Carib Scope

博客

  • UWI Integration hosts King & Queen of Integration talent series

    UWI Integration hosts King & Queen of Integration talent series

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Kingston, Jamaica, has ushered in the new academic year with a fresh twist on its beloved weekly event, Integration Thursdays. Organized by the UWI Guild of Students, this year’s edition features a five-week talent competition titled ‘King & Queen of Integration,’ designed to spotlight the artistic abilities of students while fostering campus engagement. The event kicked off on September 24 at the Students’ Union and will culminate in a grand finale with cash prizes and other rewards for the winners.

    Tajay Gardner, a member of the UWI Guild Cultural and Entertainment Affairs Committee (CEAC), emphasized the initiative’s dual purpose. ‘The Kings and Queens of Integration provides a platform for student artists to refine their craft while enhancing student participation,’ Gardner explained to Observer Online. The competition will consist of five elimination rounds, with two participants eliminated each week. The final two contenders will face off in the grand finale, where winners will be determined by audience reactions and a panel of judges.

    The opening night showcased nine talented performers, offering a glimpse of the creativity to come. Among them was Jalon ‘Splxntak’ Lambert, a Humanities and Education student from Taylor Hall, who expressed his enthusiasm for the competition. ‘This is our time to shine. I’ve been writing music and poetry since high school, and I’m ready to show the world what I can do,’ Lambert shared. Similarly, Zineil ‘Flowmatic’ Blackwood, a Literature and Publishing student from Preston Hall, sees the event as an opportunity to hone his skills. ‘I’m here to develop my artistry, vocals, and lyrical abilities,’ he stated.

    The competition also features Jada-Lee Dawkins, the sole female participant and a Social Sciences student with aspirations of becoming an R&B singer. ‘This platform offers the exposure I need to pursue my dreams,’ she said. Other participants, like Peter Jaun ‘Kod3’ Palmer and Kaheil ‘KJ’ Brown, view the event as a stepping stone to improve their craft and build a foundation for their artistic careers. ‘I’ve always been passionate about music, and this competition is the perfect vehicle to grow and learn,’ Brown added.

    With its blend of talent, creativity, and community spirit, the ‘King & Queen of Integration’ series promises to be a highlight of UWI’s academic calendar, offering students a chance to shine while enriching campus culture.

  • PNP condemns suspension of medical doctor for running in general election

    PNP condemns suspension of medical doctor for running in general election

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) has strongly criticized the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) for suspending Dr Aujae Dixon following his candidacy in the September 3, 2025, general elections. The SRHA cited violations of Public Service Staff Order 4.2.6(1), which bars public officers from partisan political activities, as the reason for the interdiction.

  • Gas prices up $0.75, $0.77, diesel up $2.94

    Gas prices up $0.75, $0.77, diesel up $2.94

    Motorists across the region are set to experience a mixed bag of fuel price changes starting Thursday, October 2, as Petrojam, the national oil refinery, has released its latest ex-refinery cost updates. The adjustments reflect a combination of increases and decreases across various fuel types, signaling a dynamic shift in the energy market. Notably, 90-octane gasoline will see a rise of $0.75, bringing its price to $166.60 per litre. In contrast, 87-octane gasoline will experience a slight reduction of $0.77, settling at $159.55 per litre. Diesel fuels are also subject to significant hikes, with automotive diesel increasing by $2.94 to $170.41 per litre and ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) rising by $3.06 to $176.79 per litre. Meanwhile, kerosene prices have dropped by $3.06, now available at $155.08 per litre. These changes are expected to impact both individual consumers and businesses reliant on fuel for operations, prompting a closer look at budgeting and energy consumption strategies.

