Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Patron of Girl Guides delivers feature address on World Thinking Day

    Patron of Girl Guides delivers feature address on World Thinking Day

    Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership joined youth organizations in a significant celebration of World Thinking Day and Founders Day during a special service at Spring Gardens Moravian Church last Sunday. Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams participated alongside leaders from both the Girl Guides and Scouts Associations, highlighting the national importance of youth development programs.

    Lady Williams, serving as Patron of the Girl Guides Association, delivered the keynote address centered on this year’s theme of ‘Our Friendships.’ She expressed profound encouragement witnessing young people gathered in worship and unity, emphasizing that the movement extends beyond skill acquisition and badge earning to fundamentally encompass relationship building.

    The address highlighted previous campaigns where Guides across the island demonstrated support against gender-based violence, which Lady Williams characterized as ‘true friendship’ and ‘the magnetism of unity.’ She encouraged uniformed body members to diligently work toward qualification for the prestigious 2026 Guiding Light Award and medal, presented by the Halo Foundation.

    Significant recognition was given to the Girl Guides for recently hosting their inaugural Talent Show and Thinking Day Pageant. Lady Williams noted that workshops leading to the ‘Power of Friendship Pageant’ effectively built solidarity and teamwork, indicating the group’s progression toward intensified and inspiring camaraderie through innovation and collaboration.

    The Governor General’s contributions were also acknowledged, with Sir Rodney Williams providing active leadership and steadfast support to the Scouting movement as the nation’s Chief Scout. His ongoing commitment will be demonstrated later this month when he chairs the Annual General Meeting of the Antigua and Barbuda Scouts Association at Government House, reinforcing his dedication to organizational strengthening at all levels. This engagement underscores the critical role of Scouting and Guiding in developing character and confidence among youth.

    The service was coordinated under the leadership of Chief Commissioners Mrs. Patricia Salmon (Scouts) and Mrs. Suzette Spencer-Burton (Guides), with Reverend Judy Winspeare-Philip serving as officiating minister.

  • President calls for end to school stigma on Parkinson visit

    President calls for end to school stigma on Parkinson visit

    In a profound address that blended personal history with national policy, Barbados President Jeffrey Bostic delivered an impassioned plea at Parkinson Memorial Secondary School on Thursday, challenging the nation to abandon its entrenched practice of school categorization. The presidential visit transformed into a deeply reflective journey as Bostic responded viscerally to musical performances that evoked memories of his childhood in the Emmerton and Chapman Lane communities—neighborhoods demolished during his youth to make way for Bridgetown’s sewage treatment plant.

    “There are moments that still bring tears,” President Bostic revealed with raw emotion. “I stood witness as bulldozers leveled our homes—these communities represented the finest living experience of my life, unmatched by any since.” Following vibrant welcoming ceremonies featuring the Cadet Corps, where Bostic once served, the focus shifted to the institution’s remarkable legacy.

    The Head of State systematically dismantled perceptions about the school’s standing, highlighting its exceptional record of producing leaders across Barbados’ public service, entertainment, and cultural sectors. “The outstanding achievements of Parkinson alumni should never remain obscured,” Bostic asserted. “From senior ministry officials to cultural innovators, this institution has consistently excelled across every field imaginable.”

    Bostic specifically confronted the societal tendency to classify educational institutions based on outdated stigmas, urging citizens to “accentuate institutional successes” rather than perpetuate hierarchical categorization. He further cautioned against overvaluing academic credentials, stating: “Certificates alone cannot define success; without learning life’s essential lessons—discipline, humanity, and respect—true education remains incomplete.”

    Breaking from conventional formalities, the event featured dynamic student engagement, including a thought-provoking question-and-answer session. President Bostic challenged students to envision themselves as the nation’s leader for ninety seconds, prompting Upper Fifth Form student Makia Hinkson to articulate that “excellency does not emerge overnight” but through “persistent effort, consistency, and enduring late nights.”

    The President emphasized the critical importance of incorporating youth perspectives, revealing that previous school visits have generated “exceptionally valuable insights” currently shaping presidential initiatives. This approach signals a transformative shift toward transparency and mutual respect between the nation’s highest office and its educational institutions.

    Adding powerful testimony, Presidential Aide-de-Camp Captain Tevin Maynard—a Parkinson alumnus—returned to his educational roots with a compelling message: “Excellence shows no discrimination nor preferential treatment.” Captain Maynard identified “relentless tenacity and self-discipline” as the sole prerequisites for achievement, encouraging students to “embrace productive discomfort” throughout their developmental journey.

