Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Three dead after minibus plunges over precipice in Laborie

    Three dead after minibus plunges over precipice in Laborie

    A devastating vehicular accident in the Madjomelle area of Laborie resulted in three fatalities on Tuesday morning, including one minor. The tragedy occurred when a minibus departed from the roadway and descended over a steep cliff shortly after 10:00 a.m., according to official reports from the Saint Lucia Fire Service.

    Emergency response teams, including fire service personnel, arrived at the scene at approximately 10:07 a.m. to conduct complex extrication operations. Despite their efforts, all three occupants—an adult male, an adult female, and a female minor—were discovered with catastrophic injuries described as major trauma.

    The severity of injuries precluded any life-saving measures, and a medical professional present at the location formally pronounced all three victims deceased at the accident site. The Saint Lucia Fire Service has confirmed the basic details of the incident while noting that comprehensive investigations are currently underway to determine the precise circumstances that led to the vehicle leaving the road. Authorities have not released further details pending notification of next of kin and initial investigative findings.

  • ‘Reputation is wealth’: Norman Manley Law School’s mentorship initiative gets ringing endorsements

    ‘Reputation is wealth’: Norman Manley Law School’s mentorship initiative gets ringing endorsements

    KINGSTON, JAMAICA — In a landmark initiative reshaping Caribbean legal education, the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) has launched a transformative mentorship program designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice. The event, held on February 21, 2026, at the University of the West Indies’ Mary Seacole Hall, brought together over 150 distinguished jurists, senior attorneys, and law interns for an evening of strategic dialogue and professional guidance.

    This pioneering ‘dining and mentorship programme’ introduces what educators term a ‘hidden curriculum’—focusing on the unwritten rules, ethical frameworks, and soft skills essential for success in legal practice. Justice Hugh Small, the guest speaker, framed mentorship as a professional ‘Global Positioning System’ (GPS) for navigating what he described as the often ‘lonely profession’ of law. He challenged aspiring lawyers to move beyond technical competence and confront the fundamental question: ‘How will I behave as a lawyer?’

    The initiative received robust endorsement from Jamaica’s judicial leadership. Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, President of the Court of Appeal, emphasized that ‘reputation is wealth’ in the legal field, advocating for structured mentorship to develop ‘whole professionals’ whose words ‘carry weight and command respect.’ Supreme Court Justice David Batts praised the program’s practical utility in smoothing the transition from student to practitioner.

    The program’s significance extends beyond Jamaica’s borders. Prominent Guyanese attorney Christopher Ram hailed the event as evidence of Jamaica’s continued leadership in Caribbean jurisprudence, noting that ‘certain standards of decorum and ethical conduct required of a practitioner cannot be taught in any library.’

    For the students, the evening provided invaluable exposure to professional norms. Final-year student Clintoni Laing engaged in discussions about ethical principles from Dr. Shazeeda Ali’s book ‘The Ethical Lawyer,’ while student Carell Ramsey described the experience as initially nerve-wracking but ultimately welcoming and insightful.

    Dr. Christopher Malcolm, Principal of NMLS, confirmed the school’s commitment to institutionalizing this mentorship model to produce the ‘ideal graduate’—a practitioner equipped with both human intelligence and professional fortitude. Supported by strategic partners Tastee Limited and TWP, the program establishes a new regional benchmark for holistic legal training that combines academic excellence with moral courage and ethical grounding.

  • Ministry of Tourism launches 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours

    Ministry of Tourism launches 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours

    The Grenada Ministry of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture has inaugurated its 2026 Immersive Edutainment Tours initiative, marking a significant expansion of its youth engagement strategy within the tourism sector. This innovative program aims to foster greater industry appreciation and illuminate diverse career pathways among students across primary, secondary, and tertiary educational levels.

    The inaugural tour occurred on Friday, February 20th, featuring participation from twenty Grade Five and Six students accompanied by educators from four distinguished institutions: St George’s Methodist School, St Louis Girls RC School, St George’s Anglican Senior School, and Uganda Martyrs Catholic School.

    Participants embarked on an educational journey through two premier agro-tourism establishments in Beaulieu. The George Brizan House of Nutmeg, operated by the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association (GCNA), provided students with comprehensive insights into nutmeg cultivation techniques, harvesting methods, and production processes. Simultaneously, the Tri-Island Chocolate Factory—recognized as Grenada’s first publicly accessible ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate facility—offered an immersive understanding of artisanal chocolate production.

    The second scheduled tour, set for Friday, February 27th at Coyaba Beach Resort in Grand Anse, will engage twenty Form Three students and teachers from Wesley College, Anglican High School, JW Fletcher Catholic Secondary School, and Grenada Boys’ Secondary School.