  • PSG stun Barcelona in Champions League, Man City held by Monaco

    PSG stun Barcelona in Champions League, Man City held by Monaco

    In a thrilling night of Champions League action, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Barcelona 2-1 with a last-minute goal, while Manchester City were forced to settle for a draw in Monaco despite Erling Haaland’s impressive brace. The clash between the Spanish champions and the reigning French and European champions at Montjuic lived up to its high expectations, showcasing the brilliance of young talents like Lamine Yamal and the resilience of PSG. Barcelona took an early lead through Ferran Torres, but PSG equalized late in the first half via Senny Mayulu. Achraf Hakimi then set up substitute Goncalo Ramos to score the decisive goal in the 90th minute, securing PSG’s second consecutive victory in the competition. PSG coach Luis Enrique praised his team’s mentality, stating, ‘It shows the strength of our side that whoever is on the field, we play like a real team.’ Meanwhile, Haaland’s two goals for Manchester City were not enough to secure a win, as Monaco fought back to earn a 2-2 draw. Arsenal maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 victory over Olympiakos, while Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund both secured convincing 4-0 and 4-1 wins, respectively. Napoli also claimed their first European victory this season, defeating Sporting 2-1. Other notable results included Juventus’s 2-2 draw with Villarreal and Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-1 stalemate with PSV Eindhoven. Qarabag continued their impressive run, beating FC Copenhagen 2-0 to remain one of six teams with six points in the competition.

  • Opposition raises concern over ‘under-execution’ of capital budget

    Opposition raises concern over ‘under-execution’ of capital budget

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Julian Robinson, the Opposition Spokesman on Finance, has raised significant concerns over Jamaica’s persistent under-execution of its capital budget, labeling it a chronic issue that threatens the nation’s economic growth. His comments were prompted by the latest report from the Independent Fiscal Commission (IFC), which revealed that only $20.1 billion of the allocated $40.5 billion was spent in the first quarter of the 2025/26 fiscal year. This follows a pattern of underspending, with $19 billion unspent in FY 2024/25 and a nearly $9 billion shortfall in FY 2023/24. Robinson criticized the government for failing to address inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the public procurement system, which he believes are hindering the implementation of vital projects. Drawing comparisons with the Dominican Republic, which has successfully executed a $12 billion National Infrastructure Investment Plan, Robinson highlighted the stark contrast in regional infrastructure development. He warned that Jamaica’s inability to execute its capital budget effectively is a ‘growth-constraining concern,’ particularly at a time when higher economic growth is essential for generating additional revenues. While the Bank of Jamaica forecasts a modest two to three per cent growth for the September quarter, Robinson cautioned that this is largely recovery growth following last year’s economic contraction due to Hurricane Beryl. He stressed the need for sustainable, long-term growth strategies, urging the government to reform procurement processes, accelerate project execution, and create conditions for sustained economic expansion. Failure to act decisively, he argued, will result in weaker-than-projected revenues and unmet promises to the Jamaican people.

  • Musson Foundation and JCDC unveil $1.5m Peggy Blades Art Prize

    Musson Foundation and JCDC unveil $1.5m Peggy Blades Art Prize

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a tribute to the late Peggy Blades, a revered matriarch of the Blades family and former director of Mussons Jamaica Limited, a groundbreaking national art prize has been unveiled. The $1.5 million Peggy Blades Art Prize, announced by the Musson Foundation, is set to become an annual initiative aimed at nurturing young Jamaican artists, educators, and school art programmes. The inaugural award ceremony will take place on October 2, 2025, during the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Art Competition and Awards at the Confucius Institute on the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus. This initiative seeks to bolster creativity and enhance art education across the island by integrating the prize into the JCDC’s national Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition. The award will feature multiple categories, recognizing top-performing student artists, educators, and school art departments. Additionally, it will fund workshops and teaching resources to establish sustainable art programmes in schools. Peggy Blades, remembered for her quiet philanthropy and passion for the arts and education, left a lasting legacy of social impact. Her daughter, Susan Scott, an artist herself, emphasized the personal significance of the award, stating, ‘Through the Peggy Blades Art Prize, we are honouring a woman whose warmth, generosity, and love of Jamaica touched everyone she met. Our hope is that every child who takes part feels encouraged to explore their creativity, because that spark of imagination can change a life.’

  • Canadians with ‘X’ gender passports warned of US travel

    Canadians with ‘X’ gender passports warned of US travel

    The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory this week, cautioning citizens with passports bearing the nonbinary ‘X’ gender designation about potential challenges when entering the United States. Global Affairs Canada emphasized that while Canada issues passports with the ‘X’ gender identifier, it cannot ensure smooth entry or transit in countries that do not recognize this designation. The advisory, released on Monday, specifically highlighted the risk of entry restrictions in such nations. This warning comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding gender identity policies in the US. Since his return to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance against transgender and nonbinary individuals, asserting in his inaugural address that there are only ‘two sexes, male and female.’ The US State Department, through an executive order, halted the issuance of passports with the ‘X’ gender marker or for individuals whose gender differs from their birth records. Although a court injunction has temporarily blocked this policy, a recent US appeals court decision denied the Trump administration’s efforts to reinstate it. Between 2019 and 2024, Canada has issued approximately 3,400 passports with the ‘X’ gender identifier, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity. However, this move has raised concerns for travelers navigating countries with differing gender recognition policies.