  • Skelet aangetroffen langs zijweg van Javaweg in Lelydorp

    Skelet aangetroffen langs zijweg van Javaweg in Lelydorp

    Authorities in Lelydorp have launched a comprehensive investigation following the grim discovery of human skeletal remains on Wednesday afternoon. The finding occurred approximately 300 meters along a private roadway branching off Javaweg, marking a significant development in local law enforcement activities.

    Police units responded to an urgent notification regarding potential human remains in the vicinity of address number 188 along Javaweg. Upon arrival at the specified location, officers encountered a complete human skeleton with a particularly disturbing feature—the skull was deliberately covered with a sweater, adding an unsettling dimension to the discovery.

    The immediate perimeter was secured as a controlled crime scene, with forensic specialists and relevant authorities promptly notified to initiate detailed examination procedures. The comprehensive forensic investigation aims to determine crucial details including cause of death, approximate time since death, and potential identification markers.

    Current investigations face significant challenges as the individual’s identity remains completely unknown. The circumstances surrounding the placement of the remains and the distinctive characteristic of the covered skull have prompted investigators to consider various possibilities, including criminal activity.

    Local law enforcement officials have confirmed the ongoing nature of the investigation, emphasizing their commitment to utilizing all available scientific and traditional investigative methods to establish the facts surrounding this case. The community awaits further developments as authorities work to unravel the mystery behind these unsettling remains.

  • School girl in critical condition from man’s stab wounds

    School girl in critical condition from man’s stab wounds

    A violent assault has left a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Heathburn Village, East Bank Berbice, battling life-threatening injuries after being repeatedly stabbed by a 28-year-old male assailant. The Guyana Police Force confirmed the horrific incident occurred on Tuesday evening, February 23rd, at approximately 7:40 PM.

    According to official police statements, the suspect arrived at a residence where the teenager was present, leading to a confrontation that escalated into extreme violence. During the altercation, the attacker inflicted multiple stab wounds across the victim’s body before fleeing the scene.

    Emergency services transported the critically injured girl to New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, where medical personnel immediately provided emergency treatment. She remains hospitalized in the Emergency Unit with her condition described as critical by authorities.

    The perpetrator has reportedly gone into hiding, prompting an intensive manhunt by law enforcement agencies. Police investigators have launched a comprehensive operation to locate and apprehend the suspect, who faces serious criminal charges for the attack.

    Law enforcement officials have assured the public that their investigation will thoroughly examine all aspects of the case, including potential motives and circumstances leading to the violent encounter. The police force emphasized their commitment to pursuing all relevant legal violations stemming from this disturbing incident.

  • Leo Club of St George’s celebrates 56 years of service

    Leo Club of St George’s celebrates 56 years of service

    The Leo Club of St. George’s marks a historic milestone this year, celebrating 56 years of continuous community service and youth development under the theme “56 Years of Service, Honouring the Past, Serving the Future.” As one of the Eastern Caribbean’s most enduring Leo Clubs, this Grenada-based organization has established itself as a cornerstone of social development through generations of leadership training and community outreach.

    Club President Leo Danika Baptiste (2025-2026) expressed both honor and responsibility in leading during this anniversary year. “Serving as President during our 56th year is both a privilege and a responsibility I hold with great pride,” Baptiste stated. “As we honour the past and serve the future, I am grateful for the leaders who paved the way and inspired by the members who continue to strengthen our impact.”

    The anniversary celebration encompasses two months of diverse activities demonstrating the club’s multifaceted approach to service. These initiatives include religious observance through an Annual Church Service at St. George’s Baptist Church, where members joined with their parent organization, the St. George’s Lions Club, in thanksgiving for 56 years of fellowship.

    Substantive service projects form the core of the celebration. Members conducted youth outreach at Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, engaging residents through recreational activities, hair braiding sessions, and motivational character-building talks. The Brighter Futures School Support Initiative, developed in partnership with Grenadian Published Authors Inc., brought reading engagement and school supply donations to kindergarten and first-grade students at St. George’s Methodist School.

    Future environmental initiatives include Project Beach Clean across St. George parish scheduled for March, aligning with Lions International’s global environmental protection cause, and Pawsitive Impact, a collaboration with the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to support sheltered animals.

