Carib Scope

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  • Nestor’s rebounding, defence propel UNT past Tulane

    Nestor’s rebounding, defence propel UNT past Tulane

    University of North Texas senior Megan Nestor continues to dominate the collegiate basketball scene with another extraordinary performance against Tulane. The 6-4 center from Saint Lucia secured a remarkable 28 rebounds while contributing 10 points and three steals during her career-high 38 minutes on court. This exceptional effort propelled the Mean Green to a 56-47 victory, marking their third win in four games and improving their season record to 14-11.

    Nestor’s latest rebounding showcase represents her third 25-rebound game this season, accounting for half of all such performances across Division I women’s basketball. Her fifth 20-rebound game of the season nearly broke program and conference records, falling just short of her own 31-rebound achievement against Texas Southern in December.

    The Valentine’s Day performance elevated Nestor’s season rebound total to 359, moving her from fourth to second place in program history. She now stands just six rebounds away from surpassing Sharon Shelton’s nearly 50-year-old record of 364 rebounds. Nestor has demonstrated remarkable consistency, recording double-doubles in 11 of her last 12 games while averaging 13.5 points and 16.8 rebounds per contest during league play.

    Head coach Jason Burton praised Nestor’s multifaceted contribution: “What Megan’s doing on the rebounds is just absolutely phenomenal. More than just the boards, I thought she was fantastic as far as making plays. She had some big plays in our press and big deflections that led to steals.”

    The team’s defensive effort proved equally impressive, holding Tulane to just 33% from the field and 3-of-19 on three-pointers. This represented UNT’s lowest point total allowed in a league game since joining the American Conference, improving their conference record to 8-5. Burton acknowledged the closely contested nature of the game, noting “It was close for the majority and could have gone either way. We did a great job of closing it out.”

  • OP-ED: Is CARICOM at a foreign policy turning point?

    OP-ED: Is CARICOM at a foreign policy turning point?

    As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) prepares for its landmark Fiftieth Regular Meeting of Conference Heads of Government, the regional bloc faces unprecedented internal divisions over foreign policy alignment. The escalating tensions stem primarily from Trinidad and Tobago’s dramatic shift toward supporting US interventionist policies in the region, creating what insiders describe as a ‘clash of foreign policy outlooks’ among the 14 member states.

    The fracture lines became visible in September 2025 when Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced new organizing principles for her government’s foreign policy during the UN General Assembly. Since then, Port-of-Spain’s growing alignment with Washington’s strategic interests has raised concerns among fellow CARICOM members about the bloc’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy.

    This polarization has manifested most visibly in member states’ changing relationships with Cuba. Several nations, including Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda, have abruptly terminated long-standing medical cooperation agreements with Havana—moves that coincide with increased US pressure under the emerging ‘Donroe Doctrine.’ The doctrine has effectively forced small Caribbean states to reconsider traditional alliances, creating what analysts describe as a ‘quandary’ between regional solidarity and practical dependence on US economic and security support.

    The situation is particularly acute for Guyana, where US dominance in oil and gas exploration creates significant dependency. As one insider noted, ‘It is difficult for Guyana to be too independent of the United States’ given both economic reliance and security considerations regarding Venezuela.

    CARICOM leaders are expected to address these tensions in caucus sessions during the February 24-27 summit. The discussions will focus on two primary concerns: the bloc’s disconnect with Trinidad and Tobago’s new orientation, and member states’ varied responses to ‘America First’ unilateralism. Recent diplomatic efforts, including CARICOM Chair Terrance Drew’s meeting with Persad-Bissessar last month, have shown promising signs of reconciliation, but observers agree that a ‘deep reset’ of political relations is urgently needed.

    The summit’s outcome may determine whether CARICOM can maintain a coherent vision of regional unity amid growing geopolitical pressures. As one commentator noted, ‘Regional politics ought to enable integration-related institutions to take steps toward—rather than away from—the realization of regional unity.’ Whether the summit can achieve this remains uncertain, but the stakes for Caribbean solidarity have never been higher.

