Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Families of Jet Set tragedy victims march to demand justice

    Families of Jet Set tragedy victims march to demand justice

    SANTO DOMINGO – Grieving families and supporters gathered in the Dominican capital Sunday for a solemn march and vigil commemorating the upcoming first anniversary of the catastrophic Jet Set Nightclub collapse. The emotional demonstration served dual purposes: honoring the 236 lives lost and demanding accountability for what participants characterize as a flawed judicial process.

    Organized by the Jet Set Justice Movement with support from the Movement of the Ancient Dominican Order, the gathering convened at the Juan Bosch Metro station. Protesters carried banners expressing frustration with the official investigation, particularly alleging that the nightclub’s ownership company has been improperly excluded from legal responsibility. Many described this omission as a profound insult to the victims’ memory.

    The tragedy unfolded on April 8, 2025, during a performance by celebrated merengue artist Rubby Pérez. The structural failure occurred near midnight, collapsing the roof onto hundreds of attendees. The disaster claimed Pérez’s life along with other prominent figures, including former MLB player Vladimir Dotel, while injuring over 100 others.

    The vigil featured emotional testimonials from families who relived their trauma alongside spiritual and political supporters. Father Rogelio Cruz and Deputy Lidia Pérez, sister of the deceased musician, joined the call for comprehensive justice. Participants universally condemned alleged maintenance negligence at the venue and rejected owner Antonio Espaillat’s claims that financial settlements had adequately addressed the disaster’s consequences. Father Cruz emphasized that monetary compensation cannot substitute for true judicial accountability, capturing the movement’s central demand for structural justice beyond economic reparations.

  • Teenagers arrested for Windsor Forest assault, police ask victim to contact police

    Teenagers arrested for Windsor Forest assault, police ask victim to contact police

    Authorities in Guyana have taken three male teenagers into custody following a violent assault captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at approximately 2 PM in First Lady Park, Windsor Forest, located on the West Coast Demerara.

    According to the Guyana Police Force, their investigation progressed rapidly after identifying the getaway vehicle involved in the attack. Police traced the car, bearing license plate PGG 6502, to a residence in Zeelugt on the East Bank Essequibo. There, officers made contact with the vehicle’s 17-year-old driver, who subsequently assisted authorities in locating two additional suspects.

    The apprehended individuals include the 17-year-old driver from Zeelugt, an 18-year-old also residing in Zeelugt, and a 16-year-old from Uitvlugt on the West Coast Demerara. All three suspects, along with the vehicle used in the alleged crime, were transported to the Leonora Police Station for processing and further interrogation.

    Disturbing footage shared on Facebook depicts three males physically assaulting another individual at the park location. The video evidence shows one assailant retrieving what appears to be a knife from his waistband as he returns to collect footwear near the victim. Audible protests from bystanders can be heard in the background, urging the perpetrators to cease their attack on the victim.

    Law enforcement officials are now urgently requesting that the victim or anyone with additional information regarding this assault come forward and contact their nearest police station to assist with the ongoing investigation.

  • Police appeal for witnesses after deadly shooting

    Police appeal for witnesses after deadly shooting

    Barbados law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into a deadly shooting incident that occurred Sunday morning in close proximity to the Usain Bolt Sports Complex at Paradise Park, formerly known as Lazaretto, in St Michael. The tragic event has prompted police to issue a public appeal for potential witnesses and evidentiary materials that could advance their investigative efforts.

    According to official statements from Police Public Affairs and Communications Officer, acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, the Police Operations Control Center received an emergency notification at approximately 11:16 a.m. through a female caller who reported an active shooting situation involving a male victim inside a vehicle adjacent to the sports facility.

    “Law enforcement personnel promptly responded to the scene where they discovered the deceased body of a male individual seated within a vehicle. A medical professional attended the location, conducted a thorough examination of the victim, and formally pronounced death,” Inspector Brathwaite detailed during his public briefing.

    Preliminary investigative findings indicate the victim had driven into the vicinity earlier that morning when an assailant wearing distinctive black attire—a t-shirt and three-quarter pants—approached the vehicle. Multiple gunshots were reportedly heard by witnesses, after which the suspect was observed fleeing the scene on foot.

    The investigation team is particularly interested in contacting individuals who might have been traveling alone along the West Coast road near the Usain Bolt Complex between the critical time window of 10:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Additionally, police are urging motorists who may have captured relevant footage via dashboard cameras to provide this potentially crucial evidence to investigators.

    Law enforcement officials have provided multiple contact avenues for information submission, including Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the police emergency hotline at 211, or direct communication with the Black Rock Police Station at 417-7500 or 417-7501. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

  • Government Investing in Night Farming to Address Climate Change

    Government Investing in Night Farming to Address Climate Change

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced a groundbreaking agricultural initiative on Saturday, revealing government investments in nocturnal farming operations as a direct response to climate-driven temperature increases. During his appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme, the leader explained that solar lighting installations will enable agricultural workers to cultivate crops during cooler nighttime hours, effectively avoiding peak daytime heat that has significantly hampered productivity.

