Carib Scope

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  • ROOFS disbursement passes $8 billion

    ROOFS disbursement passes $8 billion

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security has announced significant progress in its post-hurricane reconstruction initiative, with the Restoration of Owner-Occupants Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme having disbursed $8.25 billion of its total $10 billion allocation. This substantial financial injection represents a major escalation in support for households devastated by Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact last October.

    The recent funding surge of $3 billion will extend vital assistance to approximately 14,000 additional beneficiaries, marking a critical expansion of the government’s relief efforts. Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. emphasized the administration’s dedication to maintaining robust support systems for affected families, stating: “We are committed to strengthening our systems and operations to meet the growing demand, and we will continue working to ensure that as many families as possible receive the support they need to rebuild.”

    Beneficiaries are currently obtaining construction materials through an expanding network of hardware suppliers coordinated by service provider WiPay. Minister Charles Jr. confirmed that ROOFS Programme funds remain fully available despite reports of accessibility challenges. Some difficulties have emerged at collection points, primarily due to beneficiaries arriving outside designated operating hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) and limited locations facilitating the $75,000 cash grants intended for urgent repairs.

    In response, corrective measures are being implemented to increase cash-out locations across the island. WiPay Country Manager Kibwe McGann assured beneficiaries that “all approved allocations are fully secured and available for disbursement. There is no limitation in funding, and payments to beneficiaries are continuing on an ongoing basis.”

    The ministry continues to issue notifications via text message with QR and voucher codes, urging prompt redemption upon receipt. Regular updates regarding new collection points are being communicated through official channels at www.mlss.gov.jm and Instagram (@mlssjamaica), with real-time location accessibility available through WiPay’s platform at npcja.com.

    The ROOFS programme provides tiered financial assistance based on damage severity: $75,000 for minor damage, $200,000 for major damage, and $500,000 for extreme damage cases resulting from the Category 5 hurricane.

  • Montego Bay United look to rebound against Molynes

    Montego Bay United look to rebound against Molynes

    The Jamaica Premier League enters a critical midweek phase with Montego Bay United (MBU) aiming to reclaim their dominant form following a surprising 3-1 defeat to Chapelton Maroons last Sunday. The league leaders travel to Constant Spring on Wednesday for a third-round encounter against a beleaguered Molynes United side mired in the relegation zone.

    Despite the setback, MBU maintains its position atop the standings with 57 points, holding a five-point advantage over Mt Pleasant FA, though the latter possesses two games in hand. The upcoming fixtures present pivotal moments for multiple clubs. Wednesday’s slate features three matches: the headline MBU vs. Molynes clash, Tivoli Gardens hosting the buoyant Chapelton Maroons, and Harbour View facing Racing United.

    Statistical analysis heavily favors the visitors. MBU boasts a commanding six-game winning streak against Molynes, who are enduring a dire run of 12 consecutive matches without a victory. Defensive vulnerabilities, however, plague the leaders; they have conceded a worrying six goals in their last two outings, totaling 30 goals against in 29 games—the highest among the top-six teams.

    Offensive responsibilities may fall to defender Malachi Sterling, who has emerged as an unlikely scoring threat with goals in three straight games. His contributions are vital with striker Dwight Merrick absent on national team duty, increasing pressure on forwards like Brian Brown to deliver.

    For Molynes United, the outlook is grim. The team has managed a single win in its last 16 attempts and has found the net only three times in the previous 10 matches, highlighting profound offensive struggles.

    In other Wednesday action, Chapelton Maroons, riding high from their landmark victory over MBU, confront a faltering Tivoli Gardens squad. A win would propel Chapelton back into seventh place, just one point shy of the top-six cutoff. Conversely, a Tivoli victory would create a three-way tie at 38 points with Chapelton and Arnett Gardens.

    The Harbour View versus Racing United match presents a clash of contrasting forms. Harbour View has secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season and has solidified its defense with two consecutive clean sheets, successfully escaping the relegation bracket. Their opponents, Racing United, remain in contention for a top-two finish following a recent stalemate with Tivoli Gardens.

    The week’s action concludes on Thursday with four additional fixtures, setting the stage for significant shifts in the league table before the preliminary rounds conclude.

