Carib Scope

分类： society

  • US green card holder found dead at rental house in Hanover; spouse being questioned by police

    US green card holder found dead at rental house in Hanover; spouse being questioned by police

    A man who holds a United States passport remains in police custody in Hanover, Jamaica, for interrogation following the discovery of his wife’s body at the couple’s rented residence in the parish, local law enforcement has confirmed. The pair, along with their infant child, had been living in the Bulls Bay region of Hanover for roughly 12 months leading up to the fatal incident, according to initial details from the investigation.

    Assistant Commissioner Glenford Miller, head of the area’s police division, has publicly confirmed the woman’s death as a homicide. However, the senior officer noted that the investigation is still in its early stages, and no official conclusions have been drawn about who is responsible for the killing. The victim’s remains were located in a bedroom of the rental property, and investigators have not yet released additional identifying details about the couple to the public.

    Local community members first alerted authorities to suspicious activity in the pre-dawn hours, when they spotted the man traveling along the main highway toward the nearby town of Lucea while carrying the couple’s young baby. Alarmed by the unusual timing and circumstances of the sighting, residents contacted the Hanover police to report their concerns, which prompted officers to respond and take the man into custody. The infant has been placed in the care of local child protective services while the investigation proceeds, according to unofficial law enforcement sources.

    Police have confirmed that they are continuing to process evidence from the crime scene and interview potential witnesses as they work to piece together the events leading up to the woman’s death. No formal charges have been filed against the man in custody as of press time, and investigators are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Hanover police hotline.

  • Woman traumatised after boyfriend killed

    Woman traumatised after boyfriend killed

    Three days after 23-year-old Aljaron Stubbs was gunned down just steps from his Elizabeth home, his grieving girlfriend of five years is opening up about the senseless violence that stole her partner and left her grappling with lifelong trauma. The woman, who has requested anonymity to protect her safety, spoke exclusively to The Tribune, detailing the chaotic moments when bullets began flying and the lasting nightmare that has followed the attack.

    The tragedy unfolded shortly before 3 p.m. on a Thursday last week, near the intersection of Antigua Street and Barbados Avenue. On that day, Stubbs—who had been released on bail pending trial for multiple pending charges including conspiracy to murder and murder—had just wrapped up a court appearance. His girlfriend, who was on a lunch break from work, was alongside him as the pair headed toward their home.

    When they noticed an unfamiliar vehicle parked near their residence—one that had also been spotted loitering in the area earlier that morning—they made the split-second decision to seek shelter in a nearby neighbor’s yard instead. But their attempt to avoid danger came too late: gunmen traveling in a pale-colored Japanese-made car pulled into the neighborhood and immediately opened fire on the couple.

    Stubbs’ girlfriend told reporters she immediately dropped to the ground and began praying as bullets rang out around her. It was only when she stood up moments later to check on Stubbs that she realized the attack had already been fatal. “By the time as I get up and ask him ‘baby, you okay?’ That was it. He was then gone,” she recalled. In the chaos of the shooting, she did not even notice immediately that a bullet had grazed her own back.

    In the three days since the murder, the trauma has already upended the young woman’s life. She told reporters she struggles to sleep through the night, constantly woken by vivid nightmares of the attack, and often finds herself reliving the shooting during waking hours. She has stepped away from her job temporarily to focus on processing her grief, describing a constant state of disorientation and anguish in the days after the attack. “In the morning, when it first happened, I felt like I was going crazy,” she said.

    The pain of Stubbs’ violent death has hit especially hard, she explained. “I know everybody gotta go one day, but it’s how you go. That’s the part that hurt me. If he had gone to bed and didn’t wake up, I would have felt better,” she said. Stubbs’ relatives have also been unable to process the sudden loss; multiple family members became inconsolable at the crime scene and had to be restrained by responding police officers.

    While court records confirm Stubbs faced serious pending charges—including the 2023 murder of Jorge Cuevas and conspiracy to murder Detective Sergeant Raphael Miller, plus additional charges of attempted murder and firearms possession—he had repeatedly denied all allegations. His girlfriend acknowledged that Stubbs was not a perfect man, but insisted he had been working to turn his life around in the months before his death. She also pushed back against constant police scrutiny he faced after his release on bail, noting “Every other week, coming to lock him up and bothering him. Ain’t nobody’s perfect. Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty.”

