Carib Scope

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  • JPS assessing unexpected ‘cascading effect’ that caused blackout

    JPS assessing unexpected ‘cascading effect’ that caused blackout

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A sudden strike of lightning sparked an unforeseen cascading system failure that left the entire island of Jamaica without power from late Friday into Saturday morning, and the national power provider has launched a full probe to pinpoint the root causes of the unprecedented outage, company leadership confirmed Saturday.

    During a press conference held at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) headquarters, Hugh Grant, JPS president and chief executive officer, detailed the sequence of events that led to the total grid shutdown. The initial lightning strike knocked out five critical transmission lines connected to a major substation serving Jamaica’s corporate area. Instead of being contained to the affected zone, the disruption spread uncontrollably through the power network in a cascading effect, which eventually shut down power generation facilities across the entire island, bringing the full national grid offline.

    Grant emphasized that this widespread cascading shutdown was an event the utility never anticipated. “This is not an outcome we expected to see from a localized lightning strike,” he said. “Our priority right now is unpacking exactly what went wrong to allow this cascade to spread across the entire grid. That is the key lesson we need to capture moving forward.”

    Despite the severity of the total blackout, Grant noted that backup contingency systems performed as designed. Within an hour of the grid going down, JPS technical crews were able to execute manual “black start” procedures to restart key power generators, restoring electricity to priority areas almost immediately. Phased restoration work continued through the overnight hours, and all customers had their service reconnected by late Saturday morning.

    Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz previously described the full island outage as “unacceptable” as JPS launched its phased restoration work. Speaking alongside Vaz at Saturday’s briefing was Water, Environment and Climate Change Minister Matthew Samuda, signaling the government’s close attention to the high-impact incident.

    Grant said the company would now move into a formal investigatory phase to map out every step of the outage, document key takeaways from the event, and implement concrete corrective actions to lower the risk of a similar widespread outage happening again. “We will not stop working until we get to the bottom of this incident,” Grant stated. “We are committed to full transparency around our findings, the lessons we learn, and the changes we will make to improve grid resilience going forward.”

  • 65,000 customers remain without water supply, says Samuda

    65,000 customers remain without water supply, says Samuda

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A full day after a widespread islandwide power outage swept across Jamaica overnight Friday and into early Saturday morning, approximately 65,000 domestic and commercial customers connected to the National Water Commission (NWC) still lack running water, accounting for 12 percent of the utility’s total customer base across the country.

    The update was delivered Saturday afternoon by Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda during a joint press briefing held at the headquarters of the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), the nation’s primary electricity provider. Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz joined Samuda for the briefing on ongoing recovery efforts.

    Samuda outlined the core reason behind the lingering water access gaps, explaining that water system recovery follows a far slower timeline than power restoration. “The timing associated with charging an electricity line is a much shorter period than the timeline associated with backfilling water lines that ran dry because of the power outages that affected our power systems,” he told reporters.

    Initial damage and system assessments completed Saturday confirmed that the country’s largest water treatment facilities and primary pumping stations have successfully resumed operations, Samuda confirmed. However, full service restoration in multiple communities will be held up by residual electrical issues that continue to impact water infrastructure located in the parishes of Clarendon, St Elizabeth, and St James. Even though JPS managed to restore power to nearly all customers by early Saturday, unexpected inclement weather later that day triggered new, localized power outages in several regions, complicating recovery work.

    “While primary production facilities are rebounding quickly, our immediate priority is maintaining backup power systems and mobilising localised maintenance support to safely restart other systems and rebuild critical storage capacity in the lagging parishes,” Samuda said, adding that the government is prioritizing targeted support to hard-hit areas to speed up service returns.

