Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Supreme Ventures to celebrate World Vet Day

    Supreme Ventures to celebrate World Vet Day

    This Saturday, as the global community marks World Veterinary Day, Jamaica’s Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) is preparing a full day of public celebration and education at the iconic Caymanas Park, the country’s only professional racetrack. The event is organized in close collaboration with two leading local industry bodies: the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) and the Jamaica Equine Veterinary Association (JEVA), and centers on the 2024 official World Veterinary Association (WVA) theme, “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health.”

    In an official press statement issued this Wednesday, SVREL outlined that the gathering will bring together practicing veterinarians, horse racing industry stakeholders, and general visitors to shine a spotlight on the underrecognized critical work that veterinary professionals carry out. Beyond treating sick animals, these experts uphold three core pillars of the industry: protecting the welfare of equine athletes, safeguarding broader public health across Jamaica, and preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of the local horse racing sector.

    The day’s schedule is packed with accessible, engaging programming designed to educate the public on the interconnected work of veterinary medicine. Attendees can join informational educational talks, view curated video presentations, and take part in interactive public engagement activities that break down how veterinary care benefits both animal and human populations. Key focus areas for this year’s event include advancing public understanding of equine welfare standards, promoting responsible medication practices in racing, and reinforcing the importance of biosecurity protocols to prevent disease outbreaks.

    Aligned with the WVA’s global theme, organizers will also lead discussions on the One Health approach, a framework that emphasizes how the health of humans, animals, and surrounding ecosystems are inextricably linked. A special segment of the event will be dedicated to highlighting racehorse retirement programs, which underscore the JRC’s long-standing commitment to supporting the health and quality of life of former racehorses long after they leave the track.

    To pay tribute to the decades of contributions that veterinarians have made to Jamaica’s horse racing industry, several races on the day’s official card will be renamed in honor of distinguished local veterinary professionals. Three featured trophy races will anchor the day’s racing schedule: the Jamaica Equine Veterinary Association Trophy, the World Veterinary Day Trophy, and the Jamaica Racing Commission Trophy.

    The entire celebration is open to the general public, and expected attendees include veterinary practitioners from JEVA and the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA), senior JRC officials, and representatives from across Jamaica’s equine and racing sectors. Event organizers are encouraging all patrons to take part in the day’s educational activities to gain a new appreciation for the critical work that happens behind the scenes to keep every race safe, fair, and ethical.

  • Orian Carr and Djarie Sheppard Remanded on Firearm and Ammunition Charges

    Orian Carr and Djarie Sheppard Remanded on Firearm and Ammunition Charges

    In an official operation targeting unauthorized weapons possession, law enforcement authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have taken two local men into pretrial custody on multiple charges linked to illegal firearms and fraudulent vehicle documentation. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s Office of Strategic Communications confirmed the development in a public media release issued Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from the nation’s capital St. John’s.

    The two defendants, identified as 26-year-old Orian Carr from Pares Village and 25-year-old Djarie Sheppard from Willikies, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel earlier this week. Following the court hearing, the pair were ordered to be held at His Majesty’s Prison until their next scheduled court appearance on April 28, 2026.

    Carr and Sheppard face three total criminal counts each: unlawful possession of a Hi-Point C9 9mm Luger pistol, unlawful possession of seven matching 9mm rounds of ammunition, and fraudulent use of a motor vehicle license plate. The charges trace back to a routine patrol operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday, April 18.

    According to police reports, at approximately 12:50 a.m. that day, officers assigned to the Willikies Police Station were conducting mobile patrols along Willikies Main Road when they spotted a blue Honda Fit traveling without a visible front license plate. Acting on this observation, the officers pulled the vehicle over for inspection. A search of the vehicle, conducted with both occupants present, turned up the loaded 9mm handgun and seven rounds of ammunition hidden inside the car.

    Law enforcement immediately seized the illegal weapons and ammunition, placed both men under arrest, and moved forward with formal criminal charges after completing initial processing. This operation is part of the local police force’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal firearms trafficking and unauthorized weapons possession across the twin-island nation, working to reduce violent crime and maintain public safety for residents and visitors alike.

