Carib Scope

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  • #Champs2026: JC’s Edwards leads Class 1 long jump qualifying

    #Champs2026: JC’s Edwards leads Class 1 long jump qualifying

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships witnessed a spectacular display of athletic prowess as defending champion Michael Andre Edwards of Jamaica College delivered a commanding performance in the Class 1 boys long jump preliminaries. The National Stadium erupted as Edwards secured his place in the finals with a single, monumental leap of 7.53 meters, significantly surpassing the automatic qualifying standard of 7.05 meters despite a substantial headwind of 1.9 meters per second.

    Edwards, who achieved the remarkable long jump and triple jump double victory in last year’s championships, demonstrated why he remains the athlete to beat in this discipline. His first-attempt qualification not only conserved energy for the upcoming finals but also sent a powerful message to his competitors.

    The competition for remaining final spots intensified among other top Jamaican high school athletes. Kingston College’s Amani Phillips, last year’s Class 2 medalist, positioned himself as a strong contender with a jump of 7.04 meters, falling just one centimeter short of the automatic mark. Jamaica College’s Jaivar Cato followed closely with a respectable 6.94-meter effort in calm wind conditions.

    In a notable comeback performance, Kemar James of St Jago High overcame initial difficulties to qualify with a wind-assisted 6.91 meters (2.3m/s). The finals will also feature Calabar High’s Shevaughn Pryce alongside St Elizabeth Technical’s duo Santino Distin and Rodeeki Walters, setting the stage for an intensely competitive championship showdown.

  • #Champs2026: KC’s Ruto and Edwin Allen’s Morgan set up big clashes

    #Champs2026: KC’s Ruto and Edwin Allen’s Morgan set up big clashes

    The National Stadium in Kingston witnessed an electrifying display of middle-distance prowess during Tuesday’s qualifying rounds for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships. The spotlight shone brightest on the Class 1 1500m event, where a thrilling preview of upcoming rivalries unfolded.

    In a display of remarkable synchronization, Kingston College’s Nahashon Ruto and Edwin Allen High’s Joel Morgan blasted across the finish line in near unison during their semi-final heat. Recording times of 4:07.97 and 4:07.98 respectively, the two athletes—who are anticipated to face off again in the 800m—detached themselves decisively from the competition.

    The first semi-final saw Calabar High’s Justin Webb seize victory with a strong time of 4:09.22, while Bellefield High’s Roquelme Johnson (4:10.16) and Alphansus Davis’s Raheem Palmer (4:10.82) secured their advancement. Jamaica College also demonstrated team strength with both Shemar Green (4:14.80) and Carlos Brison-Caines (4:11.03) progressing to the next round.

    In Class 2 qualifying, Jamaica College’s Cavel Nooks emerged as the frontrunner, posting a leading time of 4:16.42. He was closely trailed by Sydney Pagon STEM Academy’s Luke Plummer (4:16.51), with Bellefield High’s Jevaughn Tomlin (4:16.67) and St Jago High’s Phillip Palmer (4:16.72) also earning final berths. Denbigh High’s Markland Williams and Excelsior High’s Keniel Daniels rounded out the qualifiers.

    The Class 3 division saw defending champion Julius Itubo of Kingston College reinforce his favorite status. Itubo dominated his qualifying heat with a commanding time of 4:15.25, leaving Jamaica College’s Rikardo Lee (4:19.73) and Ajovi Williams (4:31.60) in his wake. Holmwood Technical’s Joshua Pryce and Calabar High’s Bryan Stewart completed the finalist field.

  • #Champs2026: Edwin Allen’s Fowler on course to defend Class 2 1500m

    #Champs2026: Edwin Allen’s Fowler on course to defend Class 2 1500m

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening session of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Tuesday witnessed a compelling mix of dominant performances and unexpected upsets in the Girls’ 1500m qualifying heats.

    Defending champion Kevongaye Fowler of Edwin Allen High signaled her strong intent to retain the Class 2 crown, securing a comfortable second-place finish in her heat with a time of 5:07.92. She trailed only Keyah Anderson of The Queens School, who topped the qualification round with a leading time of 5:07.00.

    The qualifying rounds showcased impressive depth in the event. Sydney Pagon STEM Academy’s Alexia Palmer, last year’s Class 3 silver medalist, clocked 5:08.06, followed closely by Immaculate Conception’s Netanya Robinson (5:08.63) and Alphansus Davis’ Tambbrel Williams (5:09.76).

