Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Undercover cooler fete full of vibes, energy

    Undercover cooler fete full of vibes, energy

    Farmhouse Events’ ‘Undercover’ cooler experience at Drew Manor in Santa Cruz transformed into an electrifying celebration of Caribbean music and culture last Saturday, with Grenadian artists delivering particularly memorable performances that captivated attendees.

    The meticulously curated event featured an impressive lineup of musical talents including DJs Wayne Small, Team Joy, Adam, Gonzo, and Kenez who maintained infectious energy throughout the night. Local favorites Freetown brought their signature wholesome aesthetic, while Viking Ding Dong entertained with comedic interludes. The dynamic duo Full Blown revived their 2025 hit ‘Big Links riddim,’ adding R&B romance to the diverse musical offerings.

    However, the evening’s most explosive moments came from Grenadian sensations Alex ‘Muddy’ Cuffie and Keron ‘Lil Kerry’ Noel, whose authentic jab energy and cultural connection ignited the massive crowd. Their charismatic stage presence and undeniable talent earned enthusiastic encores as the audience embraced their northern neighbors’ distinctive sound and style.

    Beyond the music, the event offered a visually stunning experience with Instagram-ready photo backgrounds, vibrant decorations, and twinkling overhead lights that created a backyard bashment atmosphere. Attendees elevated the glamour quotient with sophisticated outfits and hairstyles, while Next Level Devils, moko jumbies, and the One Band One Sound rhythm section provided traditional Carnival elements that enhanced the cultural authenticity.

    MC Ancil ‘Blaze’ Isaac skillfully coordinated the evening’s presentations, ensuring seamless transitions between performances. The overall production demonstrated Farmhouse Events’ commitment to creating immersive entertainment experiences that celebrate Caribbean musical heritage while fostering cross-cultural connections within the region.

  • How taxes impact air connectivity in the Caribbean

    How taxes impact air connectivity in the Caribbean

    The Caribbean aviation sector faces mounting pressure as airlines and industry leaders decry exorbitant taxation rates that threaten regional connectivity. Windward Islands Airways International NV (Winair) has launched cautious twice-weekly service between Trinidad and Sint Maarten, with CEO Hans van de Velde acknowledging the challenging economic landscape. ‘Operating an airline in this region is inherently expensive,’ van de Velde stated, revealing that approximately 50% of their introductory $200 one-way fare consists of government taxes.

    This taxation crisis isn’t new. Since at least 2018, when CaribSKY alliance members first raised concerns, regional carriers have struggled with escalating fees. LIAT 1974 documented a startling 56% increase in taxes between 2009-2016 while base fares rose merely 3%. The consequences are stark: annual passenger numbers plummeted from one million to 750,000, with taxes identified as the primary deterrent.

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued stern warnings, noting Caribbean destinations risk pricing themselves out of the global market. While global taxes average 15% of ticket prices, Caribbean routes endure 30-50% taxation—significantly higher than competing destinations like Cancun (23%). IATA’s Peter Cerdá emphasized that modern travelers prioritize total cost, making the Caribbean increasingly uncompetitive.

    At the recent State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Barbados, the tax dilemma dominated discussions. Barbados Tourism Minister Lisa Cummins defended the fees as necessary for infrastructure funding, acknowledging the challenge of reducing taxes without compromising service quality. Meanwhile, LIAT Air CEO Hafsah Abdulsalam stressed the urgent need for efficiency improvements and tax reform to enable regional expansion plans, including future routes to South America and Africa.

    A Caribbean Development Bank working paper from 2018 remains critically relevant, recommending reductions in both aviation taxes and airport charges to stimulate connectivity. The report highlighted that high costs particularly distort intra-regional travel markets, where demand proves highly price-sensitive. Without intervention, the Caribbean’s aviation ecosystem risks further contraction, potentially isolating islands and undermining tourism recovery efforts.

  • Jamrock Jerk prioritises hiring seasonal workers from areas hard hit by Melissa

    Jamrock Jerk prioritises hiring seasonal workers from areas hard hit by Melissa

    NEW YORK – Jamrock Jerk, a prominent mobile food service operator renowned for bringing authentic Jamaican jerk cuisine to New York City’s streets, has announced a targeted humanitarian hiring initiative. In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the company will exclusively prioritize applicants from Jamaica’s most severely impacted parishes for its 2026 seasonal workforce through the U.S. H-2B Visa Program.

    Led by founder Magnus McKellar, the organization operates over 20 street carts across the city and has a long-standing tradition of recruiting seasonal workers from Jamaica. The 2026 operational season, which runs from April through November, will see recruitment efforts specifically directed toward the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Trelawny, Manchester, St James, Westmoreland, and Hanover.

