Carib Scope

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  • NOTICE: Resumption Of Works At Townhouse Megastore To Fadi Building Supplies

    NOTICE: Resumption Of Works At Townhouse Megastore To Fadi Building Supplies

    The Ministry of Works of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an official public notification confirming the resumption of key infrastructure rehabilitation works along the All Saints Road (ASR) corridor, stretching from Townhouse Megastore to FADI Building Supplies. Scheduled to launch in the late evening of Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the construction work will require two targeted road blockages to accommodate safe operations of heavy construction machinery.

    The first closure affects the west-to-east bound lane of All Saints Road at the Bendals junction, located adjacent to the Townhouse Megastore traffic light. The second blockage will close the immediate right-hand turn into the Briggins community for east-to-west bound traffic, positioned just after the John I Martin Racetrack. To minimize disruption to daily commuter and commercial traffic, a designated detour route will be put in effect covering the Briggins vicinity, running from 7:00 pm on the start date through 7:00 am the following morning.

    Crucially, all local businesses operating along the affected corridor will remain fully open throughout the construction period, avoiding any forced closure that would impact local commerce or community access. Trained flag persons will be stationed at key points along the work zone and detour to guide motorists through the adjusted route, and transportation officials are urging all drivers to strictly follow on-site directions to prevent accidents, given the presence of large heavy-duty equipment operating in close proximity to travel lanes.

    This rehabilitation initiative forms a core component of the broader All Saints Road Project, a government-led infrastructure upgrade effort aimed at improving road safety, reducing long-term maintenance needs, and supporting increased connectivity across the region. Project organizers have called on all local stakeholders, including daily commuters, commercial delivery operators, and residents, to proactively adjust their travel itineraries ahead of the scheduled work to account for potential minor delays along alternative routes. For any questions or additional information about the work schedule or detour layout, members of the public can contact the Project Implementation Management Unit directly via telephone at 562-9173 during regular business hours.

  • Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    In a landmark achievement for educator welfare, Barbadian teachers have successfully reclaimed their entitlement to term’s leave following twelve years of persistent advocacy. Union leaders celebrated this restoration as a significant triumph during a Monday press conference at the Ministry of Education Transformation headquarters.

    Gilbert Carmichael, General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), expressed profound relief at the resolution of this protracted struggle. “We’re extremely elated this afternoon,” Carmichael stated. “Twelve years certainly isn’t twelve days, and this has been a long, hard fight.” He acknowledged both governmental cooperation and membership solidarity as crucial factors in achieving this outcome.

    The reinstated benefit, eliminated in 2014 under austerity measures by the Democratic Labour Party administration, allows qualified educators to receive a full school term of paid leave after fifteen years of service, renewable every five subsequent years. Originally intended as a temporary restriction, the policy had limited access to first-time applicants and those approaching retirement.

    Mary-Ann Redman, President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, described the development as resolving “a source of frustration, bother, hurt, anger to teachers in the system.” She emphasized the indispensable nature of term’s leave for educators’ emotional, physical, and professional well-being.

    BUT President Rudy Lovell highlighted the contemporary relevance of this benefit, noting that teaching has become “one of the most intellectually and emotionally demanding” professions due to increased workloads, expanded administrative requirements, and additional teaching periods contributing to widespread fatigue and burnout.

    The restoration followed sustained union efforts including legal action initiated in 2017 and a two-day strike by the BUT in April 2025. Ryan Phillips of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados characterized the decision as signaling governmental commitment to worker welfare and potentially heralding improved dialogue regarding working conditions across Barbados’ public service.

  • A Tribute In Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry of The Very Rev. James Rudolph Smithen

    A Tribute In Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry of The Very Rev. James Rudolph Smithen

    The Anglican community across the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba is mourning the loss of The Very Reverend James Rudolph Smithen, CSM, GCM, who passed away on March 1, 2026. Dean Emeritus Smithen’s remarkable five-decade ministry left an indelible mark on religious life throughout the region, culminating in his leadership of St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua and its district churches.

    Smithen’s theological journey began at Barbados’ Codrington College before advancing through specialized studies in Canada and England. His ecclesiastical career commenced under the mentorship of the late Very Reverend Fitzroy Elderfield Pestaina at St. John’s Cathedral, where he would eventually return as Dean and Parish Priest following his 1973 ordination.

    His early ministerial assignments included significant postings across the Caribbean archipelago. From 1973, he served as Parish Priest of St. Mary with St. Augustine and St. Andrew in Anguilla before transferring in 1978 to St. George with St. Barnabas in Basseterre, St. Kitts. His appointment there marked a historic milestone as he became the first black priest and first native spiritual leader to oversee the island’s largest Anglican congregation.

