Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax and wife found dead in suspected murder-suicide

    Former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax and wife found dead in suspected murder-suicide

    A shocking tragedy has shaken the community of Annandale, Virginia, after former state Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife Cerina before taking his own life in their family home earlier this week, according to law enforcement and multiple media reports.

    The devastating incident unfolded while the couple’s two teenage children were inside the residence, authorities confirmed. It was their son who placed the emergency 911 call to alert first responders to the violence unfolding at the property. Fairfax County Police officers arrived at the scene in the hours after midnight on Thursday, where they discovered the bodies of both Justin and Cerina Fairfax inside the home.

    In comments to CNN, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis shared key details emerging from the initial investigation into the double death. Forensic evidence indicates that a single firearm was used in both the killing of Cerina Fairfax and Justin Fairfax’s subsequent suicide. Chief Davis added that the violence grew out of ongoing divorce proceedings between the couple, describing the marital split as “what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce.”

    Court records confirm that Justin Fairfax had recently been formally served with legal paperwork scheduling his next mandatory court appearance for the divorce case. Speaking to reporters, Chief Davis noted that divorce is an extremely common experience across the United States, with roughly half of all marriages ending in separation, but lethal violence stemming from these disputes is extraordinarily rare.

    “Half of America probably goes through divorce proceedings at some point in time and very, very rarely, thankfully, does it ever end up like this,” Davis told CNN. “So, very sad for this community…a lot of people who know the Fairfax family — everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked.”

    As of Friday morning, law enforcement has not released additional details about potential prior domestic incidents at the Fairfax home or the specific issues that were being contested in the divorce. Crime scene investigators remained at the property through the day on April 16, processing evidence and working to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the shooting, with photos from the scene showing a heavy police presence cordoning off the residential neighborhood.

  • Jamaicans for Justice presents $250,000 cheque to support residential child care facilities

    Jamaicans for Justice presents $250,000 cheque to support residential child care facilities

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — One of the Caribbean nation’s most prominent human rights advocates, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), has redirected proceeds from its popular annual fundraising event to deliver critical support to residential facilities caring for Jamaica’s state-placed children. On April 9, 2026, the organization formally presented a $250,000 cheque to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), marking a landmark contribution to post-hurricane recovery for youth care sites across the country.

    The contribution draws a portion of its total from proceeds generated by the 2025 edition of JFJ’s signature Run for Rights 5K Walk/Run. Normally, funds raised from this community event go toward sustaining JFJ’s core advocacy and service work, which includes free legal assistance for women surviving gender-based violence and marginalized communities facing systematic rights violations. But when Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica in October, leaving a trail of destruction to public and private infrastructure, the organization made the deliberate choice to shift this allocation to emergency recovery.

    The allocated funds will specifically target repairs and recovery programs for Child Care Facilities, the majority of which are privately operated residential sites that suffered damage ranging from minor structural harm to major destruction during the storm. Alongside the six-figure monetary donation, JFJ also collected thousands of pounds of non-perishable food, clothing, and essential hygiene products from Run for Rights participants and supporters, all of which have already been distributed to hard-hit parishes across the island in the wake of the hurricane.

    Supporting children in state care has been a central pillar of JFJ’s work for more than two decades, dating back to the early 2000s. Beyond direct financial assistance, the organization has carried out large-scale independent research into living conditions at state-overseen residential facilities, conducted comprehensive reviews of national child welfare legislation, and pushed for sweeping policy changes—including reforms to national adoption laws designed to advance deinstitutionalization and place more children in stable family homes. This latest donation represents a tangible extension of that long-running commitment to protecting the rights of Jamaica’s most vulnerable young people.

    “Normally, the proceeds from the Run for Rights are used to fund JFJ’s vital services, such as legal support to women affected by violence and marginalised groups whose rights are violated. However, following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, we decided to redirect the funds of the 2025 5K toward hurricane relief that will ultimately benefit children in residential care. We are proud that the generosity of our participants, supporters, and partners made that possible,” said Mickel Jackson, JFJ’s executive director.

    Venessa Parkinson, JFJ’s programme coordinator, emphasized that child welfare is non-negotiable to the group’s core mission. “JFJ’s work centers on protecting the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable. Supporting children in State care is a key part of that mission, as they depend on systems meant to safeguard their wellbeing. This contribution reflects our continued commitment to ensuring every child has access to care, protection, and opportunity,” Parkinson explained.

