Carib Scope

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  • Call to honour ‘father or rocksteady’ Vere Johns

    Call to honour ‘father or rocksteady’ Vere Johns

    As Jamaica prepares to commemorate the 60th anniversary of rocksteady music in 2026, the pivotal figure who fundamentally shaped the genre remains conspicuously absent from national recognition. Vere Johns, the visionary impresario who passed away in Kingston at age 72 in September 1966—coinciding with the recording era of the first rocksteady tracks—has yet to receive his rightful place in Jamaican cultural history.

    A multifaceted professional who served as both a World War I veteran in the British military and an established journalist, Johns engineered the foundational platform for Jamaica’s musical revolution through his pioneering talent competitions. His legendary ‘Opportunity Hour’ and ‘Opportunity Knocks’ shows, originating in the 1950s at prestigious Kingston venues including the Ambassador, Carib, Majestic, and Palace theatres, became the definitive launching pad for generations of iconic artists.

    The roster of talents discovered through Johns’ competitions reads as a veritable who’s who of Jamaican music: Alton Ellis, John Holt, Desmond Dekker, The Wailers, Bob Andy, Dobby Dobson, Joe Higgs, Jimmy Cliff, Jackie Edwards, Derrick Morgan, The Blues Busters, and Millie Small all launched their careers through these transformative showcases. While working as a journalist at The Daily Gleaner, Johns orchestrated events that carried social significance comparable to American institutions like ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ and ‘American Bandstand’.

    Despite this monumental legacy, Johns has never been awarded a national honor in Jamaica. Audley Rollen, who competed in Johns’ contests in 1958-1959, advocates for posthumous recognition: ‘I would like to see the Government of Jamaica and the entertainment industry give Vere Johns his long-overdue OD [Order of Distinction], or the highest merit anyone in entertainment could ever get.’ Rollen emphasizes Johns’ indirect influence on reggae history, noting that ‘the godfather of reggae Joe Higgs was discovered on Vere Johns’ Opportunity Hour, and it was Joe Higgs who tutored Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.’

    The Manchester-born innovator’s contributions have received limited acknowledgment, including a posthumous induction into the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) Hall of Fame in 2008. Yet as anniversary celebrations approach, the music community confronts the paradoxical reality that the architect behind rocksteady’s greatest voices remains largely absent from the narrative he helped create.

  • Manhunt for 3-year-old boy’s killers

    Manhunt for 3-year-old boy’s killers

    A West Kingston community is grappling with profound grief and trauma following the brutal murder of three-year-old Jayce Pinnock during a violent home invasion this past weekend. The tragedy has been compounded by the subsequent death of Jayce’s father, who initially survived the shooting but succumbed to his injuries late Monday.

    The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday on Nelson Street, where armed assailants approached the family residence—which also housed a small business—posing as customers before opening fire indiscriminately. When the shooting ceased, young Jayce, his father, and another sibling were discovered with gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical response, Jayce was pronounced dead upon arrival at hospital, while his father and sibling were admitted in critical condition.

    Ladania Cunningham, Jayce’s mother, expressed the devastating impact on her surviving children, who are experiencing severe psychological trauma following the loss of their brother. In the face of this tragedy, the Denham Town community has demonstrated remarkable solidarity, providing both emotional support and practical assistance to the grieving family.

    Law enforcement authorities have identified the violence as part of a resurgence in gang activity within the community. Two persons of interest, known only by the aliases ‘Juby’ and ‘Romy,’ have been named in connection with the killing. Both are alleged members of the local Scream Corner gang.

    Kingston Western Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie accompanied Ms. Cunningham on a visit to Edward Seaga Infant School, where Jayce was a student. During the emotional visit, McKenzie vowed to pursue those responsible for the horrific crime. The Denham Town Police have similarly pledged relentless efforts in their pursuit of justice.

    The school community has established memorials to honor Jayce’s memory, with classmates participating in touching tributes. Young students including Jirehfaith Gentles and Kyron Campbell placed flowers and roses on their slain classmate’s desk, creating spontaneous memorials to the three-year-old whose life was tragically cut short.

  • Caricom meets under Cuba crisis cloud

    Caricom meets under Cuba crisis cloud

    The 50th Regular Meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government commences today in St. Kitts and Nevis, with the regional bloc’s agenda dominated by mounting apprehensions over a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba. This crisis has been significantly exacerbated by the stringent oil embargo reinstated under the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

    Chaired by St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, the summit will continue through February 27th. The gathering occurs amidst heightened diplomatic tensions, particularly following the announcement that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the proceedings. A State Department spokesman, Tommy Pigott, stated that Rubio aims to “reaffirm the United States’ commitment to working with Caricom member states to enhance stability and prosperity” throughout the region.