  • #Champs2026: Historic Class 1 boys 400m looms

    #Champs2026: Historic Class 1 boys 400m looms

    The stage is set for a potentially historic showdown in the boys’ 400-meter finals at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships in Kingston, Jamaica. Wednesday’s semifinal rounds produced extraordinary results, signaling an unprecedented level of competition for Thursday’s championship races.

    In a stunning display of youthful athleticism, seven sprinters in the Class 1 division shattered the 47-second barrier during their semifinal heats. Jamaica College’s Makaelan Woods emerged as the fastest qualifier, clocking an impressive 46.39 seconds. He was closely followed by William Knibb Memorial’s Jabari Matheson (46.54), Foga Road’s Paul Henry (46.72), and Hydel High’s Junior Galimore (46.76).

    The record-breaking pace continued with Kingston College’s Jabulani McLeod (46.80), Titchfield High’s Nishawn Walker (46.88), and Jamaica College’s second contender Omary Robinson all dipping under the 47-second mark.

    Jamaica College demonstrated remarkable depth across multiple categories, with DiWayne Sharpe leading the Class 2 qualifiers at 46.97 seconds. The school’s dominance extended to Class 3, where Jayden White topped qualifying with 50.62 seconds, supported by teammate Tariq Creary’s 51.43 performance.

    Kingston College also showcased strong representation with two athletes advancing in Class 3, while athletes from Lacovia High, St. Elizabeth Technical High School, and Wolmer’s Boys secured their spots in what promises to be an unforgettable series of finals at Jamaica’s National Stadium.

  • Brother ‘shocked’ at police account of fatal shooting

    Brother ‘shocked’ at police account of fatal shooting

    A profound tragedy has unfolded in The Bahamas following a fatal police-involved shooting, with the victim’s family vehemently contesting the official account of events. Michael Russell, a 48-year-old father of three and longtime Atlantis resort employee, was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in the early hours of Monday morning on Village Road.

    According to Royal Bahamas Police Force reports, the incident began with a verbal altercation between the off-duty officer, who was walking with a group, and Russell, who was in his vehicle. Police allege Russell exited his car armed with a cutlass (machete), struck the officer on the back causing injury, prompting the officer to discharge his service weapon “fearing for his life.” Emergency medical services pronounced Russell dead at the scene.

    This narrative is being forcefully challenged by Russell’s grieving family. His brother, Ishmel Rolle, describes Michael as a non-confrontational, loving person who dedicated thirty years to his hospitality job and would never jeopardize his employment or family with violent behavior. “To just go to a bar, have a cutlass in his hand and go behind someone? That’s really out of character,” Rolle stated, expressing disbelief at the police version of events.

    The family’s grief is compounded by what they describe as a complete lack of communication from authorities. Rolle reports receiving no formal briefing from police and questions how a verbal argument escalated to lethal force. He specifically criticized the portrayal of his brother as an aggressor, calling the official account “a bunch of crap.

    Prime Minister Philip Davis has addressed the growing concern around police-involved fatalities, referencing this incident along with another recent case. He called for a comprehensive review of off-duty firearm policies, increased deployment of less-lethal options, and enhanced de-escalation standards within the police force. Investigations into the shooting remain ongoing as the community awaits answers and the Russell family seeks justice for their loss.

  • Attorney opposes application for special measures for witnesses in cops’ murder trial

    Attorney opposes application for special measures for witnesses in cops’ murder trial

    In a significant development at the Home Circuit Court in Jamaica, defense attorney Hugh Wildman mounted a vigorous opposition against a prosecution motion seeking special testimony arrangements in the murder trial of six police officers. The contentious hearing centered on prosecutor Kathy-Ann Pyke’s application to permit three overseas witnesses to provide evidence via video link.

    Wildman, representing four of the accused officers, systematically dismantled the prosecution’s request, asserting it lacked proper legal foundation. He emphasized that the application relied exclusively on a statement from an Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) officer—who is himself a witness in the case—rather than the required affidavit evidence directly from the unavailable witnesses. This approach, Wildman argued, constituted inadmissible hearsay evidence that failed to meet judicial standards.

    The defense counsel bolstered his position with cited Canadian case law, maintaining that all procedural applications must be substantiated by sworn affidavits from the actual individuals unable to testify in person. He characterized the prosecution’s submission as improperly presented before the court.