    JFJ closed by extending sincere gratitude to every participant, volunteer, donor, and corporate sponsor whose contributions made both the in-kind donation and the $250,000 contribution possible. Looking ahead, the organization has announced that the third annual staging of the Run for Rights 5K Walk/Run will take place on November 29, 2026, at Kingston’s iconic Hope Gardens.

  • Black River police issue high alert for UK child allegedly abducted and brought to Jamaica

    Black River police issue high alert for UK child allegedly abducted and brought to Jamaica

    Authorities in Jamaica’s St Elizabeth parish have ramped up a public safety alert for a young British child, Tau Kleio Rodriguez-Fairplay, who was allegedly abducted by her non-custodial parent and smuggled to the Caribbean island in violation of a formal UK court order. The six-year-old, a resident of Walthamstow in East London, was officially entered into missing person databases by local police in Black River on Thursday, April 9, 2026, more than two months after she was first taken from her primary residence in the UK.

    According to official accounts and statements from the child’s mother, Samar Rodriguez, a lecturer at the London School of Economics, the girl was taken by her ex-partner Athena Belle-Fairplay — also known by the alias Natalie Bartlett-Foster. The pair held a shared custody arrangement for Tau Kleio, and a UK court had explicitly barred the child from being removed from the country without prior written judicial approval. The alleged abduction unfolded in February 2026, when Belle-Fairplay failed to show up to a prearranged handover at a London train station, where she was supposed to return the child to Rodriguez following a scheduled visit.

    UK border officials have since confirmed that Belle-Fairplay flew to Jamaica with Tau Kleio just days after the missed handover, directly contradicting the standing court order. For months, Rodriguez has waged a public and private campaign to recover her daughter, speaking to both local and international media outlets to draw attention to her case, including an in-depth interview with UK national newspaper The Guardian. She even traveled to Jamaica personally and hired a private investigator to track down the pair, but so far all searches have turned up empty.

    Rodriguez has publicly voiced deep frustration with the Jamaican Central Authority (JCA), the government body tasked with upholding Jamaica’s international treaty obligations, including the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Local legal representatives who spoke to The Guardian confirmed that the case has been bogged down by repeated administrative delays, with the JCA insisting that it is Rodriguez’s personal responsibility to locate her ex-partner and daughter. In a formal response to the reporting, the JCA countered that the investigation has been slowed by the lack of a confirmed fixed address where the child might be staying.

    Complicating the case further, reporting indicates that official bodies have faced bureaucratic challenges formally classifying Tau Kleio as a missing person, due to the fact that she is in the care of one of her legal parents, despite the violation of custody and court orders.

    Black River police have released a detailed public description of the missing child to aid in community tips: Tau Kleio has a brown complexion, a medium build, stands approximately 104 centimeters (3 feet 6 inches) tall, and was last seen wearing a pink coat decorated with butterfly patterns. Law enforcement is urging any member of the public with information about Tau Kleio Rodriguez-Fairplay’s current location to contact the Black River police station at 876-965-2232, the national emergency police line at 119, or any nearby local police outpost immediately.

  • Small hotel poised for major repairs after fire

    Small hotel poised for major repairs after fire

    GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – April 15, 2026 – An unexpected early-morning blaze tore through a residential property in downtown Georgetown on Wednesday, jumping to an adjacent popular budget hotel and leaving local business owners facing significant repair work, even as no casualties were reported in the incident.

    The fire broke out shortly before 6:30 a.m. on Cummings Street, a central thoroughfare in the capital. It first swept through a wooden dwelling owned by Hugh Ross, a prominent Guyanese bodybuilder. Flames quickly spread from the home to the nearby four-story, 23-room Julian’s Hotel, Restaurant and Bar, located at the intersection of Cummings and Sixth Streets.

    Julian McEwan, the hotel’s founder and owner, told reporters on the scene that he was not on site when the fire started, and received an urgent alert about the blaze from a neighboring resident. While the fire caused severe destruction to Ross’ entire home, damage to the hotel was largely contained to the building’s middle floor – one guest room was completely destroyed, and several adjacent rooms suffered only minor fire damage. The southern outer concrete wall of the hotel suffered surface damage where plaster flaked off from intense heat, and a portion of the building saw extensive water damage to bedding, ceiling infrastructure and electrical wiring from firefighting efforts.