  • Wanted man now in police custody

    Wanted man now in police custody

    Barbados law enforcement authorities have successfully apprehended Khalil Lavaar Hurley, the 27-year-old fugitive who was the subject of an intensive week-long manhunt. The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) confirmed Hurley’s detention on Thursday, February 12, exactly one week after initially issuing their public bulletin seeking information on his whereabouts.

    Hurley, described as having no fixed address at the time of his capture, is currently cooperating with investigators regarding multiple serious criminal allegations. While specific details about the nature of these investigations remain confidential, police officials have characterized them as addressing significant criminal matters affecting public safety.

    The successful resolution of this case prompted official gratitude from the Barbados Police Service, which publicly acknowledged the assistance provided by community members during the search operation. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and civilians demonstrates the effectiveness of public-police partnerships in addressing serious criminal activities.

    This apprehension concludes an extensive search operation that mobilized resources across multiple jurisdictions. The case highlights ongoing efforts by Caribbean law enforcement agencies to combat serious crime through coordinated public engagement strategies and rapid response protocols.

  • Firefighters Honoured for Decades of Service

    Firefighters Honoured for Decades of Service

    BELMOPAN, BELIZE – In a formal ceremony recognizing exceptional career commitment, twenty-one members of Belize’s National Fire Service were decorated with Long Service Awards on Friday, February 16, 2026. The event, orchestrated by the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, celebrated personnel who have devoted between ten and a quarter-century to public safety.

    The honors were distributed across various ranks and specializations, underscoring the diverse roles essential to the fire service’s operations. Seven individuals were commended for a decade of service. The cohort celebrating 15 years included three officers, among them two radio-telephone operators and a finance officer. Four leading firefighters were acknowledged for their 20-year tenure. The most prestigious honors were bestowed upon seven senior officers who have served for 25 years; this distinguished group comprised station officers, a substation officer, a radio-telephone operator, and an assistant fire chief.

    Presiding over the ceremony, Minister Henry Charles Usher delivered a poignant address, lauding the awardees for their unwavering discipline and profound personal sacrifice. He emphasized the inherent perils of the profession, noting that firefighters and support staff consistently jeopardize their own safety to safeguard citizens and property, a testament to their profound dedication to national service.

  • YouTube suffers widespread outage

    YouTube suffers widespread outage

    A significant technical malfunction struck YouTube’s global operations late Tuesday, creating widespread accessibility issues for the video-sharing platform’s massive user base. The outage, which impacted core services including the main YouTube application, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids, triggered a cascade of user reports from multiple international regions.

    Official communications from YouTube’s support team via social media platform X confirmed the disruption, acknowledging the widespread nature of the incident. The company’s technical investigation identified the root cause as a critical failure within the platform’s sophisticated video recommendation algorithm. This system breakdown prevented content from properly populating across multiple interface surfaces, notably affecting the platform’s central homepage.

    Independent outage monitoring service Down Detector recorded an extraordinary surge in problem reports, exceeding 300,000 individual user complaints during the incident’s peak around 0100 GMT. Users attempting to access YouTube’s services during the disruption encountered error messages and a simplified interface requesting them to return later.

    While YouTube’s engineering teams successfully restored basic homepage functionality relatively quickly, the company noted that comprehensive system recovery required additional time. As one of Google’s most vital digital properties, YouTube serves approximately 2.5 billion monthly active users, making this technical incident one of the most significant platform disruptions in recent memory.

  • Drug bust at FedEx Half-Way Tree

    Drug bust at FedEx Half-Way Tree

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Authorities from the Jamaica Constabulary Force have officially verified the interception of a substantial illicit narcotics shipment at a FedEx distribution center situated in the Half-Way Tree district. The strategic operations portfolio, a specialized division within the national police force, has assumed control of the ongoing criminal investigation, though specific details regarding the confiscated substances or the estimated street value remain undisclosed to the public at this preliminary stage. This operation underscores the continued vigilance of Jamaican law enforcement against drug trafficking networks attempting to exploit international logistics and courier services. The seizure represents a significant disruption to the supply chain of illegal narcotics, highlighting a critical success for local authorities. Further forensic analysis and evidence gathering are currently underway to ascertain the origins, intended destination, and the individuals orchestrating this smuggling attempt. The police have committed to releasing a comprehensive statement upon the conclusion of the initial investigative phase.

