Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Explosion Leads to House Fire

    Explosion Leads to House Fire

    BELIZE CITY – A residential structure located on Faber’s Road sustained significant damage following a destructive fire incident over the weekend. The blaze, which originated from a domestic explosion, resulted in one male occupant being hospitalized with serious burn injuries.

    Preliminary investigation reveals that Kenneth Flores was attempting to ignite a household stove when a sudden explosion occurred. The violent blast immediately triggered a rapidly spreading fire throughout the property. Emergency services responded promptly to the incident, with firefighting personnel providing initial assistance to the injured party before his transportation to medical facilities.

    The victim was subsequently transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where he received emergency treatment for his injuries. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, who heads the National Crime Investigation Branch, confirmed the incident details to press representatives. “Preliminary information indicates the explosion occurred during stove ignition procedures, resulting in the sustained injuries,” Romero stated during his briefing to media personnel.

    While the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation, authorities have preliminarily classified the incident as a tragic household accident. The swift response of emergency services prevented further property damage and potential loss of life in the surrounding residential area.

  • Shakeem Ferguson Sister: “He Almost Reach Home”

    Shakeem Ferguson Sister: “He Almost Reach Home”

    A Belizean family is grappling with profound grief following the brutal murder of 24-year-old Shakeem Ferguson and his close friend Elroy Bainton in a devastating double homicide that shocked the quiet community of Ladyville Village on Sunday evening.

    The victim’s sister, who requested anonymity, shared her heartbreak with local media, describing the incident as completely unexpected. “For the 36 years I lived here, I never expected something like this,” she emotionally recounted. “This is like a shock to us. He almost reached home.”

    Contrary to potential speculation about gang connections, the sister vehemently defended her brother’s character. “I don’t see my brother as a gang person,” she stated. “He wasn’t someone who hung out in the streets or caused trouble. His routine was simple – he always went through this alley, relaxed and drank with friends by the local shop.”

    The emotional toll on the large family has been particularly severe as Ferguson was one of ten siblings. The sister revealed the deep bond she shared with both victims, explaining that she considered Bainton as family as well. “I grew up with him,” she said of Bainton. “I was always there for him through bad times. I was like his sister who always stood by him.”

    As the family prepares funeral arrangements for the young man, they expressed concerns about potential retaliation and harassment. “I don’t want problems with anybody,” the sister emphasized. “Nobody should harass me. I don’t really engage with people’s conflicts.”

    The dual shootings have raised concerns about community safety in Ladyville Village, with residents questioning the motives behind the apparently targeted attacks. Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding both homicides.

  • OPEN LETTER: Gratitude from new mother to Newtown Health Centre Midwife nurses and other care providers

    OPEN LETTER: Gratitude from new mother to Newtown Health Centre Midwife nurses and other care providers

    A deeply religious mother has penned an emotional public letter celebrating the birth of her daughter while paying tribute to the healthcare professionals who supported her throughout the pregnancy journey. The heartfelt acknowledgment comes as the family marks their newborn’s first month of life, an occasion they attribute to divine blessing and medical excellence.

    The mother, who chose to remain anonymous, described her pregnancy as particularly meaningful given her age of nearly 40 years and previous experience raising a now-21-year-old daughter. Her journey began at Newtown Health Centre during her second trimester after experiencing severe nausea and vomiting. Despite initial apprehensions about her age, the medical team provided exceptional care that made her feel as comfortable as during her first pregnancy decades earlier.

    Central to her praise were the midwife nurses at Newtown Health Centre, whom she identified as the cornerstone of family healthcare systems globally. She specifically commended Nurse Lambert (Head of Midwifery), Nurse Mitchel, Nurse Durand, and Nurse George for their professionalism, empathy, and humility. According to the mother, these healthcare professionals demonstrated innate abilities to comfort, support, and empower pregnant women through all stages of pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery.

    The mother’s medical journey eventually led her to the High-Risk Clinic at Dominica Friendship Hospital, where she connected with other women in their forties experiencing pregnancy. She expressed particular gratitude to Nurse Romancia Darroux-Thomas and her team, along with Obstetrician Dr. Roberts and Medical Doctor Dr. Shillingford, who provided solace during moments of concern.