    Despite the damage, McEwan says he is determined to restore his business as quickly as possible, noting the hotel has been his life’s work. “Yes, this is my life! This is all I know now so I’m hoping that the insurance company works out something and let me get started and rebuild,” he told reporters Wednesday. Assessors from Hand-in-Hand Insurance were already on site within hours of the blaze to evaluate damage and process the claim.

    Eight guests were staying in the hotel at the time the fire broke out, including one visiting Guyanese national. Miraculously, no injuries were reported among any guests, staff or first responders, though some personal guest belongings were damaged by water used to put out the blaze.

    McEwan has already suspended all upcoming reservations at the hotel, including bookings tied to Guyana’s upcoming 60th independence anniversary celebrations. He is working with online booking platforms to relocate all upcoming guests to nearby accommodation while the hotel undergoes repairs.

    Julian’s Hotel is a well-known budget lodging option in central Georgetown, popular with international travelers and overseas-based Guyanese returning to the country. McEwan was quick to praise the rapid, effective response from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), which he credited with preventing far more catastrophic damage to his property. “Those guys did a fantastic job…The fire caught and was contained in one of my rooms when they got here. The response was great. They saved the building because if they didn’t contain that room, the entire internal structure would have been destroyed. They did a fantastic job in saving my property,” he said.

    GFS investigators remain on the scene Wednesday to probe the exact cause of the fire. No representatives from Ross’ property were available to speak with media Wednesday, though multiple family members were seen meeting with firefighters to discuss the loss. Photos from the scene show a visibly distressed dog standing among the charred rubble of Ross’ home near its damaged kennel, the only visible occupant remaining at the destroyed property.

    Investigators are expected to release a preliminary report on the fire’s cause in the coming days.

  • APUA Issues Continued Advisory on Phishing Attempts Targeting Customers

    APUA Issues Continued Advisory on Phishing Attempts Targeting Customers

    Cybersecurity threats targeting utility customers have prompted an official alert from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), which is calling on all its clients and inet users to stay on high alert amid a wave of ongoing phishing attacks. In a public notice released Wednesday, the organization clarified that neither APUA nor its subsidiary inet will ever reach out to customers via call, text, or email to demand sensitive private information, including account passwords, one-time passcodes, banking credentials, or any other data that could grant access to personal accounts.

    The unsolicited communications currently circulating are outright fraudulent, carried out by unethical actors whose sole goal is to trick users into handing over access details, allowing them to break into accounts and commit financial or identity theft. To help the public avoid falling victim to these malicious schemes, APUA has outlined clear, actionable safety guidelines for all customers to follow.

    First and foremost, consumers are told to never share any personal, financial, or account-specific information with unsolicited contacts who claim to represent the utility or its internet service. Second, under no circumstances should anyone disclose a one-time password to any person reaching out unexpectedly, regardless of how official the contact may appear.

    Beyond individual precautions, APUA is encouraging communities and families to look out for one another, particularly vulnerable groups that are statistically more likely to fall prey to these scams. The authority specifically highlighted elderly family members and loved ones as a high-priority group, noting that this demographic is often more susceptible to manipulation by fraudulent callers. Customers are urged to proactively share this safety information with older relatives and support them in identifying and avoiding suspicious communications.

    As investigations into these ongoing phishing attempts continue, APUA has expressed gratitude to the Antiguan public for their ongoing vigilance and cooperation in helping mitigate the spread of these scams, emphasizing that collective awareness is the most effective defense against consumer fraud.

  • Inland Revenue Department, UWI Mourn Passing of Rholanda Benjamin-Grant

    Inland Revenue Department, UWI Mourn Passing of Rholanda Benjamin-Grant

    Two major institutions in Antigua & Barbuda — the nation’s Inland Revenue Department and The University of the West Indies Global Campus Antigua & Barbuda — are publicly celebrating the life and enduring legacy of Rholanda Benjamin-Grant, a dedicated public servant whose 38-year career touched countless lives across government and academic circles. Benjamin-Grant passed away on March 18, 2026, at 57 years old, leaving behind a record of steady service and warm community connection that both organizations have highlighted in official tributes.

