Carib Scope

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  • ‘Tehran’ TV series producer Dana Eden found dead in Athens

    ‘Tehran’ TV series producer Dana Eden found dead in Athens

    ATHENS — Dana Eden, the acclaimed Israeli television producer who co-created the Emmy-winning espionage thriller ‘Tehran,’ was discovered deceased in a central Athens hotel room on Sunday evening. The 52-year-old was in Greece for production work on the series’ upcoming fourth season.

    Greek police authorities confirmed to AFP on Monday that Eden’s body was found at a hotel near Syntagma Square. A police spokesperson indicated that preliminary investigations, including review of surveillance footage, point toward suicide as the likely cause of death. An official autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact circumstances.

    Eden had arrived in Athens on February 4 to resume production on ‘Tehran,’ the internationally distributed Apple TV+ series whose previous seasons were filmed extensively in the Greek capital. The production had experienced significant delays following the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel and subsequent conflict in Gaza.

    In an official statement, her production company Donna and Shula Productions addressed the tragedy: ‘This is a moment of profound pain for the family, friends, and colleagues.’ The statement explicitly dismissed circulating rumors suggesting criminal involvement or nationalistic motives behind her death as ‘incorrect and unfounded,’ while requesting respect for the family’s privacy during this difficult time.

    The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a pioneering figure who transformed Israeli television’s global reach. Eden and creative partner Shula Spiegel revolutionized international production partnerships when they secured unprecedented Greek government funding to film ‘Tehran’ in Athens as a stand-in for the Iranian capital. Their visionary approach—including personal financial risk-taking during the COVID-19 pandemic—resulted in Apple TV+’s landmark acquisition of the series, setting new precedents for Israeli productions.

    Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar memorialized Eden as ‘one of the most prominent and influential producers in the Israeli television industry.’ Her legacy includes not only the critically acclaimed series featuring actors Niv Sultan, Glenn Close, and Hugh Laurie, but also a new paradigm for international television co-productions.

  • England survive Italy scare to reach T20 World Cup Super Eights

    England survive Italy scare to reach T20 World Cup Super Eights

    In a heart-stopping T20 World Cup encounter in Kolkata, England narrowly avoided a monumental upset against tournament underdogs Italy, securing their progression to the Super Eights phase with a 24-run victory. The match culminated in a dramatic finale as Italy’s valiant pursuit of England’s formidable 202-7 fell just short, with the lowest-ranked team bowled out for 178 on the final delivery.

    The game’s defining performance came from Will Jacks, who electrified the contest with a record-breaking 21-ball half-century—the fastest fifty in T20 World Cup history—surpassing Eoin Morgan’s previous benchmark set in 2012. Jacks’ unbeaten 53 from just 22 deliveries proved instrumental after England found themselves in a precarious position at 105-5 during the 13th over. His explosive partnerships with Sam Curran (54 runs in 25 balls) and Jamie Overton (35 runs in 16 balls) propelled England past the 200-run threshold for the first time in the tournament.

    Italy’s response began disastrously as Jofra Archer struck early, compounded by a spectacular one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler that dismissed Italian captain Harry Manenti. However, Italy mounted a stunning recovery through Ben Manenti’s blistering 60 from 25 balls, featuring six sixes and four fours in a 92-run fourth-wicket stand with Justin Mosca.

    The match reached its climax when Grant Stewart’s late assault of 45 from 23 balls, including 21 runs from Adil Rashid’s penultimate over, brought Italy within 30 runs of victory with 21 balls remaining. Ultimately, the chase proved too demanding, securing England’s advancement alongside West Indies from Group C, while Italy exited the tournament with their credibility profoundly enhanced.

  • Swiss train derails, injuring five

    Swiss train derails, injuring five

    GOppenstein, Switzerland — A regional commuter train derailed in southern Switzerland on Monday morning amid extreme weather conditions, leaving five passengers injured and prompting a major emergency response. The incident occurred as the mountainous region remained under a Level 4 avalanche alert—the second-highest danger rating.

    According to local police, preliminary investigations suggest an avalanche crossed the railway tracks moments before the train’s passage. The public prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the derailment.

    The train, carrying 29 passengers at approximately 7:00 AM local time, was exiting the critical Lotschberg rail tunnel—a major transportation artery—when the accident occurred. While one injured passenger required hospitalization, the remaining travelers were successfully evacuated to safety despite continuing avalanche threats and heavy snowfall in the area.

    Swiss Federal Railways (CFF) confirmed the immediate suspension of all rail services between Goppenstein and Brig stations due to avalanche risks. The village of Goppenstein, situated at 1,216 meters elevation, serves as a vital logistics hub for both road and rail transport through the Alpine region.