    However, this pledge of cooperation is set against a backdrop of strong regional criticism directed at US foreign policy toward Cuba. Although not a member of Caricom, Cuba maintains long-standing and deep-rooted relations with numerous member nations. The summit’s discourse is anticipated to be heavily influenced by a powerful appeal issued last week by eight former Caricom heads of government. These distinguished former leaders vehemently urged Washington to rescind its sanctions, which they condemned as an “inhumane weapon of mass destruction” devastating the Cuban populace. This collective condemnation underscores a significant rift between US policy and the consensus within the Caribbean community, positioning the humanitarian impact of the embargo as a critical test for regional diplomacy and US-Caricom relations.

  • Rubio to attend Caricom summit as US presses Venezuela, Cuba

    Rubio to attend Caricom summit as US presses Venezuela, Cuba

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to participate in a high-level summit of Caribbean nations this Wednesday, representing a significant diplomatic engagement for the Trump administration. The meeting of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), hosted in St. Kitts and Nevis, will serve as a platform for addressing critical regional issues including immigration enforcement and policy coordination regarding Venezuela and Cuba.

    State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed Rubio’s attendance, noting the Secretary would articulate President Trump’s priorities including combating illegal immigration and reinforcing hemispheric stability. ‘Secretary Rubio will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to collaborative efforts with Caricom member states to promote prosperity and security throughout the region,’ Pigott stated.

    The summit occurs amid ongoing regional evaluation of Venezuela policy following the January 3rd U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of leftist leader Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration has since intensified pressure on interim President Delcy Rodriguez through control mechanisms over Venezuela’s vital oil industry and implied military threats to ensure compliance.

    While Caribbean nations have maintained cautious public statements regarding Venezuela, many have privately aligned with the U.S. position against Maduro’s government, which has been widely criticized for territorial claims against Guyana and causing regional instability through economic collapse and mass migration.

    The diplomatic calculus becomes more complex regarding Cuba, which maintains historical ties with numerous Caricom members despite not belonging to the bloc. The island nation faces severe energy shortages after U.S. sanctions disrupted Venezuelan oil shipments, its primary energy source, while simultaneously threatening penalties against alternative fuel suppliers.

    Rubio, a Cuban-American politician with longstanding opposition to Cuba’s communist government, has moderated his public rhetoric despite his historical advocacy for regime change. The administration claims to be pursuing an unspecified agreement with Havana, though previous efforts to pressure Caribbean nations to remove Cuban medical professionals faced significant resistance during last year’s Caricom meeting in Jamaica.

    Additional summit agenda items include addressing Haiti’s protracted crisis, where a U.S.-backed prime minister recently assumed control from a transitional council that failed to curb gang violence or conduct elections.

    Rubio’s visit marks the highest-level U.S. diplomatic engagement with St. Kitts and Nevis, a microstate of approximately 50,000 people that gained independence from Britain in 1983.

  • Hetmyer not getting carried away after record-breaking West Indies demolish Zimbabwe

    Hetmyer not getting carried away after record-breaking West Indies demolish Zimbabwe

    MUMBAI, India — The West Indies cricket team delivered a breathtaking performance on Monday, crushing Zimbabwe by a massive 107 runs in their Super Eights opener of the Twenty20 World Cup. This dominant display at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium showcased the Caribbean side’s formidable batting prowess and clinical bowling execution.

    Shimron Hetmyer emerged as the undisputed star of the match, hammering an explosive 85 runs from just 34 deliveries. His spectacular innings, which included seven sixes and seven fours, propelled the West Indies to a monumental total of 254-6. This score stands as the second-highest in the history of the T20 World Cup tournament, surpassed only by Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in 2007.

    The match turned decisively when Zimbabwe’s Tashinga Musekiwa dropped a routine catch at deep fine leg with Hetmyer on just nine runs. The batsman capitalized mercilessly on this reprieve, racing to his half-century in merely 19 deliveries—equaling the tournament’s fastest fifty record set by South Africa’s Aiden Markram.

    Hetmyer found able support from Rovman Powell, with the pair assembling a devastating 122-run partnership from just 52 balls. Powell contributed a brisk 59 from 35 deliveries before Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 31 from 13 balls provided the final flourish. The West Indies’ batting onslaught saw 38 runs plundered from the final two overs, with Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder adding quick-fire contributions.

    Zimbabwe’s response never gained momentum as their chase faltered immediately. Left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie (4-28) and Akeal Hosein (3-28) dismantled the top order, reducing the surprise qualifiers to 20-3 within the third over. Despite a late counterattack from Brad Evans, who smashed 43 from 21 balls with five sixes, Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 147 in 17.4 overs.

    West Indies captain Shai Hope praised the comprehensive team performance while maintaining perspective: ‘When everyone is firing like that, it’s a real joy to watch. It was a complete performance but you can always improve.’

