Carib Scope

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  • Diego Central, Holy Name Form Ones stay perfect in schools’ water polo

    Diego Central, Holy Name Form Ones stay perfect in schools’ water polo

    Diego Martin Central Secondary and Holy Name Convent have emerged as early frontrunners in the Form One category of the 2026 Republic Bank ASATT National Secondary Schools Water Polo League, maintaining flawless records during the January 24 matches at the Diego Martin community pool.

    The Diego Martin Central boys’ team delivered a commanding performance against Trinity College (Moka), securing a decisive 15-5 victory. Andriel Williams showcased exceptional offensive prowess, netting nine goals throughout the match—four of which came during a dominant second-quarter display. Keston Brisan provided valuable support with three goals, while Trinity’s Jayden Antoine managed a respectable triple score in response.

    Mirroring their male counterparts’ success, the Diego Martin Central girls’ team demonstrated overwhelming superiority against Providence Girls’ Catholic School with a 15-1 triumph. The victory featured distributed scoring across the roster, with Talayeh Baker leading the charge with five goals, followed by Amiyah Phillip’s four and Allessia Dash’s three goals.

    In one of the day’s most thrilling encounters, Bishop Anstey High School mounted a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback to edge St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain 8-7. Despite trailing 7-4 entering the final period, Bishop Anstey’s Gia-Marie Plaza erupted for three of her five total goals during the decisive quarter, while Sara Francois contributed three crucial goals. Danielle Popplewell’s five-goal effort for SJCPoS ultimately proved insufficient against Bishop Anstey’s late surge.

    Holy Name Convent continued their dominant run with a comprehensive 17-4 victory over Corpus Christi College, establishing a commanding 12-2 halftime advantage before cruising to victory. The offensive duo of Ariya Bolai De Matas (nine goals) and Amilya Marshall (seven goals) proved unstoppable throughout the contest.

    Queen’s Royal College rounded out the day’s action with an impressive 15-9 win against rivals St Mary’s College. Kamal Cumberbatch spearheaded the Royalians’ attack with seven goals, supported by Roland Beard’s four-goal contribution. Andrez Robinson led St Mary’s resistance with five goals, accompanied by two goals each from Joab Dick and Aiden Ramparick.

  • Micah McKenzie spins Windies to Super Six win over Ireland at U-19 World Cup

    Micah McKenzie spins Windies to Super Six win over Ireland at U-19 World Cup

    In a dramatic rain-affected encounter at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia, the West Indies Under-19 cricket team secured a crucial 25-run victory against Ireland in their ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup Super Six match on January 25. The Caribbean side’s triumph was orchestrated by their spin duo of Micah McKenzie and Vitel Lawes, who derailed Ireland’s chase with their wrist-spin mastery.

    The match began with West Indies posting a competitive 226 all out in 46.5 overs, thanks largely to wicketkeeper-batsman Jewel Andrew’s commanding 66 runs from 82 deliveries. Andrew’s innings, featuring four boundaries and four sixes, provided the foundation despite several batsmen failing to convert starts into substantial scores. Jonathan Van Lange (28) and Aadian Racha (28) contributed valuable runs in the middle and lower order.

    Ireland’s response appeared promising initially as they reached 82/1 in the 18th over, with James West leading the charge with a brisk 45. However, the introduction of leg-spinner McKenzie (4/36) and left-arm unorthodox spinner Lawes (2/41) triggered a dramatic collapse. The spin twins dismantled Ireland’s middle order, reducing them from comfort to 98/4 within five overs.

    Rain interruptions twice disrupted Ireland’s chase, ultimately proving decisive. When play was halted for the final time at 164/7 after 40 overs, Ireland found themselves 25 runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score of 189. Robert O’Brien (26) and Marko Bates (22) showed resistance but couldn’t prevent the inevitable DLS decision in West Indies’ favor.