    This incident follows another avalanche event last Thursday that buried portions of the main roadway connecting the Lotschental valley to Goppenstein, though that earlier incident resulted in no injuries.

    Separately, Swiss authorities issued evacuation orders for multiple areas within the Orsières municipality due to severe weather patterns, including strong winds and forecasted heavy rainfall.

    Switzerland’s rail network, celebrated globally for its precision and extensive coverage through challenging terrain, has seen declining accident rates despite increasing usage. Government statistics confirm the Swiss remain Europe’s most frequent rail users per capita. This incident marks the most significant rail disruption since a 2023 storm caused dual derailments near Bern, injuring fifteen people.

  • Symonette: ‘Inhumane’ to deport child killer after serving sentence

    Symonette: ‘Inhumane’ to deport child killer after serving sentence

    A complex legal and humanitarian debate has surfaced in The Bahamas regarding the future of convicted murderer Chris Ferguson, a Haitian national who recently received a 40-year prison sentence for the 2024 killing of 12-year-old Adriel Moxey. The case has drawn attention to immigration policy gaps and moral questions surrounding deportation of long-term inmates.

    Ferguson, 39, accepted a plea deal last week in the strangulation death of the young victim, whose body was discovered in vegetation near Faith Avenue. During court proceedings, the defendant expressed remorse and offered an apology for his actions.

    The immigration status of Ferguson has become a central point of controversy. Officials confirmed that while the Haitian national had applied for Bahamian citizenship in 2010 with Cabinet granting preliminary approval, he never completed the mandatory requirements. These included submitting necessary documentation and taking the oath of allegiance, meaning he never formally obtained citizenship despite widespread speculation to the contrary.

    Former Immigration Minister Brent Symonette has characterized the potential deportation of Ferguson after his prison term as ‘inhumane,’ noting the convict would be approximately 70 years old upon release. Symonette highlighted systemic issues within immigration processing, explaining that historical application tracking deficiencies have left thousands in legal limbo with incomplete files that were often lost or neglected.

    Symonette described the situation as a ‘big problem’ that creates significant legal gray areas. He argued that deporting someone after decades of incarceration serves little practical purpose, suggesting that allowing such individuals to remain in the country for their remaining years might be the more humane approach.

    The Department of Immigration has not disclosed what specific actions will be taken regarding Ferguson’s status upon completion of his sentence, leaving questions about the resolution of this legal and ethical dilemma unanswered.

  • Man killed by cop ‘was known to him’

    Man killed by cop ‘was known to him’

    New evidence has surfaced contradicting official police narratives regarding last week’s fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man by an off-duty officer in Kemp Road. While Police Press Liaison Chief Superintendent Sheria King initially described the deceased as an “unknown” male encountered at the officer’s Margaret Street residence, community sources have identified him as Makaveli Tinker, a local father known to the officer.

    According to residents who spoke anonymously due to safety concerns, the two men had engaged in a prior argument days before Thursday’s fatal confrontation. Witnesses reported hearing heated exchanges immediately preceding the gunshots that claimed Tinker’s life, directly challenging police accounts that described a sudden encounter with an unidentified intruder.

    Chief Superintendent King has since acknowledged that her initial statements reflected preliminary information, confirming the investigation has now been referred to the Coroner’s Court for formal inquiry. The officer involved, described as having served “for a while,” remains subject to the Police Commissioner’s determination regarding active duty status.

    The tragedy marks the first police-involved fatality of the year and reveals a complex personal history for the victim. Tinker had previously been convicted as a minor in the 2015 killing of Queen’s College teacher Joyelle McIntosh, though his conviction was later overturned with a retrial pending at the time of his death.

    Tinker’s life had been marked by profound trauma, having witnessed the double murder of his mother and brother in 2022. Friends described how these losses left him emotionally devastated until the birth of his son redirected his purpose. Those close to him emphasized his recent efforts toward rehabilitation, including car cleaning and handyman work while under curfew, with aspirations to establish his own business after losing regular employment last year.

    Community members remembered Tinker as a helpful presence in Kemp Road, particularly known for assisting elderly residents. The shooting has left both his one-year-old son and the broader community seeking answers and closure as the judicial process moves forward.

  • Montego Bay edge Cavalier, Mt Pleasant hammer Dunbeholden

    Montego Bay edge Cavalier, Mt Pleasant hammer Dunbeholden

    In a pivotal Sunday fixture for the Jamaica Premier League, Montego Bay United solidified their commanding position at the summit by securing a narrow 1-0 victory against the defending champions, Cavalier SC. This crucial win avenged their prior 3-0 defeat and maintained a formidable seven-point gap at the top of the standings.