    Presiding Justice Sophia Carr-Jones has deferred ruling on the video testimony matter until Friday, allowing for judicial consideration of the competing arguments.

    Concurrent with these legal arguments, the seven-member jury received an approximately month-long recess until April 13. Trial proceedings continue during their absence to address administrative matters and special applications that don’t require jury participation.

    The defendants—Sergeant Simroy Mott, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Orandy Rose, and Richard Lynch—face murder charges related to the January 12, 2013 shooting deaths of Matthew Lee, Ucliffe Dyer, and Mark Allen. The fatalities occurred during an alleged armed confrontation with police on Acadia Drive in Barbican, St. Andrew. Corporal Fullerton additionally faces charges of providing false statements to INDECOM during the investigation.

  • Works Minister Morgan in Peru for key infrastructure discussions and technical exchange

    Works Minister Morgan in Peru for key infrastructure discussions and technical exchange

    Jamaican Minister Robert Nesta Morgan is spearheading a high-level governmental delegation at the inaugural LATAC-UK Infrastructure Forum in Lima, Peru, from March 23-26, 2026. This strategic gathering unites senior officials from Latin American and Caribbean nations with key representatives from the United Kingdom, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank. The central focus revolves around dissecting optimal methodologies in infrastructure strategy, governance frameworks, financial models, and project implementation.

    The Jamaican delegation’s agenda is meticulously crafted to align with the nation’s pressing infrastructure priorities. It features high-level consultations with Peru’s National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN) and former leaders of the country’s reconstruction authority. The itinerary also incorporates specialized technical sessions dedicated to governance structures, strategic planning, and enhancing systemic resilience against natural disasters.

    Minister Morgan emphasized the practical objectives behind this diplomatic mission, stating the purpose extends beyond theoretical discussion to actionable learning. Jamaica is actively evaluating methods to fortify its infrastructure delivery mechanisms, enhance inter-governmental coordination, and develop systems that are simultaneously efficient, resilient, and tailored to national requirements. Peru’s documented expertise in post-disaster recovery and resilient reconstruction offers a particularly valuable case study for Jamaica as it contemplates strengthening its own institutional response capabilities.

    The delegation’s schedule includes an on-site inspection of resilient infrastructure projects, such as flood protection engineering works, culminating in a conclusive workshop to synthesize reconstruction insights and formulate actionable next steps for Jamaica. This engagement underscores Jamaica’s dedicated approach to adapting credible international models to forge context-specific solutions for its infrastructure challenges.

  • Officer watched as man hacked door with machete, video shows

    Officer watched as man hacked door with machete, video shows

    Jamaican law enforcement faces intense public scrutiny following the circulation of multiple viral videos depicting two separate incidents involving police conduct. The first footage shows a startling scene where a man aggressively wields a machete against a residential front door while a police vehicle with activated emergency lights is present nearby. Throughout the confrontation, a woman asserts her ownership of the property and denies harassment allegations made by the individual recording. The videographer directly challenges an apparent police officer who is seen observing the situation without intervention, culminating in the recording device being forcibly taken.

    In a second unrelated incident, another viral video captures a physically intense arrest where a female detainee, clothed only in pants and a bra, struggles with uniformed officers. The footage shows an officer pressing her against a vehicle while applying handcuffs as bystanders question the use of force. Subsequent clips reveal the distressed woman inside a residence with visible foot injuries, complaining of physical discomfort and shaking teeth while officers continue attempts to restrain her.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirkwood Andrews has confirmed that an official complaint has been filed regarding the machete incident and that an investigation is underway. Regarding the arrest footage, Andrews acknowledged that an arrest occurred but stated he was unaware of any formal complaint in that case, noting he awaited further updates on both matters.

  • US expands visa bond requirement to 12 more countries

    US expands visa bond requirement to 12 more countries

    The United States has significantly expanded its controversial visa bond requirement program, adding 12 additional countries to a policy that mandates non-immigrant visa applicants to pay refundable bonds reaching up to $15,000. This expansion brings the total number of affected countries to 50, with the majority located in Africa, raising concerns about disproportionate targeting of lower-income applicants.

    The State Department initiative, implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration restrictions since his return to office in January 2025, now includes Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia. The expanded regulations take effect April 2, with officials indicating potential further additions to the list.

