Carib Scope

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  • iPrint donates $7m to support Melissa recovery at Park Mountain Primary

    iPrint donates $7m to support Melissa recovery at Park Mountain Primary

    In a significant development for educational recovery, Park Mountain Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth has received a substantial $7 million donation from the iPrint Group of Companies. This contribution, facilitated through the National Education Trust (NET), represents a major step forward in restoring the institution’s hurricane-damaged infrastructure and learning environments.

    The philanthropic initiative comes as a direct response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which severely disrupted educational activities across Jamaica. The funding will specifically target the rehabilitation of critical facilities, ensuring the school can reestablish safe and effective teaching conditions for both students and staff.

    Stephen Steele, Chairman of iPrint Group, articulated the company’s philosophical approach to corporate social responsibility during the presentation ceremony. “Recognizing the hurricane’s disruptive impact on education, we determined that supporting recovery efforts represented both an ethical imperative and strategic investment in national development,” Steele stated. He further praised Principal Carlene Williams-Heath’s resilient leadership throughout the crisis period.

    The iPrint executive additionally issued a compelling call to action for broader private sector involvement, emphasizing that contributions could extend beyond financial support to include expertise, resources, or volunteer time.

    Official remarks from NET’s Director of Donor and Partnership Management, delivered by Projects Coordinator Danielle Drummond, contextualized the donation within Jamaica’s larger educational landscape. The statement highlighted the “significant damage” sustained by multiple institutions and stressed the necessity of collaborative recovery approaches involving government, private entities, and diaspora communities.

    Principal Williams-Heath characterized the donation as both timely and transformative for the institution’s restoration timeline. “This support arrives at our most critical juncture and will substantially accelerate our rebuilding initiatives,” she noted. The educational leader emphasized the direct correlation between physical infrastructure and learning outcomes, confirming the funds would help maintain environments where students can continue their academic development without disruption.

  • Colombia says 80 troops on crashed aircraft, many feared dead

    Colombia says 80 troops on crashed aircraft, many feared dead

    A Colombian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft crashed moments after takeoff from Puerto Leguizamo on Monday, triggering a massive emergency response amid conflicting casualty reports. The aircraft, carrying approximately 80 military personnel, went down in a forested area near the southern border with Ecuador, with initial reports indicating potential survivors among the wreckage.

    Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed the tragedy through official channels, expressing ‘profound sorrow’ while emphasizing that exact casualty figures and crash causation remain under investigation. Military rescue units were immediately dispatched to the remote crash site, where television footage depicted a severely damaged fuselage engulfed in flames within a jungle clearing.

    The incident occurred in a strategically sensitive region where Colombian and Ecuadorian armed forces have intensified counter-narcotics operations against drug trafficking organizations and armed militias. The area has witnessed elevated military activity in recent weeks as both nations collaborate to combat transnational criminal enterprises.

    This marks the second catastrophic incident involving a C-130 Hercules in South America within a month, following the February 27 crash of a Bolivian military cargo plane that resulted in 24 fatalities during landing procedures near La Paz. The Hercules aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, represents one of aviation’s most enduring transport platforms, renowned for its short-field capabilities and versatility in transporting troops and equipment to remote locations.

    Aviation safety investigators are expected to examine multiple factors including mechanical failure, operational conditions, and potential external threats in determining the crash’s etiology. The four-engine turboprop remains a workhorse for military operations worldwide despite this recent tragedy.

  • NWC announces water regulations areas of Kingston, effective Monday

    NWC announces water regulations areas of Kingston, effective Monday

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Water Commission (NWC) has enacted stringent service restrictions for communities dependent on the Constant Spring System, implementing an alternating 12-hour water supply schedule effective immediately. This emergency measure responds to critically declining water levels at the Hermitage Dam, which continue to diminish despite recent rainfall and now approach the dangerous threshold of 65 percent capacity.

    The NWC’s regulatory division has strategically segmented the Constant Spring network into two distinct operational zones. Upper Constant Spring encompasses areas situated above the Ministry of Justice, while Lower Constant Spring covers regions below this geographical marker.

