Carib Scope

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  • Nobel Laureate Festival returns January 6 under theme of legacy and future impact

    Nobel Laureate Festival returns January 6 under theme of legacy and future impact

    Saint Lucia is poised to host its prestigious 33rd annual Nobel Laureate Festival, a month-long celebration running from January 6 to February 4 dedicated to honoring the island nation’s extraordinary intellectual legacy. The festival pays tribute to two of the Caribbean’s most distinguished minds: Sir Arthur Lewis, awarded the 1979 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his groundbreaking work in development economics, and Sir Derek Walcott, who received the 1992 Nobel Prize in Literature for his poetic achievements.

    Under the resonant theme “Celebrating Excellence: Honoring our Legacy, Shaping our Tomorrow,” this year’s iteration seeks to bridge historical achievement with contemporary inspiration. Festival organizers emphasize the continuing relevance of both laureates’ contributions and the imperative for current generations to build upon their foundational work.

    At the festival’s official launch, Chairperson and Governor General Emerita H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy addressed potential skeptics directly: “Some may have dismissed our laureates’ achievements as historical artifacts with diminishing contemporary relevance. However, we must recognize that the trees whose shade we now enjoy were planted by those who preceded us—visionaries who often never lived to witness the full fruition of their labor.”

    Delia Dolor, Public Relations Coordinator and Committee Member, highlighted Saint Lucia’s remarkable distinction of having one of the world’s highest per capita rates of Nobel Prize winners. “This festival not only commemorates past brilliance,” Dolor stated, “but also embraces our responsibility to ignite future innovation and cultivate a more prosperous future for our nation and the global community.”

    The festival’s diverse programming spans multiple venues across Saint Lucia, blending established traditions with innovative new events. Highlights include two memorial lectures: The Sir Derek Walcott Memorial Lecture, titled “An Listwa Manmay San Liv” and delivered by acclaimed Saint Lucian-Canadian author Professor Canisia Lubrin (January 20), and The Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture on “Economic Principles for the 21st Century” presented by Professor Sir Timothy Besley of the London School of Economics (January 22).

    Additional featured events encompass a comprehensive Celebrating Excellence Video Series with distinguished guests, the inauguration of the History House in Soufrière with a specialized exhibition, creative forums, literary awards, theatrical tributes, educational workshops, and ceremonial wreath-laying at the laureates’ resting places. The festival culminates with the Sagicor Schools’ Choir Competition, showcasing young musical talent inspired by the nation’s intellectual heroes.

    Complete scheduling information and regular updates are available through the official Event Programme on the Festival’s Facebook presence (@nobellaureatefestivalsaintlucia) or via direct inquiry at (758) 284-2111 and info@ddmediarelations.com.

  • Authorities intensify search for missing 3-year-old Girl in Puerto Plata

    Authorities intensify search for missing 3-year-old Girl in Puerto Plata

    PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – A large-scale, multi-agency search operation is intensifying in Puerto Plata’s Imbert municipality for three-year-old Brianna Genao Rosario, who vanished on New Year’s Eve. The child was reported missing around 5:00 p.m. on December 31 from the community of Barrero, last seen wearing a pink dress.

    The search effort represents a significant coordination of national resources, bringing together the National Police, Imbert Civil Defense, specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) units from the Dominican Republic Air Force, the volunteer organization Amber Rescue, and technical teams from the 911 National Emergency and Security System.

    In a strategic escalation of the operation, authorities have deployed advanced technological assets, including high-precision surveillance drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles are conducting systematic scans of challenging terrain, including dense rural woodlands and the banks of a nearby river system, to capture imagery that might reveal critical clues.

    The investigation took a potentially crucial turn when rescue personnel discovered a single flip-flop sandal on the bank of a tributary. Authorities have preliminarily identified the footwear as belonging to the missing child, making it a pivotal piece of evidence that is currently focusing the search efforts in specific areas.

  • Dominican Republic welcomes first babies of 2026

    Dominican Republic welcomes first babies of 2026

    The Dominican Republic ushered in 2026 with profound symbolism as multiple maternity hospitals across the nation reported their first newborns just after midnight. These inaugural births, representing hope and renewal for Dominican families, were celebrated as national milestones marking a fresh beginning.

    At the stroke of midnight, San Lorenzo de Los Mina Maternity and Children’s Hospital witnessed the country’s first birth—a baby boy delivered via cesarean section weighing 5.9 pounds. The newborn, delivered to 19-year-old Marianny Encarnación from Samaná, arrived under the care of a multidisciplinary medical team with both mother and child reported in stable condition.

    Hospital director Armando Camejo emphasized the profound significance of these symbolic births, noting that each new arrival embodies optimism and continuity for the nation’s families. The institution further solidified its status as a national reference point by also delivering the first baby of 2025, creating a meaningful tradition around New Year’s deliveries.

