Carib Scope

标签： Jamaica

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  • Gov’t fast-tracking the repairs of police stations

    Gov’t fast-tracking the repairs of police stations

    Jamaican authorities are implementing an emergency restoration initiative to rapidly repair police facilities severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa across the island nation. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, announced the government’s accelerated response during the reopening ceremony of the Little London Police Station in Westmoreland on Friday.

    The comprehensive Accelerated Infrastructure Restoration (AIR) Plan utilizes emergency procurement protocols and strategic institutional partnerships to expedite construction, repairs, and critical upgrades to damaged law enforcement infrastructure. Initial assessments indicate approximately 140 police facilities suffered varying degrees of destruction, with 53 requiring urgent restoration work. Among these, 33 stations sustained extensive structural damage that compromised their operational capacity.

    Westmoreland Parish emerged as one of the most severely impacted regions, with multiple stations in Bethel Town, Bluefields, Darliston, Savanna-la-Mar, and Whitehouse experiencing substantial roof damage and structural compromises. Minister Cuthbert-Flynn reported significant progress already achieved, noting that Bethel Town’s roof replacement has been completed through the coordinated efforts of Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake and dedicated partner organizations.

    The minister praised the extraordinary resilience demonstrated by police personnel who continued serving communities despite operating from facilities covered by temporary tarpaulin, without electricity, and with compromised infrastructure. Their commitment ensured uninterrupted policing services throughout the recovery period.

    Future reconstruction efforts will incorporate enhanced disaster-resilient features designed to maintain operational continuity during future extreme weather events. The government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security infrastructure, ensuring the Jamaica Constabulary Force operates from modern, purpose-built facilities that reflect the standards of a capable and resilient security force deserving of public trust.

  • No fluke as Jamaica defeat Puerto Rico a second time at FIBA qualifiers

    No fluke as Jamaica defeat Puerto Rico a second time at FIBA qualifiers

    In a stunning repeat performance, Jamaica’s national basketball team secured their second consecutive victory against heavily favored Puerto Rico with a 97-92 triumph in Monday night’s Group B FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifier clash in San Juan. This remarkable win, coming just four days after their initial 92-90 upset, propelled Jamaica to equal standing with Canada at four points each in the qualifying group standings.

    The match unfolded as a dramatic contest that defied pre-game expectations, with world No. 95-ranked Jamaica consistently outperforming their 16th-ranked opponents. The Jamaican squad established early dominance, concluding the first quarter with a 27-19 advantage and expanding their lead to 54-41 by halftime. Their exceptional shooting accuracy, particularly an impressive 63% success rate from three-point range during the first half, laid the foundation for their commanding position.

    Chase Audige emerged as the game’s top scorer with 20 points, receiving substantial support from Romaine Thomas (18 points) and Kofi Cockburn, who delivered a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tyran DeLattibeaudiere contributed significantly with 15 points to the team’s collective effort.

    Jamaica’s momentum peaked in the third quarter when they established a substantial 20-point lead, momentarily silencing the home crowd following Andrew Thelwell’s successful three-pointer. However, Puerto Rico mounted an impressive comeback effort, narrowing the deficit to just seven points entering the final quarter behind Stephen Thompson Jnr’s team-high 18 points, supported by Zakai Zeigler’s 17 points and Alexander Morales’ game-high 25 points.

    The closing minutes witnessed intense back-and-forth action, with Puerto Rico reducing Jamaica’s advantage to a precarious three points at 95-92 with merely 58 seconds remaining. Critical defensive plays, including a decisive steal by Audige and strategic clock management in the final moments, ultimately secured Jamaica’s victory. DeLattibeaudiere’s two successful free throws with 10 seconds left provided the final margin, cementing another historic win for the Jamaican team.

  • Antigua hosting regional conference on nuclear material inventory

    Antigua hosting regional conference on nuclear material inventory

    ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A pivotal regional conference is underway in Antigua and Barbuda, focusing on enhancing the precision and reliability of nuclear material inventory reporting through the modified Small Quantities Protocol (SQP). This week-long assembly has drawn government delegates from across the Caribbean, including St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Suriname, the Bahamas, Grenada, and Belize.