    Smithen’s profound impact on religious education manifested through his disciplined approach to confirmation classes and doctrinal instruction. His administrative capabilities earned him appointment as Archdeacon of St. Kitts in 1985, entrusting him with pastoral oversight across eight islands within the diocese.

    The pinnacle of his career arrived in 2003 with his installation as Dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua. His leadership faced its greatest test during the cathedral’s extensive restoration beginning in 2010, when the historic building required closure for structural stabilization. Smithen navigated this challenging period with exceptional administrative skill, coordinating architects, engineers, and community stakeholders while maintaining parish cohesion through spiritual guidance that emphasized the enduring nature of worship beyond physical structures.

    His contributions earned national recognition from two governments: Antigua and Barbuda conferred the Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (GCM) in 2014, while St. Kitts and Nevis awarded the Companion of the Star of Merit (CSM) in 2021.

    Even in retirement, Smithen continued his theological contributions, publishing his final work on Anglican Eucharist practices mere weeks before his passing. His legacy endures through generations of clergy and laypersons mentored throughout his extensive service, leaving the Caribbean Anglican community enriched by his steadfast devotion to faith and community.

  • High spirits, higher kites: St Leonard’s boys take to the skies

    High spirits, higher kites: St Leonard’s boys take to the skies

    The skies above St Leonard’s Boys’ School in St Michael came alive with a vibrant display of color and creativity as dozens of handmade kites soared in the breeze, marking a special end-of-term celebration that blended cultural preservation with educational development. The school’s pasture transformed into a dynamic cultural arena where nearly 50 first-form students showcased their craftsmanship through designing, building, and flying their own kites.

    Principal Peter Cox revealed that the initiative emerged organically from student enthusiasm rather than administrative planning. “This activity was genuinely initiated by the students themselves,” Cox explained. “Kite flying remains particularly popular in the Black Rock area throughout the year, so we simply facilitated their interests.”

    The event served dual purposes: preserving Barbados’ cultural heritage while providing hands-on learning opportunities. Cox noted the evolution of kite-making traditions, observing a shift from traditional round kites to square designs and from paper to plastic bag materials. Despite these modern adaptations, the school aims to maintain the core skills and traditions associated with kite craftsmanship.

    Beyond cultural preservation, the activity provided valuable developmental benefits. “It creates an avenue for students to express themselves creatively and engage in hands-on learning outside conventional academic settings,” Cox emphasized. “It allows them to unwind and participate in activities that resonate with their interests.”

    School staff have already begun planning to deepen the initiative’s impact. Discussions are underway to increase teacher involvement and reintroduce more traditional construction methods, including “trash bone kites” that represent historical Barbadian kite-making techniques. The goal is to transform the event into a broader family activity that strengthens community bonds.

    Competition coordinator and first-form teacher Tracie Harris challenged assumptions about declining interest in traditional crafts among younger generations. “Last week demonstrated this tradition is far from dead,” Harris stated. “We witnessed numerous students enthusiastically gathering materials, constructing kites, and discussing designs—clear evidence that kite-making remains very much alive.”

    Despite challenging wind conditions, student participation and energy exceeded expectations. The competition featured eleven categories recognizing various achievements, including:
    – Kemar Worrell: Largest Kite
    – Andre Leacock: Smallest Kite
    – Jahari Prescod: Most Colourful Kite
    – Taylor Hardin: Most Creative Design
    – Adrian Codrington: Longest Tail
    – Jordan Taylor: SLB Spirit Kite Award
    – Jathaniel Bryant-Haynes: Loudest Kite
    – Rakai Dowridge: Best Self-Made Kite
    – Alex Jones-Ifill: Longest Flying Kite
    – Malik Griffith and Aaron Howard: Judges’ Pick (shared)
    – Wykayvion Gilkes: Fan Favourite

    The successful event demonstrated how student-driven initiatives can effectively preserve cultural traditions while fostering creativity, community engagement, and practical learning experiences.

  • Teachers win back term leave after 12-year fight

    Teachers win back term leave after 12-year fight

    In a landmark decision marking the culmination of a twelve-year advocacy campaign, the Barbadian government has officially reinstated the coveted paid term leave for the nation’s educators. The entitlement, suspended since 2014, will be restored effective April 1, 2026, as confirmed by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman.

    The policy reinstates a critical benefit: eligible teachers are granted a full school term of paid leave after completing fifteen years of service, with subsequent leave available every five years thereafter. This reversal concludes a protracted period of industrial dispute, including strikes and legal challenges spearheaded by teachers’ unions.

    Minister Blackman characterized the announcement as a “momentous day,” publicly acknowledging the unions’ persistent advocacy and the profound relief this decision brings to educators and their families. The original suspension was enacted by the previous Democratic Labour Party administration as an austerity measure to curtail government expenditure, a move that spared educators from job cuts but ignited over a decade of contention.