    The minister also released a detailed, parish-by-parish breakdown of the current status of water infrastructure across the country:

    – Kingston and St Andrew (KSA): All major water systems are fully operational
    – St Catherine: Most regional networks are back online, with the key Spanish Town Treatment Plant running normally. The Old Harbour network has been hit by a secondary power outage that is disrupting service to both Old Harbour and New Harbour communities.
    – Manchester: Core water production facilities are operational, and storage and distribution tanks are currently being refilled. Gradual service restoration is expected for the Ingleside, New Green, Pusey Hill and Warwick re-lift stations, as well as the Perth Estate storage facility.
    – Clarendon: Persistent water outages remain in effect across southern parts of the parish, impacting residents in New Town, Preddie, Kemps Hill, Milk River and Longville Park.
    – St James: The Great River water system has been fully restored, while Terminal Reservoir and Appleton Hall tanks are in the process of being refilled. Temporary service disruptions are reported in Torado Heights, Rhyne Park, Cornwall Courts, Ironshore, Norwood, and Farm Heights.
    – Trelawny: The Martha Brae water system is fully operational.
    – St Elizabeth: All core systems have been restored, including the Benlomonds, Union, Bogue, Burnt Savannah, Hounslow, Content, and Southampton networks.
    – St Ann: The Bogue and Harrison Town networks are back online, while the Minard plant is still undergoing assessment after experiencing an electrical trip during the blackout.
    – Hanover: Maintenance crews are currently on-site carrying out repairs to the Shettlewood water system.
    – Portland: The Grant’s Level system is operating at just 30 percent of its normal output, running on temporary generator power. Minor secondary facilities are scheduled for maintenance work.
    – St Mary: Localized service disruptions are limited to the Iterboreale and Annotto Bay areas.
    – St Thomas and Westmoreland: Full on-site field assessments are still ongoing, with formal updates to be released once evaluations are complete.

  • Sabrina Dockery, Jodean Williams run sub-11 in Texas

    Sabrina Dockery, Jodean Williams run sub-11 in Texas

    At the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix, a top-tier World Athletics Continental Tour Gold competition hosted at Texas’ Cushing Stadium this past Saturday, Jamaica’s sprinting dominance once again took center stage. Two rising Jamaican sprint stars, Sabrina Dockery and Jodean Williams, delivered career-best performances that pushed both across the elusive 11-second threshold in the women’s 100-meter dash, cementing Jamaica’s status as a global powerhouse in short track sprinting.

    This historic showing brings the total number of Jamaican women who have run sub-11-second 100m this year to 11, an unprecedented milestone that highlights the depth of talent emerging from the Caribbean nation’s elite sprint development programs.

    Dockery, a former standout sprinter at Jamaica’s Lacovia High School who now trains out of Florida, pulled off a stunning upset against a deeply competitive international field to claim the 100m gold. The World Athletics Under-20 Championships relay gold medalist clocked a massive personal best of 10.92 seconds with a legal 1.6 m/s tailwind, knocking 0.13 seconds off her previous top mark of 11.05 seconds set earlier in 2024.

    Behind Dockery, Jodean Williams — who earned a world gold medal as part of Jamaica’s women’s 4x100m relay squad at the 2024 World Relays in March — also secured her own place in history with a third-place finish. She clocked 10.97 seconds, the same time as runner-up Audrey Leduc of Canada, and improved on her prior personal best of 11.00 seconds. Two other Jamaican sprinters also competed in the final: Niesha Burgher crossed the line in seventh place with 11.27 seconds, while former World Athletics Under-20 sprint double champion Briana Williams finished eighth in 11.32 seconds.

    The success of Jamaica’s sprint contingent was not limited to the women’s 100m. In the women’s 100m hurdles, Demisha Roswell claimed another win for the country, edging out fellow Jamaican rising star Ackera Nugent to finish first. In the field, Romaine Beckford took top honors in the men’s high jump, while Navasky Anderson closed out the successful meet for Jamaica with a win in the men’s 800-meter run.

    Saturday’s results underscore the continued strength of Jamaican track and field, with a new generation of young talent emerging to carry on the country’s legendary sprinting legacy ahead of upcoming major global championships.