    Before the shooting, the unemployed 23-year-old had been making concrete plans for a new, law-abiding future: he had told his girlfriend he planned to open a car wash business the following month, and purchase three motorbikes to rent out for extra income. The couple was also getting ready to celebrate their sixth relationship anniversary in October, with plans for a professional photo shoot and a weekend of activities to mark the milestone.

    The surviving victim says she has left justice for Stubbs’ killers up to a higher power, noting that “every dog got their day.” She said she will deeply miss her partner, whom she described as a quiet, easygoing person who was her safe place. The trauma of the attack has left her convinced she will never be able to form another close romantic bond: “I don’t think I could go in another relationship for as long as I live. I can’t take that,” she said. “I don’t want to get attached to anybody anymore because that was my safe place.”

    Looking at old photos of the couple together still reduces her to tears, so she has tried to avoid keeping those mementos out where she will see them. “Every now and then, like looking at our pictures and stuff like that, I try not to look at it, because it just made me break down and cry but, it’s really ain’t easy,” she said.

    As of this report, law enforcement has not made any arrests in connection with Stubbs’ murder. According to Tribune records, the killing brings the total number of murders recorded in the country so far this year to 27.

  • Honourable Spencer Brand Minister responsible for Disaster Management in the Nevis Island Administration Address to mark the Start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season

    Honourable Spencer Brand Minister responsible for Disaster Management in the Nevis Island Administration Address to mark the Start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season

    Marking the official start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season on June 1, Honourable Spencer Brand, the Nevis Island Administration’s Minister responsible for Disaster Management, has delivered a public address urging collective preparedness across the Caribbean island, even amid forecasts for a quieter-than-average storm cycle.

    Opening his remarks, Brand emphasized that shared unity and proactive planning have long been Nevis’ most reliable defense against extreme weather, drawing on the island’s past experience navigating hurricane threats. He highlighted two core institutional commitments the government is reinforcing for this season: turning forecast data into prompt, actionable action for all groups, and centering communities in emergency response.

    Under the first commitment, meteorological data from leading agencies will be used to issue timely public alerts, translated into clear, practical steps for households, local businesses and public agencies to follow. For the community-centered response framework, Brand noted authorities have expanded local disaster committees, completed additional training for volunteer response teams, and streamlined emergency operation protocols to cut response times when supporting vulnerable residents.

    Brand also tied hurricane preparedness to broader climate action, acknowledging that human-caused climate change has amplified storm intensity, shifted regional rainfall patterns, and put increased pressure on Nevis’ coastal ecosystems. He shared the official 2026 season outlook from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which projects an 55% probability of a below-normal season, a 35% chance of a near-normal season, and just a 10% chance of an above-normal season. Between 8 and 14 named storms (packing winds of 39 mph or higher) are forecast for the full season, with 3 to 6 strengthening to hurricanes (winds of at least 74 mph). Of those, 1 to 3 are expected to reach major hurricane strength (Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds exceeding 111 mph).

    Despite the favorable forecast, Brand stressed that complacency poses a major risk to the island. “It only takes one storm to cause irreparable damage to our island home,” he said, urging all residents and visitors to rush final preparations to completion. He framed the island’s hurricane adaptation plans as tightly integrated with long-term sustainable development goals, designed to protect current livelihoods while preserving Nevis’ natural heritage for future generations.

    Brand issued targeted preparedness guidance for different sectors of the population: for business leaders and small entrepreneurs, he advised diversifying supply chains, maintaining emergency stockpiles, and setting up cash-flow contingency plans; for local farmers, he recommended securing irrigation infrastructure, sheltering livestock, and implementing erosion control measures for croplands; for all households, he urged families to draft a clear emergency evacuation plan, assemble a well-stocked go-bag, identify a designated safe space in their home, and memorize the location of their nearest public emergency shelter.

    Brand listed all approved public emergency shelters across Nevis’ parishes: In St. Thomas’ Parish, shelters are located at Jessup’s Community Center, Cotton Ground Community Center, and Barnes Ghaut Community Center; St. James’ Parish hosts a shelter at Franklyn Browne Community Center; St. George’ Parish shelters are at Ebenezer Church of God and Charles L. Walters Community Center; St. John’s Parish operates a shelter at Pond Hill Community Center; and St. Paul’ Parish hosts emergency capacity at the Girls Guides Headquarters.