    In the other qualifying heat, Holmwood Technical’s Ashley Shepherd emerged victorious with a time of 5:15.30, finishing ahead of St Elizabeth Technical’s Shameika Dennis (5:17.16) and Hydel High’s Dallia Fairweather (5:18.76).

    The championships delivered a significant early blow to Edwin Allen High as defending Class 3 champion Aneka Lowe suffered a surprising elimination. Despite posting a respectable time of 5:12.11, Lowe finished 13th overall, failing to advance to the finals after placing outside the top six qualifying positions.

    Danoya Scott of Convent of Mercy Alpha Academy dominated the second Class 3 heat with an impressive 4:55.55 qualifying time, followed by St Jago High’s Shannaya Palmer (4:56.73) and Clarendon College’s Alexjordan Hall (4:59.17).

    Holmwood Technical’s Felicia Compass claimed victory in the first Class 3 heat with a time of 5:00.55, finishing ahead of Manchester High’s Shawntaesha Gooden (5:08.86) and Alphansus Davis’ Kayanna Douglas (5:03.54).

  • Caricom to send humanitarian supplies to Cuba

    Caricom to send humanitarian supplies to Cuba

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In a significant regional solidarity move, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is mobilizing a major humanitarian assistance package for Cuba, which is grappling with a severe energy crisis marked by prolonged and widespread blackouts. This initiative gains urgency as external pressures, including longstanding US economic sanctions and oil supply restrictions, exacerbate the island nation’s infrastructural challenges.

    The aid operation, coordinated by the Caricom Secretariat headquartered here, was formally endorsed during the recent Caricom summit in Basseterre under the leadership of Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew. While the precise dispatch date remains unspecified, the Secretariat confirmed the consolidation of essential supplies destined for Havana.

    The relief consignment will comprise vital nutritional and medical resources, including powdered milk, infant formula, and assorted non-perishable food items such as beans, wheat flour, rice, and canned goods. Recognizing the critical need for stable electricity, the shipment will also include solar panels, batteries, and water tanks to aid Cuba’s crippled power and water infrastructure.

    Adding substantial logistical support to the effort, the government of Mexico has partnered with Caricom by identifying local suppliers to procure the goods and will facilitate their transportation, providing free shipment from Mexican ports to Cuba. This collaboration highlights a broader regional commitment to mitigating the humanitarian impact of Cuba’s ongoing crisis, standing in contrast to the persistent US trade embargo aimed at inducing political and economic change in the country.

  • Rygin King detained by ICE in US

    Rygin King detained by ICE in US

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prominent Jamaican dancehall artist Rygin King, legally named Matthew Smith, has been officially confirmed as being in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to verified records accessible through ICE’s online detainee tracking system, the musician was apprehended this past Monday. While the specific charges or circumstances leading to his detention remain undisclosed by authorities, his status is now formally documented within the federal immigration enforcement database. The development has sent shockwaves through the Caribbean music industry where Rygin King maintains significant celebrity status. Industry observers and fans alike are awaiting further clarification regarding the legal basis for his detainment and potential implications for his career. U.S. immigration officials have not yet released an official statement detailing the case specifics.

  • At-risk students see major GPA gains as school violence drops

    At-risk students see major GPA gains as school violence drops

    The Bahamas is witnessing an educational transformation as hundreds of academically at-risk students have made extraordinary progress, with many elevating their GPAs from below 1.0 to achieving a 3.0 average. Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin announced these significant improvements during parliamentary debates on legislation aimed at modernizing the nation’s education system.

    The data reveals a 7.3 percent increase in at-risk students achieving at least a 2.0 GPA in 2025 compared to the previous year. Particularly impressive is that 1,812 students—representing 16.3 percent of previously struggling learners—have dramatically improved their performance from approximately 1.0 to 3.0 GPAs. This marks a substantial increase from the 14.1 percent achievement rate recorded in 2024.

    Minister Hanna-Martin credited these academic breakthroughs to targeted interventions and the dedicated work of academic coaches. The success extends across the archipelago, with nine of the nation’s ten education districts demonstrating GPA gains in December 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

    Academic improvements are evident across multiple subjects. Bahamian Junior Certificate results showed measurable gains in art, literature, craft, social studies, and family and consumer science. Notably, English language, chemistry, French, history, physics, religious studies, and graphical communications achieved exceptional cumulative achievement rates of 80 to 89 percent.

