Carib Scope

标签： Jamaica

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  • Guyanese national convicted of stealing American-funded aid

    Guyanese national convicted of stealing American-funded aid

    In a significant development, U.S. authorities have concluded a years-long investigation, unsealing an indictment in the District of South Carolina against two foreign nationals for conspiring to illegally divert U.S.-funded global health commodities. The defendants, Eric Ndungu Mwangi, a 40-year-old Kenyan national, and Davendra Rampersaud, a 42-year-old Guyanese national, along with their associated businesses, were charged in a 2021 superseding indictment by a federal grand jury. The indictment was initially sealed to safeguard the ongoing investigation, which was spearheaded by the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

    The investigation centered on the KEMSA Medical Commodities Programme (MCP), a USAID-funded initiative with a budget of approximately $650 million. The KEMSA MCP aimed to establish a secure and sustainable supply chain management system for HIV/AIDS commodities in Kenya, while also supporting the warehousing and distribution of family planning, nutrition, and malaria supplies. However, beginning in 2014, Mwangi and his company, Linear Diagnostics (LD), systematically stole HIV test kits and other commodities intended for KEMSA. These stolen goods were then sold to Rampersaud and his Guyanese company, Caribbean Medical Supplies, Inc. (CMS).

    In 2015, Rampersaud fraudulently obtained a ‘Letter of Authority,’ enabling him to secure a lucrative, sole-source contract with the Guyana Ministry of Health for the illegally acquired products. Between 2015 and 2019, Rampersaud allegedly paid Mwangi over $177,000 for the diverted medical supplies, including the stolen, USAID-funded HIV test kits meant for Kenya. Rampersaud further profited by selling these stolen health commodities to the Guyanese government. Additionally, he and his company acquired and sold test kits stolen from another separate USAID programme.

    U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina described the investigation as ‘incredibly complicated, spanning years and an ocean,’ emphasizing that the defendants ‘jeopardised a vital public health mission and caused a significant loss to the American taxpayers.’

    In February 2021, Kenyan authorities arrested Mwangi on charges related to theft and fraud. He is currently awaiting trial in Kenya and faces up to 20 years in prison, fines, and supervised release on the American charges. Rampersaud was arrested in January 2023 during a flight layover in Miami, en route to Guyana. He was transported to Charleston, South Carolina, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and stealing or converting health commodities funded by USAID. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Rampersaud, crediting him for time served, and imposed a three-year supervised release term and an $84,000 fine.

  • Vybz Kartel earns fourth Billboard song entry on Travis Scott’s PBT

    Vybz Kartel earns fourth Billboard song entry on Travis Scott’s PBT

    Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has achieved his fourth Billboard charting song with ‘PBT,’ a collaboration featuring American rapper Travis Scott and South African singer Tyla. The track climbed from #23 to #18 on this week’s Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart, marking its steady rise since its debut at #38 on August 16, 2025. Kartel’s previous Billboard entries include ‘Pon De Floor’ with Major Lazer, ‘Ramping Shop’ with Spice, and the gold-certified hit ‘Fever.’ ‘PBT’ is part of the 17-track ‘Jackboys 2’ compilation album, released on July 13 by Cactus Jack Records and Epic Records. The album, featuring artists like Future, Playboi Carti, and 21 Savage, topped the Billboard 200 with 232,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Meanwhile, Sean Paul’s ‘Ginger’ holds steady at #14 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, while Mariah Carey’s ‘Sugar Sweet’ slips to #32. On the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bumpin Uglies debuted at #7 with ‘Crawling Up the Wall,’ their sixth entry since their 2018 chart-topper ‘Beast from the East.’ Legendary acts like Bob Marley and the Wailers continue to dominate, with ‘Legend’ logging 298 non-consecutive weeks at #1. Regional charts also saw movement, with Khago’s ‘2 Time’ maintaining its #1 spot for a third week.

  • Million-year-old skull could change human evolution timeline

    Million-year-old skull could change human evolution timeline

    A groundbreaking study published on Friday has revealed that humans may have diverged from our ancient ancestors 400,000 years earlier than previously believed, and in Asia rather than Africa. The findings, based on a digital reconstruction of a million-year-old skull discovered in China in 1990, could reshape our understanding of human evolution and resolve the so-called ‘Muddle in the Middle’ period of human history. The skull, labeled Yunxian 2, was initially thought to belong to Homo erectus, an early human ancestor. However, advanced reconstruction technologies, including CT scanning and virtual modeling, revealed features more closely aligned with later species such as Homo longi and Homo sapiens. Chris Stringer, an anthropologist at London’s Natural History Museum and a member of the research team, stated, ‘This changes a lot of thinking. It suggests that by one million years ago, our ancestors had already split into distinct groups, pointing to a much earlier and more complex evolutionary split than previously believed.’ The study, published in the journal Science, also challenges the long-held assumption that early humans dispersed exclusively from Africa. Michael Petraglia, director of Griffith University’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, noted, ‘There’s a big change potentially happening here, where east Asia is now playing a very key role in hominin evolution.’ However, some experts remain skeptical, cautioning that the findings are likely to be disputed. Andy Herries, an archaeologist at La Trobe University, argued that fossil morphology alone may not be a reliable indicator of human evolution, emphasizing the importance of genetic analysis. The study underscores the complexity of human origins and highlights the need for further research to unravel the mysteries of our evolutionary past.