    The innovative approach addresses the growing challenge of heat waves linked to climate change, which have rendered traditional daytime farming increasingly difficult. ‘We’ll be putting in solar lights so that those who want to farm at night can do so,’ Browne stated, explicitly connecting the measure to ‘the issue with heat waves as a consequence of climate change.’

    This night farming strategy forms one component of a comprehensive agricultural modernization program designed to protect farmers from intensifying weather extremes while enhancing food security. The method offers dual benefits: greater scheduling flexibility for planting and harvesting operations, and improved productivity as workers avoid the most oppressive daytime temperatures.

    The solar initiative accompanies additional agricultural investments including advanced heavy equipment acquisitions and expanded water storage infrastructure. These coordinated efforts represent the government’s multifaceted approach to strengthening food production systems against climate variability. Browne emphasized the necessity of adapting traditional practices, noting ‘We have to adjust the way we do things’ to maintain and expand local food production despite environmental challenges.

  • VIDEO: Accident in Roger affects power across the island

    VIDEO: Accident in Roger affects power across the island

    Residents across several communities are experiencing service disruptions after a significant incident damaged critical electrical infrastructure. The Dominica Electricity Services Limited (DOMLEC) has officially confirmed that an accident occurred in the Roger area, resulting in substantial damage to one of its primary utility poles. The compromised infrastructure has triggered a widespread power outage, affecting numerous sections of the island. Emergency repair crews have been immediately dispatched to the site to assess the damage and initiate restoration procedures. DOMLEC has advised customers to prepare for potential extended service interruptions while crews work to safely repair the damaged equipment and restore full power. The company has pledged to provide further updates on the estimated restoration time as the situation develops and more information becomes available from the accident site. The cause of the initial accident that led to the pole damage is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.

  • Medical students enter clinical training at MCM white coat ceremony

    Medical students enter clinical training at MCM white coat ceremony

    The Metropolitan College of Medicine (MCM) celebrated a significant academic milestone this weekend with its annual White Coat Ceremony, formally initiating approximately 45 medical students into the clinical phase of their professional training. The prestigious event, held at the Royalton Hotel on Saturday, recognized students across MD1 to MD5 levels who are now advancing to hands-on medical practice.

    This ceremonial coating comes as many students are already engaged in clinical rotations across various healthcare facilities, including private clinics and the prominent Mount St John’s Medical Centre. Their practical training encompasses essential medical disciplines such as paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and psychiatry.

    The incoming cohort demonstrates notable diversity, comprising around 25 international students from India, Nigeria, the United States, and Pakistan, alongside local Antiguan scholars including Jason Mansoor.

    More than just a tradition, the White Coat Ceremony serves as a rite of passage that emphasizes the profession’s core values. It represents a solemn commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical professionalism, ethical practice, and compassionate patient-centered care throughout their evolving medical careers.

  • Unions warning of healthcare collapse

    Unions warning of healthcare collapse

    The Bahamas’ public healthcare system is teetering on the brink of operational collapse as a critical shortfall in overtime funding triggers widespread staff discontent and threatens essential medical services. This crisis emerged following a January 13 internal memorandum from the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) announcing that overtime compensation would be suspended without prior approval from the managing director’s office—a measure unions characterize as penalizing frontline workers for administrative failures.

    Key health unions, including the Bahamas Nurses Union and the Bahamas Public Service Union, have urgently advised their members to refuse any additional shifts beyond scheduled hours until outstanding payments are resolved. Union leaders Muriel Lightbourn and Kimsley Ferguson have condemned the situation as both unacceptable and profoundly disrespectful to medical professionals who regularly work beyond their contracted hours to maintain patient care standards.

    Consultant Physicians Staff Association president Dr. Charelle Lockhart reported that physicians are departing “in droves,” not due to diminished commitment to patients, but because of perceived abandonment by health system leadership. She issued a stark warning to government officials, comparing the scenario to a live grenade awaiting detonation within the medical care system.

    Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville has acknowledged the severity of the budgetary depletion, labeling it a matter of “great concern” and convening emergency meetings to address compensation gaps across healthcare facilities. Minister Darville attributed payment delays to acute staffing shortages within the PHA’s finance department, exacerbated by retirements and private sector migration, though he assured that outstanding overtime “not only must be paid, but will be paid.”

    The PHA management maintains that the directive was necessary to preserve funding for critical priorities, including essential hires, and to implement stricter oversight following the exhaustion of overtime allocations. Managing Director Dr. Rolle recognized the inconvenience caused and promised staff further updates regarding payment resolutions.