    The match’s defining moment arrived in the 55th minute at Jarrett Park. Following a foul on Deonjay Brown within the penalty area, Dwight Merrick exhibited composure from the spot, converting the penalty to notch his tenth goal of the campaign. Despite controlling much of the match’s tempo, Montego Bay relied on this decisive play to clinch the three points, a result that plunges Cavalier to a disappointing eighth place.

    Simultaneously, former titleholders Mount Pleasant FA unleashed an offensive masterclass, demolishing Dunbeholden FC with an emphatic 4-0 triumph at Drax Hall. The squad broke free from a recent scoring drought with Raheen Edwards initiating the rout in the 21st minute. Daniel Green swiftly doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. Second-half substitutes Shaquille Bradford and Alex Marshall then entered the fray, each contributing a goal to seal a comprehensive victory and reaffirm their team’s championship credentials.

    Elsewhere in the league, Racing United clung to second position courtesy of a dramatic 1-0 win against Molynes United, secured by a late strike from substitute Dwight Gentles. The match was influenced by an early red card shown to Molynes’ Sergeni Frankson in the 18th minute. Waterhouse FC’s impressive four-match winning streak was halted following a 1-1 draw with Tivoli Gardens, while Chapelton Maroons continued their ascent up the table with a 2-0 victory over Treasure Beach FC. At the bottom, Spanish Town Police FC enhanced their survival prospects with a 1-0 win over Harbour View, narrowing the gap between the two clubs to a single point.

  • ‘I have more to accomplish’

    ‘I have more to accomplish’

    In an emotional return that captivated the athletics world, Olympic sprint legend Elaine Thompson-Herah made her competitive comeback at Saturday’s Camperdown Classic, marking her first race in 620 days following a debilitating Achilles injury. The five-time Olympic gold medalist chose Jamaica College’s Ashenheim Stadium as the venue for her long-awaited return to the sport that made her a global icon.

    The atmosphere reached fever pitch as spectators filled every available seat, creating an electric environment befitting one of track and field’s most anticipated returns. Thompson-Herah, widely regarded as the fastest woman alive, demonstrated remarkable perspective by prioritizing health and enjoyment over immediate results. Her third-place finish in 7.24 seconds behind winner Levanya Williams (7.17) and Shaniqua Bascombe (7.23) represented far more than mere statistics—it symbolized victory over adversity.

    Speaking with visible emotion post-race, Thompson-Herah expressed profound gratitude: “I have to give God thanks for carrying me through that race healthy. This was essentially part of my training regimen—an opportunity to implement techniques we’ve been developing while simply rediscovering the joy of competition.”

    The 33-year-old champion revealed her philosophical approach to this new chapter, emphasizing silent determination over public declarations. “I maintain specific targets but prefer working discreetly toward them. My focus remains on gradual progression, with September representing a potential breakthrough point if health permits.”

    Beyond physical recovery, Thompson-Herah’s journey has been emotionally transformative. She acknowledged the challenges of extended absence from her passion while expressing deep appreciation for her support network—coach, management team, and dedicated fans who maintained faith during her rehabilitation.

    “The patience and positivity from genuine supporters has been overwhelming,” she noted. “This process requires balancing hunger with humility, recognizing that rebuilding physical capacity demands time and perseverance more than immediate results.”

    While stopwatches will eventually measure her competitive progress, Thompson-Herah’s current metrics revolve around resilience, dedication, and the pure satisfaction of returning to what she loves. Her comeback story continues evolving, with future chapters potentially adding to her already legendary status in athletic history.

  • Opposition wants clarity on digital services tax plan

    Opposition wants clarity on digital services tax plan

    Jamaica’s proposed extension of General Consumption Tax (GCT) to overseas digital services has prompted cautious analysis from the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), with spokesperson Christopher Brown emphasizing the need for detailed clarification on implementation mechanisms and potential effects on digital service exporters.

    The revenue measure, introduced in the 2026/27 budget by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, targets foreign digital providers without physical presence in Jamaica—including streaming platforms, cloud computing services, and other digital intangibles—subjecting them to the standard 15% GCT rate. The government projects approximately $300 million in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, with significant increases anticipated in subsequent years.

    Minister Williams justified the policy shift using the internationally recognized ‘destination principle,’ which applies consumption taxes based on where services are consumed rather than where providers are headquartered. This approach aims to eliminate differential treatment between local and foreign digital services while modernizing Jamaica’s tax framework for the digital economy.