  • PM meets security chiefs

    PM meets security chiefs

    A deadly weekend shooting in the parish of St. James has shaken Barbados, leaving three men dead and a fourth person hospitalized with injuries. Within hours of the Sunday night attack, Prime Minister Mia Mottley convened an urgent, high-stakes gathering with the island nation’s most senior security and law enforcement leaders to coordinate a response.

    Mottley confirmed the meeting via a public post on her social media channels, which included an accompanying photograph of the session. Attendees at the emergency talks included Richard Boyce, Commissioner of the Barbados Police Service, the force’s Deputy Commissioner, and the Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force. The gathering comes as the country confronts the shock of this latest violent incident.

    In her statement, Mottley emphasized the government’s unwavering priority in the wake of the tragedy, noting that “In moments like these, nothing matters more than the safety of our people.”

    Shortly after the emergency meeting, Police Commissioner Boyce publicly characterized the shooting as a deliberate, targeted act of retaliation between criminal groups. He issued a clear warning to those responsible for the attack: law enforcement will spare no effort to track down and hold every person involved accountable for the violence.

  • BREAKING: UWI Five Islands Campus Opens Applications for Law Degree, Deadline June 30

    BREAKING: UWI Five Islands Campus Opens Applications for Law Degree, Deadline June 30

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has officially opened applications for its brand-new Bachelor of Laws (LLB) undergraduate degree, marking a major milestone in Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to expand local access to professional higher education. In a public advisory released this week, campus administrators confirmed that all prospective students must submit their completed applications no later than June 30, 2026, ahead of the programme’s first class launch scheduled for August 2026.

    This new law degree is the product of a collaborative partnership between the Five Islands Campus and UWI’s established Mona Campus, a regional leader in legal education. What makes the offering particularly impactful for local students is that it removes the need to travel abroad to pursue an accredited UWI law degree, bringing rigorous professional legal training directly to learners based in Antigua and Barbuda.

    The launch of the LLB programme aligns with the Antigua and Barbuda government’s broader strategic push to widen higher education access across the country. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has repeatedly prioritized expanding post-secondary opportunities, including a flagship policy to introduce free university tuition for all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. According to Browne, the government’s commitment to eliminating tuition costs is rooted in a long-term vision: framing accessible higher education as a foundational investment in the nation’s overall development, rather than an expense.

    Browne also emphasized that the ongoing physical and programmatic expansion of the Five Islands Campus is a core pillar of the country’s national education strategy. As the campus grows its academic offerings, it is positioned to become a central driver of sustained long-term economic growth for Antigua and Barbuda. Beyond economic impacts, the Prime Minister noted that initiatives like the new local LLB programme serve two critical purposes: they equip local citizens with the specialized skills needed to compete and thrive in an increasingly dynamic and interconnected global economy, while also strengthening domestic professional capacity in key sectors that serve local communities. For the legal sector in particular, expanding local access to accredited legal training will help grow the pool of qualified domestic legal professionals, supporting the long-term stability of the country’s justice system and related industries.

    Prospective applicants interested in learning more about the programme or submitting applications can visit the official Five Islands Campus website at www.fiveislands.uwi.edu.

  • Wanted man in police custody

    Wanted man in police custody

    A suspect linked to serious criminal activity who had recently been named in an official police wanted notice has been taken into custody following a voluntary surrender. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Jayden Keison Javier Blackett, the individual named in the alert, appeared in person at the District ‘E’ Police Station on Monday, accompanied by his legal counsel. Following his surrender, Blackett is currently cooperating with investigating officers as they work through their ongoing probe into the alleged criminal matters tied to him. The resolution of the manhunt brings a key development to the open case, closing the chapter of the search for the suspect and moving the investigation into its next phase.

  • Community policing efforts make real impact in Silver Lake

    Community policing efforts make real impact in Silver Lake

    In a compelling demonstration of how collaborative, community-centered policing can drive meaningful long-term change, the Community Policing Unit of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) has announced consistent, measurable gains in its ongoing work to strengthen the Silver Lake neighborhood.

    The transformative effort launched in August 2025, when the Deputy Chief of Police led a cross-departmental delegation of CDPF officers, joined by Community Policing Unit members, to hold direct, open-door conversations with Silver Lake residents. The core goal of that first visit was to break down barriers between law enforcement and local residents, build mutual trust, and map out the most pressing challenges facing the community.