    These experiential learning expeditions form part of a broader strategic initiative launched in March 2023 to build tourism awareness through firsthand industry exposure. The program specifically aims to enhance student comprehension of Grenada’s hotel and cruise sectors while highlighting the developmental significance of agro-tourism and community-based tourism models. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry applications, the ministry seeks to inspire future professionals and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Grenada’s vital tourism economy.

  • Ministry of Youth and Sports resumes operations at Ministerial Complex

    Ministry of Youth and Sports resumes operations at Ministerial Complex

    Grenada’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has completed its operational relocation back to its original headquarters at the Ministerial Complex in Tanteen, St. George. The ministry has officially vacated the Kirani James Athletic Stadium and resumed full operations from its previous offices situated on the third floor of the government complex within the Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens precinct.

    Effective Monday, February 23, 2026, all public services have been fully restored at the Ministerial Complex location. The transition marks a significant operational shift for the ministry, which had been temporarily based at the athletic stadium named after Grenadian Olympic champion Kirani James.

    The ministry expressed gratitude to citizens for their cooperation and understanding throughout the relocation process. This move represents a strategic return to the ministry’s traditional administrative home while maintaining its commitment to serving Grenada’s youth development and sports advancement initiatives.

    The Ministerial Complex, located within the picturesque botanical gardens named after Grenada’s first prime minister, continues to serve as a central hub for government operations and public services.

  • Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    Vijf-jarig overeenkomst Atompai van ruim SRD 95.000 per maand boven water

    A significant contractual agreement has surfaced involving Monché Atompai, Director of the Milk Central, who previously denied any formal arrangement with the State Health Fund (SZF). Despite his categorical denial to Starnieuws media outlet, documentation reveals SZF Director Rudrakanth Oemraw formalized a five-year advisory contract with Atompai on February 1, 2026.

    The contract establishes Atompai as an external consultant rather than a formal employee, operating under a assignment agreement framework within Suriname’s Civil Code. His advisory responsibilities encompass policy and organizational consultation, analytical reporting, guidance for improvement initiatives, and specialized advisory services within SZF’s operational scope.

    Notably, the agreement permits a minimum weekly commitment of 96 hours, adjustable according to SZF’s requirements through mutual consultation. Work may be conducted either at SZF premises or alternative locations, with strict adherence to confidentiality and information security protocols.

    Financial terms reveal a substantial monthly compensation of SRD 95,856 (approximately $7,200 USD) excluding taxes, with invoicing occurring monthly based on pre-approved timesheets. Payment follows within fourteen days of invoice approval. Travel and additional expenses require prior written authorization for reimbursement.

    The contract stipulates that all reports, analyses, and advisory outputs become SZF property upon payment completion. A confidentiality clause remains effective during and for one year post-contract termination.

    Termination provisions include mutual agreement, one-month notice period, or immediate termination for urgent reasons or substantial breach. When recently contacted for comment, Atompai declined to respond, stating he was “unavailable at this moment” to Starnieuws.

  • Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Hillaby Turner’s Hall closes early due to smoke

    Turner’s Hall educational institution in Hillaby initiated an unscheduled early closure this Tuesday, February 24th, following environmental safety concerns arising from smoke infiltration originating from a blaze in adjacent eastern territories. The Ministry of Education Transformation executed this protective measure after atmospheric monitoring confirmed diminishing air quality conditions within the school’s perimeter. Official communications confirmed that parental and guardian networks will receive prompt notifications regarding resumption protocols and academic schedule adjustments. Ministry representatives extended formal gratitude to families for their cooperative response and demonstrated understanding during this unforeseen operational interruption, emphasizing that student welfare remains the paramount consideration in all environmental health decisions. Local emergency services continue containment operations for the peripheral fire incident while educational authorities maintain vigilant air quality assessment ahead of potential campus reactivation.

  • Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    Local Girl Guides urge past and present members to don uniform for Guide Day

    The Girl Guides Association of Dominica (GGAD) has issued a nationwide call to action, urging current members and alumni alike to participate in an island-wide demonstration of unity this Thursday. The event, designated as Guide Day, represents a significant mobilization of the Guiding community across the Caribbean nation.

    According to the official announcement, participants are encouraged to wear their complete traditional uniforms or alternative Guide T-shirts throughout the day—whether attending workplaces, educational institutions, or conducting daily activities. This sartorial demonstration aims to create visible solidarity across Dominica while honoring the historical significance of World Thinking Day within the national context.

    The association emphasizes the timeless guiding principle of “Once a Guide, always a Guide” as foundational to the event’s philosophy. Beyond sartorial participation, the organization encourages digital engagement through social media sharing. Participants are invited to photograph themselves in uniform and post using the dedicated hashtag #GGADGuideDay, creating a digital archive of collective participation.

