Carib Scope

标签： Jamaica

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  • Lasco executive moves to AS Bryden

    Lasco executive moves to AS Bryden

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — AS Bryden Sons & Holdings Limited (ASBH) has announced the appointment of John De Silva as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. This strategic leadership change comes during a period of significant corporate restructuring for the Trinidad-based conglomerate.

    De Silva brings over three decades of executive experience to the role, most recently serving as Managing Director of Lasco Distributors Limited until his resignation on March 13. His extensive background includes a three-year tenure as Managing Director of Unilever Caribbean Limited and previous executive positions with global food giant Nestlé.

    The Trinidadian executive succeeds Richard Pandohie, who has led ASBH since June 2022 when Jamaican manufacturing and distribution company Seprod acquired a 60 percent stake in the Trinidadian firm. Pandohie continues as CEO of Seprod, which recently increased its ownership in ASBH from 50 percent to 80 percent through a share swap transaction completed in July 2025.

    This leadership appointment coincides with both publicly listed companies implementing strategic measures to strengthen their financial positions. ASBH has utilized debt financing to acquire a majority interest in Caribbean Producers (Jamaica) Limited between July 2024 and February 2025, while Seprod has divested International Biscuits Limited to sharpen its operational focus and optimize its regional distribution network.

    The companies are actively working to reduce debt levels on their respective balance sheets while positioning themselves for sustained growth across the Caribbean region.

  • Shaw, Stephenson retain National Junior Chess titles

    Shaw, Stephenson retain National Junior Chess titles

    The National Junior Chess Championship 2026 concluded with reigning champions FM Jaden Shaw and Amy Stephenson successfully defending their titles in a display of strategic mastery. The tournament, held from March 14 to 22, brought together 40 of the island’s most promising young chess talents across two competitive sections.

    In her final appearance at the Under-20 National Junior Chess Championship, Amy Stephenson secured an impressive third consecutive female title with a remarkable score of seven victories, one draw, and a single loss. Her triumphant performance placed her ahead of WCM Kaia Gayle and Kaity Gayle, who claimed second and third positions respectively after tiebreak calculations. The top five was completed by Emilia-Rose Leake in fourth place and Victoria Aung in fifth.

    The Absolute Championship witnessed FM Jaden Shaw achieving an extraordinary fourth consecutive title with an almost flawless record of eight wins and one draw. Jaden Foreshaw captured the runner-up position, while Rushawn Robinson secured third place on tiebreak ahead of WCM Gabriella Watson in fourth. CM Nathaniel Hope rounded out the elite group of top performers.

    Tournament chair FM Warren Elliott praised the event’s organization and competitive spirit, noting that the Absolute section featured 24 contenders while 16 participants competed in the female category. The nine-round championship provided a rigorous testing ground for the nation’s emerging chess prodigies, demonstrating the growing strength and depth of junior chess talent on the island.

  • Princess Margaret Hospital conducts 29 colonoscopies amid Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

    Princess Margaret Hospital conducts 29 colonoscopies amid Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Princess Margaret Hospital in St Thomas has achieved significant progress in colorectal cancer detection during a specialized screening initiative held from March 16-20, 2026. The medical facility successfully performed 29 colonoscopy procedures as part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month observations, targeting high-risk populations through proactive healthcare outreach.

    The hospital’s gastrointestinal unit implemented a strategic screening protocol focusing on asymptomatic individuals aged 45 and above, alongside younger patients with documented family history of colon cancer or polyps. Demographic data revealed 20 female and nine male participants underwent the comprehensive examinations.

    Medical findings disclosed that eight patients presented abnormal colon developments despite showing no physical symptoms. Dr. Dwight Whittle, Senior Medical Officer and Consultant Gastroenterologist, emphasized these discoveries demonstrate the silent progression characteristics of colorectal malignancies and reinforce the critical importance of preventive screening measures.

    Colorectal cancer maintains its status as Jamaica’s third most prevalent cancer diagnosis, underscoring the vital necessity of early detection programs. The hospital initially aimed to complete 32 procedures during the awareness campaign and continues to expand screening accessibility throughout the community.

    The Princess Margaret Hospital medical team has announced plans for continued screening missions across St Thomas, reinforcing year-round commitment to preventive healthcare practices. Community members are encouraged to contact the hospital’s gastrointestinal unit at (876)-840-7103 to schedule screenings and consult regarding colorectal cancer risk factors.