    Other major maternity centers simultaneously marked their own inaugural births for 2026. Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia University Maternity Hospital welcomed healthy baby girl Yaidelyn via cesarean procedure at 6:49 a.m., the infant weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces. Concurrently, Dr. Reynaldo Almánzar Maternity Hospital recorded the arrival of Samara de los Santos Hernández, an 8-pound newborn delivered by cesarean section in perfect health, adding to the nationwide celebrations of new life and hopeful beginnings.

  • Mayor’s Office leads post-holiday cleanup after large New Year gatherings

    Mayor’s Office leads post-holiday cleanup after large New Year gatherings

    In a sweeping post-celebration initiative, the National District Mayor’s Office of Santo Domingo mobilized extensive cleanup crews in the early hours of New Year’s Day to address the aftermath of massive public gatherings. The operation targeted key celebration zones across the capital that had hosted thousands of revelers welcoming 2026.

    Crews confronted challenging weather conditions along the Malecón waterfront, where they systematically cleared debris from Eugenio María de Hostos Park and the critical intersection of George Washington and Máximo Gómez avenues. This location had served as the primary venue for the Telemicro concert series, attracting substantial crowds.

    The cleanup effort extended to the Don Bosco sector, site of the historic 55th Drunkard’s Rally, where teams worked diligently to restore normalcy. Additional operations focused on Abraham Lincoln Avenue near La Lira Park and the Linconazo area, plus Cristo Park and Paseo del Río Avenue – all locations that had witnessed significant public gatherings during the year-end festivities.

    The comprehensive sanitation drive demonstrated the municipality’s proactive approach to maintaining urban cleanliness following large-scale public events, ensuring the capital’s public spaces were promptly returned to their pre-celebration state despite the persistent rainy conditions that complicated cleanup operations.

  • Youth charged with murder

    Youth charged with murder

    Barbados law enforcement authorities have formally charged a minor with murder following a violent incident that resulted in the death of Timothy Trotman last month. Adae Xavier Scott, a 17-year-old resident of Military Road in Bush Hall, St Michael, now faces serious criminal charges in connection with the alleged homicide that occurred on December 22, 2025.

    The Criminal Investigations Department in District ‘A’ executed the arrest and subsequent charging of the teenager, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. According to official police statements, the case involves a fatal stabbing that has sent shockwaves through the local community.

    Scott is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before the District ‘A’ Criminal Court on Friday, January 2, where formal proceedings will commence. The case represents another troubling instance of youth involvement in violent crime, raising concerns about juvenile delinquency and public safety measures on the island.

    The Barbados police force has emphasized its commitment to thorough investigation and due process in handling this sensitive case. As the judicial process moves forward, community leaders and law enforcement officials are calling for calm while awaiting the court’s determination of facts and eventual adjudication of the matter.

  • Teen to face court on murder charge

    Teen to face court on murder charge

    A significant development has emerged in Barbados’ judicial system as authorities formally pressed murder charges against Malik Isiah Blackman, a 16-year-old resident of Bush Hall, St Michael. The charges stem from the fatal incident involving Andy Arthur, which occurred on December 21, 2025.

    The Barbados Royal Police Force confirmed that the juvenile suspect, residing at 4th Avenue on Park Road, now faces the gravest of criminal accusations within the island nation’s legal framework. The judicial process will commence with Blackman’s initial court appearance scheduled for January 2, 2026, at the District ‘A’ Criminal Court in Bridgetown.

    This case marks another serious criminal proceeding involving juvenile defendants within the Caribbean community. Legal experts note that the timing of the court appearance—scheduled during the traditional holiday period—underscores the judiciary’s commitment to addressing violent crimes without unnecessary delay. The case will proceed under Barbados’ legal statutes regarding juvenile offenders tried as adults for severe offenses.

    The community of Bush Hall, typically known as a peaceful suburban area, has expressed shock over both the tragic loss of life and the young age of the accused. Local authorities have increased community outreach programs while emphasizing the importance of due process and comprehensive investigation before reaching judicial conclusions.

  • Trio remanded on firearm related, other charges

    Trio remanded on firearm related, other charges

    Three young Barbadian men have been remanded to Dodds Prison following their appearance at the Oistins Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Facing an extensive list of firearm-related and criminal charges, the defendants include Lennox Ramon Whitehall (18, Gall Hill, Christ Church), Romel Ryan Nanton (20, Round Rock, Silver Sands, Christ Church), and Rishon Ricardo Walcott (17, Hill Side, Gall Hill, Christ Church).

    Acting Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna presided over the hearing where the trio, allegedly involved in multiple criminal incidents across Bridgetown and Southern divisions between October and December 2025, were not required to enter pleas for the indictable offenses. The court has scheduled their next appearance for Monday, January 26, 2026, with case transfers to specialized criminal courts scheduled for early January.