    The SQP serves as a critical international accord that streamlines safeguard implementation for nations possessing minimal or no nuclear materials. As an adjunct to a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it temporarily suspends extensive reporting and inspection mandates for states operating beneath defined nuclear material thresholds. A 2005 revision to the protocol reinforced this system by activating essential reporting and inspection stipulations.

    This strategic initiative is collaboratively organized by the US Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the International Nuclear Safeguards Engagement Programme, and the IAEA. In his opening address, Ambassador Dr. Clarence Pilgrim, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the conference’s critical timing. He underscored the imperative for all nations, regardless of their nuclear material holdings, to fulfill their international non-proliferation commitments diligently.

    The core objective of the technical sessions is to equip participating states with the advanced skills necessary to generate accurate nuclear inventories and ensure compliant reporting to the IAEA. Organizers confirm that this specialized training is instrumental in supporting regional endeavors to satisfy the stringent requirements of both the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol, thereby reinforcing the foundational architecture of global nuclear security.

  • Shades of Elegance Celebrates 25 Years of Timeless Beauty, Transformation & Female Empowerment

    Shades of Elegance Celebrates 25 Years of Timeless Beauty, Transformation & Female Empowerment

    In the bustling heart of Old Harbour, Jamaica, Shades of Elegance stands as a testament to transformative vision and entrepreneurial resilience. Its journey began not with ambition, but with necessity. Treacha Reid, now the celebrated founder and president of the South St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, was initially a young single mother with no inherent interest in hairdressing or the beauty industry. Her aspirations lay elsewhere, yet a pivotal insistence from her mother to acquire a practical skill for supporting her infant daughter set her on an unforeseen path.

    Reluctantly enrolling in cosmetology training, Reid could not have anticipated that the very skill she resisted would become the cornerstone of a quarter-century legacy. What originated as a means of survival has blossomed into a revered institution, evolving from a modest salon into a full-service spa renowned for its refinement and commitment to feminine expression.

    Over 25 years, Shades of Elegance has profoundly influenced Jamaica’s beauty culture, cultivating an exceptionally loyal clientele and establishing a new standard of excellence outside the nation’s capital. It has transcended its commercial origins to become a sanctuary where women experience profound restoration and renewal. Reid’s enterprise now embodies purposeful business, demonstrating how vision and dedication can redefine an industry and empower a community.

  • Upgraded Little London Police Station a symbol of resilience – NHT

    Upgraded Little London Police Station a symbol of resilience – NHT

    WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The recently inaugurated Little London Police Station represents far more than mere infrastructure improvement, standing as a profound emblem of Jamaica’s collective determination toward national renewal and community fortification. Speaking during the official opening ceremony, National Housing Trust (NHT) Assistant General Manager for Engineering and Contract Monitoring Alex Bernard emphasized the project’s symbolic significance amid recent regional challenges.

    Bernard articulated that the enhanced facility transcends conventional construction milestones, embodying instead the powerful convergence of resilience, partnership, and shared civic responsibility. He underscored that meaningful nation-building invariably requires coordinated efforts across communities, institutions, and governmental agencies rather than isolated initiatives.

    This project forms an integral component of the NHT’s Construction and Refurbishing of Police Stations Programme, specifically targeting security facilities within a 10-mile radius of Trust-sponsored housing developments. Since the program’s 2018 inception, the NHT has delivered numerous modernized security installations nationwide, with Little London now joining these ranks following a two-and-a-half-year construction period that persisted through significant natural disruptions.

    The revitalized station features comprehensive upgrades including administrative offices, detention cells, residential quarters, plus fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. Notably, sustainable infrastructure enhancements incorporate rainwater harvesting systems and solar power generation equipment designed to reduce operational expenditures while bolstering functional resilience during service disruptions.

    Addressing both law enforcement personnel and community residents, Bernard emphasized the dual-purpose nature of the facility. For officers, it provides an optimized environment for effective service delivery and restorative respite. For Little London inhabitants, it represents tangible investment in safety, stability, and community-police relationship building.

    Savanna-la-Mar Mayor Danree Delancy characterized the inauguration as a historically significant community event, stressing that the celebration extended beyond physical infrastructure to acknowledge deeper commitments to public safety and citizen welfare. He reframed local officers as neighbors, mentors, and guardians integral to community cohesion, envisioning the station as foundational to a safer, stronger, and more interconnected future for Westmoreland parish.