  • Florida school expands horizons for students with autism through Jamaica trip

    Florida school expands horizons for students with autism through Jamaica trip

    For far too long, young people on the autism spectrum have been sidelined from the kind of transformative international travel experiences that their neurotypical peers often take for granted. Now, one specialized charter school in South Florida is working to close that gap, launching a landmark four-day educational trip to Jamaica designed to build independence, boost confidence, and give autistic students access to the same life-enriching opportunities available to other young travelers.

    The trip, which touched down on Jamaican soil on Friday, brings together a group of 20 students, their family members, and staff members from the South Florida Autism Charter School (SFACS). Over the course of their stay, the group will be hosted at Iberostar Resort, where they will get to explore many of Jamaica’s most iconic attractions, including the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, where the group posed for photos on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

    Dr. Tamara Moodie, founder of SFACS and a Jamaica native, shared the core vision behind the unique initiative in an interview with Observer Online. She explained that the trip addresses a longstanding barrier for autistic youth and their families: travel is often dismissed as too challenging due to common sensory sensitivities, behavioral needs, and complex logistics that come with planning a trip outside of one’s routine. As a result, many autistic students rarely get the chance to travel internationally, while their parents rarely get the chance to slow down and enjoy quality time with their children in a new, welcoming setting.

    Moodie noted that the selection of Jamaica as the trip destination was no accident. For many of the participating students, this trip marks their first ever international journey, and for some, it is even their first time traveling on an airplane. Jamaica’s geographic proximity to South Florida made the logistics of travel far more manageable for students with support needs, while still offering all the cultural enrichment and excitement of visiting a new country.

    Beyond geography, Moodie pointed to Jamaica’s well-earned reputation for warm, patient hospitality as a key draw. As someone who has traveled back to the island regularly with her own family, she has long experienced the welcoming culture of Jamaican people firsthand. She trusted that the island’s tourism industry would provide the level of care, acceptance, and accommodation that her students and their families needed to feel comfortable and supported throughout their trip.

    The initiative was originally planned several months in advance, but organizers had to postpone the departure date following the arrival of Hurricane Melissa. The delay ended up shrinking the group size significantly from initial plans – the original group was nearly three times larger than the current cohort – but Moodie expressed relief and excitement to finally turn the long-planned idea into a reality for the participating families.

    For Moodie and the SFACS community, this trip is far more than a simple vacation. It is a chance to challenge misconceptions about what autistic young people can achieve, by giving them the space to step outside their daily routines, explore a new culture, meet new people, and build lasting shared memories with their families. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to prove that autistic students can thrive in international travel experiences that many once assumed were out of their reach.

  • 7-year old child murdered, pensioner injured

    7-year old child murdered, pensioner injured

    A brutal early-morning attack has left a 7-year-old boy dead and a 72-year-old female pensioner hospitalised in the Essequibo region of Guyana, with local law enforcement launching a full criminal investigation into the alleged murder and attempted murder.

    The incident unfolded at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Friday, 5 June 2026, at a residence in Phase 3 of the Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, located along the East Bank Essequibo. Both victims reside at the same address, authorities confirmed.

    According to initial investigative details, the young victim, identified as Adriel Aftab Mohamed, lived at the property with extended family members. Roughly 20 minutes after the alleged attack, a relative arrived at the home and made the grim discovery: the 72-year-old woman suffering from visible injuries, and the young boy unresponsive inside the property.

    Emergency responders quickly transported the injured pensioner to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital for urgent care. As of the latest update, her condition has been classified as stable, and she remains admitted for ongoing treatment.

    Members of the Guyana Police Force’s Regional Division #3 responded promptly to the scene, launching a forensic sweep to collect evidence. Investigators documented visible injuries on the child’s body, and recovered a bladed weapon suspected to be the weapon used in the attack, which has been taken into police custody as evidence.

    The child’s body was transferred to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where a duty doctor officially pronounced him dead on arrival. It has since been moved to Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it will remain until a post-mortem examination is conducted to determine the official cause of death.

