Carib Scope

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  • WATCH: Police identify four killed in Manchester

    WATCH: Police identify four killed in Manchester

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A wave of violence swept through this Jamaican parish overnight, leaving four men dead in three separate shooting incidents that authorities are now investigating. The Manchester police have officially identified the victims as Dejaune Hamilton, 22-year-old Raheem Ward (also known as Richie Rich), Adrian Reid, and David Brown.

    Superintendent Carey Duncan, head of the Manchester Police Division, confirmed the tragic events occurred across multiple locations within the parish, specifically naming New Hall, Old England, and Ellen Street as the crime scenes.

    According to police reports, the violence began approximately at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening when Hamilton was fatally shot in the New Hall area. The bloodshed continued hours later when Ward and Reid were both killed in the Old England community. The final incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, when Brown was gunned down on Ellen Street.

    The consecutive shootings have raised serious concerns about community safety and criminal activity in the region. Police investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine potential connections between the incidents and identify those responsible for the violence that has shaken this Jamaican community.

  • Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win ‘dream’ Australian Open

    Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win ‘dream’ Australian Open

    MELBOURNE, Australia — In a stunning display of resilience and athletic prowess, Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz overturned an initial deficit to defeat Novak Djokovic and claim his maiden Australian Open championship on Sunday. The final, held at Rod Laver Arena, concluded 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in favor of the 22-year-old, who has now become the youngest male player in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam.

    The victory not only earned Alcaraz his seventh major title but also solidified his position as the undisputed world number one. With this win, he surpasses his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal, who achieved the same milestone at age 24 and was present in the audience to witness the historic moment.

    Alcaraz’s triumph denied Djokovic a record 25th Grand Slam title and marked the Serbian’s first defeat in an Australian Open final after ten consecutive victories. The loss leaves Djokovic still tied with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles.

    In an emotional post-match ceremony, Alcaraz described the win as “a dream come true,” adding, “Lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia was crazy.” He also paid tribute to Djokovic, acknowledging, “What you’re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players but athletes around the world.”

    Djokovic, who at 38 was striving to become the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion in the Open era, hinted at an uncertain future, stating, “God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six or twelve months.” He humorously remarked on the strong Spanish presence in the crowd, joking, “I feel like I was one against two tonight.”

    The match itself was a physical and tactical masterclass, with both players entering the final after grueling five-set semifinals. After dropping the first set, Alcaraz elevated his game, exploiting Djokovic’s declining energy and converting critical break points to seize control. The fourth set featured an intense 11-minute service game where Djokovic fended off six break points, but Alcaraz ultimately broke again to seal the victory.

    With this result, Alcaraz joins tennis greats like John McEnroe and Mats Wilander with seven major titles, while Djokovic moves to world number three, behind Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

  • ‘At least 200’ feared dead in DR Congo landslide — gov’t

    ‘At least 200’ feared dead in DR Congo landslide — gov’t

    A catastrophic landslide at a militia-controlled mining operation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in what government officials fear could be at least 200 fatalities. The disaster struck the coltan-rich Rubaya mine in North Kivu province, an area under the control of the M23 rebel group since its April 2024 capture with alleged Rwandan support.

    The communications ministry expressed profound dismay in an official statement, confirming that massive earth movements had buried artisanal miners working under perilous conditions. According to multiple accounts, the initial collapse occurred Wednesday afternoon, followed by a second substantial landslide on Thursday morning.

    Eraston Bahati Musanga, the M23-appointed provincial governor who visited the site, corroborated the death toll estimate, noting that recovery efforts had yielded numerous bodies from the debris. The remote location and compromised communication infrastructure have severely hampered verification efforts, with information trickling in via motorcycle couriers across the region.

    The Rubaya mine represents a crucial node in global electronics supply chains, producing 15-30% of the world’s coltan—a vital mineral component in mobile phones and laptops. Thousands of informal miners typically work the pits with minimal equipment, facing extreme safety risks daily.

    Humanitarian sources report that injured survivors are receiving treatment at severely under-resourced local health centers. The tragedy occurs against a backdrop of three decades of persistent violence in eastern DRC, where mineral wealth has fueled prolonged conflict.

    The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of using the M23 militia to systematically plunder national resources, noting that between 112-125 tons of coltan are extracted monthly and exclusively routed to Rwanda. UN experts estimate the rebel group generates approximately $800,000 monthly through a taxation system imposed on mineral production and sales.