  • #Champs2026: Clarendon College’s Young seeks to defend girls Class 2 shot put title

    #Champs2026: Clarendon College’s Young seeks to defend girls Class 2 shot put title

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The stage is set for a dramatic showdown in the girls’ Class 2 shot put event at the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletic Championships. Defending champion Jamelia Young of Clarendon College secured her place in the finals, albeit with a preliminary throw of 12.75 meters that positioned her eighth among the qualifiers at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

    Young faces formidable competition in her title defense bid. The preliminary round was dominated by Holmwood Technical’s Shamanda Wilmott, who launched an impressive 13.80-meter throw to lead the field. Close behind were Excelsior High’s Alyssa Forrster with 13.42m and Immaculate Conception’s Remesha Duxon who recorded 13.38m.

    Adding to the competitive landscape, Edwin Allen High showcased remarkable team depth with two qualifiers—Shandre Brown and Fabiana Perry—both advancing to challenge for the championship title. The results set the scene for an intensely competitive final where Young must significantly improve upon her preliminary performance to retain her crown against these rising athletic talents.

  • Breathing room

    Breathing room

    MONTEGO BAY, St James — The St James Municipal Corporation (SJMC) has temporarily suspended regulatory oversight of the historic Old Shoe Market facility due to unresolved funding constraints for its planned redevelopment. Despite observing irregular construction activities at the site, municipal authorities are exercising unprecedented leniency toward vendors operating in the area.

    Mayor Richard Vernon, who chairs the SJMC, confirmed the interim policy shift in statements to local media. “We recognize the commercial imperatives driving these vendors and acknowledge our delayed timeline in delivering the committed upgraded facilities,” Vernon stated. “Consequently, we’re adopting a measured permissiveness while maintaining vigilant monitoring of developments.”

    The market, spanning South, Harbour, and St James streets, represents decades of informal vending culture characterized by makeshift wooden stalls, improvised electrical connections, and tarpaulin shelters. Municipal plans envision transforming the area through installation of retrofitted metal container shops, modern utility infrastructure, and enhanced amenities aimed at addressing historical challenges including periodic criminal activity.

    Funding complications have stalled the modernization initiative, with projected financing dependent on proceeds from the ongoing sale of Bogue Lands commercial properties. Informal occupants there face an August 2026 deadline to formalize their commercial arrangements.

    In this interim period, the SJMC has permitted vendors to conduct repairs and reconstructions following multiple disasters including an October 2023 fire that destroyed approximately 40 shops, a subsequent 2024 blaze, and damage from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa.

    “While construction permits remain technically mandatory, we’ve suspended enforcement protocols temporarily,” Vernon clarified. “Our intervention will only occur if developments substantially violate safety or planning parameters.”

    The current arrangement operates outside normal municipal frameworks, with vendors exempt from fees and lacking formal security or waste management services. Despite these limitations, Vernon expressed confidence about imminent progress, noting that shop designs are currently underway for the future regulated facility.

    The modernization initiative aims to transition street vendors into formalized small business operators through structured commercial spaces, ultimately regularizing the historically informal trading zone.

  • US officials downplay controller ‘distraction’ in New York crash

    US officials downplay controller ‘distraction’ in New York crash

    NEW YORK — Federal investigators are pursuing a multi-layered system failure theory rather than controller distraction as the primary cause of Sunday’s fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport that claimed two pilots’ lives. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leadership emphasized that aviation accidents typically result from multiple breakdowns in safety protocols rather than isolated human errors.

    Chair Jennifer Homendy addressed media speculation regarding potential controller distraction due to a separate odor emergency on a United Airlines flight—the same incident to which the responding fire truck was dispatched. ‘I would caution pointing fingers at controllers and saying distraction was involved,’ Homendy stated. ‘Our aviation system is incredibly safe because there are multiple, multiple layers of defence built in to prevent an accident.’

    The investigation has revealed that two air traffic controllers were managing both departure clearances and ground traffic control during the midnight shift, a staffing level Homendy described as ‘common practice across the national airspace.’ However, she acknowledged the NTSB’s previous concerns about fatigue during overnight shifts, while clarifying there’s no current indication this was a contributing factor.