    The anniversary program also emphasizes member development through capacity-building workshops. A Virtual Communications Workshop on February 11th featured training facilitator and communications strategist Roslyn Douglas, while a February 21st Project Management workshop was conducted by specialist Johnny Calliste.

    Social cohesion receives attention through the Colours Picnic Social on February 28th, where members will gather wearing designated colors and sharing corresponding snacks, fostering unity and camaraderie within the organization.

    Throughout its history, the Leo Club of St. George’s has implemented significant initiatives including Back-to-School Supplies Drives, Annual World Cleanup Day coastal cleanups, Christmas food hamper distributions for vulnerable families, youth leadership workshops, drug prevention programs, and the beautification of the Sendall Tunnel.

    The club’s legacy includes nurturing generations of young leaders who have emerged as prominent figures in Grenada’s business and community sectors. As the organization celebrates this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to addressing evolving community needs while maintaining the spirit of service that has defined its 56-year history.

  • St Martin’s Primary School admin and students commemorate deceased staff member

    St Martin’s Primary School admin and students commemorate deceased staff member

    The St. Martin Primary School community is enveloped in grief following the recent demise of Jacqueline Jackson, who served as the institution’s Hygiene Warden with exceptional devotion. School authorities confirmed her passing, highlighting her significant contributions to maintaining impeccable health standards across the campus.

    Jackson was renowned for her steadfast commitment to ensuring a sanitized and secure learning atmosphere for both pupils and educators. Her approach to duties blended meticulous attention with a genuine concern for community welfare, earning her widespread respect.

    In an official tribute, school representatives characterized Jackson as a pillar of quiet strength who executed her responsibilities with notable care and dignity. “Her absence creates a profound void within our educational family,” the statement conveyed.

    The school’s administration has extended profound sympathies to Jackson’s relatives and acquaintances during this period of bereavement. The collective is offering spiritual support and encouraging remembrance of the positive legacy she instilled through her service.

    Concluding their memorial message, the institution expressed hope for Jackson’s eternal peace: “May her soul find perpetual rest,” reflecting the deep sentiment shared by all associated with St. Martin Primary School.

  • Cabinet hails Twin I Payne’s repeat Agrifest success in St Croix

    Cabinet hails Twin I Payne’s repeat Agrifest success in St Croix

    The Caribbean agricultural community is celebrating the remarkable achievement of Antiguan farmer Twin I Payne, who has secured the top prize at the prestigious Agrifest in St. Croix for an unprecedented second consecutive year. Representing Twin Stod Enterprise, Payne’s exceptional livestock and crop presentations outshone competitors at the United States Virgin Islands’ premier annual agricultural exhibition, earning him top honors from the judging panel.

    In response to this extraordinary accomplishment, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has extended official congratulations, characterizing the win as a monumental moment of national pride. Government ministers emphasized that Payne’s repeated success demonstrates both the exceptional quality standards and innovative approaches emerging from the nation’s agricultural sector while significantly enhancing its regional reputation.

    The administration has demonstrated its commitment to supporting agricultural excellence by approving financial assistance to cover participation costs associated with the event. This support mechanism represents a strategic component of broader governmental initiatives designed to foster competitiveness and recognize outstanding achievements within the agricultural industry.

    Looking forward, the government has pledged ongoing support for farmers representing Antigua and Barbuda at regional and international competitions. Officials highlighted the dual impact of such accomplishments: inspiring the next generation of agricultural professionals while simultaneously contributing to national food security objectives and building resilience within the domestic food production system.

  • St Lucian is first English-speaking Caribbean native to gain MD from Morocco

    St Lucian is first English-speaking Caribbean native to gain MD from Morocco

    In an unprecedented academic achievement, Dr. Kerrone Courtney Stanislaus has etched his name in the annals of Caribbean educational history by becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean national to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree from Morocco’s prestigious Mohammed V University in Rabat. The historic graduation ceremony took place on February 13, 2026, marking the culmination of years of rigorous medical training and research.

    The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission confirmed that Dr. Stanislaus represents multiple firsts: the inaugural medical graduate from Saint Lucia, the pioneering citizen from the Eastern Caribbean region, and the first English-speaking Caribbean student to achieve this distinguished qualification from the North African kingdom.

    Dr. Stanislaus’s doctoral research broke new ground in oncology support care with his thesis titled “The Impact of Physical Exercise Therapy on Cancer Patients: Clinicians’ Perspective.” His innovative work exploring how structured physical activity interventions can improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients earned him the university’s prestigious thesis graduation award.