    Kinshasa has called upon the international community to recognize the scale of both the human tragedy and what it describes as organized looting enabled by armed occupation, despite an official ban on mining activities in Rubaya effective February 2025.

  • Globalisation, power and the rewriting of economic rules

    Globalisation, power and the rewriting of economic rules

    The global economic landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation as geopolitical competition increasingly dictates economic policy and international relations. Nations are strategically deploying trade policies, monetary tools, and technological controls as instruments of power rather than efficiency, creating complex challenges for smaller economies like Jamaica and other Caribbean states. These developments represent a significant departure from the post-World War II consensus that championed globalization as the pathway to prosperity.

    The traditional neoclassical economic paradigm, which promoted free trade as an unquestioned virtue, concealed inherent asymmetries in global economic architecture. Multilateral agreements and UN frameworks systematically disadvantaged developing nations, often locking them into permanent roles as raw material exporters while limiting their capacity for industrial advancement. This institutional hierarchy masquerading as neutral globalization has created enduring structural inequalities.

    China’s remarkable ascent exemplifies this shift. While Western nations outsourced manufacturing for efficiency gains, China methodically built industrial capacity and technological prowess, now accounting for approximately 30% of global manufacturing output. The Belt and Road Initiative, extending to over 150 countries, represents more than infrastructure investment—it fundamentally alters global connectivity and gives developing nations enhanced bargaining power in an increasingly logistics-driven world economy.

    The Western response has been equally transformative. The same powers that previously evangelized liberalization now embrace strategic protectionism, employing tariffs and technology export controls as geopolitical weapons. This insecurity-driven behavior has accelerated global supply chain reorganization, with nations prioritizing self-sufficiency in critical sectors including technology, energy, and defense.

    Emerging alliances reflect this new reality. BRICS members pursue divergent national interests rather than coherent opposition to Western dominance. Similarly, Canada’s expanding engagement with China demonstrates how traditional alliances are being recalibrated according to national interest rather than ideological alignment.

    Geographical significance is being revalued globally. Iceland’s strategic importance grows with Arctic shipping expansion, while Caribbean nations gain renewed relevance due to their positioning at critical trade intersections. For Jamaica, this presents both challenges in navigating competing superpower interests and opportunities to transform from periphery to pivot in the global economy.

    The new world order rewards strategic positioning over sheer size, offering smaller nations unprecedented opportunities to mediate global flows rather than merely absorb external shocks. Those who understand this new geoeconomic logic earliest stand to benefit most from the ongoing renegotiation of globalization.

  • Buy-and-hold investing weighs on market liquidity

    Buy-and-hold investing weighs on market liquidity

    Financial experts at the 21st Jamaica Stock Exchange Investments and Capital Markets Conference have identified a significant structural challenge facing the nation’s capital markets: an entrenched buy-and-hold investment culture that is severely constraining secondary market activity.

    Sarah Cummings, Director of Corporate Solutions and Investment Banking at Scotia Investments Jamaica, highlighted the dominance of institutional investors, pension funds, and collective investment schemes that typically acquire securities with minimal subsequent trading. “Having a buy-and-hold culture suppresses secondary trading,” Cummings stated, noting this pattern creates liquidity shortages that deter broader investor participation and complicate capital raising efforts for companies.

    The conference revealed this phenomenon extends beyond Jamaica throughout the Caribbean region. Christopher Buchanan, Senior Vice-President of Investment Banking at NCB Capital Markets, observed investment managers demonstrate reluctance to divest long-held securities, often citing limited attractive alternatives. This mentality raises fundamental questions about whether Caribbean markets offer sufficient investable assets to enable portfolio repositioning.

    Proven Wealth President and CEO Luwanna Williams proposed solutions focused on restructuring existing offerings rather than introducing entirely new financial instruments. Her recommendations include reducing minimum subscription thresholds to enhance retail accessibility, creating multiple tranches of offerings to widen inclusion, and implementing comprehensive investor education initiatives.

    Williams identified significant knowledge gaps as particularly problematic regarding sustainable investment vehicles like green and blue bonds. Despite their potential to attract capital for climate-resilient development, these instruments suffer from limited understanding among investors. Williams cited a telling case where a German renewable energy company abandoned Caribbean fundraising efforts after securing just $11 million of a $20 million target, subsequently raising approximately $100 million through Norway’s Oslo Stock Exchange.

    “This was a very attractive investment in terms of yield. It was steady in terms of cash flows, and the issuer was well known internationally,” Williams noted. “So what was the problem?” She attributed the failure to persistent misconceptions that sustainable investments deliver inferior returns or prove too complex for average investors.

