Carib Scope

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  • Barrackpore West stamp authority in boys’ U-17 volleyball

    Barrackpore West stamp authority in boys’ U-17 volleyball

    Barrackpore West Secondary School demonstrated remarkable volleyball prowess on January 23rd, securing three consecutive victories in the Secondary Schools Volleyball League’s Under-17 boys’ division at Pleasantville Indoor Sporting Arena. The reigning Under-15 champions from last season transitioned seamlessly to the higher age bracket, overwhelming opponents with strategic precision and athletic excellence.

    The team’s commanding performance began with a hard-fought triumph against ASJA Boys’ College San Fernando. After dropping a tightly contested opening set 23-25, Barrackpore mounted a spectacular comeback, taking the subsequent sets 25-15 and 15-6. Their momentum continued with identical 25-19, 25-14 scorelines against both Fatima College and Naparima College, showcasing consistent dominance across multiple matches.

    Fatima College recovered impressively from their defeat to Barrackpore, securing two victories of their own. They overcame ASJA in a competitive encounter with scores of 25-23 and 25-20, followed by another solid performance against Naparima College, prevailing 25-17 and 25-21.

    Naparima College avoided a complete shutout by claiming a dramatic three-set victory against ASJA. After splitting the first two sets (25-15, 22-25), the Lewis Street squad from San Fernando clinched the decisive third set 15-13 in a nail-biting finish.

    The SSVL competition was scheduled to resume at Aranguez North Secondary School on January 25th, featuring matches in the girls’ Under-17 and boys’ open categories.

  • PM and Minister of Energy and Transport tour progress at Blue Hills Solar Project

    PM and Minister of Energy and Transport tour progress at Blue Hills Solar Project

    Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis conducted an inspection tour of the Blue Hills Solar Project, a significant renewable energy initiative developed by Madeleine Solar Power Limited. The high-profile visit underscored the government’s commitment to transitioning from theoretical energy planning to tangible implementation of sustainable power solutions.

    During the site visit, Minister Coleby-Davis emphasized the project’s transformative potential, stating: ‘The Blue Hills Solar plant demonstrates how renewable energy concepts are materializing into physical infrastructure—effectively converting abundant sunlight into sustainable electricity generation while creating enduring economic opportunities for Bahamian communities.’

    The Energy and Transport Ministry reaffirmed its strategic approach to advancing The Bahamas’ energy transformation through collaborative partnerships and measured policy implementation. This operational framework prioritizes the development of a more environmentally conscious and structurally robust energy grid capable of meeting the nation’s future power requirements while reducing dependency on traditional fossil fuels.

  • Amber Group and Beharry Group launch IT joint venture to power Guyana’s digital future

    Amber Group and Beharry Group launch IT joint venture to power Guyana’s digital future

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation in the Caribbean region, Amber Group and Guyana’s Beharry Group have officially launched a joint venture named Beharry-Amber Technologies Inc. This newly established entity will specialize in delivering comprehensive IT and cybersecurity solutions, addressing critical technological gaps in Guyana’s rapidly evolving economy.

    The collaboration emerges as Guyana experiences unprecedented economic growth, creating an urgent need for robust digital infrastructure and enhanced cybersecurity measures. Both companies recognize that technological advancement is no longer a luxury but a fundamental requirement for sustainable development and economic resilience.

    Suresh Beharry, Chairman and CEO of Beharry Group, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership during the announcement. “Guyana stands at a pivotal juncture in its development trajectory,” Beharry stated. “Our vision extends beyond mere commercial interests—we aim to build future-ready technological capabilities that will support the nation’s modernization efforts and long-term prosperity.”

    Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO of Amber Group, echoed this sentiment, describing the venture as a shared commitment to Guyana’s growth and technological sovereignty. “This partnership transcends conventional business arrangements,” Savadia noted. “By combining our technical expertise with Beharry Group’s deep understanding of the local landscape, we can create meaningful impact through strengthened digital infrastructure and improved cybersecurity readiness.”

    The joint venture will function as a comprehensive technology platform serving both government agencies and private sector organizations. It will provide end-to-end IT and cybersecurity services designed to meet growing domestic and regional demands, positioning Guyana as an emerging digital hub in the Caribbean region.