    As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement has interviewed multiple persons of interest connected to the case. Investigators have also confirmed that closed-circuit television cameras are operational in the area surrounding the attack site, and footage from these devices is currently being reviewed to identify potential leads. Police are currently working to track down the suspect responsible for the violence, with the investigation still active and evolving.

  • Belize Ranks 5th in Regional Clean Energy Report as LAC Output Surges

    Belize Ranks 5th in Regional Clean Energy Report as LAC Output Surges

    As nations across the globe accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels toward low-carbon energy systems, a new 2026 regional energy report highlights strong progress across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) — with Belize emerging as one of the region’s top performers in renewable electricity generation.

    Released by the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), the latest report tracks regional energy output for January 2026, revealing that total LAC electricity generation hit 171 terawatt-hours (TWh) that month. This marks a 9.6% jump from December 2025, a surge primarily driven by the rebound of hydropower generation after widespread drought and hydrological constraints that had limited output across the region in prior months eased.

    When ranked by the share of total electricity generated from renewable sources, Belize secured the 5th spot in the regional ranking, with 90.9% of its domestic power coming from clean renewable resources in January. Only four LAC nations outperformed Belize: Paraguay, which hit a perfect 100% renewable generation rate, Costa Rica at 97.8%, Uruguay at 96.5%, and Ecuador at 91.6%. Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela also landed in the region’s top tier of renewable energy performers, per the report’s findings.

    Across the entire LAC region, renewables now make up 66% of the total energy mix, with hydropower alone accounting for 44.5% of all regional electricity generation. Natural gas remains the most widely used fossil fuel in the region, making up 23.8% of total output. OLACDE notes that natural gas largely functions as a flexible backup capacity for regional grids that have integrated high levels of variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

    Despite the overall strong growth in clean energy, the report also identifies key seasonal vulnerabilities that challenge grid stability across the region. Compared to December 2025, solar generation dropped by 30% in January, geothermal output fell by 36%, and wind generation declined by 11%. OLACDE analysts emphasize that these seasonal fluctuations underscore the critical need for investment in dispatchable energy technologies that can offset the intermittency of variable renewables and keep regional grids stable through changing seasonal conditions.

    Looking at longer-term year-over-year trends, regional electricity output saw a far more modest 1.2% growth in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. Hydropower added an extra 10.8 TWh to overall output year-over-year, but lower solar generation pulled total regional output down by 11.2 TWh, offsetting much of the hydropower gain.

  • UWP Senator calls for national reflection on raising boys

    UWP Senator calls for national reflection on raising boys

    In the wake of the fatal killing of local woman Joy St Omer, a senior opposition politician in Saint Lucia has sparked urgent public debate, arguing that outdated and inadequate socialization practices for boys and young men are a root contributor to the nation’s ongoing crisis of femicide and gender-based violence.

    United Workers Party Senator Elisha Norbert, a former educator with a Christian upbringing, laid out his perspective on the drivers of violence against women in an exclusive interview with local outlet St Lucia Times. Drawing on decades of both personal experience and professional observation working with young people, Norbert connected patterns of male violence against women to systemic gaps in how boys are taught to process emotion, cope with setbacks, and respect women.

    Raised in a devout Christian household, Norbert noted his upbringing instilled a core value of care and protection for women. “The Bible teaches us to care for women like fine china,” he explained, adding that women’s innate tendencies toward love, forgiveness, and compassion are too often twisted and exploited by emotionally stunted men in abusive relationships. It is a devastating sight, he said, to watch women continue extending kindness and support to partners even as they endure repeated harm.

    Drawing on his years as a classroom teacher, Norbert pointed to shifting parenting norms that shield boys from the healthy, age-appropriate experience of failure. He cited a common modern example: parents pushing back against coaches for raising their voices at young players during football matches, depriving children of the chance to process disappointment on the field.