    By the end of 2025, the initiative had evolved beyond formal discussions to foster genuine personal connection across the neighborhood. To mark the holiday season, organizers hosted a Christmas Social for local young people, an event made possible by contributions from Gloria Walsh, Fire Officer Relda Andre, local residents, and a cohort of generous community sponsors. Fifty children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years old attended the gathering, where each received a holiday gift and joined in a day officially described as full of unbridled joy and wide smiles.

    That early momentum seamlessly carried into 2026, with new projects and institutional improvements coming to fruition just months into the new year. In February, the Community Policing Unit announced a partnership with the local Rotary Club, which agreed to fully cover the cost of rehabilitating Silver Lake’s aging, underfunded public convenience facility. Concurrent to that infrastructure project, stakeholders also formally established a permanent Silver Lake Community Policing Committee, a local body tasked with improving inter-group coordination, deepening positive ties between residents and law enforcement, and boosting overall public safety across the neighborhood.

    Additional work to revitalize the neighborhood’s public spaces is already in motion. Through a new collaboration with Harris Paints, local partners are moving forward with plans to repaint a local apartment building and remove unsightly, unauthorized graffiti from public structures. Organizers note that these cosmetic improvements will do more than upgrade the area’s visual appeal—they are intended to nurture a greater sense of collective pride among long-time and new residents alike.

    The most recent milestone came on April 16, 2026, when the fully refurbished public washroom facility was officially handed over to the Silver Lake community during a public ceremony. CDPF officials emphasized that the entire project grew from a routine foot patrol conducted by Community Policing Unit officers alongside other CDPF ranks. During that regular walk through the neighborhood, officers identified the critical unmet need for updated public facilities, and subsequent outreach to the Rotary Club developed into a full funding and implementation partnership, with the civic organization covering all costs for the rehabilitation work.

    Looking ahead, the CDPF and its community partners are already turning their attention to supporting Silver Lake’s next generation. Planning is well underway for a structured youth mentorship program in the area, which will provide targeted guidance to young residents, help build strong personal character, and steer local young people toward positive, productive long-term life paths.

    Reflecting on the cumulative progress across all initiatives, the CDPF summed up the core philosophy driving the work: “Together, we are not just policing communities—we are building them.”

  • Rotary Club of Grenada launches Rhythm & Spice

    Rotary Club of Grenada launches Rhythm & Spice

    Grenada’s local service organization, the Rotary Club of Grenada, has announced an exciting new fundraiser that blends Caribbean culture, social fun and public good: Rhythm & Spice, a one-of-a-kind Rotary Brunch Experience scheduled to take place Sunday, June 28, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the scenic Quarantine Point venue. The club is calling on all community members, corporate partners and visitors to back its mission of local service by attending the event.

    Unlike standard social gatherings, Rhythm & Spice is built on a dual purpose: to give attendees a premium, memorable pre-Carnival celebration, and to raise critical funds for the Rotary Club of Grenada’s ongoing community improvement projects across the island. Every dollar generated from ticket sales will go directly toward advancing these grassroots initiatives, letting guests enjoy a vibrant outing while directly contributing to causes that lift local lives.

    As a decades-long service organization focused on driving meaningful change through community-centered projects, the Rotary Club of Grenada regularly develops events that connect public engagement with tangible social impact. Rhythm & Spice is the latest example of this model, merging the infectious energy of Grenada’s Carnival lead-up with purpose-driven fundraising to support work that benefits residents across the island.

    Attendees can look forward to a full day of top-tier entertainment, headlined by local favorite Sakinah & The Alpha One Band, with additional performances from guest artists and sets from rotating DJs. The open-air venue at Quarantine Point offers sweeping scenic views, creating an unforgettable atmosphere defined by bold Caribbean flavors, contagious rhythmic energy and warm community spirit. Stretching from the afternoon into the evening, the event intentionally weaves together music, style, natural beauty and shared connection for guests of all backgrounds.

    Julia Lawrence, president of the Rotary Club of Grenada, emphasized that the event embodies the organization’s core mission: to bring the community together to support impactful local projects, while offering a fresh, elevated way for people to give back. “By attending Rhythm & Spice, supporters will not only be part of a memorable event but will also be helping the Rotary Club of Grenada continue its service-driven work,” Lawrence shared.

