Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Dominica Lions Club members and district governor make courtesy call to president Sylvanie Burton

    Dominica Lions Club members and district governor make courtesy call to president Sylvanie Burton

    In a significant demonstration of civic engagement, the Dominica Lions Club delegation, accompanied by the District Governor of Lions Clubs International District 60B, was formally received by Her Excellency President Sylvanie Burton at the presidential residence on January 16, 2026. This high-level courtesy call formed an integral component of the District Governor’s official agenda, highlighting the organization’s sustained commitment to national development through voluntary service.

    The dialogue centered on the Lions Club’s multifaceted contributions to Dominican society, particularly their impactful interventions in healthcare accessibility, youth development programs, disaster response coordination, and community enhancement initiatives. The District Governor articulated the organization’s strategic vision for the region, emphasizing three core priorities: enhancing service delivery effectiveness, cultivating leadership capabilities among members, and expanding participatory engagement across the district’s operations.

    President Burton expressed profound appreciation for the organization’s dedicated service, acknowledging both its local impact and global humanitarian network. She specifically emphasized the critical role of civil society organizations in fostering social cohesion and driving national progress, with particular commendation for engaging young men in constructive community activities. The President also recognized the Leo Club’s instrumental role in shaping youth development trajectories through structured mentorship and service opportunities.

    The Dominica Lions Club reaffirmed its institutional commitment to maintaining collaborative partnerships with national stakeholders while continuing to operationalize the Lions Clubs International motto, “We Serve,” through concrete community-driven projects and humanitarian interventions.

  • Reception held to honour repeat visitors

    Reception held to honour repeat visitors

    Amid global instability and evolving geopolitical landscapes, Barbados maintains its position as a secure and dependable travel destination, according to Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill. The minister’s remarks came during a special reception at Bide Mill Great House in St. George on Friday evening, honoring visitors with exceptional loyalty to the island nation.

    Addressing an audience of repeat travelers, Gooding-Edghill emphasized Barbados’ unwavering commitment to visitor safety and satisfaction. “You can be absolutely confident that Barbados continues to offer a secure environment for relaxation, dining, and vacationing,” he assured, while encouraging attendees to both maintain their visitation patterns and promote the destination within their personal networks.

    The event specifically recognized tourists who have demonstrated remarkable dedication, with all honorees having visited Barbados for a minimum of 25 consecutive years. The minister characterized these longstanding visitors as indispensable partners in maintaining the vitality of the tourism sector.

    “This evening we acknowledge your steadfast connection to our nation and your extraordinary achievement of making 25 or more visits to our island paradise,” Gooding-Edghill stated. He highlighted their substantial economic contributions and role in sustaining the tourism industry’s longevity, particularly noting the meaningful relationships built between visitors and Barbadian hospitality professionals.

    The minister further elaborated on the strategic importance of loyal tourists, describing them as key ambassadors who enhance sector resilience through personal recommendations to family and peers. In a special recognition, Gooding-Edghill commended local operator Gaird ‘G’ Charles of G Fish Watersports for providing exemplary service to a visitor with disabilities, citing such actions as emblematic of the values that foster repeat tourism.

  • Kromosoeto krijgt een jaar strafvermindering in CBvS-zaak

    Kromosoeto krijgt een jaar strafvermindering in CBvS-zaak

    The Court of Justice of Suriname has delivered its appellate ruling in the case against Ginmardo Kromosoeto, former director of Surinamese Postal Savings Bank (SPSB), reducing his prison sentence from five to four years. The decision, announced on January 19th, represents a partial victory for the defendant while maintaining significant criminal penalties.

    The appellate court’s reduction stemmed specifically from Kromosoeto’s acquittal on charges of participating in a criminal organization. Judicial authorities determined that prosecuting Kromosoeto on this particular charge was unjustified, as several other defendants in the broader SPSB case had not faced similar allegations. This prosecutorial inconsistency influenced the court’s sentencing considerations.

    Despite the sentence reduction, Kromosoeto remains in detention related to the SPSB matter, having already spent over two and a half years in preliminary custody awaiting trial outcomes. His defense attorney, Murwin Dubois, had previously petitioned for his client’s release from pretrial detention, but the court denied this motion.

    The case has drawn attention to Suriname’s judicial processes, particularly regarding white-collar crime prosecution. The Public Ministry had initially sought an eight-year prison term, significantly harsher than both the original and revised sentences. Kromosoeto’s reduced sentence still includes a substantial financial penalty of SRD 150,000 (approximately $40,000 USD), with a 12-month incarceration alternative should he fail to payment.

  • Lawyers concerned about delay in hearing sex cases involving children

    Lawyers concerned about delay in hearing sex cases involving children

    Senior legal professionals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are raising urgent concerns about systemic delays plaguing the judicial processing of child sexual offense cases, warning that prolonged timelines are causing secondary trauma to young victims.

    Bar Association President Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell highlighted the alarming pattern during a special High Court session, noting that cases involving children under 13 face particularly egregious delays. While acknowledging the anecdotal nature of the evidence, Barnwell cited concrete examples where victims aged 8 at the time of violation reached 11 years or older before their cases reached trial.