    Additional recognition extended to Medicus Diagnostic Inc. and ultrasound technologist K. Victor for their professional service, as well as security personnel, community health aides, and even janitorial staff who contributed to her comfort. The birth itself occurred at Stronach Ward, where Dr. Shillingford and Nurse Frederick were described as “divinely sent” for embodying compassionate care during delivery.

    The newborn required observation in the Neonatal Ward, where Dr. Anthony’s team and Dr. Laronde received special mention for their thoughtful assistance during recovery. The mother also acknowledged several local businesses including Sheryl’s Closet, Majestic Kidz, Jolly’s Pharmacy, and J. Astaphans and Company Ltd. for providing accessible baby supplies.

    Throughout the letter, the mother emphasized biblical principles of parenting, quoting multiple Psalms and Proverbs passages that underscore children as divine blessings. She extended encouragement to other expectant mothers, reminding them of their strength and capacity through faith. The family concludes their message with optimism, citing Jeremiah 29:11 regarding God’s plans for prosperity and hope.

  • Son charged with murder in Micoud homicide

    Son charged with murder in Micoud homicide

    In a devastating familial tragedy unfolding in Saint Lucia, law enforcement authorities have formally charged Henaniah Joseph with the murder of his own father, Jean Marie Tobolo Joseph. The incident occurred on January 17, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. within their family residence located in the La Tielle area of Micoud.

    Micoud Police Station officers promptly responded to emergency reports of gunfire at the Joseph household. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities discovered the lifeless body of the elder Joseph, presenting obvious signs of traumatic injury.

    Forensic medical experts performed a comprehensive post-mortem examination on January 20, which conclusively determined the cause of death as neuromuscular shock subsequent to severe traumatic brain injury. This pathological finding provided the evidentiary foundation for the homicide classification.

    The judicial process advanced on January 21 when investigators formally arrested and charged Henaniah Joseph with murder. The accused appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort, where presiding judicial authorities ordered his remand to the Bordelais Correctional Facility. He will remain incarcerated there awaiting subsequent judicial proceedings.

    The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has confirmed that active investigations continue as detectives work to establish motive and reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading to this patricidal tragedy. Community shock reverberates throughout Micoud as residents grapple with this violent rupture of familial bonds.

  • Police Suspect Ladyville Murders are Drug-Related

    Police Suspect Ladyville Murders are Drug-Related

    Belizean authorities are investigating two interconnected homicides in Ladyville that police believe stem from drug-related activities. The victims, identified as Shakeem Ferguson and Elroy Bainton, were fatally shot in separate incidents occurring within approximately thirty minutes of each other on Sunday evening.

    According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, head of the National Crime Investigation Branch, the sequence began around 5:30 PM when officers responded to reports of gunfire on Joe Lewis Road. At the scene, they discovered Ferguson’s body with multiple gunshot wounds. Preliminary investigation suggests he was specifically targeted as he returned home.

    Approximately half an hour later, police were dispatched to Yellow Tail Street following another shooting incident, where they found Bainton deceased. Investigators have established that both men were associated with the same social circle in Ladyville and had been together shortly before the attacks.

    Commissioner Romero confirmed that evidence points to drug trade motivations behind both killings, marking a concerning development for the community. While previous incidents in the area hadn’t indicated significant drug-related violence, this double homicide has prompted heightened police attention.

    Law enforcement officials are currently searching for two suspects believed to be connected to both murders, along with a vehicle possibly used in the crimes. The police department has announced plans to increase patrols in Ladyville to monitor tensions and prevent further violence.

  • Footballer jailed for 19 years for wounding former coach

    Footballer jailed for 19 years for wounding former coach

    In a landmark ruling at the High Court in Kingstown, 27-year-old footballer Aaron Miller has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for a brutal assault that left his former coach with permanent injuries. Justice Rickie Burnett delivered the stern verdict on Friday, emphasizing the necessity of prolonged incarceration for repeat offenders who demonstrate persistent criminal behavior.