    Early bird tickets are currently available for EC$200 exclusively via the Go2Fete.com ticketing platform. Every ticket grants access to a food-inclusive brunch experience, all live entertainment, and entry to all event spaces. Organizers have suggested attendees dress in themes matching the event: Brunch Chic, Island Elegant, or clothing in warm spice-inspired tones.

    The Rotary Club of Grenada extended an open invitation to individuals, couples, friend groups, and corporate sponsors to join the initiative, framing the event as a rare opportunity to enjoy an incredible day out while directly investing in Grenada’s local communities. For more information or to purchase tickets, interested parties can visit Go2Fete.com at any time.

  • Car Parts Theft in Liberta, Residents Urged to Contact Police

    Car Parts Theft in Liberta, Residents Urged to Contact Police

    A vehicle owner from Liberta is turning to the general public for assistance after a brazen act of car parts theft was captured in full by home surveillance footage outside a local residential property. The victim, who chose to release the security recording to raise community awareness, says the theft has triggered widespread unease among local residents, who now worry their own vehicles are vulnerable to similar targeted crimes. “No one’s car is safe with these people operating in the area,” the owner stated in an interview, confirming that the footage clearly shows multiple men removing components from the parked vehicle before walking off with the stolen goods. The timestamped recording, captured by a private home security system installed near the incident site, tracks the suspects moving along a public roadway adjacent to a fenced residential lot. One frame from the clip explicitly shows one of the male suspects carrying a full car tire and its matching rim away from the parked vehicle. The Liberta vehicle owner has already filed an official report with local law enforcement, and is now urging any member of the public who may recognize the suspects from the footage, or who holds additional information about the incident, to contact the Liberta Police Station directly at 562-6090, or reach out to the victim privately with any tips. As of the latest update, law enforcement officials have not released any formal comment or update regarding the ongoing investigation into the theft. The victim’s public appeal for information has already drawn a significant response from community members across Liberta, with multiple locals coming forward to report that they have observed nearly identical suspicious activity targeting parked vehicles in other neighborhoods across the area.

  • Laluna launches Albert Paul Laluna Chef Forever Scholarship

    Laluna launches Albert Paul Laluna Chef Forever Scholarship

    A beloved Grenadian culinary icon will live on through a new educational initiative designed to lift up the next generation of local food talent. Laluna Boutique Hotel & Villas has officially announced the creation of the Albert Paul Laluna Chef Forever Scholarship, a permanent program honoring the legacy of the establishment’s late long-serving head chef, Albert Paul.

    The program, set to welcome its first recipient in August 2026, will provide annual support to one student enrolled in the culinary arts program at T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC), Grenada’s leading local tertiary institution. Each selected scholar will receive EC$5,000 in annual funding over the course of their two-year degree, amounting to a total EC$10,000 investment per student to cover tuition, materials and other education-related costs.

    To guarantee a transparent and impartial selection process, the task of reviewing applications and choosing annual recipients will be managed entirely by TAMCC’s internal scholarship committee. Beyond financial support, Laluna is expanding the program’s impact by offering each selected scholar a six-week paid internship within the hotel’s professional working kitchen, giving emerging talent the chance to build hands-on skills and gain real-world experience alongside seasoned hospitality professionals.

    Chef Paul’s connection to Laluna spanned 18 impactful years, a career defined by remarkable upward mobility that saw him join the team as a dishwasher before working his way up to the role of Head Chef through relentless passion, consistent hard work, and an unwavering dedication to culinary excellence. His journey from entry-level staff to kitchen leadership has remained a source of inspiration for the entire Laluna team and the broader local culinary community long after his passing. This scholarship is crafted to honor his extraordinary trajectory and open new doors for young Grenadians pursuing careers in food and hospitality.

    In a statement announcing the initiative, representatives from Laluna shared that the hotel is proud to partner with TAMCC to strengthen culinary education and the future of Grenada’s hospitality sector. “This scholarship is not only a tribute to Chef Albert, but also an investment in young people who share his passion and potential,” the statement read.

    Moving forward, Laluna aims to carry forward Chef Paul’s core legacy of mentorship, continuous growth, and uncompromising excellence through the Albert Paul Laluna Chef Forever Scholarship, ensuring his impact on Grenada’s culinary community will endure for generations to come.