    The procedural bottleneck creates devastating consequences for victims who must relive their trauma years after the incidents. Barnwell emphasized that teenagers often face additional psychological barriers including shame and reluctance to testify, potentially compromising justice. She called for systemic reforms to ensure cases are resolved within two years to minimize retraumatization.

    Attorney Grant Connell reinforced these concerns with disturbing accounts of child sexual abuse, including a pregnant 11-year-old victim rendered nearly catatonic by her experience. Connell advocated for strengthened legislation and enhanced police powers to address what he described as rampant abuse against minors.

    Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Duane Daniel acknowledged the regional nature of the problem, citing limited court capacity with only one criminal High Court currently operational. However, he noted that some delays stem from necessary psychological assessments to determine victims’ readiness for testimony, emphasizing the balance between expediency and preventing retraumatization.

    The legal experts collectively emphasized that addressing the crisis requires coordinated improvements across investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial processes, with particular attention to vulnerable child victims.

  • One dead, multiple injured in Vieux Fort collision

    One dead, multiple injured in Vieux Fort collision

    A devastating head-on collision in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Sunday evening resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns in the island nation.

    The fatal incident occurred approximately at 7:05 p.m. near Il Pirata, involving a private automobile and a passenger minibus. Preliminary evidence from social media footage suggests the car, operated solely by Viclann Gollet Joseph, appears to have crossed into the opposing traffic lane moments before impact with the oncoming minibus.

    Emergency response teams from the Saint Lucia Fire Service arrived promptly at the scene to discover nine individuals sustaining various injuries. Joseph was found without vital signs in his vehicle. Despite immediate life-saving measures and rapid transportation to a medical facility, he was subsequently pronounced dead.

    The minibus driver required specialized extrication by rescue personnel after being trapped within the damaged vehicle. Medical assessment confirmed injuries to both lower limbs. Seven additional passengers from the minibus sustained multiple trauma injuries, including significant head and chest trauma alongside other bodily injuries.

    All injured parties received preliminary emergency treatment at the location before being transferred to healthcare facilities for comprehensive medical attention.

    The tragedy has sparked emotional responses across social media platforms, with friends and acquaintances memorializing Joseph as an ambitious individual and dedicated automotive enthusiast known for embracing life passionately.

    Local authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation to determine the precise causation factors behind the collision. In response to this incident, government officials have reiterated urgent appeals for enhanced road safety awareness and increased vigilance among motorists, emphasizing the critical importance of cautious driving behaviors on national roadways.

  • Tsunami Ready Initiative Launched in Barbuda

    Tsunami Ready Initiative Launched in Barbuda

    Barbuda has officially initiated a groundbreaking Tsunami Ready program, marking a significant advancement in the island’s disaster preparedness strategy. The collaborative effort, spearheaded by the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) and the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was formally launched during a high-level meeting with Barbuda Council Chairman John Mussington and local emergency service leaders.

    The program’s inauguration featured a series of hands-on activities, including comprehensive site evaluations of designated tsunami evacuation routes. These critical assessments form the foundation for developing a bespoke evacuation map, meticulously designed to address Barbuda’s unique geographical and infrastructural landscape. The data collected will directly inform the implementation of robust infrastructure and refined evacuation protocols, aiming to optimize response times during actual tsunami emergencies.

    Chairman Mussington emphasized the existential necessity of tsunami preparedness, noting the characteristically minimal advance warning associated with such events. He articulated a vision of communal solidarity, stating, ‘It’s going to take teamwork,’ and called for widespread public participation in the upcoming Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise this March. This annual drill is positioned as a cornerstone of the community’s proactive strategy, underscoring a shared responsibility for public safety.

    The overarching ambition of the Tsunami Ready initiative is to cultivate an enduring culture of vigilance and readiness across Barbuda. By integrating public education, active community engagement, and strategic preemptive planning, the program seeks to equip every resident with the essential knowledge and practical resources needed to navigate tsunami threats effectively, thereby substantially bolstering the island’s overall resilience.

  • LETTER: No Animal Food

    LETTER: No Animal Food

    Antigua’s agricultural sector is confronting a severe animal feed shortage crisis that has escalated in early 2026, exposing critical vulnerabilities in the nation’s food supply chain. Farmers report that the essential weekly feed shipment from Jamaica failed to arrive without explanation, leaving feed shops completely depleted and poultry operations in jeopardy.

    The supply interruption has had immediate devastating consequences for small-scale farmers whose livelihoods depend on egg-laying chickens. Many were unable to feed their flocks throughout last week, directly threatening their primary source of family income. The situation raises alarming questions about the island’s preparedness for actual emergencies, with farmers questioning how the system would withstand hurricanes or other disasters given its current fragility.