    The ministry acknowledges ongoing challenges in mathematics but has conducted comprehensive research and is implementing specialized strategies to address this area. Further evidence of progress comes from Grade Level Assessment Test Examinations for grades three and six, which recorded gains in reading and listening comprehension. Grade six students achieved their highest GPA in ten years, and the national graduation rate reached a historic high of 59 percent.

    Parallel to academic improvements, school violence has decreased dramatically by 46 percent since fall 2022, dropping from 142 incidents to 77 in fall 2025. This reduction includes a 74 percent decline in fights, complete elimination of stabbings (100 percent decrease), and a 41 percent reduction in unlawful carrying of weapons. Geographic analysis shows violence decreased 30 percent in New Providence, 73 percent in Grand Bahama, and 81 percent in the Family Islands.

    Looking toward the future, the ministry has reached a landmark phase in developing an artificial intelligence policy for education. The draft policy outlines student-focused goals emphasizing both empowerment and responsibility. It envisions students not merely as AI users but as active contributors to innovation through hands-on projects, coding clubs, and national competitions. The ultimate objective is to prepare every learner, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status, to navigate and shape an AI-augmented future with confidence, creativity, and integrity.

  • Guyana still in discussions with US bulk fuel supplier despite court battle

    Guyana still in discussions with US bulk fuel supplier despite court battle

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Guyanese government has confirmed that negotiations remain ongoing with US-based energy infrastructure firm Curlew Midstream regarding a proposed bulk fuel storage facility, a project that has already missed its initial deadline for completion by the end of 2025.

    President Irfaan Ali addressed reporters, stating, “We are in discussion with the legal team. They’re handling those negotiations. I’m not going to comment on where those negotiations are but they have a proposal in and we’re looking at that.” This confirmation comes amid emerging legal challenges and apparent last-minute changes to the previously agreed terms.

    Court documents from a separate litigation filed in February 2026 reveal that Curlew Midstream’s board had met with high-level Guyanese officials to finalize remaining commercial points, providing due diligence materials and financial documents with expectations that execution of the Fuel Exchange Agreement was imminent. According to filings, President Ali himself met with company representatives on January 10, 2026, confirming that Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat would execute the agreement within two days.

    However, the arrangement encountered significant obstacles when the Guyanese government subsequently presented a “signable agreement” that unexpectedly incorporated terms from a new consultant not previously involved in negotiations. These eleventh-hour modifications introduced substantial changes to key commercial points that were inconsistent with terms previously agreed upon in October 2025, when both parties had reached consensus on crude pricing, refined product pricing, terminal construction in Georgetown and Lethem, and prepayment arrangements.

    President Ali, without specifically referencing Curlew Midstream, emphasized the strategic importance of such storage infrastructure amid rising global oil prices fueled by Middle East conflicts. “Just imagine if we had a massive storage facility in Guyana under these challenges—the role Guyana could have played,” he stated, adding that several Middle Eastern nations were evaluating countries for investment opportunities to guarantee long-term energy security.

    The proposed $300 million facility would store 750,000 barrels of various fuel products and was expected to refine at least 30,000 barrels of crude daily for domestic consumption. Curlew Midstream had projected that its terminal would enable price-advantaged trading, dramatically reducing wholesale and retail fuel prices while potentially positioning Guyana as an exporter of high-quality fuels to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations.

    When questioned about two US court cases concerning alleged intellectual property theft and their potential impact on the approval process, President Ali stated he was unaware of such litigation, noting that involved parties would need to resolve those matters separately.

  • Byles to headline Caribbean CFO Summit

    Byles to headline Caribbean CFO Summit

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The inaugural Caribbean Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Summit commences virtually on Tuesday, featuring Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Governor Richard Byles as the opening keynote speaker. The two-day conference, organized by Signature Creed & Associates, aims to address the evolving role of financial leadership across the region.

    Governor Byles is set to deliver critical macroeconomic analysis focusing on monetary stability, contemporary financial leadership, and policy modernization within the Caribbean context. He will be joined by World Bank Group Vice President Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo as a fellow keynote presenter, highlighting the event’s significant caliber.

    The summit emerges against the backdrop of recent financial disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, which has prompted a regional reassessment of economic resilience and disaster risk mitigation strategies. Denzil Whyte, partner at Signature Creed & Associates, noted that the hurricane symbolizes broader organizational and national challenges, emphasizing the necessity for robust risk assessment and strategic planning.