    The victory elevates West Indies to four points in their Super Six group, positioning them third behind Australia (6 points) and Afghanistan (4 points). With net run rate currently negative, the Caribbean team faces a must-win scenario against defending champions Australia on January 28 in Harare, Zimbabwe, where a substantial victory is required to secure semifinal qualification.

  • NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo outlines vision for culture, youth and global reach

    NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo outlines vision for culture, youth and global reach

    Surujdeo Mangaroo has embarked on his presidency of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) with a transformative vision that merges cultural preservation with global expansion. Elected in August 2025, Mangaroo brings over two decades of dedicated service to the organization, where he previously served as first vice president and chairman of the renowned Divali Nagar festival since 1999.

    Mangaroo’s cultural journey began during his formative years at Palo Seco Secondary School, where inspiration struck during bhajan sessions led by Professor Anantanand Rambachan and teacher Raghuraj Bahadursingh. This early exposure ignited a lifelong passion that would shape his professional and personal endeavors. Beyond his cultural leadership, Mangaroo maintains dual responsibilities as CEO of Trinity Insurance Brokers Limited and as a family patriarch, having married Nadra Baksh in 1978 with whom he raised four children.

    The cornerstone of Mangaroo’s presidential agenda centers on youth empowerment through innovative programs. He has been instrumental in developing platforms such as the NCIC Youth Champ Competition, the NCIC Dance Competition, and Sangeet Pradarshan—a television program designed to elevate performance standards. His philosophy emphasizes preparing artists for international recognition, noting ‘Our goal is to cultivate a new wave of artists in TT and across the diaspora who can excel domestically and internationally.’

    Under Mangaroo’s previous leadership, Divali Nagar evolved from a local celebration into an internationally recognized cultural phenomenon reaching throughout the Caribbean, North America, and South America. This expansion continues as a priority, with strengthened international partnerships to facilitate cultural exchanges for young performers. ‘We have an abundance of talent in our country,’ Mangaroo observes, ‘and by giving them opportunities to travel abroad, they can take their culture and talents to excel.’

    Mangaroo’s approach to cultural promotion emphasizes unity through diversity, asserting that celebrating Indian heritage contributes to Trinidad and Tobago’s national identity rather than promoting isolation. ‘Cherishing our culture is not merely about preserving the past,’ he explains, ‘it is about honoring the resilience and contributions of those who came before us.’

    The impact of Mangaroo’s mentorship emerges through testimonials from cultural ambassadors like singer Nirmala Sesnarayan, who credits him with providing transformative international opportunities since 2004. Similarly, singer Ravi Jagroop acknowledges Mangaroo’s pivotal role in his artistic development, while Bobby Seenath of the Mahatma Gandhi Charitable Organization praises his unwavering support for youth initiatives. Through his additional role as executive director of Neeleeji Events, Mangaroo continues creating platforms for young talent despite challenges of stereotypes and limited resources, believing that ‘the rewards of positively impacting lives and preserving our cultural heritage make it all worthwhile.’

  • Adica Ash, Jeremiah Niles see Point Fortin Civic past ‘Cale’

    Adica Ash, Jeremiah Niles see Point Fortin Civic past ‘Cale’

    In a surprising turnaround, Point Fortin Civic secured a decisive 2-0 victory against Caledonia AIA in their TT Premier Football League encounter at Manny Ramjohn Stadium on January 24. The match marked a significant departure from Civic’s usual home ground at Mahaica Sporting Complex in Point Fortin, a change that proved strategically advantageous for the struggling team.

    The breakthrough came in the 67th minute when forward Adica Ash netted the opening goal, breaking the deadlock after a scoreless first half. As Caledonia intensified their offensive efforts seeking an equalizer, former Trinidad and Tobago Under-17 winger Jeremiah Niles delivered the decisive blow in the 87th minute, securing all three points for Civic.

    Niles’ exceptional performance throughout the match earned him the Man of the Match accolade, recognizing both his clinical finish and overall contribution to Civic’s impressive team display.