    Hetmyer, awarded Player of the Match, remained grounded despite his extraordinary achievement: ‘It does feel good to have achieved something like that, but as a team, we haven’t really accomplished anything yet. We’re taking it one game at a time.’

    The victory establishes the West Indies as serious contenders as the tournament enters its crucial Super Eights phase, while Zimbabwe must regroup after their stunning run was halted so emphatically.

  • U20 Reggae Boyz beat Bonaire 3-0 to kick-start Concacaf championship

    U20 Reggae Boyz beat Bonaire 3-0 to kick-start Concacaf championship

    WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao — Jamaica’s Under-20 national team launched their Concacaf qualification campaign with an authoritative 3-0 victory against tournament newcomers Bonaire in Group B action on Monday. The match, held at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca, established Jamaica as early group leaders on goal differential.

    The young Reggae Boyz demonstrated tactical superiority despite finishing the match with ten men following the dismissal of substitute Jamoy Dennis, who received two yellow cards during his second-half appearance.

    Jamaica’s offensive prowess was evident throughout the contest, with Sean Leighton breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute through a precise close-range header. Deshawn Talbert doubled the advantage just before halftime, finding the net in the 43rd minute to establish a comfortable 2-0 lead at the interval.

    The victory was sealed in the 71st minute when substitute Raequan Campbell-Dennis delivered the final blow, effectively eliminating any possibility of a Bonaire comeback.

    This opening round victory places Jamaica atop Group B standings after other group matches concluded with narrow 2-1 victories for Turks and Caicos Islands over Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico against St Kitts/Nevis.

    The Jamaican squad continues their qualification journey Wednesday with a 7:00 PM fixture against Turks and Caicos Islands. This tournament serves as the qualifying pathway not only for the 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship but also determines participation in the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2027 Pan American Games.

  • U20 Reggae Boyz beat Bonaire 3-0 in opening Concacaf qualifier

    U20 Reggae Boyz beat Bonaire 3-0 in opening Concacaf qualifier

    Jamaica’s Under-20 national team launched their CONCACAF qualification campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory against Bonaire in Group B action on Monday. The match, held at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad, Curaçao, saw the young Reggae Boyz establish early dominance with a two-goal lead by halftime before finishing with ten men following a second-half dismissal.

    The scoring opened in the 24th minute when Sean Leighton expertly headed the ball across the goal line from close range. Deshawn Talbert doubled Jamaica’s advantage just before halftime with a well-executed finish in the 43rd minute. Substitute Raequan Campbell-Dennis sealed the comprehensive victory in the 71st minute with a decisive third goal that effectively ended the contest.

    Despite the convincing win, Jamaica faced adversity when second-half substitute Jamoy Dennis received two yellow cards in quick succession, resulting in his dismissal and forcing the team to play the remainder of the match with reduced numbers. The disciplinary setback didn’t prevent Jamaica from maintaining their clean sheet and securing all three points.

    The victory places Jamaica atop Group B on goal difference following narrow 2-1 victories by Turks and Caicos Islands over Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico over St Kitts Nevis in the group’s other opening matches. The tournament serves as qualification for multiple prestigious international competitions, including the 2026 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, and the 2027 Pan American Games.

    Jamaica’s U-20 squad will return to action on Wednesday evening with a crucial match against Turks and Caicos Islands at 7:00 PM local time.

  • Agriculture ministry says egg supply under watch amid farmers concerns

    Agriculture ministry says egg supply under watch amid farmers concerns

    Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is implementing strategic measures to balance market stability with local industry recovery following devastating hurricane impacts on the nation’s egg production sector. The government’s intervention comes as domestic producers struggle to rebuild after successive hurricanes crippled poultry operations.

    The crisis began with Hurricane Beryl in 2024, which disrupted production cycles across the industry. Before full recovery could occur, Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28, 2025, delivering a catastrophic blow to poultry infrastructure. Official assessments confirmed losses of approximately 400,000 laying hens, representing a substantial portion of the nation’s egg-laying capacity.

    This dual disaster scenario prompted immediate government action. The ministry authorized temporary egg imports with waived import duties, additional stamp duties, and general consumption tax—a measure initially scheduled to conclude on February 28, 2026. However, current production data indicates slower-than-expected recovery, with output for the first half of 2026 projected at 30-40% below the five-year average.

    Market analysis reveals domestic egg supply declined by approximately 40% post-Melissa, with full recovery estimated to require eight to twelve months. Monthly production levels are not expected to surpass 2025 benchmarks until August 2026 at the earliest, prompting the ministry to seek extension of import waivers until May 2026.