    A critical safety system failure has been identified: The Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) designed to track aircraft and ground vehicles failed to generate a collision alert because the emergency vehicle lacked a required transponder. This technological gap represents one of several system vulnerabilities under investigation.

    NTSB lead investigator Doug Brazy confirmed the team is analyzing substantial evidence, including over 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings and 80 hours of flight data. The final moments captured on the cockpit recorder show the co-pilot transferring control to the captain six seconds before impact, though the reason remains unclear.

    The tragedy marks LaGuardia’s first fatal accident since 1992. The Queens-based airport, ranking as New York’s third-busiest with 33.5 million passengers in 2024, now faces scrutiny over its ground safety protocols. This incident follows another recent aviation disaster—the January 2025 collision near Washington between a passenger jet and military helicopter that killed 67 people—raising broader questions about integrated airspace safety management.

  • #Champs2026: Class 1 boys 100m promises fireworks on Wednesday

    #Champs2026: Class 1 boys 100m promises fireworks on Wednesday

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The track at the National Stadium witnessed an extraordinary display of youthful athletic prowess during Tuesday’s preliminary rounds of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships. The stage is now set for an electrifying showdown in Wednesday’s Class 1 boys 100m semi-finals and final, following a series of performances that shattered expectations.

    The day’s most stunning performance came from Edwin Allen High’s Romario Finnigan, who delivered a massive personal best of 10.19 seconds (1.5m/s wind) to surprise the entire field. His remarkable time established a new benchmark for qualification, with the cutoff for advancing to the next round standing at 10.54 seconds.

    In a surprising turn of events, Calabar High’s Jamal Stephenson emerged as the most significant casualty of the preliminaries, failing to complete his first-round heat. Finnigan dominated his race from start to finish, decisively outperforming medal favorite Sanjay Seymore, who trailed considerably behind at 10.47 seconds.

    The qualifying rounds revealed exceptional depth in sprint talent, with three athletes breaking the 10.30-second barrier: Holland High’s Johan-Ramaldo Smythe clocked 10.24 seconds (1.0m/s), while both Edwin Allen High’s Kenrick Austin and Excelsior High’s Malike Nugent recorded wind-aided 10.27-second times with 2.3m/s and 2.1m/s winds respectively.

    Adding to the impressive performances, Excelsior High’s Riquelme Reid joined six other athletes who achieved sub-10.40-second times, demonstrating the exceptional competitive level across all heats.

    The championship action extended beyond Class 1, with St Jago High’s Marquies Page leading Class 2 qualifying with a wind-assisted 10.47 seconds (2.6m/s), ahead of Vere Technical’s Ricardo Mann (10.57s) and Calabar High’s Joshua Ricketts (10.63s). In Class 3, Kingston College’s Kemanic Edwards topped the rankings with 11.06 seconds, followed closely by Wolmer’s Boys Joshua McWilliams at 11.10 seconds.

  • #SAVETHEDATE

    #SAVETHEDATE

    Selecting a wedding date represents one of the most consequential early decisions for engaged couples, establishing the foundation for all subsequent planning elements. This choice extends beyond mere calendar selection, influencing venue availability, guest participation, travel logistics, and the celebration’s fundamental atmosphere. A strategically chosen date can streamline the entire planning process while imbuing the occasion with personal significance.

    Seasonal considerations form the primary layer of date selection, with each period offering distinct aesthetic and practical implications. Spring ceremonies typically feature blooming florals and pastel color schemes to create romantic freshness, while summer weddings favor vibrant outdoor celebrations. Autumn events leverage rich color palettes and cozy atmospheres, whereas winter nuptials often incorporate dramatic candlelight, deeper tones, and formal elegance. Destination weddings require additional climate assessment, including hurricane seasons and tourist patterns.

    Beyond seasonal factors, many couples prioritize dates with personal resonance—anniversaries of first meetings, significant milestones, or simply memorable numerical patterns. Internationally, dates with symmetrical properties (10/10, 11/11) or palindrome structures (2/2/22) have gained popularity for their perceived romantic symbolism. Late spring and early autumn Saturdays remain perennial favorites for their optimal weather conditions, though these premium dates often require venue bookings 12-18 months in advance.