    This victory represents only Civic’s third win of the season, elevating them to ten points and moving them from bottom position to 11th place in the 12-team standings. Conversely, Caledonia’s disappointing form continues as they remain stagnant in eighth position with 13 points from 14 matches.

    The TTPFL action was set to continue on January 25 with a crucial double-header at Ato Boldon Stadium featuring the league’s top three teams. Second-placed Club Sando (30 points) faced third-placed Miscellaneous Police FC (27 points) in the evening’s first fixture, while league leaders Defence Force (33 points) prepared to meet bottom-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers (9 points) in the late match.

    Meanwhile, the scheduled match between 1976 FC Phoenix and Eagles FC has been postponed to an undetermined date, affecting the mid-table dynamics of the competition.

  • Police, JPs get child justice refresher training

    Police, JPs get child justice refresher training

    Jamaica’s Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), in collaboration with UNICEF, has conducted a comprehensive two-day training initiative focused on enhancing child justice protocols within the nation’s law enforcement and judicial systems. The specialized seminar, held at Moon Palace hotel in Ocho Rios, St Ann, brought together 76 police officers and numerous justices of the peace from across the island to reinforce proper procedures for handling cases involving minors.

    Acting Commissioner of Police McArthur Sutherland, overseeing the Area Two police division, emphasized the critical timing of this refresher course for Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members. He noted that while officers previously received training on children’s issues, daily policing priorities often shift focus toward severe crimes like murders and shootings. “This training will help to pull on some of the minor crimes against children and ensure we have some reductions there,” Sutherland explained, highlighting how the program would rebalance enforcement attention toward protecting vulnerable youth.

    Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison articulated the seminar’s broader societal mission, stating, “No child was born a criminal or murderer—it is the environment that creates the monster.” She stressed the importance of early intervention to redirect children from criminal pathways, warning that without proper guidance, neglected youth could evolve into serious offenders. The training specifically addressed methods to reduce criminogenic behavior and attitudes among young people, aiming to prevent the development of senior criminals.

    Justices of the peace participating in the event expressed strong support for the initiative. Trudy-Ann Philp from Highgate, St Mary, described the seminar as “very beneficial” for enhancing her competency in legal procedures when serving at police stations. Omar Bourne from Kingston applauded the OCA’s efforts and advocated for ongoing educational opportunities to expand expertise among law enforcement and judicial officials.

    The partnership between OCA and UNICEF represents a significant investment in Jamaica’s future social stability. Gordon Harrison concluded by emphasizing collective responsibility: “The OCA alone cannot do it—we see it as a participatory effort that all stakeholders in the justice sector must play a part in.” This training initiative marks a proactive approach to child justice reform, recognizing that proper handling of youth cases requires specialized knowledge and coordinated effort across multiple disciplines within the justice system.

  • Health sector not at crisis level, says Tufton

    Health sector not at crisis level, says Tufton

    MANDEVILLE, Jamaica — Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has acknowledged severe overcrowding at Jamaican hospitals while explicitly avoiding the term ‘crisis’ to describe the situation. During a Friday tour of Mandeville Regional Hospital, which he characterized as a ‘rescue centre’ for western Jamaica, Tufton addressed the critical capacity issues facing the healthcare system.

    The minister revealed that Mandeville Regional Hospital is operating at 78% above its 250-bed inpatient capacity and 50% above outpatient capacity, with approximately 350-360 inpatients currently receiving treatment. This surge has forced medical staff to treat patients in makeshift areas including hallways and temporary privacy corners, creating significant logistical challenges.

    Tufton attributed the overcrowding to multiple factors, primarily the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which devastated infrastructure last October. Black River Hospital, normally equipped with 150 beds, currently operates with only 30-40 beds due to hurricane damage. The minister warned that overcrowding conditions are likely to persist until March when reconstruction of damaged hospitals is completed.

    In response to the crisis, Tufton announced immediate measures including construction of a new ward at Mandeville that will accommodate 30-40 additional patients. He also emphasized enhancing primary healthcare services through increased home visits, extended health center hours, and improved field vigilance to reduce hospital visits for non-emergency cases.