    Both executives emphasized that deeper regional integration could address liquidity challenges. Buchanan advocated for increased cross-listings to build brand recognition, access wider investor bases, and improve capital raising capabilities. However, conservatism and uneven regulatory frameworks across Caribbean exchanges continue to hinder progress despite ongoing discussions among market operators.

    Williams concluded that overcoming these barriers requires coordinated efforts to demystify investment processes and opportunities, particularly for retail participants who often prefer familiar banking products over equity investments due to comprehension gaps and risk aversion.

  • CEOs warn against fragmentation as global trade turns inward

    CEOs warn against fragmentation as global trade turns inward

    Amid escalating global trade fragmentation and mounting protectionist pressures, Caribbean corporate executives are issuing urgent calls for enhanced regional integration, framing it as an economic imperative rather than merely strategic ambition. This consensus emerged during pivotal addresses at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference, where industry leaders outlined the critical need for coordinated action.

    Jerome Smalling, Chief Executive of JMMB Bank, highlighted how geopolitical tensions and evolving trade policies threaten to fracture Caribbean cohesion without deliberate coordination efforts. “Our focus must remain on mitigating the detrimental effects of a potentially divided Caribbean,” Smalling asserted. “A unified regional approach, facilitating the seamless movement of capital, talent, and services, proves fundamental to the area’s sustainable growth and development.”

    Smalling cautioned that regional fragmentation would undermine the Caribbean’s capacity to attract investment and navigate economic shocks, particularly as global capital adopts increasingly selective allocation strategies. These concerns intensify against a backdrop of rising tariffs, remittance taxes, and policy uncertainties that elevate cross-border transaction costs.

    Frank James, Group Chief Executive of GraceKennedy, confirmed that multinational corporations already experience tangible impacts from growing trade friction. “New tariffs and remittance taxes are creating operational challenges, increasing trade expenses, and generating transaction barriers,” James reported.

    James explained that these pressures, compounded by climate-related disruptions and geopolitical volatility, compel Caribbean enterprises to reconfigure supply chain architectures and market access strategies. For GraceKennedy, this has translated into aggressive diversification across regional markets and supply networks to avoid over-reliance on individual nations.

    “Recent crises demonstrate how disruptions rapidly propagate between markets,” James observed, emphasizing the necessity of building operational flexibility. This strategic shift has motivated GraceKennedy to invest in robust regional supply chains and accelerated market pathways throughout the Caribbean.

    Smalling advocated for expanding integration beyond merchandise trade to encompass capital markets, financial services, and export-focused small and medium enterprises. He positioned financial institutions as crucial enablers of cross-border investment and regional operational support.

    “A robust, inclusive, and efficient capital market remains indispensable for development,” Smalling stated, noting rising demand for cross-border financial solutions as businesses and households seek risk management and regional opportunity access.

    Both executives concurred that the Caribbean’s response to global uncertainty will define its economic resilience through the next decade. James urged businesses and policymakers to distinguish between uncontrollable global forces and strengthenable regional systems.

    “We derive optimism from comprehending immutable factors while concentrating on alterable elements,” James remarked.

    Smalling framed the situation as ultimately concerning coordination: “Economies thrive when businesses and households prosper,” he concluded, maintaining that cross-border cooperation proves essential for sustaining growth.

    As global trade turns inward, Caribbean leadership concludes that the region’s optimal defense resides not in fragmented national reactions but in deepened integration across capital, services, and markets.

  • Victoria Primary sees attendance boost following start of breakfast programme

    Victoria Primary sees attendance boost following start of breakfast programme

    A grassroots breakfast program spearheaded by the JN Circle Linstead Chapter is delivering transformative results at Victoria Primary School in Clarendon, Jamaica. Launched in November following post-hurricane school reopenings, this initiative emerged from dialogues between community leaders and school administrators during Read Across Jamaica Day activities.

    The program originated when chapter representatives identified breakfast insecurity as a critical barrier to education. ‘During our discussions with the principal,’ explained Godfrey Marshall, President of JN Circle Linstead Chapter, ‘we discovered that nutritional gaps were directly impacting student attendance patterns.’

    Through strategic sponsorship coordination, the chapter’s executive team implemented a supplemental breakfast day to augment existing government assistance. The initiative provides weekly hot meals featuring items like fried dumplings, sausage, and nutritious beverages to approximately 250 students from grades one through six.