  • Gov’t allocates $165m towards energy poverty reduction project in Westmoreland

    Gov’t allocates $165m towards energy poverty reduction project in Westmoreland

    The Jamaican Government has initiated a targeted financial intervention to address energy poverty in communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz confirmed the allocation of J$165 million specifically for relief efforts in Westmoreland, representing a strategic reallocation within the broader national energy project budget of J$1.1 billion.

    Minister Vaz, speaking at the launch of Jamaica Public Service’s emergency mobile power generation unit in Westmoreland, explained the government’s prioritization strategy: “We have temporarily suspended projects in less affected parishes including Portland, St. Thomas, St. Mary, St. Catherine, and Kingston-St. Andrew to redirect resources toward the five western parishes most severely impacted.”

    The allocated funds will facilitate critical support services including electrical house wiring, infrastructure remedial work, and government certification through electrical regulators. The specialized project timeline extends from December 2025 through March 2026.

    In parallel developments, JPS CEO Hugh Grant reported significant progress in power restoration, with 60% of Westmoreland customers now reconnected to the electricity grid. The newly launched emergency mobile generation unit will provide interim power to affected communities while permanent network infrastructure undergoes reconstruction.

    According to Minister Vaz, the Bethel Town power plant is scheduled for commissioning by the end of next week. Local MP Dr. Dayton Campbell welcomed these initiatives, stating: “I appreciate the innovative solutions being implemented to benefit our residents and anticipate the successful activation of the Bethel Town generator.”

  • Steel Pulse’s Hinds hails Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore as a ‘walking music machine’

    Steel Pulse’s Hinds hails Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore as a ‘walking music machine’

    The global music community is paying tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, the revered Jamaican guitarist and co-founder of the iconic band Third World, who passed away on January 18 at the age of 69. Renowned for his technical precision and innovative style, Coore is being celebrated as a monumental figure in reggae history.

    David Hinds, frontman for the British reggae band Steel Pulse, offered a profound eulogy, describing Coore as a ‘walking music machine.’ Hinds highlighted Coore’s unparalleled skill, noting he ‘never heard him ever play a bum note’ during their shared performances. He specifically praised the guitarist’s ‘quick and nimble’ solos on tracks like ’96 Degrees in The Shade’ and the rock-blues infusion in ‘Cold Sweat,’ which encapsulated his unique artistic identity.

    The mutual admiration between these reggae pioneers was deep-rooted. Coore himself had once recalled the moment he first heard Steel Pulse’s ‘Handsworth Revolution’ at the London office of Island Records, a track that ‘blew his mind’ and signaled the arrival of a ‘special’ new act. Both Third World’s self-titled debut and Steel Pulse’s ‘Handsworth Revolution’ album were released under the same label, Island Records, cementing a shared chapter in music history.

    Coore’s genius extended beyond pure reggae. His incorporation of rock-influenced riffs in anthems such as ‘Try Jah Love’ and ‘Always Around’ was instrumental in broadening Third World’s international appeal and transcending genre boundaries. This eclectic mastery earned him a prestigious place on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 2023 list of the ‘250 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time,’ ranking at number 91.

    Hinds further marveled at Coore’s versatility, noting his proficiency in vocals, harmonica, bass, and cello, calling him a ‘human kaleidoscope’ of talent. This musical foundation was laid in his youth in Kingston. Born into a distinguished family, he was the son of David Coore, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Jamaica, and Rita Coore, a respected Trinidadian music teacher who personally instructed him in cello. Coore’s journey culminated in forming Third World with keyboardist Ibo Cooper after both departed from the Inner Circle band. The music world now mourns the loss of both legends, following Cooper’s own passing in 2023.

  • Top schools gear up for ISSA urban U-16, U-19 basketball semifinals

    Top schools gear up for ISSA urban U-16, U-19 basketball semifinals

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The intensity of the ISSA Urban High School Basketball Championships reaches its zenith this week as the semifinal rounds commence in both the Under-16 and Under-19 divisions. The quest for a place in the finals unfolds through a demanding best-of-three series format, with the U-16 matchups scheduled for Monday and the U-19 clashes set for Tuesday.

    A remarkable display of athletic prowess sees three institutions—Jamaica College (JC), Campion College, and St. George’s College (STGC)—securing positions in the semifinals for both age categories. They are joined by Wolmer’s Boys’ School in the U-16 bracket and Camperdown High School contending in the U-19 semifinals.

    Monday’s U-16 action will feature the defending champions, STGC, hosting Wolmer’s Boys, while Jamaica College travels for an away game against Campion College. Both contests are slated for a 3:00 pm tip-off.