    The minister made a direct appeal to Jamaicans to utilize primary healthcare facilities instead of hospitals for non-urgent matters and to maintain medication regimens to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. He praised healthcare workers for going ‘beyond the call of duty’ while acknowledging the tremendous stress on medical staff.

    Tufton’s hospital tour continued through the weekend with visits to Black River, Savanna-La-Mar, Noel Holmes, Cornwall Regional, and Falmouth hospitals to assess conditions firsthand and coordinate emergency response efforts across the region.

  • Controversy looms over Diaspora elections

    Controversy looms over Diaspora elections

    NEW YORK, United States — Significant controversy has emerged surrounding the upcoming 2026 elections for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) and its youth counterpart (GJDYC), scheduled to commence on January 28, 2026. Prominent diaspora leader Patrick Beckford, former head of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board for the North-East United States and founding member of the original advisory body, has called for a complete boycott of the electoral process.

    Beckford advocates for establishing an entirely independent diaspora-controlled organization that operates autonomously without government ministerial connections or oversight. He contends that the current GJDC structure has deviated from its original purpose, transforming into what he describes as a ‘ministerial extension’ rather than remaining accountable to the diaspora community itself.

    The election process, running through February 20 with results announced four days later, faces additional scrutiny due to historically low participation rates. The 2023 elections saw merely 3,000 voters casting ballots across the global Jamaican diaspora community.

    Beckford has found support from other influential diaspora figures, including Dr. Rupert Francis, who echoed concerns about Jamaican government involvement in diaspora affairs. Both critics have particularly questioned candidate eligibility requirements that prohibit those with criminal convictions or bankruptcy declarations from seeking representation.

    According to Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, forty-four candidates across the United States and Canada will contest the elections. Notable changes include outgoing southern region representative Peter Gracey not seeking re-election, while Michelle Tulloch-Neil aims for a second term representing the North-East region.

    Following the elections, successful representatives will begin planning for the 11th GJDC Biennial Conference scheduled for June 14-18, 2026, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The 2023 conference attracted over 1,000 participants, with organizers anticipating increased attendance this year for discussions on trade, investment, and diaspora engagement matters involving both government and private sector participants.

  • Crime-fighting mandates outpace MOCA, FID manpower

    Crime-fighting mandates outpace MOCA, FID manpower

    Jamaica’s premier law enforcement agencies responsible for combating organized crime and financial offenses are grappling with severe staffing deficiencies while confronting increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. The Financial Investigations Division (FID) and Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) have disclosed alarming personnel gaps that threaten their operational effectiveness despite expanding mandates.

    At a recent Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange forum, FID Chief Technical Director Dennis Chung revealed his agency operates at merely 35% of authorized capacity. Despite ongoing recruitment efforts for financial investigators and legal professionals, the division functions with just over 20 investigators against a requirement of approximately 50 specialized personnel. This shortage proves particularly challenging given the highly technical nature of financial crime investigations, which demand specialized skills in transaction analysis, evidence gathering, and forensic accounting.

    Garth Williams, FID’s brand communications specialist, confirmed the agency has ‘punched above its weight’ by achieving substantial results with only 70 staff members compared to an established complement of 191 positions. This achievement comes despite growing complexities in financial crimes, including cyber fraud, digital scams, and advanced money laundering schemes that transcend traditional law enforcement methodologies.

    Parallel challenges affect MOCA, operating at 61% staffing capacity according to Director General Colonel Desmond Edwards. The agency has confronted fundamental shifts in criminal patterns since its inception, particularly the explosion of cyber-enabled offenses requiring specialized investigative capabilities. In response, MOCA has established dedicated cyber investigation units through internal resource reallocation, though technical expertise development remains prioritized over mere numerical expansion.

    Both agencies emphasize that modern criminal investigations necessitate advanced capabilities in digital analysis, forensic accounting, and intelligence-driven operations beyond conventional policing skills. Technology integration, particularly artificial intelligence and analytical tools, has become essential for supplementing human resources and managing escalating case volumes and complexities.