    While specifically targeting CFOs, the conference agenda encompasses a comprehensive spectrum of finance sectors, with expert speakers from insurance, investment banking, microfinance, law, and economics. Kevon McIntosh, co-founder of the event, stated that the modern finance executive’s role has expanded beyond traditional reporting and compliance to include strategic influence, technological integration, and enterprise value preservation.

    The event will be hosted by Kalilah Reynolds, with moderation handled by McIntosh, Gavin N Bennett, and Renate McDonald. Participating professionals have the opportunity to earn up to 13 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Further details regarding registration and the full agenda are available at the official summit website: https://caribbeancfosummit.com/.

  • US calls for justice without delay

    US calls for justice without delay

    The United States Embassy has formally called upon Bahamian authorities to deliver justice “without delay” following the fatal shooting of American citizen Cody Castillo by an off-duty police officer. The incident, which occurred last Saturday, has triggered international concern and raised serious questions about police conduct in The Bahamas.

    New evidence suggests that Mr. Castillo, a 31-year-old employee of Pike Corporation from Huntsville, Texas, was entirely uninvolved in any altercation. According to a close friend, he had merely arrived at Da Plantation Bar & Grill to provide transportation for his younger brother and cousin, who had been inside the establishment. He was seated behind the wheel of his vehicle when the shooting occurred, a fact that potential dash camera footage from the Pike truck is expected to corroborate.

    The off-duty officer, reported to hold the rank of superintendent, allegedly fired a single shot through the side window of the vehicle. This account directly challenges the initial police statement that suggested Mr. Castillo drove in a threatening manner. The U.S. Embassy spokesperson highlighted profound concern over reports that the officer pursued the unarmed victim to his car before firing the fatal shot.

    In a tragic compounding of the event, a second fatal shooting involving an off-duty officer occurred merely 31 hours later near Montagu Beach, marking the third such incident this year.

    The human toll of the tragedy is profound. Mr. Castillo leaves behind his wife, Makayla, who is four months pregnant with their first child, a son due in August. The couple had been married for only a year. A GoFundMe campaign established to support the grieving widow has already surpassed $34,000, underscoring the widespread sympathy for her unimaginable loss—grieving her husband while preparing for motherhood alone.

    Bahamian National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has indicated that the investigation will review any available footage from the restaurant’s security cameras. The case will be forwarded to the Coroner if criminal charges are not immediately warranted.

    The victim’s family, now faced with the circulation of graphic video from the scene on social media, is devastated. Mr. Castillo is remembered by friends as a quiet, reserved, and deeply respectful man who was immensely excited to become a father, making his sudden death all the more senseless.

  • STETHS on top vs Holmwood in Headley Cup semi-final

    STETHS on top vs Holmwood in Headley Cup semi-final

    STETHS Sports Complex, Santa Cruz – Defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) established a formidable advantage on the opening day of the ISSA/Grace Headley Cup cricket semi-final against Holmwood Technical this Monday. After posting a total of 198 all out while batting first, STETHS’s formidable pace attack decimated Holmwood’s top order, leaving them reeling at a precarious 39 for 5 when play was halted due to bad light.

    The day’s narrative was one of two distinct halves. Initially, STETHS found themselves in significant trouble after being put into bat under overcast conditions. Holmwood’s penetrative pace attack, led by Wildel Bailey (3-30) and Bryan McInnis (3-34), struck early blows, reducing the champions to 99 for 7 by the 28th over. However, a resilient and polished counter-attack ensued. Captain Tyriek Bryan provided stability with a fluent 53, but it was all-rounder Adrian Silvera who delivered the innings-defining performance. Better known for his left-arm pace, Silvera showcased his batting prowess with an unbeaten 66, skillfully marshaling the tailenders to guide his team to a competitive total.

    The final session belonged unequivocally to the STETHS bowlers. Exploiting the gathering gloom and favorable bowling conditions, the pace trio of Eckoney Robinson (3-8), Delante Scott (1-11), and the aforementioned Silvera (1-12) unleashed a devastating spell of swing and pace. They ripped through Holmwood’s top-order batting lineup, which had no answer to the relentless attack. With Bryan McInnis (10*) and Romareo Salmon (8*) set to resume at the crease on Tuesday’s final day, Holmwood faces a monumental task to overcome the deficit and avert a defeat, while STETHS requires just five wickets to secure a place in the final.