    This milestone achievement symbolizes the strengthening educational partnership between Morocco and Caribbean nations. Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Stanislaus expressed profound gratitude to the Moroccan government for their hospitality and educational support system. “My heartfelt appreciation goes to the Kingdom of Morocco for its generosity and for offering an enriching educational environment that made this achievement possible,” he stated.

    The personal dimension of his success was equally poignant. Dr. Stanislaus dedicated his accomplishment to his late mother, who had passionately supported his medical aspirations but passed away at the beginning of his academic journey. “I want to dedicate this moment to my mother, who invested everything in me becoming a doctor, but she just wasn’t here to see it happen,” he shared emotionally.

    This pioneering achievement underscores Morocco’s expanding educational outreach to the Caribbean region. Annually, the North African nation offers up to 20 fully-funded scholarships to each OECS member state for undergraduate and master’s level studies. Currently, over 100 students from Eastern Caribbean nations are pursuing various disciplines in Moroccan institutions, including approximately 32 in medical and pharmaceutical fields.

    The application window for these scholarships runs from May to July each year, providing valuable opportunities for students from Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to access world-class education through this bilateral educational partnership.

  • Small craft, high surf advisory remains in effect for Barbados

    Small craft, high surf advisory remains in effect for Barbados

    Barbados remains under an extended marine hazard alert as meteorologists warn of persistently dangerous ocean conditions continuing through the coming week. The Barbados Meteorological Service (BMS) has maintained both small craft and high surf advisories due to threatening marine patterns developing from a significant low-pressure system in the central Atlantic.

    Ocean swells measuring between 2.0 to 3.0 metres (8-10 feet) are creating hazardous conditions for maritime activities and coastal areas. These powerful northerly swells present substantial risks to smaller vessels and beachfront infrastructure. The meteorological agency emphasized the increased potential for loss of life, injuries, and property damage along the island’s coastline.

    According to the BMS release, the turbulent conditions are expected to persist due to a developing Atlantic high-pressure system that will maintain strong surface winds and continued sea agitation. Beach erosion has been reported across numerous coastal areas, with many beaches completely submerged, particularly along cliff bases and during high tide cycles.

    The advisory specifically cautions small craft operators about the operational challenges posed by large open-water swells, while warning beachgoers of dangerous breaking waves. Authorities recommend using only beaches with active lifeguard supervision and securing all loose coastal property.

    The meteorological service will reassess the situation on Saturday, February 28th at 6:00 a.m., or earlier if marine conditions significantly change. The current alert criteria involve sustained winds of 20-25 knots, sea swells of 2.5-3.0 metres, and/or reduced visibility forecasts within 36-hour periods.

  • Exuma man dies as airport lights fail

    Exuma man dies as airport lights fail

    A systemic failure in emergency medical infrastructure has come under intense scrutiny in The Bahamas following the tragic death of a 76-year-old man. Alston Rolle, a dementia patient, passed away after an air ambulance dispatched to evacuate him from Exuma to a advanced medical facility in New Providence was forced to abort its mission. The aircraft, circling the Exuma International Airport, was reportedly unable to land due to inoperative runway lighting, a critical safety violation.

    The incident unfolded on the night of February 18th. A’neasha Rolle, the patient’s daughter, recounted the agonizing experience of waiting with her father in a ground ambulance, watching the rescue aircraft circle overhead at least four times before it ultimately departed, low on fuel, without completing its mission. The patient was returned to the Exuma Healthcare Facilities Clinic for overnight observation, where he was placed on oxygen. Despite assurances that a second flight would be arranged after 6 a.m., Ms. Rolle received a call that morning informing her of her father’s death hours earlier, around 4 a.m.

    The tragedy has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. Chester Cooper, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP, confirmed an official investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas is underway, noting that preliminary checks had found the runway lights operational at sundown. The family’s grief is compounded by further allegations, including a discrepancy in the recorded time of death and the unauthorized removal of Mr. Rolle’s body from the local morgue without family consent.

    This case has ignited a broader political and public debate over the chronic inadequacy of healthcare services for the Out Islands. Debra Moxey-Rolle, a political candidate, condemned the situation as a dangerous systemic failure rather than a mere inconvenience, highlighting that emergency flights are often the only lifeline for residents requiring critical care not available locally. The incident underscores a pervasive issue of infrastructure neglect and its dire human costs.