    The narrative deepens in the U-19 division, where Jamaica College aims to achieve a prestigious double by defending its senior title. Their path is blocked by a formidable St. George’s College squad, last year’s U-16 champions, now hungry to claim the U-19 trophy and expand their silverware collection.

    Duane Cunningham, head coach for Jamaica College, expressed profound excitement for his players across both teams. “JC is one of three schools to have made it to both the U-16 and U-19 semi-finals. I’m excited for the boys who have put a lot of work into being where they are at right now,” Cunningham stated in an interview. He highlighted the unwavering confidence of his undefeated U-19 team while acknowledging the immense talent—and zero margin for error—of his U-16 squad, emphasizing the need to execute perfectly and harness JC’s renowned winning energy against well-coached, quality opponents.

    Key players are poised to become decisive factors. Campion College, the defending U-19 champions and also undefeated, are powered by the exceptional talents of Zachary Lawrence, who is coming off a monumental 35-point, 23-rebound performance. JC will counter with a trio of stars: the in-form Oritsematosan Ikolo, who recently scored 21 and 29 points in successive games, alongside Jahlani Jones and Christopher Burgess. For their U-16 ambitions, JC will rely on Jamarie Watson, Siedu Hamm, and Dijon Wallder.

    Meanwhile, Clifford Brown, coach of STGC, adopted a measured perspective, recognizing the monumental challenge ahead. “It’s an uphill task trying to win one of two, much less to contemplate winning both titles,” Brown remarked, committing his team to hard work and accepting whatever outcome may come, while hoping for divine support on their competitive journey.

    The Light Blues of STGC will pin their U-16 hopes on captain Joshua Thombs, Jesehf McKenzie, and Rico-Hylton Junior. Their U-19 campaign will be spearheaded by captain Rusaughn Bent, Barrington Dennis, and Alexander Bailey, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the semifinal round.

  • EU opens probe into Musk’s Grok over sexual AI deepfakes

    EU opens probe into Musk’s Grok over sexual AI deepfakes

    BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Union has initiated a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X concerning its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, which has demonstrated the capacity to generate sexually explicit deepfake imagery of women and minors. This regulatory action represents the latest development in a growing international backlash against the controversial AI tool.

    The investigation was prompted by reports that Grok users could manipulate images through simple text commands such as ‘put her in a bikini’ or ‘remove her clothes,’ effectively enabling the creation of non-consensual sexualized content. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a strong statement declaring that such ‘digital undressing’ practices would not be tolerated within EU jurisdictions.

    ‘We will not hand over consent and child protection to tech companies to violate and monetize. The harm caused by illegal images is very real,’ von der Leyen emphasized in her communication with AFP.

    EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen clarified that the investigation will assess whether X has complied with its legal obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the bloc’s comprehensive legislation designed to regulate internet giants. She specifically noted that the rights of women and children should not become ‘collateral damage’ in the platform’s service offerings.

    The probe will examine whether X adequately mitigated risks associated with the dissemination of illegal content, including manipulated sexually explicit imagery and potential child sexual abuse material. This regulatory move occurs despite repeated threats of retaliation from the United States, where the Trump administration has characterized such enforcement as curbing free speech and unfairly targeting American companies.

    The investigation follows Grok’s earlier announcement restricting image generation capabilities to paying subscribers, a measure that failed to prevent regulatory scrutiny. According to research published by the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, Grok generated approximately three million sexualized images of women and children within days of its release.

    The EU is simultaneously expanding an existing investigation into X’s content moderation practices, particularly concerning the platform’s recent integration of Grok into its recommendation algorithm. Brussels had previously imposed a €120 million fine on X in December 2023 for violating DSA transparency obligations, including deceptive design practices surrounding account verification systems.

    EU Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier asserted that enforcement would continue ‘firmly, fairly, objectively’ without targeting companies based on their national origin, amid ongoing transatlantic tensions regarding technology regulation.

  • Tancoo: Businesses can find ways to absorb gas hike

    Tancoo: Businesses can find ways to absorb gas hike

    Trinidad and Tobago’s Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has characterized the impending 76% natural gas price increase for light industrial customers as a strategic opportunity for business optimization rather than merely a cost burden. The controversial adjustment, scheduled to take effect at month’s end, will elevate rates from US$3 to US$5.30 per MMBtu for state-owned NGC’s commercial clients.