    The case stemmed from a violent incident on January 4, 2023, in Layou, where Miller attacked Wade Jackson, his former football coach and longtime acquaintance, with a glass bottle. The assault rendered Jackson unconscious and caused significant head trauma. Medical reports confirmed lasting neurological damage, including recurrent headaches, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances.

    Court proceedings revealed the attack was precipitated by an earlier altercation on January 1, 2023, when Miller allegedly assaulted Jackson’s son at a public event. Three days later, Jackson confronted Miller about threats made against his children, escalating into physical violence. Witnesses testified that Miller pursued Jackson and his children, hurling stones and bottles before ultimately striking Jackson multiple times in the head while he lay defenseless on the ground.

    Justice Burnett referenced former Chief Justice Byron’s sentencing philosophy, noting that some offenders only respond to extended removal from society. The court established a 15-year starting point (50% of the maximum 30-year sentence) before adding four years for aggravating factors, including Miller’s previous convictions for assault occasioning bodily harm (2021), escaping lawful custody, and property damage.

    Despite Miller’s self-representation and offers to sell his cattle (valued at EC$19,000) for compensation, the court found no mitigating circumstances. The judge emphasized the attack’s premeditated nature, its occurrence before minor children, and the severe lasting impact on the victim’s health and psychological wellbeing.

    Miller will serve 18 years, 9 months and 11 days after accounting for time already spent in remand. Crown representative Devon Bute prosecuted the case, which resulted from an 8-1 guilty verdict by a nine-member jury in November 2023.

  • ABWU and KFC Antigua Sign New Collective Bargaining Agreement Securing Increases in Wages

    ABWU and KFC Antigua Sign New Collective Bargaining Agreement Securing Increases in Wages

    In a significant development for labor relations in the Caribbean nation, the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) has finalized a comprehensive three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with KFC Antigua. The landmark agreement, covering the period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, delivers substantial economic benefits for employees at the popular fast-food chain.

    The negotiated compensation package features structured wage enhancements that will substantially boost worker earnings. Employees will receive an immediate weekly wage increase of $30 during the first year of implementation, followed by additional $15 weekly raises in both the subsequent second and third years. Beyond base pay improvements, the agreement acknowledges the particular challenges faced by shift workers by elevating their shift allowance from $35 to $40 per shift.

    Hugh Joseph, the Senior Industrial Relations Officer who represented the union during negotiations, characterized the bargaining process as fundamentally constructive and productive. In post-negotiation comments, Joseph emphasized the critical role of worker engagement in achieving favorable outcomes. “The collective participation of workers stands as one of the most crucial elements in securing desirable results during negotiation processes,” Joseph stated, while simultaneously praising the dedication demonstrated by both rank-and-file workers and shop stewards throughout the extended discussions.

    The successfully ratified agreement reinforces ABWU’s ongoing institutional commitment to advancing member welfare through strategic collective bargaining. The union maintains that such negotiated benefits directly translate to improved living standards for workers and their families, reflecting its core mission of protecting worker interests and well-being through structured advocacy and representation.

  • More Countries Move to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

    More Countries Move to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

    A growing international movement to protect youth from digital platforms is gaining significant traction, with France emerging as the latest nation to pursue stringent social media restrictions for minors. President Emmanuel Macron has announced his administration’s intention to implement a comprehensive nationwide ban for users under 15 years of age, targeting implementation before the commencement of the upcoming academic year in September.

    In a strongly worded statement disseminated through BFMTV, Macron articulated the philosophical foundation behind these protective measures: “The cognitive development and emotional well-being of our youth cannot be commodified. Their psychological states must remain free from manipulation by foreign technological influences, regardless of whether they originate from American corporate platforms or Chinese algorithmic systems.”

    The proposed legislative framework would extend beyond social media platforms to include prohibitions on mobile phone usage within French secondary educational institutions. Macron characterized these initiatives as establishing “unequivocal guidelines” for all stakeholders within the educational ecosystem, including families, educators, and students themselves.