    Permanent Secretary Kim Belle detailed the operational framework, which reverts to the pre-2014 system. A significant challenge will be managing a substantial backlog of eligible teachers accumulated since the suspension. To address this efficiently, the Ministry will deploy an electronic application system. However, safeguards are being implemented to ensure educational continuity; caps will limit leave approvals to 140 primary and 110 secondary teachers per term, with no more than ten percent of a school’s staff absent simultaneously.

    With approximately 3,500 teachers in the public system, the government has committed to a prioritized and fair process for reviewing applications. To mitigate disruption, an expanded pool of pre-vetted substitute teachers will be utilized to fill temporary vacancies seamlessly. Minister Blackman positioned this reinstatement as a core component of a broader commitment to valuing educators and constructing a first-class national education system.

  • 16-y-o charged; stepfather in hospital with cutlass wounds

    16-y-o charged; stepfather in hospital with cutlass wounds

    A violent domestic altercation in Redemption Sharpes has resulted in severe injuries and criminal charges, according to court proceedings on Tuesday. Norman Seymour remains hospitalized at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown with critical cutlass wounds to both hands, one of which was nearly severed during the March 22 incident.

    The alleged perpetrator, 16-year-old Tyrik Malcolm of the same address, appeared before the Serious Offences Court facing charges of unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to his stepfather with intent. Malcolm entered a plea of not guilty to the charges despite the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim.

    Prosecutor Inspector Renrick Cato detailed the ongoing medical treatment Seymour has required since the attack, noting his continued presence in the Male Surgical Ward. While the prosecution did not oppose bail arrangements, Inspector Cato expressed concern about the shared residence between the defendant and victim, highlighting potential safety issues.

    The court granted Malcolm bail set at EC$10,000 with one surety requirement. Additional bail conditions mandate weekly reporting to the Central Police Station every Monday until the case concludes. The matter has been adjourned until April 30 and will be transferred to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for further proceedings.

  • Second crash claims driver

    Second crash claims driver

    A deadly double tragedy unfolded on one of Trinidad and Tobago’s busiest highways on Sunday, as two separate vehicle collisions just three hours apart left two people dead and multiple others injured, reigniting longstanding public pressure for improved road safety measures along the route.

    The first incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. near the Munroe Road flyover, when a 22-year-old driver operating a pick-up truck crossed the highway’s central median and struck a passenger vehicle head-on. Trapped inside the wrecked car was 58-year-old Michael King, a local business leader and co-executive of an Arouca-based maintenance firm. King was crushed in the impact and pronounced dead at the scene, after first responders had to cut him free from the destroyed vehicle.

    King’s wife, Severina Francois, who was also in the vehicle, suffered serious brain injuries in the crash. She was transported to Mt Hope Hospital for urgent treatment, and medical updates confirm she remains conscious and coherent. The 22-year-old pick-up driver and all other occupants of the truck were also critically injured and taken to hospital for care. The high-profile crash blocked through traffic for hours, causing widespread gridlock that stretched for miles along the highway.

    Before emergency crews had even cleared the wreckage from the first collision, a second fatal crash unfolded on the highway’s northbound lane near Caroni, at roughly 8:15 p.m. that same evening. According to police reports, a black Suzuki Grand Vitara, driven northbound by 41-year-old Curepe resident Randy Siew, collided with the rear of a silver Nissan Sylphy traveling in the same direction. The force of the impact pushed the Nissan off the paved roadway, but its driver escaped the crash without any injuries.

    When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, they found Siew motionless on the side of the road. Investigators preliminary assessment suggests Siew suffered a sudden, fatal heart attack behind the wheel just before or during the collision. Two elderly passengers who were riding in Siew’s vehicle sustained non-fatal injuries and were transferred to a local medical facility for treatment. Siew was officially pronounced dead at the scene by the district medical officer.

    In the wake of the back-to-back fatalities, local road safety advocacy group Arrive Alive has publicly extended its condolences to the families of both King and Siew, while renewing a years-long campaign for the installation of physical median barriers along the entire length of the Uriah Butler Highway.

    In a statement posted to the organization’s social media channels on Sunday, Arrive Alive emphasized that the fatal crash that killed King was entirely preventable. “This is another preventable and fatal crash which took the life of one, and seriously injured three persons. We wish the three persons injured full recoveries,” the group wrote.

    The organization called on all motorists to prioritize focused driving, noting that driver distraction and excessive speed are consistent contributing factors in serious highway collisions across the country. It also added that the widespread lack of physical median separation directly contributes to the dangerous crossover collisions that frequently leave drivers dead on major routes.

    “Forensic crash investigation required in T&T. So do [better] median barriers [to prevent] crossover collisions. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Trinidad and Tobago, please install median barriers along this highway,” the group’s statement concluded.