  • BAD INFLUENCE

    BAD INFLUENCE

    A prominent Jamaican content creator has launched a vehement critique against the normalization of detrimental practices within the nation’s social media landscape. Chazz Francis, who works additionally as a marketer and photographer, contends that the widespread glorification of skin bleaching and financial scamming by so-called influencers is severely tarnishing Jamaica’s international reputation.

    In a widely circulated social media post that garnered hundreds of endorsements, Francis expressed his disillusionment, stating, ‘I feel the culture in Jamaica has been hijacked.’ He lamented the current cultural shift where individuals engaged in illicit activities are ironically idolized, starkly contrasting Jamaica’s historical identity as a nation of hardworking people. Francis emphasized, ‘Scamming is not normal. It should not be a career path you have in your mind.’

    He advocates for stringent governmental intervention, proposing a ban on music that glorifies criminal behavior accompanied by substantial fines, potentially up to one million dollars, for artists producing such content. Furthermore, he recommends applying ‘hefty fines’ to vendors profiting from skin bleaching products and suggests restricting government assistance for individuals engaged in the practice, arguing that funds used for self-destruction indicate a lack of need for public support.

    Offering a contrasting perspective, cultural activist and writer Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah posits that these social maladies are symptomatic of deeper, systemic failures. She identifies the root cause not in individual choices but in Jamaica’s enduring colonial structures—encompassing education, governance, and incarceration systems—which she argues fail to provide citizens with a sense of purpose or a clear vision for the future. ‘The system is colonial… It means that we are not in control of who that Jamaican citizen is becoming,’ Dr. Stanley Niaah explained.

    She cautions against simplistic solutions like bans and fines, urging instead for a foundational focus on citizen education, socialization, and training geared towards nation-building. Dr. Stanley Niaah also highlighted a global context of rising anti-intellectualism that devalues formal education and promotes get-rich-quick schemes like scamming.

    Amidst the debate, Francis calls for a return to positive representation, urging influencers to leverage their platforms for upliftment—covering topics like financial literacy and male development—which he demonstrates can also be financially viable without compromising national dignity.

  • Titchfield, St Mary High cop Eastern Champs titles

    Titchfield, St Mary High cop Eastern Champs titles

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A spectacular display of youthful athleticism unfolded at the National Stadium on Tuesday as the Eastern Championship crowned its victors. Titchfield High School’s boys’ team delivered a dominant performance to seize the championship, while St Mary High’s girls’ squad secured a narrow but decisive victory in their category.

    The boys’ competition was characterized by Titchfield’s overwhelming dominance. They amassed a formidable total of 367 points, establishing a massive 155-point lead over the second-place finishers, Oberlin High, who concluded the meet with 212 points. The top five was finalized by St Mary’s High in third (200 points), Port Antonio High in fourth (180 points), and Happy Grove rounding out the group with 169 points.

    In a markedly closer contest for the girls’ title, St Mary High clinched victory with a total of 295 points. They faced stiff competition from Marymount High, who finished a mere 11 points behind with 284.33 points. Titchfield High earned third place with 227 points, followed by Oberlin High in fourth (183.33 points) and Port Antonio in fifth (162 points).

    The championship concluded with breathtaking relay events that saw records shattered. The Titchfield boys’ team made a powerful statement by winning the 4×400-meter relay in a record time of 3:21.53 minutes, breaking a long-standing record of 3:21.71 minutes set by Glengoffe High back in 2004. On the girls’ side, Port Antonio High triumphed in the 4x400m relay with a time of 4:02.55 minutes.

    The entire meet was a historic affair, featuring an astounding 19 new records. Jaquan Souden of Happy Grove High emerged as a standout double record-breaker. In the Class One division, he set a new benchmark in the high jump by clearing 2.06m, surpassing the previous record of 2.05m. He also dominated the long jump with a phenomenal leap of 7.30m, shattering a record that had stood since 2007. These performances establish Souden as a preeminent favorite for the upcoming all-island Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship in March.