    Enforcement mechanisms would leverage the European Union’s Digital Services Act to implement rigorous age verification protocols. French legislator Laure Miller emphasized the critical necessity of these measures, noting that existing protective systems have proven fundamentally inadequate. “The current landscape offers virtually no meaningful age verification,” Miller stated. “Minors can simply input arbitrary birthdates to gain unrestricted platform access.”

    This European initiative mirrors similar regulatory actions across the globe. Australia established precedent last year by instituting social media prohibitions for users under 16, while United Kingdom authorities are presently evaluating comparable protective restrictions for their youth population.

  • Pichelin resident disputes official claim of “no threat” after landslide

    Pichelin resident disputes official claim of “no threat” after landslide

    A significant discrepancy has emerged between official government assessments and ground-level observations regarding the massive landslide that struck Pichelin, Dominica, last week. While Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmore asserts there is “no immediate threat to life and property,” local resident Mervin Bellot, who witnessed the catastrophic event firsthand, presents a starkly different perspective.

    Bellot, whose residence neighbors the slide zone, described awakening to seismic tremors before observing an enormous portion of mountainside collapse into the riverbed. The resulting debris formed a natural dam approximately 60 feet high, currently restraining a substantial volume of water. Bellot expressed grave concerns about the structure’s stability, particularly with ongoing rainfall conditions. “The soil composition remains unstable, water levels continue rising, and persistent precipitation could trigger complete structural failure,” he stated.

    The local resident reported immediately alerting community members and facilitating evacuations following the incident. While some households have voluntarily relocated, Bellot emphasizes the necessity for more comprehensive protective measures. He further criticized governmental authorities for permitting contractors to deposit materials into the river, alleging this practice has exacerbated the situation by constricting natural water flow pathways.

    Contrary to official monitoring reports indicating controlled conditions, Bellot maintains the situation demands urgent intervention. He advocates for immediate engineering solutions to establish controlled water release mechanisms and cessation of all river dumping activities. “Government representatives must exercise extreme caution in their risk evaluations,” Bellot cautioned. “Catastrophic dam failure would impact not only Pichelin village but also transportation infrastructure and coastal communities throughout the southern region.

    Minister Blackmore confirmed during a Monday radio interview that clearance operations are scheduled to commence imminently, utilizing anticipated favorable weather conditions through Tuesday. Government priorities reportedly focus on maintaining river channel integrity and implementing comprehensive mitigation protocols to ensure downstream community safety.

  • Animal traceability system to be expanded to goats

    Animal traceability system to be expanded to goats

    Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is preparing to significantly expand its National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) to include goats in the upcoming financial year. Currently focused exclusively on cattle, this strategic expansion addresses growing concerns about small ruminant theft across the island nation.

    Dr. Sophia Ramlal, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, revealed that while cattle theft remains problematic, anecdotal evidence from farmers indicates even higher rates of goat theft. “Our experience on the ground is that there is a lot of cattle theft, but if you speak to farmers there is more goat theft,” Dr. Ramlal stated, acknowledging the ministry’s awareness of the issue.

    The expansion will be implemented through the ministry’s small ruminant program and will require new legislation, which officials are currently reviewing. NAITS, administered by the Veterinary Services Division, represents a comprehensive identification and registration system for Jamaica’s livestock population. The system electronically records detailed information including animal identity, ownership records, geographical location, and movement activity throughout an animal’s lifespan.

    Since its inception a decade ago, the system has successfully tagged over 100,000 cattle using visual ear tags accompanied by bovine passports that must travel with animals between establishments. This existing infrastructure has already contributed to reduced theft rates and enhanced food safety and security measures.

    Dr. Ramlal emphasized that the system aligns with international best practices, serving five critical functions: establishing proof of ownership, enabling traceability, enhancing biosecurity controls, guarding against theft, and facilitating market access. “If we want to access international markets, a very strong traceability system where there is confidence in what we’re doing locally is that benchmark by which we are measured,” she explained regarding the program’s importance for global trade compliance.

    The NAITS program operates under the National Animal and Identification System 2015 Regulations, which currently mandate the marking of bovine animals. The forthcoming expansion to include goats represents Jamaica’s continued commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector and addressing the persistent challenge of praedial larceny that affects farmers nationwide.