  • High Surf Advisory Issued for Antigua with Dangerous Waves Expected Through Sunday

    High Surf Advisory Issued for Antigua with Dangerous Waves Expected Through Sunday

    The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a significant high surf advisory effective Tuesday morning through Sunday, warning of hazardous marine conditions across multiple Eastern Caribbean territories. Antigua will experience the initial impact beginning Tuesday morning, with Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis facing deteriorating conditions by Tuesday afternoon.

    Meteorological analysis indicates moderate long-period swells originating from northern directions will generate dangerous surf conditions along predominantly north-facing coastlines. These swells are characterized by significant wave heights ranging from 1.5 to 2.4 meters (5-8 feet), with localized areas potentially experiencing waves nearing 3.0 meters (10 feet). The exceptional swell period of 10-13 seconds suggests powerful, organized wave energy approaching coastal areas.

    The primary concern involves life-threatening surf conditions and powerful rip currents, particularly affecting reefs and exposed northern coastlines with shallow, moderately sloping nearshore bathymetry. Breaking waves are forecast to exceed 2 meters (6 feet), with certain areas experiencing surf heights potentially double the swell height due to complex wave transformation processes near shore.

    Coastal flooding presents an additional hazard, as high tides combined with onshore wind and swell action may result in localized beach erosion and seawater inundation of low-lying coastal infrastructure. The meteorological service has indicated potential escalation to high surf warnings for the most severely affected regions.

    The advisory emphasizes substantial risks to life, property, and infrastructure. Potential impacts include: drowning hazards from powerful currents capable of overwhelming even experienced swimmers; injuries to coastal recreational users; significant beach erosion; damage to coastal roads; disruption to marine-based businesses and recreation; financial losses; and ecological damage to coral reef systems.

    Safety authorities recommend extreme caution for beachgoers, advising bathing only at lifeguard-protected beaches or sheltered southern coastlines. Those frequenting rocky coastal areas should exercise particular vigilance. The advisory provides specific guidance for rip current survival: remain calm and float rather than swimming against the current; swim parallel to shore if possible; and signal for assistance if unable to reach safety.

  • COE launches Holy Week 2026 safety operation nationwide

    COE launches Holy Week 2026 safety operation nationwide

    In preparation for the 2026 Holy Week holiday season, the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has rolled out a massive nationwide public safety initiative dubbed “Holy Week Awareness for Life 2026”, scheduled to run from April 2 through April 5.

    The unprecedented operation draws together coordinated resources from 22 separate government and public institutions, mobilizing a total workforce of 51,232 trained personnel across every region of the country. Backed by robust logistical infrastructure and cutting-edge technological monitoring tools, the operation is structured around a core prevention-first strategy, according to COE director Juan Manuel Méndez García.

    To deliver rapid, effective response to any emergency, hundreds of ambulances, search-and-rescue boats, air support helicopters, and rapid response units have been pre-positioned, alongside thousands of strategically placed first aid stations that cover both high-traffic urban routes and remote recreational areas popular with Holy Week travelers. The overarching objective of the massive deployment, authorities confirmed, is to ensure that all citizens traveling to visit family, participate in religious events, or enjoy holiday outings can reach their destinations and return home safely without incident.

    Representatives from participating institutions emphasized that the success of the safety operation relies on more than just government action: public cooperation and responsible behavior are equally critical to preventing avoidable accidents. Alongside the large personnel deployment, authorities have implemented a series of targeted measures including enhanced road safety patrols, the placement of additional traffic agents in historically high-risk collision zones, and expanded 24/7 surveillance of major travel routes. Complementing these enforcement actions are widespread public awareness campaigns, which urge all road users to follow traffic regulations strictly, avoid driving after consuming alcohol, and prioritize the safety of vulnerable groups, particularly unaccompanied minors during the holiday period.

  • New Playground in Freemans Village

    New Playground in Freemans Village

    A significant community enhancement initiative has been realized in Freemans Village with the official installation of a new public playground. The project, celebrated as a vital investment in youth development and communal infrastructure, was championed by Anthony Smith Jr., the Member of Parliament for All Saints West.

    MP Smith articulated the profound significance of the development, emphasizing that such projects extend beyond mere recreational facilities. He described the playground as a tangible commitment to the well-being of the constituency’s children and a catalyst for strengthening broader community bonds. The moment of inauguration was marked by the evident joy of local children, which Smith cited as a powerful affirmation of the initiative’s value and a poignant reminder of the positive impact of public investment in social infrastructure.

    Reaffirming his dedication to ongoing progress, Smith declared that this project is not an isolated event but part of a continuous, broader strategy. He pledged that developmental work within the All Saints West constituency would persist, with a focused agenda on fostering environments that benefit families and enhance the quality of life for all residents.