    He closed by urging all people on the island to review evacuation routes regularly, update emergency contact information with local authorities, and take all preparedness guidance seriously regardless of the season forecast. Brand also extended formal gratitude to Brian Dyer, Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department, Deputy Director Jack Ngumbah, all department staff, volunteer response teams, cross-sector partners, and regional and international organizations for their ongoing work to protect Nevis and its residents.

    “Let us face this season with vigilance, compassion, and resolve. By working together, Nevis will emerge stronger, safer, and more resilient,” Brand said, closing his address with a blessing for the island, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the wider Caribbean region, and all residents ahead of the storm season.

  • Community Advocate Chaneil Imhoff Nominated for Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Award

    Community Advocate Chaneil Imhoff Nominated for Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Award

    A well-respected community advocate from Antigua and Barbuda, Chaneil Imhoff, has earned a prestigious nomination for the Community & Cultural Icon Award at the 2026 Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards, marking recognition for her years of dedicated work advancing public welfare across the region.

    In a public statement shared following the announcement of nominees, Imhoff expressed her deep gratitude for the honor, writing, “I’m honoured to be nominated for the Community & Cultural Icon Award at the Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards 2026.” The long-time community organizer emphasized that the nomination is not just a personal acknowledgment, but a reflection of the ongoing impact of her nonprofit organization WISH, which has centered its mission on three key pillars: expanding public access to mental health resources and education, creating opportunities for youth to build leadership skills, and lifting overall community wellbeing across Antigua and Barbuda.

    “This nomination reflects the work we continue to do through WISH and our efforts to advance mental health awareness, youth empowerment, and community wellbeing,” Imhoff clarified, highlighting the collective effort behind the recognition. The upcoming 2026 Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards, an event that celebrates the contributions of extraordinary women driving change across the Caribbean, is set to be hosted in the British Virgin Islands, with events running from June 25 to June 30, 2026.

    Looking ahead to the award selection process, Imhoff has reached out to members of the public and her local and regional network to request their support through the public voting phase of the competition. She also took the opportunity to extend sincere thanks to all her existing supporters, who have offered consistent encouragement and backing for WISH’s work throughout the years. The nomination puts a spotlight on the critical role of local community organizing in the Caribbean, and highlights how grassroots work focused on mental health and youth development is gaining regional recognition.

  • Surinamese nationals charged with drug offences

    Surinamese nationals charged with drug offences

    A targeted anti-narcotics operation carried out by the Barbados Police Service has led to serious drug-related charges against three citizens of Suriname, law enforcement officials have confirmed.

    The three accused — 33-year-old Farino Revelino Bergmans, 41-year-old Celita Saskia Aloewanai, and 21-year-old Kylie Bretni Banga — each face four separate cocaine-linked charges: possession of the controlled substance, possession with intent to supply, drug trafficking, and illegal importation of cocaine. All offences are alleged to have occurred on May 23, 2026, according to official charging documents filed by the Barbados Police Narcotics Unit.

    During the operation, officers seized approximately 1.2 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine from Bergmans, a haul with an estimated street value of $60,000 Barbadian dollars. He made his first initial court appearance Saturday before Magistrate Alison Burke at the District ‘A’ Traffic Court, where he was not permitted to enter a plea at this stage of proceedings. The judge ordered Bergmans remanded into the custody of the Barbados Prison Service at Dodds, with his next court listing scheduled for June 4.

    Authorities allege Aloewanai was in possession of roughly 1.1 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at an estimated $55,000, while Banga is accused of holding 1 kilogramme of the drug worth approximately $50,000.

    Both Aloewanai and Banga are set to make their first court appearances at the District ‘B’ Magistrates’ Court on June 1, as the legal process around this large-scale drug seizure moves forward.

  • All Saints Road Detour in Effect Sunday for Major Infrastructure Works

    All Saints Road Detour in Effect Sunday for Major Infrastructure Works

    The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Works has issued an official public advisory announcing upcoming large-scale infrastructure upgrades along a key stretch of All Saints Road (ASR), located between the Fresh and Easy Supermarket and the Bellevue Service Station. As part of the broader government-led All Saints Road Project, this construction work will require a full temporary traffic diversion that will go into effect starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, 31 May 2026, and remain in place until 7:00 a.m. the following Monday morning.