  • Mount Pleasant take on Dom Rep club in bid to join elite band

    Mount Pleasant take on Dom Rep club in bid to join elite band

    Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Football Academy stands on the precipice of national sporting glory as they prepare to face Dominican Republic’s O&M FC in the decisive second leg of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final. The historic encounter at Kingston’s National Stadium could see the St Ann-based club become just the fourth Jamaican team ever to claim regional supremacy in football.

    Having secured a narrow 1-0 victory in Santiago last Tuesday, Mount Pleasant requires only a draw to clinch the championship title. This potential victory would mark their second professional trophy following their Jamaica Premier League triumph in 2023, positioning them alongside Cavalier FC as the second Jamaican club to win the Caribbean Cup and joining the esteemed company of Harbour View FC and Portmore United as regional champions.

    Head coach Theodore Whitmore emphasized the historical significance of this moment, stating: ‘This represents the culmination of months of dedicated work from management, technical staff, and players. Our owner envisioned establishing our reputation beyond domestic competitions—we aim to become recognized throughout the Concacaf region and internationally.’

    Despite their advantageous position, Whitmore remains cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the persistent threat posed by O&M FC. The away-goal rule adds strategic complexity to the matchup, meaning any score from the Dominican visitors would force Mount Pleasant to secure an outright victory rather than relying on a draw. The Jamaican side has demonstrated defensive excellence throughout the tournament, conceding merely two goals across six matches.

    Whitmore revealed his tactical perspective: ‘Interestingly, I’m somewhat pleased we’re not entering this leg with a two-goal advantage. The single-goal margin maintains our competitive focus while trusting our defensive solidity and attacking capabilities.’

    The academy faces one significant lineup adjustment with Reggae Boy Demario Phillips suspended for the final. However, Whitmore expressed confidence in his squad’s depth: ‘With over thirty players available, we possess adequate coverage. While Demario will be missed, the show must continue.’

    Team captain Daniel Green articulated the emotional stakes: ‘Lifting this trophy would represent an immense achievement for local footballers. It would elevate our club’s profile internationally and attract greater talent to our organization.’

    With ninety minutes separating them from sporting immortality, Mount Pleasant Academy seeks to permanently inscribe their name in Caribbean football history.

  • ‘We were like saviours’: Jimmy Cliff’s historic performance in Apartheid era South Africa

    ‘We were like saviours’: Jimmy Cliff’s historic performance in Apartheid era South Africa

    During the height of South Africa’s Apartheid regime—a system condemned by the United Nations as a crime against humanity—the country faced global isolation as a pariah state. International entertainers, athletes, and business figures risked United Nations blacklisting for engaging with the racially segregated nation. Despite these sanctions, Jamaican reggae icon Jimmy Cliff made history in May 1980 by becoming the first Jamaican artist to perform in South Africa, undertaking a controversial two-week tour with three landmark concerts.

  • Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti moves closer to staging fresh elections

    Haiti’s transitional government has achieved a critical breakthrough by formally adopting a long-awaited electoral law, marking the most substantial progress toward presidential elections since 2016. This legislative move establishes the legal foundation for restoring democratic governance in the Caribbean nation following years of political instability and severe gang violence.

    The Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), established in April 2024 to steer Haiti through its crisis, approved the legislation alongside the council of ministers. Frinel Joseph, one of two non-voting observers on the nine-member council, characterized the development as “a decisive turning point in the transition” through his official social media communication on Monday.

    Despite this procedural advancement, the adoption process revealed significant internal divisions. Three of the council’s seven voting members deliberately absented themselves from the crucial meeting in an apparent attempt to block the legislation’s passage. Their absence failed to prevent adoption, though the law must still be published in Haiti’s official gazette to attain full legal status.

    The TPC faces mounting challenges beyond internal discord. Some members allegedly seek to leverage the electoral timeline to extend their authority beyond the February 2026 transition deadline and remove incumbent Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Meanwhile, human rights advocates have expressed concerns about the legislation’s insufficient eligibility safeguards, citing criticisms of the draft proposal circulated before Monday’s vote.