    According to the published timetable, upper sector communities including Duhaney Park, Patrick City, Pembroke Hall, and sections of Havendale and Meadowbrook will receive water provision from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am daily. Conversely, lower sector areas such as Half Way Tree, Hagley Park Road, Maxfield Avenue, and Cockburn Gardens will have access from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

    Commission officials revealed that approximately 133 water supply systems across Jamaica currently demonstrate vulnerability to arid conditions, with potential for additional restrictions if hydrological conditions deteriorate further. Monitoring data indicates several systems are experiencing lower inflow rates compared to the same period last year, necessitating proactive conservation measures.

    The Mona Reservoir system remains stable at approximately 85 percent capacity, allowing normal operations to continue for its service areas. The NWC urges affected residents to diligently observe the regulation schedule, implement water conservation practices, and store adequate supplies during their allocated service windows.

    Recommended conservation measures include promptly repairing household leaks, installing water-saving devices, reusing grey water for non-potable purposes, and practicing continuous water preservation. The Commission maintains its commitment to ongoing system surveillance and will provide public updates as hydrological conditions evolve.

  • OECS welcomes first direct flight to Africa

    OECS welcomes first direct flight to Africa

    CASTRIES, St. Lucia — A new chapter in South-South cooperation has commenced as the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) celebrates the inaugural large-scale commercial flight directly connecting the Caribbean to the African continent. The landmark journey departed from Robert Bradshaw International Airport in St. Kitts, carrying a high-level delegation of over 100 dignitaries from eight Caribbean nations.

    The Nigeria-based Aquarian Consult Limited orchestrated this transformative flight, which transported prominent business leaders, government officials, and cultural icons directly to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday. The OECS Commission, headquartered in St. Lucia, hailed this achievement as a monumental step toward regional integration and economic empowerment.

    Aisha Maina, Managing Director of Aquarian Consult, encapsulated the historical significance: “We are no longer just dreaming of a bridge between our two regions; we are flying over it. This flight carries the future of Afri-Caribbean trade, tourism, and shared prosperity.”

    This pioneering route establishes a direct transatlantic connection that dramatically reduces travel time from over 30 hours to a single hop, bypassing traditional layovers in Europe or North America. The OECS emphasized that this flight represents more than mere transportation—it symbolizes a “Reverse Middle Passage” that asserts direct economic and cultural ties between the regions.

    The flight serves as the official prelude to the upcoming Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS), scheduled from March 23–28 at Abuja’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. Delegates will engage in high-level bilateral discussions focusing on agricultural innovation, blue economy collaboration, cultural exchange, and transformative investment opportunities.

    This breakthrough establishes a primary economic corridor between the OECS and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), significantly cementing diplomatic and trade relations while demonstrating the commercial viability of permanent air links between the Global Africa family.

  • St George’s appoints alumnus Andrew Price as technical director of football

    St George’s appoints alumnus Andrew Price as technical director of football

    In a strategic move to revitalize its football program, St George’s College (STGC) has announced the landmark appointment of Andrew Price, a revered alumnus and decorated coach, as its new Technical Director. This appointment represents a significant homecoming for Price, a two-time ‘Triple Champion’ for the institution’s ‘Light Blues’ team.

    Set to commence his tenure on April 1, 2026, following the closure of the ongoing schoolboy football season, Price will provide comprehensive leadership across all tiers of the STGC football ecosystem. His mandate encompasses the Under-14 and Under-16 squads, extending to the flagship Manning Cup team. A primary objective is to institute a cohesive and unified playing philosophy while championing the holistic development of student-athletes.

    The school’s principal, Margaret Campbell, publicly expressed enthusiasm regarding the appointment. Campbell characterized the decision as a strategic initiative designed to positively influence youth development. She articulated high expectations for Price’s leadership in synchronizing training methodologies and cultivating an entrenched culture of excellence in both athletic and academic pursuits.

    Price arrives with an illustrious portfolio boasting over three decades of success spanning school, premier club, and international football coaching. His most recent role was as head coach of the Calabar High School football program. His contributions to Jamaican football have been nationally recognized with the prestigious Order of Distinction (OD).