    McKellar explained the decision emerged from December discussions on meaningful assistance strategies. ‘This initiative forms a crucial part of the broader recovery efforts,’ he stated. ‘By focusing our recruitment there, we aim to provide not just employment but direct economic support to communities rebuilding from the hurricane’s impact.’

    The company seeks candidates who demonstrate exceptional customer service aptitude, proven food-service skills, and strong critical-thinking abilities. Additional preference will be given to applicants with practical technical skills—including commercial driving, kitchen equipment maintenance, and mechanical servicing—which are valuable for mobile food operations.

    Approximately 60 successful applicants will be selected for the program, gaining access to significant earning potential that will directly support their families and contribute to local economic recovery in Jamaica. The initiative builds on the company’s substantial economic contribution; during the 2025 season alone, Jamrock Jerk distributed nearly $1 million in wages to its seasonal Jamaican workforce.

    This targeted approach represents a private-sector model for post-disaster recovery, leveraging legal migration pathways to create immediate and tangible economic benefits for affected regions.

  • Jumpers Foreman, Cunningham win weekly award

    Jumpers Foreman, Cunningham win weekly award

    Two Jamaican collegiate athletes have earned prestigious conference honors following record-shattering performances in horizontal jumping events last weekend. Shantae Foreman of Clemson University and Lansford Cunningham of Tusculum University were both recognized as the top field event athletes in their respective conferences.

    Competing at the Orange and Purple Invitational hosted by Clemson University, Shantae Foreman delivered a spectacular performance in the women’s triple jump. The former St. Jago athlete soared to a world-leading distance of 14.17 meters on her sole attempt of the competition. This remarkable achievement established a new Clemson University program record, surpassing the previous benchmark of 13.85 meters set by Portugal’s Patricia Mamona in 2010. Foreman’s jump also broke her personal best of 13.84 meters set last season.

    Foreman’s performance has significant implications in both collegiate and international athletics. Her mark eclipsed the previous world lead of 13.87 meters set by France’s Clemence Rougier in Limoges on January 17. Additionally, it now ranks as the second-best indoor triple jump performance by a Jamaican woman in history, trailing only Suzette Lee’s 14.25 meters recorded in Indianapolis back in March 1997.

    Meanwhile, Lansford Cunningham, a former Cornwall College athlete competing for NCAA Division II Tusculum University, achieved his first weekly conference recognition. At the Hokie Invite held at Virginia Tech on Saturday, Cunningham leaped to a personal best of 7.42 meters in the men’s long jump, earning him second place in the competition. This performance extended his own Tusculum University program record, improving upon his previous mark of 7.32 meters set just two weeks earlier.

    These accomplishments highlight the continued excellence of Jamaican athletes in track and field, particularly in jumping events, while demonstrating their competitive prowess within the American collegiate system.

  • Dwyane Vaz threatens legal action against Julian Chang over sexual harassment claims

    Dwyane Vaz threatens legal action against Julian Chang over sexual harassment claims

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A significant political dispute has erupted in Westmoreland Central following sexual harassment allegations between two prominent figures. Member of Parliament Dwayne Vaz has formally threatened legal proceedings against Councillor Julian Chang of the People’s National Party (PNP), representing the Savanna-la-Mar Division, over what Vaz claims are entirely fabricated accusations.

    Through his legal representatives at Knight, Junior, and Samuels, Vaz issued a formal demand letter to Chang on Tuesday. The attorneys categorically refuted allegations made by Chang during a recent radio interview, characterizing them as both ‘defamatory’ and ‘factually incorrect.’ The legal notice demands a full public retraction and formal apology from Chang by January 30.

    The contested statements include Chang’s claim that Vaz made unwanted sexual advances and threatened his political career when these advances were rejected. Additionally, Chang alleged that Vaz accused him of preferentially maintaining roads in Labour Party areas and subsequently orchestrated his removal as chairman of the Savanna-la-Mar division.

    Vaz’s legal team presented a counter-narrative, emphasizing that Chang participated in a division election but failed to secure nomination or election to any leadership position through the democratic process. The attorneys argue these allegations have inflicted substantial and ongoing damage to Vaz’s professional reputation and public standing.

    The political context adds complexity to the confrontation: Vaz recently reclaimed the Westmoreland Central constituency in the 2025 General Election, defeating Jamaica Labour Party’s George Wright by a margin exceeding 1,500 votes. This victory marked a reversal of the 2020 election outcome where Wright previously defeated Vaz with 53.76% of the vote.

  • GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    GHN’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative reaches 135 students

    Jamaican-American philanthropist Dr. Laxley Stephenson is spearheading a significant educational recovery effort across hurricane-affected regions of Jamaica through his organization, Global Humanity Network Incorporated (GHN). The nonprofit’s ‘Beyond the Book Bag’ initiative has now reached 135 students islandwide, with recent distributions serving 85 additional students across Westmoreland and St Elizabeth parishes.