    The charges reveal a pattern of serious criminal activity including multiple counts of firearm use, aggravated burglary, serious bodily harm, and assault with intent to rob. Whitehall and Nanton face joint charges including the serious bodily harm of Shawn Freeman and wounding with intent against Dianna Freeman-Maynard on November 16, 2025. Whitehall and Walcott are jointly charged with the aggravated burglary of Babb’s Minimart and theft from Stephen Babb on November 15, 2025.

    Additional charges span multiple incidents across both divisions, including multiple aggravated burglaries at commercial establishments such as KG’s Minimart, T&T Variety, Best Mart Inc, and J’s Variety. Whitehall individually faces the most extensive list of charges, including endangering life, robbery, and multiple firearm offenses across different dates in October, November, and December 2025.

    The case has been distributed across judicial districts with District ‘A’ matters transferred to Criminal Court No. 2 for January 6, 2026, and District ‘B’ matters proceeding to the District ‘B’ Magistrates’ Court on January 7, 2026.

  • Man allegedly kills nephew during row over what to cook

    Man allegedly kills nephew during row over what to cook

    A tragic domestic altercation over meal preparation has resulted in murder charges against a 59-year-old Diamond resident. Emmanuel Matthews stands accused of fatally stabbing his nephew, Brandon Child of Villa, during a heated argument reportedly concerning whether to cook rice or “sauce food” on December 29, 2025.

    Matthews made his initial appearance before the Serious Offences Court on Old Year’s Day, where Chief Magistrate Colin John formally presented the indictable charge. The court proceedings revealed that Matthews was not eligible for bail at this preliminary stage of the judicial process.

    The magistrate ordered Matthews remanded in custody until February 2, 2026, when the case will receive its next hearing. Magistrate John explicitly instructed the lead investigator, Detective Constable 227 Jemmy Arthur, to ensure complete preparedness for the upcoming court date.

    According to verified reports from iWitness News, the lethal confrontation emerged from what would otherwise be considered a mundane household decision regarding dinner options. The violent escalation of this culinary disagreement resulted in the death of Child, transforming an ordinary family discussion into a fatal incident that has shocked the local community.

  • One Dead After Mango Creek Bar Shooting

    One Dead After Mango Creek Bar Shooting

    A night of social gathering turned deadly at Timmy’s Bar in Mango Creek as a shooting incident resulted in nine casualties, with one victim subsequently succumbing to injuries. Keith Logan was identified as the fatal victim who died following the violent attack that occurred during what witnesses described as a regular social evening.

    Law enforcement authorities confirmed that multiple gunshot victims were transported to medical facilities for emergency treatment, though the current conditions of the surviving eight victims remain undisclosed. Preliminary investigations indicate that the perpetrators fled the crime scene utilizing motorcycles as their getaway vehicles.

    The investigation remains active with no suspects currently in custody. Police are appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the identification and apprehension of those responsible for the violent outbreak that has shaken the Mango Creek community.

  • Man charged with multiple offences over alleged kidnapping

    Man charged with multiple offences over alleged kidnapping

    A St. Vincent and the Grenadines man facing serious criminal charges has been ordered to remain in custody pending further judicial review. Kyle Providence, an Ottley Hall resident, appeared before the Serious Offences Court on December 31st, 2025, confronting allegations of kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal firearm possession stemming from an incident in Arnos Vale.

    The prosecution, represented by Sergeant of Police Shamrock Pierre, successfully opposed bail during Wednesday’s hearing. Pierre emphasized the gravity of the charges and the preliminary stage of the investigation, noting that authorities continue to pursue both a person of interest and a firearm believed to be connected to the case. Detective Constable Kemelia Boyd of the Criminal Investigations Department has identified approximately six witnesses and is currently documenting their statements.

    Providence, who appeared without legal representation, expressed concerns about his ability to secure counsel while incarcerated. He acknowledged his right to obtain a lawyer but noted practical limitations, stating he could neither arrange legal representation nor access necessary funds from prison. “In the same way that the police want to be well prepared, I want to be well prepared,” Providence told the court.

    Chief Magistrate Colin John ultimately remanded Providence in custody until January 8, 2026, allowing additional time for investigative procedures. The charges specifically allege that on December 28, 2025, Providence unlawfully abducted Jolisha Tash, 31, and Omari Millington, 17, both from Edinboro. Additionally, he stands accused of stealing Tash’s gold iPhone 16 Pro-max valued at £2,000 while armed with a firearm, and possessing an unlicensed weapon.

    The case connects to a broader police investigation that began after reports emerged Monday of a kidnapping involving two individuals. According to official statements, masked assailants forcibly transported the victims from Arnos Vale to Belair around 1:30 a.m. on December 29th, with the minor reportedly sustaining injuries during the incident. Police encountered a suspect vehicle along Belair Public Road, resulting in occupants firing toward officers before fleeing. While one suspect remains at large, another individual, Jamal McMaster, surrendered to authorities Wednesday accompanied by his attorney.