    The visual transformation of Dominica into “a sea of blue and brown”—referencing the organization’s signature colors—serves as both metaphorical and literal representation of unity. This chromatic demonstration seeks to visually reinforce the organization’s presence and values across the island’s diverse landscapes.

    This coordinated effort simultaneously serves multiple purposes: demonstrating organizational solidarity, commemorating international Guiding traditions, and inspiring future generations of community leaders through visible representation of Guiding principles in daily life.

  • Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    Former Jumby Bay Payroll Clerk Files Unfair Dismissal Claim Over Christmas Pay Error

    A former payroll specialist at Jumby Bay Resort Ltd has initiated legal proceedings in the Industrial Court, claiming wrongful termination and reputational harm following a payroll miscalculation during the peak 2024 holiday season. The complainant, an eleven-year veteran of the luxury establishment, had advanced from Accounts Payable Clerk to Junior Accountant before assuming payroll responsibilities in May 2024.

    The controversy emerged when several staff members reported missing overtime compensation and allowances in their December 2024 earnings. During this period of heightened operational demands, the payroll clerk allegedly received instructions from management to circumvent standard verification protocols and submit payroll data directly to senior executives. The payroll received subsequent approval from both the Director of Human Resources and the Director of Finance before bank processing.

    An internal audit later identified a computational error within the payroll software as the root cause. All impacted employees received full restitution in the subsequent payment cycle, with all financial shortfalls rectified at least thirty days prior to the clerk’s dismissal.

    Despite the prompt resolution and absence of fraudulent intent, the resort suspended the employee without pay—a decision later revoked—before conducting disciplinary hearings in February 2025. The meetings culminated in immediate termination without severance packages or corrective measures.

    Legal representatives from W.G. Alexander & Associates argue their client derived no personal benefit from the incident and note that no disciplinary measures were applied to the senior managers who authorized the flawed payroll. The filing further contends that defamatory rumors implying financial misconduct circulated unchecked among staff, with management failing to issue clarifying statements to protect the employee’s professional reputation.

  • Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Mottley signals action on ‘unsustainable’ vehicle growth

    Barbados is initiating a comprehensive national dialogue to confront its escalating traffic congestion crisis, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley declaring the current rate of vehicle growth “unsustainable” for the island nation. The announcement came during Monday’s ceremony renaming the St Patrick’s roundabout in honor of former Christ Church East MP Sir Richard Cheltenham, where the continuous flow of traffic throughout the event served as a stark demonstration of the problem’s urgency.

    Prime Minister Mottley revealed startling statistics showing Barbados’s vehicle population has surged from approximately 40,000 fifty years ago to about 180,000 today—a transformation she described as dramatically changing the country’s landscape. “I don’t think a single minute has passed without traffic approaching the roundabout,” Mottley observed during the ceremony, using the moment to highlight the critical need for intervention.

    The upcoming consultations will create platforms for citizens from all backgrounds to contribute to developing long-term solutions as Barbados grapples with its overburdened road network. Mottley emphasized that while infrastructure improvements like road widening and overpasses will form part of the strategy, the challenge requires more fundamental changes to how Barbadian society and economy are structured.

    Central to this discussion will be reimagining public transportation, which the Prime Minister stated “cannot be a luxury, but must be a basic right if this country is to function efficiently.” The government’s approach recognizes that physical expansion alone cannot solve the congestion problem and that broader systemic changes are necessary for sustainable transportation solutions.

  • Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    Kalinago council proposes permit requirement for entry into Territory

    The Kalinago Council has announced the development of a groundbreaking permit system designed to regulate access and activities within the Kalinago Territory by non-community members. This strategic initiative represents a significant step toward reinforcing indigenous sovereignty and preserving cultural integrity in the Caribbean region.

    Under the proposed regulatory framework, all external visitors seeking to enter or reside within the territory must obtain formal authorization from the Kalinago governing body. The council clarified that this measure forms part of a comprehensive strategy to assert the Kalinago people’s inherent rights as traditional guardians of their ancestral lands.

    Council representatives emphasized that the system aims to create a balanced approach that welcomes constructive engagement while ensuring environmental protection and cultural preservation. “Our primary objective centers on protection rather than exclusion,” a council spokesperson noted. “We maintain an open stance toward respectful interaction but must simultaneously guarantee that our community’s welfare, security, and ecological resources remain uncompromised.”

    The forthcoming regulations will establish clear guidelines governing entry procedures, duration of stays, and approved activities within the territory. Notably, the system will incorporate streamlined processes for educational programs, research initiatives, and collaborative ventures that align with Kalinago cultural principles and comply with the provisions of the Kalinago Act.

    The council is actively engaging community members and stakeholders throughout the policy development phase, encouraging participatory dialogue as the implementation timeline progresses. This consultative approach reflects the administration’s commitment to transparent governance and community-centered decision-making.