    The expansion follows GHN’s initial December deployment in Trelawny, where 50 students received comprehensive educational support after Hurricane Melissa destroyed critical learning materials. The latest phase provided complete textbook sets and essential supplies to 60 Westmoreland students and 25 in St Elizabeth, representing 20 educational institutions across both parishes.

    Dr. Stephenson, GHN’s President and CEO, emphasized the strategic nature of the intervention. ‘Our response transcends conventional charity,’ he stated. ‘While addressing immediate textbook shortages through approximately $1 million in distributed materials, we’re simultaneously launching a three-year mentorship framework designed to create sustainable educational pathways.’

    The initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from educational leaders. Nerissa Stevens, Principal of Little London Primary School, reported that GHN exceeded initial commitments by providing materials for 19 students instead of the planned nine. ‘This intervention directly addresses classroom instructional gaps,’ Stevens noted. ‘Recipients span our entire educational spectrum, from early childhood through sixth grade.’

    Concurrently, GHN is undergoing a strategic transformation from charity-focused operations to capacity-building development. The organization unveiled a 2026-2029 roadmap establishing a structured pipeline beginning with immediate relief (‘Helping Hands’), progressing through mentorship programs (‘Mentoring Matters’), and culminating in long-term educational investments (‘Beyond the Backpack’).

    The phased implementation will establish student cohorts and tracking systems in 2026, expand partnerships in 2027, and scale the model regionally through 2029. Professor Stephenson characterized this evolution as ‘elevating charity into a strategy for building futures,’ anticipating outcomes including strengthened youth leadership, reduced aid dependency, and self-sustaining community development.

  • US lawsuit alleges Trinidadian men were unlawfully killed

    US lawsuit alleges Trinidadian men were unlawfully killed

    In a landmark legal action, the families of two Trinidad and Tobago citizens killed in a US military strike have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the United States government. The case, lodged in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on January 27, challenges the legality of America’s maritime security operations in the Caribbean region.

    The plaintiffs allege that a October 14, 2025 missile attack destroyed a civilian vessel traveling from Venezuela toward Trinidad, resulting in the deaths of all six persons aboard. Among the victims were Chad Joseph, 26, and Rishi Samaroo, 41, both residents of Las Cuevas who their families maintain were returning from legitimate fishing and agricultural work in Venezuela.

    Legal representatives for the families are pursuing compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute, contending the strike constituted both wrongful death and extrajudicial killing under international law. The suit invokes the Suits in Admiralty Act to overcome sovereign immunity protections typically afforded to the US government.

    According to court documents, the incident formed part of what plaintiffs describe as an ‘unprecedented’ military campaign initiated in September 2025, involving approximately 36 armed attacks on maritime vessels in Caribbean and eastern Pacific international waters. The lawsuit estimates these operations resulted in roughly 125 casualties.

    The complaint references former President Donald Trump’s public acknowledgment of authorizing the October 14 strike via social media, including shared footage showing a stationary boat being destroyed by munitions. Families maintain neither Joseph nor Samaroo presented any imminent threat, and their vessel was unequivocally civilian in nature.

    US officials have previously defended such strikes as lawful operations within a non-international armed conflict against regional drug cartels. Government representatives have cited a classified Office of Legal Counsel memorandum purportedly supporting this legal position.

    The families’ lawsuit systematically dismantles this justification, arguing drug trafficking does not constitute armed conflict under international humanitarian law. The filing emphasizes that neither victim had documented connections to criminal organizations, noting Trinidadian authorities have publicly stated they possess ‘no information linking Joseph or Samaroo to illegal activities.’

    The legal action seeks not only financial compensation but also accountability for senior officials who authorized the strikes. It represents a significant challenge to the legal frameworks governing maritime security operations and the boundaries of lethal force in counter-narcotics missions.

  • Kamella Carmino unleashes Sōk-D’M, a fusion of soca, EDM

    Kamella Carmino unleashes Sōk-D’M, a fusion of soca, EDM

    Trinidadian entrepreneur and cultural innovator Kamella Carmino has pioneered a groundbreaking musical genre titled Sōk-D’M (pronounced Soak Dem), representing an intentional fusion of Caribbean soca rhythms and electronic dance music (EDM). This innovative soundscape bridges traditional Carnival energy with global festival appeal, creating what industry observers are calling a transformative moment for Caribbean music on the world stage.

    The genesis of Sōk-D’M emerged from a strategic conversation between Carmino and ABM of Platinum Trini Hot 97FM Internet Radio, based in Los Angeles. During their discussion, ABM—who holds promotional licensing rights in Las Vegas—revealed the challenging reality that while EDM dominated the Vegas entertainment market, virtually no platform existed for traditional soca music. This market gap inspired Carmino’s immediate creative response: “So why don’t we fuse soca and EDM and call it Sōk-D’M?”

