planning phases to tangible action, revealing that the project scope will exceed 300 kilometers of cabling across central and densely populated zones. Initial phases will prioritize the Colonial City, San Carlos, Cristo Rey, and other key districts. Mayor Mejía emphasized that eliminating hazardous wiring is fundamental to elevating resident well-being and commended the inter-institutional coordination essential for transforming Santo Domingo’s public realms.

    Marranzini reinforced that regulating overhead electrical infrastructure is vital not only for visual enhancement but also for ensuring reliable and continuous power service. The intervention will be implemented methodically through stages involving technical inspections, precise identification and labeling of active versus obsolete lines, safe dismantling procedures, area cleanup, and final validation by all involved parties.

    Operational responsibilities are clearly delineated: Indotel will helm regulatory coordination and project management, the ADN will oversee on-ground execution and public space reorganization, and CUED will provide specialized technical expertise for the secure handling of electrical components. The agreement further establishes a framework for continuous monitoring to guarantee effective implementation and deliver measurable outcomes in each revitalized neighborhood.