    The Jamaica Egg Farmers Association had previously implemented significant price adjustments, increasing recommended rates from $550 to $670 per dozen for unbranded eggs and from $580 to $700 for branded varieties. These increases, attributed to reduced production capacity and elevated operational costs, have placed additional pressure on consumers and hospitality businesses.

    The ministry emphasizes that its temporary import strategy remains under continuous evaluation to ensure neither local farmers nor consumers face market disadvantages. This calibrated approach aims to maintain price stability while domestic producers rebuild capacity, with the government committing to regular monitoring of both supply chains and farmer livelihoods throughout the recovery period.

  • Racing close gap on Mobay, resurgent Spanish Town Police beat Arnett

    Racing close gap on Mobay, resurgent Spanish Town Police beat Arnett

    The Jamaica Premier League witnessed significant shifts in its standings following Monday’s doubleheader at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, where both matches delivered dramatic outcomes affecting opposite ends of the table.

    In the evening’s opening contest, Racing United secured a decisive 2-0 victory against Chapelton Maroons, who played most of the second half with ten men. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Javaughn Cole found the net, putting Racing ahead. The match’s turning point arrived in the 71st minute when Chapelton’s goalkeeper Juan Lopez Ramirez received a straight red card for handling the ball outside his penalty area. Kadean Young capitalized magnificently on the ensuing free kick, curling his shot past substitute goalkeeper Prince Daniel Smith into the near left corner to seal the victory.

    This result extends Racing United’s remarkable unbeaten streak to 16 consecutive matches, elevating them to 45 points in the standings. They now trail league leaders Montego Bay United by just five points after Montego Bay’s 2-2 draw with Harbour View on Sunday. Racing also maintains a three-point cushion over third-placed Portmore United, though Portmore holds a game in hand.

    The night’s second fixture produced a stunning reversal of fortunes as bottom-placed Spanish Town Police FC claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Arnett Gardens. This result marked a spectacular redemption for Spanish Town, who suffered a humiliating 10-2 defeat to the same opponents in the first round.

    Carlington Blackwood opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalizing on Arnett’s defensive lapse to convert from close range. Fabian Reid appeared to have salvaged a point for Arnett in the 78th minute with a superb finish from a well-executed three-man movement, firing low into the right corner. However, with merely two minutes remaining and moments after Arnett had a potential winning goal disallowed for offside, Jaheim McGregor delivered the decisive blow for Spanish Town, lofting a perfectly placed shot over goalkeeper Anthony Bennett into the far left corner.

    The victory represents Spanish Town Police’s third win in their last four outings, earning them nine crucial points that now account for half of their 18-point season total, significantly boosting their survival prospects in the top flight.

  • Torrential rains leave 20 dead in Brazil, dozens missing

    Torrential rains leave 20 dead in Brazil, dozens missing

    Southeastern Brazil is confronting a severe humanitarian crisis following catastrophic rainfall that triggered devastating floods and landslides, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 20 individuals with dozens more reported missing. The state of Minas Gerais has borne the brunt of the extreme weather, which commenced on Monday with torrential downpours displacing over 400 residents from their homes.

    The municipality of Juiz de Fora, a city of approximately 500,000 inhabitants, has been hardest hit, recording 16 fatalities. Just two hours away, the city of Uba reported four additional deaths. The disaster unfolded through multiple channels: the Paraibuna River burst its banks, catastrophic landslides buried areas, and multiple buildings succumbed to structural collapse under the force of the elements.

    Mayor Margarida Salomao has declared a state of emergency for Juiz de Fora, which is experiencing its wettest February since records began. She described the situation as ‘extreme,’ with at least 20 separate landslides isolating entire neighborhoods. Official communications from her office on social media platform X confirmed that 440 displaced persons are receiving municipal support for temporary shelter and accommodation.

    Emergency response efforts, led by the Minas Gerais fire department, are intensely focused on search and rescue operations. Lieutenant Henrique Barcellos, a department spokesman, confirmed that firefighters are addressing incidents of flooding, landslides, and structural instability near the overflowing Paraibuna River. Distressing imagery from social media depicts rescue crews operating heavy machinery to dig through deep mud where homes once stood, while other footage captured by residents shows buildings crumbling in real time. Streets have been transformed into raging torrents, necessitating the use of specialized equipment to evacuate stranded citizens to safety. In response to the danger, state authorities have suspended classes across all municipal schools.

    This tragedy is the latest in a series of extreme weather events to plague Brazil in recent years, which experts increasingly attribute to the broader impacts of climate change. The nation is still recovering from a historic flood in its southern region in 2024 that claimed over 200 lives and affected two million people. Furthermore, a 2022 deluge in Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro, resulted in 241 deaths. The current disaster in Juiz de Fora—a city previously known in international headlines as the site where former President Jair Bolsonaro was stabbed in 2018—now adds another somber chapter to Brazil’s ongoing struggle with climate-related emergencies.