    While inter-agency collaborations with the Jamaica Constabulary Force provide operational support during major interventions, both organizations stress that sustainable effectiveness requires strategic investments in both technological infrastructure and specialized human capital to combat Jamaica’s evolving criminal landscape effectively.

  • ‘You will bite rock stone’

    ‘You will bite rock stone’

    In an extraordinary fusion of spiritual fervor and law enforcement resolve, Inspector Junior Roswess—a police officer who also serves as a pastor—issued a stark warning to criminals during a powerful sermon at God Family Ministries International Church in St Andrew. Addressing members of the St Andrew North Police Division at a special unity service, Roswess declared that those who refuse to surrender their weapons must be prepared to “bite rock stone,” a Jamaican proverb meaning to face severe consequences.

    Roswess framed the police’s mission through a theological lens, quoting Romans 13:4 to emphasize that law enforcement officers are “ministers of God” tasked with executing justice against evildoers. He outlined a four-part strategy—Engage, Educate, Empower, and Enforce—as the division’s guiding principle. “We will educate you when we see you doing wrong. We will educate the gangs to turn in their weapons of mass destruction,” he stated. “If you don’t take heed, we have the responsibility to take required actions.”

    The inspector highlighted dramatic crime reduction achievements: a 50% drop in murders, 25% reduction in shootings, 35% decrease in rapes, and a significant decline in car thefts in 2025 compared to 2024. He attributed these successes to divine intervention and unwavering faith, revealing that mid-2025 saw crime trending negatively before a remarkable turnaround. Between January 1–17 this year, the division recorded zero murders versus two during the same period in 2025, while national murders fell by 18 year-over-year.

    Roswess praised Superintendent Randy Sweeney for acknowledging God’s role in their efforts and urged fellow officers to view their badges not as mere plastic but as sacred commitments to place country above self. “You are ministers of order, justice, and peace,” he proclaimed, describing police as bridges between life and death, good and evil. The service culminated in officers raising hands in worship, embodying the unique integration of spiritual faith and civic duty driving their crime-fighting mission.

  • Minister points to sharp decline in health centre visits

    Minister points to sharp decline in health centre visits

    WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Jamaica’s healthcare system is confronting a critical challenge in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, with Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton revealing a dramatic decline in health center utilization across storm-affected parishes. Despite all facilities being fully operational—whether in permanent structures or temporary setups—patient attendance remains significantly below pre-hurricane levels.

    During an inspection visit to Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital last Friday, Minister Tufton expressed grave concern over attendance rates languishing at merely 60-70% of normal capacity in regions battered by the Category 5 storm. This downturn coincides with severe overcrowding at hospitals, where the Savanna-la-Mar facility is currently treating 298 patients despite being designed for 218 beds.

    The minister identified multiple factors driving this healthcare paradox, noting that many residents remain preoccupied with rebuilding their homes and lives following October’s devastating hurricane. This distraction from routine healthcare maintenance poses particular risks for patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, who may be neglecting medication regimens and essential follow-up appointments.

    Tufton warned that this neglect could trigger a secondary health crisis, with manageable conditions deteriorating until they require emergency intervention. This pattern inevitably drives patients to bypass local health centers and proceed directly to hospital emergency departments, exacerbating the existing overcrowding situation.

    Emphasizing the structured approach to healthcare delivery, the minister urged Jamaicans to reactivate their engagement with the public health system: “Utilize the services of your health centers. Stop there before you come to the hospital. Very, very important. There are doctors there. There are nurses there. There’s a file there for you, more than likely, if you use the public health system.”

    The ministry confirmed that comprehensive services remain available at health centers, including National Health Fund pharmaceuticals and medications. Tufton concluded with a powerful message about the integral role of health in disaster recovery: “You cannot fix back after hurricane if you’re not healthy. If you ignore that part you’re going to break down and end up in the hospital and we are trying to avoid that.”