    Principal Annette Steele reported immediate improvements: ‘The program has significantly reduced tardiness and absenteeism. Students now arrive by 7:30 am anticipating their morning meal, resulting in notable midweek attendance gains.’

    Despite operating with merely ten active members, the chapter has sustained the program through consistent community support. Secretary Kareen Dennis emphasized the program’s cost-effectiveness: ‘We recognized that modest contributions in flour, oil, and Milo could create substantial educational impact.’

    The initiative has revealed hidden dimensions of student need, with Steele noting, ‘We underestimated how many children were arriving without breakfast. This program has been tremendous for our school community.’

    Established in 1935, Victoria Primary School continues to achieve strong academic outcomes despite its rural setting. The JN Circle Linstead Chapter now aims to maintain this nutritional support and potentially expand similar programs to neighboring educational institutions.

  • WATCH: Bloodshed as four killed in Manchester overnight

    WATCH: Bloodshed as four killed in Manchester overnight

    The parish of Manchester, Jamaica, was thrust into a state of shock and mourning following a violent rampage that unfolded from Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday. Law enforcement authorities reported three separate shooting incidents that resulted in the deaths of four men, marking a bloody night for the community.

    The violence commenced in the New Hall area at approximately 7:30 PM on Saturday. The spree continued later with a double homicide in the Old England community. The final incident, which claimed another life, occurred on Ellen Street around 1:40 AM Sunday, indicating a several-hour span of coordinated or copycat criminal activity.

    Detectives from the Manchester police division were deployed throughout the night and remained actively engaged at the crime scenes well into midmorning Sunday. Forensic teams were meticulously processing each location, with particular focus on the Old England double murder site, gathering ballistic evidence and witness statements to piece together the sequence of events and identify the perpetrators.

    The back-to-back nature of these attacks has intensified concerns among residents regarding gang-related violence and public safety. Community leaders are calling for an increased security presence and a strategic response to prevent further escalation. This series of events represents a significant challenge for local authorities, who are now under pressure to swiftly apprehend those responsible and restore a sense of order.

  • Shenese Walker runs 7.09 seconds to break FSU and ACC 60m record

    Shenese Walker runs 7.09 seconds to break FSU and ACC 60m record

    FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jamaican track sensation Shenese Walker delivered a historic performance at the Razorback Invitational on Saturday, establishing herself as a dominant force in collegiate sprinting. The Florida State University athlete blazed through the women’s 60-meter semi-finals in 7.09 seconds, setting multiple records with her extraordinary run.

    Walker’s remarkable time simultaneously broke the Florida State University record that had stood since 2000, previously held by Tonya Carter at 7.15 seconds, and established a new Atlantic Coast Conference benchmark. The performance ranks as the fastest NCAA time this season and positions her as the fifth quickest sprinter globally in the current indoor track campaign. This achievement represents a significant personal improvement, surpassing her previous best of 7.16 seconds set just two weeks earlier.

    The event’s final round was unexpectedly canceled due to circumstances not disclosed in official reports, resulting in Walker being declared the overall champion based on her semi-final performance.

    The meet showcased additional Jamaican excellence beyond Walker’s record-shattering run. Dejanea Oakley from the University of Georgia dominated the women’s 400-meter event with a world-leading time of 51.11 seconds, while her compatriot Shaquena Foote claimed third position with 51.55 seconds. In field events, Jordan Turner of Louisiana State University captured victory in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.80 meters.

    Other notable performances included Jerome Campbell’s third-place finish in the men’s 60-meter hurdles (7.57 seconds) for the University of Arkansas, just ahead of teammate Vashaun Vascianna who matched his seasonal best of 7.63 seconds. Salieci Myles of LSU achieved a season’s best 8.25 seconds in the women’s 60-meter hurdles final.

    Meanwhile, at the Penn State National Open in Pennsylvania, Jamaican high jumper Annishka McDonald matched the West Virginia University record of 1.79 meters in the women’s high jump, equaling a standard she previously shared with historical record-holders Sharon Pfister (1985) and Sydney Cummings (2013). Teammate Kishay Rowe also impressed with a personal best of 2:49.79 in the women’s 1000-meter event, securing ninth position overall.

  • Jamaica Customs Agency: Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance & Commitment

    Jamaica Customs Agency: Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance & Commitment

    NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery in its exploration of Mars, uncovering compelling evidence of complex organic molecules within the Jezero Crater. This finding, published in the prestigious journal Nature, represents the most robust indication yet that the Red Planet may have hosted conditions suitable for prehistoric life.