  • White House rejects Pope Leo comments on ‘inhuman’ migrant policy

    White House rejects Pope Leo comments on ‘inhuman’ migrant policy

    The White House has firmly defended President Donald Trump’s stringent migration policies following sharp criticism from Pope Leo XIV, who condemned the treatment of migrants in the United States as ‘inhumane.’ Speaking to reporters at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo on Tuesday, the Pope, the first U.S.-born head of the Catholic Church, questioned the moral consistency of those who oppose abortion but support harsh immigration measures or the death penalty. ‘Someone who says “I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants,” I don’t know if that’s pro-life,’ he stated. Pope Leo, born in Chicago and elected in May after the passing of Pope Francis, has been vocal about social justice issues since his days as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, often criticizing Trump and Vice President JD Vance on migration policies. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, a Catholic herself, rebutted the Pope’s remarks during a Wednesday briefing, asserting that the current administration treats immigrants humanely while enforcing the law. She accused the previous administration under President Joe Biden of allowing ‘significant, inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants’ amid record border crossings. The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s immigration stance and the Catholic Church’s advocacy for migrant rights.

  • WATCH: Police continue search for missing Manchester schoolboy

    WATCH: Police continue search for missing Manchester schoolboy

    In a dramatic turn of events, the Wesley Road area of Mandeville, Jamaica, became the focal point of a large-scale search operation on Wednesday evening. Reports of a sighting of Jayden Smith, a 12-year-old student from Manchester High who has been missing since last Friday, prompted an immediate response from both law enforcement and local residents. The search intensified after citizens reported seeing a child matching Jayden’s description, who reportedly fled when approached by passersby. Eyewitnesses described the scene, with one woman recounting how the boy ran off as she attempted to assist. ‘I was driving when I saw him, and a man was calling out for help. By the time I turned my car around, he had already disappeared,’ she said. Police confirmed they were alerted to the sighting and continued their search until late evening. The principal of Manchester High, Jasford Gabriel, along with school staff, also joined the efforts as the community rallied to locate the missing boy. The search, which began on Tuesday, remains ongoing, with authorities and locals determined to bring Jayden home safely.

  • Ukrainian town in shock after Russian drone kills whole family

    Ukrainian town in shock after Russian drone kills whole family

    In the serene village of Chernechchyna, Ukraine, a tragic incident has left the community in mourning. Natalya, a local resident, recalls the last time she saw her neighbor, Alyona Lesnichenko, a 26-year-old mother of two, who was on a shopping trip to buy treats for her children. “She bought them everything they wanted,” Natalya reminisced, listing sweets, lemonade, pies, sausage, and cheese among the items. Alyona was known for her protective nature, but even she could not shield her family from the devastation that struck on Tuesday morning. A Russian drone tore through their family home, killing Alyona, who was pregnant with twins, her husband Oleksandr, and their two young sons, aged four and six. The funeral held on Wednesday drew dozens of residents, who expressed their shock and disbelief. Alina Lagoyda, a relative, questioned the motive behind the attack, stating, “There have been no strikes here during the entire war, none. What was it for?” Oleksandr, a soldier who had fought on the front lines, had recently returned home, only to meet this tragic fate. Russia has been intensifying its drone attacks on Ukraine, with an average of 188 drones fired daily in September, a significant increase from the previous month. These attacks, often carried out using Iranian-designed ‘Shahed’ drones, aim to terrorize the population. Despite the Ukrainian air force’s efforts to intercept most drones, the escalating scale of the attacks and the rising civilian casualties have instilled fear even in rural areas like Chernechchyna. The funeral procession, a mix of vans and cars, was watched by dozens of locals, some of whom threw flowers on the road. Bouquets of blue and yellow flowers, symbolizing the Ukrainian flag, were carried by attendees. Oksana Chernova, a local councillor, spoke of the family’s unity, “The mother, the father, they were always together.” She speculated that the children likely did not have time to react when the drone struck. Natalya fondly remembered Alyona’s sons as “good kids” who affectionately called her “granny.” “They were good people. But they died that way,” she lamented.