    Reflecting on his return to the North Street institution, Price described the opportunity as a ‘profound honour.’ He outlined an ambitious vision centered on the implementation of a detailed 3-5 year development plan. This strategy aims not only to restore St George’s College to the apex of competitive schoolboy football but also to focus on mentoring emerging talent, shaping them into well-rounded student-athletes and committed patriots.

  • German to head new UN office in Haiti

    German to head new UN office in Haiti

    In a significant move to bolster its engagement in Haiti, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Dr. Daniela Kroslak of Germany as the inaugural head of the newly created United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). The announcement was made on Monday, marking a strategic step in the international body’s ongoing efforts to stabilize the Caribbean nation.

    Dr. Kroslak is a seasoned diplomat with a formidable quarter-century of expertise in political affairs, peacekeeping operations, and mission leadership. Her academic credentials include a doctorate in international politics and a bachelor’s degree in international history and politics, providing a strong theoretical foundation for her extensive practical experience.

    Her professional history with the UN is both deep and diverse. She previously held the critical role of Chief of Staff within the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), giving her invaluable on-the-ground insight into the country’s complex challenges. Her field experience extends across some of the world’s most demanding operational theaters, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Beyond her UN service, she has also contributed her expertise to the International Crisis Group in Kenya.

    Most recently, Dr. Kroslak demonstrated her strategic acumen as the Lead Facilitator for the 2025 Review of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Preceding this, in 2024, she led the Independent Strategic and Civilian Staffing Review of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU). Her career also includes a pivotal role as the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Deputy Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), a position she held until the mission’s mandate concluded in December 2023.

    The UN highlighted that Dr. Kroslak possesses a distinguished record in strategic and organizational leadership, high-level coordination, mediation, and human rights advocacy. Her extensive service in fragile transition contexts makes her uniquely qualified to lead the UNSOH, an office tasked with coordinating international support and fostering stability in Haiti during a critical juncture.

  • JDF makes $1.4 billion cocaine seizure offshore St Elizabeth

    JDF makes $1.4 billion cocaine seizure offshore St Elizabeth

    Jamaican defense forces have executed a major counter-narcotics operation resulting in one of the largest drug seizures in the nation’s history. The Maritime Air and Cyber Command interdicted a high-speed vessel approximately 10 nautical miles southeast of Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, on Saturday.

    During routine coastal patrols, the First District Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard detected a suspicious go-fast boat heading toward the Jamaican mainland. After intercepting the vessel, personnel conducted a boarding and search operation that revealed an enormous contraband shipment.

    The comprehensive search yielded 99 individually wrapped packages containing cocaine with a total weight of 2,544.404 kilograms—equivalent to over 2.5 metric tons. Authorities additionally confiscated eighteen fuel drums, three outboard engines, and various narcotics trafficking equipment. The illicit cargo possesses an estimated street value of approximately $1.4 billion.

    Three individuals aboard the vessel were taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) for questioning and potential charges.

    The Jamaica Defence Force characterized the operation as demonstrating their resolute dedication to safeguarding national sovereignty and combating transnational organized crime networks. The successful interception highlights intensified collaboration between Jamaican security agencies and international partners to secure maritime territories, reinforce border integrity, and disrupt criminal enterprises that jeopardize regional security and economic stability.

    This seizure represents a significant blow to narcotics trafficking operations in the Caribbean region and underscores the growing capabilities of Jamaica’s naval and cyber command units in addressing sophisticated criminal activities at sea.

  • Two pilots dead, 41 injured in New York runway crash

    Two pilots dead, 41 injured in New York runway crash

    A fatal collision between an Air Canada Express aircraft and a fire truck on a runway at New York’s La Guardia Airport resulted in the deaths of both pilots and prompted a full-scale investigation into airport safety protocols Sunday night.

    The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 PM when Flight AC7157, operated by a CRJ aircraft arriving from Montreal, Canada, was completing its landing procedure. According to preliminary reports from ABC News, the aircraft was traveling at approximately 30 miles per hour when it collided ‘nose first’ with the emergency vehicle.

    Air traffic control recordings obtained by media outlets capture a controller acknowledging the emergency situation and instructing the flight crew to remain in position while emergency services mobilized to the scene.