    While Saturday traditionally dominates wedding scheduling, Sunday celebrations are gaining traction particularly for destination events. These alternative dates frequently offer vendor availability, reduced rates, and more relaxed atmospheres conducive to brunch receptions or garden ceremonies. However, couples should consider guest travel constraints when selecting Sunday dates.

    Holiday weekends present both advantages and challenges: while guests may have pre-arranged time off, travel costs and accommodation rates often peak during these periods. Early save-the-date notices become crucial for holiday weekend weddings.

    Ultimately, couples must balance practical considerations with personal meaning. The selected date should accommodate guest needs while authentically representing the couple’s relationship narrative. Whether choosing a traditional Saturday, relaxed Sunday, or numerically significant date, the selection should reflect the couple’s unique partnership journey.

    Professional wedding planners emphasize securing venue reservations before finalizing other arrangements, as venue availability frequently determines the ultimate date selection. This strategically significant calendar marker transforms into an annual celebration of commitment—a perpetual reminder of partnership promises.

  • Falmouth United wins fourth straight game

    Falmouth United wins fourth straight game

    MUNRO, St Elizabeth — Falmouth United secured a decisive 4-2 victory against St Bess United in a Zone B clash at Munro College this Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive triumph in the Jamaica Football Championship. This impressive performance signals a remarkable turnaround for a squad that began the season with a sluggish start, managing only a single point from their initial three matches.

    The team’s offensive prowess was on full display with goals from Kayvon Donaldson, Phelan Christie, Mark Lewis, and Jordan Brown. Despite a spirited effort from the hosts, Rajay Wright and Jayquan Mitchell found the net for St Bess United but were ultimately unable to stem the tide.

    In other Zone B action, the league standings continue to tighten. Humble Lion FC maintains its top position with 16 points, despite having a bye this weekend. Hot on their heels, Roaring River FC kept pressure on the leaders by securing a 2-1 win over Holland PYC. Kajaye Williams and O’Shawn Neil provided the goals for Roaring River, while a late consolation from Valentine Thompson did little to alter the outcome for Holland PYC, who suffered their fourth seasonal defeat.

    Further drama unfolded as Duncans United mounted a comeback to defeat Petersfield FC 2-1. After conceding an early goal to Shamali Burley, Duncans rallied with Kamari Gordon equalizing before Kevone Jones netted a dramatic 72nd-minute winner.

    Zone A witnessed its own share of excitement. Sakka Club Browns Town leads the table with 16 points, narrowly ahead of Tru-Juice FC, which squandered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw against a resilient Baptist Alliance. Meanwhile, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) climbed to third place on 13 points following a commanding 2-0 victory over WiFi United, with late goals from Devontae Francis and Tevin Cheese.

    The weekend was not without disruption; the fixture between Lime Hall and Meadforest FC was abandoned after 26 minutes due to a catastrophic failure of the lighting system at Drax Hall, with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

    Concluding the weekend’s fixtures, Reno FC edged STETHS Elite FA 2-1 on Sunday, powered by a two-goal performance from Lennox Wright.

  • #Champs2026: 2025 medallists return to girls Open 400m hurdles final

    #Champs2026: 2025 medallists return to girls Open 400m hurdles final

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening day of the prestigious ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in the girls’ Open 400m hurdles. In a remarkable display of consistency and elite competition, all three medalists from the previous year’s final successfully advanced through Tuesday’s preliminary heats to secure their spots in Friday’s championship race.

    Defending champion Kelly-Ann Kerr, representing Edwin Allen High, will face off once again against her familiar rivals from Hydel High: last year’s silver medalist Nastassia Fletcher and bronze winner Aaliyah Mullings. Mullings emerged as the fastest qualifier, dominating her heat with a time of 59.46 seconds. Kerr followed closely with 59.74 seconds, while Fletcher posted a nearly identical 59.75 seconds, signaling an intensely competitive final awaits.

    The field for the medal round will include several other notable contenders. Chennai Burke of St Elizabeth Technical, who finished seventh in last year’s final, earned her return with a time of 1:01.37 minutes. They will be joined by Alyssa Carty of St Jago High, Port Antonio High’s Sheneca Harris, Edwin Allen’s Marria Crossfield, and Shannaty Burke from Ferncourt High, completing a talented roster of Jamaica’s most promising young athletes.