    Opposition spokesman Brown acknowledged the global trend toward digital service taxation but highlighted unresolved operational questions regarding enforcement methodologies and collection mechanisms. The government has yet to specify whether foreign companies will register directly or if collection will occur through intermediaries like financial institutions or telecommunications providers.

    Brown expressed broader concerns about the cumulative burden of new tax measures on households, particularly affecting lower-income groups and an already strained middle class. He warned that additional levies on essential digital services—increasingly used for education, business, and communication—could create ripple effects during Jamaica’s ongoing economic recovery from recent shocks and climate-related disruptions.

    While recognizing the government’s objective to broaden the tax base and ensure equitable treatment between local and foreign providers, the opposition emphasized that consumer protection and implementation clarity will be central to their evaluation. Critics anticipate that companies may pass tax costs to consumers through higher subscription fees, potentially undermining digital accessibility.

    The PNP continues to analyze the full suite of budgetary tax measures and will articulate its definitive position after comprehensive assessment of the proposal’s design and socioeconomic implications.

  • Campari, Valiant turn up the heat with Win Your Passion Moment

    Campari, Valiant turn up the heat with Win Your Passion Moment

    Campari Group is extending its celebration of self-expression through its ‘Win Your Passion Moment’ promotional campaign, which will continue through March 29th. The initiative offers participants opportunities to win premium experiences and products while embracing the brand’s core values of individuality and bold living.

    Central to this marketing effort is Jamaican artist Valiant, described by Campari as the embodiment of contemporary passion and fearless self-expression. The company’s communications manager, Dominic Bell, emphasized the natural alignment between Valiant’s public persona and Campari’s brand identity: “Valiant represents what Campari stands for – that sensual individual who effortlessly commands attention. He embodies our rough-yet-sensual character who expresses himself authentically during passionate moments.”

    The campaign features bi-weekly prize drawings throughout its duration, offering multiple opportunities for consumers to win. The premium prizes include: an all-expenses-paid four-night romantic getaway for two to the Dominican Republic; a luxurious four-night staycation at Sandals Jamaica resort; a complete bedroom makeover package; an exclusive Xodus Carnival costume; and a state-of-the-art 55-inch television.

    Valiant expressed enthusiasm about his role as campaign ambassador: “Being the face of Campari’s Win Your Passion Moment feels incredibly natural. Passion defines everything I value—music, personal growth, and life’s journey. Campari genuinely understands this energy and celebrates those bold moments when people pursue what they believe in.”

    The promotion encourages repeated participation, with consumers having multiple entry opportunities during the campaign period. Campari positions this initiative as more than a typical marketing campaign, framing it as a movement that rewards authentic living and unapologetic self-expression—values the brand has championed throughout its history.

  • Len Brown to feature on IMC 2026 panel

    Len Brown to feature on IMC 2026 panel

    The 2026 Island Music Conference (IMC), scheduled for February 25-28 at Kingston’s Courtleigh Auditorium, is set to feature a significant appearance by Recording Academy executive Len Brown. As the senior manager of hip hop, R&B, and reggae at the prestigious organization behind the Grammy Awards, Brown will participate in an educational panel titled ‘The Grammys and your career’ on February 28, alongside colleague Ashley Thomas and Jamaican artist Lila Iké.

    Brown emphasized the critical importance of this opportunity for Caribbean musical talent, stating: “This represents a vital platform to disseminate crucial information throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean region. Artists and professionals need comprehensive understanding of how the Recording Academy operates and what genuine Grammy recognition entails.”

    The conference, operating under the unifying theme ‘Music is the unifying force’, aims to demonstrate sound’s enduring capacity to transcend geographical, cultural, and generational boundaries. Brown stressed the essential role of such educational forums in combating industry misinformation, noting that many rely on hearsay rather than authoritative knowledge about music industry mechanisms.

    Addressing regional participation in Grammy processes, Brown acknowledged progress while highlighting continued need for improvement: “I’ve observed increased vocal advocacy, but there remains substantial opportunity to enhance engagement. We must develop more effective methods for educating Caribbean creatives about participation in the Academy’s voting procedures.”

    The event will also feature notable keynote addresses, including former Bad Boy Records artist Shyne (Moses Michael Levi Barrow), who transitioned from international music stardom to political leadership in Belize. His presentation ‘From Stage to State’ will explore themes of cultural influence, personal transformation, and resilience, drawing from his unique journey from entertainment to serving as opposition leader in Belize’s House of Representatives.