  • Antiguan reggae artiste Jaygo completes studies at UWI, releases new single

    Antiguan reggae artiste Jaygo completes studies at UWI, releases new single

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jaygo, the Antiguan reggae artiste and recent law school graduate, has seamlessly blended his dual passions for music and law, creating a unique narrative that reflects his deep connection to Caribbean culture. Born Jamal Gordon, Jaygo pursued legal studies at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, where he immersed himself in the island’s vibrant culture while excelling academically.

  • Chief Justice pays tribute to late Judge Ruth Lawrence

    Chief Justice pays tribute to late Judge Ruth Lawrence

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican legal community is in mourning following the passing of Judge Ruth Lawrence, a revered figure whose career was defined by unwavering integrity, profound compassion, and an unyielding commitment to justice. Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, in a heartfelt statement issued on Wednesday, expressed profound grief over her death, calling it “a profound loss to our judicial system and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.” Sykes also conveyed his deepest condolences on behalf of the judiciary to Lawrence’s family, colleagues, and friends.

  • Adult film actor Austin Wolf sentenced to 19 years in prison for child sexual exploitation

    Adult film actor Austin Wolf sentenced to 19 years in prison for child sexual exploitation

    Justin Heath Smith, widely known by his stage name Austin Wolf, has been handed a 19-year prison sentence for his involvement in luring minors into illegal sexual activities and engaging in prohibited sexual conduct. The 44-year-old adult film actor was also ordered to undergo 10 years of supervised release and pay a $40,000 fine. The sentencing was delivered by US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, who oversaw Smith’s guilty plea. US Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the severity of Smith’s crimes, stating, ‘Justin Heath Smith’s crimes against children are horrible. He targeted kids as young as seven, and every New Yorker wants him off our streets for as long as possible.’ Smith’s actions included arranging meetings with minors for sexual exploitation, recording illicit encounters, and distributing child pornography. Investigations revealed that Smith possessed over 1,291 files of child pornography, some depicting infants and toddlers. His arrest followed a federal search warrant executed at his residence, preventing a planned encounter with a purported seven-year-old child. Smith’s case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors.

  • UN urges international community to support establishment of new office in Haiti

    UN urges international community to support establishment of new office in Haiti

    The United Nations has issued a pressing appeal to the global community to fund its newly proposed UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), designed to bolster the operational and logistical capabilities of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF). This initiative follows the Security Council’s recent resolution to transition the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into the GSF, aimed at curbing gang violence in the crisis-stricken nation.

  • FID amplifies public education to curb financial crimes

    FID amplifies public education to curb financial crimes

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Financial Investigations Division (FID) is ramping up its nationwide public-education initiative to address financial crimes by enhancing awareness and understanding among Jamaican citizens. Under the Financial Investigations Division Act, the FID has introduced a series of media-driven programs to educate individuals, businesses, and regulated entities on the mechanisms of financial crimes, how to identify red flags, and the proper channels for reporting suspicious activities. Key components of the campaign include the “FID in Action” radio series, broadcast on Nationwide 90FM every first and third Friday at 8:20 am; “Follow The Money,” an audiovisual podcast released monthly on the FID’s YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music; and the “Money Mule Awareness” campaign, which incorporates news stories, digital advertisements, and townhall-style engagements. Dennis Chung, Chief Technical Director of the FID, highlighted the pivotal role of public education in curbing financial crime. He stated, “Public education is a frontline tool in Jamaica’s fight against financial crime. By equipping people with knowledge about the law, common schemes, and warning signs, we can reduce victimization and deter involvement in illegal activities such as fraud, money laundering, and money-mule operations. Our goal is to simplify complex topics into actionable advice for all Jamaicans.” The FID has recently intensified its focus on vulnerable groups, including young professionals, the unemployed, and small business owners, warning them about the risks of allowing their accounts to be used for illicit fund transfers. Such actions are illegal under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and can lead to criminal charges. The FID urges the public to report suspected financial crimes via email at contact@fid.gov.jm or by calling 876-928-5141.

  • Man charged after $147,000 theft incident

    Man charged after $147,000 theft incident

    In a recent development in Kingston, Jamaica, Fredrick Wizzard has been formally charged with receiving stolen property. The case revolves around a bag containing $147,000, which was reportedly stolen from a local shop. Wizzard appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, where he vehemently denied the allegations, stating, ‘untruth them telling.’

    According to reports, the bag was discovered by a witness shortly after the theft. The witness allegedly entrusted the bag to Wizzard, who purportedly promised to return it to its rightful owner. However, the money was never delivered, leading to Wizzard’s arrest and subsequent charges.

    The court has granted Wizzard bail under specific conditions, requiring him to report to the Lawrence Tavern Police Station three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The case is scheduled for trial on November 27, where further details are expected to emerge.

    This incident highlights ongoing concerns about property crimes and the challenges in ensuring justice in such cases. The community awaits the trial’s outcome to see how the legal system addresses this alleged breach of trust.

  • US govt shutdown begins after Congress fails to reach deal

    US govt shutdown begins after Congress fails to reach deal

    The United States federal government entered a shutdown early Wednesday after lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to resolve a bitter budget standoff. The impasse, centered on Democratic demands for increased health care funding, has left hundreds of thousands of government workers furloughed and disrupted services for millions of Americans. This marks the first shutdown since the historic 35-day closure during Trump’s previous term.