    Benjamin-Grant launched her career in public service in 1988, stepping into her first role as a clerical assistant with the Inland Revenue Department. Over nearly four decades of work, she climbed steadily through the department’s ranks, building a reputation for reliability and attention to detail across every position she held. Her career progression saw her serve as a junior clerk, senior clerk, revenue officer, assistant field auditor, and supervisor of data capture, before ultimately taking on the role of senior program monitoring officer.

    In an official statement released after her passing, the Inland Revenue Department opened by honoring the memory of its beloved former team member. The department emphasized that Benjamin-Grant fulfilled her duties faithfully across every role she occupied throughout her long tenure. Beyond her professional contributions, the department noted that she will be remembered for far more than consistent hard work and unwavering commitment to her role. Colleagues and leadership alike will hold onto memories of her quiet kindness and the steady, warm presence she brought to the department every day, a presence that will be deeply missed across the organization, the statement added.

    The UWI Global Campus Antigua & Barbuda also joined in mourning and celebration, drawing attention to the positive impact Benjamin-Grant made within the local higher education community. In its own tribute, the institution shared that it mourns her passing while celebrating the full, meaningful life she built. “With heavy hearts, we join in celebrating the life and legacy of Rholanda Benjamin-Grant,” the campus statement read, noting that her vibrant, energetic personality left a lasting mark on every person who had the chance to work alongside her or know her personally.

    The campus went on to confirm that Benjamin-Grant will be held in warm remembrance, and that her contributions to the community will never be taken for granted. Leadership extended its deepest sympathies to Benjamin-Grant’s immediate family and all loved ones who are grieving her loss. Both institutions have called on members of the Antigua and Barbuda public to pause and join them in reflecting on Benjamin-Grant’s life and the many contributions she made to the nation. The UWI Global Campus specifically encouraged local residents to set aside a moment to honor her memory and recognize the purpose-driven life she built over 57 years.

    Across both tributes, a consistent portrait emerges: Benjamin-Grant is remembered first and foremost for her lifelong commitment to lifting up her community through public service, and for the consistent, positive influence she brought to every space she entered.

  • Vakbond EBS vraagt ingrijpen president in conflict met directie

    Vakbond EBS vraagt ingrijpen president in conflict met directie

    On Tuesday, April 15, the Suriname Energy Workers’ Union (Ogem Werknemers Organisatie Suriname, OWOS) — the registered labor body representing employees of state-owned utility N.V. Energiebedrijven Suriname (EBS) — brought its long-running internal conflict with EBS management to the desk of Suriname President Jennifer Simons during a formal meeting at the Presidential Cabinet.

    The labor dispute recently escalated to a temporary work stoppage, making it a pressing priority for the union leadership to escalate the issue to the highest level of national government. OWOS Chairman Marciano Hellings emphasized that the ongoing tensions at the utility have reached a critical stage, demanding rapid intervention to restore stability to the organization, according to official statements from Suriname’s Communication Service.

    In response to the union’s appeal, the Presidential Cabinet has committed to facilitating structured dialogue between the union bargaining team and EBS executive leadership. President Simons announced she will conduct a thorough review of the dispute in the coming days before inviting both parties to sit down for direct negotiations. Her core goal for the mediation process is to de-escalate tensions and ensure the utility can continue its core operations without further disruption.

    Hellings voiced confidence in the president’s ability to mediate a fair resolution to the standoff. He noted that Simons has acknowledged the severity of the unrest at EBS and has given a formal commitment that she will not allow the crisis to drag on unresolved.

    Beyond the immediate labor conflict, Hellings underscored the critical strategic role EBS plays in both Suriname’s social fabric and broader national economy. With major new development projects on the horizon in Suriname’s fast-growing oil and gas sector, Hellings said EBS stands to capture significant new opportunities to expand its operations and contribute more to national growth — but those gains are only achievable with stable internal governance and a clear long-term strategy.

    “Everything hinges on strategic leadership, a transparent shared vision, and a concrete multi-year development plan,” Hellings said. “If that foundational structure is in place and organizational policy receives consistent support from all stakeholders, EBS can get back on a strong positive trajectory.”

  • APUA Installs New 10-Inch Pipeline on Buckleys Line, Night Works Underway to Improve Water Reliability

    APUA Installs New 10-Inch Pipeline on Buckleys Line, Night Works Underway to Improve Water Reliability

    A critical infrastructure upgrade project is currently underway along Buckleys Line, where a specialized team from the local Water Business Unit is executing overnight construction work to install a brand-new 10-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) water pipeline.