    Too many boys today grow up never learning that setbacks are a normal part of life, he argued. They never get the opportunity to lose a game, sit with their frustration, and be guided to process that emotion in a healthy way—learning that it is okay to not win every contest. Over time, this lack of emotional practice leaves men without the regulation skills to handle rejection, conflict, or unmet expectations in adulthood.

    “Honestly, I believe society is raising weak men,” Norbert said. “We’ve lost a lot in the way we raise our men, and I think we’re reaping the rewards of that. It’s detrimental to the stability of a man’s emotional regulation, and they lash out with their might and their strength and their rage that has never been controlled.”

    To reverse this trend, Norbert is calling for a broad, nationwide conversation in Saint Lucia focused on rethinking how boys are raised and educated. The core priority, he says, must be redirecting greater investment and attention to building boys’ emotional intelligence from an early age, equipping them to handle life’s challenges without turning to violence.

  • BTIA President Efrén Pérez Ratified for Second Term Atop Regional Tourism Federation

    BTIA President Efrén Pérez Ratified for Second Term Atop Regional Tourism Federation

    In a significant development for Central America and the Caribbean tourism sector, Efrén Pérez, current president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, has secured unanimous approval to serve a second consecutive term as president of the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America and the Dominican Republic (FEDECATUR). The official ratification was announced during the III Ibero-American Forum on Sustainable Tourism, Innovation, and Development, a high-profile industry gathering hosted in San Pedro Sula, Honduras that drew hundreds of stakeholders including tourism leaders, public sector representatives, global intergovernmental body delegates, and private sector executives from across the Ibero-American region.

    FEDECATUR’s Board of Directors highlighted the key achievements of Pérez’s first term to justify their unanimous decision to re-appoint him. During his initial mandate, Pérez spearheaded meaningful progress in institutional strengthening for the regional federation, and advanced a cohesive regional policy agenda focused on three core pillars: cross-market tourism integration, environmentally sustainable tourism practices, and industry innovation through new technologies and business models.

    Speaking after the confirmation, Pérez framed the renewed mandate as a collective vote of confidence in the shared vision of a more connected, competitive, and fully integrated tourism economy across Central America and the Dominican Republic. “Our ongoing commitment remains centered on amplifying the voice of the private tourism sector across the region, and building a strategic, constructive partnership with regional governments,” Pérez stated. “Together, our goal is to drive inclusive economic growth, expand quality job opportunities, and deliver long-term prosperity for local communities that depend on tourism.”

    For his second term, FEDECATUR has already laid out a clear policy roadmap. Key priorities include expanding and deepening public-private sector dialogue on regional tourism challenges, upgrading air and land transportation connectivity across member states, lowering regulatory barriers that hinder cross-border visitor mobility, and embedding sustainable development as a non-negotiable core pillar of all regional tourism policy. The federation also plans to strengthen collaborative ties with international tourism bodies and multilateral institutions to access funding, technical expertise, and global market opportunities for member stakeholders.

    As the leading representative body for the organized private tourism sector across eight nations, FEDECATUR counts Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic among its core membership. The organization works to align industry priorities, advocate for policy reforms that benefit regional tourism, and position Central America and the Dominican Republic as a cohesive, competitive global tourism destination.

  • Doctors Benjamin and Mansoor Appointed to Lead Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Board

    Doctors Benjamin and Mansoor Appointed to Lead Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Board

    Following its recent weekly policy meeting, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has given formal approval to a slate of leadership appointments for statutory and advisory bodies falling under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. The changes mark a key step in the government’s ongoing institutional renewal agenda, launched in the wake of the general election held on April 30 this year.

    The most high-profile of the confirmed appointments is the new leadership team for the board of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the country’s leading public healthcare facility. Dr. Philmore Benjamin will take on the role of executive chairman, with Dr. Edward Mansoor stepping into the position of deputy chairman. Completing the 10-member board are Martin Camacho, who will serve as board secretary, alongside regular members Dr. Karen Josiah, Randy Agrippa, Kasmin Green, Akeem Edwards, and Kiva Dean. Two senior public health officials will hold ex officio seats on the board: Kevin Silston from the national Medical Benefits Scheme, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamara De Castro.