    This crisis represents the culmination of years of systemic problems within Antigua’s animal agriculture support infrastructure. The closure of Abbot farm shop previously forced many farmers to abandon sheep and goat operations due to the unavailability of basic veterinary supplies like wormers. The Poultry Association’s takeover of feed distribution from Abbott has reportedly worsened the situation, creating concerns about equitable access to limited resources.

    Small farmers now openly challenge whether larger operations receive preferential treatment while their own birds go hungry. The agricultural community warns that the situation has reached critical levels, demanding immediate government intervention and long-term strategic planning to secure sustainable feed sources and disaster-resistant supply chains.

  • Road deaths climb to five; three recorded in St Philip so far this year

    Road deaths climb to five; three recorded in St Philip so far this year

    Barbados is confronting a severe road safety emergency as official police statistics reveal five traffic-related deaths within the first weeks of 2024. The eastern parish of St Philip has emerged as a particular area of concern, accounting for three of these tragic incidents.

    The most recent fatalities occurred during a devastating Sunday afternoon period. At approximately 3:18 PM along Searles Road in Christ Church, a collision between a motorcyclist and a motorvan proved fatal. According to police reports, the vehicles were traveling in opposing directions when the crash occurred at the Leadvale junction. Despite being rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the motorcycle rider succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident.

    Merely thirty minutes later, tragedy struck again along Crane Road in St Philip. At around 3:45 PM, a bicyclist and motorvan collided while both traveling toward Rices. The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, marking the second fatality within an hour.

    These recent incidents follow earlier deadly crashes this month. A two-vehicle collision on Carrington Road in St Philip claimed two lives, while St Michael recorded another fatality when a pedestrian was struck by a truck near Kensington Oval on President Kennedy Drive.

    Barbados Police Service has launched comprehensive investigations into all cases. Authorities are urgently appealing to the public to exercise heightened caution and adhere to traffic regulations as the nation grapples with this alarming pattern of road tragedies.

  • Gandhi Seva Sangh Inc launches Season for Non-Violence

    Gandhi Seva Sangh Inc launches Season for Non-Violence

    In response to escalating crime rates and social fragmentation, Trinidad and Tobago will initiate a transformative 64-day Season for Non-Violence from January 31 to April 4. Organized by the Gandhi Seva Sangh Inc, this grassroots campaign invites citizens to engage in reflective practices and actionable steps toward peaceful conflict resolution.

    The initiative emerges as a strategic countermeasure to widespread interpersonal conflicts, anxiety, and community violence plaguing the nation. Developed originally by the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in collaboration with descendants of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the program redefines non-violence as an active discipline requiring courage and emotional intelligence rather than passive acceptance.

    Contrary to common misconceptions that equate non-violence with weakness, the program emphasizes its role as a practical toolkit for managing anger, healing trauma, and resolving disputes through measured responses. The organizers identify a critical societal gap: the lack of widespread knowledge about practicing non-violence under pressure.

    The daily social media-based campaign will disseminate principles including compassion, respect, forgiveness, and self-control—one for each day of the 64-day period. Participants are encouraged to not only consume this content but actively implement these values in personal interactions, workplaces, and communities.

    This initiative operates on the foundational belief that national development originates from individual transformation. By fostering emotional intelligence and ethical clarity at the personal level, the program aims to generate ripple effects across families, schools, and ultimately, the entire nation.

    Citizens can participate by following the Season for Nonviolence TT Facebook campaign, reflecting on daily principles, sharing content to amplify peaceful messaging, and practicing principles in daily life. Additional information is available through WhatsApp, email, or social media platforms.

  • Dr Nicole Solomon joins Children’s Life Fund board

    Dr Nicole Solomon joins Children’s Life Fund board

    In a significant development for Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare sector, Dr. Nicole Solomon, an accomplished consultant paediatric nephrologist at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, has been formally appointed to the board of management of the Children’s Life Fund Authority (CLFA). The appointment was officially confirmed through a press release issued by the authority on January 20.

    Dr. Solomon brings exceptional expertise in paediatric renal care, with specialized knowledge in dialysis and transplantation services for children. Her professional background includes playing a pivotal role in advancing paediatric renal transplantation capabilities within Trinidad and Tobago through her collaborative work with the Transplant Links Community (TLC), an international medical charity.

    Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Solomon serves as a lecturer in child health at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, further demonstrating her commitment to medical education and knowledge transfer.

    CLFA Chairman Dr. Kevon Dindial expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating: “Dr. Solomon’s distinguished career in paediatric nephrology and her profound dedication to improving children’s health outcomes perfectly align with CLFA’s mission and strategic vision. Her compassionate approach and clinical insights will be invaluable as we develop innovative, child-focused solutions for the communities we serve.”

    Echoing this sentiment, CLFA CEO Vernessar Cummings noted: “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Solomon to our board. Her extensive expertise and commitment to public service will significantly enhance our ability to make meaningful impacts across the communities under our care.”

    The current CLFA board composition includes Chairman Dr. Kevon Dindial alongside directors Matthew Allahar, Dianne Baker-Henry, Nabila Greene, Dr. Rajindra Parag, Afeisha Sampson, and Stephanie Toolsie.