  • Seven students honoured at JIS 2025 Heritage Competition Awards Ceremony

    Seven students honoured at JIS 2025 Heritage Competition Awards Ceremony

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s future leaders and creatives received national recognition during the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Heritage Competition Awards Ceremony held Tuesday. Seven exceptional students across primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels were honored for their outstanding contributions in essay writing, digital artistry, and photography.

    The 2025 competition, themed ‘Honouring Our People, Protecting the Future,’ showcased Jamaica’s brightest young minds. Danash Brown from West Indies College Preparatory School in Manchester claimed top honors in the essay category, with Kahiel Stewart (Kensington Primary School) and Jonathan Clark (Stella Maris Preparatory School) securing second and third places respectively.

    Digital artistry awards were dominated by Campion College students, with Alayna Elliott winning the grades 10-13 division and Bryce Wilson taking first place in the grades seven-nine category. Brian Levy of York Castle High School earned distinction in the illustrated poster category, while Shante Sinclair from the University of Technology demonstrated photographic excellence.

    The award ceremony at Summit Kingston featured significant prizes including trophies, vacation packages, gift certificates, laptop computers, and cash awards. Rhoda Moy Crawford, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, praised the JIS for maintaining this platform for fifteen consecutive years.

    “For more than a decade, JIS has provided a credible platform that enables our youth to express themselves through artistic mediums,” Crawford stated. “This initiative encourages research, reflection, and personal growth among Jamaica’s next generation of leaders.”

    Crawford emphasized the lifelong value of skills developed through the competition, noting: “You have reminded us that young people are not merely participants in Jamaica’s story but authors of Jamaica’s next chapter.”

    JIS Acting Chief Executive Officer Celia Lindsay highlighted the competition’s expanding geographical reach, noting increased participation beyond traditional strongholds in western Jamaica. “This achievement reflects our intensified efforts to engage youth through innovative strategies that promote awareness of governmental policies and national values,” Lindsay explained.

    The annual competition, established in 2011, continues to partner with prominent organizations including the Universal Service Fund, Sandals Resorts International, and First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union to support youth development and national pride.

  • Doue inspires PSG to comeback Champions League win in Monaco

    Doue inspires PSG to comeback Champions League win in Monaco

    MONACO (AFP) — Paris Saint-Germain orchestrated a remarkable second-half resurgence to overcome a two-goal deficit against AS Monaco, securing a 3-2 victory in Tuesday’s Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg at Stade Louis II.

    The match began disastrously for the reigning European champions as United States international Folarin Balogun netted two early goals for Monaco—the first just 55 seconds into play, marking the fastest goal ever conceded by PSG in European competition. Balogun doubled Monaco’s advantage in the 18th minute through a clinical finish following a rapid exchange with Maghnes Akliouche.

    PSG’s fortunes worsened when Vitinha’s penalty attempt was thwarted by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn, and Ballon d’Or recipient Ousmane Dembele exited with an injury before the half-hour mark. However, substitute Desire Doue emerged as the catalyst for PSG’s stunning reversal, entering the match and immediately altering its trajectory.

    Doue reduced the deficit with a powerful left-footed strike just minutes after his introduction, before contributing to Achraf Hakimi’s equalizer shortly before halftime. Monaco’s challenges compounded early in the second half when playmaker Aleksandr Golovin received a red card following VAR review. Capitalizing on their numerical advantage, PSG sealed their comeback in the 67th minute as Warren Zaire-Emery assisted Doue for his second goal.

    PSG manager Luis Enrique praised Doue’s impact, stating: ‘He is an incredible and different player. I am very pleased for him because he deserved this moment.’ Despite recent domestic struggles that saw them relinquish their Ligue 1 top position, PSG now enter the return leg as strong favorites to advance to the final sixteen.

    The victory maintains PSG’s pursuit of European glory while extending their substantial domestic lead over Monaco, who currently sit eighth in Ligue 1. Monaco will seek to overcome the one-goal deficit in next Wednesday’s second leg in Paris, having previously demonstrated resilience by holding elite European clubs including Manchester City and Juventus at home during the group stage.