    Following the completion of the connection phase scheduled for this evening, the project will move into its next stage: comprehensive testing and formal commissioning of the new infrastructure, set to kick off tomorrow. This replacement work marks a key investment in the region’s water network, addressing long-standing issues plaguing the aging original pipeline that has suffered repeated ruptures and service disruptions in recent years. The modern HDPE pipeline being installed offers far greater structural strength and operational resilience, promising to deliver noticeably more stable and higher-quality water service to local residents and businesses once fully operational.

    To ensure worker safety and minimize traffic disruption, local authorities have enacted a temporary detour route for vehicles traveling through the area. Project organizers have issued a formal request for motorists to remain vigilant and reduce their speed when approaching the secured work zone to avoid accidents. The Water Business Unit has extended its gratitude to the local community for their patience and understanding during the construction period, noting that the short-term inconveniences will deliver long-term benefits by strengthening the overall reliability of the regional water service network.

  • APUA Mainline Upgrade Enters Final Phase on Newgate Street, Traffic Delays Expected

    APUA Mainline Upgrade Enters Final Phase on Newgate Street, Traffic Delays Expected

    The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Water Business Unit is putting the final touches on a critical water main upgrade project in St. John’s Point, a long-awaited infrastructure improvement that relies on durable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping to modernize the area’s aging water distribution network.

    The upgraded pipeline corridor runs along Newgate Street, stretching from the former site of the Barnes Funeral Home all the way to the intersection with Cross Street, covering a high-traffic stretch that serves both local residents and through traffic. As construction crews work to wrap up installation and connection work, road users traveling through the zone are being put on advance notice to adjust their travel plans. Temporary delays are unavoidable during this final construction phase, and some sections of Newgate Street will be fully closed to motor vehicles for short periods to accommodate safe work. The authority is urging all drivers to reduce speed and exercise extra caution when navigating any open sections of the work zone.

    APUA has publicly acknowledged that the construction work has caused significant disruptions to daily travel and damage to existing road surfaces, and the organization apologized for the inconvenience this has created for local businesses, residents, and regular commuters. To address concerns about post-construction road repair, APUA confirmed that it maintains ongoing, active communication with the Ministry of Works to coordinate full restoration of Newgate Street once the water main work is finalized.

    As the project moves into its closing days, APUA extended its gratitude to the St. John’s Point community for their understanding and cooperation throughout the upgrade process, noting that the new HDPE pipeline will deliver long-term benefits including more reliable water service and reduced risk of main breaks for area residents.

  • Greene Announces Wi-Fi Zones as Part of Youth and Digital Push in St. Paul’s

    Greene Announces Wi-Fi Zones as Part of Youth and Digital Push in St. Paul’s

    St. Paul’s Mayor Kate Greene has announced a transformative new initiative that will roll out free public Wi-Fi zones across high-traffic community areas, as part of a broader city-wide strategy to expand digital access and empower local youth. The project, which marks a key commitment to closing the digital divide, will target parks, community centers, public libraries, and after-school program hubs in underserved neighborhoods first — areas where large numbers of young residents lack reliable high-speed internet access at home.

    Greene emphasized that the initiative addresses a growing barrier to education, economic opportunity, and social connection that has persisted for low-income families in the city for years. In an official press briefing held at the city’s downtown community center, Greene noted that without consistent internet access, young people struggle to complete homework assignments, access remote learning resources, apply for colleges and entry-level jobs, and even connect with essential youth services.

    The Wi-Fi deployment is expected to begin within 90 days, with the first 12 zones fully operational by the end of the current calendar year. The city has partnered with local internet service providers to fund and install the infrastructure, with a mix of municipal budget allocations and regional digital equity grants covering the upfront and ongoing maintenance costs. City officials project that over 15,000 young residents across St. Paul’s will gain free, reliable access to high-speed internet through the completed rollout, which will eventually expand to 35 zones across the city.

    Beyond the physical Wi-Fi network, the broader youth and digital push includes complementary programming: digital literacy workshops for teens and preteens, free low-cost device lending programs through public libraries, and partnerships with local tech firms to provide mentorship and skill-building opportunities for young people interested in digital careers. Local education and community leaders have praised the initiative, framing it as a long-term investment in the city’s workforce and youth well-being that will help level the playing field for residents from all economic backgrounds.