    Drivers traveling outbound from the city center will follow a clearly marked alternate route: after passing the Fresh and Easy Supermarket, motorists will make a right turn, then rejoin the main All Saints Road corridor via the junction at Bellevue Heights Service Station. For those driving inbound toward the city, the detour requires a left turn at the Bellevue Heights Service Station before following marked roads back to the main ASR route.

    To minimize traffic disruption and keep commuters moving safely, trained traffic flaggers will be positioned at key points along the detour to direct vehicle flow. Permanent and temporary road signs will also be installed along the entire alternate route to guide drivers traveling in both directions. Crucially, local residents who live within the immediate construction zone will retain full access to their properties throughout the work period, and all commercial operations along the affected stretch of road will remain open for customers as normal.

    Authorities stress that drivers should stay alert in the area, as heavy construction machinery will be operating in close proximity to the work zone. Motorists are strongly encouraged to comply with all directions from on-site personnel and posted signage to support safe travel through the area. Project organizers have asked all road users, including local commuters and commercial transport operators, to revise their travel plans ahead of time to account for potential unexpected delays during the construction window.

    Members of the public with questions or concerns about the upcoming road work or detour arrangement can reach the Project Implementation Management Unit directly by phone at 562-9173 during regular operating hours.

  • Onderwijsbonden bundelen krachten: landelijk beraad, leerkrachten blijven thuis morgen

    Onderwijsbonden bundelen krachten: landelijk beraad, leerkrachten blijven thuis morgen

    In a coordinated announcement made on May 31, multiple education unions across Suriname have declared a nationwide work stoppage, set to begin Monday, June 1, following years of broken commitments, overdue pay, and unfulfilled policy agreements with authorities. The unified industrial action, called a “landelijk beraad” or national consultation, requires all participating teaching staff to stay home from work until official negotiations deliver tangible, actionable results, union leaders confirmed.

    The strike brings together a broad coalition of Surinamese education organizations: all five member unions of the Federation of Organizations of Teachers in Suriname (FOLS) – SOB, KOB, COB, BLTO, and IOB – are joined by the Teachers’ Union (BvL), the Alliance for Teachers in Suriname (ALS), the Syndicate for Educators, and the Suriname Higher Education Teachers Union (DoHOS), which has pledged full solidarity. The Association of Scientific Staff at the University (VWPU) has also expressed public understanding for the industrial action, signaling widespread discontent across all levels of the country’s education sector.

    Union organizers emphasize that the decision to strike comes after years of unaddressed demands. A comprehensive list of educator requests has been on the table for policymakers for an extended period, with almost no meaningful progress toward implementation. Most critically, thousands of teaching staff across Suriname still await rightfully owed payments, including end-of-year gratifications, correct salary scale adjustments, overdue allowances, and other legally mandated financial benefits. Some educators have waited for these funds since 2020; many have already retired without receiving what they are owed, and a number have passed away never accessing their entitled compensation.

    Beyond immediate financial grievances, unions warn that the ongoing neglect of educator needs has triggered an alarming brain drain crisis that threatens Suriname’s long-term educational quality. Persistent financial insecurity and professional demotivation have pushed hundreds of qualified, experienced teachers to leave the profession entirely, seeking higher-paying roles in other domestic sectors or relocating abroad to secure stable incomes for their families. This steady outflow of educational expertise, unions argue, does irreversible damage to the life prospects of Suriname’s younger generation, eroding the foundation of the country’s public education system.

    “Enough is enough,” the coalition stated in a joint signed declaration. Union leaders note that educators have fulfilled their professional responsibilities to students and communities for years, and it is now time for government authorities to meet their legal and contractual obligations. The work stoppage will remain in place until the coalition receives an official invitation to negotiations focused not on new empty promises, but on immediate implementation of the full demands package and resolution of all outstanding financial commitments.

    The unified bloc makes clear it will no longer accept delays, postponements, or non-binding commitments from authorities. Describing the work stoppage as a defining line in the sand, the unions said in their closing statement: “No more words, no more excuses, no more delays. It is time for action, respect, and results.”