  • BNT urges action as invasive iguana caught in Adelaide

    BNT urges action as invasive iguana caught in Adelaide

    The recent capture of a substantial green iguana in Adelaide has amplified concerns from The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) regarding the escalating threat of invasive species throughout New Providence and surrounding regions. BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle verified the incident occurred Saturday, confirming coordinated response efforts with the Department of Agriculture.

    Anderson-Rolle emphasized the increasing frequency of green iguana sightings, highlighting the nation’s inadequate preparedness for addressing biological invasions. She revealed ongoing discussions with environmental planning authorities to secure critical funding from the JEFF Global Environment Facility, essential for implementing a nationwide mitigation strategy.

    The current national invasive species framework, acknowledged as obsolete by conservation experts, requires immediate governmental attention. While BNT develops specialized protocols for managing invasives within national parks, Anderson-Rolle stresses that comprehensive intervention demands centralized leadership.

    Ecologically destructive by nature, green iguanas—non-native to Bahamian ecosystems—devour vegetation, devastate agricultural lands, and compromise structural integrity through extensive burrowing along waterways and foundations. These reptiles aggressively displace indigenous wildlife, particularly native lizard species and iguanas, in competition for resources and habitat.

    Public vigilance is paramount, Anderson-Rolle advised. Residents encountering green iguanas should immediately report sightings to agricultural authorities and safely contain the animals whenever possible before contacting departmental animal control services.

  • Jamalco track meet waives fees for western schools

    Jamalco track meet waives fees for western schools

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant relief measure for educational institutions grappling with post-hurricane recovery, organizers of the upcoming JAAA/Puma/Jamalco track meet have announced substantial support for schools from western Jamaica. The February 7th event at Jamalco Sports Club will feature waived entry fees and complimentary lunch provisions for participating athletes from regions devastated by Hurricane Melissa last October.

    The organizing committee revealed on Monday that all registered schools from five severely impacted western parishes would receive full exemption from participation costs along with nutritional support. “Each registered institution will receive up to 15 lunches for their competing athletes,” stated the official announcement, emphasizing their commitment to equitable access despite ongoing recovery challenges.

    This initiative comes as western Jamaican communities continue rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive infrastructural damage to nearly all educational facilities in October. The catastrophic weather event also damaged homes of numerous students and educators, creating substantial obstacles in athletic preparation for the 2026 track and field season.

    The track meet organizers’ decision aligns with broader educational support measures recently implemented across Jamaica. Last week, the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) waived academic grade requirements and attendance qualifications for western schools participating in national track and field championships, responding to formal requests from affected institutions.

    This coordinated response between sporting organizations and educational authorities demonstrates an evolving approach to disaster recovery, recognizing how natural catastrophes create multifaceted challenges beyond immediate physical damage. The measures aim to preserve normalcy in youth athletic development while communities address fundamental rebuilding needs.

  • Bitter cold grips millions as US digs out of sweeping snowstorm

    Bitter cold grips millions as US digs out of sweeping snowstorm

    A historic and expansive Arctic weather system continues to grip the United States, creating life-threatening conditions for millions of citizens and overwhelming infrastructure from the southern states to the Northeast. The aftermath of a colossal winter storm has left over 780,000 households without electricity, paralyzed transportation networks, and is being blamed for at least 21 fatalities, according to local media reports.

    Meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS) described the event as particularly dangerous due to its vast geographic scope. An estimated 190 million Americans remained under extreme cold alerts, with temperatures plummeting to a brutal -23°F (-30.6°C) in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin, where wind chills made it feel as cold as -50°F (-45.6°C). The storm deposited massive snowfall, with New Mexico’s Bonito Lake recording a national high of 31 inches (78.7 cm), while New York’s Central Park received 11.4 inches (29 cm), breaking a single-day record that had stood since 1905.

    The crisis has been acutely felt across southern states like Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, where communities are ill-equipped for such intense winter weather. NWS expert Allison Santorelli highlighted the unique challenge: recovery efforts are hampered because northern states, typically more resilient to such events, are also overwhelmed and unable to share resources and equipment with their southern counterparts. This has left many areas without the necessary means to clear roads and restore power swiftly.

    Compounding the problem is the nature of the snowfall, described by NWS meteorologist Dave Radell as ‘very dry’ and ‘fluffy,’ which allows powerful winds to create massive drifts and severely reduce visibility. The storm’s origin is linked to a distorted polar vortex, a phenomenon some scientists suggest may be occurring with increasing frequency due to climate change, though the issue remains a subject of ongoing research.

    With freezing temperatures forecast to persist along the Gulf Coast through the week, at least 20 states and Washington D.C. have declared states of emergency to mobilize emergency personnel. Municipalities have initiated warming centers for vulnerable populations, and authorities nationwide are pleading with residents to remain indoors as the nation confronts this protracted and dangerous deep freeze.