    During a January 25 press briefing at the United National Congress headquarters in Chaguanas, Minister Tancoo addressed concerns raised by the TT Manufacturers’ Association regarding potential nationwide economic repercussions. Rather than viewing the hike as purely inflationary, the minister framed it as a catalyst for operational improvements within the business sector.

    “This situation presents a challenge for enterprises, including TTMA members, to critically examine their operational capabilities,” Tancoo stated. “There exists now a compelling incentive to enhance efficiencies and streamline processes to prevent passing additional costs to consumers.”

    The minister defended NGC’s pricing strategy as a necessary correction after years of substantial government subsidies. He revealed that light industrial users had been receiving natural gas at rates “substantially lower” than those paid by heavy industrial sectors and far below actual extraction costs.

    “While logically any input cost increase affects final product pricing, we’re establishing a more realistic price range,” Tancoo explained. “The adjustment specifically aims to align light industrial rates closer to both industrial customer prices and actual production expenses.”

    Tancoo emphasized that even with the implemented increase, Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturers would maintain a competitive advantage within the Caribbean region regarding energy costs. The minister acknowledged inevitable objections but stressed the long-term necessity of moving away from subsidized pricing models toward market-reflective rates that accurately represent the value of the national resource.

  • Bombscare at Miami airport leaves Bahamians stranded

    Bombscare at Miami airport leaves Bahamians stranded

    A significant security alert at Miami International Airport on Thursday evening plunged travel operations into chaos, resulting in extensive evacuations and leaving numerous Bahamian passengers stranded. The incident commenced shortly after 5:00 PM when airport authorities received reports of an unattended piece of luggage classified as a “suspicious item” on the departures level of a terminal.

    In response, U.S. security personnel implemented immediate emergency protocols, evacuating all individuals from the surrounding area as a precautionary measure. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of confusion and anxiety, with travelers being ushered outside the terminal as police and specialized task forces secured the vicinity.

    The disruption severely impacted Bahamasair operations. Passengers scheduled to depart from Miami faced chaotic check-in scenarios, while those aboard an arriving flight from New Providence were confined to their aircraft for approximately three hours. The flight, which had landed at 6:10 PM after a 40-minute journey, was unable to disembark its passengers until security clearance was ultimately granted around 7:40 PM.

    This delay caused a domino effect, pushing back subsequent departures. One affected traveler noted that their intended 7:45 PM departure was rescheduled for between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Airport operations gradually resumed normalcy following the official all-clear confirmation. Attempts to obtain an official statement from Bahamasair regarding the incident and their contingency response were unsuccessful prior to publication.

  • Unions warning of healthcare collapse

    Unions warning of healthcare collapse

    The Bahamas’ public healthcare system is teetering on the brink of operational collapse as a critical shortfall in overtime funding triggers widespread staff discontent and threatens essential medical services. This crisis emerged following a January 13 internal memorandum from the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) announcing that overtime compensation would be suspended without prior approval from the managing director’s office—a measure unions characterize as penalizing frontline workers for administrative failures.

    Key health unions, including the Bahamas Nurses Union and the Bahamas Public Service Union, have urgently advised their members to refuse any additional shifts beyond scheduled hours until outstanding payments are resolved. Union leaders Muriel Lightbourn and Kimsley Ferguson have condemned the situation as both unacceptable and profoundly disrespectful to medical professionals who regularly work beyond their contracted hours to maintain patient care standards.

    Consultant Physicians Staff Association president Dr. Charelle Lockhart reported that physicians are departing “in droves,” not due to diminished commitment to patients, but because of perceived abandonment by health system leadership. She issued a stark warning to government officials, comparing the scenario to a live grenade awaiting detonation within the medical care system.

    Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville has acknowledged the severity of the budgetary depletion, labeling it a matter of “great concern” and convening emergency meetings to address compensation gaps across healthcare facilities. Minister Darville attributed payment delays to acute staffing shortages within the PHA’s finance department, exacerbated by retirements and private sector migration, though he assured that outstanding overtime “not only must be paid, but will be paid.”

    The PHA management maintains that the directive was necessary to preserve funding for critical priorities, including essential hires, and to implement stricter oversight following the exhaustion of overtime allocations. Managing Director Dr. Rolle recognized the inconvenience caused and promised staff further updates regarding payment resolutions.