  • ‘Full of life’ J’Layna, nine, gunned down

    ‘Full of life’ J’Layna, nine, gunned down

    A young life full of potential has been tragically cut short by gang violence in Trinidad and Tobago, leaving the nation mourning. Nine-year-old J’Layna Armstrong was one of four people killed in a targeted ambush shooting along Lady Young Road in Morvant Sunday night, as the group returned from a community outing at Harry’s Water Park in Tabaquite.

    In the days following the attack, tributes have poured in for the young girl, who was remembered by her community as bright, kind, and bursting with life. J’Layna held the title of Junior Queen with the DMC Kiddies Carnival band, and clips of her performing in full mas costume earlier this year, shared widely across social media, have underscored the joy and promise lost to the violence.

    Mark Ayen, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association, memorialized J’Layna in an emotional social media post. “From the moment I met her, she was my Junior Queen, bright, kind, full of life,” Ayen wrote. “In the mas camp, our children become our own…and this loss cuts deep. We didn’t just lose a child, we lost a future full of promise.” Ayen called on the country to confront its ongoing crisis of violent crime, noting that the nation’s young people deserve the chance to grow into that promised future. “Rest in peace J’Layna. You deserved better,” he said.

    Veteran Trinidadian actor, producer and drama teacher Penelope Spencer, who taught J’Layna at Newtown Girls RC School, also remembered the girl’s natural charisma and creative spark. “She was creative, she could act and loved playing mas and winning competitions,” Spencer shared in a Facebook tribute. She recalled J’Layna’s dedicated work on a small role during a 2023 school performance, adding, “I am so saddened by her passing.”

    Neighbors in J’Layna’s Nicholasville, San Juan community, where she had lived with her mother for five years, described her as a constantly happy, warm, and outgoing child. “She was a nice little girl. Oh my gosh, she was such a happy child,” one anonymous neighbor told reporters.

    Police have released the identities of the other three victims: 23-year-old Obataiye Latiff of Don Miguel Road, San Juan; Chelsea Edwards of Belle Eau Road, Belmont; and Asim Armstrong of Mc Shine Road, Belmont. As of Tuesday evening, investigators had not confirmed whether Asim Armstrong was related to J’Layna, who shared his surname. A fourth survivor, 23-year-old Cornelius Short of East Port of Spain, remained in stable condition at a local hospital Tuesday.

    Investigators have outlined the sequence of the attack, which unfolded around 7:50 p.m. Sunday. All five victims were traveling north along Lady Young Road in a red Mitsubishi Lancer, heading home after their day trip. An eyewitness driving a southbound Hyundai Tucson told police he saw a second vehicle cut into the Lancer’s lane, before multiple gunmen inside opened fire on the car.

    After the Lancer’s driver was hit by gunfire, he attempted to escape the attackers by swerving, and collided head-on with the eyewitness’s Tucson near a local church, just a short distance from the area’s pedestrian walkover. Eyewitness accounts confirm that even after the crash, the gunmen continued firing into the Lancer before fleeing north along Lady Young Road, leaving all four victims dead and Short injured.

    Local residents in Morvant, where the shooting took place, say they have grown fed up with repeated cycles of violent crime and emergency declarations that have done little to improve public safety. “State of emergency come so often, like people are immune to it,” one local business owner told reporters. “I fed up seeing children getting killed because criminals now don’t look to see who they shooting at, and they are just firing shots. […] the state of emergency not making a difference because SoE come so often, like people are immune to it, so them criminal coming out as normal as ever.”

    Another local resident, who sells bread near the shooting site, noted the attack unfolded just feet from his daily work, while a third resident acknowledged the widespread pain of the child’s killing, but admitted fear of retaliation prevents community members from speaking out more forcefully. “It is a hurtful thing for the child to be killed though, and I cannot say much after that because if you say too much, you can be killed. The police have to do their jobs,” they said.

    Speaking at a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the Port of Spain police administration building, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro confirmed that investigators have identified persons of interest in connection with the quadruple murder, though no arrests have yet been made. Guevarro said law enforcement is deploying all available intelligence and investigative resources to advance the case and deliver answers to the victims’ families. Police have classified the murders as gang-related.

    As of Tuesday evening, the national murder toll for the current year stands at 110, a slight decrease from the 120 recorded on the same date last year.