    Within hours of this conceptual breakthrough, Carmino collaborated with her son Jesus Carmino-Garraway to produce the inaugural Sōk-D’M single “Cross De Stage,” released through JuJu Multimedia. This pioneering track established the genre’s technical parameters and artistic vision, blending soca’s characteristic drum patterns, call-and-response vocal arrangements, and steelpan heritage with EDM’s synthesizer textures, powerful basslines, and dramatic build-and-drop structures.

    Carmino has since expanded the Sōk-D’M catalog with additional compositions including “High on Love” and “Jump Up on Down,” further refining the genre’s sonic identity and emotional resonance. Operating within a tempo range of 125-132 BPM, Sōk-D’M occupies a unique musical space that merges the visceral energy of Trinidad’s J’Ouvert celebrations with the spectacular production values of international festivals like Tomorrowland.

    The term “Sōk-D’M” itself carries profound cultural meaning, with Carmino explaining: “To Soak Dem is to be drenched in rhythm, culture and spirit.” Beyond its musical innovations, the genre represents a philosophical movement advocating for borderless Carnival expression and electronic music with authentic Caribbean soul. This creative initiative invites global producers, DJs, and music enthusiasts to engage with Caribbean culture through rhythm-based connection and collective celebration.

    As Sōk-D’M gains traction across international markets, Carmino envisions the genre transforming how Caribbean music is perceived and consumed worldwide, creating new pathways for cultural exchange and artistic collaboration across continents.

  • Senior judge urges motorists to educate themselves about traffic laws

    Senior judge urges motorists to educate themselves about traffic laws

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican judiciary has issued a compelling call for motorists to proactively educate themselves on national traffic legislation, emphasizing that legal literacy enables better decision-making and courtroom preparedness. Senior Judge Mitsy Beaumont-Daley of the Corporate Area Traffic Court delivered this message during a recent traffic symposium at the St Mary Parish Court, highlighting widespread ignorance of road laws among defendants. Judge Beaumont-Daley revealed that numerous individuals appearing before her court demonstrate unfamiliarity with basic traffic regulations, necessitating judicial explanations of statutes before defendants can enter informed pleas. She stressed personal responsibility in studying the Road Traffic Act, Transport Authority Act, and Road Traffic Regulations to confidently assert guilt or innocence when charged. The address identified frequently misunderstood offenses, including improper fog lamp usage—often confused with daytime running lights—and permissible hands-free device operation while driving. Judge Beaumont-Daley clarified that fog lamps are legally restricted to specific weather conditions, and electronic device use constitutes an offense only when not in hands-free mode. She articulated that comprehending penalties promotes compliance through wisdom and respect for others’ safety rather than mere fear of punishment. The senior judge concluded with a stern reminder that driving constitutes a privilege subject to revocation for abuse, affirming the court’s commitment to firm yet fair enforcement of traffic laws.

  • Trump rebukes armed protesters after Minnesota shooting

    Trump rebukes armed protesters after Minnesota shooting

    WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump has ignited a fierce constitutional debate by declaring that individuals “can’t walk in with guns” at public protests, following the fatal shooting of a legally armed nurse by federal authorities in Minnesota. This position places the administration in direct conflict with its traditional gun rights allies, creating one of the most significant political challenges of Trump’s presidency.

    The controversy stems from the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was carrying a handgun legally when border agents subdued, disarmed, and killed him during a Minneapolis protest on Saturday. This incident occurred just days after immigration agents fatally shot unarmed activist Renee Good as she attempted to drive away from a demonstration.

    Trump attempted to navigate the delicate situation by calling the shooting “a very unfortunate incident” while simultaneously maintaining that firearms have no place in protest settings. This stance has drawn immediate condemnation from powerful gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association, which labeled administration suggestions that Pretti’s legal firearm possession justified the shooting as “dangerous and wrong.”

    Gun Owners of America reinforced the constitutional argument that Americans do not forfeit their Second Amendment rights when exercising their First Amendment right to peaceful assembly. The debate has exposed significant fractures within Trump’s political coalition, with libertarian-leaning Republicans like Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie arguing that “carrying a firearm is not a death sentence.”

    The administration itself displayed internal divisions, as Trump distanced himself from Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller’s baseless characterization of Pretti as an “assassin,” while still supporting the broader premise that armed protesters inherently threaten law enforcement.

    This position has revived accusations of hypocrisy from Trump critics, who note the stark contrast with the administration’s defense of armed conservatives like Kyle Rittenhouse, acquitted after killing two people with an AR-15 rifle at a 2020 protest. Further damaging testimony emerged from the January 6th committee, revealing Trump knew some supporters at his rally were armed but demanded reduced security checks before urging them to march on the Capitol.

    The escalating controversy has sharpened Democratic attacks and created unease within Trump’s base, potentially threatening one of his most reliable political alliances as the nation grapples with balancing gun rights and public safety.