    The Cabinet’s approvals extended beyond the hospital’s governing board to two other critical public institutions under the health ministry portfolio. Veteran nurse Margaret Smith was named as the new chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council, the statutory body tasked with upholding professional training and practice standards for the country’s nursing workforce, and guaranteeing consistent high-quality care for patients across all healthcare settings. Dan Lee Phillip was also appointed as chairman of the board for the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the agency responsible for public waste collection, disposal and environmental sanitation across the nation.

    Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant publicly confirmed the full list of appointments during a post-Cabinet media briefing held on Friday. He clarified that all nominations for the roles were first submitted to Cabinet for review by Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, before receiving final formal approval. Merchant emphasized that the appointments are not isolated personnel changes, but an integrated part of the new administration’s broader plan to strengthen core public sector institutions after taking office following the general election.

  • Ladies Night at Sabina Park: Free Entry for Women to 2nd ODI of the Sri Lanka Series

    Ladies Night at Sabina Park: Free Entry for Women to 2nd ODI of the Sri Lanka Series

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has launched a fan-focused inclusive initiative to boost attendance and celebrate women supporters, announcing free general entry for all women attending the second One-Day International (ODI) between the West Indies and Sri Lanka at Kingston’s iconic Sabina Park on Saturday, June 6. Billed as a unique “Cricket in the Day, Party in the Night” experience, the special Ladies Night promotion is a core addition to CWI’s ongoing “WI OUTSIDE!” international home series campaign, which centers on re-engaging lapsed fans, building vibrant match-day culture, and amplifying the distinct electric energy that defines Caribbean cricket.

    Women seeking to claim the complimentary offer can collect free general stand tickets directly from the Sabina Park box office ahead of the match’s start. The promotion does not extend to premium Fan Zone or Party Stand seating. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., with organizers encouraging early arrival to soak in a full afternoon of competitive cricket before the venue shifts to after-match party mode, featuring curated DJ sets, exclusive drink deals, and giveaways including tickets to the upcoming T20 International series against Sri Lanka.

    For the host West Indies team, the match carries added competitive stakes: the side will look to extend its strong recent ODI form and build critical series momentum in front of a cheering home crowd, setting the stage for a thrilling under-lights contest.

    CWI Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring explained that the Ladies Night initiative aligns with the organization’s dual goals of expanding access to top-tier cricket and delivering dynamic, fan-first entertainment experiences. “Ladies Night is about celebrating and rewarding the women who continue to stand with West Indies cricket, while crafting an enjoyable, memorable outing for both first-time attendees and long-time fans,” Dehring shared in an official statement. “As part of our “WI OUTSIDE!” campaign, we’re calling on everyone to gather, show their West Indian pride, and feel the unmatched excitement that only live international cricket can deliver.”

    The promotion comes on the heels of a wildly successful ISSA Day held during the opening ODI of the series on June 3, where hundreds of Jamaican school students attended the match for free through a partnership between CWI and the Jamaica Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA). Dehring noted that the turnout from that event was deeply encouraging, mirroring CWI’s broader push to make cricket accessible to young fans across the Caribbean this summer.

    “It was truly inspiring to see hundreds of school children pack Sabina Park for ISSA Day on Wednesday, getting to experience international cricket first-hand as part of our commitment to free entry for kids all summer,” Dehring added. “We hope to see that same bright energy and enthusiasm from the women of Jamaica on Saturday night. We want Sabina Park buzzing, so we encourage women across the country to take advantage of this special offer, bring their friends and family, and help us build an unforgettable atmosphere as the Maroon Men take on Sri Lanka.”

    Beyond the Ladies Night promotion, CWI has extended its youth accessibility commitment across the entire remaining home series. For all upcoming matches hosted across Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, any child aged 16 and under will receive free general admission when accompanied by an adult holding a paid match ticket.