    Haiti’s last presidential election occurred in 2016 when Jovenel Moïse achieved victory among 27 candidates. His July 2021 assassination—which injured his wife and involved former Colombian soldiers—remains unresolved in Haitian courts despite ongoing proceedings in the United States.

    Political analysts caution that while the electoral law constitutes necessary progress, Haiti’s path to legitimate elections remains fraught with institutional challenges and security obstacles that could undermine democratic restoration.

  • Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    Hidden dangers after hurricane passes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Beyond the visible wreckage of toppled trees and flooded streets, hurricanes leave a more insidious threat lurking within Jamaica’s food supply chain. The period following severe weather creates a perfect storm for contamination, where floodwaters carrying sewage and chemicals combine with power outages that compromise refrigeration systems. These conditions create critical vulnerabilities in kitchens, warehouses, and distribution centers across the island.

    Dr. Roy McNeil, Chief Food Storage Officer of Jamaica’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), emphasizes that food safety standards transform from routine practice to urgent public health necessity following hurricanes. The division activates its Inspectorate and Disinfestation Unit, deploying teams to assess food facilities across affected parishes while leveraging five specialized laboratories for scientific analysis of potential contaminants.

    The immediate 24-72 hour window after a storm proves most critical. Dr. McNeil advises that safety begins with structural assessments and hazard elimination before any food evaluation. Refrigeration failures demand particular attention—perishable items left unrefrigerated beyond safe time limits must be discarded regardless of appearance or smell, as dangerous pathogens like E. coli and salmonella don’t affect sensory qualities.

    Floodwater contact necessitates immediate disposal of affected food items, including dry goods in non-waterproof packaging. Porous materials like cardboard and wooden utensils typically cannot be salvaged due to deep microbial penetration. While undamaged factory-sealed metal cans might be saved through rigorous cleaning, the governing principle remains: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

    The recovery phase introduces complex pest management challenges as flooding displaces rodents and insects toward human habitats. The FSPI Act defines infestation broadly and mandates specific structural protections—water-resistant surfaces, mesh-sealed ventilation, and properly fitted drains—to exclude pests during rebuilding. The division advocates for non-chemical control methods where possible and requires strict adherence to regulations when pesticides are necessary.

    FSPID inspectors maintain vigilant oversight throughout recovery, examining warehouses, retail establishments, and transport vehicles with authority to detain, seize, or destroy compromised products. This multilayered approach—combining regulatory enforcement, scientific analysis, and public education—forms Jamaica’s defensive barrier against post-hurricane foodborne illness outbreaks, ensuring the nation’s food remains safe and nourishing despite climatic challenges.

  • Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    Belize elects first woman to head major political party

    BELMOPAN, Belize — In a landmark moment for Central American politics, Tracy Taegar-Panton has been formally inaugurated as the first woman to lead Belize’s primary opposition force, the United Democratic Party (UDP). This historic appointment signals a strategic pivot for the party as it endeavors to heal internal fractures and reestablish its political standing.

    Addressing the significance of her new role, Taegar-Panton stated, ‘The magnitude of the responsibility does not escape me. While I am profoundly excited for both Belize and the party, I approach this with sober reflection. This reset is imperative, presenting a crucial opportunity to rebuild and restore public trust and confidence.’

    Her ascension to the leadership culminates a period of intense internal conflict and legal disputes with former party leader Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. The power struggle led to Taegar-Panton establishing the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP and involved a court battle that initially favored Barrow. Nevertheless, Barrow facilitated what he described as a ‘peaceful’ transfer of power, publicly offering his prayers for her success in guiding the party back to government.

    The political shift also marks the return of former leader John Saldivar to the UDP fold. Saldivar, who briefly led the party in 2020 before resigning amid allegations connecting him to an international fraud and money laundering case involving convicted criminal Lev Dermen, asserts his experience is vital for party reunification. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating, ‘The people know me, they know what I’m about. There have been some unfortunate circumstances which I believe have been explained.’

    Taegar-Panton’s political trajectory has been groundbreaking. After securing her seat in the March general elections—a contest Barrow lost—she subsequently became Belize’s first female Leader of the Opposition. In her capacity as UDP Political Leader, she has committed to initiating a fresh start and articulating a bold, forward-looking vision for the nation’s future.