    Under the program, applicants for short-term business and tourist visas may be required to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 based on determinations made during consular interviews. Notably, payment does not guarantee visa approval, though funds are refunded if applications are denied or if travelers comply with all visa conditions and depart promptly.

    Administration officials defend the bond system as an effective mechanism to reduce visa overstays, citing data showing 97% of approximately 1,000 bond-paying visitors have departed according to their visa terms. However, critics argue the substantial financial requirements create unfair barriers for applicants from developing nations and represent part of a broader pattern of immigration restrictions.

    The bond program operates alongside other stringent measures including suspended visa processing for multiple countries, increased deportations, tightened asylum regulations, and historically reduced refugee admissions. These collective policies have generated international criticism and may impact global mobility, including participation in upcoming major events such as the World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.

  • PM: ‘Badge cannot be above the law’

    PM: ‘Badge cannot be above the law’

    Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has initiated a comprehensive review of firearm protocols for off-duty police officers following two separate fatal shootings that occurred within 24 hours, both now subject to criminal investigations. The incidents claimed the lives of American Pike Corporation worker Cody Castillo, 31, and Bahamian father-of-three Michael Russell, 48, raising serious concerns about police conduct and accountability.

    Mr. Davis emphasized that ‘the badge can never place anyone above the law’ while announcing the policy examination, which will include assessing the implementation of less-lethal alternatives for officers. The announcement came alongside confirmation from National Security Minister Wayne Munroe that Castillo’s death is being treated as a criminal matter rather than proceeding through the typical Coroner’s Court inquest process for police-involved shootings. Investigators have obtained CCTV footage related to the Castillo case.

    According to police reports, Castillo was shot through the side window of his company vehicle, which was equipped with a dashboard camera, while attempting to pick up his brother and coworkers from Da Plantation Bar & Grill. Contrary to initial accounts, investigation reveals Castillo was not involved in the altercation that precipitated the shooting. The Texas native leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant, having recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

    The second incident involved Michael Russell, who was killed near Montagu Beach after an alleged confrontation with an off-duty officer. Police claim Russell exited his vehicle with a cutlass and struck the officer, causing injury, before being shot. These mark the third killing involving off-duty officers this year.

    The US Embassy has issued a strongly-worded statement demanding ‘justice without delay’ in Castillo’s case, adding international pressure to the proceedings. Meanwhile, opposition party Free National Movement has criticized the government’s response as likely amounting to ‘public relations exercises that lead to nowhere,’ citing previous unfulfilled promises of investigations and reforms.

    Community advocates, including Khandi Gibson of Families of All Murdered Victims, have called for transparency and accountability, emphasizing that ‘every life matters, and every loss deserves truth, transparency, and accountability.’ Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles had previously indicated the force was reviewing non-lethal weapon options amid concerns about jury findings in fatal shooting cases.

  • UK teenagers to trial social media bans, digital curfews

    UK teenagers to trial social media bans, digital curfews

    LONDON, United Kingdom — The British government has initiated a groundbreaking pilot program involving hundreds of adolescents to examine the effects of social media restrictions on youth wellbeing. Announced Wednesday by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the study will monitor 300 participants aged 13-17 over a six-week period to assess how varying levels of digital limitation impact educational performance, sleep quality, and family dynamics.

    The experimental design divides participants into four distinct cohorts: one group will undergo complete social media application blackouts; another will face overnight access prohibitions; a third will be subject to stringent one-hour daily caps on major platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. These experimental groups will be contrasted against a control population maintaining unrestricted access throughout the trial duration.

    This research initiative coincides with ongoing governmental consultations regarding potential Australia-style blanket bans for users under 16. Technology Minister Liz Kendall emphasized the administration’s commitment to “giving young people the childhood they deserve,” noting that evidence gathered from these trials will inform future policy decisions based on tangible family experiences.

    Australia pioneered under-16 social media prohibitions in December 2023, with France advancing similar legislation for under-15s in January. The UK consultation period remains open until May 26, having recently seen parliamentary rejection of House of Lords proposals for immediate under-16 bans pending review outcomes.

    The debate has drawn support from public figures like actor Hugh Grant, who advocates for governmental intervention against platform harms exceeding parental control capacities. Conversely, technology experts caution that outright bans may prove technologically circumventable, advocating instead for enhanced platform safety measures. Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintains an open stance regarding potential future restrictions.