    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, confirmed the tragic deaths of the two pilots aboard the aircraft. Additionally, 41 individuals were transported to area hospitals for evaluation, including 39 passengers from the aircraft and two Port Authority emergency responders. Medical facilities have since discharged at least 32 of those injured.

    Investigators revealed that the fire truck had received explicit permission to cross the runway shortly before the collision occurred. The vehicle was responding to a separate emergency request from a United Airlines flight whose pilot had reported an odor-related issue aboard the aircraft.

    In response to the tragedy, airport authorities implemented a ground stop and temporarily closed La Guardia until 2:00 PM Monday to facilitate crash scene assessment and investigation activities. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the runway incursion and collision.

  • Blow for Reggae Boyz as Demarai Gray ruled out with injury

    Blow for Reggae Boyz as Demarai Gray ruled out with injury

    Jamaica’s national football team has been dealt a significant blow just days before their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs, with influential winger Demarai Gray forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury. The setback marks the third consecutive month the 29-year-old has missed international duty through physical setbacks.

    Gray, who has netted seven goals in 29 appearances for the Reggae Boyz, sustained the injury during Birmingham City’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Derby County in the English Championship on Saturday. His absence creates a substantial void in head coach Rudolph Speid’s offensive strategy for the upcoming critical matches.

    In response to this development, the Jamaican coaching staff has called up Tivoli Gardens forward Nickalia Fuller as Gray’s replacement. Fuller brings current domestic form to the squad, having scored five goals in the Jamaica Premier League this season.

    The injury concerns extend beyond Gray, with midfielder Kevon Lambert also ruled out of contention. While Fuller has been confirmed as Gray’s substitute, the replacement for Lambert remains undetermined at this time.

    The Reggae Boyz are scheduled to commence training camp on Monday before traveling to Guadalajara on Tuesday. Their first playoff challenge arrives Thursday against New Caledonia, with a potential subsequent match against DR Congo looming as they pursue qualification for global football’s premier tournament.

  • Barzini, Qraig Voicemail, Ding Dong collab in reggae-hip hop fusion

    Barzini, Qraig Voicemail, Ding Dong collab in reggae-hip hop fusion

    A vibrant new cross-cultural musical fusion has arrived with the release of ‘Shake,’ a high-energy dance track blending Jamaican dancehall rhythms with American hip-hop. The international collaboration, which debuted on March 20 across all digital music platforms, brings together distinctive talents from both genres: Barzini, a US-based rapper with deep Jamaican roots; Ding Dong, Jamaica’s celebrated ‘King of Dance Music’; and Qraig Voicemail, member of the iconic Jamaican group Voicemail renowned for their dance anthems.

    Produced under Barzini’s label Change the Stars Records, the track represents a deliberate effort to bridge musical cultures and audiences. The artists describe ‘Shake’ as an infectious, movement-driven celebration specifically crafted as a tribute to women worldwide—honoring their beauty, confidence, and indispensable role in dance culture.

    Barzini (born Jamal McDonnough), whose musical identity was shaped by his dual cultural heritage, conceptualized the project. Despite being born in Omaha, Nebraska, he spent his formative first decade in Kingston, Jamaica, maintaining strong connections through annual summer and Christmas visits after relocating to Philadelphia. This bicultural background allowed him to appreciate both Jamaican sounds (reggae and dancehall) and American hip-hop influences from artists like Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and Master P.

    The recording session itself became a dynamic dance experience, with Ding Dong and Qraig Voicemail reportedly dancing and jumping throughout the process. Ding Dong emphasized the track’s universal appeal, noting: ‘In hip hop they say twerk, in dancehall we say wine.’ Qraig Voicemail added that the song is designed ‘for every woman who loves to dance, and every man who loves to watch the energy of the dance floor come alive.’

    Barzini’s journey to this collaboration includes significant mentorship from Jamaican reggae legend Sugar Minott, who provided his first major break in the music industry. This foundation in authentic Jamaican music culture, combined with his hip-hop credentials—including early recognition on WorldStarHipHop and features in Hip Hop Weekly magazine—positioned him uniquely to orchestrate this cross-genre partnership that honors both musical traditions while creating something fresh for global audiences.