  • Humanitarian eyewear donation to benefit visually impaired Saint Lucians

    Humanitarian eyewear donation to benefit visually impaired Saint Lucians

    A cross-regional humanitarian partnership has delivered nearly 4,000 pairs of recycled eyewear to Saint Lucia’s Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons, bringing much-needed vision support to thousands of visually impaired and low-income residents across the island.

    The donation, which includes mostly gently used frames alongside complementary assistance supplies, is the result of four straight years of coordinated work between the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Martinique, Lions Clubs International chapters across Martinique, and the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association. What began as a school-based recycling project in the Martinique town of Rivière-Salée has grown into a sustained initiative that marries environmental action with community care, according to project organizers.

    Allison Joseph, Consul General of Saint Lucia in Martinique who led the coordination effort, highlighted the power of regional solidarity to deliver tangible change at the handover ceremony for the donation. She noted that the project brings two critical goals together: advancing circular economy principles through recycling, and lifting up marginalized communities that lack consistent access to affordable vision care. “This initiative reflects the quiet but important work being done to improve the lives and livelihoods of Saint Lucians,” Joseph said. “It also demonstrates how recycling and community support can come together to positively impact vulnerable persons.”

    The project traces its roots to environmental education programs for local schoolchildren in Rivière-Salée, where students collect used eyeglass frames that would otherwise be thrown away, then prepare them for redistribution as humanitarian aid. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in Saint Lucia’s Department of Equity, called the donation a far more impactful contribution than it may appear at first glance. She emphasized that improved vision directly translates to improved quality of life for recipients, and praised the program for instilling core values of compassion, environmental responsibility, and community service in young participants from an early age. “What may appear to be a simple donation is in fact something very significant because it helps people see better and live better lives. We deeply appreciate this continued spirit of generosity toward the people of Saint Lucia,” Dr. Hippolyte Emmanuel shared.

    Anthony Avril, Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association, which will lead distribution of the eyewear across the island, noted that the donation cuts down on the cost of vision care for low-income clients. While clinical eye examinations and custom prescription lenses still incur costs for recipients, the donated frames eliminate one of the most significant upfront expenses for people living on limited incomes. Avril also echoed organizers’ praise for the initiative’s environmental benefits, noting that repurposing pre-owned frames cuts down on global consumer waste while meeting a pressing public need.

    Pierre Eric Gaillard, Vice President of the Lions Club of Rivière-Salée, added that the initiative aligns with the century-long core mission of Lions Clubs International: advancing accessible vision care for underserved communities worldwide. The organization’s longstanding guiding mission frames its members as “knights of the blind in the fight against darkness,” and Martinique’s local chapters have built a robust eyewear collection network partnering with local schools, businesses, and optical providers to source usable frames for redistribution. “In Martinique, we have been collecting eyewear for many years through partnerships with schools, businesses and optical networks, all in the spirit of solidarity and service,” Gaillard explained.

    Moving forward, the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association will work alongside the Department of Equity to distribute the donated frames to eligible people in need across all regions of Saint Lucia. Department officials have extended formal gratitude to all participating partners for their ongoing commitment to humanitarian service, environmental stewardship, and improving outcomes for vulnerable Saint Lucian communities.

  • St. Philip’s North Residents Invited to Land and Housing Consultation

    St. Philip’s North Residents Invited to Land and Housing Consultation

    Local authorities in the St. Philip’s North region have issued a public invitation calling on all residents across the area to take part in an upcoming consultation centered on land planning and housing sector development. The initiative is designed to gather on-the-ground feedback from community members about existing land use challenges, unmet housing needs, and long-term development visions for the area. Organizers have noted that input from ordinary residents will play a core role in shaping final policy and planning frameworks that align with the community’s actual priorities. Further details about registration, consultation timelines and participation channels are expected to be released in the coming days to ensure broad public access.

  • Governor-GeneraL leads tribute to Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Centenarians

    Governor-GeneraL leads tribute to Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Centenarians

    The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis marked its annual Centenarians Day on May 31, 2026, with a series of official tributes recognizing the lives, legacy, and lasting contributions of residents aged 100 years and older, aligned with the national government’s ongoing commitment to supporting older citizens.